FS7: Sony Released 4.20 Firmware for FS7

M

mtx1117

Active member
New firmware is up on Sony's site. Not really sure what it implements from the notes it looks like proxy recording. Haven't downloaded it yet.
 
Per the USA site...
"New Features & Improvements:
● Compatible with the “Parallel Rec” mode with CBK-WA100 attached. The “Parallel Rec” mode enables synchronization with the same file name between the XAVC Proxy recording by using the wireless adapter CBK-WA100."
Meh.
 
I had hoped for an overhaul of the crappy AF (the main weakness of the FS7 in my point of view), but unfortunately Sony is seemingly not interested in implementing new features or advancing those, already given. It is just about making new products compatible, to earn more money from people, adding those to their infrastructure. It's a bit sad ...
 
TK1971 said:
I had hoped for an overhaul of the crappy AF (the main weakness of the FS7 in my point of view) ...
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I am sure Sony watches exactly what Canon does but I don't think we will see it in current product line. The new sensor is implemented in the Venice and from there it will drop down with less features to cheaper new products F66 F6 FS8 FS6. Your fantasy for names may be different. To differentiate all these models maybe the FS6 will be the only camera with dual pixel AF but only have 4K 30p.
I think Sony keeps all major improvements for a new product in 2018
 
Clermond said:
To differentiate all these models maybe the FS6 will be the only camera with dual pixel AF but only have 4K 30p.
I think Sony keeps all major improvements for a new product in 2018
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And I understand, why Sony does that. On the other hand, as much as I love the FS7, the AF is the only part of the camera, I am really upset about. It is simply unusable! I don't use it a lot anyway, but in certain situations, you can't handle the job without it. As the FS5 has a much better working AF with face detection, it can't be a sensor problem and should be easily improvable via software update, as the algorithm has been developd anyway. I spoke to a few guys at Teltec about a year ago and they told me, Sony was aware of the problem and an update would be coming pretty soon. That was mid 2016 ...
 
Don't expect any extra features or major improvements from Sony for FS7. Autofocus is directly correlated with a sensor and you cannot add beyond its capabilities. I wish but at the same time I would be very surprised if Sony would address anything more then support for new lenses.
 
Clermond said:
it was just wild guess. I don't know what Sony does.
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Of course and sadly my gut feeling is, that you are right.

alohype said:
Don't expect any extra features or major improvements from Sony for FS7. Autofocus is directly correlated with a sensor and you cannot add beyond its capabilities. I wish but at the same time I would be very surprised if Sony would address anything more then support for new lenses.
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But that was exactly my point. The FS7 sensor is identical to the FS5 and the autofocus is much better on that one, so it must be software correlated. That could most certainly be solved just by porting the FS5 AF algorithms to the FS7, which would probably be a pretty easy job to do.
Many people complain about the colour science of the Sony Cams, but imho the AF is the weakest point of this cam and it's a shame, they don't put a little work into this big problem. I know a few FS7 users and really everyone complains about this.
 
TK1971 said:
But that was exactly my point. The FS7 sensor is identical to the FS5 and the autofocus is much better on that one, so it must be software correlated. That could most certainly be solved just by porting the FS5 AF algorithms to the FS7, which would probably be a pretty easy job to do.
Many people complain about the colour science of the Sony Cams, but imho the AF is the weakest point of this cam and it's a shame, they don't put a little work into this big problem. I know a few FS7 users and really everyone complains about this.
Click to expand...
Well, that some super wild predictions. No one exactly knows what's inside and how different those sensors or mainboards are. What we know is the fact that FS7/F5/F55 are very similar both in software and hardware but that's about it. Only core developers and technical engineers could answer those questions in detail.
 
alohype said:
Well, that some super wild predictions. No one exactly knows what's inside and how different those sensors or mainboards are. What we know is the fact that FS7/F5/F55 are very similar both in software and hardware but that's about it. Only core developers and technical engineers could answer those questions in detail.
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Actually, as far as I know, that is not quite true in this case. When the FS5 appeared, Sony advertised it, stating that it has exactly the same sensor and readout tech. Also, the guys from Teltec (one of the biggest stores for camera equipment) told me about that (see above) and they are in direct contact to Sony, so they probably would know, what they are talking about. Anyway, both of you are most certainly right .... there won't be any AF-fixing firmware update arriving for our "old" FS7. Disappointing, but probably true ...
 
Doug Jensen said:
I'm suprised there are that many professional FS7 owners who rely on AF. Kinda sad, really.
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Well, yes and no ... I tend to avoid AF as much as I can, but there are situations, where I need it. Especially interviews, where I can't set too much light and there is a very small focus point. I personally never use AF, when I can avoid it, especially because I can't trust it. On the other hand, the AF on the FS5 seems to be much more accurate, so I simply don't understand, why Sony doesn't at least implement that. Should be an easy thing to do.

BTW, THANKS for your FS7 Tutorial on Vimeo ... loved it!
 
I saw that this firmware upgrade was also available for the MII version of the FS7, but given that I don't have the wireless video gadget, it seems pointless to upgrade my firmware at this point. Is that an accurate interpretation or am I missing something, here?
 
Vintegreo said:
I saw that this firmware upgrade was also available for the MII version of the FS7, but given that I don't have the wireless video gadget, it seems pointless to upgrade my firmware at this point. Is that an accurate interpretation or am I missing something, here?
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It seems, your interpretation is absolutely correct. I did the upgrade anyway, because you never know, if they didn't fix some minor issues, without mentioning it.
 
moldcad said:
Please tell us when you find an obvious and important one :) Until then, I'm passing on the 4.20.
Piotr
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If you're on the verge of sending your camera back for a refund you really owe it to yourself to try the latest firmware. Sometimes things get quietly fixed or improved without a lot of fanfare. I am not saying that is the case this time, but as TK1971 says, you never know.
 
TK1971 said:
I had hoped for an overhaul of the crappy AF (the main weakness of the FS7 in my point of view), but unfortunately Sony is seemingly not interested in implementing new features or advancing those, already given. It is just about making new products compatible, to earn more money from people, adding those to their infrastructure. It's a bit sad ...
Click to expand...

Regarding AF, there are differences between the FS5 and FS7’s video processing. The FS5 is able to correct for Sony lens distortion in 4K, while the FS7 limited to correction in 2K, for example. The “clear image zoom” in the FS5 is another feature specific to the that camera. These are two features I think Sony would’ve brought to the FS7 if it were possible via firmware.
 
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