Summary
- Sony released firmware 1.02 for the α7R VI on October 21, 2026.
- Preset Focus now supports more compatible zoom lenses without power zoom.
- The update fixes monitor and manual-focus movie-mode issues.
- It can be installed through the Creators’ App or a memory card.
Sony’s α7R VI gains more flexible Preset Focus support with firmware 1.02, a modest but practical change for wildlife photographers using telephoto zoom lenses.
Released on October 21, 2026, the update enables recalling a stored focus position with compatible zoom lenses that do not have power zoom. The camera previously offered more limited support for this feature.
Why it matters for wildlife photography
Imagine watching a nest or a particular branch where a bird regularly lands. Preset Focus lets you store a focus position and return to it quickly instead of finding the same distance each time you reframe. That can be useful when your subject briefly disappears behind vegetation and reappears.
The improvement concerns recalling a stored focus position; it does not inherently make autofocus faster or improve animal and bird recognition. Not every non-power-zoom lens is supported, so checking the particular camera-and-lens combination is important before relying on the feature.
The 66.8-megapixel Sony α7R VI combines high resolution with fast continuous shooting. This update is particularly relevant to photographers working from established observation points and anticipating where an animal will move next.
More information here.
Other fixes in firmware 1.02
According to Sony’s official changelog, the update fixes a problem that could cause the monitor to turn on periodically even when switched off. It also resolves an intermittent issue that could make focus operations unavailable when shooting movies with Manual Focus selected.
Sony also lists improved overall operating stability, without providing additional performance measurements.
How to install the update
Version 1.02 is available for the ILCE-7RM6 body through the Creators’ App or as a BODYDATA.DAT file placed on a suitable memory card. For the card-based method, Sony specifies slot 1, at least 51% battery charge, and no removal of the battery or card during the process. The update takes approximately six minutes.
The official Sony α7R VI (ILCE-7RM6) firmware 1.02 download page provides installation instructions and explains how to check the installed version in the camera menu.
What we think
Wildlife photography often involves knowing exactly where an animal is likely to appear without knowing when. Being able to jump straight back to a set focus distance makes sense in those situations. From a hide or at a site where birds keep returning, this could be more useful than the brief changelog entry suggests.
The key is not to assume that every lens becomes compatible or that a focus preset replaces tracking for a bird in flight. We would treat it as another way to prepare for predictable subject positions, while unpredictable movement still depends on autofocus setup and the photographer’s technique.
