Sony suspends new A7 IV firmware – this is why I never update my firmware on day one

(Image credit: Sony)

Just weeks after Editor-in-Chief James Artaius, and I, both admitted in Bokeh Face: The Digital Camera World Podcast, that we wait to install firmware updates to mitigate any teething problems, a report from Sony Alpha Rumors claims that the tech giant has suspended its recently-announced new firmware v6.00 for the Sony A7 IV, after the update plagued some cameras with an issue.

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The outlet quoted Sony as stating: “We confirmed that some ILCE-7M4 cameras may not operate properly after installing the version 6.00 update (...) If the issue (unstable operations such as repeated reboots) occurs immediately after installing the update, please contact our support center.”

It wasn’t too long ago that Nikon sounded the alarm on updating Z-Series cameras with a third-party lens attached, with some users reporting that they had bricked a third-party lens by doing so. And indeed, a warning now exists on Nikon’s Download Center, warning users not to update their camera’s firmware with third-party optics attached for fear of camera malfunction.

And during the same month, Canon was forced to backtrack on a firmware update for the Canon EOS R1 and Canon EOS R5 Mark II, after it caused playback issues when using a memory card of over 2TB.

All that said, we shouldn’t be fearful of firmware. It not only fixes more issues than it creates, but it can add exciting new features to a camera. Still, I do consider it best practice to allow for any issues to present themselves before committing to a new firmware update. This is especially important if you’re a working photographer who needs a reliable camera, or you’re going on a trip or heading to an event where you’ll be making memories you simply cannot afford to miss.

For a more detailed discussion regarding the pros and cons of firmware, make sure you watch the Bokeh Face podcast (above) or catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Acast.

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https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/buying-guides/best-lenses-for-sony-a7iv

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Mike studied photography at college, honing his Adobe Photoshop skills and learning to work in the studio and darkroom. After a few years writing for various publications, he headed to the ‘Big Smoke’ to work on Wex Photo Video’s award-winning content team, before transitioning back to print as Technique Editor (later Deputy Editor) on N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine.

With bylines in Digital Camera, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, Practical Photography, Digital Photographer, iMore, and TechRadar, he’s a fountain of photography and consumer tech knowledge, making him a top tutor for techniques on cameras, lenses, tripods, filters, and more. His expertise extends to everything from portraits and landscapes to abstracts and architecture to wildlife and, yes, fast things going around race tracks...

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