Don’t upgrade your Sony FX6 to Firmware 5.00 – Sony’s pulled it

Sony announced the new firmware version 5.00 for the Sony FX6 (buy here) cinema camera on May 28th. Now, Sony has withdrawn the update after confirming that it introduces some issues with audio.

Sony says that after investigation, they’ve confirmed reports of bugs, and have withdrawn the firmware from download. For those who have already downloaded and installed Sony FX6 firmware 5.00, Sony has recommended a procedure which temporarily solves the issue.

What’s the problem?

Sony firmware version 5.00 for the Sony FX6 was announced in January, alongside firmware updates for the Sony FX3 (buy here) and Sony FX30 (buy here). At the time, the list of upcoming changes for the FX6 looked like this.

• 1.5x setting added to desqueeze function
• Monitor & control features (waveform, etc.) brought in line with the FX3/FX30
• A new 709tone preset will be added for easier colour-matching multiple cameras
• Focus breathing compensation sees the addition of support for the Sony 100-400MM F/4.5-5.6 GM OSS (buy here) and Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS (buy here) lenses.

The firmware was finally released on May 28th. Immediately afterwards, bugs were spotted, and Sony began an investigation to identify and confirm the issue. That has now happened, and Sony has withdrawn the firmware pending a fix.

Firmware Ver. 5.00 Temporarily Suspended
After investigation, Sony has confirmed an issue with ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00, which was released on May 28, 2024 (JST). After updating to Ver. 5.00 ,if you turn ON the power with the INPUT2 (audio input 2) switch set to LINE, the audio from CH2 may become unintended level.

Due to this issue, we have suspended the download of ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00. We apologise for the inconvenience and will rectify the situation by releasing a corrected version as soon as possible.

What if I’ve downloaded and installed Ver. 5.00?
For customers who have already updated to Ver. 5.00, after powering on the device, please change the INPUT2 (audio input 2) switch to MIC and then back to LINE to use the device normally.

There’s a clunky workaround, though

The firmware bug is more of an annoyance than a debilitating issue with the camera. Sony’s “fix” says that once you switch the input2 from line to mic and back to line, it resolves this. If the camera’s still set this way when you turn it off, though, you’ll have to do it again the next time you turn it on.

It’s an awkward workaround – that many people will no doubt forget each time they turn their cameras on – but unavoidable for those who’ve already updated. If you haven’t yet updated, you probably shouldn’t until Sony issues a fixed version of the firmware.

Firmware issues like this seem to have been popping up more and more often over the last couple of years. Are companies getting sloppy? Or are they just struggling to keep up with demands from users for more and better features?