RX1 Firmware update?

When I tried the RX1 back at launch, it left me a bit cold in the user experience department, and I decided to wait a while.

Fast forward to now, and that wait is over. Now my itch is acting up again, and reading the long term user updates and seeing the beautiful image quality from a great lens and excellent sensor, it's pretty clear the RX1 (or now RX1R maybe) is exactly the occasional resolution and DR monster I'm looking for.

So I search to see what firmware updates to fix some of the issues (for some demanding users like me), e.g. pedestrian AF.

From what I'm finding it seems like there haven't been any. That can't be right, I must be missing something. If true, I'm shocked.

It's all very well Mr Kimio Maki proclaiming he likes to create something new every 6 months, but what about Maki-ng it work properly? Or in PC speak, finish what you started. And anyway, it's been 6 months, so where's the RX2?

What's the true score on this. I've found lots of user group lists and petitions for improved features via firmware, but has there really been no progress on the firmware?

It probably won't deter the purchase because I think it's still going to be the best option for me, but it will be more of an aggrieved purchase if they really just ignored their users like that. Tell me I'm wrong, please.

-Najinsky

Yes!! Please sony...firmware upgrade needed for rx1! I'm an happy user but i would like every small improvement in the af area! I think it's needed considering the premium price we payed for that camera...

There have been no RX1/R firmware updates except perhaps if the RX1R firmware is different from the RX1 firmware. Fortunately, the original firmware is not so flawed that an update is necessary, although it may be desirable.

sony doesn't update

This is the reason Fujifilm is so tempting - they seem to be pretty good with firmware updates. Wonder if they release a FF camera next year.

But as far as RX1 - I just got mine a few days ago, and in my opinion - AF is much, much better than what people say it is. I have a D700 with all primes, and the RX1 is only a little slower to focus than my D700. It locks with little to no hunting - even in super low light, like ISO 25600, Shutter Speed 1/60, Aperture f/2 - yes, I actually tried that After reading all the complaints about slow AF - I have to say I'm very pleased with mine, actually.

So far the only complaint I have is battery life - on my first charge I took maybe 20 pictures - haha. But that also includes a lot of menu diving to set everything to my liking. Now that I'm almost done with changing the settings - will see how long the next charge will last.

vladi1234567 said:

But as far as RX1 - I just got mine a few days ago, and in my opinion - AF is much, much better than what people say it is. I have a D700 with all primes, and the RX1 is only a little slower to focus than my D700. It locks with little to no hunting - even in super low light, like ISO 25600, Shutter Speed 1/60, Aperture f/2 - yes, I actually tried that After reading all the complaints about slow AF - I have to say I'm very pleased with mine, actually.

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My experience with the AF came from hands on use, indoors with medium lighting in a shop. For me it was fairly pedestrian.

The problem is I've experienced slower AF before with my GXR and X100, and on both occasions decided to stick with it. For sure I go some beautiful shots from both, but I'd be lying if I said the AF didn't cause me to miss many moments. It's not so much the actual speed, it's more the variance, sometimes good sometimes slow, that makes it harder to try to time the shot.

Still, as this will be more of a special use camera (scenics), I don't think it's going to cause me the same issues the others did, which were more general usage.

But it would still be nice to see Sony respond to customer feedback like Ricoh did, and even Fuji did, but it took longer and more iterations.

I much prefer receiving a "thank you" than a "so long sucker"!

-Najinsky

Perfectly understandable - Fuji seems to be the best when it comes to firmware updates.

As far as RX1's AF - I don't have enough experience with it yet, but using a central point I'm not disappointed with AF speed at all. Haven't had any out of focus pictures yet either - and my AF assist light was turned off, so it was able to lock focus in almost complete darkness. I'm still within my 30 day return period though, so I will continue testing the AF - but so far I'm very happy with everything (except for battery life).

aerorail said:

sony doesn't update

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More correct is that Sony has not done updates on Cyber-Shot cameras.

They did a number of firmware updates on my SLT.

They could do one on the RX1 if they wanted to. I agree, the firmware should be maximized on a $2800 camera. Or the $1300 RX10 that's been released. It's not like these are actually "point and shoot" cameras for crying out loud. Who can afford (or should even have to consider) buying an RX2 or an RX11 in a year just to sort firmware bugs ? Sony needs to take a lesson or two from Apple on keeping hardware current.

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doctorxring said:

Who can afford (or should even have to consider) buying an RX2 or an RX11 in a year just to sort firmware bugs ? Sony needs to take a lesson or two from Apple on keeping hardware current.

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This is one reason I always avoided Sony laptops. They would never have any bios fixes and the next year they would have a new model, with essentially the same features and the fixes applied. Seems their theory was their customers had to buy a new product every year. That is how you get Sony fixes and updates. The other issue with Sony is they will come out with something really, really, good, with just a couple things you'd like to see improved and then kill the product line, instead of improving it. They've done this several times with digital cameras...been the leader, than zero follow-up.

