A little before 2:00am Central Standard Time Blackmagic Design quietly released Firmware 1.8 for the Cinema Camera, the Production Camera, the Pocket Camera and the Studio Camera. There was no press release… No announcement at all. It was quietly uploaded and within a couple hours, they took the update away. At the very least, this is an opportunity to see what is to come in the new firmware before it's officially released
*UPDATE 6/24/14*
Blackmagic Design has now officially released firmware 1.8. The updated features are listed below. I don't know how an early release escaped from BMD before they wanted to launch it, but it did. Make sure to only use the Firmware downloaded from the Blackmagic Design Support Site: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support
*UPDATE 6/23/14*
It was not an official release and that is why they took it down. From BMD: do not install the firmware found on the forums. Go here: http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support to get the correct firmware. When does it become official? I have no idea, but I imagine it will be officially released soon. At the very least, this is a great glimpse at the future firmware update we should all be getting soon.
4K BLACKMAGIC PRODUCTION CAMERA
– Losslessly compressed RAW DNG recording
– New user interface
– Adds auto focus support for compatible EF lenses
– Address the issue with pixel artifacts seen in the edges of strong highlights while shooting 1080
2.5K BLACKMAGIC CINEMA CAMERA
– Improved debayering when shooting ProRes or DNxHD
– Improved ISO handling when shooting at ISO 1600
– Improved audio
– Adds auto focus support for compatible EF lenses
– New user interface
– Improved focus peaking
– Iris setting retained when switching between playback and recording
BLACKMAGIC POCKET CINEMA CAMERA
– Improved performance when recording with internal mic
– Improved where a grid-like pattern may occur in some flare highlights
– Improved auto focus with active MFT lenses
– Adds support for stabilization in MFT lenses without a physical O.I.S. switches
– Improved support for Sigma MFT Lenses
– Improved support for Lumix 12-42 PZ lens
– Improved support for Olympus 60mm f/2.8 MFT lens
– New user interface
– Iris setting retained when switching between playback and recording
BLACKMAGIC STUDIO CAMERA
– Improved phantom power compatibility
– Addresses an issue with interlace video output as progressive
In the end, this list of improvements/updates may change since the firmware wasn't officially released. Notable updates left out? Audio meters and on display Waveform. However, from what I understand the Blackmagic Cinema Camera software needed a big rewrite to come up to the software level of the other cameras. Once Blackmagic does that, then updates for all the cameras could come much faster.
Now if only they will officially release Firmware 1.8. There's been a lot of people waiting for these features.
* OFFICIAL UPDATE FROM BMD* 6/23/14
The firmware 1.8 FOUND ON THE FORUMS was not a software release BMD had approved. They do not support it, and it should not be installed on your cameras.
So if you have found a way to get firmware 1.8 from somewhere other than the official BMC support page you might want to think twice before installing it to your camera. Otherwise, it might make your camera a great door stop.