Sony Japan (translation here) just announced that they will release a new firmware update for SLT and NEX cameras on February 05th. This is the google translated text:
Α99:
SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28 adds automatic lens correction support, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G[2] adding compatible lens [1] Dual AFSAL24F20Z(book 11), SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
Α77, α65, α57, α37
Add Lens for automatic correction [1]SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
NEX-7
Faster storage corresponding lens when the power is turned OFF when using automatic correction [1] SELP1650 when using [2] SELP1650
NEX-5N
Distortion correction is possible in Ver.4.2 or later software “(image data converter) Image Data Converter” developmentversion up※ RAW dataof [2] RAW data format support automatic correction when using [1] SELP1650 [3 Improved stability of the operation [5] AF lens container faster when the power is turned OFF (1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV) at the time of use [4] SELP1650 adding the number of stages of the continuous mode setting bracket]
NEX-F3
Automatic correction when using the corresponding [1] SELP1650
NEX-6, NEX-5R
SEL1018(book5),SEL35F18, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LEaddition of compatible lenses [1] Fast hybrid AF
Have you found the original english press text?
239 Responses
Well that’s exciting for us A77 owners!!
*facepalm*
doublefacepalm as i only use third party lenses
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!
Ohhhh Sony!
Why did you even bother releasing the A77???
Thank God I had some sanity and didn’t purchase the A99, imagine the firmware upgrades in a few months time.
A77 only lens updates? it’s no good. Sony wake up.
With a bit of guesswork this translates to
α99
[1] Lens correction support for additional 11 lenses:
SAL24F20Z, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G
[2] Dual AF support for additional 6 lenses:
SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
NEX-7
[1] Automatic lens correction with SELP1650
[2] Faster lens retraction with SELP1650 when camera is turned off
#2 makes sense – when I tried the SELP1650 on my NEX-7 at Photokina, it took about 6 seconds until the lens was retracted afterturnong off the camera. I’m not sure about #1 though – as far as I could see, lens correction worked fine out of the box. What I would like to see for the SELP1650 is the focal lens being displayed while zooming, as the NEX-6 does. Maybe that comes wit the next update then. 😉
This update sucks for my a77.
Go to hell sony!!!
Our A77 firmware update is coming, it’s the A78…
you`re absolutely right…
+10
i do not ever buy the A78…
This too will be my last Sony camera. I’ve gone from A200, A33 and now my last the A77. If you can’t have a basic feature (tethering ) that is native to Canon / Nikon, then there isn’t much hope. For those on here thinking tethering is only for studio work, you are missing some other great things tethering does as well.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=eu.chainfire.dslrcontroller&feature=related_apps#?t=W251bGwsMSwxLDEwOSwiZXUuY2hhaW5maXJlLmRzbHJjb250cm9sbGVyIl0.
So I completely understand what you are complaining about, let me ask a couple of questions. What about an Electronic Viewfinder, Live-View, and the ability to hook up your A77 to a Television via HDMI fails to fulfill your needs? Is it the lack of being able to use a computer or whatever application you want to use? Have you tried hooking up your A77 to an HDMI-capable monitor and using an Eye-Fi card? If you’re hanging your future on the A-mount on this feature, specifically on the A77, you may want to get out now. I seriously doubt the development effort cost to Sony is justified by a minority of folks who want to have X feature or Y feature because Canon or Nikon have them. If you wanted to do things the Nikon or Canon way, you shouldn’t have bought a Sony. If you want a camera capable of 12 shots a second, you’re looking at a $6000+ Canon or Nikon or a $1100 Sony. The $4900+ difference doesn’t justify the development effort. If you’re willing to sacrifice some of the minor things Canon and Nikon have, and only a few folks use for quality in other arenas which are unthought of or unheard of by Canon or Nikon, Sony is the way to go. Ultimately I have had my A77 for more than a year and not once have I seen the value of tethering the camera when I have 3 different ways to see what I am doing while I do it.
You’re not getting tethering. Quit complaining. Sell your A77 and your lenses and go to a different mount and stop wasting the time of those of us who appreciate being different.
I’m going to make this brief since no matter what I say it won’t make a difference to you anyway. Hooking up to a HDTV, or using a Eye Fi card is nothing compared to actual tethering. While 12fps is nice I rarely use it, and a basic Canon T2i has tethering. Lol at the part where I don’t want to be different. That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long time. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid.
tethering huh! dreaming of setting ANYTHING via remote since not even the remote2 of sony is not working for the a77 (WHY?!?!?) starting video recording via remote must be that hard to fix 🙁 bah, all complains about being left in the rain with the only sportsPROphotocam (and greatdeal fullhd60p video cam) of sony is really bad. I pray for some results of this guy who hacked the firmware, we 77ers need to get our firmware anyhow updated…
Lets see the History of the A77 over the last year
v 1.0 = Broken Firmware, camera can freeze up. Slow as hell response time and evf switching. Slow to turn on and off…
v 1.01 – 1.05 = fixed the problems above.
v 1.06 = added lenses
v 1.0x = added lenses
The A77 though Sony is still selling it, the development lifecycle is already on maintenance mode.
With the A77 getting so much bad press on release because of their firmware fukup, looks like Sony is sweeping it under the rug now.
hack it hack it hack it! It´s a shame, since this camera is great (imo)
look at my post below.. AF-D support is for 11 lenses, and auto correction profile for 6 lenses..
Kurzad, what shall I do with the lens corrections if I shoot in RAW? N.O.T.H.I.N.G. Not to mention that I don’t have these lenses nor plan to buy them…
In other words, a totally meaningless update
Isn’t the correction profile embedded in a raw file?
Oops .. the A99 update is just the other way around: AF-D support for 11 new lenses, and lens correction for 6 new lenses.
+1
SONY Continues to ABANDON and ALIENATE the Core User Group,
If you brought value they could be the strongest advocates.
SONY you are not that innovative in value justifing your abuses.
So, there is no AF-D update to the A99…?
Some of this looks exactly backwards to me.
The 85 1.4 and 135 1.8 don’t *need* in camera correction, they need dual AF more than anything.
Whereas the 24 2.0 doesn’t need dual AF, it would (as a wider lens) benefit much more from a lens correction profile. Ditto with the 28 f/2.8.
What’s going on?
I don’t consider the 24mm f/2 CZ a lens that NEEDs any corrections. It’s as close to perfection as currently possible at this focal length.
The 24/2 does need correction in some cases.
Up to ~3.5 you may have issues with light fall-off (depending on situation), and barrel distortion could in certain areas be a bit annoying.
If correct….YAWN.
The updates for NEX-7 are just pathetic -_-
What did you want. Most things, like the movie record button were fixed in the last update?
How about bracketing with remote or timer???????
Yes !! It’s really sad that Sony consider more the nex7 ! Where are the lens correction with all the lenses which came out ???? So what will happen with the upcoming lenses, should we really have to throw the nex 7 and buy a nex 6 to have lens correction ???
Horay, I don’t have to do an update :-/
That’s two A77 updates I haven’t bothered doing then!
Actually the last introduced some undocumented af improvements… Won’t be touching this one unless they do something similar. Jpeg corrections – for everything else there’s dxo…
Valid point. Last update was really decent. Especially in terms of AF improvements. Although the record button fix was also very welcome.
