Sony Alpha NEX Cameras and E Mount Lenses

Firmware 1.02 for the Sony A7 cameras is now live and ready for download. Go to your local Sony Support Website to download your firmware. Here is the Sony Australia Firmware Download Page . Read the instructions multiple times to familiarize yourself. Thank you for your continued interest in Sony products. Sony is offering a firmware upgrade for Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera ILCE-7R. Improvements after firmware upgrade Provides support for SEL70200G - Improves auto focus speed - Adds functions including the "Focus hold button" Reduces start-up time - The start-up time has been reduced in cases when the camera is switched on immediately after being switched off. Improves image quality Provides support for additional ”Play Memories Camera Apps” and additional features for previously supported apps. -Provides support for "Liveview Grading" and "Smooth Reflection" applications. -Provides support for the smooth automatic exposure f...

Sony has released seven firmware updates for Sony NEX cameras and lenses. Here is a quick summary of the changes. Sony NEX-7 Camera Firmware v1.02 Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction Adds auto-exposure bracketing ranges of 1.0EV, 2.0EV, and 3.0EV Improves indication for using the "Flexible Spot" setting Improves image quality when using a wide angle lens Improves response for showing auto review images Adds the capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button Sony NEX-6 Camera Firmware v1.01 Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE Sony NEX-5R Camera Firmware v1.01 Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE Sony NEX-5N Camera Firmware v1.02 Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction Updates the RAW data format version. After installing this update, distort...

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.00 vs v1.01 Matthew D. uploaded a video of his Sony NEX-7 before and after the Firmware v1.01 update. The video shows the great improvement in the Auto-Review time with v1.01 - it's almost instantaneous. Sony NEX-7 Exposure Bracketing Improved The exposure bracketing of the NEX-7 has also been improved. The limit at v1.00 was +/- 0.7 EV but with v1.01 the NEX-7 is now capable of +/- 3.0 EV. This feature will benefit HDR (high dynamic range) photos. Sony NEX-7 Movie Button Disabled The NEX-7's movie button can now be disabled by going to MENU > SETUP > MOVIE BUTTON > ON / OFF. We are still waiting to see what the "wide angle lens image improvement" did. Here was our post about the NEX-7 V1.01 Firmware release .

Sony NEX-7 Updated to Firmware v1.01 Sony addresses some user requests with the new NEX-7 v1.01 update. We are most interested in the bracketing improvement and the wide angle lens image quality. Let us know how v1.01 works for you. This utility upgrades the NEX-7 firmware to version 1.01, and provides the following benefits: Addition of capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button Addition of exposure settings of bracket shooting (three frames /1.0EV,2.0EV, 3.0EV) Improvement of response for showing auto review image. Improvement of image quality when using a wide angle lens. Improvement of indication when setting “Flexible Spot”. Download the Sony NEX-7 Firmware Version 1.01 Mac OS Version, Windows Version. Read the installation procedure twice before attempting to install as a precaution.

NEX-5N Firmware Version Check Mark R. emailed us to let us know that Sony has released Firmware Version 1.01 for the NEX-5N. Here are the features of this upgrade. This utility updates the NEX-5N Camera Firmware to version 1.01 and provides the following benefits: Improves the AF response for situations where the distance of the subject changes considerably Improves stability when operating the camera using the [Lens Compensation: Distortion] "Auto" and [Picture Effect] "Miniature" settings at the same time Improves camera operations when using the [Exposure Compensation] and [Intelligent AF] settings NEX-5N Firmware Update Check your local Sony Support website to download NEX-5n Firmware 1.01 Update for Windows or Mac OS. Read the instructions twice before doing the update and make sure your battery is at 100%. Sony US Support for NEX-5N Sony UK Support for NEX-5N Unfortunately there is still no 7 shot exposure bracketing. NEX-5N Autofocus Speed Firmware 1.00 vs...

