The version 03 updates, which became available in certain of Sony's other global markets a week ago, bring a range of important user interface refinements to the NEX-3 and NEX-5, as well as allowing manual control over apertures during movie recording. They also allow autofocusing when using a variety of Sony's Alpha-mount lenses on NEX-series cameras using the LA-EA1 mount adapter, once the adapter firmware itself has been updated to version 02.

In full, the list of changes in the Sony NEX firmware v03 is as follows:

• Adds "Soft key Settings" to the "Setup" menu to allow customization of the soft keys

• Adds the "Menu start" function

• Adds two more settings to the "MF Assist" function

• Improves menu item selection using the Control Wheel

• Changes the aperture setting function so the setting is maintained when using "Background Defocus Control" or "Aperture Priority" movie recording modes

• Adds support for auto focus with A-mount lenses (see Supported A-mount Lenses below)
  Note: This feature also requires a firmware update for the LA-EA1 Mount Adapter (Mount Adapter sold separately).

• Adds a function to enlarge the image when "Release w/o Lens" is set to "Enable

A PDF manual update describes changes in the updated NEX digital camera firmware in more detail. Alpha-mount lenses supporting AF on the NEX-series cameras are as follows, and Sony notes that AF speeds will vary, and may be significantly slower than with an E-mount lens:

SAM Lenses

• DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM (SAL1855)

• DT 28-75mm F2.8 SAM (SAL2875)

• DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM (SAL55200-2)

• DT 30mm F2.8 Macro SAM (SAL30M28)

• DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (SAL35F18)

• DT 50mm F1.8 SAM (SAL50F18)

• 85mm F2.8 SAM (SAL85F28)

SSM Lenses

• Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM (SAL1635Z)

• Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM (SAL2470Z)

• Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (SAL24F20G)

• 70-200mm F2.8 G (SAL70200G)

• 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G SSM (SAL70300G)

• 70-400mm F4-5.6 G SSM (SAL70400G)

• 300mm F2.8 G (SAL300F28G)

Separate firmware downloads are available for NEX owners using the Windows and Macintosh platofrms. Download locations are as follows:

• Windows XP, Vista, and 7 (all versions)

  • NEX-5 Camera Firmware Update (version 03)

  • NEX-3 Camera Firmware Update (version 03)

  • LA-EA1 Mount Adapter Firmware Update (version 02)

• Macintosh OS X v10.5 and v10.6

  • NEX-5 Camera Firmware Update (version 03)

  • NEX-3 Camera Firmware Update (version 03)

  • LA-EA1 Mount Adapter Firmware Update (version 02)