Sony has released new firmware updates for the A1, A7SIII and A7IV. The A9III will also be getting new firmware after April 2024 (so that could mean 2025!!).
For complete details of the list of new features added to each firmware – please visit the following pages:
28th March, 2024 – Sony delivers firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00) all available today, 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 support[i]. 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.
The Alpha 1 Ver 2.00 & Alpha 7 S III firmware updates bring 30+ additional features to enrich the shooting experience for Alpha users.
The Alpha 7 S III Ver 3.00 features highlight:
Breathing compensation for cinematic focus change during video recording
Free DCI 4K 24 p license download with true 24p frame rate and 1/96s, 1/48s & 1/24s shutter speed settings
AF assist feature for focus flexibility while recording
Time code sync compatibility
Enhanced touch & playback operations
Monitor & Control App support including waveform & false colour monitoring
Creators’ App & Direct Creators’ Cloud transfer support
Alpha 1 Ver 2.00 features highlight:
Breathing compensation for cinematic focus change during video recording
Latest remote control & FTP transfer features for professional photographers
Enhanced touch & playback operations
Improved image stabilisation performance for specific Sony lenses
4K 30p UVC streaming compatibility
Creators’ App & Direct Creators’ Cloud transfer support
Monitor & Control App support including waveform & false colour monitoring
These updates introduce many requested features aimed at optimising everyday functionality. These updates refine shooting functions and streamline post-shooting workflows, while also integrating advanced movie features like breathing compensation. Moreover, the updates introduce novel remote-control capabilities, enhance features tailored for professional applications, and extend access to a wider array of cloud services applications.
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 technology[ii] 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.
Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution overview diagram
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