Coolpix 5000 Firmware Update Available

Many of the first Nikon Coolpix 5000 cameras were delivered with firmware v1.5 in them and a problem has been identified with it. Under certain circumstances if the camera is turned on with the lens cap on it displays a warning message on the color LCD. You are supposed to be able to turn the camera off, remove the lens cap and then turn it on again. Some cameras lock up permanently at this point and have to be sent in for service and installation of the newer firmware.



All of the Coolpix 5000's being shipped now have the newer firmware. You can check your camera's firmware version by holding the MENU button down while turning the camera on. If the screen says v1.5 you need to update, if it says v1.6 then you need do nothing, you have the latest firmware already.

The Coolpix 5000 Firmware v1.6 Update is now available for download from the Nikon USA web site. This is for Windows users only at this time. We'll post more news and a link when the Macintosh uploader is available.

You can upgrade your firmware via CF card if you have a card reader or PCMCIA adapter and laptop that you use to download your image data rather than the USB cable and Nikon software. This also works for Macintosh users so if you have a card reader (or know someone who does) you won't have to wait for the Mac updater to upgrade your camera. Here's how to do it:

  • Format your CF card in the camera
  • Set your camera's Auto Off time to 5 or 30 minutes
  • Set the menu language to English (not sure if it works for others)
  • Make sure that the EN-EL1 battery is fully charged or use a fresh 2CR5
  • Put the CF card in your card reader (or laptop with PCMCIA adapter), create a folder called "Firmware" off the root of the card. Make sure that you don't create this folder off of the DCIM folder, it must be off the root.
  • Extract the firmware.bin file from the CP5000_Firmware.zip file that you downloaded from the Nikon site.
  • Copy the firmware.bin file to the Firmware folder on the CF card.
  • Flip the REC/PLAY switch on the back of the Coolpix 5000 to the Play position.
  • Put the CF card in the camera.
  • Turn the camera on. You should see the following on the color LCD:

  • If your screen says "CURR: E5000V1.6" then stop, you already have the new firmware. If it says "CURR: E5000V1.5" then proceed to next step
  • Chose "Yes" and wait for the screen that says "Complete OK" -- do not turn camera off until you see the completed message.
  • Turn the camera off.
  • Turn camera on while holding down the MENU button, the screen display should indicate that the camera now has E5000V1.6 firmware.
  • If all went well, format the CF card and use your camera.
Congratulations, you are now running the latest firmware!

Please pay attention to the instructions above and follow them carefully. There's no more a chance of turning your camera into a doorstop by doing it this way then by using the software updater and the USB cable. But all the usual disclaimers apply - if this sounds too technical for you please get someone else to do it for you or contact Nikon and send your camera in. I just got done updating the Nikon 5000 that I have using this process and it worked just fine.