---
title: Sony Firmware v4.0 for Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III Adds Real-Time Recognition AF+ and New Film Looks
description: Discover the latest v4.0 firmware updates for Sony Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III, featuring Real-time Recognition AF+, new Creative Looks, and enhanced workflow capabilities.
---

[RedShark News - Video technology news and analysis ](https://www.redsharknews.com)

# [Sony Firmware v4.0 for Alpha 1 II and Alpha 9 III Adds Real-Time Recognition AF+ and New Film Looks](https://www.redsharknews.com/sony-firmware-v4.0-for-alpha-1-ii-and-alpha-9-iii)

 Written by [RedShark News Staff](https://www.redsharknews.com/author/redshark-news-staff) | Oct 31, 2025 11:51:35 AM

Sony’s v4.0 firmware for the Sony a1 II & Sony a9 III adds real-time Recognition AF+, new Creative Looks, and key workflow enhancements.

Sony says new v4.0 firmware for the Sony Alpha 1 II (a1 II) and Alpha 9 III (a9 III) takes human pose estimation to the next level. Essentially, realtime Recognition AF+ offers more stable recognition of people even in complex situations such as crowds or team sports, precise and consistent tracking, and persistent focus on the subject even if they are temporarily obstructed.

That's the headline, but inevitably there's more too. There are new Creative Look options (FL2 (Film 2) and FL3 (Film 3)), Preset Focus is enabled on certain non-power-zoom lenses, including Sony's manual zoom E-mount lenses, there is the limited rollout for the video component of the Camera Authenticity Solution we talked about [here](https://www.redsharknews.com/sony-leads-with-c2pa-compliant-video-verification-to-combat-fake-news), and the a9 III gets a stack of workflow tweaks. These include the addition of Focus Map and  
IRIS operation bar displays to the Monitor & Control app.

Here's everything that's new across both releases with download links.

## Sony a1 II Firmware 4.0 

#### [ILCE-1M2 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver. 4.00](https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-1-series/ilce-1m2/software/00349486)

### Benefits and Improvements

- Adds support for **Real-time Recognition AF+** with improved subject detection and tracking capabilities
- Adds support for the **Preset Focus** function with lenses that do not have power zoom, including Sony's manual zoom E-mount lenses 
    - The registered positions of preset focus/zoom are incompatible before and after the camera software update. Please re-register the preset focus/zoom after the update.
    - Some zoom lenses without power zoom are not supported. For more details, please visit the following link: [https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/](https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/)
- Adds **FL2 (Film 2)** and **FL3 (Film 3)** to the **Creative Look** options
- Improves the metering accuracy when using bounce flash
- Optimizes the battery level display
- Supports the **Write Digital Signature** function for movies as part of Sony's **Camera Authenticity Solution** 
    - The timing for the provision of licenses (paid) to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
    - Services may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the [Authenticity Catalog Page](https://www.sony.net/cas/).
- Improves the operational stability of the camera

## Sony a9 III Firmware 4.0

#### [ILCE-9M3 System Software (Firmware) Update Ver. 4.00](https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-9-series/ilce-9m3/software/00341218)

 

 

Benefits and Improvements

- Adds support for **Real-time Recognition AF+** with improved subject detection and tracking capabilities
- Allows you to set **Recognition Target** to **Auto**, enabling the camera to automatically select subjects such as humans and animals
- Adapts the display layout of shooting information for both horizontal and vertical viewing
- Adds support for the **Preset Focus** function with lenses that do not have power zoom, including Sony's manual zoom E-mount lenses 
    - The registered positions of preset focus/zoom are incompatible before and after the camera software update. Please re-register the preset focus/zoom after the update.
    - Some zoom lenses without power zoom are not supported. For more details, please visit the following link: [https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/](https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/cscs/lens_body/)
- Adds **FL2 (Film 2)** and** FL3 (Film 3)** to the **Creative Look** options
- Allows you to select whether to change the **Shooting Mode**, **Drive Mode**, and **Focus Mode** using the dial or through the menu
- Improves the metering accuracy when using bounce flash
- Optimizes the battery level display
- Allows simultaneous **Delete** and **Rating** of images recorded on both Memory Card Slot 1 and Slot 2
- Allows the display of folder names and file names during playback
- Allows you to cancel the scheduled transfer of selected images during FTP transfer
- Adds support for the following **Transfer & Tagging** settings: 
    - A setting to automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected still images from **FTP Import**
    - A setting to automatically schedule FTP transfer of protected still images and videos from **FTP Upload Preset**
    - A setting to automatically protect still images transferred via FTP from **FTP Upload Preset** 
          - The latest version of the **Transfer & Tagging** app is necessary.  
            The **Transfer & Tagging** setting may not be available in some countries or regions.
- Supports the following **Monitor & Control** app functions: 
    - Focus map display
    - IRIS operation bar display 
          - The latest version of the **Monitor & Control** app is necessary.  
            The **Monitor & Control** app may not be available in some countries or regions.
- Supports the **Write Digital Signature** function for movies as part of Sony's **Camera Authenticity Solution** 
    - The timing for the provision of licenses (paid) to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
    - Services may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the [Authenticity Catalog Page](https://www.sony.net/cas/).
- Supports **Scan and Tag**, **Photo Cropping**, and **Volume Photography Commands** under the Volume Photography License 
    - Installation of a paid license is required for use.
    - Services may not be available in some countries or regions.
- No longer supports **WPA** and **WEP** functionalities. You will no longer be able to select **WPA** or **WEP** when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure **WPA2** or **WPA3** security setting moving forward
- Improves the operational stability of the camera

**Notes: **

- If you are using the **Camera Remote SDK** (Software Development Kit), please check the [**Camera Remote SDK** website](https://www.sony.net/CameraRemoteSDK/) for a list of supported devices, download instructions, and FAQs. 
    - The **Camera Remote SDK** may be unavailable in some countries or regions.

[View full post](https://www.redsharknews.com/sony-firmware-v4.0-for-alpha-1-ii-and-alpha-9-iii)

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