Here’s Why the New Sony a1 Firmware Update is Awesome (But Why You Should Wait to Install It)

Sony a1 Firmware Update Version 4.00

Let’s start with the good news here first, which is that your Sony a1 mirrorless camera is going to—eventually—get some awesome new features. While the Sony a1 II has become the new flagship of the Sony Alpha lineup, the a1 remains a solid mirrorless camera option that should get a nice boost to its 8K video recording, speed, and sensitivity.

The firmware update version 4.00 is set to add a pretty significant amount of new features, functions, and improvements (full list at the end of the article). The highlights will include expanded autofocus options, Camera Authenticity Solution support, and some general video workflow improvements that should give the camera a nice boost.

Update With Caution

Honestly, this should be good advice for anyone updating any camera or product these days, but we do have to remind everyone that just because a new firmware update is out and available, you don’t have to download and install it right away.

It’s confusing, as, in general, you do want to be using the latest tech and software for your devices to help them run the most smoothly and efficiently. However, as we saw the other week when Sony released a firmware update offering improved video and autofocus controls for the Sony a7 IV and a7R V, the company had to quickly backpedal and suspend the firmware update for the a7 IV due to operability issues.

The Full Sony a1 Firmware Update 4.00

As mentioned above, here’s the full list of everything new coming to the Sony a1 with this latest update, which you can find out more about on the company’s website here.

• Adapts the display layout of shooting information for both horizontal and vertical viewing
• Adds the Spot: XL and Spot: XS options to the Spot section of the Focus Area menu
• Adds the Custom 1, Custom 2, and Custom 3 options to the Custom section of the Focus Area menu
• Adds the Tracking: Spot XL, Tracking: Spot XS, Tracking: Custom 1, Tracking: Custom 2, and Tracking: Custom 3 options to the Tracking section of the Focus Area menu
• Allows simultaneous deletion and rating of images stored on both memory card slot 1 and slot 2
• Allows the display of folder and file names during playback
• Allows you to cancel the scheduled transfer of selected images during FTP transfer
• Adds support for the following Transfer & Tagging settings:
  • A setting to automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected still images from FTP Import
  • A setting to automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected still images and videos from FTP Upload Preset
  • A setting to automatically protect still images transferred via FTP from FTP Upload Preset
    • The latest version of the Transfer & Tagging app is necessary.
    • The Transfer & Tagging setting may not be available in some countries or regions.
• Supports the following Monitor & Control app functions:
  • Focus map display
  • IRIS operation bar display
    • The latest version of the Monitor & Control app is necessary.
    • The Monitor & Control app may not be available in some countries or regions.
• Supports the Write Digital Signature function for movies as part of Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution
  • The timing for the provision of licenses (paid) to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
  • Services may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Authenticity Catalog Page.
• Supports Scan and Tag, Photo Cropping, and Volume Photography Commands under the Volume Photography License
  • Installation of a paid license is required for use.
  • Services may not be available in some countries or regions.
• No longer supports the Security (IPsec) functionality. Please enable and use Access Authen. for enhanced protection and security
• No longer supports WPA and WEP functionalities. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 or WPA3 security setting moving forward
• Fixes an issue where continuous shooting may not resume for 1 to 2 seconds after the end of a continuous shooting session
• Fixes an issue where the multi-selector on the vertical grip may not function correctly
• Improves the operational stability of the camera

Note: Please refer to the Help Guide for details on all updated functions.