Free Software Update to Enhance Real-time Recognition AF (Auto-Focus) Performance and Other Features for Sony Electronics’ Interchangeable-lens cameras Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III
Sony is providing free software updates[1] for the interchangeable-lens cameras Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III starting October 30, 2025. These updates support "Real-time Recognition AF+ (Plus)" with improved person recognition performance and recording of authenticity information for videos. Some features of this software update are planned for deployment to other models in the future.
Key updates for both the Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III models:
- Support for Real-time Recognition Auto Focus (AF+) with improved person recognition performance: Enhanced human pose estimation technology allows the camera to continuously track initially captured subjects with high accuracy, even in challenging sports scenes where athletes cross paths.
- Support for recording authenticity information in videos[2]: Authenticity data, once available only for still images, can now be attached to video recordings as digital signatures, enhancing content verification. For details, please refer here.
- Enable preset focus function for zoom lenses without power zoom: The preset focus function can now be used with zoom lenses that do not have power zoom.
Additionally, the Alpha 9 III has received the following updates:
- The Addition of Auto to Recognition Target: When Auto is selected in the Recognition Target subject setting, the camera automatically selects and recognises a subject from among the recognition targets to which check marks were added on the [Auto Recog. Target] screen[3].
- Vertical orientation support for shooting information layout[4]: The shooting information layout displayed on screen now supports both horizontal and vertical orientations.
For compatible models and details of each function, please visit the support page for each camera:
Footnotes
[1] 'Alpha 1 II' (Ver. 4.0), 'Alpha 9 III' (Ver. 4.0).
[2] Models planned to support recording of authenticity information for videos in the Alpha™ series:
- 'Alpha 1' 'Alpha 7R V' 'Alpha 7 IV' : scheduled to be supported from November 2025 or later.
- 'Alpha 7S III': scheduled to be supported from year 2026 onwards.
[3] When Auto is selected the camera will normally recognise the subject type automatically, but the wrong type may be selected in some situations. In such cases manually selecting the intended subject type may solve the problem. More information here: ILCE-1M2 | Help Guide | Recognition Target (still image/movie).
[4] Models planned to support vertical orientation for shooting information layout:
- 'Alpha 1' 'Alpha 7R V' 'Alpha 7 IV' : scheduled to be from November 2025 or later.
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