Sony Delivers Highly Anticipated Firmware Updates including C2PA Compliancy and Ensuring Authenticity of Images

These Updates for the Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV will also improve Shooting Functions and Workflow

Sony delivers firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00) all available today, and after April 2024, the Alpha 9 III (Ver.2.00). The update contains some of Sony’s most impactful technology, including Camera Authenticity Solution, the proprietary in-camera digital signature and C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format support^[i]. Together, these tools will make it possible for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images, contributing to industry efforts to protect creators, and society from fake imagery.

The Alpha 1 Ver 2.00 & Alpha 7 S III firmware updates bring 30+ additional features to enrich the shooting experience for Alpha users.

The Alpha 7 S III Ver 3.00 features highlight:

• Breathing compensation for cinematic focus change during video recording
• Free DCI 4K 24 p license download with true 24p frame rate and 1/96s, 1/48s & 1/24s shutter speed settings
• AF assist feature for focus flexibility while recording
• Time code sync compatibility
• Enhanced touch & playback operations
• Monitor & Control App support including waveform & false colour monitoring
• Creators’ App & Direct Creators’ Cloud transfer support

Alpha 1 Ver 2.00 features highlight:

• Breathing compensation for cinematic focus change during video recording
• Latest remote control & FTP transfer features  for professional photographers
• Enhanced touch & playback operations
• Improved image stabilisation performance for specific Sony lenses
• 4K 30p UVC streaming compatibility
• Creators’ App & Direct Creators’ Cloud transfer support
• Monitor & Control App support including waveform & false colour monitoring

These updates introduce many requested features aimed at optimising everyday functionality. These updates refine shooting functions and streamline post-shooting workflows, while also integrating advanced movie features like breathing compensation. Moreover, the updates introduce novel remote-control capabilities, enhance features tailored for professional applications, and extend access to a wider array of cloud services applications.

Camera Authenticity Solution

Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology in its cameras to aid in the fight against manipulated imagery and AI-generated fakes. The severity of this issue is only increasing and it’s a complex problem that requires the focus and attention of our entire industry. 

One critical part of the solution is making more Sony cameras C2PA compliant. C2PA is a Joint Development Foundation project, where Sony is a steering committee member. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators and consumers with opt-in, flexible ways to understand the authenticity, and provenance of different types of media. The C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications on content provenance and authentication by certifying the source and history of media content. With this firmware update, the authenticity information embedded on images from Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 7 IV can be maintained from capture through publication. This provides professional photographers with the ability to preserve their digital signature from the camera, while tracking the editing history throughout revisions.

Another critical component of the solution is Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology^[ii] that signs images in real-time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the point of capture and creates a ‘digital birth certificate’ that is retained throughout revisions. The signature contains metadata including 3D-depth information captured through the proprietary technology in the image sensor developed by Sony. This depth information can show if the image captured was of an actual 3D object, vs a photograph of an image or video, providing an extra level of protection and  even more assurance of the content’s authenticity, and making Sony’s solution especially unique for photojournalists and news agencies.

Sony’s solution also helps protect the authenticity of content by including an Image Validation Site, which verifies the image even after edits have been made by C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the authenticity of the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. This service will initially be offered to select news media agencies, expanding to other agencies at a later date.

Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution overview diagram

Example image of 3D Image verification

For complete details of the list of new features added to each firmware – please visit each product support page on the Sony website:

Alpha 1 2.0 Firmware

Alpha 7S III 3.0 Firmware

Alpha 7 IV 3.0 Firmware

Notes:

[1] This feature is available to some news organisations at the press release timing.

[1] Both Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology and C2PA compliancy are currently available through a separate upgrade license.

For more information about these firmware updates, please visit the Sony’s website.

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