Firmware Update v3.00 Adds Animal Eye AF, Real Time Eye AF, & Interval Shooting to Sony a7 III & a7R III

Sony has today released the big version 3.0 update for the Sony a7III and a7R III. This updates adds some really big improvements including Animal Eye AF, Real Time Eye AF and Interval Shooting.

A very quick test with the a7III and FE 85mm F1.8 lens with my dog Frank shows that it works, but it definitely does not lock on as quickly as with Human Eye AF. I’ll certainly be testing this further over the coming days and with a few different lenses and animals.

Real-time Animal Eye AF

As with human eye recognition, Software Version 3.0 brings AI-driven animal eye detection to Sony cameras for the first time. Advanced subject recognition allows the α7 III and α7R III to detect and track animal eyes, and is the first step in a robust animal-tracking AF system. The development of Animal Eye AF performance will continue, increasing the range of animals recognized by the system as well the system’s ability to track their movement.

Real-time Eye AF

Firmware Version 3.0 brings Real-time Eye-AF to the a7R III and a7 III, an AI-driven enhanced eye detection system that’s based on the results of machine learning. Through machine learning, Sony has created a system that can detect—and focus on—the human eye even if the subject is looking down, partially blocked in the frame, turning or backlit. This feature is available in AF-C mode with a simple half-press of the shutter button.

Interval Shooting

This new software adds a built-in interval timer, enabling photographers to easily capture and create time-lapse movies. The new feature can be set for anywhere between 1 and 60 seconds, with a total number of shots from 1 to 9999. AE tracking sensitivity is available to be adjusted to “High”, “Mid” or “Low” in order to reduce changes in exposure. I’ve created a tutorial on how to setup, record and edit a time-lapse movie for the Sony a6400, the steps are identical for the a7III and a7R III as well.

Here’s a full list of the improvement with firmware version 3.0:

• Adds real-time Eye AF for animals [1]
• Enables the possibility to operate the real-time EYE AF by half-pressing the shutter button, or by pressing the AF-ON button
• Addition of the interval shooting function
• Allows the operation with the wireless remote commander RMT-P1BT

Other improvements:

• [MENU] can be assigned to a custom key
• [MENU] tab operation with the Fn button
• Improves the overall stability of the camera

[1]
It is not possible to detect simultaneously human and animal eyes.
Eye detection may not be possible depending on the environment, animal type or the movement of the animal.

You can download the new firmware from Sony’s support sites:

Sony a7 III v3.00 Download
US: Sony Support
UK: Sony Support

Sony a7R III v3.00 Download
US: Sony Support
UK: Sony Support