Sony releases NEX-7 firmware update, plus updates for four Alpha cameras and four E-mount lenses

A long-awaited update for the Sony NEX-7 finally arrives: Version 1.01 promises a few enhancements ranging from granting the ability to disable the Movie Record button to improving image quality when using a wide angle lens.

Sony also released firmware updates for the Sony A65V, A77V, A37 and A57 digital cameras, adding lens compensation to correct for chromatic aberration, distortion, and corner shading.

Four E-mount lenses also get firmware upgrades to work with Hybrid AF cameras. Sony was careful to note that applying the upgrade will require a Hybrid AF camera, currently limited to the Sony NEX-6 and NEX-5R compact system cameras.

As with past Sony NEX firmware updates, users are asked to use the Sony USB cable provided with the camera to apply the updates.

Updates add the following features:

NEX-7 Firmware version 1.01

• Adds ability to disable the Movie Record button to avoid accidental activation
• Expands EV bracketing to 3 frames of 1EV, 2EV and 3EV increments
• Improves auto playback review responsiveness
• Improves image quality when using a wide angle lens
• Improves indication when setting Flexible Spot AF mode

SLT-A37 and SLT-A57 Firmware version 1.03

• Adds ability to disable the Movie Record button to guard against accidental activation
• Adds lens compensation (chromatic aberration, distortion, corner shading) for specific lenses: SAL30M28, SAL50F14, SAL2875, SAL1635Z, SAL2470Z, SAL35F14G, SAL70200G, SAL70400G

SLT-A65V and SLT-A77V Firmware version 1.06

• Adds ability to disable the Movie Record button to guard against accidental activation
• Adds lens compensation (chromatic aberration, distortion, corner shading) for SAL30M28, SAL50F14, SAL2875, SAL1635Z, SAL2470Z, SAL35F14G, SAL70200G, SAL70400G

E-mount Lens Firmware v1.01

• For use with E-mount lenses on the Hybrid AF Sony NEX-5R and NEX-6 cameras
• Applies to 0SEL1855, SEL55210, SEL18200 and SEL24F18Z lenses
• Note this firmware update is for the LENSES, not the CAMERAS, and can be performed only with these lenses attached to Hybrid-AF capable cameras. Since these lenses were designed before the introduction of Hybrid AF, their firmware needs to be updated for Hybrid AF to work. Without this firmware update, only Contrast AF operates.

Sony says it will post links to its Alpha Firmware Updates blog at midnight EDT (Thursday, Oct. 18). Check for links to updates here:

http://blog.sony.com/alphafirmwareupdates