Kidding is right!!!! Sony are out of their minds trying to charge to use their accessories and 32GB cards... The amount of money lost in downtime alone for the 2 weeks + they have the camera will kill most of us!! I am trying to figure out how I am going to find the downtime to be able to send the camera in for the paint/letters rubing off/ Battery drain issues and also just the current free firmware upgrade...Let alone paying an additional 100.00

It could cost you a pretty penny for this if you have to pay for shipping and insurance as well...


Someone over their needs to pull their head out and just make the firmware free and a user upgrade....!

That is 100% ridiculous that you would have to pay $100 for an update that gives you the ability to buy and use two accessories that cost $1000 or more. Sony just doesn't get it sometimes. They love to get you left and right.

I sent my camera in two weeks ago for a ND switch that fell into the camera and a crooked LCD. I talked with the Tech yesterday and the camera has been held until yesterday so it could get the new firmware. All of the work is under warranty and Sony has been very informative through the whole process.
Camera should arrive tomorrow.

Paul, did your conversation lead you to believe that ANY camera that comes in for warranty service would automatically receive the $100 firmware update OR was it simply to bring you up to the current pre-accessory firmware version (which I believe is 1.05)?

Dave I was told by the tech that he had to wait till this week to receive the new firmware that will run the Sony hard drive. The camera had 1.03 when I sent it in.

I requested the firmware update as part of the service. Not a word was mentioned about a charge for the update.

That's a good question Dave. I think we should not be rash based on the Canadian policy, which could end up being different than other regions.

But if we assumed the policies are the same, I think it's unethical if the camera was being promoted as firmware upgradable to accept future accessories in order to get you to buy it now, without being told that you were going to be charged for it later or even getting it for free by delaying the purchase.

The EX3 was launched here today but the chap with the 32Gb Sxs didnt know when the firmware would be ready for our region thou. Hope that it comes soon. The price of the 32Gb was said to be USD2000. Seems that they are already looking into 64Gb right now!

That's a good question Dave. I think we should not be rash based on the Canadian policy, which could end up being different than other regions.

But if we assumed the policies are the same, I think it's unethical if the camera was being promoted as firmware upgradable to accept future accessories in order to get you to buy it now, without being told that you were going to be charged for it later or even getting it for free by delaying the purchase.


I totally agree and will add that having to send the unit into a Sony depot in this day and age is draconian.

I cannot think of any other major electronics manufacturer who expects the end-user to surrender their equipment for a firmware upgrade. Computers, cell phones, DVD/Blu-ray players etc. etc. The expense and time lost is a no-brainer.

If the device requires a trip to a Sony depot, then it should be covered by Sony Warranty period. Otherwise, charge the end-user and let the end-use install the firmware like other well meaning companies who are serious performance, quality, useable features and satisfied customers.

The EX3 was launched here today but the chap with the 32Gb Sxs didnt know when the firmware would be ready for our region thou. Hope that it comes soon. The price of the 32Gb was said to be USD2000. Seems that they are already looking into 64Gb right now!

Sean, are you saying that the EX3 needs a firmware upgrade to work with the 32Gb cards?

I've said too much already. I'm taking a chill pill.

If this is true, I will not be happy since I also bought the extended warranty....

Phillip verified in another thread that the Firmware will be user upgradable...I just hope they can add easy access to change framerate.

Sony's answer to this is the EX3, sadly :(