My A7IV firmware upgrade experience(s)

[KewDok]

I have now upgraded my A7IV two versions using the firmware on SD card option that was introduced recently. First from 1.10 to 1.11 and now finally from 1.11 to 2.0.

Before I move on I can confirm I followed the instructions exactly.

I made sure the battery was fully charged and copied the downloaded firmware file to the root of the SD card. No other firmware was present on the card in both instances.

Everything went smoothly until I noticed five slow flashes followed by seven (yes, seven, not six as Sony states is the error "code" when an update fails) quick flashes. I left the camera for another five mins, but no change. I then turned the camera off and removed the battery for approx 30 seconds. I powered the camera back on and the update finished successfully after a few mins. The steps above were required for both version upgrades I have performed on my A7IV.

This experience when upgrading is of course quite alarming. Bricking the camera seemed like a likely outcome both times.

I just want to mention this in case others experience similar problems with their A7IV.

Finally, I have not had the time to shoot more than ten pics or so no info on the experience on the 2.0 firmware.

PS; Only thing that triggers my OCD on 2.0 is that, when powering the camera on, for half a second the green "Auto" LCD screen (happens when using the viewfinder as well) options are shown before loading the options for Manual, or Aperture priority etc.

 

[KewDok]

Seems like my issue with the Auto screen showing when powering the camera on is resolved by initialising the camera after the firmware upgrade.

Saving my settings to the SD first means I did not lose my customisations.

 

[AlephNull]

Seems like my issue with the Auto screen showing when powering the camera on is resolved by initialising the camera after the firmware upgrade.

Saving my settings to the SD first means I did not lose my customisations.

Thanks for adding that - I think others will be glad you did!

 

[dazzerfong]

Same experience with the A7IV for the first SD card upgrade - got stuck with the 7 blinks. Yanked battery, reinserted, and after a bit it did its thing and upgraded.

 

[dth29]

Did you have formatted the SD-card before? Just courious.

 

[Newton Bryce]

Seems like my issue with the Auto screen showing when powering the camera on is resolved by initialising the camera after the firmware upgrade.

Saving my settings to the SD first means I did not lose my customisations.

I waited for reports from users before updating, but could not resist to try it for myself yesterday. Everything went silky smooth at first try, and all settings are kept (yes, I have a backup on a separate memory card). My camera is highly customized, so loosing the settings would result in some hours diving into the menus.

 

[LeeDillion]

Seems like my issue with the Auto screen showing when powering the camera on is resolved by initialising the camera after the firmware upgrade.

Saving my settings to the SD first means I did not lose my customisations.

I waited for reports from users before updating, but could not resist to try it for myself yesterday. Everything went silky smooth at first try, and all settings are kept (yes, I have a backup on a separate memory card). My camera is highly customized, so loosing the settings would result in some hours diving into the menus.

Once you have completed the update, make sure to save your settings as a new camset to the sd card (and backup to PC) as the older camset files are not compatible with the new firmware (which was confirmed by a Sony specialist, much to my dismay).

 

[KewDok]

Did you have formatted the SD-card before? Just courious.

I was using a card that was formatted in the camera for the upgrade, yes. It even had some photos on it, not that it matters.

 

[dth29]

Did you have formatted the SD-card before? Just courious.

I was using a card that was formatted in the camera for the upgrade, yes. It even had some photos on it, not that it matters.

It would be interesting to see if it helps when the card is freshly formatted, without anything else on it.

 

[KewDok]

It would be interesting to see if it helps when the card is freshly formatted, without anything else on it.

Not possible since i am already upgraded, I think?

But, it shouldn't make any difference. As long as the file system is correct and the file is found on the SD card (in this case it was a CF Express) it should just work. Thinking about it, I did leave SD card "number 2" in the camera. That might have an effect if the camera is looking for the BODYDATA file on the wrong card during the update process.

 

[sanjaykool]

Check file size of bodydata.dat on card if it is less than 897 MB then windows security may be truncating it. Not necessarily your case but it happened on mine thrice. I did get proper size file by reformatting and changing to laptop with securities off. It went through fine. - Sanjay

 

[Newton Bryce]

Once you have completed the update, make sure to save your settings as a new camset to the sd card (and backup to PC) as the older camset files are not compatible with the new firmware (which was confirmed by a Sony specialist, much to my dismay).

I did not think of that, so thanks for a good advice.

 

[WhistlerNorth]

Once you have completed the update, make sure to save your settings as a new camset to the sd card (and backup to PC) as the older camset files are not compatible with the new firmware (which was confirmed by a Sony specialist, much to my dismay).

I did not think of that, so thanks for a good advice.

Dumb question— how do you do this— step one— before update put a blank memory in camera then how do you save your customization. Sorry, seriously I do not know exactly how this is done. Learning as I go. Thanks

 

[jeffj3]

It would be interesting to see if it helps when the card is freshly formatted, without anything else on it.

Not possible since i am already upgraded, I think?

But, it shouldn't make any difference. As long as the file system is correct and the file is found on the SD card (in this case it was a CF Express) it should just work. Thinking about it, I did leave SD card "number 2" in the camera. That might have an effect if the camera is looking for the BODYDATA file on the wrong card during the update process.

Most likely that's what happened. I used an old SD card that I keep for updating firmware. I had no issues upgrading.

 

[darkknight302]

Had no issues updating to 2.0.

 

[JC Cabin]

Took 5 minutes using an sd card which I formatted in camera prior to copying the file to it. No issues whatsoever.

 

[Newton Bryce]

Dumb question— how do you do this— step one— before update put a blank memory in camera then how do you save your customization. Sorry, seriously I do not know exactly how this is done. Learning as I go. Thanks

This video tells you:

If you don't have a camera with the new menu system, the Sony Help Guide for your camera model is your friend.

I prefer to save the settings on a memory card that is just for this. Or the settings could be saved on your computer, and copied back to your memory card when needed.

 

[wild-snaps]

Took 5 minutes using an sd card which I formatted in camera prior to copying the file to it. No issues whatsoever.

Is the version stable to update? I have not seen any comments or reviews on version 2.0 so far. I only use the camera for wildlife with 200-600 so wanted to be certain that the AF performance is improved or at least stays the same. Thanks

 

[JC Cabin]

Nothing has changed except for the Sony software that works as a remote control for the camera ( it works ok except for sluggish connection issues.) And you get a cloud storage / photo sharing service that is now linked to it. They also mention unspecified stability fixes, but I haven't noticed anything that is different. .

 

[wild-snaps]

Nothing has changed except for the Sony software that works as a remote control for the camera ( it works ok except for sluggish connection issues.) And you get a cloud storage / photo sharing service that is now linked to it. They also mention unspecified stability fixes, but I haven't noticed anything that is different. .

Thank you. Will update as it appears not to have any glitches.