We have updated the Alpha 7R III and Alpha 7R IV in response to customer needs, as we always strive to provide the best technology. The current models will still be available to purchase, in line with retail stock. We don’t yet have an on-sale date for the new model.

Sony wanted to make it silent, now hopes to push old stock that sells very bad.

Same price deal with extras

• General Brand FZ100 Battery for Sony Cameras ($29.95)
• General Brand Dual Battery Charger for Sony Camera NP-FZ100 Batteries ($13.99)
• Lexar Professional 2000x 64GB SDXC UHS-II Memory Card Up to 300MB/s LSD2000064G-BNNNU ($85.99)

https://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product/SNILCE7RM3B/Sony-a7R-III-Full-frame-Mirrorless-Interchangeable-Lens-424MP-Camera-Body

Graphite thermal interface (has superb horizontal thermal transfer, used similar to heatpipe here)

Yet thermal design has one huge flaw - one Micron chip (most probable it is DRAM BGA assembly) is mounted above main LSI, hence cooling is around 5-10x less efficient.

Sony Alpha a7R III Mirrorless Digital Camera, $2598

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1369441-REG/sony_ilce7rm2_b_alpha_a7r_iii_mirrorless.html

Sony's acclaimed a7 III and a7R III mirrorless cameras have received an exciting firmware update---Software Version 3.0--- that enhances Real-time Eye AF performance and adds Real-time Animal Eye AF and interval shooting for time lapse.

Real-time Eye AF

Software 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.

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 a7 III and a7R 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.

Interval Shooting

This new software adds a built-in interval timer that 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.

For more information on Software Version 3.0 for the a7R III and a7 III cameras, please visit AlphaUniverse.com.

@eatstoomuchjam Thanks for the heads up on this. I tried it and autofocus works great too. Detecting my face just fine.

Firmware v2.10

• In rare cases, the camera may stop functioning while writing RAW data onto an SD card that has already been used multiple times
  Notes:
  • This may also cause abnormalities in the files managing the images, preventing the images from displaying on the camera
  • No image data in the memory card will be corrupted or deleted aside from the data that was being written at the time the interruption occurred
• Taking a picture while using the Auto Review function may occasionally cause the camera to stop responding
• Solves the problem caused by a specific third-party memory card, which would not be recognised by Sony cameras

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7rm3/downloads/00015686

@eatstoomuchjam

" and when I connected PM to my A7r III, it kept the goddamn picture profile (and all of my other settings) intact! "

What's PM?

New v2.00 firmware

• Adds support for the SEL400F28GM and SEL24F14GM lenses
  • Optimizes the optical image stabilization performance.
  • For the SEL400F28GM lens only, adds support for new image stabilization mode (Mode 3) of the lens Adds the Function Ring(Lens) feature to the to the Camera Settings2 menu.
    Note: For the SEL400F28GM lens only, the Function Ring(Lens) feature has a power focus function, which allows you to assign one of the following to the Function Ring(Lens): Power-assisted Focusing (Power Focus), or switching the angle of view between Full Frame and APS-C/Super 35 mm.
  • Adds the Aperture Drive in AF setting to the Camera Settings menu.
    Note: When using either the SEL400F28GM or SEL24F14GM lens, when Silent Priority is selected, the sound emitted by the aperture drive will be reduced. This is useful in shooting conditions where camera noise should be kept to a minimum, though the Auto Focus may become slower when Silent Priority is selected.
• Adds AF Track Sens as a selectable option for custom key settings.
• Adds support for Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF focus areas when using the LA-EA3 mount adaptor.
  Note: Focus Area options added : Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF.
• Bracket shooting is available during silent shooting when [File Format] is set to [RAW] or [RAW & JPEG] and [RAW File Type] is set to [Uncompressed].
• Improvement of the performance and the overall stability of the camera.
• Better reproduction of the gradation of RAW pictures.
  Note: Imaging Edge software needs to be updated to benefit from the improvement in the RAW processing.
• Improves dimming stability under flicker light conditions.
• Improves managing continuously shot images as a group

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7rm3/downloads/00015520

https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7rm3/downloads/00015521

@eatstoomuchjam

It seems like latest trend to hike profits.

Look at Panasonic - even made new GH2 firmware for same thing.

Firmware above made to restrict use of third party batteries

1. Some batteries are still can be used but the camera won’t show you how much battery life is left and there will be a pop up reminder from time to time
2. Some become completely useless. The camera tells you this battery is not qualified and automatically shut down

Firmware v2.0

• Optimization of the optical image stabilization performance, and addition of a new image stabilization mode of the lens (Mode 3)(Only "SEL400F28GM").
• Addition of a Function Ring(Lens) to the menu. Note: For the SEL400F28GM lens, the APS-C S35/Full Frame Sel. setting is assignable to the Function Ring in addition to Power Focus.
• Addition of Aperture Drive in AF setting in the menu. Using the lens "SEL400F28GM" or "SEL24F14GM", when Silent priority is selected, the sound emitted by the aperture drive will be reduced. This is useful in shooting conditions where camera. noise should be kept to a minimum. Note that Auto Focus may become slower when Silent priority is selected.
• AF Track Sens can be assigned to a custom key.
• When used with the LA-EA3 mount adaptor, all focus areas are supported. Note : Focus Area options added : Zone, Expand Flexible Spot, and Lock-on AF. Bracket shooting is available during silent shooting when File Format is set to RAW or RAW & JPEG and RAW File Type is set to Uncompressed.
• Improvement of the performance and the overall stability of the camera.
• Better reproduction of the gradation of RAW pictures. Note: Imaging Edge software needs to be updated to benefit from the improvement in the RAW processing.
• When shooting with a flash in an environment with flickering light sources, the stability of the exposure is improved.
• Improvement of managing continuously shot images as a group. Please refer to the HelpGuide for updated function usage.

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/e-mount-body-ilce-7-series/ilce-7rm3/downloads/00015516