Sony Firmware C2PA Compliancy Updates Help Ensure Authenticity of Images

San Diego, CA—Sony Electronics delivered firmware updates for the Alpha 1 (Ver. 2.00), Alpha 7S III (Ver. 3.00), Alpha 7 IV (Ver. 3.00) and, after April 2024, the Alpha 9 III (Ver.2.00). They include Sony firmware C2PA compliancy updates, including the Camera Authenticity Solution. It provides a proprietary in-camera digital signature and C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity) format support.

Together, these tools will make it possible for news agencies to ensure the authenticity of images. They will also contribute to industry efforts to protect creators and society from fake imagery.

Additionally, the more than 45 firmware updates include requested features to improve everyday camera use. Included here are shooting functions and post-shooting workflow as well as advanced movie features, like breathing compensation. They also include new remote-control capabilities, new features for professional applications and expanded access to cloud services applications.

“There is nothing more core to our mission than listening to the voices of the photographers, videographers and filmmakers who shoot with Sony Alpha cameras. We know this community has been asking for these updates. We’re happy to deliver. Each of these updates are designed to promote ease of use for our creators and allow them to maximize the strengths of their cameras,” said Yang Cheng, vice president, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc.

“We’re especially pleased to deliver C2PA compliancy with this update. This compliancy paired with our unique digital signature technology, allows us to offer the most secure and comprehensive solution to protect professional photographers, news agencies and society from manipulated imagery.”

Sony Firmware C2PA Compliancy Updates

Last year, Sony announced its commitment to developing technology in its cameras to aid in the fight against manipulated imagery and AI-generated fakes. Further, a critical part of the solution is making more Sony cameras C2PA compliant. C2PA is a joint development foundation project. Sony is a steering committee member. C2PA aims to develop an end-to-end open technical standard to provide publishers, creators as well as consumers with opt-in, flexible ways to understand the authenticity and provenance of different media.

The C2PA is a standards-setting body that will develop technical specifications on content provenance and authentication by certifying the source and history of media content. Moreover, with Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution firmware update, the authenticity information embedded on images from Alpha 1, Alpha 9 III, Alpha 7S III and Alpha 7 IV are maintained from capture through publication. This means professional photographers can preserve their digital signature from the camera. They can also track the editing history throughout revisions.

Digital Birth Certificate

Another critical component of the solution is Sony’s in-camera digital signature technology that signs images in real-time. This new feature certifies the authenticity of an image at the point of capture. What’s more, it creates a “digital birth certificate” that is retained throughout revisions. The signature contains metadata like 3D-depth information captured through the proprietary technology in the Sony-developed image sensor. This depth information shows if the image captured was of an actual 3D object, versus a photograph of an image or video. Thus, it provides an extra level of protection and more assurance of the content’s authenticity.

Sony’s solution also helps protect the authenticity of content by including an Image Validation Site. The site verifies the image even after edits were made by C2PA-compliant editing software. This service confirms the photo was taken by a specific camera and that the object of the photo is 3D. Sony will initially offer this service to select news media agencies.

Shooting and Playback Updates

The firmware updates also comprise more than 10 new features, as well as improvements to existing features. Sony designed these updates to improve a user’s overall shooting experience. A few highlights of the firmware update functions include:

• Relay Playback: Enables seamless sequential playback from one memory card slot to another on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III and Alpha 9 III.
• Playback Filter Condition: Lets users categorize image playback based on select criteria, including date, folder and file format, on the Alpha 1 and 7S III.
• Breathing Compensation: The highly requested breathing compensation function is now available on the Alpha 1 and 7S III.
• Upgrade DCI 4K/24.00p Upgrade License on Alpha 7S III: via a free downloadable license through Creators’ Cloud.
• Sync Release function: Enables simultaneous shutter release with two or more multiple cameras connected to the main camera on the Alpha 1 and 9 III.
• Focus frame display: Focus frame is now displayed on the Remote Camera Tool screen on the Alpha 1 and 9 III.
• Enhanced image stabilization: The camera body and lens work together to correct larger blurs on the Alpha 1.
• Increased upper limit of recordable images in a folder from 4,000 to 9,999 on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, A7 IV, and Alpha 9 III.
• Matching the time code with other devices is now possible with a dedicated adapter cable (sold separately) on the Alpha 1 and 7S III.
• Up to 20 IPTC presets can be on the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III.
• Custom Grid Line is available as a paid license basis for some models.

  

File Transfer and Network Connectivity

Additional updates to optimize the postproduction workflow efficiency include improvements to International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) preset and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) transfer operability. To streamline processes for users, Sony will make expanded cloud upload and application services available. Key updates include:

• Cloud upload (camera direct) functions allow users to upload images directly to Sony’s Creators’ Cloud. Key additional features include simplified camera software updates and direct camera registration to the Creators’ Cloud. Also added was a flexible system for uploading, storing and sharing content. Additionally, the capability to manage video and LUT files via mobile apps, along with the transfer of RAW files to smartphones, helps optimize the creative process in fast-paced environments.
• Sony added FTP Transfer Improvements: A “Protected Images Only” option for the Auto FTP Transfer and a “Protect Image in FTP Transfer” option for the FTP transfer function. They are available on the Alpha 1, 7S III, and 9 III.
• Support for USB streaming on the Alpha 1.
• Sony also added the Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) to secure protocol on the Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III, and Alpha 9 III. Furthermore, WPA3-SAE is now supported for wireless LAN on the Alpha 1 and 7S III.
• Network streaming now enables direct livestreaming from the Alpha 7 IV to a streaming site.
• Expansion of app support with the Creators’ App and Monitor & Control app are now supported with the Alpha 1 and 7S III.

Many of these updates are applicable to multiple cameras. However, for a list of each body’s specific update, check the Sony website.