The Sony a7S III Adds AF Customizations and Adapts for Vertical Shooting

As we all should get in the habit of doing these days, a new firmware update is here for a popular camera, and it’s best practice to review what’s new before you update carefully. It also may be good practice for you to wait a few days, if not weeks, to update, just in case any new issues arise.

With all that being said, this new firmware update for the Sony a7S III is quite exciting and one that would be worth updating as soon as you feel comfortable. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Sony a7S III Firmware Update 5.00

Set to add some helpful new autofocus customization options, the adoption of the display layout for shooting information now being featured both horizontally and vertically, and the addition of support for USB streaming, there’s a lot to like about this latest firmware update.

Again, if you’d like to wait before updating, that would make sense. This is especially true as this is a larger firmware update that actually changes things about the update method itself, so updating will reset your camera settings.

If you have a shoot today or tomorrow and don’t think you have enough time to reconfigure everything, by all means, hold off. If you have a few days to review and redo all of your settings after, then you’ll probably be good to go.

Firmware Update Details

As always, Sony reminds users that updates should be installed in chronological order, so if yo u don’t have the previous updates, you should add those first. You can also download the software updates using the Sony Creators’ App.

Here is the full list of benefits and improvements included with this firmware update:

• Adapts the display layout of shooting information for both horizontal and vertical viewing
• Adds Spot: XL under Spot in the Focus Area menu
• Adds Custom 1, Custom 2, and Custom 3 under Custom in the Focus Area menu
• Adds Tracking: Spot XL, Tracking: Custom 1, Tracking: Custom 2, and Tracking: Custom 3 under Tracking in the Focus Area menu
• Adds the option to enlarge the menu screen display
• Allows the remaining capacity of both storage devices to be displayed during movie recording when using Simult. or Auto Switch Media (Relay Recording)
• Adds support for USB streaming
  • When connecting to a device with a USB Type-C® port, please use a commercially available USB cable or a conversion adapter.
• Supports the Write Digital Signature function for movies as part of Sony's Camera Authenticity Solution
  • The timing for the provision of licenses (paid) to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
  • Services may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Authenticity Catalog Page.
• Supports Scan and Tag, Photo Cropping, and Volume Photography Commands under the Volume Photography License
  • Installation of a paid license is required for use.
  • Services may not be available in some countries or regions.
• Fixes an issue where audio may still be recorded even when Audio Recording is set to Off
• Improves the operational stability of the camera

You can find more info and everything else you need to download and install on Sony’s website here.

Sony a7S III

Optimized video, optimized sensitivity, optimized speed, the Sony a7S III raises the bar for what a full-frame mirrorless camera is capable of. A revised 12.1MP Exmor R BSI CMOS sensor and updated BIONZ XR image processor offer faster performance, improved noise reduction, and a wider dynamic range, along with UHD 4K 120p video.