Updating firmware.

[Guest DaveW]

A lot of people do not know that like computers the firmware (operating system) of their digital cameras can often be updated to either fix bugs, or provide better performance of say autofocus, plus provide additional functions. Do you need to do it, probably not if your camera already does everything you want, or the upgrade provides no additional functions you want or need (these extras are usually listed in the upgrade instructions). Also there may be no firmware upgrade for your camera even if you search anyway. Generally speaking no new firmware upgrades are provided once a new model supersedes your camera, but the old upgrades are usually still available from when it was the current model:-

http://www.diyphotog...camera-firmware

However assuming you find a makers upgrade and wish to install it, in order to avoid the risk of scrambling your camaras present firmware you need to follow the instructions meticulously and make sure you have a clean formatted memory card and just as with cleaning a camera sensor, a fully charged battery so as not to run out of power half way through. Anyway here's a video of how to do it if your camera maker has provided a firmware update for your camera make and model:-

Edit: obviously you will have taken better care of your camera than he has above and not badly scratched your camera monitor screen. Screen protectors are a help and retain the secondhand value of the camera!

Firmware upgrades for Nikon:-

http://support.nikon...-nikon-products

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/

For Canon:-

http://web.canon.jp/...ing/eosd-e.html

http://web.canon.jp/...rmware-dcp.html

For Pentax:

http://www.pentax.jp...ad_digital.html

If your camera is not there you will have to Google your camera make & model + "Firmware update".

Make sure you have a fully charged battery and follow instructions to the letter though in order not to corrupt your cameras present firmware and need to return it to the makers repairer to be put right again. To quote from my first link:-

"3. Loading the firmware to the camera

In this step you will load the software image (i.e. firmware) into the camera internal memory. It is extremely crucial that there will be no power outage during the download. This is because during the software download you overwrite the current software and if you get into a power loss you'll have half of the old software and half of the new software, which will surly not work together. Sadly, the mechanism that can save you and download a new software altogether is now just a chunk of corrupted memory in your camera."

DaveW

[JohnP]

Good advice Dave.... I for one am always checking for updates and I try to keep my cameras and mobile phone updated.

[NannyFerret]

Definitely good advice.

I was petrified when I upgraded the firmware in my Panasonic bridge camera in case I messed up, and chose a nice quiet time to do it so I could follow the on screen instructions carefully.