Firmware Update Brings Time Lapse, Real Time Eye AF, Animal Eye AF to Sony Alpha cameras

Sony has just released firmware version 5.0 for α9 and firmware version 3.0 for the Sony α7R III and α7 III. These updates enable your favourite products with unprecedented capabilities like new AF capabilities as well as an advanced built-in intervalometer for time lapse.

For α9 click here. For α7R III click here. For the α7 III click here. See our step by step guide to updating your Sony camera’s firmware here.

New Firmware Update for Sony α9, Sony α7 III and Sony α7R III Boosts Eye AF Capabilities and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.

* Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse is currently available for α7R III the α7 III only.

Real-time Eye AF

Software Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the α7R III and α7 III, an AI-driven enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.

Real-time Animal Eye AF

As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the α7 III and α7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system.

The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.

Interval Shooting

This new software adds a built-in interval timer, enabling photographers to easily capture and create time-lapse movies. The new feature can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” in order to reduce changes in exposure.