NEW FIRMWARE UPDATE released: More than 45 Updates for the Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV

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Finally folks! My rumors were spot on and we got the major firmware update! If you don’t know how to update the firmware on your camera here is a How-To from Alphauniverse. Please do share your experience and discoveries with the new firmware. Send me your feedback or youtube video and I will do a post later on SAR with all of it!

This is the press text:

Sony Electronics Delivers Firmware Updates including C2PA Compliancy as a Next Step to Ensure Authenticity of Images
More than 45 Updates for the Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV will also improve Shooting Functions and Workflow

 

SAN DIEGO, March 27, 2024 – Today, Sony Electronics delivers the highly anticipated firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00), and after April 2024, the Alpha 9 III (Ver.2.00). The update contains some of Sony’s most impactful technology, including Camera Authenticity Solution, the proprietary in-camera digital signature and C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format support1. Together, these tools will make it possible for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images, contributing to industry efforts to protect creators, and society from fake imagery

Additionally, the firmware updates include many requested features to improve everyday use. The update evolves shooting functions and post-shooting workflow and brings advanced movie features like breathing compensation. It also includes new remote-control capabilities, new features for professional applications, and expanded access to cloud services applications.

“There is nothing more core to our mission than listening to the voices of the photographers, videographers, and filmmakers who shoot with Sony Alpha cameras. We know this community has been asking for these updates, and we’re happy to deliver. Each of these updates are designed to promote ease of use for our creators and allow them to maximize the strengths of their cameras,” says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We’re especially pleased to deliver C2PA compliancy with this update. This compliancy paired with our unique digital signature technology, allows us to offer the most secure and comprehensive solution to protect professional photographers, news agencies, and society from manipulated imagery.”

Camera Authenticity Solution

Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology in its cameras to aid in the fight against manipulated imagery and AI-generated fakes. The severity of this issue is only increasing and it’s a complex problem that requires the focus and attention of our entire industry.

One critical part of the solution is making more Sony cameras C2PA compliant. C2PA is a Joint Development Foundation project, where Sony is a steering committee member. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators and consumers with opt-in, flexible ways to understand the authenticity, and provenance of different types of media. The C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications on content provenance and authentication by certifying the source and history of media content. With this firmware update, the authenticity information embedded on images from Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV can be maintained from capture through publication. This provides professional photographers with the ability to preserve their digital signature from the camera, while tracking the editing history throughout revisions.

 Another critical component of the solution is Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology2 that signs images in real-time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the point of capture and creates a ‘digital birth certificate’ that is retained throughout revisions. The signature contains metadata including 3D-depth information captured through the proprietary technology in the image sensor developed by Sony. This depth information can show if the image captured was of an actual 3D object, vs a photograph of an image or video, providing an extra level of protection and ​ even more assurance of the content’s authenticity, and making Sony’s solution especially unique for photojournalists and news agencies.

Sony’s solution also helps protect the authenticity of content by including an Image Validation Site, which verifies the image even after edits have been made by C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the authenticity of the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. This service will initially be offered to select news media agencies, expanding to other agencies at a later date.

Shooting and Playback Updates

The firmware updates include over 10 new features, as well as improvements to existing features, designed to improve the user’s overall shooting experience. These improved capabilities showcase Sony’s commitment to continuing to evolve the functionality of Sony’s existing camera models. A few highlights of the firmware update functions include:

  • Relay Playback: Enables seamless sequential playback from one memory card slot to another on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Playback Filter Condition: Lets users categorize image playback based on select criteria including date, folder, file format, and more on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III
  • Breathing Compensation: The highly requested Breathing Compensation function3 is now available on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Upgrade DCI 4K / 24.00p Upgrade License on Alpha 7S III: via a free downloadable license through Creators’ Cloud4.
  • Sync Release function: Enables simultaneous shutter release with two or more multiple cameras connected to the main camera5 on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 III.
  • Focus frame display: Focus frame will be displayed on the Remote Camera Tool screen on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 9 III. ​
  • Enhanced image stabilization: The camera body and lens effectively work together to correct larger blurs6 on the Alpha 1.
  • Increased upper limit of recordable images in a folder from 4,000 to 9,999 on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, A7 IV, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Matching the time code with other devices is now possible with a dedicated adapter cable (sold separately)7 on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Up to 20 IPTC presets can be on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Custom Grid Line is available as a paid license basis for some models8.

File Transfer and Network Connectivity 

Additional updates aimed to optimize the post-production workflow efficiency include improvements to International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) preset and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transfer operability. To streamline processes for users, expanded cloud upload and application services will be available. Key updates include:

  • Cloud upload (camera direct) function allows users to upload images directly to the Sony’s Creators’ Cloud9. Key additional features include simplified camera software updates, direct camera registration to the Creators’ Cloud, and a flexible system for uploading, storing, and sharing content. Additionally, the capability to manage video and LUT files via mobile apps, along with the transfer of RAW files to smartphones, optimizes the creative process in fast-paced environments.
  • FTP Transfer Improvements: A “Protected Images Only” option for the Auto FTP Transfer and a “Protect Image in FTP Transfer” option for the FTP transfer function have been added. Available on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III.
  • Support for USB streaming10 on the Alpha 1.
  • Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) has been added to secure protocol on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III and WPA3-SAE is now supported for wireless LAN on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
  • Network streaming enables direct live streaming from the Alpha 7 IV to a streaming site7. 
  • Expansion of app support with Creators’ App and Monitor & Control app now supported with the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.

Many of these updates are applicable to multiple cameras, however for a list of each body’s specific update please check the Sony website.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with Sony’s imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony α – Alpha brand.

Notes:

1 This feature is available to some news organizations at the press release timing.

2 Both Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology and C2PA compliancy are currently available through a separate upgrade license.

