Our reader Gabriel just found the new firmware upgrade files on Sony Germany’s webiste (Click here)!!! UPDATE: The firmware is now available on Sony UK, and Sony Japan too. And here is the firmware improvement list:
Enhancement of AF response: When subject distance changes enormously.
Improved stability in certain camera operations:
When setting [Lens Compensation: Distortion] “Auto” and [Picture Effect] “Miniature” at the same time.
When setting [Exposure Compensation], [Intelligent AF] operation improves.
Restrictions: only for use with cameras sold in Europe. Not all models are sold in all countries.
In short, this update imrpoves the camera AF performance.
This is a super good news for a camera I really love because of the exceptional price-quality balance. And this is also the camera that is always on top of the Amazon ranking:
The NEX-5n on third position of the mirrorless camera rankings in USA (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on fourth position of the mirrorless camera rankings in UK (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on 9/11 and 19 position of the mirrorless camera rankings in Germany (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on fourth position of the mirrorless camera rankings in France (Click here).
43 Responses
Only the 5N? What about the old NEX5?
Ok, checked the website, doesn´t seem like the NEX 5 is getting the FW update too. 🙁
Well, as much as I’m disappointed Sony did not give Lens Compensation to my NEX-5 this Update for the NEX-5N isn’t a Firmware Update anyway, it’s simply a Bug Fix.
What do you mean? Firmware updates are released to provide enhancements AND bug fixes.
Sony’s numbering their Updates for NEX similar to computer software, eg Version 1.2.3 where 1. = Upgrade, 2. = Update & 3 = Bug Fix, while usually the first number is the one to pay for. That’s not handled that strictly anymore, but naming this Update “1.01” Sony made it pretty clear that it’s only meant to be a Bug Fix.
Clearly, but it’s still a firmware update.
You’re trying to make points out of nothing: from a stupid customer point of view only caring for the way the software is brought into the camera you’re right, but from the substantial point of view what kind of software it is, you’re wrong. Sorry, but you’ve started this way.
Some bug fix can also open features that should be there in the first place but bugged. Like a usable C-AF.
You might be mad, and rightly so, because your 5 is not updated. While me, I simply update my 5n and be done with it.
Software numbering is busted anyway(take a look at apple).
No, z, you’re not updating your 5n and done, you’re trying to heat up a silly argument forced by The Lotus Eater, same Fanboy behaviour that already made me give up on Apple some years ago. BTW disappointment is not the same as being mad, but you surely knew that when entering the discussion. I simply hinted some NEX-5 users that nevertheless there’s some disappointing aspect about Sony treating their NEX-5/3/C3 & VG10 users, this Bug Fix is no need to worry about that. Got that, you two splitters?
It’s also available at sony.be.
“Updating is simple and with the newest firmware version, you can get even more from your camera.
• Date released: 01/03/2012
• Name: Update_NEX5nV101.exe
• Applicable models: NEX-5N
• Benefits and improvements: ◦Enhancement of AF response: When subject distance changes enormously.
◦Improved stability in certain camera operations:■When setting [Lens Compensation: Distortion] “Auto” and [Picture Effect] “Miniature” at the same time.
■When setting [Exposure Compensation], [Intelligent AF] operation improves.
• Applicable Operating System (OS) ◦Windows XP* SP3 / Windows Vista** SP2 / Windows 7 SP1
■* 64-bit and Starter editions are not supported.
■** Starter edition is not supported.
• Restrictions: only for use with cameras sold in Europe. Not all models are sold in all countries.”
It says on the link:
Benefits and improvements:
Enhancement of AF response: When subject distance changes enormously.
Improved stability in certain camera operations:
When setting [Lens Compensation: Distortion] “Auto” and [Picture Effect] “Miniature” at the same time.
When setting [Exposure Compensation], [Intelligent AF] operation improves.
the update looks rather uninteresting… and my 5N cam from China, so I dunn care anyway…
Does not matter where it came from. You can use a firmware update from any part of the world to update it.
