Sony A7S III 3.02 Firmware Update - Did They FINALLY Fix It?

[@alachi9822]

Still on 2.xx absolutely not updating mine, just went through some forum/reddit threads... lots of issues are still not fixed and new issues are being reported. Sony needs to completely overhaul their firmware development process.

[@TravisVarga]

Haha yes if you wanna stear clear of any failings, stick with that version. I'll admit though, you get a ton of really nice new features that the newer Sonys have that may make it worth it. One thing is you get a whole new control system on the screen itself, and you can touch the screen to record, change iso, change f stop. It's pretty cool. But up to you if worth it.

[@matrixate]

I absolutely hate the 3rd party battery notification.

[@TravisVarga]

Yea it’s a nightmare lol

[@User-pq2yn]

Is it possible to hack it?

[@TravisVarga]

@@User-pq2yn unknown

[@og975]

I did not know about the 3.01 update. Thanks for the info. I sub right away.

[@TravisVarga]

@@og975 thanks

[@jasielm5258]

Still on 2.0 and not updating especially since I have a FX6 that I can use when ever I need shutter angle. 90% of my shoots are on boats in saltwater environments. A7Siii hasn’t failed me yet.

[@brandonewoldt]

I have 2 Sony A7siii’s that I use for weddings, and I am way too scared to update 😅 In my opinion there was nothing wrong with the newest “old” firmware, and the “updated” version was just a piss pore attempt to say they gave us something; in return fucking up everyone’s cameras and work flow, so we upgrade to an FX3 or something else 🤷‍♂️

[@TravisVarga]

Good strategy. Dual A7s iii’s is an awesome setup. Oh yeah be a big bummer to brick em both at once haha. Yikes. I do think this newest update fixed everything - but still not 100% sure. I’d say just keep em as is for now. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I like how it matches my ZV-E1 ‘menu/LCD wise so easy to navigate both. And the Creators app seems to work better with a7s iii after updates. But stay the course! Thanks for the comment.

[@mike_s_media]

I usually will wait a while before updating the firmware to see if any issues arise within the community. I'm still on 3.01 and will sit here for a bit until .02 is out for a while to ensure it doesn't open pandora's box!

[@TravisVarga]

Haha good call! That's the approach I take with all my Apple products. I just couldn't believe it when Sony did the 3.0 release after 3/4 years of nothing I just had to lol. Now I'm in too deep and will just blindly update haha. Woops.

[@oswahdvlogai]

yes my af is bricked after 3.00 , i updated 3.02 from first glance i think it improved the af but need to do more testing

[@TravisVarga]

Sweet! Same boat for me - we can see the light lol. Thanks for stopping by.

[@ThomyeSurfs]

nice. so funny, we have similar interest. Surfing, cameras, snowboarding, although snowboarding isn't too much of a stretch from surfing. Thanks for the post, I have the a7 III. I thought to get the a7S III for the video upgrade but didn't want to get stuck behind the camera, I'd rather surf. haha But I did just get the a6700 for a video project i plan to do for work and that thing is pretty sweet. It is a much closer to the a7c form factor than it is the a6000 original compact idea. That line keeps getting bigger. Soon they will have to come out with an a6700c. LOL

[@TravisVarga]

Yes reckon we may be the same person lol. Your channel is def a nice inspiration for me upping the surf-focused content, so thank you. Snowboarding is just surfing on frozen water right. Awesome about the Sony ecosystem. They are def on top these days, and I grew up using moreso Panasonic and Canon. I had an A7III since 2018 and sold it earlier this year to get the ZV-E1. The ZV-E1 is insane. Only pain points are the LCD screen sucks and it doesn't have an EVF - and overheating but I found a great fix (the fan). Good on ya for the a6700, I would love to have that in my arsenal. as C Cam and photo centric cam, as A7s iii and ZV e1 arnt the best photo cams. I like how the a6700 is lighter, has an EVF, and its APS-C form factor would give me extra reach with all my full frame lenses. Grab the 'Ulanzi fan' if you ever run into overheating issues (I use it with my ZV-E1 for any long takes). Thing is hilariously epic haha. And cause of you and your 'Machadocado' suggestion for a Round 2 review, I was able to take the plunge. Also tested a new video capture idea that turned out pretty great. Stay tuned..

[@ThomyeSurfs]

@@TravisVarga taking a look at the fan now. thanks brotha.