I completely agree. The last A77 update freed the camera up quite a bit in terms of responsiveness. The A77 smokes the A99 when it comes to response times, powering on and off, and returning to being functional after something intensive. The A99 acts like the A77 did at 1.02 or 1.03. As much as I’d like to think I adjusted a setting or changed something, it was the last two firmware updates that I noticed significant changes, and I really noticed after receiving my A99.
If Sony fails to mention any improvements in their firmware, it’s their own fault and a marketing failure to begin with.
Or perhaps the improvements are so negligible that they didn’t even bother to spend the time to write it on a press release paper. Perhaps to even save ink and a few trees.
I just find it VERY SAD, that the A77 community (or what’s left of it) is hammered so much that we have to look for scraps like an stray dog in every firmware update.
Frank owns A77? Oh my god… earth has shaken! Though you own only NEXes.
Why do you think I am concerned about Sony’s focus on E-mount and lack of caring about A-mount?
See how many A mount lenses there are already and how few E mount ones…
@Scooby Doo – you are right, it’s the other way around; [1] Dual AF support for 11 lenses, and [2] lens correction for 6 lenses. Sorry 🙂
Btw., the option to edit one’s comments seems to have disappeared :/
That’s excellent. Makes more sense to me now. 🙂
Nice update for me.
Totally and absolutely disgusting. I did not use the last update and will not be using this totally useless one either.
Sony do not deserve to sell one more camera. To leave A65/A77 users with and acknowledged poor Jpeg engine and poor ISO is just unforgivable.
I was going to buy a 500 mm lens if this firmware update had covered some of the picture quality problems but now have no intention of buying anything more for my camera. I will continue using it until I can afford to buy another one and will buy a camera from a manufacturer whose cameras at least give good picture quality (even if they do have other minor problems).
Sony…You Suck
That’s the most pathetic troll attempt I seen since Frank posted something.
Seriously… you had money for 500mm and was about to buy it but won’t because of firmware update? SERIOUSLY?! lol. Fail.
Most likely a Sigma or Tamron. 🙂
Aww my very own stalker, how quaint.
seems like Sony includes tweaks and bugfixes that are not mentioned in those update reports. so if I were you, I would try and install them just for the sake of it, there might be minor improvements done, never mentioned by Sony. at least that’s what a lot of a77 owners say. might be placebo though.
If there were improvements Sony would have shouted about them. I think it’s wishful thinking myself.
still, it can’t hurt trying the updates?
A99 >
Dual AF Support for (11 lenses):
SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL24F20Z
SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G
Lens auto-correction support for(6 pieces):
SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
If this is correct than it is brilliant news! All my lenses would get AF-D!
This is correct.
@ANFOTOS – I suppose “Dual AF” means AF-D.
Yes, it will be updating the firmware, but it’s tough to call adding lenses for auto lens correction an ‘update’. Many do not shoot JPEG with A77 because it’s crappy smeared JPEG engine.
Same as with any other camera or brand …
That’s why RAW is so popular 🙂 That and few dozens of other reasons 🙂
Well.. I was expecting Sony to publish the new firmware for A99 to make the menu faster and also the start-up which is around 2 seconds now. All in all, getting AF-D support for my 85 1.4 ZA is good.
Cool, an update for my boring 5N. I don’t think I will buy another Sony camera, the cameras aren’t as cool as they appear to be.
A77… o.m.f.g. this is so… Sony should be ashamed because this is so incredibly bad that I cannot express it in a nice way… now I do seriously regret ever investing in Sony
This is one reason I will stick with my A700 for a while. I simply don’t feel comfortable shelling out for Sony gear since it is essentially a dead end – all updates are in the next camera. This wouldn’t be a big issue if the A77 had all the things it should have (i.e. tethering, Auto-ISO in M mode, etc).
How come AUTO-iso in FULLY MANUAL mode is something camera “is suppose to have”??? Cause I’m clueless.
It’s perhaps nice additional feature, but certainly not more important then a face detection (that A77 does have and A700 doesn’t).
Auto ISO in M mode is far more useful than you might think. Ever since I got a D600 (I came from a Sony a580), I’ve been using M mode and auto ISO for most of my shooting. It’s incredibly convenient – you get your desired depth of field and shutter speed suitable for the situation, and the camera sets the ISO to match.
On the a580, I’d have to waste time and miss shots adjusting the ISO as light conditions change. On the D600, auto ISO in M mode allows me to set and forget.
A more customisable auto ISO is good to (eg being allowed to set a minimum shutter speed before the camera bumps the ISO. Nikon does this.
Auto ISO in manual mode is really just a work around. What we really need is an aperture mode that allow you to set a minumum shutter speed with AUTO ISO. I believe the 5Dmkiii is able to do this.
The problem with manual mode and auto iso is that you need to be careful about over exposing in bright light. The aperture mode configuration I suggested above would resolve this and become a truly flexible auto mode.
If you can’t see a need for Auto ISO in M then you really need to use your camera more often. It is a very useful feature that I miss.
Others have given a good account of Auto-ISO in M mode. I would prefer an AS mode with ISO limits able to be specified but I will take what I can get.
Shoot some action photos and it should be incredibly obvious why this would be useful.
The reason it “should” have a feature like this is because it is extremely useful and its competitors have it.
It’s one of those ‘don’t diss it till you try it’ things. Freeing up depth of field and motion isolation to be decided by their artistic effect rather necessity of exposure is a Good Thing. It does however require a camera that has clean performance at moderate ISOs, so isn’t as useful with, say, an A900 or A77 as it is with the A99 and the cameras with the 16MP sensor.
I don’t know about you guys, but for my style, manual is manual. That personal preference I think. If I want auto exposure, I use P mode. If I want more control, I use Aperture Priority. But I know Pentax offers something like that with Aperture + Shutter Priority mode(ISO priority is also available in Pentax cameras). Also I like Nikon minimum shutter speed implementation.
Hybrid AF for SEL1018, SEL35F18 and SEL50F18 on NEX-6 = very useful update
I just updated my Apple iPhone firmware today ( about the 5th time) . The thing I like about Apple is they fix things. Even the update said ” bug fixes and software improvements “. Apple are a progressive and innovative company. They listen to there customers and FIX things and constantly improve the customer experience with there products.
I’ve had a 99 for 4 months now and all I get from Sony is some lens profile updates that should have been there from day 1. I bought into Sony purely because of the Minolta background and a heap of lens I had that would work on the 99. I am doubting my choice of camera system now. The 99 is a great camera but it has problems that need to be FIXED.
SONY listen to your customers seriously if you want to be a player in the big league. Otherwise please sell the camera business to Apple so we can feel confident of acquiring products at the cutting edge with great customer support.
I’ve owned an iPhone 3, 4 and now the 5, along with the iPad 2 and cannot remember the last genuinely exciting Apple software update. The iPhone 5 is great – but it is hardly innovative.
It’s all well and good having a sense of entitlement to fancy new features via firmware, but I wonder if people bother to read reviews and weigh up the existing performance and features of a camera BEFORE they purchase.
There is so much feet stamping around here, I’d probably laugh if Sony dumped A-mount, because it would would send all the spoilt brats around here into an eternal tantrum.
There is a rather large difference between fixes as described by the OP and providing new functions. The former should be done, the latter shouldn’t be expected.
