• The Panasonic DMC-GX1
• The Ricoh CX6
• The Pentax K-5

Photo: TAKA@P.P.R.S / Flickr

Thanks to the wonders of modern technology and firmware updates, the camera you buy today could improve tomorrow through a simple update.

These updates can do anything from fix niggling problems with the initial programming or give your camera completely new features, making it prudent and beneficial to keep your camera as up to date as possible so that you don’t miss out. Here are some of the latest firmware update releases.

The Panasonic DMC-GX1

Panasonic has announced a firmware update for their DMC-GX1 that will not only fix some issues found in the GX1 but will add a few features as well. The auto white balance will have improved performance, as will some of the auto focus systems like AF continuous. There will now be a Menu Resume button in each menu tab and you can flip the pegs with the display button. In addition to these tweaks, a step zoom function will also be added to the GX1.

The Ricoh CX6

Ricoh’s new firmware update for their CX6 seems to have only one function. Once you have downloaded the firmware onto the camera the only thing it will change is its ability to focus in very bright conditions.

The Pentax K-5

Pentax have released a firmware update for their K-5 digital camera. The camera has been given an innovative feature called the Astrotracer, an as yet never before seen in any other commercial digital camera. This feature uses the Shake Reduction System, which works alongside a GPS system, to prevent star trails from appearing in your photographs when you use very long exposures at night.

While some people may like the star trails created by the movement of the stars across the frame there may be some shots that require pin-sharp stars in the background. The Astrotracer will freeze the stars movement through the frame. The update will fix an issue with green banded noise that would appear when using this function.

If you’ve had your camera for some time and have never done a firmware update before, there’s a high possibility updates are available.