Panasonic has released a firmware update for various DMC-FS and Travel Zoom series cameras that will prevent the use of non-Genuine Panasonic batteries in the camera. Panasonic claims this is necessary for the protection of its customers due to some aftermarket 3rd party batteries not meeting its safety standards against overcharging, internal heating and short circuiting.
According to its notice page about this firmware, updated firmware will be made available for its micro 4/3 DMC-G1 and DMC-GH1 cameras soon, although no estimated date has been given yet. Besides this new restriction, the updated firmware does not appear to offer any bug fixes or other new features.
While Panasonic may claim this is a safety move, it looks more like a move similar to chipped Inkjet cartridges to force consumers into buying the manufacturer’s own high priced accessories. Sure this move may reduce the risk of someone using batteries that could potentially leak, self-destruct or damage their camera, however, I’m sure there are far more people who get personal injuries from taking photos in dangerous areas or risky conditions than from the odd 3rd party battery that overheats!
Those who are concerned about the use of 3rd party batteries and would like to prevent non-genuine Panasonic batteries being used in their Panasonic camera (which this firmware covers) can get the firmware update here. It’s quite likely that newly manufactured cameras using these chipped batteries as well as upcoming Panasonic cameras will feature this firmware before leaving the factory, so those interested in getting a new Panasonic camera should beware of this if they are interested in getting additional batteries for it.
6 Comments
We are slowly losing are rights and this is not a good thing.
Weird Plat. as you need the BDMV to even playback blu-ray's I thought?
People have had to flashback to older firmware to get back the support.
Most popular headlines
Diablo 3 game fans hit with always-online DRM grief (4)
- Fri 18 May 20:04 by Seán
- Software
it appears that Blizzard underestimated the server capacity required to handle all the gamers, thus resulting in Battle.net servers being overloaded and taken offline at launch. As Diablo III requires the user to be logged in with an uninterrupted internet connection to play, most players were greeted with an "Error 37" on the day of launch, unable to play the game.
Microsoft invests in startup BitTorrent piracy-killer company (12)
- Mon 14 May 17:10 by Seán
- Piracy
A new Russian based startup company, Pirate Pay, claims to offer the entertainment industry a technology to kill BitTorrent based file sharing by attacking BitTorrent swarms, making it impossible to share affected files.
RunCore unveils InVincible SSD with smoking self-destruct (3)
- Thu 17 May 15:20 by Seán
- Solid State (ssd), Uncategorized
RunCore has launched its InVincible SSD line, claiming to provide the highest data security with its two physically attached buttons, coloured green & red, giving the user a choice of whether to wipe or physically destroy the SSD.
OCZ releases 7mm low-profile line-up of its Vertex 3 (3)
- Fri 18 May 18:32 by Seán
- Solid State (ssd)
OCZ is getting ready to launch its Vertex 3 LP series, which is a 7mm low profile version of its Vertex 3. This series is designed to fit in Ultrabooks and Tablets that have a 7mm bay height limition and will come in a capacity choice of 60GB, 120GB, 240GB and 480GB.
