Image via SonyAlphaForum.
Some of you may remember that the Japanese A6000 cameras already got a firmware 1.21 two months ago. The firmware fixes some slow AF bugs. But outside Japan A6000 camera owners still rely on the “older” 1.2 firmware version. One source just told me the 1.21 firmware will be available outside Japan soon too (and he sent me the picture on top).
29 Responses
I thought 1.21 was a fix to Japanese 1.2 which was buggy.
It improves start up time for A6000 and improves vastly Af performance in low light for A6000 and A7 alike
so I can download and use it for my A7 and a6000?? I just need to make sure. I don’t want to brick my cameras
If I recall correctly there were distinct download packages for a6000 and a7. Both have version 1.21.
I have installed on both cameras and it works
Did you notice an improvment according “some slow AF bugs”?
thanks just updated both
Can we please b i tch a bit more about RX1 firmware update? or maybe the uncompressed RAW petition?
Looks like you are the only one Canikon shill who still wants uncompressed raw. LOL. This is so lame it’s not even funny anymore. Let it go. No one needs uncompressed raw or uncompressed binary EVF view or uncompressed sound when pressing buttons. Yes I want this sound to be uncompressed and in lossless CD quality with Kenwood speakers built in in A7R. Without it I won’t touch any button on camera.
Me and Canikon shill?
You must be new.
You should also take it easier.
I currently own a couple of RX1s, RX100 and had NEX 7 5n and many lenses in the past. I haven’t used any of the other brands since the NEX 7 came out.
I am also a professional.
That being said, compressed RAW does have its drawbacks when you try to push files more in post. It isn’t about the files being useless, because they are not, but compression artifacts do show themeselves in shadows quite a few times in my experience. I am a photjournalist and I can’t make them go away as if I was cleaning dust on a film scan, simply because moving pixels is a no-no in the industry. That’s that.
Now, I darken those shadow areas when I see the artifacts, just to mask them a bit. I can’t do it too much because then it is too obvious and destructive to the image as a whole.
So, it isn’t shilling, but as it has been pointed out many times before, options and choice do not hurt. There is a reason why AVCHD is still around althought RX100m3 and RX10 can shoot XAVC-S…some people won’t see the difference or/and they want to save space whenever possible or/and they don’t want to buy faster cards because they’ve been served well with whatever they have just because they can have XAVC-S.
So, uncompressed raw will be an outstanding addition for those of us who can work their files a bit more than others. No need to get a sore rectum about it.
Brian, I have no problem with compress raw. But the Sony compression creates artifacts in high contrast situations, its rare and most examples on the net take PP, but not all Needs to be fixed.. .. But why not have a slow as molasses uncompressed RAW for those who want it. A-mount shooter since 2006.
Double post…
Right, why would we want to see all the pixels we paid for. Let´s compress our images and mangle them. It´s… logical…
I installed 1.21. even in the month of April, by downloading from the Japanese site, no problems
1.21 is also for the A7 series.
It improves focusing in dim lighting considerably. I would say this has been the biggest update to date!
Improved compared to which firmware?
I have the 1.20 firmware for both my A7 and A7II and they seem to have the dim lighting AF assist light improvements. Are you referring to further improvements, and if so, what form do they take?
My 70-200/4 now focuses on light inside buildings This did not work before 1.21 for me.
I do not use the AF Assist. I know that after 1.20 it is actually working, but I have gotten used to not using it.
Thanks. Good to know.
If it’s so important, why have they held off for so long???
my a6000 shows that same screen… since I updated like 2 months ago, so what’s the point on the photo? I could have sent one when I updated the camera, but that wouldn’t mean it was going to be released soon.
This is so funny. I already installed this update from Japan website long time ago. Already sold my A6000 and bought A7II. Already selling my A7II now. And this old “update” just got posted as rumor? Where is the world going?
What’s replacing your A7II?
Minimum shutter speed for auto iso
Please please please
Can someone confirm if this update adds the XAVCs video codec to the a6000? I sure hope so.
Bought an A6000 June 5th at Kenmore Camera near Seattle. It came with 1.21 installed. Any idea what it does?
It makes pancakes with maple sirup.
Yes, it also ads S-Log 2 and internal 4K. Also it mimics IBIS by shaking AF mechanism back and forth. Very effective. Also increases EVF res by changing Red,Green, Blue pattern reading.
No need to be snide. XAVCs video codec is not some outrageous wish for A6000 users. The A5100 which was cheaper and has the same processor received the ability to shoot in XAVCs codec.
Installed it a long time ago off of the Sony Japan site on both my a6000 and a7R – really no need to wait. It installs just like all others so no need to read Japanese to complete it.
Small update from Sony compared to recent Samsung NX1 one :(… How come? Is there no hidden feature, Sony did not want to release from the beginning like leveling gauge 😀