---
title: Panasonic Lumix GF1 (Japan model) — enable English menus with PTool
date: 2020-04-12
updated: 2020-12-28
summary: A Japan-market Lumix GF1 can be given all interface languages by patching the official firmware with PTool. The steps that matter are the version increment of 10 and naming the file with a higher version.
tags: cameras, panasonic, lumix-gf1, firmware, hack
environment: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 (Japan); firmware GF1__122.bin; PTool 3.x (Windows)
author: shaun
status: published
aliases: Panasonic-GF1-Japan-Ptool-Hack.html
---

## Symptoms

Japan-market GF1 bodies only offer Japanese menus. Earlier attempts to flash a PTool-patched
firmware failed: the camera did not accept the update.

## Cause

The patched file must look like a *newer* firmware. With the default version increment the
camera refused it. The clue came from JMF on
[personal-view.com](https://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussion/117/gh1-firmware-hack-faq/p2).

## Fix

1. Download PTool (originally `http://www.gh1-hack.info/ptool3d.zip`; the site is gone, look
   for a mirror), unzip and run it.
2. **Load Firmware**: load the official GF1 firmware from Panasonic's site (here `GF1__122.bin`).
3. Apply the patch: **Patches for end users → Interface → All interface languages**.
4. Tick **version increment**, **prevent version compare** and **new body**.
5. Set the increment to **10**, not 1.
6. **Save Firmware** with the same name pattern but a higher version, here `GF1__123.bin`.
7. Copy it to the root of an SD card formatted **in the camera**. Make sure it is the only
   firmware file on the card.
8. Fully charge the battery. Camera off, insert card, camera on, press the green
   **Playback** button.
9. Choose **Yes** on the *Version Up* screen and press **OK**.

Afterwards the language menu lists English (and the other languages).

Flashing modified firmware can brick a camera. Do it at your own risk.