Anybody care to test how fast is the AF now?
Nice to know that 5n has such enduring value in service
Nice job, Sony!
please ppl, whoever’s got a nex5n in here , update the firmware and see how fast the AF is now, in both normal and low light conditions 🙂
There is no mention in the release notes of an overall general increase in AF speed.
However, I do expect to see lots of placebo influenced user reports of night and day differences in AF speed. 😉
Also available in japan:
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/update/index.html
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/update/usbup20120301_win.html
Updated. Can’t see any significant difference (tested with 18-55). Previews at low ISOs are OK now though. Still, the camera control is much worse than it could be when properly done.
its nice that sony try to improve af performance, but i hoped that they will improve other features like ae bracketing as well. atleast on the nex-7 they have to improve it.
Does anybody know if this does something to reduce the clicking sounds on video ? I was hoping for a firmware that would mute the specific clicking frequencies.
Why would you want reduced audio quality? Why not just get it fixed by Sony?
Well I was about to ask the same question as Catalin as Sony themselves said the clicking issue would also be reduced and rectified by a future firmware update. But it seems Sony haven’t stood by their word. Which really makes me hope they release another NEX march 13th. I just couldn’t bring myself to buy something I know is defected. Till this day they still sell them clicking or enhanced. But the internal faulty design itself is still the same.
Wait, I thought they fixed the clicking on newly manuafactured models and also for those who returned them to Sony.
It’s a hardware fix that requires warranty service.
Its also in Sony.uk. Sombody alredy tested it?
Sony.us too!
the worst mirrorless autofocus, now , maybe, a little better….;)
Why focusing on the not so strong aspect? It may not have the fastest AF, but it’s adequately accurate and the other features are great. IQ is arguably comparable to FF cameras.
On the other hand.., some other mirrorless cameras have fast AF but IQ can’t even match the NEX5N IQ. That micro tiny sensor inside is perhaps the reason of the fast Contrast AF; I myself choose the IQ as a TOP priority beyond everything else.
Korean Communities are testing it right now..
Can’t feel the difference in AF speed so far…
The bug with +0.3 EV (It wouldn’t continuously AF – it saves battery actually) is now fixed
Was hoping that one could disable the region barrier (24/25p, 50/60p) while recording movies with next update… bummer. probably won’t happen
What about changing exposure Auto-Bracketing?
I’ve just bought the 5n, and guess what: it clicks! Great. Ans it also has a scratch INSIDE the lens.
my worry is that this FW will prohibit the use of aftermarket battery even they have chips.
i have got some ebay batteries that work in 5N.
Upgraded the firmware. The improvement in AF speed is easily noticeable with the 16/2.8. Only tested indoors under fluorescent light. Will try in daylight and with 18-55 tomorrow.
Weird, there is no mention of general AF speed improvements in the release notes.
Have just done the upgrade. Tested autofocus with 16 and 18-55 in low light (indoors, halogen down lights). AF definitely faster for both lenses, maybe as much as twice as fast.
Dumb question probably, but why the disclaimer for euro cameras? If I bought mine in the US, will this new firmware not work???
I’m puzzled by the comment that this update only works with cameras sold in Europe. The Sony Japan site that offers it says nothing about any such restriction.
Yes, I’m seeing snappier performance of focus indoors under low light conditions. It would appear to be nailing focus considerably quicker. Sweet!
Awesome!
There is a small effort to get into the internals of Nex cameras at http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?259944-Sony-NEX-Axx-Firmware-hacking.
If you can, before you update please create an empty FirmwareUpdater.log file in the updater directory (where SPUFirmwareUpdater.exe is), post it to pastebin.com and link it here or in the other thread. It would be incredibly helpful!
Updated US no problems.
There is quite a nice speed improvement in autofocus. Here’s an excellent comparison video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9On0P0Gn_I
For those with 3rd party batteries, do they still work on new Firmware 1.01?