It’s a real pity as Sony started fixing the A77 soon after release, had they continued to do so for it and their other current models, we’d not be having this discussion.
I see that the A99 is also plagued with flash problems that haven’t been addressed by Sony. No surprise there…
“There is a rather large difference between fixes as described by the OP and providing new functions. The former should be done, the latter shouldn’t be expected.”
Yes, I understand that. My last two paragraphs were not aimed directly at him – sorry, should have made that clear.
Fair enough, as a generalisation, I agree with you.
Lets take a look at what the competitors are releasing in their firmware…
“In the EOS 7D the maximum burst of RAW file frames was 15 – with the firmware update this will be significantly increased so that the camera’s buffer will handle up to 25 RAW frames in a continuous burst”
hmmmmm…..
“The EOS 7D will allow for in-camera post-processing of images. RAW images can be edited in-camera and options can be changed before saving the finished file as a ready-to-print JPEG or for sending wirelessly. This function can be used with full resolution RAW files, but not with M-RAW or S-RAW files.”
hmmmmmm….
“Manual adjustment for audio recording levels”
hmmmm…..
“JPEG resizing”
hmmmmm……
“Image rating capabilities”
hmmmmm……..
Ohhh wait, Sony isn’t Canon/Nikon….
Lets take a look at their A55 updates then…
“Available beginning 20th June, a firmware update for the Sony α33 and α55 cameras adds several creative and operational enhancements. Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35 model has been added. High-speed synchronisation is now supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (Sony α55 only). The firmware upgrades also bring revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The Sony A33 and A55 cameras’ Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button.”
hmmmmm…..
“SEL50F18 … addition of compatible lenses [1] Fast hybrid AF”
YES! One of the last things that kept me from switching to the NEX-5R (from NEX-5) has been resolved. I use the 50mm the most on my camera.
Now I only would like to see Tamron coming up with some firmware to support the hybrid AF on their 18-200 as well. Have mailed them several times about this. Never received an answer. Don’t like to sell the Tamron one to get the Sony version really.
Sony Sony Sony! I need firmware for NEX-C3 with in camera correction of the extreme dark corner that produced by E1650! Come on!
In Jpeg?
Why not? I am using NEX-6 which works perfect with E1650. And C3 is only for my wife. I will never expect my wife doing any post processing work.
This is disappointing, I had hoped for a better JPG engine, to give greater value to my a77. Instead we got lens correction for what purpose to sell more sony lenses, I think not!
You can always shoot RAW and do your JPEG conversion on your computer if you do not like the tradeoffs Sony choose in developing their JPEG engines.
At this point I do not see any major bugs in the A77 firmware and would expect new software releases to mostly cover updating for new lens profiles.
The JPEG rendering is not a bug just a choice Sony made. Some people are having flash issues, but my A77 flash performs exactly as I expect it should. Since many peoples flashes work correctly and only some do not, the issue may be a hardware fault and not software.
Some feature upgrades would be nice, like adding tethering and adjusting the flash to provide a lower minimum power level, but those sort of changes are not typical in firmware updates.
For major feature upgrades, I expect Sony will wait for new camera bodies. It is not impossible Sony could back fill some features onto earlier models but I would not expect that until after the new bodies have been out for a while.
Disappointing but not surprising.
I love my A57 and bought it knowing that its flaws might never be fixed. But it’s still annoying knowing that most of the camera’s issues could be solved if Sony just put a bit of effort into a real update…
■Ａマウント
・α99
[1] デュアルAF対応レンズ追加（11本）Support Dual AF 11 lenses
SAL24F20Z, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G,
SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G
[2] 自動補正対応レンズ追加（6本）Add Lens for automatic correction 6 lenses
SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
・α77、α65、α57、α37
[1] 自動補正対応レンズ追加（6本）Add Lens for automatic correction
SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
■Ｅマウント
・NEX-7
[1] SELP1650使用時の自動補正対応 Support automatic correction when using
[2] SELP1650使用時の電源OFF時レンズ収納高速化 Storage faster lens when the power is turned OFF when using (หดเลนส์กลับได้เร็วขึ้น)
・NEX-5N
[1] SELP1650使用時の自動補正対応 Support automatic correction when using
[2] RAWデータフォーマットのバージョンアップ Upgrading the data format
※RAWデータ現像ソフト「Image Data Converter（イメージ データ コンバーター）」Ver.4.2以降にて歪曲収差補正が可能になります
Distortion correction is possible in Ver.4.2 or later software “(image data converter) Image Data Converter” RAW data development
[3] 連続ブラケットモード設定の段数追加（1.0EV，2.0EV，3.0EV）Add the number of stages of the bracket set continuous mode
[4] SELP1650使用時の電源OFF時レンズ収納高速化 Storage faster lens when the power is turned OFF when using (หดเลนส์กลับได้เร็วขึ้น)
[5] AF動作の安定性の向上 Improvement of the stability of operation
・NEX-F3
[1] SELP1650使用時の自動補正対応 Support automatic correction when using
・NEX-6、NEX-5R
[1] ファストハイブリッドAF対応レンズの追加（5本）Add Fast hybrid AF compatible lens (5 ตัว)
SEL1018, SEL35F18, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE
Wonder how much I can get for my A77 on Ebay… ; (
A lot more now than when the A78 is announced. 😀
what’s the problem with your A77? mine’s working just fine
“But, but, it doesn’t have tethering and the high ISO sucks!! Wahhhhh!!!”
So WHY did you buy it then?
Probably because I was already married into their lenses from previous Sony cameras (A200, A33) and couldn’t afford the A99. So I had to make a choice and while I still love a lot of the features my A77 has, not including a basic feature of tethering is mind boggling.
Does that answer your question Mr Sony Apologist?
Bought it because I thought Sony would support their products throughout the products lifecycle like they do with their PS3.
At least, when people buy a Canon/Nikon, they know they will get both the support and future firmware updates.
Enjoy your next lens update in another 6 months.
Ohh wait, they already covered most lenses… Enjoy your next numerical increment in firmware number on your next update…
Not very much I’m afraid
On the other hand I think that a700 and a850/a900 bodies and the full-frame Sony/Zeiss lenses will do much better on ebay.
really? i have both, A77 and A700, and if i can sell my A700 for half the price of a used A77 i’ll do it in a second! do you want to buy mine?
A77 are not giving a great return right now. I just sold my in excellent condition for $700 and struggled to get that. Its marked down so much right now and rumors of an update this year are going to erode prices further.
“Not very much I’m afraid”.
Absolute twaddle.
Body only you’ll lose 25% of it’s body value, plus a large chunk of cash in eBay and Paypal fees. That’s a fair bit of cash.
Don’t sell it on eBay then.
The lack of support freaks me out.
Hope they listen to their costumers:
https://twitter.com/i/#!/lastcameranews/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2FT1IeMJZh
It’s very obvious that Sony doesn’t give a sh!t about what customers wants.
They only listen to what the professional videographers wants… Just take a look at the A99. It’s a good camera but an excellent video camera…
All I can hope for now is that they retire the A99 quickly, so that a proper firmware would be released for the A77… Alas I am dreaming.
As a new NEX-5R owner, this update makes the e-mount lenses even better value for the money than they were. Glad to see the hybrid-af getting added to most of the lenses.
