• A Shutter Priority mode (1/2000 to 8 seconds in 1/3EV steps).
  
• An Aperture Priority mode (f/2.8 to f/8.0 in 1/3EV steps).
  
• Manual white balance adjustment up to +/-1500°K in 300°K steps, in all white balance modes except [AUTO].
  
• The zoom magnification ratio is shown on the LCD and the EVF (as 1X to 12X).
  
• Slightly lower JPEG compression in the 1600 x 1200 mode supposedly resulting in higher quality (but file size is increased by 15–20%).
  
• The FZ2 stays at full aperture and max ISO until you depress the shutter button. This helps focusing and framing in dim lighting.

2. Copy firmware.bin to the root of a memory card (usually with two empty folders: DCIM and MISC). You can format the memory card in the camera to get an empty card. You can use a card reader for this, or with card in camera. If using the camera to copy the file, turn the camera off after copying the file.

3. Have the battery fully charged. This is very important, because a battery going empty during the firmware upgrade process could damage your camera. You could use the AC adapter as well, but then you run the risk of a power failure, so the best way is still a fully charged battery. As the voltage of a completely charged battery may be slightly higher than that of a partly discharged one, it may be a tad safer to use a fully charged one.

4. With the camera off, insert the memory card (unless already in), turn the switch to playback (review mode).

5. Turn the camera on and you should see English upgrading information. If not, you should turn the camera off and start over.

6. Choose FIRM/EEprom (on the left-hand side), push SET (down arrow) on the back of the camera, then the LCD will turn blue.

7. Wait for about 2 minutes until the on/off light stops blinking. (Should beep when done, unless speaker is disabled.)

9. Remove the firmware.bin file from the memory card or, better, format the memory card in the camera.

10. The upgrade will reset all default settings, including resetting the numbering system. If you want to restore the filenumber to where it was before the upgrade, do the following:

11. Take a picture with the upgraded FZ1. Insert the SD card with the picture on it---either into a card reader or into the camera hooked up to your computer in playback mode.

12. Rename this last taken image on the memory card (for example, if you just upgraded the camera, the only picture there will be X:DCIM100_panaP1000001.JPG) to filenumber + 1 (in this example, rename it to X:DCIM100_panaP1000002.JPG)

13. Copy the image file or copy any FZ1 image file to the same card and rename it to whatever you want the next file number to be - 1 (minus 1). Example: Your previous last number was X:DCIM100_panaP1000901.JPG, so copy this file or any FZ1 image file and rename it to P1000901.JPG)

15. Your current filenumber should now be P1000902.JPG (or whatever number you chose + 1).

Explanation: The FZ1 tries to write the next file number (P1000002.JPG), but seeing that it exists, instead of overwriting the file, it looks for the highest number on the card (P1000901.JPG) and sets the next number to P1000902.JPG.

Note: If you create a file with the highest number X:DCIM100_panaP1000999.JPG the camera will look for folders with higher numbers, such as X:DCIM101_pana. It will then create a new folder with the next higher number, such as X:102_pana and will increase the filenumber accordingly, such as P1020001.JPG. Create the empty folders before taking the picture, but be very careful not to create the desired folder already! Stay one below, as the camera will create the next higher numbered folder. Remember, you can always go forward to higher numbers, but it is difficult or impossible to go back.
{mos_sb_discuss:18}