NEX Cameras and Lenses Firmware Update February 2013

Sony has released seven firmware updates for Sony NEX cameras and lenses. Here is a quick summary of the changes.

Sony NEX-7 Camera Firmware v1.02

• Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction
• Adds auto-exposure bracketing ranges of 1.0EV, 2.0EV, and 3.0EV
• Improves indication for using the "Flexible Spot" setting
• Improves image quality when using a wide angle lens
• Improves response for showing auto review images
• Adds the capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button

Sony NEX-6 Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE

Sony NEX-5R Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for hybrid af compliant lenses: SEL1018, SEL35F18, SELP18200, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LE

Sony NEX-5N Camera Firmware v1.02

• Support for 16-50mm Power Zoom lens, image compensation and mechanical retraction
• Updates the RAW data format version. After installing this update, distortion correction of RAW data is available with Image Data Converter version 4.2 or later
• Adds auto-exposure bracketing ranges of 1.0EV, 2.0EV, and 3.0EV
• Improves the AF response for situations where the distance of the subject changes considerably
• Improves stability when operating the camera using the [Lens Compensation: Distortion] "Auto" and [Picture Effect] "Miniature" settings at the same time
• Improves camera operations when using the [Exposure Compensation] and [Intelligent AF] settings

Sony NEX-F3 Camera Firmware v1.01

• Support for SELP1650 image compensation

Sony 30mm f/3.5 Macro Lens Version 02

• updates the firmware for the SEL-30M35 E-mount lens to version 02 which provides the Fast Hybrid AF function. Note: Only when attached to the NEX-6 or NEX-5R.

Sony 50mm f/1.8 Lens Version 02

• updates the firmware for the SEL-50F18 E-mount lens to version 02 which provides the Fast Hybrid AF function. Note: Only when attached to the NEX-6 or NEX-5R.

So there are seven new firmware updates for you NEX products. Go to the Sony eSupport website or your regional Sony support website, enter the part number of the product you want to update, navigate to the drivers and software tab, and click on Firmware. Read the instructions multiple times and have your NEX camera fully charged before starting the upgrade process.

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.00 vs v1.01

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.00 vs v1.01

Matthew D. uploaded a video of his Sony NEX-7 before and after the Firmware v1.01 update. The video shows the great improvement in the Auto-Review time with v1.01 - it's almost instantaneous.

Sony NEX-7 Exposure Bracketing Improved

The exposure bracketing of the NEX-7 has also been improved. The limit at v1.00 was +/- 0.7 EV but with v1.01 the NEX-7 is now capable of +/- 3.0 EV. This feature will benefit HDR (high dynamic range) photos.

Sony NEX-7 Movie Button Disabled

The NEX-7's movie button can now be disabled by going to MENU > SETUP > MOVIE BUTTON > ON / OFF.

We are still waiting to see what the "wide angle lens image improvement" did.

Here was our post about the NEX-7 V1.01 Firmware release.

Sony NEX-7 Firmware v1.01 Released

Sony NEX-7 Updated to Firmware v1.01

Sony addresses some user requests with the new NEX-7 v1.01 update. We are most interested in the bracketing improvement and the wide angle lens image quality. Let us know how v1.01 works for you.

This utility upgrades the NEX-7 firmware to version 1.01, and provides the following benefits:

• Addition of capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button
• Addition of exposure settings of bracket shooting (three frames /1.0EV,2.0EV, 3.0EV)
• Improvement of response for showing auto review image.
• Improvement of image quality when using a wide angle lens.
• Improvement of indication when setting “Flexible Spot”.

Download the Sony NEX-7 Firmware Version 1.01 Mac OS Version, Windows Version.

Read the installation procedure twice before attempting to install as a precaution.

NEX-5N Firmware Version 1.01 Update Released

NEX-5N Firmware Version Check

Mark R. emailed us to let us know that Sony has released Firmware Version 1.01 for the NEX-5N. Here are the features of this upgrade.

This utility updates the NEX-5N Camera Firmware to version 1.01 and provides the following benefits:

• Improves the AF response for situations where the distance of the subject changes considerably


• Improves stability when operating the camera using the [Lens Compensation: Distortion] "Auto" and [Picture Effect] "Miniature" settings at the same time


• Improves camera operations when using the [Exposure Compensation] and [Intelligent AF] settings

NEX-5N Firmware Update

Check your local Sony Support website to download NEX-5n Firmware 1.01 Update for Windows or Mac OS. Read the instructions twice before doing the update and make sure your battery is at 100%.

• Sony US Support for NEX-5N


• Sony UK Support for NEX-5N

Unfortunately there is still no 7 shot exposure bracketing.

NEX-5N Autofocus Speed Firmware 1.00 vs 1.01

Thanks Mark R and Sony!

NEX Tips and Tricks for Filmmakers

Here is Adam Roberts' tips and tricks on using the NEX-5 for film making. He discusses setting up the soft keys to help in creating videos. He then goes through the custom white balance setting. He used a very flat setting for the videos, reduced contrast, reduced saturation, and reduced sharpness, which was changed through the NEX's Creative Style menu.

After the NEX-5 settings, he discusses the hardware he used. He quickly talks about lens adapters, third party lenses, Lensbaby Tilt Transformer, and follow focus.