[@TravisVarga]

@@ThomyeSurfs fa sho

[@robertfontaine3650]

The A7SIII likely wont be king of the hill by next year. Really hoping there is an A7SIV and we arent stuck with ZV's or FX's

[@TravisVarga]

Yea I’d be inclined to agree. I love my little ZVE1 but for shoots where I can’t mess around I still use the a7siii. Until that last update eff’d up my AF haha. But looks like this update fixed it (fingers crossed). The EVF is so great that I do good they do a forth version too. I like it more than the FX cause of the EVF. Thanks for the comment.

[@Wildridefilms]

Sony usually make their compatibility and usability with 3rd party lenses worse with every update. I assume you're shooting with 3rd party lenses.

[@TravisVarga]

Yes the Sony lenses work a bit better - but the ZV-E1 still does better with the third party lenses than the a7s iii after update. This new 3.02 update DID seem to fix the super jarring focus breathing I was getting against harsh backlight. Noticeable improvement for sure - but can also notice it is still there just a smidge. Need to experiment more, but if you've already updated once I say just keep going lol. They did only make their 'Focus Breathing' feature work with Sony lenses I believe, so that's also why that one effect does poorly with third party lenses. Thanks for the feedback.

[@coreymach_]

Damn i wish i saw this in time. Never update your firmware. It isnt worth the hassle. Learn from my mistake.

[@TravisVarga]

I know, the older firmware was pretty bulletproof, right? Think Sony finally listened to us fan boys who wanted it. Be careful what you wish for hahah. BUT the newest firmware update DOES seem to fix any issues that the first update caused. And now using the A7s iii with a newer Sony (ZV-E1 for instance) the updated touch menu is really great and they both work the same, easy to go back and forth between the two. Cheers.

[@VideoJAmilAkram]

I also have an autofocus problem after updating to version 3.0. I no longer trust Sony updates.

[@TravisVarga]

I’d say update it all the way to this 3.02 then. It did in fact fix a lot of the issues the 3.0 update caused - including less focus breathing on non-native lenses, better auto tracking with the focus box, and more touch-screen options like the newer Sonys (ZVE1, ZVE-10). What do ya got to loose lol since 3.0 DID kinda brick it.. best of luck, let me know how it goes!

[@VideoJAmilAkram]

@@TravisVarga I have version 3.1 not 3.0 I made a typo

[@DavidHaverty]

So any update for how your camera reacted tot he 3.02 update????

[@TravisVarga]

Initial tests seem to show improvement. Esp with any kind of focus breathing or the camera ‘readjusting’ in harsh backlight conditions. So I say it’s the move, especially if you already updated to 3.0. It has some cool features on the LCD screen that I really like (showing settings) and now you can touch the screen and adjust f-stop/iso/white balance etc which is really cool. Good luck!

[@bamsemh1]

Next step is fully unlocked camera too? Removing the factory locked features of the camera

[@TravisVarga]

That be dope - reminds me of the 'hacked' Panasonic GH camera days. Thanks for the comment.

[@bamsemh1]

@@TravisVarga we see a lot of features "added" on firmware updates today, so I wonder if it's still possible to "hack" our cameras to open everything 🤔

[@TravisVarga]

@@bamsemh1 I wonder..we need a hero to step up and figure it out

[@User-pq2yn]

one day they will disable the ability to use third party lenses :)))

[@TravisVarga]

@@User-pq2yn wow if they really do that yikes

[@azyzmakhavi1139]

Have they added the possibility of switching off built-in NR in video at high ISO? Too agressive non-swithable NR, which eats detail and makes picture mushy mush has always been a problem of Sony a7s III (as well as any other Sony still camera).

[@TravisVarga]

Thanks for the comment. I've noticed this too in super dark scenarios. I don't think you can turn if off. So if you have f stop low as possible, I'd prob just adjust the shutter a bit as last resort (let little more light in) and keep it at it's upper native ISO (or close as possible) depending on your Picture Profile. Or shoot it a little darker and bring up shadows a bit in post.

[@azyzmakhavi1139]

@@TravisVarga or simply buy and use external recorder Atomos Ninja V (RAW recording inactivates NR) or FX6, in which NR is adjustable. I think the Sony's marketologists have made unswitchable NR on purpose in their still cameras.

[@TravisVarga]

@@azyzmakhavi1139 Yes good call on the RAW recording. I didn't know that it did that to NR, thanks for the info. Yes FX6 be grear - I just love the smaller form factors esp as a (usually ) solo creator and the 'actor' - or working a set with multi cams solo.