Here is Adam Roberts' tips and tricks on using the NEX-5 for film making. He discusses setting up the soft keys to help in creating videos. He then goes through the custom white balance setting. He used a very flat setting for the videos, reduced contrast, reduced saturation, and reduced sharpness, which was changed through the NEX's Creative Style menu. After the NEX-5 settings, he discusses the hardware he used. He quickly talks about lens adapters, third party lenses, Lensbaby Tilt Transformer , and follow focus. NEX-5 with Shoot35 Follow Focus The last part of the video is on video workflow. Adam R. used AVCHD (.MTS) to film with the NEX-5. The files (.MTS) were then converted to quicktime files (.MOV) by using ClipWrap before using Final Cut Pro to do the final edit. Here is "Another Yesterday" by Adam Roberts using the tips and tricks in the video above. Thanks Adam R and for the tip Anon on 6/21!

Sony NEX Firmware Version 04 Features: (thanks for the correction J.D.) Addition of the [Picture Effect] function. Addition of the [Peaking] function in manual focus mode. Focus peaking videos can be found here . Sony NEX Firmware Version 04 pdf manual . Here are the Sony NEX Firmware Update Version 04 links from Sony North America: NEX-5 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=NEX5A NEX-3 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=NEX3A Here are the Sony NEX Firmware Update Version 04 links from Sony Europe: NEX-5 http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/crl/nex/nex.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=NEX-5 NEX-3 http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/crl/nex/nex.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=NEX-3 Sony Asia NEX Firmware Update Version 04. Thanks for the email A.L. http://www.sony-asia.com/support/announcement/404503/product/nex-5a Sony Japan NEX Firmware Update Version 04. http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/info2/20110620_02dl.html The links include instructions on performing a firmware upgrade o...

Here is a video from Sony Europe highlighting the features of the new Sony NEX-C3 . Tiltable LCD screen Background Defocus Soft Skin Effect (Available with new NEX Firmware Upgrade 04.) Easy Sweep Panorama Shooting in 2D or 3D Picture Effects (Available with new NEX Firmware Upgrade 04) New HVL-F20S Flash Low Noise - High Sensitivity Sensor Easy Operation - Professional Quality Sony NEX-C3 Mount vs Sony Alpha Mount - is Sony hinting at a full frame NEX? Check out some hands on video reviews of the NEX-C3 here. Read more about the Sony NEX-C3 here .

mobile01jim shows us the picture effects, creative styles, and the new soft skin mode of the Sony NEX Firmware 04 via the new Sony NEX-C3 in pink . Firmware 04 for the Sony NEX cameras is scheduled to be released on the 20th of this month. Stay tuned...

whatdigitalcamera is nice enough to share a hands on video of the new Sony NEX-C3 . You can see how much smaller the NEX-C3 is compared to the old NEX-3. The video also shows the new HVL-F20S flash for the NEX system. We can also see the new focus peaking feature of the new FIrmware 04, available later this month, the 20th. Focus peaking highlights the image to show what is in focus. This is great help for using manual lenses on the NEX system. Sony NEX-C3 in Japan Sony NEX-C3 and Sony SLT-A35 in Italy Sony NEX-C3 in German from Chip.de Sony NEX-C3 Review from CNET in English Sony NEX-C3 in Vietnamese Sony NEX-C3 in Pink Read more about the NEX-C3 here .

It looks like Holga is joining the Sony E-mount system. They are producing a very inexpensive plastice lens with a native Sony NEX E-mount. It is a 25mm focal length lens (37.5mm FOV for the NEX cameras ) with a fixed aperture of f/8. It is a zone focus lens, practice telling distances at 0.7, 2, 6, and 10+ meters (2.3, 7, 20, and 33 feet) in order to focus. These are the distances you can select with the focus ring. The official Holga part number is HL(W)-SN. The images and information is from Buy The Goods of eBay fame. The Holga Wide Lens for the Sony NEX recently went for $19.75 shipped from Buy The Goods and sold out. In order to combat this Sony will be releasing the Firmware Version 04 with a Toy Camera filter effect.

