[Leica] Fuji and Sony - OT

[Adam Bridge]

I didn’t know about this release, Jayanand. Thanks.

Not only do I like the Fuji philosophy of firmware releases I much prefer their mechanism for installation.

Sony requires special software to download the firmware to the Sony camera. On the Mac this is in the form of a KEXT file which, once installed, runs inside the kernel of the OS. If that bit of software is somehow compromised it owns your computer. I don’t know if this is the case with Windows. Fuji, on the other hand, downloads a file that is transferred to an SD card and then loaded into camera. Much simpler.

I’ve had “adventures” updating Sony firmware. In fact almost ever firmware update has been an adventure.

Adam

> On 2018 May  8, at 8:18 PM, Jayanand Govindaraj via LUG <lug at leica-users.org> wrote:
> 
> Fuji released a "Kaizen" firmware update yesterday for the Fuji X-T2 which
> effectively makes the X-T2 a Fuji XH1 (the latest model) without IBIS. Fuji
> are in the habit of releasing major upgrades through firmware even for
> older bodies which are not being manufactured anymore.
> 
> When Sony were asked about this (from Fuji Rumors):
> 
> Quote:
> What Sony Thinks About Firmware Updates
> 
> So there are Pros and Cons in Fujifilm’s firmware strategy. We take note
> that it is a strategy adopted almost exclusively by Fujifilm, whereas most
> companies go a different path, such as Sony.
> 
> In fact, when asked about firmware updates on Sony cameras like Fujifilm
> does, a Sony manager said here
> <https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/1178102988/sony-interview-if-cameras-are-going-to-develop-manufacturers-have-to-develop-mirrorless-technologies>
> :
> 
> “*We’re still in the early stages of challenging the market with our
> products, and the new model cycle is relatively rapid, compared to our
> competitors. But the next step is to increase our market share. And if we
> want to reach new customers, we need [to make] new types of cameras*.
> […] *Maybe
> this is one of the reasons our product release cycle is faster than some of
> our competitors*.”
> 
> The result is clear: Fujifilm releases slower new models and delivers lots
> of improvements via firmware, Sony instead chooses to be aggressive on the
> market by releasing tons of new cameras as soon as they can with little
> firmware support for older cameras.
> 
> I am sorry, but personally I do love Fujifilm approach much more. I simply
> like it to buy gear that I know will be really taken care of also after my
> purchase.
> 
> Unquote
> 
> Reminds me of Canon (Sony) vs Nikon (Fuji) in the old days. It is just a
> reminder to choose systems based on our requirements and not on marketing
> and social media hype.
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Jayanand
> 
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