Sony A7 / A7R Firmware Update 1.02

[UPDATE: Sony Firmware Update 1.20 is now available. It includes everything in this update. Click here to go directly the FW 1.20 Update]

Sony has posted firmware updates for the Sony A7 and A7R cameras on their website that update camera firmware to version 1.02. Please read all and follow the directions on the Sony website regarding firmware updates.

This utility updates for the ILCE-7R and ILCE-7 camera firmware to version 1.02 and provides the following benefits:

  • Provides support for the SEL70200G lens
    – Improves auto focus speed
    – Supports the “Fast Hybrid AF” function (ILCE-7 ONLY)
    – Supports future compatible E mount lenses
    – Adds the “Focus hold button” function
  • Reduces start-up time when the camera is switched on immediately after being switched off
  • Improves image quality
  • Provides support for additional PlayMemories Camera Apps and adds additional features
    – Supports the “Liveview Grading” and “Smooth Reflection” applications
    – Supports the smooth automatic exposure feature in the “Time-lapse” application ver. 2.00 and later

Read Sony’s Firmware Update Instructions VERY Carefully

Make certain you have a fully charged battery in the camera or that it’s connected to A/C power before attempting to update firmware in any camera. Put camera into Mass storage mode:

Menu > Settings 4 > USB Connection > Mass Storage

Please follow the updater directions very carefully. Make sure all other programs are shut down, programs like Mail and iTunes. Close everything else down. PLEASE!

If you’re a Mac user running 10.9 Mavericks, you should run the firmware updater in 32-bit mode. You can do this by right-clicking (ctrl-click) the firmware updater icon to get info, and checking the “Run in 32-bit mode” option.

[dropcap1]1.[/dropcap1] Connect the camera to your computer using the USB cord that came with the camera.
Click Next.
Sony-FW-Update-1

[PLEASE NOTE: If you get this error message don’t freak out. It doesn’t mean you’ve “bricked” your camera.]

Simply follow the directions. Turn off your camera and remove the battery. Put the battery back in and turn the camera on. Reboot the software and start over.
Sony-FW-Update-Error

[dropcap1]2.[/dropcap1] Once the connection is made, the updater will compare update with installed firmware.
Sony-FW-Update-2

[dropcap1]3.[/dropcap1] Updater will show if firmware version is ready to update. If you hit a glitch here, follow to directions on your screen.
Sony-FW-Update-3

[dropcap1]4.[/dropcap1] Make certain all other programs are shut down and that you have a secure connection. It’s very important that you don’t lose your connection here, so while running this step DON’T EVEN TOUCH THE COMPUTER UNTIL UPDATE IS FINISHED!
Sony-FW-Update-4

[dropcap1]5.[/dropcap1] Update in complete. You can eject the camera and you’ll be ready to go. Check to see if any camera settings need to be restored.
Sony-FW-Update-5

Sony A7R Camera Firmware Update

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia
Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Sony A7 Camera Firmware Update

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia
Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Sony also released firmware updates for the NEX-6, NEX-5T and NEX-5R cameras:

Sony NEX-6 Camera Firmware Update

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

Sony NEX-5T Camera Firmware Update

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

Sony NEX-5R Camera Firmware Update

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia
Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

MAC OS 10.10 YOSEMITE USERS PLEASE NOTE:

The new Mac Yosemite OS X requires you download and install Mac OS X 10.10 Driver Loader kernel extension prior to downloading and installing the actual firmware update. This utility installs the necessary application needed for software updates if you are running Mac OS X 10.10 – NOT needed for earlier versions of Mac OS.

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17 thoughts on “Sony A7 / A7R Firmware Update 1.02”

  1. Pingback: Sony A7 / A7R Firmware Updates Released | sony ...

  2. the update bricked my sony A7R. i followed the steps exactly and it failed after that i was never able to run the program to update firmware, even after removing battery. i tried those steps and tried several times but there after it simply would not recognize the camera in usb mas storage mode.
    once it got bricked….turn camera on resulted in a red light appearing by the memory card and remained lit.

    i contacted sony support who told you can not use the firmware updater in 64bit kernel mode. no where on there website does it warn or state this.

    it seems the safe bet is to run it 32bit on a windows machine.

    it was not obvious to me the software had to be run in 32bit mode if you on a mac osx.

    be warned, i do not recommend running the program to update, its not reliable. i went to the sony support forums and there are so many ppl with same issue.

    i assure you my camera is legitimately bricked and i see no way of getting it out of that state.

    gotta send it inf or repairs.

    1. Sorry for your pain.

      I wrote these steps out to help others through the update including how to run the update in 32-bit mode on a 64-bit Mac.

      Try removing the battery again for at least 5 seconds then re-insert and turn the camera on. Normally that will clear the solid red status light when you restart. If that doesn’t do the trick – send it in.

  3. How about Sony adapting it’s procedure to update the firmware under OSX? I have got the same experiences as all the other ‘client’s of Sony having spend >US$2000 to get a product with these update problems? What a shame! I do not see any solution up to now given by Sony that works!
    So better one does not buy this product.

      1. I followed the directions as exactly as possible. I downloaded the update for the Sony Alpha 7R several times (after deleting former downloads), I closed all programs on both my MacPro and MacBookPro before starting the procedure: taking out the full loaded battery for 15 seconds, switching on the camera, setting on Mass Storage, connecting to the computer, click on ‘next’ and every time I received the same message (your 1.). I am using 10.9.3., switched off all possible other programs which prevent malware etc.. So, maybe you read something else, but these are the instructions I have read and followed up.

  4. Wanted to note:

    I just updated on a 64bit mac running Mavericks: Your suggestion to convert the sony installer to 32bit didn’t pan out. The error message persisted. I ran it at 64bits and it was flawless on 2 a7rs.

    1. The update take 15 minutes to run. Lots of people think it’s done when it’s not.

      Follow ALL my directions. Do not have anything else plugged into the computer and turn off all other apps.

  5. I m wedding photographer my budget low I have Sony a7r but it foucs very slow and shaky I’m in trouble plz asked me about letest update

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