As far as the RX1 is concerned, it is really good and could be "gooder" with a few tweaks. For example, hi-speed flash sync is one of the best (thank you leaf shutter) while low speed flash sync is completely broken (changes exposure settings.) This is something that could easily be fixed in firmware.

vladi1234567 said:

This is the reason Fujifilm is so tempting - they seem to be pretty good with firmware updates. Wonder if they release a FF camera next year.

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Fuji pretty good with firmware updates? ....if they did it right before releasing the camera they wouldn't have so many updates.

Nikon d90....ONE firmware update since it was released AND it wasn't a necessary one. nothing to do with improving an already good camera from its release

Sony rx series...dunno what to say. someone is always going to want this and that improved. i think they did fine right from the start and started the ball rolling for other camera manufacturers to step it up instead of the 'same old crap' with negligible 'improvements' to newer models

aerorail said:

vladi1234567 said:

This is the reason Fujifilm is so tempting - they seem to be pretty good with firmware updates. Wonder if they release a FF camera next year.

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Fuji pretty good with firmware updates? ....if they did it right before releasing the camera they wouldn't have so many updates.

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So in order to cover or admit mistakes they should never release a firmware upgrade? I actually witnessed that, firsthand with an auto manufacturer. They didn't want to fix a known problem for fear they would "admit" a mistake and be libel for damages. I think Sony's MO is a little different. It is more of "You want a fix you are going to have to pay for it with the new model."

aerorail said:

Nikon d90....ONE firmware update since it was released AND it wasn't a necessary one. nothing to do with improving an already good camera from its release

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Don't get me started with Nikon. Did they get the D600 right? Hmmmm...why is the difference between the D600 and the D610?

aerorail said:

Sony rx series...dunno what to say. someone is always going to want this and that improved. i think they did fine right from the start and started the ball rolling for other camera manufacturers to step it up instead of the 'same old crap' with negligible 'improvements' to newer models

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It is pretty good with some known issues. The Fuji X-series was pretty d_mn good too...with some known issues. Difference is, Fuji released firmware fixes. Heck, they just released a firmware fix for a model that was replaced 6 months ago. That is pretty impressive.

AF speed seems to be the most requested improvement here. AF speed is one thing that an firmware update is unlikely to be able to change. Firmware can add features, it can change menus etc but AF speed increase would almost certainly require physical changes to the camera.

Mike Fewster said:

AF speed seems to be the most requested improvement here. AF speed is one thing that an firmware update is unlikely to be able to change. Firmware can add features, it can change menus etc but AF speed increase would almost certainly require physical changes to the camera.

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No, it's already been done for a number of cameras, Ricoh GXR and X100 to name a couple.

While it is true that a lot of this is down to hardware specs, like the readout speed, It's also true that the software algorithms used can usually be made more efficient and this can be delivered via firmware.

-Najinsky

Najinsky said:

Mike Fewster said:

AF speed seems to be the most requested improvement here. AF speed is one thing that an firmware update is unlikely to be able to change. Firmware can add features, it can change menus etc but AF speed increase would almost certainly require physical changes to the camera.

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No, it's already been done for a number of cameras, Ricoh GXR and X100 to name a couple.

While it is true that a lot of this is down to hardware specs, like the readout speed, It's also true that the software algorithms used can usually be made more efficient and this can be delivered via firmware.

-Najinsky

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That depends entirely on the quality of the original programming. It is a big assume to be comfident that an improvement can be made to Af by software.

Mike Fewster said:

That depends entirely on the quality of the original programming. It is a big assume to be comfident that an improvement can be made to Af by software.

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Why do you think it's a bigger assume than your reverse, that it can't?

The only thing I need/want added to my Sony RX1 = good quality 50mbps XAVC-S format.

50mbps XAVC video is the ONLY thing I want/need added via a firmware update. I believe it is the most important thing it needs to be usable for pro video use.

Everything else (better af, focus peaking, etc., etc) isn't that big a deal and there's a work around for them anyways.

Please request for 50mbps XAVC-S video format for the next firmware update for the Sony RX1; and, you just might receive!

[email protected]

“Hi xxxxx,

Thank you for contacting the Sony Alpha Email Response Team.

I understand that you're suggesting a 50mbps XAVC-S video format on the next firmware update for DSCRX1. We really appreciate you for taking the time to send us an email. I'll be happy to help.

We always appreciate customers who take the time to give us their feedback, that’s a great idea. I’ll pass what you’ve said onto our management team. Also, please check our support website: esupport.sony.com from time to time for the latest news and updates for your camera.

Should you have any technical questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email.

Thank you for choosing Sony.

Best Regards,

xxxxx (xxxx)

The Sony Alpha Email Response Team”

I can't believe any never offered a firmware upgrade for this camera. It's shocking they know of the shortcomings and are screwing e customers who spent a fortune. I won't be buying more Sony cameras I doubt. At least nothing fringe or special. Even Leica issue updates.

aerorail said:

sony doesn't update

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That is simply not true. Nor is it true to say, as does doctorxring in the first reply to your post, that Sony do not update Cybershot cameras. The thousands of users running Firmware 2.0 on the DSC-RX10 deny it emphatically.