[@catterinebeltran2059]

Ayer actualicé a la versión de firmware 3.02 y de repente quedó negra la pantalla; fui al servicio técnico y la reparación cuesta $500 dólares Me parece injusto 😢

[@quantumuniverse4606]

I’ve to change the version of my sony a7siii. I’m scared

[@TravisVarga]

Let us know how it goes - overall mine has been performing a lot better after this update

[@Bheru_editss]

Can anyone tell me if my problem will be solved by updating the firmware of the lens?

[@TravisVarga]

That usually helps!

[@User-pq2yn]

⚠DO NOT UPDATE⚠ If you upgrade to version 3.0 and above, you will no longer be able to use third-party batteries. Sony has begun eliminating competitors

[@TravisVarga]

@@User-pq2yn wow, I have a Watson somewhere I need to try. What happens when you put it in?

[@User-pq2yn]

@@TravisVarga After about 30-40 seconds after switching on, a warning appears that stable operation is not guaranteed. If you click Cancel, the camera will turn off. If you click OK, the camera will continue to work, but the display of the charge level in percent will disappear and the camera can turn off at any time, even during recording without saving the material

[@TravisVarga]

@@User-pq2yn dang that’s crazy, thanks for letting me know as I have a big shoot next week and I’ll stay away from using the Watson jsut in case. Thanks

[@AnishNapper]

My audio inputs are completly fked afte the update from verson 2. to 3

[@TravisVarga]

@@AnishNapper wow that’s interesting - I was having some mic issues but I think/thought it was the cable. Seemed to be fixed after replacement - coincidence or not lol.

[@AnishNapper]

@@TravisVarga i think it has more to do with the update, or some sort of failure, the internal mic and the speaker are not working feels bad

[@TravisVarga]

@@AnishNapper dang sorry you are dealing with that - have you tried updating to this 3.02? Cause there are two version 3 updates.

[@AnishNapper]

@@TravisVarga yes i had the 3.01 then i noticed their was no audio inputs then i updated hoping the 3.02 will fix it but it never did

[@TravisVarga]

@@AnishNapper gosh that sucks. If the camera is under warranty or you have a third party insurance you can try sending some emails. Also wonder if a master reset exist.

[@pjtavera]

3.00 firmware SUCKS, BIG TIME! After updating my unit to 3.02 firmware all worked fine, AF is now locked on fast and usable! Sadly, I watched and read some of their A7s3 cant be used. So sad that all are not created equal.

[@TravisVarga]

Wow I know right...that 3.0 update really did us dirty. Def made the 'most reliable camera ever' kinda the opposite. I couldn't believe how much focus breathing I was getting. DEF upgrade with this 3.02 update so THANK YOU SONY. Bummer for the fallen soldiers..

[@Bheru_editss]

I am also facing the problem of AF, please give me a solution for this.

[@Bheru_editss]

@pjtavera Can anyone tell me if my problem will be solved by updating the firmware of the lens?

[@TravisVarga]

@@Bheru_editss update to the latest 3.02 - it’s the best of all the updates. You can also see if your lens does have an available update by checking in the camera menu and what the internet says your lens latest update is.

[@joeumali7375]

bricked? i never heard of a single bricked camera due to the 3.00 update.

[@TravisVarga]

Thanks for the comment. It seems it was hit or miss (bricked prob a bit much haha) but I def noticed a decrease in the AF abilities after updating. Esp with non native lenses and super backlight scenes. This new version has seemed to help.

[@jacksonjackson9474]

@@TravisVarganah, mine is definitely bricked. And half of the other A7s3 shooters that I know are having the exact same issues. Sony needs to at least own the problem. This will make us all leave the brand if they don’t pull it together. Consumer confidence for them is dipping drastically. Even the shooters without issues are paranoid by what they see from other “bricks”.

[@TravisVarga]

@@jacksonjackson9474jeeze, that’s a bummer to hear it’s happening to others. Yup Sony can’t leave the S series in the dust - it being a big reason a lot of people switched to Sony when it came out. The EVF alone makes it ‘better’ than the FX3 - I’ll die on a hill with that opinion haha. Thanks for your input.

[@TeamRichTV]

Mine is bricked and i've been missing out on money because of it

[@TravisVarga]

@@TeamRichTV super bummer - did upgrading to 3.02 help?

[@ShinTenshi]

Still in 2 😅

[@TravisVarga]

haha don't blame you..