I was really happy with my a77 when I bought it. When they updated the firmware to correct the lag in changing shutter speed/aperture, it made the camera really, really good. The jpg engine isn’t the best, but I knew that going in and I shoot raw for critical work. So a year later I have a camera that performs better than what I happily paid for. I don’t think Sony owes me anything… it’s a fantastic camera that I love to use.
Couldn’t agree more! I’ve short raw ever since my a200 – can honestly say I haven’t used jpeg mode on my a77 since I bought it. Even a quick and dirty auto convert in dxo or lightroom gives great results (and takes very little time). High iso isn’t great but 1600’s more than usable if you’re not planning on hanging it on a wall…
The flash issue is my biggest annoyance – I was hoping the new hotshoe would mean a whole new system, to be honest.
So you won’t be happier if Sony did add new features?
Even motherboard menufacturers add new features to their mobo firmwares these days.
Canon and Nikon does the same… hell every camera company does it, Sony even did it with other older camera models.
Hmmm what’s that about 1ev 2ev 3ev for the nex-5n?? Dare I hope?
I think it is! Bracketing beyond 0.3 ev steps!!
Oops I meant beyond 0.7ev
This DOES sound like a useful addition we’ve been hoping for a long time! Yay! The HDR function isn’t bad, but making your own HDR’s from RAW’s is very much better!
Wow, this is great for 5N owners who wanted more comprehensive bracketing. I am glad they didn’t forget about us.
It is sad that Sony only seeks out relationships when the company wants to sell something. Once the product is sold it is The Sony Way.
I own an A99 and am satisfied with it. I would be ecstatic if Sony would support it with not just useful firmware updates but also desktop/laptop/mobile applications. E.g. tethered capture needs work to match Canon and Nikon- and should be years ahead of the competition in features. Sony needs to get out of the equipment business and into the experience business as Apple has done.
I agree with complaints that the video quality of the A99 needs work, http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-Firmware-Update/A99-issues-needs-an-Urgent-Firmware-Update/td-p/40361, calls for adjusting how the camera behaves, http://www.sony-europe.com/discussions/message/1028372, and the wireless flash delay, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHrBcT51oE8&noredirect=1.
I was stunned to find that several camera features do not function when recording RAW images. I am even more disappointed in reviewers who failed to mention this (at least those reviewers with production gear). In my view this alone disqualifies the A99 from being a “professional” camera.
I like the A99, but Sony’s goal should be for people to love it- and not trust that lens investments will lock us into the platform. That will not grow sales or the community.
What features are you talking about. I know one feature is panoramic mode, but unless I am wrong Nikon or Canon does not have this feature at all. The other feature of the 99 that has to be jpeg is the 10fps in crop mode but since the MK3/800 or 600 shoots 6fps or less that cannot be the feature you are talking about that makes the 99 unprofessional. The other toy or in camera features are not really a much asked about “professional features”. So even if these features were able to be used in raw would not warrant any camera to be titled professional or lacking these features be coined nonprofessional.
Well, as expected, the moaning and groaning has started. I’ll be waiting to see if there are other improvements aside from what has been discussed. In the meantime, why moan for additional lenses being supported by in camera correction or by the on sensor PDAF?
Hehe! Instead of firm update, -Now come on….. let’s build some new cameras for the new improved functions people want.
why build new cameras all the time! think about all the money thrown in the trash every year, when new models are released! I bet Sony are not recycling the older cameras to make new ones…… right……?
would it not be better to make stronger models and make them live longer through firmware updates (that works)?
Nope. New camera sales make money. People who have already bought them make very little money for Sony so now point doing firmware updates. Sony release new models to get in the news and get new camera sales.
Your right Frank about the: New camera sales make money. But do all people got the money to buy a new camera every year?
I’m not saying it’s right for Sony to do it, but there are more potential purchasers than those that have already purchased. Sony’s efforts are better put to new/potential users.
Suck FW update!!
Sony!
Take care of your system users!
I would never make any of my friends by Sony instead of canikon. I does not find the cameras to be good enough for its price. The sony camera industry reminds me of the smartphone industry! Its all about sales numbers and income! I believe there is one thing they are forgetting……. customer satisfaction!
And if you dont think costumer satisfaction has and correleation on brand awareness , this business is not where you want to be!
In the end! what i want is image quality!
ISO performance and a long lifetime to make up for the huge amount of money spent!
I`m sorry i bought the Sony system, but is stuck because of investments in glass.
2013 just started, but wonder how Sony guys could come up with such wonderful jokes. In the age of wars and work pressure its really stress reliving to read jokes like the Sony firmware update and “features” included in it. I just laughed my head and butt out….. ;D
After browsing/reading all the comments here all I can say is…
Well, that didn’t go over too well.
-Carl
What about a TOUCH SHUTTER for the NEX-5n?!?! This camera has touch screen but no touch shutter, why?!?!
why on earth do you want a touch shutter if you have a dedicated 2 stage shutter button??
Because a touch shutter is much much much much much faster at selecting AF point in the scene than moving the AF ‘box’ in the NEX with the scroll wheel… unlike DSLR/T which you have a dedicated joystick to move the AF points.
You can use touch focus, you don’t have to move the af point with the controller…
Touch shutter is still one step faster than touch focus.
If using a mode such as HDR which doesn’t work with the remote, a touch shutter would give less risk of camera movement if the camera is used with a small tripod.
This is true only of the capacitative screen, not the pressure screen.
If using a mode such as HDR which doesn’t work with the remote, a touch shutter would give less risk of camera movement if the camera is used with a small tripod.
This is true only of the capacitative screen, not the pressure screen.
Touch shutter? Gash, and I thought that auti-ISO in fully manual mode will be the most odd request here. Yet this one beats it by a mile. Seriously? Touch Shutter is from all the things the one you’d want?! Hahahahahahahahahaha
I wanted the 5n to suck my d…
Nevermind!
WTH
“10 hours ago | Reply
I wanted the 5n to suck my d… ”
Really 🙂 Get a CAnoNikon it does that.
well at least I get my hybrid AF now on the SEL50F18!
I have A77. Should I update new firmware version? My answer is – not! Sony, wake up! We need firmware versions that are real updates, that give us better jpeg quality and better ISO performance.
Better ISO performance?
Where do these unrealistic expectations come from?
There is no such thing as a magic firmware update that changes the physics of sensor performance and it’s light gathering/noise mitigation abilities. ISO performance is intimately tied to the design of the sensor itself.
The ISO performance you’ve got now is the ISO performance you’re always going to have. Period.
If you want greater control over the noise characteristics of your files, shoot in RAW and do your NR in post.
I would have thought the OP meant better jpeg quality and jpeg ISO performance.
So do people here shoot JPEG or not? There’s lots of moaning about the lens profiles being irrelevant to them, but then there’s lots of people moaning about JPEG engines.
Would like to see a poll on this.
I shoot jpeg when I have no need of tweaking in LR. It would be nice to get results straight OOC that I can get from LR. Who WOULDN’T want that?
There will be plenty of Sony users working to a time limit, so great jpegs OOC would be useful to them too.
The fact is that we shouldn’t HAVE to use RAW to get anywhere near good output.
I wonder if part of the a77 jpg engine is baked into the bione chip. Thus, being hardware, impossible to update with firmware.
Shunting around 24mpix data to make jpgs at up to 12 fps would make this seem like a possibility to me. I’m no computer engineer but I believe dedicated chips can process stuff much more quickly than multi-purpose chips.
