Sony's flagship a1 mirrorless camera has just received a significant firmware upgrade, version 4.00, packed with exciting new features and enhancements! This update, released weeks after similar improvements for the a7R V, brings expanded autofocus options, improved video workflows, and support for the Camera Authenticity Solution. But here's where it gets controversial: the a7 IV update was suspended due to stability issues, leaving many users cautious about this latest release.
Despite being succeeded by the a1 II, the original a1 continues to receive meaningful updates nearly four years after its launch. This v4.00 firmware introduces many of the same improvements as the a7R V, offering expanded focus customization and professional-grade features for photographers and filmmakers.
One of the key additions is the Focus Area menu, which now includes XL and XS spot sizes, and three new Custom slots (Custom 1, 2, and 3) for photographers to define and recall their own focus zone configurations instantly. The Tracking section also receives parallel additions, providing a1 users with six configurable tracking zones, a game-changer for sports, wildlife, and event photographers.
Display and file management improvements make the a1 more versatile. Sony has adapted the display layout for both horizontal and vertical viewing orientations, making it practical for vertical video and portrait-mounted applications. File management has also been streamlined, allowing users to delete and rate images stored on both memory card slots simultaneously, and the camera can display folder and file names during playback for easier identification.
For professional photographers, enhanced FTP capabilities are a welcome addition. The new Transfer & Tagging app settings enable automatic FTP transfer scheduling for protected images and automatic protection of successfully transferred files. These features, however, may have regional restrictions and require the latest app version.
The Camera Authenticity Solution is a notable feature, adding support for the Write Digital Signature function for movies. This embeds cryptographic signatures into video files at capture, ensuring the footage's integrity and addressing the growing demand from news organizations for content authenticity.
Security updates include the removal of IPsec functionality (with Access Authentication recommended instead) and the deprecation of WPA and WEP Wi-Fi protocols. Users must now use the more secure WPA2 or WPA3 settings when connecting to Wi-Fi networks.
The update also addresses several bugs, including an issue with continuous shooting and the vertical grip multi-selector.
This release comes at a time when Sony firmware updates have been causing some headaches. Similar updates for the a7R V and a7 IV were released recently, but the a7 IV update was suspended due to serious stability issues. While the a7R V update remains available, cautious users might want to monitor community feedback before updating their critical work cameras.
Have you had any issues with Sony firmware updates in the past? Share your experiences in the comments! We want to hear from you, and there's even a dedicated Reddit thread for these discussions.
We also covered this issue in our last Focus Check podcast.
Update notes: Users on firmware 1.32 or earlier must first update to version 2.01 before installing 4.00. Sony recommends a fully charged battery with at least 51% remaining and advises detaching any vertical grip before updating. The process takes approximately 6 minutes.
Firmware 4.00 is now available from Sony's support website.
Have you updated your a1 to firmware 4.00? Which feature are you most excited to use? Let us know in the comments below!
