Update Roundup: Sony Flashes, Nikon Cameras, and DxO Software Updated
Following an exciting week of CES announcements, this week has been rather calm in the tech world. There have, however, been some software announcements from the likes of Nikon, Sony, and DxO that are worthwhile and important.
Sony Flash Firmware Updates
At the beginning of this week, image-making giant Sony announced firmware updates for two of its flashes. The updates impact the Sony HVL F60RM2 and Sony HVL FF46RM flashes and add compatibility with the global shutter of the Sony a9 III camera.
Both flashes will now see support for Global Shutter Sync photography in all shutter areas. That means that when the flash is used with a camera equipped with a global image sensor (as of yet, only the a9 III), “Flash photography can be synchronized with the entire range of shutter speeds available on the camera and enable more effective flash exposures than conventional High-Speed Sync photography (HSS),” explains Sony.
Additionally, the firmware update will add a Flash Charge Priority setting. More stable firing will be possible when the Chg Priority is set to Stable in the Menu screen, though this will result in a longer charging time.
Nikon Firmware Updates for The Z5, Z6 II, and Z7 II
Nikon also released firmware updates this week, though its updates are for three of its cameras. The Z5, Z6 II, and Z7 II all have firmware updates available, though they are rather minor.
The most significant change is for the Z6 II and Z7 II. The update for these cameras “Fixed an issue that in rare circumstances in which the camera did not turn on or the camera date and time were not set correctly when the camera was not used for an extended period of time,” says Nikon.
The Z5 update addresses one part of the same issue. The firmware update “Fixed an issue that in rare circumstances in which the camera date and time were not set correctly when the camera was not used for an extended period of time,” according to Nikon’s website.
Nikon didn’t specify how frequently these issues are occurring beyond apparently being rare. It also didn’t provide a timeframe for how long the camera would need to be off to see these issues. Users should update their firmware just in case.
DxO Adds Support for More Cameras and Lenses
Editing software company DxO is constantly releasing support for more lenses and cameras for better automatic corrections in its program. That list has grown by 1,409 with its latest update.
In terms of cameras, that list includes the Nikon Zf and OM System Tough TG-7. DxO added support for plenty of lenses in the update, such as the Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM, Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z, Nikon AF-S Nikkor 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR, Nikon Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S, and many other newer telephoto lenses from Canon and Nikon. Additionally, lenses from Panasonic, Leica, and Samyang will see added support.
The new DxO Optics Modules are available now, and users can download them from inside the latest versions of all DxO software.