How can firmware update improve ISO performance? It is pure hardware thing.
ISO performance can be modified via firmware using a trick all camera vendors use. The sensor has the measured true ISO range, but all camera manufacturers assign a number to the true range. For example, ISO 50 as you see on the camera may actually be ISO 46. ISO 100 may actually be ISO 85. And ISO 400 may actually be closer to 320. A firmware update can widen the delta between the realized ISO and the assigned ISO. So pre-update when you set the camera to ISO 800, the realized ISO may be 700, the post-update may be 650. Therefore the end user dials in 800 pre-update and post-update, the results will be different and the user will perceive a change. Unfortunately the metering will suffer and you’ll likely see a small difference in shutter speed or exposure.
Take the results as what they’re worth, but DXOMark’s A77 test showed a linear realized ISO about 20% below the assigned ISO settings in their testing at ISO 100 and above (the realized ISO for assigned ISO 50 was actually a hair over 20% higher).
So what does this really mean in terms of quality? With a realized ISO 20% lower you’re consistently around of third of a stop better than the assigned value.
Take a camera with a similar sensor, the Nikon D3200, for example has a realized ISO linearly 30% lower at each value. So ISO 100 on the A77 is actually ISO 80, and on the Nikon D3200, it is actually ISO 70. Not much difference. But when you go to the higher values, that’s where the manufacturers have everyone fooled. The D3200 at assigned ISO 6400 is actually closer to ISO 4000. The A77 is actually closer to 5400. So the end-user sees both at ISO 6400 but in actuality, the Nikon is displaying an ISO over a third of a stop better.
What Sony could do in firmware is widen the gap between the actual ISO value and the assigned value so it is much lower and it will pull the Jedi mind trick Nikon is pulling which is the realized ISO is actually much lower than the assigned than it was before.
Keep this in mind when doing DPreview comparisons. Sure the ISO 6400 is on the Nikon is going to look better. It is actually more than a third of a stop lower than the Sony. If you wanted apples to apples, you actually should measure the Nikon at ISO 8000 and the Sony at ISO 6400.
So you’re probably thinking this is a dirty trick by Nikon, right? Nope. This is common. Sony does even more with the A99. It is nearly a full stop of realized ISO better than the actual ISO above 100. Canon is consistently 20-25% below. As is Nikon. Pentax is a little more honest lately.
Completely agree. I really happy that more and more of people start to understand that. Fuji and Olympus are even more famous for doing “noise improvements” like that.
But I hope OP was talking about true high ISO improvident which is not really possible in FW update.
I’d sure like to be proven wrong but I do agree.
Requests for NEX:
1. Nearly instant on/ improved start up time. Shoud at least be possible with adapted lenses.
2. Ability to set minimum/max shutter speed in a aperture priority mode.
3. Movie button disable feature.
4. Something new. I come from owning Ricoh GRDs and that company a few times a year gave me something to look forward too. Whether it was a fix or brand new enhancements. My camera was always evolving and I felt satisfied and appreciated as a customer.
As an NEX7 and NEX5R owner these updates make me very happy. I use the SELP1650 as my main lens with my NEX7 because of the size convenience, but the slow lens retraction, heavy vignetting, and barrel distortion are really annoying. This should make my NEX7 almost perfect in my opinion. Glad to see the 5R will have hybrid AF with the SEL50F18. That means almost all my lenses will have hybrid AF with my 5R except the SEL16F28. I am getting concerned Sony won’t release a firmware update for this lens since they seem to be killing it off. Come on Sony. I need the 16mm prime to have hybrid AF as well.
Glass is half full version: Maybe the actual operational FW tweaks, fixes etc. were “lost” in translation…..
Admin.. U have connections with sony peeps right? Soo whatsup with this fw update? Wtf is sony doing? They r losing customers this way..
I don’t use many of my A77 features because of the poor jpegs and was hoping for an update to fix this to enable the camera to deliver its full potential. It’s a real shame, but sadly it looks like that’s not going to happen now, so I’m putting this down to an expensive lesson I need to learn from. I’ll keep the A77 because I won’t get back anything near what I’ve invested but I’ve now drawn a line in the sand and won’t be buying any Sony products in the future. I delayed some Sony purchases before Christmas to see what level of support there would be for the A77 and am glad I did – so I’m now switching to Fuji. Sony may well become No.1 in cameras, but they’ll do it without my money.
I use Sony products because of IBIS, EVF, focusing peaking, clear zoom, tiltable screens, and AF Zeiss lens. Any of these features is a deal breaker for me. I am not interested in the Nikon or Canon one bit. I would They do not offer these features. I has used a Sony a77 for the past year and like many things about the camera. I have also wanted to get been jpeg performance out of the camera but have found that changing settings in creative styles (shooting 0 or – in the color setting especially) and adding color if needed after white balance correction to really help reduce post processing time. I only shoot raw with close ups of portraits or of the bride and groom. Many of the shots at weddings expecially the reception can be shot in jpeg to save time. So instead of screaming for firmware improvements perhaps we could share more tips on settings wtih each other to get improved results. I don’t care for any of this Nikon or Canon talk. Who cares. This is a Sony fourm. For example, I live by the Great Salt Lake in UT. We have wonderful sunsets. I love composing the scene in the EVF to get just what I want. I would go blind viewing the sun in the OVF so why would I want a Nikon or Canon. I could but don’t want to compose with live view. I like the VF. All my outdoor shooting is through the EVF and it is great. Let’s all talk more about making great images with Sony products. What works for you?
Also:
5. Dedicated User customizable modes. All settings assigned and saved – had this on the GRD. You make a preset for “day” or “night” and the camera is ready when you select your mode.
Finally my NEX-5N can use SELP1650 now, YIPPI!
A77 firmware, new lens support… only in JPEG mode with a poor JPEG engine… so? what to do with this update if I use RAW?
The same thing that every single camera user of every single brand continues to do. Ignore it and move on. Nobody gets lens correction in RAW, it would no longer be RAW!
+ 1
Agreed! Like a dog, I have learned to eat scraps from Sony.
I am now quite convinced that I have bought into the wrong camera system. It’s an expensive mistake to make. Shame on me for buying a second Sony camera.
Slowly making the transition now.
The entire point of RAW is not to get the sensor data without correction.
That is so ironic considering Sony saves the file in a LOSSY COMPRESSED RAW Format….
Show me some proof that there is a difference in visible output. I can’t tell the difference.
Good news for us owners of the 5N who are using the new 16-50 powerzoom.
i want “Tethering” like Canon do, plug in camera know it is EOSXX , now my a99 can not talk to my mac.
yes some ppl show in internet how to it via Lightroom , but the transfer speed so slow .
Sony really need to look and listen what WE NEED .
??
In the boxed version you have the DVD where the RCC30 is on.
Just install it and enjoy tethered shooting.
Ok, it is not too convenient, and I don’t know the C/N way of working remote, but it’s wrong to complain A99 would not support tethering.
My trusty A57 gets a firmware update? Great!
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo that was my highligh from sony for the year since i’m just an A77 user…. No A1x anytime soon
You still believe in the A1x?
HAHAHAHAHAA!
I want to believe in the A1S.
It’s a much more exciting possibility than Little Green Men or Elvis.
