Panasonic DMC-FZ18 1.05 & 1.08 Firmware

I bought Panasonic DMC-FZ18 in the middle of 2008.
It's 1.04 firmware at first.
Then I upgraded to 1.05, and now it's 1.08. No problem found yet.

*** Warning!!! ***
You MUST check your current firmware version before upgrading.
- If it's newer or the same as here, don't upgrade.
- If it's older, then it's up to you.


Firmware version checking
http://regex.info/exif.cgi
Take any photo at the smallest size. Then upload to this website.
You'll see your camera's firmware version.


Blue Band testing
http://fz18.ruudabeln.nl/blueband.htm
Most FZ18 cameras sold before June 2008 have the Blue Band problem.
Only Panasonic service center can fix it.


Panasonic DMC-FZ18 firmware 1.0.5
http://rapidshare.com/files/160871066/fz18_firmware1_05.rar
Upgrading procedure is included.


Panasonic DMC-FZ18 firmware 1.0.8
http://rapidshare.com/files/160873300/fz18_firmware1_08.rar
Upgrading procedure is included.


WARNING! - DO AS YOUR OWN RISK!!!


***** Firmware_History *****

<Ver 1.08>
* Improved horizontal noise, in starry sky scene mode / manual exposure mode.
(The noise may appear when shutter speed is set to around 15 sec. by the camera.)

<Ver 1.07>
* Improved blue band may appear on a picture taken slightly and
need three components change on the MAIN PCB.

<Ver 1.06>
* Improved detecting speed faster for the face detection.
* Improved AWB function.
* Improved the date information may not correctly printed (PictBridge).

<Ver 1.05>
* Improved detecting time faster for the face detection.
* Improved an over ISO sensitivity gain.
* Improved out of focus at 1m, in the tele-macro mode.


*** If you see a yellow "!" instead of Lumix logo when turning off ***


After finishing the procedure, when you turn off the camera a yellow "!" insted of the lumix logo will appear. It is dued to the world factory setting to be not setted. It's not vital for the camera functionality but is "noisy" for me :P

To remove it do the following and BE CAREFUL NOT TO SELECT NONE(JAPAN) or (P)NORTH AMERICA settings (when asked) because this change will not be reversible, even with a new firmware update ! (your camera will be JAPAN or NORTH AMERICA FOR EVER !). You will understand it reading on.

BACKUP ANY PICs FROM THE CAMERA INTERNAL MEMORY OR YOU WILL LOOSE IT !

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• Step 1. The temporary cancellation of initial setting:
Set the mode dial to “[ P ]”.
While keep pressing [ AF macro/Focus switch ] button and “[ Upper arrow Cursor ] button” simultaneously, turn the Power on.
• Step 2. The cancellation of initial setting:
Set the mode dial to “[ Playback ]”.
Press [ AF macro/Focus switch ] button and “[ Upper arrow Cursor ] button” simultaneously, then turn the Power off.
• Step 3. Turn the Power on:
Set the mode dial to “[ P ]”, and then turn the Power on.
• Step 4. Display the INITIAL SETTING:
While keep pressing [ MENU ] and “[ Right arrow Cursor ] button” simultaneously, turn the Power off.

The camera WILL NOT SHUT OFF and a selection menu will appear.
BE CAREFUL HERE, DO NOT SELECT NONE(JAPAN) OR P(NORTH AMERICA) OTHERWISE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHANGE IT IN THE FUTURE !

The selection menu is made of 3 screens, choose the right option for your country following this list:

a) DMC-FZ18 (Japan domestic model) NTSC Japanese Year/Month/Date (DO NOT USE THIS ONE unless you have a japanese model)
b) DMC-FZ1P/PC/PL NTSC English Month/Date/Year (DO NOT USE THIS ONE unless you have an American model)
c) DMC-FZ18EB/EG/E/GC/GN/SG PAL English Date/Month/Year
d) DMC-FZ18EF PAL French Date/Month/Year
d) DMC-FZ18EE PAL Russian Date/Month/Year
e) DMC-FZ18GK PAL Chinese (simplified) Year/Month/Date
h) DMC-FZ18GT NTSC Chinese (traditional) Year/Month/Date
h) DMC-FZ18GD NTSC Korean Year/Month/Date

You can know which is the one for your camera looking for the following logo letters under the camera plastic case :

VCI = None(Japan) model
FC UL SA = P/PC models
V C E dve = EB/EF/EG/E/GN models
PCT = EE model
full model number (with suffix) = GD/GK/GT models
none of the above = PL/GC/SG models

I have an european model and I have selected the EB model without any problem !

That's all ! Other firmware versions are welcome !

Credit: http://www.flickr.com/groups/panasoniclumixdmcfz18/discuss/72157603940934243/