Silve Sony NEX-C3 with 16mm Pancake Lens Details about the new Sony Alpha NEX-C3, which replaces the NEX-3. There will be three (3) model designations: NEX-C3A with the 16mm Pancake Lens NEX-C3K with the 18-55mm Zoom OSS Lens NEX-C3D with both the 16mm Pancake and the 18-55mm Zoom Lens The APS-C sensor as written on the NEX-C3 body is 16.2 MP which produces a 4912 x 3264 pixel image. The NEX-3 produces a 4592 X 3056 pixel image. The Sony NEX-C3 will ship with the new NEX firmware version 04 which includes: Focus Peaking Picture Effects The location of the memory card has been moved from the battery compartment. It now resides in a separate compartment closer to the center of the camera. The NEX-C3 will ship with the standard NEX flash and not the larger flash in this picture. This confirms that the older NEX-3 and NEX-5 can accept the larger flash. As we predicted the left and right direction of the wheel is now customizable. This gives us five buttons to to tailor the NEX-C3...

Sony NEX-VG10 Camcorder with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter and Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f/2.8 Sony released the Firmware Version 02 update for the NEX-VG10 Camcorder . This update allows the NEX-VG10 to autofocus Sony SSM and SAM lenses via the LA-EA1 lens adapter . The LA-EA1 lens adapter has to be updated to firmware version 02 as well. Use the links below to get the US versions of the firmware and instructions of how to perform the update. Please make sure you use the correct firmware and read the instructions carefully. Microsoft Windows NEX-VG10 Firmware Version 02 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEXVG10&upd_id=6231&os_id=45 Microsoft Windows LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=LAEA1&upd_id=6248&os_id=7 Macintosh OS NEX-VG10 Firmware Version 02 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEXVG10&upd_id=6243&os_id=50 Macintosh OS LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02 http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-dow...

The Sony eSupport site for US and Canada finally released the Version 03 firmware for the NEX cameras and the LA-EA1 Alpha lens adapter. The links below provide instructions, firmware download, and warnings. Please read the instructions carefully before installing Firmware Ver. 03 on your Sony NEX camera . NEX-5 Firmware Version 03 for Windows http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEX5&upd_id=6191&os_id=7 NEX-5 Firmware Version 03 for Mac http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEX5&upd_id=6201&os_id=50 NEX-3 Firmware Version 03 for Windows http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEX3&upd_id=6186&os_id=7 NEX-3 Firmware Version 03 for Mac http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=NEX3&upd_id=6192&os_id=50 LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02 for Windows http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-download.pl?mdl=LAEA1&upd_id=6190&os_id=7 LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02 for Mac http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-d...

albnok went down to the local Sony Style store armed with the NEX-5, LA-EA1 Alpha Lens Adapter, and Firmware Version 3.0. He tested out most of the compatible Sony Alpha lenses with the LA-EA1 adapter and NEX's new autofocus capability. Here are the videos to give us an idea of the NEX focusing Sony Alpha lenses in video mode. Sony Alpha SSM Lenses with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter List of Sony Alpha SSM Lenses Tested with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 16-35 f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar 24-70 f/2.8 70-200mm f/2.8 70-300mm f/4-5.6 G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G Focus range limited to 3m (minimum) via switch on lens: 70-200 70-300 70-400 Sony Alpha SAM Lenses with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter List of Sony Alpha SAM Lenses Tested with LA-EA1 Lens Adapter 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 28-75mm f/2.8 30mm f/2.8 Macro 50mm f/1.8 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Thanks albnok !

