Sony Releases Major Firmware Updates for a1, a7S III, a7 IV, and a9 III

The long-awaited firmware updates for the Sony Alpha a1 and a7S III are finally here! They're packing many requested features, new upgrades, and useful enhancements, but are they really the upgrades we were hoping for?

The Sony Alpha community has been eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated firmware updates to Sony’s a1 and a7S III full frame mirrorless cameras since they were announced to much excitement last fall, and the good news is that the wait is finally over!

Sony has updated these two bodies with a slew of new firmware upgrades and enhancements, giving them many of the beneficial features that newer Alpha cameras have subsequently introduced.

They didn’t just stop with a1 and a7S III, however, as we’re also getting new firmware updates to the a7 IV, and a9 III, with the latter being released after April.

Here are the details of the firmware updates that Sony announced today:

• Sony a1 firmware version 2.0
• Sony a7S III firmware version 3.0
• Sony a9 III firmware version 2.0 (to be released after April)
• Sony a7 IV firmware version 3.0

What's Included in Each of the Updates?

What's Included in Each of the Updates? With so much excitement from the Sony Alpha community for these highly anticipated firmware updates, let's delve into some of the details of what Sony actually improved and updated.

The list is too big for us to cover every single detail for every camera, so we'll focus on some of the notable highlights, which are broken down into two main categories. Sony highlighted the notable features of the firmware updates as “New features” and “Existing feature support,” with each of the two new categories of updates falling under the following subsequent sub-categories:

1. Shooting functions
2. Post-Shooting workflow
3. Remote control
4. SDK, B2B support
5. Movie features
6. Application, Cloud service
7. Content Authenticity verification

 Let’s take a look at some update highlights for each camera below:

Sony Alpha a1 Firmware Version 2.0

• Relay playback of images in multiple media
• Select copy between memory cards
• EVF ON regardless of LCD angle
• Enhanced image stabilization (allows certain OSS Sony lenses to be paired with IBIS for increased stabilization)
• Marker display for stills
• Focus frame display
• Custom Grid Line License
• 4K 30P support for UVC streaming
• Breathing compensation
• Subject recognition frame display for movies
• Time Code sync
• Creator's App support
• Cloud upload (camera direct) function
• C2PA Compliant
• Much more....

Sony Alpha a7S III Firmware Version 3.0

• Anti-Dust shutter when power off
• Touch operation enhancement
• My Menu registration by touch
• DCI 4K/24P Upgrade License (free upgrade similar to ZV-E1)
• Cam ID and Reel No. support for playback
• Focus Breathing compensation
• Up to 20 IPTC Presets
• Focus frame display
• Monitor & Control App support
• Creator's App support
• RAW transfer to smartphone
• C2PA compliant
• Preset Focus/Zoom function
• Auto power off at high temperature
• Much more... 

Sony Alpha a7 IV Firmware Version 3.0

• Network streaming
• Cloud upload (camera direct) function
• Saving lens model name as MP4 metadata 
• Cam ID and Reel No. support for playback
• Custom Grid Line License
• Creator's App support
• C2PA compliant
• Much more...

Sony Alpha a9 III Firmware Version 2.0

• 1/80,000 s shutter speed in continuous shooting at f/1.8 or darker
• Max number of images per folder increased to 9,999
• SFTP support
• Focus frame display
• Extracting still images from a movie
• C2PA compliant
• Much more....

After many years of anticipation, community feedback, and much excitement, Sony has finally released some very significant firmware updates to their flagship a1 and a7S III cameras. They are clearly taking it a step further by releasing multiple firmware updates across their lineup of Alpha cameras.

I'm personally super excited to see that Sony is focusing on a Kaizen mindset with software, breathing new life into older cameras that may not necessarily be the latest technology anymore.

With that said, I personally still use my a1 and a7S III in my professional productions regularly, and I couldn't be more excited to unpack all of the new features and enhancements that Sony has included in these updates.

It's important to keep in mind that the list above is not exhaustive, and that many of the features listed for the a1 and a7S III are currently, or will also be added to other Alpha cameras.

Let us know what your opinions are about these long-awaited firmware updates from Sony in the comments below! Are you excited to give your camera new life with these Sony firmware updates? Are there any features you would have liked to see that are not included? What are your wish-list items from Sony moving forward?

Let's keep the conversation going below, and continue to provide Sony with valuable feedback that they can use to continually improve their hardware and software. I'm looking forward to hearing what everyone's take is on finally getting the firmware updates we've all been waiting for!