Nikon Packs New Features into Latest D5 Firmware
From Nikon:
Further advance of Nikon D5 digital SLR camera performance through expanded functions
Tokyo - Nikon Corporation has released new firmware, C: Ver. 1.10, that expands the functions of its flagship Nikon FX-format digital SLR camera, the D5.
The D5 has been extremely well received on all fronts, winning such globally prestigious photo and imaging awards as the TIPA Awards 2016, and the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2016 Readers Award (sponsored by Japan's Camera Journal Press Club), which is selected through voting by users.
Nikon has released new firmware for the D5, C: Ver. 1.10, that enhances D5 performance even further. The new firmware offers a major upgrade to the camera's shooting capabilities, delivering four key improvements. First, the maximum recording time of movies, including for 4K UHD movies, is extended, and three functions — Flicker reduction for still images, 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode, and Electronic VR for movies — are added. In addition to these four major changes, some additional updates* have been applied to the new firmware.
Details regarding "additional updates" are provided on the firmware's free download page (Nikon Download Center).
Release overview
The new firmware is available for download from June 23, 2016. It can be downloaded free of charge from the following URL.
New firmware for the D5, C: Ver.1.10
Four major improvements
1. Maximum movie recording time, including for 4K UHD movies, extended to 29 min. 59 s
Movies up to 29 minutes 59 seconds in length can now be recorded at all Movie quality and Frame size/frame rate settings. The new firmware increases the maximum recording time of even 4K UHD (3840x2160) movies from 3 minutes to 29 minutes 59 seconds. In addition, movies are recorded to up to eight separate files, each of which has a file size of up to 4 GB. Separate movie files can be combined to create a single movie using ViewNX-Movie Editor.
The maximum recording time for 4K UHD time-lapse movies is 3 minutes.
2. Flicker reduction for still images added for more stable exposure under lighting that flickers
When shooting under fluorescent and some other types of artificial lighting, flickering may cause uneven exposure in parts of images and/or variations in exposure and color reproduction characteristics between individual images captured continuously or in quick succession. We have equipped the new firmware with a Flicker reduction function for still images*1 that reduces these effects. When Flicker reduction is enabled, the camera detects peak brightness as light flickers and automatically times shutter release with these peaks in brightness for stable exposure and color reproduction characteristics. This function is effective when continuous shooting is used for indoor sporting events or similar situations captured at fast shutter speeds*2
*1 Still images captured during viewfinder photography (not available with mirror up mode).
*2 The continuous shooting rate may decrease.
3. 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode added for focusing on a limited portion of a moving subject
With dynamic-area AF, the camera focuses based on information from surrounding focus points* if the subject briefly leaves the focus point selected by the photographer. The D5 originally supported 25-point, 72-point and 153-point dynamic-area AF. A 9-point dynamic-area AF option has been added with the new firmware. This new option is effective for focusing on a more specific portion of a moving subject.
* In dynamic-area AF with 9, 25 or 72 points, the number of focus points actually used may be fewer than 9, 25 or 72, depending on the selected primary focus point.
4. Electronic vibration reduction function, effective with hand-held recording, added (for HD and full-HD*1 movie recording)
The new firmware has been equipped with an Electronic VR function that reduces the effects of camera shake with hand-held recording of movies in the FX- or DX-based movie formats (image areas)*2. The effects of camera shake in three directions — vertical (up and down), horizontal (left and right), and rotational (around the center of the lens) — are reduced. This function is effective when recording movies in places or situations in which use of a tripod is prohibited or inconvenient, or when there simply isn't time to set one up. In addition, electronic VR can be used in combination with the optical vibration reduction (VR) built into a NIKKOR lens for more effective reduction of the effects of camera shake.
*1 Not available with 1920 x 1080 crop settings.
*2 The angle of view will be reduced slightly.
The effects of electronic VR are also reflected when photos are captured during movie recording (Live frame grab).
When Electronic VR is enabled, the maximum sensitivity allowed is ISO 102400, even if ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher.
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