I can confirm the zoom and focus issues have been fixed for both the old and the new RLC-511 with FW release 477 (https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360032028313-07-15-2019-Firmware-for-Reolink-IP-Cameras-IPC-51516M-).

I can't say anything about any other camera type, and we'll see how well this performs.

Thanks so far.

Lol what a scheidtshow.
Now all the older 511 users who missed the update will continue to have bad ftp connection for another couple weeks at best (this was fixed with the recent update). Let's see what breaks with the new releases. I for sure will prevent my team from updating or buying more of these cameras for now...

there's an official update on the fw site, but not for all the ipc51516m cameras. only the 410 cameras are covered.
https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026627714-06-14-2019-Firmware-for-Reolink-IP-Cameras-IPC-51516M-
so no luck for rlc-511 and rlc-511w owners besides going through support.

that's bad, reolink...

so Cherry from reolink support sent me a pak via email that indeed fixes the zoom and focus problem on the rlc-511.
the file is named IPC_51516M5M.448_19061410.RLC-511.OV05A10.5MP.AF.REOLINK.pak. the important part is "448".
now idk if the file is the exact same for the rlc-511w, but the core hardware should be identical with IPC_51516M5M iirc, so the problem and the solution should be the same. i asked them to update the files in the download area, but as long as we're waiting for that to happen, just contact support with your problem description and link to my posts.

let me guess: the label on the camera is of the new kind where the qr tag is on the actual label (not two labels side by side).

what's happening is reolink is shipping new cameras (511 and 511W) with hardware modifications but without hw revision increase. they are packed with a firmware release revision of 372 or something which is newer than the fw release they offer on the downloads site. so what happened with us (and probably with you, too) is, we downloaded the official release and flashed it, effectively making a downgrade to a fw release that does not cooperate with the new hardware causing zoom and focus to fail.

i'm discussing this with their support, but as always, this takes time. i am currently not sure if they actually understand the problem.

in the attached pics the camera labeled herisau is of the new batch that breaks when 'upgraded' because the fw shipped on them is newer. the other pic shows a camera of an older batch that runs fine with the 354 release.

hope this helps anyone understand while we wait for reolink to clean up this mess and release whatever fw they ship these with so we can fix it.
IMG_20190717_071221.jpg
IMG_20190717_071233.jpg