Keeping your Sony Alpha camera firmware current is one of the best ways to access the latest features, performance improvements, compatibility updates and any fixes. While firmware updates once focused mostly on minor behind-the-scenes fixes, many Sony mirrorless camera updates now introduce meaningful new capabilities – sometimes making an existing camera feel dramatically more capable.
Sony also releases firmware updates for compatible lenses and accessories, including flashes and card readers.
To make the process straightforward, we worked with Sony Senior Training Manager Amy Koppmann to create this practical guide to updating Sony Alpha camera firmware.
Important: Before beginning any Sony camera firmware update, fully charge the camera battery. If the battery loses power during an update, the camera may become inoperable.
How To Update Sony Alpha Camera Firmware
Sony Alpha Firmware Update Methods
Depending on your camera model, you can update Sony Alpha camera firmware in one of three ways:
- Connect the camera directly to a computer with a USB cable.
- Download the update to an SD card and install it from the camera.
- Use Sony’s Creators’ App on a compatible Android or iOS smartphone or tablet.
Not every camera supports every method. For a list of cameras compatible with Creators’ App firmware updates, visit Sony’s support article. Always follow the firmware instructions listed on the Sony support page for your specific camera model.
Step 1: Check Your Current Sony Camera Firmware Version
Before downloading a firmware update, confirm the version currently installed on your camera.
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Turn on the camera.
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Press Menu and navigate to the Setup menu (the toolbox icon).
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Select Version.
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Note the firmware version displayed.
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Check whether the screen also shows Software Update.
All compatible Sony cameras can be updated by connecting the camera to a computer with a USB cable. If your camera’s Version screen includes Software Update, you may also be able to update it with an SD card – without connecting it directly to a computer.
Step 2: Find the Correct Firmware Download For Your Camera
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Go to the Sony eSupport website: esupport.sony.com.
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Search for your camera’s model number, such as ILCE-9, or use Select your product type to locate your model.
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If you are unsure of the model number, check the label on the bottom of the camera.
How To Update Sony Alpha Camera Firmware Using A Computer & USB Cable
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On the support page for your camera, scroll to the Downloads section.
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Use the dropdown menu to select your computer’s operating system.
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Windows: Hold the Windows key and press R. In the Run dialog box, type winver and press Enter to see your operating system version.
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Mac: Select the Apple icon in the upper-left corner of the screen, then choose About This Mac to view your macOS version.
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After selecting the correct operating system, choose the firmware update for your camera.
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On the System Software Update page, select Download. Save the file to a location you can easily find.
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When the download is complete, locate the file and double-click it to launch the System Software Updater.
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Turn off the camera and remove its memory card. Do not connect the camera to the computer until the updater instructs you to do so.
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Turn on the camera. Select Menu > Setup (toolbox icon) and confirm that USB Connection is set to Mass Storage.
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Connect the camera to your computer using the USB cable supplied with the camera. If the camera has Micro USB and USB-C connections, either may be used for the update.
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After the USB connection is established, the Camera System Software Updater window should appear on the computer. The camera screen will display Follow computer instructions.
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Follow the instructions on the computer screen to begin the firmware update.
Important: Do not turn off the camera or disconnect the USB cable until the update is complete.
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Depending on the update, the process may take 10 minutes or longer. A status indicator will appear on the computer screen.
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When the update is complete, select Finish on the computer. Do not disconnect the USB cable yet.
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Wait until the camera LCD displays Camera Update Complete, then stop the USB connection. On Windows, select the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the lower-right taskbar.
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Disconnect the USB cable from the camera and computer.
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Follow the final instructions on the camera LCD. The camera may ask you to turn it off, remove and reinsert the battery, and turn it back on.
How To Update Sony Alpha Camera Firmware Using An SD Card
This method is available only on cameras that display Software Update on the Version screen.
You will need a blank SD card. Sony recommends formatting the SD card in the camera before downloading the firmware. Keep only one firmware update file on the card at a time.
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On the support page for your camera, scroll to the Downloads section.
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Download the firmware update file—typically named BODYDATA.DAT—to your computer.
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Insert the formatted SD card into your computer. Copy the BODYDATA.DAT file to the root directory of the memory card. Do not rename the file.
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Eject the SD card from the computer and insert it into the camera. If the camera has two card slots, use slot 1 (usually the upper slot).
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Turn on the camera. Select Menu > Setup (toolbox icon) > Setup Option > Version.
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On the system software update confirmation screen, read the full notice and select Execute to begin.
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The camera LCD will turn black and the SD card access lamp will blink. The lamp flashes one, three, and then five times as the update progresses. The process takes approximately six minutes.
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When the update is complete, the camera automatically restarts. After it restarts, the screen displays Body update complete. Select OK to finish.
Sony SD Card Firmware Update Error: What To Do If the Update Fails
If the system software was not copied correctly to the memory card, the camera may display an error message or signal an error through the access lamp.
You may see:
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The target model for the update file is incorrect on the camera monitor.
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An access lamp pattern of either:
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Five long blinks (0.5-second cycle), followed by six short blinks (0.25-second cycle), or
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Seven long blinks (0.5-second cycle), followed by seven short blinks (0.25-second cycle).
What this usually means: The system software was copied incorrectly to the memory card, or the file does not match the camera model.
How to restart the process:
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Remove the battery and memory card from the camera.
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Prepare and format another memory card in the camera.
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Download the correct firmware file for your exact camera model and start the update process again.
How To Update Sony Alpha Camera Firmware With The Creators’ App
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Sign in to your Sony account on your smartphone and make sure the Creators’ App is up to date.
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Insert a blank memory card into the camera. If the camera has multiple card slots, use slot 1. Confirm that the camera battery has at least 51% charge, and remove the vertical grip if one is attached.
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In the Creators’ App, select Update your camera on the Home screen or Update on the Camera screen.
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Follow the on-screen instructions. If prompted, sign in to your Sony account.
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When the Download button appears, confirm there is sufficient phone storage and start the download.
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When Download completed appears on the smartphone, turn on the camera and select Transfer files to camera.
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When the smartphone displays File transfer completed, select Close. The downloaded firmware file is automatically deleted from the smartphone after transfer.
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When Update? appears on the camera screen, press the bottom of the control wheel to read the precautions to the end. Then select Execute.
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The camera screen will turn black and the update will begin. The process takes about six minutes. The camera access lamp blinks during the update, increasing from one to three to five flashes as progress continues.
Important: Do not turn off the camera or remove the memory card while the firmware update is in progress.
How To Update Sony Lens Firmware
To update firmware on a Sony lens, attach the lens to a compatible camera and use a computer. Sony lens firmware cannot be updated with an SD card or the Creators’ App.
How To Update Sony Camera Accessory Firmware
Firmware for compatible Sony accessories – such as flashes and card readers – must be updated using a computer.
Final Check After Updating Sony Camera Firmware
After the update is complete, return to Menu > Setup > Version to confirm that the new firmware version is installed. Review the release notes on Sony’s support page to understand the features, improvements, or fixes included with your update.
Find your latest firmware update at alphauniverse.com/firmware.