You have a better chance in believing in The Abduction of Elvis by Aliens.
Sony
Make.Believe
Hey, I can understand the comments and do feel the pain but you have to admit stepping back and reading them is amusing if you really kind of take yourself out of it. Better to laugh about it than get worked up and ruin your day.
By the way I will also be passing on the updates for my a77 and NEX7 …….. I dislike spending the time with the a77 reverifying all my micro-adjusts after each and every firmware update ….. for me this update is not worth the time to re-adjust everything again.
very underwhelming… at least tethering and timelapse should be included in top of the line cams like the Nex7 and A77
OMG! How many screams. Why buy a camera that you want to … No! details please update the firmware. Mine does not understand) Most of the problems I think in fantasy.
LOLWUT?
I think Sony is kidding who has acquired his cameras, if the only update for my A77 will involve the addition of lenses for the useless correction , there never will buy a Sony product.
I see why there only 20 reviews for the a99 at b&h. I really thought the a99 was going to be different as the a900 stuck around for a few years. But the next a99 firmware update will 3,200 bucks. Somtime late 2013 or early 2014….
I picked sony for a reason but seems like I should of gone Nikon. I have bought alot of equipment for Sony now it just seems wasted.
-Dan
Carefull, Joe is going to tell you off, and accuse you of not wanting to be different.
Well, I’d personally welcome that hardware ‘firmware update’. Something that actually makes me excited rather than making me go ‘that’s nice, dear’ would be very welcome.
Alas, probably late 2014 at the earliest.
I’m amazed at all the disgruntled Sony customers! Guess how many improvements and extra features Canon have released for my 60d??
Sony are far from unique in offering what are sometimes disappointing firmware updates.
when will buy a Canon-and this will certainly be-I will complain to Canon, if necessary.
Calm down people, let’s wait for the actual firmware download and test it. I had a77 before I bought a99. EVF design is still evolving, help Sony do a better job by providing feed back to their WARRANTY service. If they failed to provide a key feature for your business, learn a new trick or move on to the brand that provides it.
Admin,
Can you find out if Sony plans to do a NEX6/NEX5R hybrid autofocus firmware update for the 16mm pancake lens (SEL16F28)? It seems strange this is about the only Sony lens not getting updated with hybrid autofocus yet. I hope Sony doesn’t abandon support for this lens. It makes the NEX5R very pocketable, something I can’t really do with my NEX7.
Please Andrea add poll and show sony how many of as are happy with they jokes or who will change the brand.i will go after canon if I can sell my sony equipment for more than yellow coins.no more sony dslr in rest of my life!!!
Believe me, the pool will show that most of people are pretty happy with Sony and those FW updates
Only that for the (I though high-end..) nex 7 ????
Maybe the users here can explain this to me. I use a FVL-60 with the A99, and it will sync up to 1/8000, as long as the flash is pointed forward, but not with a bounce flash. Is sony really concerned with the speed of light not being fast enough?
@99Problems, Yeah I was wondering the same thing. Why does Sony sometimes limit a very useful feature, in stead ust show a warning on the display that flash power could be too little in HSS, but at least let us try to find the limit ourselves.
I secretly hope the firmware update for the a99 will address some of the responsiveness issues. Compared to my old A700 I feel like I have to wait much to long to review my image on the lcd. It takes about 2 seconds with the fastest san disk cards I could buy. Why is this?
If Sony would like to really boost their sales, they should make the firmware of the older (and preferably the new ones as well) or part of it open source. And let the public create options, user interfaces and more. This is what made the iphone popular (apps and the apps that followed the jailbreaking made lots of new possibilities to a smart phone that sony didn’t even think of. See what magic lantern brought to canon, I would say a lot more sales… I would think magic lantern is unofficially supported by canon, whilst before they were against magic lantern software.
If this isn’t possible due to warranty issues (although a basic firmware fail safe restore isn’t such a problem too build in the camera), they could at least hire some other software developers too look at certain areas like performance.
On the PS3 there are game developers, who always like to push the extremes of a machine and find creative workarounds when computing power is limited, and that’s what made the PS3 one of the best selling consoles, not the consoles themselves.
Well, just as I expected… I was not waiting for anything and I’ve go nothing. I’ll stay on 1.05, no clue why should I update…
I love my A77, it’s a great camera, but it CAN be made better. Add Auto ISO in M mode, make those MR things usable… BUT I wan not hoping anything of this would happen as a firmware update. And I was right.
I thisnk this is a SONY’s mistake. At this point they’d better NOT release antything, then release such a crap. And of course a serious update COULD give a serious boost in buyers morale for SONY, which they need. But alas, they’ve wasted their opportunity 🙁
I’d say that Sony have zero understanding of that customer base ‘morale’ as you put it. That’s been their biggest problem since day one.
The idea that you can just make an innovative product, dump it in a glossy cardboard box, and people with swarm to you is not true in the photographic business. The success of Canon and Nikon is very much built on the feeling that their customers are part of a living, breathing system. In pure engineering terms their lenses and cameras are no better than Sony and Pentax’s are. Unfortunately, as this whole concept is simply unfathomable to Sony, it’s not something they can fix – it’s engrained in their corporate culture.
+1
I really hope there will be a firmware update for my NEX-C3 as well… I want to buy the SELP-1650, but not without in-camera correction.
Come on Sony, don’t tell me I bought an ILC camera with which I cant use new lenses. That would defeat the purpose of an ILC…
It looks as though the 5N is getting the sort of firmware update that everyone wants within the other cameras too.
Personally I’d always regard new features as a bonus within a firmware update and not something that Sony owe us.
But on the other hand, treating your existing customers well is the way to keep them loyal. And if a simple firmware change could have improved the handling of a camera, then forcing customers to upgrade to the next model, seems like a perfect way to encourage them to investigate competitors instead.
But fixes for issues and the lens updates are different – they’re part of ongoing support and at least it finally feels as though enough lenses are supported that the features are finally useful for most people.
I don’t understand why people complain about the updates. The updates do not make your camera any worse and your camera will continue to function just like the day you bought it. Be reasonable. If you are unhappy about a bad/no firmware update, you are not really unhappy about the update; rather you are unhappy about the camera you have, which is ultimately your own fault for buying it. If you keep making comparisons with other company’s cameras, then why didn’t you buy that instead?
just saying
i guess theres no sense in waiting for proper all-time live view for Video?
LCD view “quality” (shutter, resolution, crop, colors, whatnot) changing when pressing REC is a damn pita.
oh well, goodbye SONY – Canon here i come (again).. :/
+1
The honeymoon is over, turned out that it was just a big wank.
Will be heading over to another system once I offload all this junk.
Oh, the whining. The gnashing of teeth. The horror of it all.
I think it’s reasonable to express disappointment in a new firmware update that doesn’t affect your camera in the way that you hoped. It’s always nice to get a nice ‘bonus’, or have an annoying bug fixed. But the level of maturity of some of these posts is really quite something.
Seems like society is breeding an ever increasing wave of victims. No one wants to take responsibility for their own actions. This coupled with a sense of entitlement that goes well beyond reason is just silly.
Scoobies Rules of Camera Acquisition
1 – The internet is a powerful research tool that can be used to discern all positive and negative aspects of a given camera model prior to purchase. Use of this tool arms the purchaser with the knowledge of whether said camera will fit his or her current and future needs with reasonable accuracy.
