Sony has announced a new custom gridline license for Alpha camera bodies, starting with the Alpha 7 IV from March 2024 onwards. These gridlines can be displayed on the EVF and LCD monitors during shooting. The price of the license is $149. Would you buy it?
A new custom gridline license for Alpha bodies
As stated by Sony: “This innovative license enables photographers to import up to four customized original gridlines, enhancing the shooting experience by providing more consistency and precision in image composition. These gridlines, which can be displayed on both the EVF and LCD monitors during shooting, are particularly beneficial for professionals in various fields such as education, photo studios, and more, streamlining the process for quick and precise shots”. This custom gridline license is planned for the Alpha 7 IV in March 2024 onward, and more camera bodies in the future. Beyond gridlines, the feature also includes the option for partially filled transparency masks, expanding its use to diverse areas like cruise lines, theme parks, nature photography, ID photography, dentistry, and CG photography. “Sony’s vision with this custom gridline feature is to boost creativity and work efficiency across various photography sectors” the company added.
Import up to 4 customized original gridlines
The new license offers the ability to import up to 4 customized original gridlines. The gridlines can be displayed on EVF (electronic viewfinder) and LCD (Monitor on the rear of the camera) when shooting which makes for easier, more consistent images. For example, staff at schools, photo studios, theme parks, cruise ships, malls, etc. will now be able to update their cameras with ease and utilize this tool for quick precise, more professional shots. Imported customized gridlines are replaceable and color gridlines are available. Once gridlines are registered, they can also be displayed with HDMI output. After shooting, users can check the images with the grid lines overlayed on EVF and LCD.
Partially filled transparency masks
Sony emphasizes that not only can these be utilized as gridlines, but they can also be used as partially filled transparency masks. In addition to school and sports photography, Sony has positioned this to be used for businesses such as cruise lines, theme parks, nature photography, ID photography, dentistry, and CG photography. Sony hopes that this custom gridline feature will help improve the creativity and work efficiency of photographers in a variety of industries.
Key features
- Install up to 4 custom gridlines with our Alpha functional license
- Change the grid color to prevent it from mixing with the color of the hair or background
- Create gridlines for specific sports, to capture the moment more accurately
- Get a preview of how images will look after compositing into computer graphics. As PNG files, the gridlines can contain characters, logos, and other graphic elements
- The combination of gridlines, Face AF, and Eye AF makes it easy to line up the standard family and couple photos, in addition to dynamic activity shots
Price and availability
The license will be available at a suggested retail price of $149 USD through the Upgrade and License Management Suite as of Spring 2024. Are mentioned, this custom gridline license is planned for the Alpha 7 IV in March 2024 onward, and more camera bodies in the future.
Final thoughts
No, it’s not April Fool’s Day yet. And yes – Sony wants to charge us for Gridlines. This very basic feature costs $149. Why? Frankly, we admire Sony but can’t understand the logic behind this move. This is not a luxury feature, but a very basic one. So why do consumers who pay for the camera have to pay extra for having it? Imagine you will have to pay for a license for every tiny feature set. Then the consumer cameras will cost a fortune. Would you pay an extra $149 to get custom gridlines on your Alpha?
Product List
Here are the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- Sony Alpha Cameras
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I would have assumed those were included features
Love my a7iv, but if Sony starts charging for every little feature on future cameras, I won’t hesitate to switch manufacturers.
Absolutely ridiculous that Sony would charge for that..especially $149!! I own the A7iv and two A7iii and a ton of lenses so that feature should be included. It’s a feature that’s already available on most cameras and partially on the sonys…and it should be part of a sime firmware update. I agree with others…if Sony starts nickel & diming for simple things like that then I will dump them and switch manufacturers. I left Canon and I will leave Sony if they do stupid crap.