Hi all.

I just had my camera updated today. The OIS seems to work alot better with the new firmware. But @ 12x zoom, it is still quite shaky.....

Need to say thankyou to Frank for advising who to contact to get camera repaired in Australia.

Way to go Frank!

Al

Thanks, but it was not I who first discovered the 1.5 and 1.6 version firmware upgrades.

Stuart is a good man to know for help. He's a nice guy too!

Welcome to the 1.6 firmware MX300 club! :) :)

Yes with the version 1.6 firmware, the cam will still be "shaky" at 12x. Depends on how steady the operator's hand is. I can hold it at 12x steadily - that means no more "rotating along the axis along the length of the camera" / yaw, or left right shaking. But... not for too long. My arm needs to be stabilized too - I have to put my elbow into my ribcage. Two arms are better than one for steadying the cam.

Try turning OFF the stabilizer - then you really appreciate it! ;) ;)

I assure you that the 1.6 firmware onwards is the only revision which improves the anti camera shake capabilities: the factory default 1.4 and the firmware 1.5 available at Panasonic Service Centers have pathetic anti shake - they are only good for up to 5x or 6x.

More information in my earlier post:
Dec 5, 2002: MX300 PAL firmware 1.6 solves DV OUT Glitches & IMPROVES OIS by 2X!
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5298&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

Re: "...available at Panasonic Service Centers have pathetic anti shake - they are only good for up to 5x or 6x"

Trouble is, I'd have to send the cam back to Sydney, Australia. I don't think Pana will pay for the shipping again. It'll cost like $400 Canadian for a return ticket. I wished that Pana would have everything right before they release something to the unsuspecting consumer. But then again, I doubt Sony would even admit there is a problem, if there were. Anyways, Pana is still #1 in my books, followed by Sony. (Geez, I hope I don't get taken to court for my public opinions.)

Now let's sit still and wait for a couple more months to see if the PV-DV953 really is the MX5000!

Does the firmware up-date apply to the MX3000 NTSC cameras?

I've never had any 1394 Firewire problems with dropped frames,
pertaining to the old original posts in regard to firmware updates,
and I haven't *noticed* any serious issues with the OIS at or
above 6X zoom.

This problem/s is with the MX300 - PAL. I've never heard about any such issues with the 3000.