2 – Purchase of a potential camera should be carried out with an organization that offers a money back guarantee within a fixed period of time to adequately evaluate the camera and return if deemed unsuitable. **The purchaser of said camera equipment should presume that the camera manufacturer will make no effort to remedy user observed deficiencies in the camera equipment or functionality of same, either imagined or real. **
3 – Purchaser of said equipment having made no use of either of the aforementioned tools and services should locate the nearest specular reflective surface and dispense immediate blame and scorn to the reflection contained within.
Look mate, it’s not like Sony has to give us anything.
But last I check Sony has competition and they aren’t leading in this race.
Sony isn’t doing themselves a favor by being arrogant or taking up the attitude that they don’t have to listen to their customers (arrogance).
It would be hypocritical of Sony to take upon the stance that you have stated as they constantly upgrade their PS3/gaming ecosystem.
The only reason why I bought the A77 is because I owned the A55 and I liked that camera. The A77 was the logical upgrade…
After experiencing the dark side of the A77 since fw 1.0. I am now holding off on the A99.
So yes, I do agree with your statement generally. Given my experience and knowledge of how Sony treats their customer, being well informed, I now know not to invest anymore $$$ into Sony.
I bought my A77 just arrived on the Italian market, many opinions were not available before.
Sony did not state that the camera has a poor performance on the high iso and a quality Jpg equally bad.
I trusted Sony. I do wrong?
Did not think so, because I thought that the problems that the camera could be resolved in the future with an improved camera software.
But I have to change my mind, more than a year after Sony is still not able to solve the problems of the A77-or at least improve them-or does not care because now the suckers who trusted Sony have already bought.
If the jpg is bad as it is, it is useless to offer profiles that can be used only in jpg. None asks Sony to replace the sensor of A77 with one that produces less noise, but Sony can implement the pixel binning to make sure that one can choose a lower resolution with less noise; then also the correction profiles of the lenses will have a sense and, perhaps, have a reason to buy Sony lenses.
Until then I will buy anything that has the Sony brand.
The A77 has a single real, big deal, for the rest is one of the best cameras on the market … Sony intends to solve this problem?
Sorry for your loss…
Yes. You did wrong.
Never buy a camera until the reviews are out, until you’re sure it meets your needs.
And when you do buy it, ensure that you can return it after a short while if you’re not satisfied with it.
If you just rush in and buy it because it’s new, you have only yourself to blame if it doesn’t function according to your expectations.
I wish sony would provide an A99 update that improved HDR operation. If they would provide an HDR setting similar or easy as the Nikon D800, it sold be outstanding. I’d like to be able to set the camera to take up to seven exposures, at up to 3 EV increments, of a landscape with one push of the shutter button. Can that be so hard to add? That would be a lot more useful to me than a lot of the current “creative” options currently available in thie camera.
Even though it should have been there since the beginning, the 5n bracketing upgrade is awesome (yes its definitely bracketing, i understand japanese). A pity they haven’t included the same update for my F3. It’s kinda depressing to see that current oly pm series (the budget one) already have 7 shot bracketing.
Well, since I’m not invested in E, I’ll just wait a few years playing with what I’ve got and then switch to the most advanced MILC system at that point. Fun fact: X-E1 is priced similarly to Nex 6 in japan. If that trend continues, I guess ill bring back a fuji from my next trip. Everything is so grossly overpriced in europe. Except for potatoes maybe.
If we get real bracketing I’ll keep my Nex5N, and buy Nex6 on the very next day, and completely sold out all my Nikon stuff 🙂
Well I have to concur with the majority of users, for me one word sums it up… ‘disappointment’.
I really am getting fed up with Sony product of which I have many:
KDL-46HX853 TV: Fantastic Picture quality but rubbish menu system
SVR-HDT500 PVR: Again fantastic picture but the firmware is soooooo slooooow it takes at least 1min to boot and the menus are terrible compared to SKY or Humax!!
PS3: Currently faulty (showing a flashing red light).
A77: Where do I start about the pathetic firmware releases… I know, the rubbish JPEG engine and lack of tethering.
Sony make great hardware but rubbish firmware/software. It’s no wonder Sony are loosing out to the likes of Samsung and Apple who get it that the latest generation of consumers want good firmware/software on their devices.. its called usability!!!!
+1
disappointment should be DISAPPOINTMENT!
After two Sony bodies including the a77 I made the switch as you can see by my name. No regrets, and the difference in performance and IQ is remarkable better when compared to the SLT bodies.
Sony is out to lunch when it comes to the DLSR market with no direction, everything seems to come willy nilly with no real direction. The minute you by a camera its obsolete and without support.
Surprise you didn’t quit photography
Most people I know who owned a Sony did…
Are you enjoy your free-of-charge Nikon sensor oil slicks?
+1
Dan: Agreed, Sony really is one of the worst software designers. I wish Canon would get their sh!t together with their EOS M.
I’m a little sad !
1) I bought an A55 and a few months later it was discontinued.
2) I bought an A77 and in a few months it will be discontinued.
In my opinion:
Instead of doing some research before releasing a new model, they just put it out there for the public to find the problems change it and release another model. Most people can not afford to purchase a camera of this stature every year or two. It would be great if research was done and a new model was release every 5 to 6 years, then it would make you feel that your purchase was worth while and you could look forward to the next best thing.
Welcome to Sony Marketing Strategy
Rhape your new customers base as the Sony Brand is now reduced to junk status.
Existing loyal customer base has been renamed to suckers a long time ago.
Enjoy your stay… while it last.
If the A99 is discontinued I’m going to be really agree with Sony, it’s suppose to be there premium APC-C body which generally stays around for 4+years and should get allot more attention to firmware updates, usability improvements, new features via software/firmware..etc..etc.. Sony you are really starting to annoy people with your strategy of changing camera models like people change underwear…
just about most complaints I read about and have with my A77 and A99 are to do with firmware/software issues and NOT hardware… when will you start to listed to feedback, time and effort your customers take to offer you feedback?
I am Chinese, not Japanese, but by guessing at the Sony Japan press release, and the Chinese characters within, I hope this is a better translation. Please correct me if I am wrong (I am most unsure about NEX-5N item [4]).
a99:
[1] Dual AF adding compatible lens (11 items)
SAL24F20Z, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G,
SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G
[2] adds automatic lens correction support (6 items)
SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
a77, a65, a57, a37
[1] Add Lens for automatic correction (6 items)
SAL100M28,SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
NEX-7
[1] automatic correction when using SELP1650
[2] Faster storage corresponding lens when the power is turned OFF when using SELP1650
NEX-5N
[1] automatic correction when using SELP1650
[2] RAW data format support
RAW data of development Distortion correction is possible in “(image data converter) Image Data Converter” Ver.4.2 or later software
[3] adding the number of stages of the continuous mode setting bracket (1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV)
[4] container faster when the power is turned OFF SELP1650
[5] Improved stability of the operation AF lens at the time of use
NEX-F3
[1] Automatic correction when using the corresponding SELP1650
NEX-6, NEX-5R
[1] Fast hybrid AF addition of compatible lenses (5 items)
SEL1018,SEL35F18, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE
I meant:
I am most unsure about NEX-5N item [2].
Maybe is just me, But I never expect too much from a Firmware update, just bug fixing and things like that.
