Required Downloads

About this download

Benefits and Improvements

• Fixes an issue where, on rare occasions, the camera will restart in Still Image mode

Previous Benefits and Improvements

The following benefits and improvements are also included in this update.

• Adds the USB Streaming function
  IMPORTANT: This download cannot be installed using macOS Big Sur
  NOTES:
  • Connecting over a USB cable to a PC or Xperia smartphone allows you to conduct livestreaming and online communication with the high video and audio quality
  • This applies to Xperia 1 II smartphones or Xperia 5 II smartphones that have been upgraded to Android 11. Update availability varies by region. (As of February 9, 2021)
  • Use a commercially available USB cable or terminal conversion adaptor
• Improves the overall stability and performance of the camera
  NOTE: Refer to the Help Guide for details on all updated functions.

File Info

File Name

• Update_DSCZV1V201.dmg

File Version

• 2.01

File Size

• 330.9 MB (330 888 344 bytes)

Release Date

• 04-01-2021

Preparation

Check the system software version

Follow the instructions below to check the system software version. If the system software version is Ver.2.00 or before, the update is required.

NOTE: If the Date/Time setting screen appears when you turn on your camera, be sure to set the date and time to the correct values.

1. On the camera, select Menu → Setup5 → Version.
2. The system software version is displayed.
   

System Requirements

Operating Systems

The latest version of the system software update is compatible with the following Macintosh versions:

• macOS 10.14, 10.15, 11, 12

Computer Hardware

The latest version of the system software update is compatible with the following hardware:

• Hard drive space: 600 MB or more
• RAM: 600 MB or more

Other Hardware

• Power source for the device: Fully charged rechargeable battery pack NP-BX1.
  NOTE: The update can only be performed when the battery power level is (three bars) or more. We recommend that you use a fully charged battery.
• USB cable supplied with the camera.
  NOTE: Update functionality is not guaranteed with any other USB cable.

Download & Install

Important Notice

• Close all other application software before updating the system software.
• Use a fully charged rechargeable battery pack NP-BX1.
• Do not remove the battery during the update as the sudden loss of power may render the camera inoperable.
• Remove the memory card from the camera before starting the update process.
• The system software update will take approximately 24 minutes. Please do not allow your computer to go into Sleep mode during this time.
  NOTE: If the computer does go into Sleep mode and the update is interrupted, the entire update process will need to be restarted.
• Do not open About This System Software Updater in the System Software Updater menu as this may cause the software to crash.
• Do not connect the camera to any other devices except your computer.
• Do not connect the camera and computer until instructed to do so.
• Make sure your computer is connected to the Internet.
• Following the instructions in the System Software Updater window, on the camera, select Menu → Setup3 → USB Connection and check if Mass Storage has been selected. If a mode other than Mass Storage is selected, please select Mass Storage.
  
• On Mac computers with an Apple silicon (Apple M1) processor, please change the security policy. The About This Mac screen will show an item labeled Chip, followed by the name of the chip. Refer to the How to change the security policy on Mac computers with Apple silicon article. For Mac computers with an Intel processor, this step is not necessary.
  

How to download the Sony Camera Driver:

1. Visit the Sony Camera Driver download page and download the appropriate driver:
   NOTE: The Sony Camera Drivers are different for Mac computers with an Intel processor and those with an Apple silicon processor.
   • Sony Camera Driver (For Mac computers with Apple silicon)
   • Sony Camera Driver (For Mac computers with an Intel processor)
2. Click the Download button.
3. After reading the disclaimer, click Download.
4. Save the file to the desktop of your computer (recommended).

How to download the Updater:

1. Click the Download button above.
2. After reading the disclaimer, click Download.
   NOTE: The Update_DSCZV1V201.dmg file will start downloading.
3. Save the file to the desktop of your computer (recommended).
   NOTE: File Size:330.9 MB (330 888 344 bytes)

Step 1: How to Install the Sony Camera Driver

1. Close all programs currently running on your computer.
2. Double-click the Camera_Driver_2102a.dmg file you downloaded. Do not connect the camera at this point.
   NOTE: If you have connected the camera to a computer, disconnect it before following the procedure.
3. Sony Camera Driver Installer is expanded.
4. Double-click the SonyCameraDriver.pkg icon.
   
