As from the subject, the new firmware is available to registered PASS users. "This update is to improve efficiency of camera recoder, there is no change to function or specification."

A couple of HMC-150 owners posted that this new firmware update significantly reduces image noise, so it's definitely worth updating your cameras.

Somebody of you, with this new firmware, has reported issues with third part-oem battery?

Hello! I have instaled the new firmware on my ag-hmc151!
I have no problem with my oem battery!

Ciulian,

Have you noticed a reduced significant amount of image noise with this update? thanks!

”Have you noticed a reduced significant amount of image noise with this update?”
NO!

...I shot a bunch of interviews with the new firmware last Friday, and finally had a chance to work on the footage today. I hate to say it but I can't see any difference compared to the previous 1.20 firmware.

There must be some reason Panasonic released this new firmware, but there does not appear to be any improvement of image noise.

I also tested the audio, just to see if by any luck the audio noise level had improved, and it's also the same. When levels are set to -12 dB with a 1 KHz tone, the noise threshold is about -60 dB, which pisses me off a little as my $1,000 Canon HG21 has a noise threshold of -73 dB under the same conditions, and I've heard that the Sony EX-1r is about -90 dB. ( My old DVX-100 was also about -73 dB, so there is no excuse for the HMC-150 )