I always like when my tools get a power boost.  Kudos to Panasonic which just released two pretty amazing features for the Panasonic DMC-GH4.  The company dropped a brand new update to the camera’s firmware taking it to version 2.5.

Here’s what’s new…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJjvEe6VbM0

Post Focus

Post Focus is a technology that allows you to adjust which point is in-focus point after shooting.  This technology was first seen on Lytro cameras, but Panasonic has taken it to the next level by allowing cameras to actual refine what and how much is in focus. The way it works is pretty neat.

The camera shoots a burst of images at 30 fps while detecting max. 49 areas of a frame to set focus at different focus points.  These points are adjusted near to far and use Panasonic’s high-speed, DFD (Depth From Defocus) auto focus technology.  The only thing to know is that the camera is recording at 4K, which means that the images are captured at a 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixel).  This equates to an 8.3 megapixel file.  Keep in mind that this is plenty of resolution to make an 8×10 print.

4K PHOTO

By capturing a 4K video file at 30 frames per second, the GH4 can now shoot a well-timed burst.  The GH4 offers three modes of capture.  4K Burst / 4K Burst (Start/Stop) / 4K Pre-burst.  These allow you to use the feature to capture at different points in time (including before you even press the shutter button thanks to caching).  The 4K photo option creates an 8.3 megapixel file.

Download the Update

The download is now available on Panasonic’s website.  You can get it from their support page — http://av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/.