Sony issues firmware update for Alpha A700 DSLR

Sony's Alpha A700 has been pleasing (or displeasing, we suppose), users for just over a year now, but those that have stuck with it in spite of a few issues can now smile brightly. Sony has just unleashed a firmware update for the DSLR which reportedly adds in an option to select auto exposure bracketing (single and continuous) with 3 shots in 2 EV steps and gives the choice to nix the High ISO NR feature. Furthermore, it supposedly improves the image quality in a high ISO setting, the auto white balance and D-Range Optimizer performance and the reliability for communication between camera body and vertical grip. Any owners out there care to give a shout on how their rig is performing post-update?

[Via DPReview]

[Mr. B @ Sep 16th 2008 5:18PM]

Yay HDR!

[irfan @ Sep 16th 2008 5:26PM]

just easier HDR

[Lowest Ranked @ Sep 16th 2008 5:34PM]

Horrible Depth Recording is nothing to be excited about.

[phanbouy @ Sep 16th 2008 5:54PM]

i thought it was Harlot Disheveled Robot, but that makes more sense

[phanbouy @ Sep 16th 2008 8:47PM]

uh oh, LR. the sony fanboys are not amused.

[metfoo @ Sep 16th 2008 5:37PM]

I cant wait to update. I converted from the canon world, and I am glad I did.

[phanbouy @ Sep 16th 2008 5:53PM]

yay?

[Coolbee8 @ Sep 16th 2008 5:44PM]

How about releasing high-end camera with proper firmware in the first place? Like what DSLR ought to have? Instead of releasing camera with underpowering alpha firmware? Come on sony...

[farfisa @ Sep 16th 2008 5:45PM]

Have you met Sony?

[cyb @ Sep 16th 2008 5:54PM]

Show me the manufacturer that was never releasing new firmware? I was very happy with v3. V4 just made me more happy.

[Temple @ Sep 16th 2008 5:54PM]

The Sony firmware was fine before. They really weren't fixing anything, just addressing user complaints. Like default NR being applied and auto-bracketing options.

If you want an example of messed-up firmware that needed to be corrected then the Canon EOS 1D Mark III borked-AF issues are probably the best example recently. They had to release several firmware fixes since they couldn't get it right the first time (obviously AF problems for a pro-sports camera like the 1DMkIII is a big issue).

read all about it here:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-8740-9068-9264

[Doug F @ Sep 16th 2008 7:11PM]

This firmware is a HUGE update. IQ of the A700 is virtually identical to the D300 now, because Sony wised up about NR algorithms, and this firmware is based off of the new A900's algorithms. Really, it's like a whole new camera.

[bliki @ Sep 16th 2008 7:15PM]

I own the a700 almost from the day it was available here in the EU. I went with Sony, since I own a closet full of minolta lenses and accessories, and surprisingly most of 20-30 year old equipment still works nicely with the latest and greatest. Ok, about the FW update.

Nothing really disturbing about the FW itself, white balance and dynamic range seem better optimised, at least for viewing pictures on the screen. If noise reduction is turned off, the picuters are somewhat sharper, however noise becomes quite significant, which makes it a rather sour tradeoff. So nothing I would be too excited about. What I personally still miss, is the interval shooting option in the FW itself. It was available with the Minolta 7D, and it was till now only available to the Sony line of DSLRs via the remote control accessory. They now added this function into the Remote Control software for the PC, which somewhat fixes this but not 100% still.

Also, together with the FW, Sony updated it's "Sony Image Data Suite" (Data Converter, Remote Control and LightBox). The improvements here are qiute huge, especially as the Data Converter is now at least usable, compared to before. (It had floating windows for every "tool/setting", which made it impossible to use, even on WUXGA - this is now changed, and the UI is much better).

[Andre Muran @ Sep 16th 2008 10:42PM]

Good news, Thanks

[CT @ Sep 17th 2008 12:19PM]

loved it when new, loved it then, love it even more now. prices is lower now to, but couldn't wait that long