Sony A1 version 1.3 Firmware Update

Sony A1 Firmware Update
This video tutorial looks at the new features introduced with the version 1.3 firmware update for the Alpha 1 camera. including the Small and Medium Raw Lossless Compression file formats and the improved Eye AF accuracy.

Mark Galer is a Sony Alpha Ambassador for Australia.

#SonyAustralia #SonyAlpha #SonyAmbassador #SonyAlphaANZ

[daycreek]

I've been a Sony shooter for many years now and own the A1. In previous models such as the A9, Sony would bring meaningful firmware updates to their cameras to keep up and exceed with the competition. I have been patiently waiting for a firmware update to the A1 for some time now and at least expected that they would equal features found in the newer A7IV. This is the flagship camera is it not?

Being a wildlife videographer/photographer I am still frustrated that I can't engage tracking in video mode while using the viewfinder. I need to take my eye off of my subject and tap the back of the display to engage tracking. Try doing that with a bald eagle in flight. Of course, bird/animal eye detect in video mode would solve this problem.

Sorry to rant here Mark. I have discussed my frustration with Sony Professional Services but I'm afraid my voice is a small one and I doubt it gets heard by those that matter inside of Sony. I hope you have the opportunity to pass along the frustration amongst those who use the A1 for wildlife videography. I know I am not the only one.

Thanks for all of your videos. They are very helpful.

[peteryungcp]

Honestly, I am very disappointed why A1 firmware 1.3 update still can't include A7 IV new function like lens breathing compensation, focus mapping and bird AF in movie mode...etc... Nikon Z9 firmware update seems more generous...

[net]

Is that an artifact of higher pixel count at 10:08? I see Magenta/Red on the vertical part of the building

[alanross]

Mark,
In your movie you show how the old firmware works on eyes. Have you been able to test the new AF and if so can you provide info on the difference in the field?

[cristianmihai]

Dissapointed....where is the A1 focus breathing compensation?

[GLaurent]

Please SONY if you come here and read this : I would love to have *4K 120p in Super35 mode*, which is still not available right now. It would be really awesome for us wildlife photographers for doing bird videos with a 600mm that would be equivalent to 900mm and beeing still in 4K 120p. Hope to see it available in 1.4 the firmware update !

[denizahmet]

Is your explanation of the EYE AF improvement from your observation or was this detailed to you by Sony reps? If the later why do they not explain it in the firmware notes? Ambassador's like yourself speak for users, and we would like to know what plans they have for future firmware. V1.3 is incremental based on the numbering, so are they working on the big requests from users?

[drewvaughn]

Mark, thanks for all you do, can these updates be downloaded to an iPad for the transfers and will this update wipe your settings and what minor changes I’ve made to your setting? If so, need to reload your setting after the update and then my changes to your setting or can they be saved and reloaded after the update? Let me know, thanks

[yohannsphotographyvideogra]

A1 is the queen of the Sony Saga line at 6.5k we should have all the goodies of alpha cameras altogether and more give us the firmware update we deserve we wont be silenced !

[theovoorbij]

Hi Mark, for a very long road trip to the USA, would you recommend the A9 or A7R III as a second body for mainly landscapes? I would like to use my A1 for wildlife mostly, with the 200-600 while walking trails and while driving along the roads. My wife would use the other camera with Tamron 35-150 and 16-35 GM. I might have sold my A7R III too soon but can get a used one again without a problem. Thanks for your time.

[iandavidbrown]

Excellent overview and detailed explanation, your channel is the main reason I bought a Sony. Thank You. Ian (UK)

[markwalker]

I would like to upgrade from the A9 and possibly sell the A7RIV as well but not sure if A1 is the camera given the high price and lack of updates with things like bird eye AF. Perhaps I will be best served to hold on for a year.

[rocketboy]

Mark it would be nice to explain how Sony is implementing the L and S modes. Are they line skipping or averaging adjacent pixels with a special algorithm?

[mihalydozsa]

Is there a way to use clear image zoom in the smaller uncompressed RAW formats? Maybe with automatic size selection? If I would like to crop in advance like on your example with the dog? Do we get animal EyeAf in video with an update like the a7IV? Also It would be useful to be able to record the proxi videos to the second memorycard slot.

[fsi]

I’m really happy with the addition of S/M uncompressed raw.

I now use M as my default with apsc mode set to a Custom button. Toggle if I have a crop in mind, I especially appreciate it with my 35GM which I enjoy in crop mode for a closer to 50mm fov.

[scbscb]

Hi Mark, There is a mistake in your review. all compressed raws on the A1 are based on 14bits compression not 12bits compression like on the older models. You can see that in the exif data sony also improved the compression to remove some bugs. The end result (alter compression that makes sense) is a 13bits+ ish file in a 14bits mapping (exif data). The A1 doesn't have any photo mode that shoots 12bits anymore.

[leahleah]

Hi Mark, do you still review products on your channel? If you do, how do we contact you?

[rajenderpinglereddy]

Hi Mark,
Your video tutorial on the firmware update for the SONY A1 camera is very informative, useful and easy to follow.
Requesting you to make a video tutorial for updating the SONY LENS FIRMWARE update of a SONY 70-200 f2.8 GM OSS II lens. Thanking you in anticipation.

[davidbee]

Quick question if you can. If I shoot Small RAW, will it mean that I can shoot longer exposures for stars without there being noticeable star trails for Milky Way images? Higher megapixels like the 50MP of the A1 only allow me about 6 seconds of time to prevent trailing of stars. Lower megapixel cameras like the A7s allow over 8 seconds. Thanks.

[DanOhPhotography]

Dear Mark, I made a big mistake while updating A1 to 1.31. I installed firmware even though "mass storage" was greyed out. My Version says 1.31. However, bird eye focus does not seem to work. I learned later on I have to turn of Smartphone Connection. Mass Storage is not greyed out. I tried to re-install the firmware 1.31 but won't let me. Can you tell me how I can re-install? HELP