Does anyone else feel that Sony could do more to support existing cameras through firmware updates? Other manufacturers have, at times, added useful functions to older models, while Sony has often appeared more focused on launching new bodies.
What frustrates me is not the absence of constant updates. Camera stability matters, and firmware changes should not be made simply to create the appearance of progress. But there are occasions when a relatively small software improvement could extend the useful life of an otherwise capable camera.
I have felt this particularly strongly as a long-time A-mount user. Sony publicly maintained that the platform remained relevant, but the pace of development and the range of new products did not match the expectations many users had formed. Moving to a different system is not always a simple decision, especially when you have invested in lenses, accessories and specialist equipment such as underwater housings.
I understand that manufacturers have commercial reasons for concentrating development on new products. Still, supporting existing customers is part of building loyalty. A camera does not become obsolete simply because a new model has arrived.
Perhaps I should be grateful for the features my cameras already offer. I am, to a point. But I would like to see manufacturers treat firmware support as part of the product’s life cycle, rather than something that ends when the next camera is announced.
Historical note: This reflects my frustration with Sony’s camera and A-mount strategy at the time of writing in 2024. It is a personal opinion, not a current assessment of every Sony camera or firmware programme.
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