NEX-5 with Shoot35 Follow Focus

The last part of the video is on video workflow. Adam R. used AVCHD (.MTS) to film with the NEX-5. The files (.MTS) were then converted to quicktime files (.MOV) by using ClipWrap before using Final Cut Pro to do the final edit.

Here is "Another Yesterday" by Adam Roberts using the tips and tricks in the video above.

Thanks Adam R and for the tip Anon on 6/21!

Download Sony NEX Firmware Version 04

Sony NEX Firmware Version 04 Features: (thanks for the correction J.D.)

• Addition of the [Picture Effect] function.

• Addition of the [Peaking] function in manual focus mode. Focus peaking videos can be found here.
  
• Sony NEX Firmware Version 04 pdf manual.

Here are the Sony NEX Firmware Update Version 04 links from Sony North America:
NEX-5
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=NEX5A

NEX-3
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=NEX3A

Here are the Sony NEX Firmware Update Version 04 links from Sony Europe:
NEX-5
http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/crl/nex/nex.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=NEX-5

NEX-3
http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/crl/nex/nex.aspx?site=odw_en_GB&m=NEX-3

Sony Asia NEX Firmware Update Version 04. Thanks for the email A.L.
http://www.sony-asia.com/support/announcement/404503/product/nex-5a

Sony Japan NEX Firmware Update Version 04.
http://www.sony.jp/ichigan/info2/20110620_02dl.html

The links include instructions on performing a firmware upgrade on your Sony NEX Camera. Charge you battery to 100% status and read the instructions at least twice then perform the firmware upgrade.

Sony Europe NEX-C3 Features Video

Here is a video from Sony Europe highlighting the features of the new Sony NEX-C3.

• Tiltable LCD screen
• Background Defocus
• Soft Skin Effect (Available with new NEX Firmware Upgrade 04.)
  
• Easy Sweep Panorama Shooting in 2D or 3D
• Picture Effects (Available with new NEX Firmware Upgrade 04)
• New HVL-F20S Flash
• Low Noise - High Sensitivity Sensor
• Easy Operation - Professional Quality

Sony NEX-C3 Mount vs Sony Alpha Mount - is Sony hinting at a full frame NEX?

Check out some hands on video reviews of the NEX-C3 here.

Read more about the Sony NEX-C3 here.

NEX Firmware 04 Picture Effects and Soft Skin Effect

mobile01jim shows us the picture effects, creative styles, and the new soft skin mode of the Sony NEX Firmware 04 via the new Sony NEX-C3 in pink.

Firmware 04 for the Sony NEX cameras is scheduled to be released on the 20th of this month. Stay tuned...

Sony NEX-C3 Hands On Videos

whatdigitalcamera is nice enough to share a hands on video of the new Sony NEX-C3. You can see how much smaller the NEX-C3 is compared to the old NEX-3. The video also shows the new HVL-F20S flash for the NEX system.

We can also see the new focus peaking feature of the new FIrmware 04, available later this month, the 20th. Focus peaking highlights the image to show what is in focus. This is great help for using manual lenses on the NEX system.

Sony NEX-C3 in Japan


Sony NEX-C3 and Sony SLT-A35 in Italy


Sony NEX-C3 in German from Chip.de


Sony NEX-C3 Review from CNET in English


Sony NEX-C3 in Vietnamese


Sony NEX-C3 in Pink


Read more about the NEX-C3 here.

Holga Wide Lens for Sony NEX Cameras

It looks like Holga is joining the Sony E-mount system. They are producing a very inexpensive plastice lens with a native Sony NEX E-mount. It is a 25mm focal length lens (37.5mm FOV for the NEX cameras) with a fixed aperture of f/8. It is a zone focus lens, practice telling distances at 0.7, 2, 6, and 10+ meters (2.3, 7, 20, and 33 feet) in order to focus. These are the distances you can select with the focus ring.

The official Holga part number is HL(W)-SN. The images and information is from Buy The Goods of eBay fame. The Holga Wide Lens for the Sony NEX recently went for $19.75 shipped from Buy The Goods and sold out.

In order to combat this Sony will be releasing the Firmware Version 04 with a Toy Camera filter effect.

More Details About the NEX-C3

Silve Sony NEX-C3 with 16mm Pancake Lens

Details about the new Sony Alpha NEX-C3, which replaces the NEX-3.

• There will be three (3) model designations:
  • NEX-C3A with the 16mm Pancake Lens
  • NEX-C3K with the 18-55mm Zoom OSS Lens
  • NEX-C3D with both the 16mm Pancake and the 18-55mm Zoom Lens
• The APS-C sensor as written on the NEX-C3 body is 16.2 MP which produces a 4912 x 3264 pixel image. The NEX-3 produces a 4592 X 3056 pixel image.
• The Sony NEX-C3 will ship with the new NEX firmware version 04 which includes:
• Focus Peaking
• Picture Effects
• The location of the memory card has been moved from the battery compartment. It now resides in a separate compartment closer to the center of the camera.
• The NEX-C3 will ship with the standard NEX flash and not the larger flash in this picture. This confirms that the older NEX-3 and NEX-5 can accept the larger flash.
• As we predicted the left and right direction of the wheel is now customizable. This gives us five buttons to to tailor the NEX-C3's user interface to our needs.

This is all from a Czech version of the NEX-C3 manual which we learned of from our friends at Sony Alpha Rumours. We do not speak Czech so it's a rough translation.