How to Update Firmware on Panasonic Lumix Cameras

By m43lab.com·June 20, 2026·5 min read

Panasonic Lumix firmware updates are done via SD card. You download the firmware file from Panasonic's support site, copy it to the root of a formatted SD card, and run the update from the camera's Setup menu. The process takes 2-3 minutes and must not be interrupted.

Before you start

• Fully charge the battery. A failed update due to low power can damage the camera.
• Use an SD card that has been formatted in the camera, not on a computer.
• Do not put more than one firmware file on the card. Multiple files cause the update to fail.
• Check your current firmware version: MENU > Setup (wrench) > Firmware Version.
• Note the version number and compare it to the latest release on Panasonic's firmware download page.

Step 1: download the firmware file

1. Go to Panasonic's firmware download page (av.jpn.support.panasonic.com/support/global/cs/dsc/download/) and select your camera model.
2. Download the firmware file. It may come as a ZIP archive or a self-extracting EXE.
3. If ZIP: unzip it and confirm you have a file ending in .bin or .lin.
4. If EXE: double-click it, click Install, and confirm the .bin or .lin file appears in the output folder.

Step 2: copy the file to the SD card

1. Insert the formatted SD card into a card reader connected to your computer.
2. Copy the .bin or .lin firmware file to the root directory of the card - the top level, not inside any folder.
3. Do not place it inside the DCIM folder or any other subfolder.
4. Eject the card safely from your computer.

Step 3: run the update on the camera

These steps apply to the G9 II, GH7, GH6, GH5 II, and most current Lumix G bodies.

1. Turn the camera off.
2. Insert the SD card with the firmware file into the camera.
3. Insert the fully charged battery.
4. Turn the camera on.
5. Press MENU and go to the Setup section (wrench icon).
6. Select Firmware Version, then select Firmware Update.
7. A confirmation screen appears. Select Yes and press MENU/SET to begin.
8. The update takes approximately 2-3 minutes. The camera will show a progress indicator.
9. The camera restarts automatically when complete.
10. Do not touch any buttons, remove the battery, or remove the SD card until the camera has fully restarted.

Step 4: verify and format

1. After restart, go to MENU > Setup > Firmware Version and confirm the number matches the version you installed.
2. Format the SD card in the camera before resuming normal use. This prevents potential conflicts from the firmware file left on the card.

What not to do during an update

• Do not turn the camera off.
• Do not remove the battery.
• Do not remove the SD card.
• Do not detach the lens if updating lens firmware at the same time.
• Do not press any buttons while the update is running.

Updating lens firmware

Panasonic also releases firmware updates for their lenses. To update a lens, attach it to the camera body, copy the lens firmware file to the SD card root (separately from any body firmware), and follow the same menu path. If updating both body and lens at the same time, Panasonic recommends updating the body first, then the lens.

Related reading