Sony releases firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00), all already available, but also updates for the Alpha 9 III (Ver. 2.00), which will be available after April 2024. The updates integrate some of Sony’s most advanced technologies, including the Camera Authenticity solution, the proprietary in-camera signature, and support for the C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format. Together, these tools will make it easier for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images, contributing to the industry’s efforts to protect creators and society from fake images.
The Alpha 1 Ver 2.00 & Alpha 7 S III updates bring over 30 new features designed to enrich the user experience for Alpha fans.
Main new features for Alpha 7 S III Ver 3.00:
- Breathing compensation for changing the focus while maintaining the cinematic effect during video recording
- DCI 4K 24p real 24p frame rate and 1/96s, 1/48s and 1/24s shutter speed settings free download
- Autofocus assist (AF) function for focus flexibility during video recording
- Compatibility for synchronization with time codes
- Improved touch and playback functions
- Support for monitoring and control applications
- Support for direct cloud transfer from Creators’ App and Creators Direct
Main new features for Alpha 1 Ver 2.00:
- Breathing compensation for changing the focus while maintaining the cinematic effect during video recording
- The most advanced remote control options & FTP transfer functionality, dedicated to professional photographers
- Improved touch and playback functions
- Improved image stabilization performance for select Sony lenses
- 4K 30p UVC support for streaming
- Support for direct cloud transfer from Creators’ App and Creators Direct
- Support for monitoring and control applications
These updates implement many highly anticipated features designed to optimize day-to-day functionality. These updates refine shooting functions and simplify post-use workflows, while integrating advanced shooting features such as breathing compensation. In addition, the updates introduce new remote control capabilities, improve features tailored for professional applications, and expand access to a wider range of cloud service applications.
The Camera Authenticity solution
Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology to integrate into its cameras to help fight image manipulation and fakes generated by artificial intelligence. The scale of this problem is constantly growing, and its complexity is also evolving, being a topic that requires the focus and attention of the entire industry.
A key part of the solution is converting several Sony cameras to C2PA compliant cameras. C2PA is a project of the Joint Development Foundation, of which Sony is a member of the steering committee. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators and consumers with flexible and accessible ways to understand the authenticity and provenance of different types of media.
C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications regarding the provenance and authenticity of content by certifying the source and history of media content. With this firmware update, authenticity information embedded on images captured with the Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III and Alpha 7 IV can be maintained throughout the entire usage chain from capture to publication. This gives professional photographers the ability to preserve the camera’s digital signature while tracking edit history throughout revisions.
Another key component of the solution is Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology, which “signs” images in real time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the time it is captured and creates a “digital birth certificate” that is preserved throughout subsequent revisions. The signature contains metadata, including 3D depth information captured via proprietary Sony-developed image sensor technology.
This depth information can show whether the captured image was that of a real 3D object – compared to a photo of an image or a video clip, providing an additional level of protection and an even greater guarantee of the authenticity of the content, which makes that Sony’s solution is particularly useful and unique to photojournalists and news agencies.
Sony’s solution also helps protect content authenticity by including an image validation site that checks the image even after it has been edited with C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the authenticity of an image, the fact that the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. This service will initially be offered to selected news agencies, and will later be extended to other agencies as well.
