Sony A7 IV Unable to update firmware for A7M4

[kenh]

I purchased a slightly used A7M4. Firmware is at 1.2. Looking to upgrade to 5.1. Following the instructions for a card based update, when viewing the version in the Setup section, the Software Update option is not available. Looked for clues or even older firmware updates, but haven't found any indication of solution. Wonder if 1.0.5 update was not applied or applied properly. Looking for guidance for steps.

 

[THXGEEK]

Perhaps a drastic step, but have you considered resetting the camera back to factory defaults?

 

[kenh]

Thanks. I had tried that with the Setting Reset - initialise, but to no avail.

 

[Tim Mayo]

If it's 1.2 you should be able to go straight to 5.01 .. Make sure BODYDATA.DAT is in the root directory of the card, not in any sub-folders. Also make sure your battery is fully charged. The file could also be corrupt, so try downloading it again or downloading from another source.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Make sure BODYDATA.DAT is in the root directory of the card

And make sure that it is called that and only that. I recall someone realising that their problem was that their browser had renamed it BODYDATA.DAT(2) due to existing files. Blindingly obvious? Sometimes that's the hardest thing to spot!

Just to be on the safe side, I'd use an otherwise blank card. Remember to format it in the camera.

 

[kenh]

If it's 1.2 you should be able to go straight to 5.01 .. Make sure BODYDATA.DAT is in the root directory of the card, not in any sub-folders. Also make sure your battery is fully charged. The file could also be corrupt, so try downloading it again or downloading from another source.

Thanks, battery was fully changed. Formatted brand new card, copied 5.1 direct from Sony website into highest level root, but same issue. Version shows, but no option to select to update software. Was wondering if the 1.0.5 update was not done or done correctly and it's in a stuck state. Was thinking i'll have to send for service. I can use with 1.2 but would want the updates at some point.

 

[Tim Mayo]

Thanks, battery was fully changed. Formatted brand new card, copied 5.1 direct from Sony website into highest level root, but same issue. Version shows, but no option to select to update software. Was wondering if the 1.0.5 update was not done or done correctly and it's in a stuck state. Was thinking i'll have to send for service. I can use with 1.2 but would want the updates at some point.

Looks like you have the Sony A7R IV, not the A7 IV. The latest firmware for the R IV is 1.20, hence why you can't update

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Looks like you have the Sony A7R IV, not the A7 IV

Well spotted. Like I said, the glaringly obvious is often the hardest thing to spot.

Happens to all of us. Well... happens to me a lot!

 

[THXGEEK]

Well spotted. Like I said, the glaringly obvious is often the hardest thing to spot.

Happens to all of us. Well... happens to me a lot!

+1

LOL, its happening to me waaaay too often.

 

[kenh]

Looks like you have the Sony A7R IV, not the A7 IV. The latest firmware for the R IV is 1.20, hence why you can't update

In the words of H J Simpson...D'oh! didn't pick up on the minor model diff. thanks much for the catch.

 

[Tim Mayo]

Well spotted. Like I said, the glaringly obvious is often the hardest thing to spot.

Happens to all of us. Well... happens to me a lot!

It certainly does. I spent two hours taking our oven apart last week trying to figure out why it had suddenly stopped working, only for my brother-in-law to point out that it was switched off at the wall! In my defence, the switch for it is in a cupboard behind the oven and it was covered by a bag, I'd forgotten the oven even had a power switch! I believe the hoover was to blame.