Here are first two videos showing us the NEX autofocusing a Sony Alpha 30mm f/2.8 Macro DT with SAM , Sony Alpha 18-55 DT SAM and a Sony Alpha 35mm f/1.8 DT with SAM via the LA-EA1 lens adapter . This is now possible with the new NEX Firmware Version 03 . The first video, with the SAL35F18, shows that it's not the fastest at locking focus but it's acceptable. The 2nd video shows the SAL1855 focusing at an acceptable speed. The 3rd video, with the SAL35F28 Macro, shows the worst of it hunting to lock focus. It may be because of the aperture and the available light but we can't be certain. Check out our post with manual focus samples with the DT SAL30F28 Macro. NEX-3 with LA-EA1 and Sony 35mm f/1.8 SAM Autofocus NEX-5 with LA-EA1 and Sony 18-55 SAM Autofocus NEX-5 with LA-EA1 and Sony 35mm f/2.8 Macro SAM Autofocus Thanks hkdcfever , 78podoryand , and gocchin2009 !

Vadim wrote us an email letting us know that the Sony NEX Firmware Version 03 is official through Sony Asia. The other regions should follow soon. The links below inlcude instructions for upgrading the firmware of your Sony NEX. Read them carefully. NEX-5 firmware Ver. 03 For Windows http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/422174/product/nex-5k/modelfirst NEX-5 firmware Ver. 03 For Mac OSX http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/422203/product/nex-5k/modelfirst NEX-3 firmware Ver. 03 For Windows http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/422175/productcategory/dslr+e+mount+camera/modelfirst NEX-3 firmware Ver. 03 For Mac OSX http://www.sony-asia.com/support/download/422177/productcategory/dslr+e+mount+camera/modelfirst Thanks Vadim! ***Update*** here are the firmware ver 03 links and instructions from Sony Europe: NEX-5 firmware Ver. 03 For Windows http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/downloads/downloads.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&f=FW_NEX5_V03_WIN&m=NEX-5 NEX-5 firmware Ver. 03 F...

Here are the official NEX firmware version 03 download links . Izhar is your new best friend if you own a Mac. Here are the Mac firmwares - use at your own risk. The links are dead. Let's wait for the official Sony announcement. Sony NEX-3 Firmware Version 03 for Mac OSX http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/NEX-3V3_Update1010a.dmg?fm=na Sony NEX-5 Firmware Version 03 for Mac OSX http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/NEX-5V3_Update1010a.dmg?fm=na Sony LA-EA1 Lens Adapter Firmware Version 02 for Mac OSX http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/LA-EA1V2_Update1010a.dmg?fm=na Thanks Izhar!

Sony NEX Firmware Version 03 in Action Fotoingo emailed us that the unofficial firmware version 03 for the Sony NEX is now available through the Sony website. These are unofficial and found by manipulating the Version 02 firmware's url. Use at your own risk. Here are the official NEX firmware version 03 download links . The links are dead. Let's wait for the official Sony announcement. Unofficial Sony NEX-5 Firmware Version 03 http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/NEX-5V3_Update1010a.exe?fm=na Unofficial Sony NEX-3 Firmware Version 03 http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/NEX-3V3_Update1010a.exe?fm=na Unofficial Sony LA-EA1 Firmware Version 02 http://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/download/NEX/LA-EA1V2_Update1010a.exe?fm=na Fotoingo is a brave soul and updated his NEX via the links above he states "I updated my Nex5 and everything is allright ! :-)" We are not so brave so we will wait until it is officially announced and with proper instruction....

Available from mid-October, a firmware update adds fresh functionality to the NEX-5/NEX-3. Autofocus operation is now supported when using A-mount SAM and SSM lenses with the optional LA-EA1 Mount Adaptor (upgrade for NEX-VG10 is available from mid-November). There’s also a new custom function that allows assignment to buttons of frequently-used functions, plus a new function to record movies with setup aperture. The growing range of E-mount system cameras, lenses and accessories is on display at Photokina. The compact, beautifully styled NEX-5/NEX-3 feature an APS-C size sensor, allowing photographers to capture DSLR-quality stills and video with the creative freedom of interchangeable lenses. On show are prototypes of seven new E-mount lenses that will be available during 2011 and 2012. Thanks Sony EU ! We'll have more later on this.