Sony a7S III Firmware Update Version 4.00 Released – Adds In-Camera LUTs and More

Firmware Update

by Jakub HanApril 28^th, 2025

Sony released a new free firmware update version 4.00 for the a7S III camera (ILCE-7SM3), which adds the new log shooting mode that allows displaying a LUT overlay while shooting. Furthermore, there is a new golden ratio grid, a possibility to add shot marks to clips and automatically create stills from these, as well as some new FTP transfer and network functions.

It is nice to see that Sony is still adding functions to an already aging camera. Announced in summer 2020, the Sony a7S III (ILCE-7SM3) will officially turn five soon. In case you missed it, or you just want to refresh your memory, you can check our a7S III review as well as our lab test.

Of course, even in 2025, it is still a very capable tool for stills, and especially video capture. In fact, the 12MP sensor used in the camera found its way into many other Sony models over the past years, including two cameras from the FX cinema line. Now, let’s take a look at what is new with the Sony a7S III firmware version 4.00.

Sony a7S III v4.00 adds in-camera LUTs

Perhaps the most notable improvement in the new update version 4.00 is the addition of the log shooting mode that allows displaying an image with a custom LUT overlay while shooting. Please keep in mind that after the addition of the log shooting mode, the gamma setting S-Log2 is no longer included. After the update, you will need to use the gamma setting S-Log3.

Furthermore, there is a new golden ratio grid, a possibility to add shot marks to clips and automatically create stills from these, as well as some new FTP transfer and network functions.

Full list of improvements v4.00

Following is the full list of changes and improvements with the firmware v4.00 from the Sony website:

Shooting & playback functions

• Supports the Write Digital Signature function for still images as part of Sony’s Camera Authenticity Solution. Installation of a paid license is required for use. The timing for the provision of paid licenses to customers other than certain media outlets is yet to be determined.
• Adds log shooting mode, which allows you to shoot while displaying the monitor image with your favorite LUT (Look-Up table). Please use the latest version of Catalyst Browse or Catalyst Prepare to apply the LUT used for monitoring during shooting to the video during editing.
• Allows you to add OK/NG/KEEP flags to clips during or after movie recording.
• Adds a function that automatically creates still images with Shot Marks from movie frames after recordings. You can add a Shot Mark while shooting or playing a movie and use it as a mark for selecting, transferring, or editing the movie.
• Allows the use of Focus Magnifier and Auto Magnifier in MF while using the Bright Monitoring feature.
• Adds the Golden Ratio Grid option to the Grid Line Type setting menu.
• Adds support for focus bracket shooting, which allows for continuous shooting while automatically shifting the focus position.
• Introduces additional settings for exposure value adjustments and the number of shots in the exposure bracketing.
• Allows use of the Custom Key setting on the AEL button and the Delete button during playback.

FTP transfer & network functions

The following new features must be adjusted in the Creators’ App in advance. Ver. 2.9.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.

• Allows scheduling of FTP transfers while writing data to the camera’s storage media.
• You can now continue shooting while transferring captured photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet.
• Transfer to smartphones and tablets can now be resumed even if interrupted in the middle of a transfer.
• You can now transfer only the differences that have not yet been transferred to your smartphone or tablet, or add videos to be transferred during the transfer process
• Adds support for the Network Streaming function.
• Supports the following Monitor & Control app functions (Ver. 2.3.0 or later of the Monitor & Control app is necessary, may not be available in some countries or regions): clip review during camera playback mode, focus map display, IRIS operation bar display.

Others

• Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
• The Security (IPsec) functionality is no longer supported. Please enable and use Access Authen. as it provides more secure protection
• WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported. You will no longer be able to select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 or WPA3 moving forward
• Fixes an issue where the Detail feature does not work when the Picture Profile is set to S-Cinetone
• Improves the operational stability of the camera

Things to keep in mind before performing the update

• Updates should be installed in chronological order. When updating from Ver. 2.11 or earlier, you need to update to Ver. 3.01 first before proceeding with the Ver. 4.00 update.
• With the addition of the log shooting mode, the picture profiles were reviewed, and the gamma setting S-Log2 is no longer included. After the update, you will need to use the gamma setting S-Log3.
• The software update for this product will be provided in the memory card version.
• You can download the software update using the Creators’ App available in the App Store and Google Play.

For more information about firmware v4.00 and how to update, please refer to the Sony support website.

Do you use the Sony a7S III for your productions? What do you think about the latest firmware update v4.00? In your opinion, are some essential features still missing from the camera? Let us know in the comments section underneath the article.