Sony announces α9, α7 III and α7R III upgrades via major software update

Sony announced that there will be a major upgrade coming to the α9 mirrorless camera via software update. The company also said that they will also update few more cameras as well.

Sony announces α9, α7 III and α7R III upgrades via major software update

Sony's new major upgrade

The update will give the Sony α9 mirrorless camera enhancements that will improve the overall workflow for professional photographers. The α7R III and α7 III will also receive new firmware updates that will improve Real-time Eye AF perfor,ance and interval recording capabilities.

The new firmware version 5.0 for the α9 adds Sony's new "Real-time Tracking" mode for object tracking. This mode utilizes Sony's latest algorithm including AI based object recognition. It processes color, depth, brightness and spatial information to make sure that all subjects can be captured with precision.

This mode will allow the AI to recognize the subject's face and eyes. The subject's eye is then monitored in real time with high tracking precision. In addition, “Tracking On” helps initiate real-time tracking at any time by simply pressing the custom-assigned button 2 and “Touch Tracking,” which quickly activates through the touch screen.

The Sony α9 will also receive the advanced "Real-time Eye AF" technology. This technology uses AI-based object recognition to detect and process eye location data in real time. This results in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of the Eye AF.

Other focusing capabilities that will be available with the new firmware include Touch Pad,

Touch Tracking, an extended phase-detection AF aperture range that has been increased from f/11 to f/16, and Fast Hybrid AF for movie shooting that provides smooth, automated focusing for movies.

In terms of image quality, the firmware upgrade brings better color reproduction, a new auto white balance algorithm, more efficient controls and data management through My Dial and Dual Slot media menu improvements.

Firmware version 6.0 for the Sony α9 will add Eye AF for animal eyes that is going to be useful for wildlife photographers.

Sony α7 III and α7R III

The α7 III and α7R III will also receive enhanced Real-time Eye AF performance with the new firmware 3.0. This will be available on AF-C mode with a half press of the shutter button. Real-time Eye AF for animals will also be available.

The cameras will also receive interval recording functionality that will allow for simple creation of time-lapse movies. The new feature can be set from anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity can also be adjusted to "High", "Mid" or "Low" during interval recording, allowing for reduced changes in exposure over the shooting interval.

Update roll out schedule

Firmware v.5.0 - March 2019

Fimware v.6.0 - Q2 2019

The Sony α7 III and α7R III will be out this month, April 2019.

What do you guys think?