3.2/5 stars – A necessary evil for Kodak owners.
The screen stayed black for 10 terrifying seconds. Then, small white text appeared: "Updating firmware. Do not turn off."
The entire process took about 90 seconds. The lens did not extend (smart move by Kodak – prevents physical damage). The progress bar moved in jerky increments. Then the camera shut itself off. kodak firmware update
Those with a perfectly functioning camera, or anyone not comfortable manually handling .bin files.
Do not rename the file. Even changing firmware.bin to AZ528_V104.bin will break the update. Step 3: The Update Procedure – Surprisingly Smooth With the card inserted and the camera in "Playback" mode (the blue triangle icon), I held down the Menu button and powered the camera on. Do not turn off
Subject: Kodak Firmware Update Device Used: Kodak PixPro AZ528 (though applicable to many AZ/FZ models) Firmware Version: From v1.01 to v1.04 Time Spent: ~25 minutes (excluding research) Verdict: Cautiously recommended – with significant patience required. Introduction: Why Bother? Kodak isn't the giant it was in the film era, but its PixPro series of bridge cameras remain popular for beginners and budget-conscious wildlife photographers. When I noticed my AZ528 occasionally freezing after burst shots and struggling with SD card compatibility, I did what any tech-savvy owner does: checked for a firmware update.
It’s not fun, it’s not polished, but for a niche camera brand, it works . And in 2026, that’s almost admirable. Just back up your photos first. Have you updated your Kodak camera? Share your model and experience below. Then the camera shut itself off
No button-mashing, no cryptic error codes. It just worked. Step 4: What Actually Changed? (The Real Review) After the update, I tested the camera for two weeks. Here are the tangible differences: