Recently, Sony announced the release of firmware version 3.0 for the Sony a9 III, bringing with it a number of quality-of-life changes. Most of the big changes are allowing shutter speeds up to 1/8000 seconds at all aperture values when turning on Exp. Value Expand and the ability to use “Focus Magnifier” and “Auto Magnifier in MF” while in Bright Monitoring mode. For years now, it’s been our custom to update our camera and lens reviews as needed. So, we updated our Sony a9 III review.
Below is the section that we’ve updated within our Ease of Use section of the Sony a9 III review. You can find a full list of what was updated here.
Ease of Use Update: Operational Changes
Firmware 3.0 for the Sony a9 III brings with it lots of new changes for photographers. But there seems to be more about the quality of life than anything else. Here are our findings:
Shooting 1/8000 at all Aperture Values in Exposure Value Expanded turned ON
In testing, we found that this worked exactly as advertised. We got to try this new feature using the Sony 50mm F1.2 G Master and the 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II. In prior versions of the camera’s firmware, photographers were limited to shooting in a single aperture setting when Exposure Value Expansion was turned on. If you were trying to set your aperture to anything other than the maximum aperture value, you’d be unable to shoot at 1/8000. This change will be welcomed for portraiture requiring a high shutter speed and a deeper focal plane.
Focus Magnification and Auto-Magnification
Focus Magnification and Auto-Magnification are now available using the Bright Monitoring option in the Display menu. Astrophotographers (or anyone working in the dark) can now drill down on their focus without leaving Bright Monitoring mode. When working in near-total darkness, this change is critical for ensuring your subject is in focus and eliminating guesswork in your composition.
Workflow Changes
In terms of workflow enhancements, version 3.0 brings a notification display to let you know when the latest firmware version becomes available, the ability to schedule FTP transfers while writing data to the camera’s card, and improvements when transferring images to the Creators’ App – allowing continuous use of the camera while files are being transferred.
Improved Operability with Creators’ App
More companies should consider fixing their mobile apps. Although this change might be minor, it is a big quality-of-life change, especially since I have worked as a corporate events photographer. Setting up a tablet to “collect” JPEGs and keep shooting without hiccups or drops is a godsend in an environment where speed is everything.
Overall, the changes are welcomed by any Sony a9 III owners but will most likely not win over anyone who hasn’t already invested in the camera. It is still one of the best sports and birding cameras you can get your hands on, and the global shutter allows for some truly creative work. But if our last review didn’t get you to switch systems or upgrade, then these changes will feel more like an incremental update than a reason to commit to the Sony a9 III.
