Nikon’s latest firmware patch has rendered a number of cameras incompatible with unofficial battery packs.
Nikon customers have reported that the latest firmware update from the Japanese corporation has brought with it some unannounced alterations, affecting how they’re powering their cameras.
The recently released patch for the D3100, D3200, D5100, D5200 and Coolpix P7700 was described as an update to alter the way in which camera’s battery life was displayed.
However, some users have been left confused and angry at what they perceive as a hidden agenda behind the upgrade.
After the update, third party versions of the EN-EL14 and 14a lithium ion battery packs are no longer compatible with the models listed above.
Many customers have commented on Nikon’s official website, with one user remarking that the update was nothing more than a “villainous vendor lock in”, whilst another suggested that an update that “limited the functionality” of a device could hardly be deemed an ‘update’ at all.
Nikon are not the first to have attempted such a move however, with Panasonic releasing a similarly intentioned patch in 2009, which rejected any third party batteries that failed to stand up to the company’s meticulous safety standards.
As there is no reported way to reverse the effects of the firmware update, many users will simply have to wait and hope that a new update will fix the issue, or that Nikon will release an explanation and solution for a compatibility fix.
This third party battery issue may well have been an unintentional side-effect of the latest firmware update, as there was no mention of it in the change log for the update.
We’ll keep you posted of any updates from Nikon for this problem.
Read more: Best cameras of 2013
Via: Nikon Rumours
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
