Nikon India announced the new Nikon D5 firmware update, C: Ver. 1.10, set to boost the performance of the notable D-SLR for professionals. Each of the four upgrades is set to further deliver the potential and quality of today’s photography needs.
The free firmware update focuses on advancing the camera’s shooting capabilities with four key improvements amongst other additional updates*1. These four upgrades are the introduction of a 9-point dynamic-area autofocus (AF) AF-area mode, extension of maximum recording time of movies including 4K UHD movies, Flicker Reduction for still images, and electronic Vibration Reduction (VR) function for video recording.
*1 Details regarding “additional updates” are provided on the firmware’s free download page at Nikon Download Center
Nikon D5 firmware, C: Ver. 1.10, Overview
Release date: June 23, 2016
Download URL: http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/320/D5.html
* The camera’s current firmware version can be checked using the Firmware version option in the setup menu.
Four Key Upgrades
- 9-point dynamic-area autofocus AF-area mode added for selective focusing on a limited portion of a moving subject: With dynamic-area AF, the camera focuses based on information from surrounding focus points*2 even 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. Now with the new 9-point dynamic-area AF option, photographers will find extra efficiency when focusing on a more specific portion of a moving subject.
*2 In dynamic-area AF with 9, 25 or 72-point, the number of focus points actually in use may be less than 9, 25 or 72, depending on the selected primary focus point
- Extension of maximum movie recording time, including 4K UHD movies: 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 (3840×2160)*3 movies from three minutes to 29 minutes 59 seconds. In addition, movies are recorded with up to 8 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.
*3 The maximum recording time for 4K UHD time-lapse movies is three minutes
- Flicker Reduction for still images introduced for more stable exposure, even under lighting that flickers: When shooting under fluorescent and some other types of artificial lighting, flicker may cause uneven exposure in parts of images, and/or variations in exposure and colour reproduction characteristics between individual images captured continuously or in quick succession. The Flicker Reduction function for still images*4 reduces these effects. When the function is enabled, the camera detects the peak brightness as light flickers, and automatically times the shutter release with these peaks for stable exposure and colour reproduction characteristics. This function is effective when continuous shooting is used with indoor sporting events and other similar conditions captured at fast shutter speeds*5.
*4 Still images captured during viewfinder photography (not available with mirror up mode)
*5 The continuous shooting rate may be slower
- Inclusion of electronic Vibration Reduction function, effective with hand-held recording, for HD and Full-HD*6 movie recording: The new firmware has been equipped with an electronic VR function*7that reduces the effects of camera shake with hand-held recording of movies in the FX (FULL-FRAME)- or DX-based movie formats (image areas)*8. The effects of camera shake in three directions, vertical (up and down), horizontal (left and right), and rotational (around the centre of the lens) are reduced. This function is effective when recording movies in places or situations where usage 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 VR built into a NIKKOR lens for more effective reduction of the effects of camera shake.
*6 Not available with 1920 × 1080 crop settings
*7 When electronic VR is enabled, the maximum sensitivity allowed is ISO 102400, even if ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher. The effects of electronic VR are also reflected when photos are captured during movie recording (Live frame grab)
*8 The angle of view will be reduced slightly