The technology market is very fast and competitive and if Sony want to be a strong player they have to move on and think in future innovations after launch a very good and solid product like the A99 for example, or otherwise they will never be leaders in the photography industry.
Mapa, the frustrating part is most users issues are firmware/software related and not as much hardware related and lets be honest the hardware side of things does not change drastically in a 4 year period… On the higher level camera’s such as the A77 and A99 range 4 years for a replacement is acceptable BUT firmware and software updates, improvements are expected during this time which should also help with the successor product after the 4 year period which will then also update the hardware side of things..etc..
The A77 and A99 are not cheap camera’s and if Sony plan to change them in 1-2 years they are seriously going to annoy allot of people as once new models come out people know support, updates and spare parts become harder to come by and when you are on there top of the line series you want stability, speed and software/firmware improvements to help achieve the best possible experience with the hardware provided which Sony is currently not providing.
If there was going to be no support to begin with, then you’re not really loosing anything except resale value with the release of a successor.
If Sony can not improve the performance of the A77 I do not think is capable of doing a better product with the A99, I have a product that is very poor in one of its aspects, why should I reward this failure buying a new Sony product? If A77 is not at peak performance, do not think it could be the A99; simple math.
Sony is indeed an annoying company. not because their products are bad really, far from it, but because they could have been so much better. they are always great. but there is always a flaw, always! all the time I end up with Sony products, because there is always some cool little unique feature that I can not live without, and then I have to live with The Flaw. will I ever learn.
Wow, this sucks. Looks like I will be looking elsewhere for my next camera 🙁
evf is meant to take wat u see, hence jpegs straight out of camera are useful. these updates are useful in a way to jpegs evf users. there is no guess works compare to ovf that we need to always shoot in raw.
from wat i read so far mostly are trolling. i bet when these trolls hopped over to n or c or l or h brands… they will still be a troller there.
buying a product not knowing its shortcomings are not manufacturer fault. fw upgrade is not an obligation.
im happy to use and overcome shortcomings of each sony cameras.
I was hoping for more too!. I like my a77 but response time could be improved, jpeg, high iso, button assignment ………no new gadgets just what the camera should be for a prosumer Dslr. The a77 is still on the market for about a year, improve it and you might sell a few more Sony !!!!
Wow you’d think It’s easy to make a great Camera that everybody liked.
I love my Sony A77. Tether? It seems some are tethered to this site and this site only. If your a Sony owner and have that many gripes. Why do you still own one. If your a pro and have gripes. Can’t you sell your Sony gear? Haven’t you made money with that gear? If you have and have gripes, Sell it and be done with it. It’s better than us having to read or listen to all your junk. Some of us come here for just clean fun and excitement.
It’s called free speech…
People are allowed to complain.
You are complaining about people complaining for an ironic example.
Are people angry… yes…
Should they be angry? I think there is reasonable justification considering what the competitors are offering…
Should they sell their equipment and move on? perhaps… It really is up to them.
Should we not complain and keep letting Sony shaft us left, right and center? hell no!
Why do we still own one? Because we payed good money for it, its not a 200 dollar camera that we can just toss to the side. You can be sure that this is the last sony camera I’m buying.
Because I have been stuck with thousands of dollars worth of lenses from Minolta etc. That said, my patience is running out very quickly. I’m tired of feeling like Sony is just taking me for a ride. I hate the idea of spending almost 3000 dollars to get clean HDMI out – at least Nikon has the D600 for under 2000, and for Canon/Panasonic there are hacks (no credit to those companies but at least the sheer number of users have made it possible to get a workaround). the hack project for the nex seems dead in the water.
I want a clean HDMI camera for 2K. I’ll wait 6 months and then start selling my lenses.
perhaps because, as I have already said, most people can not will allow to throw thousands of dollars-or euros, in my case-and is forced to keep sony, but certainly not give it to sony even another penny euro, if it proves to have more respect for its customers.
If you money is not a problem, I’m happy for you.
I do think lens distortion is applied in raw. Field curvature.
Kevin
4 hours ago
I do think lens distortion is applied in raw. Field curvature.
Looks like it is now possible in Sony’s “Image Data Converter” Ver.4.2 or later software that came with the camera. But it should be a update of the software, not the 5N camera?
Kind of annoying.. At least they still make good video cameras right?.. RIGHT?!
I have an a57. What a pathetic firmware update! As far as I’m concerned, the lenses that are now compatible with the a57, 65 and 77 should have came that way right out of the box. Obviously it shows Sony was too eager to rush product to market.
Firmware updates should, fix bugs, improve performance, add new features, improve user interface and LASTLY add compatible SONY lenses. These lenses should have been tested and included with the original Firmware.
Keep this up Sony, and I will have to bail on you.
Totally agree with you. This is noway a firmware update!
You can never please everybody
Better than pissing everyone off…
To those that complain good for you. you can exercise your right to freedom of speech, so can I. Hope our health is fine, because if you have that much hate in you it can,t be any good for you. It sounds like you also don’t have a plan. Sony does. All you need is come up with a idea and be rid of your suffering. peace or no peace. In the voice of the Aliens there can be no peace.
Oooookaaay…
Let me try this too…
You want to speak like a crazy is fine me too because cat meows Sony no meows too. But two dogs barks cat meow so why is aliens there? I guess sheep wool meow sometimes and we all meow meow meows…
Threating to leave Sony is not going to hurt them.
Wow, that’s a great update for the A77…..NOT
Just adding a few lenses when there are important other things to make the A77 better then it now is. This is ashame Sony and worth considdering not to go for Sony anymore. Nikon and Canon have much better (cheaper) cameras. If you want to get a better position in the (semi) promarktet, you have to come with much better cameras then the A77 and A99. Especially for action/sports photography both are not well enough equipted.
Would be a great idea to be able to ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ comments, so that more voices can be added to the good comments and the poor comments ignored as they should be. Thanks Andrea.
Take time to call service and say what is not working and they will do update me my screen is when i use trigger on my a55.
Just means that Sony will lose out on $$$ because they and their friends will never buy another Sony product ever again.
I am sure Sony doesn’t need money, they just need all the love they can get.
Wow. More whining.
What a bunch of babies.
Yes, please. Switch to another platform. You obviously need something different if you can’t take amazing pictures with the Sony cameras you have. Such spoiled little children.
Make sure you save your messages that you post here though. You’ll need them when posting on the Nikon and Canon forums. Just replace the word Sony with Canon or Nikon and repost. There’s nothing anyone makes on the planet that will make you happy, based on the whining I see here.
+1
I also only expect bug fixes and newly supported lenses in firmware updates. So, Sony’s strategy is fine for me.
That would be fine if they complemented that with delivering non-crippled cameras at reasonable prices, and show strong lens-support. That I can get clean HDMI out on a D600 streetpriced about $1000 less than the Sony DSLR that supports it, says a lot.. They could have allowed this in the A77 with a firmware update, ALTERNATIVELY come out with a reasonably priced FF camera.
Totally agree with your comment Scooby Doo. Good one!
+1
I’m very happy with my NEX-7 and if they ever decide to do something great with it in a firmware update i’ll be thrilled. if they don’t I really don’t care. it works for me, does wonderful results and I’ve never liked a camera more than i do my nex-7.
But I bought it for what it was, not what it could be.