Sony NEX-3/5 get A-mount lens AF with new firmware

Sony has pushed out a new firmware update for its NEX-3 and NEX-5 interchangeable lens cameras, v.03, which among other things adds autofocus support for the company's A-mount lenses.  That allows NEX owners to use 14 different A-mount models, though they'll also need the LA-EA1 adapter.  Meanwhile there's also aperture priority when shooting in HD video mode.

Sony says that should help users create background-blur effects while filming video.  Meanwhile there's also MF Assist, which enlarges a portion of the frame on the NEX-3/5's LCD display while manually focusing, and which can be kept on-screen for a user-customizable length of time.

Finally there's customizable soft keys for two of the three buttons on the back of the cameras, which can now be set to control  Shooting Mode, Shooting Tips, Precision Digital Zoom, ISO, White Balance, Metering Mode, Flash Compensation, DRO, Auto HDR, Creative Style, MF Assist and AF Area among other things.  Users can also choose to have the Menu button always show them the last viewed menu pane or the main menu.  The new firmware can be found – in both PC and Mac formats – at Sony's support site.

[via DPReview]