The following video presents Sony | α | Brian Smith and Patrick Murphy-Racey – Interview about α9 major software update:
“Camera software version 5.0 is the a9 reborn. The update further refines the camera’s highly acclaimed AF performance while adding features that enhance support for professional applications. Here are the impression from professionals after their first trial of the innovation.“
This is an update to the previous blog, Sony Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras: α9 Firmware Updates Ver.5.0 (March 2019) and Ver.6.0 (Summer 2019); α7R III and α7 III Cameras’ Firmware Update (April 2019) Ver.3.0: Provide New Features & Improvements.
Sony has released Firmware Update Ver5.00 for the Sony α9 that brings its already highly-acclaimed AF performance to an unprecendented new high level. AI-based object recognition algorithms allow its Real-time Tracking to detect and follow objects with increased accuracy. Real-time Eye AF also gains speed and performance for locking on and holding focus on a subject’s eyes. Real-time Eye AF can now be activated with a half-press of the shutter release and works seamlessly even if a subject’s eyes are temporarily obscured during shooting.
Sony A9: Real-time Tracking AF
Firmware version 5.0 also more accurately reproduces subtle changes in light for smoother, more natural tonal gradations and improved auto white balance results.
Other benefits include Fast Hybrid AF for video for smoother and more accurate focus during video shooting, new My Dial Menu, revised Custom Key menu, improved touchpad capability, enhanced dual-card functionality, enhanced tagging and release of Imaging Edge™ mobile applications.
Sony A9 Camera with FE 100-400mm F4.5–5.6 GM OSS Super Telephoto Zoom lens
The Firmware version 5.0 update for the α9 will be followed during the summer with Firmware version 6.0, which will add two new features. The first is Real-time Animal AF, which will allow the Sony α9 to be set to perform subject recognition and eye tracking on animals. The second feature is an interval timer, configurable via a new Interval menu.
David Schloss
Before updating to Ver.5.00, you should take the time to write down your customization settings and other important information because applying Firmware Update Ver.5.00 will reset all of them. Since functions have been added, optimized or deleted, it’s not enough to just memorize menu settings. Take some time to familiarize yourself to the new menu settings.
Kudos to Sony for releasing this major firmware update free of charge.
PRESS RELEASE
2019.03.25
Firmware Version 5.0 Now Available For Sony α9
Sony’s industry-leading α9 camera has received a significant software update that brings AI-driven autofocus capabilities to its award-winning autofocus (AF) system, improves image quality, and introduces a range of customer-requested workflow improvements.
Autofocus Improvements
Firmware version 5.0 for the Sony α9 adds Sony’s newly-developed, AI-driven Real-time Tracking mode for precise and robust subject tracking. Real-time Tracking uses Sony’s latest AF algorithm—which includes Artificial Intelligence-based object recognition—to detect and follow subjects with unprecedented accuracy.
Sony A9: Real-time Processing
Real-time Tracking AF works in conjunction with Real-time Eye AF, also added with Firmware version 5.0. The latest iteration of Sony’s best-in-class Eye AF technology, Real-time Eye AF also uses AI-based object recognition, resulting in an unprecedented level of speed and performance for locking on and holding focus on a subject’s eyes. Additionally, with Real-time Eye AF, users can now activate eye detection via a half-press of the shutter release, and can enjoy focus tracking accuracy even if a subject’s eyes are temporarily obscured during shooting.
Also added with firmware 5.0 is Fast Hybrid AF for video, which now provides smoother, more accurate focus during video shooting, even if/when objects move in front of the subject.
Sony a9
Image Quality
Firmware version 5.0 offers notably improved image processing, which maximizes the capabilities of the full-frame sensor. The camera now more accurately reproduces subtle changes in light for smoother, more natural tonal gradations and improved auto white balance results.
Improved Usability And Workflow
Sony a9: Revised Custom Key menu
With Firmware version 5.0, the Sony α9 adds several customer-requested features:
- New My Dial menu
- Revised Custom Key menu
- Improved touchpad capability
- Enhanced dual-card functionality
- Enhanced tagging
Imaging Edge
Sony Imaging Edge™ mobile applications
Sony is also announcing the release of Imaging Edge™ mobile applications, plus updates to the ‘Remote,’ ‘Viewer’ and ‘Edit’ desktop applications that bring exciting new features to all Sony imaging customers.
For professional photographers, Sony is also releasing a new mobile application ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ that supports instant delivery workflow by allowing users to transfer content to their mobile devices via the camera’s FTP background transfer functionality. It also enables voice input for text captioning to streamline overall workflow between photographers and other team members.
Download Firmware Version 5.0 free of charge for the Sony α9 here.
Sony FE 100-400mm GM Super Telephoto Zoom
The following video presents Sony | Lens | FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS | Lens Expert Tips:
“The videos explain lens features and let users easily understand such photos or videos can be taken in this way. Through the explanation in this video, users come to realize what photographic subjects suit.“
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