Hi,

I saw that a new firmware is available for the Sony A7IV. Has anybody tested it? I don't want to upgrade yet. Here are some new features that I'd like to try:

• Adapts the display layout of shooting information for both horizontal and vertical viewing (really nice to have!)

• Adds Spot: XL under Spot in the Focus Area menu (curious about this and how it differs from "zone")

• Adds the Golden Ratio Grid option to the Grid Line Type setting menu (nice to have)

• Adds the option to enlarge the menu screen display

• Adds Custom 1, Custom 2, and Custom 3 under Custom in the Focus Area menu (I'm thinking of something like Nikon is doing)

You can check the rest of the features in the official firmware page here: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7m4/software/00280505

Keep in mind that some settings will get reset if you're upgrading:

When updating to this software version, the following settings will be unregistered or reset to their default values:

• Settings for Network Streaming, Cloud Connection, and Access Authen.

• Switch Focus Area and Send to Smartphone registered to Custom Key

• Version registered in My Menu

Note: Even if you previously saved your settings using features such as Save/Load Settings, these settings will not be carried over to cameras with Ver. 6.00 or later. We recommend writing down your settings in advance as needed.

Edited November 26Nov 26 by big0bum
forgot a word

Haven't updated since 2. or 3.something. They haven't added any features I want, and Sony's reputation for lousy firmware launches makes me think twice. I did update my A1 because they included a couple of cool features, but only after several months. What did I get for my trouble? The camera now recognizes when there's a third-party battery installed and gives me the dreaded warning. I suspect the A7 IV will suffer the same fate someday.

The custom AF settings are somewhat interesting, I may be tempted once I see more about what it actually does.

I did not know about the 3rd party battery message. And I never had one on any camera that I owned. Is this something that only Sony does? I also never used unknown brands when using 3rd party batteries, I had only Duracell and Patona (a bit expensive, but still half the price of the original brand) and the only issue was that some of the batteries reported inacurate readings (0% battery and you could still shoot for 2 hours).

I never had one until the A1 either, although I'd heard about it for years. It's fairly common knowledge. It says that if you continue and something goes wrong it could void your warranty. And they will know, the camera records it whenever one is used. I use PowrExtra, Wasabi, and a few others. Nothing wrong with them, accurate and they last about as long as a factory battery. I don't really worry about it to be honest, it's more of a pain in the ass than anything. You have to accept the message, which then makes the message go away until the next time an aftermarket battery is installed. The problem is it doesn't show up right away, it seems to pop up a couple minutes into shooting. I do a lot of fast shooting where the camera comes up to my eye quick and I'm already hitting half-press. I see the message for a flash, but it disappears when I shoot. Then it keeps popping back up until I acknowledge it, but it just feels random.

And here you go! DON'T DO IT! Let the other suckers be the guinea pigs.

Sony suspends A7 IV firmware update after severe issue reports | sonyalpharumors

I already did it before it got removed. I have no issues, nothing bad happened yet

I really enjoy the vertical switch and the new way the icons are arranged in the live view.

On 12/4/2025 at 12:50 AM, big0bum said:

I already did it before it got removed. I have no issues, nothing bad happened yet

I really enjoy the vertical switch and the new way the icons are arranged in the live view.

can someone send me the update becasue they removed it from sony

2 hours ago, Nikolaynsjdjd said:

can someone send me the update becasue they removed it from sony

They removed it because it was bricking cameras. Haven't you read the post? Once they 'fix' it they will make it available again.

Another garbage firmware release from Sony. - Sony Alpha News & Rumors - Sony Alpha Forum

Edited December 20Dec 20 by Cameratose