Sony’s acclaimed a7 III and a7R III mirrorless cameras have received an exciting firmware update – software version 3.0 - that enhances Real-time Eye AF performance and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.
Real-time Eye AF:
Software Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the a7R III and a7 III, an AI-driven enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.
Real-time Animal Eye AF:
As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the a7 III and a7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system.
The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.timela
Interval Shooting:
This new software adds a built-in interval timer, enabling photographers to easily capture and create time-lapse movies. The new feature can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to "High", "Mid" or "Low" in order to reduce changes in exposure.
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Sony has released firmware version 4.01 for the Sony a7III, this is now the latest firmware for the a7III.
Firmware v4.01 Benefits & Improvements
- Fixes an issue where the battery level indicator may not be displayed correctly when using a vertical grip
Firmware Download
You can download the latest firmware from your local Sony support website. The below links will take you to the correct page to download the firmware. Make sure that you download the correct firmware for your computer (Windows or Mac) and read the installation instructions.
US: Sony Support UK: Sony Support
For Mac users only macOS 10.14, 10.15 and 11 are supported. You also need to install the Sony Camera Driver first. Unfortunately the Sony Camera Driver is not supported yet with Apple M1 chips.
For Windows users 10 and 8.1 are supported.
Make sure your camera battery is fully charged and also use the USB cable supplied with the camera, other cables may not work.
It took around 20 minutes to update this firmware on my a7III. This is the longest I’ve ever known a firmware update to take!
Sony A7III Forum & Facebook Group
If you are looking for further help and advice on the A7III or would simply like to share your photos, then please head over to our friendly Forums. If you prefer Facebook then I also run the Sony A7III Shooters Group.
Previous Firmware Versions
v4.00
- Adds new features of FTP transfer
- Allows you to transfer still images during shoot and playback operations.
- Adds the following FTP transfer functions:
- Allows you to narrow down the transfer target, such as protected images or non-transferred images, and transfer the images together as a batch.
- Allows you to transfer only the image being played back by pressing the custom key.
- Allows you to transfer all images automatically while shooting.
- Allows you to select the setting to transfer both RAW file and JPEG taken in RAW+JPEG format to an FTP server.
- Update the destination folder configuration.
- Allows you to register up to nine FTP servers. (Previous was up to 3)
- Allows you to change the destination folder configuration on the FTP server:
- Save image data directly under the folder that you choose.
- Register the media card slot number in the folder configuration.
- Register the folder configuration same as your camera.
- Improved operability of FTP transfer function.
- Allows you to set items under Server Setting by using the smartphone application Transfer & Tagging add-on.
- Improves the overall stability of the camera.
In my Sony a7III Memory Card Guide where I speed tested a number of SD cards in-camera, I noticed that the Sony SF-G Tough UHS-II SD Cards were not writing uncompressed raw files as fast as they should have been with firmware v3.10. I’ve now run my tests again with v4.00 and the write speeds have increased from 107.27MB/s to 132.50MB/s, but this is still short of the 147.53MB/s achieved by the now obsolete Sony SF-G UHS-II SD Cards (the none Tough version). So something has definitely been tweaked here even though Sony has not specifically mentioned it.
v3.10
- Enables use of “My Menu” to save or load custom camera settings
- Adds the “External Flash Set” function:
This function allows you to configure the settings of an attached flash or wireless radio commander (both sold separately) directly from the camera. Compatible Flash models: HVL-F60RM (with flash firmware version 2.00 or later) HVL-F45RM (with flash firmware version 2.00 or later)
Compatible wireless radio commander: FA-WRC1M Note:The functionality will be enabled after the upcoming wireless radio commander firmware version. Please refer to the Help Guide for more information.
- Improves the overall stability of the camera
v3.01
Sony has released firmware v3.01 for the Sony a7 III. Unlike the recent v3.00 update v3.01 only “Improves the overall stability of the camera” according to Sony.
Previous to v3.01 firmware version 3.00 was released for the Sony a7 III. This update added some really big improvements including Animal Eye AF, Real Time Eye AF and Interval Shooting.
Here’s a full list of the improvement with firmware version 3.0:
- Adds real-time Eye AF for animals [1]
- Enables the possibility to operate the real-time EYE AF by half-pressing the shutter button, or by pressing the AF-ON button
- Addition of the interval shooting function
- Allows the operation with the wireless remote commander RMT-P1BT
Other improvements:
- [MENU] can be assigned to a custom key
- [MENU] tab operation with the Fn button
- Improves the overall stability of the camera
[1] It is not possible to detect simultaneously human and animal eyes. Eye detection may not be possible depending on the environment, animal type or the movement of the animal.
v2.10
Benefits and Improvements in Sony a7III Firmware Version 2.10
1. Improves the following:
In rare cases, the camera may stop functioning while writing RAW data onto an SD card that has already been used multiple times Notes:
- This may also cause abnormalities in the files managing the images, preventing the images from displaying on the camera.
- No image data in the memory card will be corrupted or deleted aside from the data that was being written at the time the interruption occurred.
2. Solves the problem caused by a specific third-party memory card, which would not be recognised by Sony cameras
3. Improvement of the overall stability of the camera
v2.00
Firmware version 2.00 was suspended. See here for details.
Firmware version 2.00 adds support for the new FE 400mm F2.8 GM lens as well as the new FE 24mm F1.4 GM lens. And if you are using the LA-EA3 mount adaptor then you might be happy to know that Zone, Expand Flexible Spot and Lock-on AF focus areas are now supported.
Unfortunately this firmware version has also introduced a check for third party batteries like Wasabi. If a third party battery is detected you’ll get a warning message that you have to OK, you then lose the percentage indicator next to the battery. It appears Sony is going to war with third party battery suppliers.