3 For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page (https://www.sony.net/dics/breathing/)

4 For regional app/service availability, check here. To use this service, it is necessary to download and install the upgrade license.

5 Remote Camera Tool Version 4.1.0 is required to activate the function.

6 For compatible lens information, please refer to the support page (https://www.sony.net/dics/func1002/)

7 A dedicated adapter cable, which is sold separately, is required to connect to the timecode source equipment.

8 Availability varies depending on country and region. Available through the Upgrade and License Management Suite at https://ulms.sony.net.

9 For regional app/service availability, check here. Creators’ App Ver.2.3.1 or later is necessary. Settings must be made in the Creators’ App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators’ App support website (https://www.sony.net/ca/help/opr/)

10When connecting to a device with a USB Type-C port, please use a commercially available USB cable or a conversion adapter.

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End of an era: Sony R1XrII officially discontinued

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Japanese stores officially marked the Sony R1XrII as “discontinued”.  You can still find a limited stock overseas at Amazon US&EU and BHphoto. You can also get it with an over $900 discount as recondtioned item on Amazon (with 90 day warranty).

The RX1rII was announced back in 2016 so it’s normal that they now discontinued it. But I hope this ins’t the end of the line because right now the Leica Q3, Fujifilm X100VI and the Ricoh GRIII are selling like hotcakes! I hope Sony will surprise us with a new model in the near future!

via Asobinet

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This week only: $20 off on the new Topaz GigaPixel 7

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This week only you save $20 on the just released new Gigapixel 7 (Click here).

Major changes:

  • Updated AI engine which should allow better compatibility and faster processing
  • Added Standard and High Fidelity v2 models
    • These models will eventually replace v1 models in time. If you have quality issues, please let us know.
  • Refreshed the UI with new design and controls
  • Updated preferences with new options
    • Note: This will fully reset your preferences

Notable additions:

  • Added panning and pinch to zoom gestures in preview
  • Added updated RAW preview handling (should be closer to Photo AI)
  • Added ability to capture before/after in split and side by side views
  • Added ability to move the file list up and down via dragging
    • Note: There is a known issue where removing/adding images causes it to snap back to the default position
  • Changed logic for selections
  • Changed controls to show mixed states if multiple images with different values are selected

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Again: those ZV-E10II and A6900 specs are just a made up wishlist

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So folks, there is again a round of ZV-E10II and A6900 specs being published as “rumor” by other websites. The source of that spec list is E8M on Weibo. He does a great job when spotting real camera registrations but when it comes to predicting the specs…well he is just guessing and he doesn’t have any trusted source. In the past years he published many such spec list about Fuji, Sony and so forth and they turned out to be wrong most of the time with only some small parts being correct because well..sometimes a guess can be partially correct.

Today some “rumor” websites took his “guess list” and sold this as a “reliable rumor”. SAR readers asked me about this and therefore I felt obliged to post this article.

The ZV-E10II specs he posted for example are based by the rational assumption it will use the same A6700 sensor. I told you myself months ago that while I do not have reliable Z-E10II specs I assume it will use the same A6700s sensor. E8M makes now the same assumption and guessed the possible specs. He also speculated about a new A6900 using the same Fuji X-T5 40MP sensor (which is made by Sony). But I have not hear of any possibility about the A6900 coming any time soon. The A6700 was announced last year and usually Sony does update their cameras after 4 year…which means a new A6900 might be coming in 2027 only!

Therefore I repeat…the following spec list is just a guess and not a rumor coming from a reliable source:

ZV-E10 II: APS-C format Vlog flagship
EVF-less design, almost a downgraded version of A6700
26 million pixels
759 phase detection AF points
ISO 100-32000
Multi-directional microphone with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio
Video dynamic anti-shake enhancement
Full pixel supersampled 4K/60p video
Support XAVC HS, S, S-I video specification recording
Up to 10bit 4:2:2
Video breathing compensation, automatic composition
BIONZ XR Processor
AI smart chip
Multiple subject identification and tracking
Side flip LCD screen
NP-FZ100 battery

α6900: APS-C format dual image flagship
40.2 million effective pixels APS-C Exmor R sensor, ISO 80-32000
Maintains about 8.0 level five-axis anti-shake
BIONZ XR processor + AI smart chip
759 phase detection AF points, settable focus point size
Human, bird, animal, car/train, airplane, insect subject recognition, high-precision real-time tracking
Hi+ mode up to about 11 frames/second lossless compressed RAW continuous shooting
Mechanical shutter with electronic front curtain enabled, flash sync speed 1/320s, fastest exposure time 1/8000s
4/16 photos Pixel conversion multi-shooting function
Rangefinder, approximately 3.69 million dots, 0.39-inch OLED electronic viewfinder
Dual SD / CFexpress Type A memory card compatible card slots
Ergonomic handle design
Full pixel sampling of 8K/30p, 4K/60p, 4K/120p video recording in 1.01x and 2.01x crop modes
S-Cinetone, S-LOG and LUT import and monitoring
About 15 stops of dynamic range
Video breathing compensation function, video automatic composition function, video dynamic anti-shake enhancement mode

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Yashica announced the smallest interchangeable Mirrorless camera using a Sony 12MP sensor and taking E-mount lenses

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The new Yashica Micro Mirrorless camera is now available for reorder on Kickstarter (Click here). It’s a super small mirrorless interchangeable camera that uses a tiny Sony 12MP sensor and can take any other mirrorless lens via adapters. So you can also use E-mount lenses on it…although this would make near zero sense because the one goal of this camera is to be a as small as it gets for a system camera.

Reminder: The German company Spinn now has over 1,000 backers for the new magnetic Swift-lock on Kickstarter (Click here). This is how it works:

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