5. The installer screen opens. Proceed as instructed.
   
6. You are asked to allow the system to start installation. Type the password for the administrative account.
   
   NOTES:
   • If the operating system displays the System Extension Blocked dialog message (the actual message will vary depending on the operating system version), click the Open Security Preferences button. The macOS Security & Privacy screen opens.
   • If the operating system does not display the System Extension Blocked dialog message, go to Step 2: Start the Updater onward.
   
7. In the Security & Privacy screen, open the General tab and then click the key icon. When prompted to enter the password, type the password you used when logging in with the administrator account and then click the Unlock button.
   
8. Click the Allow button to allow the system to start loading the system software.
9. After clicking the Allow button, if you are asked to restart, restart the computer and return to the beginning of the update procedure.
10. If the Security and Privacy screens does not disappear, please close the window.
    

Step 2: Start the Updater

1. Double-click the Update_DSCZV1V201.dmg file you downloaded. Do not connect the camera at this point.
2. Update_DSCZV1V201 is expanded.
3. Double-click the SystemSoftwareUpdater icon.
   
4. The message prompts you to allow the application to make changes. Type the password for the administrative account.
   
5. The System Software Updater will start.
   
   NOTES:
   • If the system is not ready to start updating, an error message appears. Take appropriate action according to the message and then double-click SystemSoftwareUpdater again.
   • If the message You need to restart your computer. appears, restart the computer and then double-click SystemSoftwareUpdater again.
   • If the message You need to install Sony Camera Driver appears, perform the procedure described in Step 1: How to Install the Sony Camera Driver, then double-click SystemSoftwareUpdater again.
   • If the message Check the Security & Privacy setting. appears, perform steps 7 and 8 in the Step 1: How to Install the Sony Camera Driver section, then restart the computer and double-click SystemSoftwareUpdater again.
6. Turn on the camera and connect the camera to the computer with the supplied USB cable, USB Mode appears on the LCD screen of the camera.
7. Click Next. The current version number and updated version number appear on the lower left side of the screen.
   IMPORTANT: Never turn off the camera or disconnect the USB cable while updating.
   NOTE: If the computer cannot find the device, the message Could not find the camera for this update is displayed on the computer screen. Please try the following:
   • Disconnect the USB cable and connect it again.
   • If the computer has multiple USB terminals, try with the other terminals.
8. After confirming that the current software version is Ver. 2.00 or earlier, click Next. If the current system software version is Ver. 2.01, the update is not required. In this case, disconnect the camera from the computer and click Finish, turn off the camera, remove the battery pack, reinsert the battery and turn the camera back on.
   • Update is required
     
   • Update is not required
     
9. The camera will automatically be reset.
   
   NOTE: The Loading icon may not be displayed depending on the OS version that you are using.
10. After automatically resetting, the update will begin and a progress bar will appear. The update will take approximately 13 minutes to complete.
    IMPORTANT: Never turn off the camera or disconnect the USB cable while updating.
    
11. When the update is complete, the camera will automatically restart.
12. When the LCD screen appears again, click Finish and disconnect the USB cable.
    
    NOTE: After restarting, a data recovery warning is sometimes displayed. This is normal. Please wait until this warning disappears.
    

Step 3: Confirm the system software version of your device.

1. On the camera, select Menu → Setup5 → Version.
2. The system software version is displayed as illustrated below.
   
   NOTE: For Mac computers using an Apple silicone processor, once the update procedure is finished, we recommend setting the security policy back to the original setting. On Mac computers with an Intel processor, this step is not needed. Refer to the How to change the security policy on Mac computers with Apple silicon article if necessary.

Questions & Answers

The update does not complete

If the monitor remains black for more than 24 minutes, follow these steps to troubleshoot the issue:

1. Disconnect the USB cable from the computer.
2. Remove the battery and AC adaptor from the camera, leave it for a few minutes, then insert the battery again or connect the AC adaptor.
3. Restart the computer.
4. Turn on the camera and perform the installation process again.

After launching the system software updater, the screen for confirming the version does not appear and a Failed to update message is displayed.

If this happens, it is possible that you have updated your camera in the past using the System Software Update Helper driver and have not uninstalled that software:

1. Download System Software Update Helper again and uninstall the driver using the uninstaller tool in the Uninstaller folder of the downloaded file.
2. After uninstalling the System Software Update Helper driver, double-click the Update_DSCZV1V201.dmg to restart the update.