You may recall that a few months ago, Sony released the highly anticipated Firmware 8.0 for their Sony PMW-F5 and Sony PMW-F55 cameras. However, it is worth nothing that unlike conventional previous firmware updates this firmware is serial numbers specific meaning that certain F5 and F55 cameras within a serial number range cannot perform the upgrade. The latest firmware allows for the new high quality XAVC 4K Class480 codec, support for the new G and M series XQD cards as well as the new AXS-R7 4K Raw recorder. Sony F5/F55 Firmware 8.0 Details
  • XAVC 4K/QFHD Class480 (PMW-F55 and PMW-F5 with CBKZ-55FX License)
  • Supporting AXS-R7, new Portable Memory Recorder
  • 4K 120fps recording (PMW-F55 only)
  • New format X-OCN recording
  • Picture Cache function: The Picture Cache function is also available for recording to an AXS memory card. The Cache Rec Time can be selected up to 30 seconds. Great for wildlife documentaries and sports.
  • Suppor for the new G series and M series XQD memory cards
Serial number list of cameras, who CANNOT perform the upgrade.
Model Serial Number
PMW-F55 100001 - 100723500001 - 500036
PMW-F5 100001 - 100781500001 - 500020
Up until recently, Firmware 8.0 was available for download from Sony Pro Europe's website, however this has now changed and the firmware has now been removed from their website. It is still available, albeit (for the moment) only offline. In order to obtain the firmware update (provided the camera DOES NOT fall within the serial ranges above) F5/F55 owners who have not yet performed the upgrade, will need to contact prime support or your local service centre providing the serial number of your camera, current firmware level and any options installed. Sony will issue you with a copy of the firmware and the update instructions appropriate for your serial number, if the camera can perform the upgrade. If not they will advise you as to where you need to send it or take it for the update. We urge our F5/F55 customers looking to upgrade to Firmware 8.0 to email Prime Support: PrimeSupport@eu.sony.com with their name, address camera serial number and ask to see if their camera is clear to perform the upgrade. If Sony deem that this is the case, they will send you instructions on how to perform it. Thanks to our friend Alister Chapman for the tip.