Sony TidBits…


Sony Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras | Gear Talk Episode 3

Sony mirrorless cameras: The best for my photography (Nat Coalson)
Japanese Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA review at DC.watch.
Win a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-QX10 (Photographyblog).
Sony invests in image sensor production amid ‘selfie’ boom (Reuters).
Real-world samples added to Sony SLT-A77 II First Impressions (Dpreview).
Sony brings Cyber-shot DSC-WX220 and W810 to the US (Dpreview).
Sony’s new Action Cam arrives stateside with SteadyShot and more for $200 (Engadget).
A6000 promotion in Singapore.

Sony patents two new 20mm and 28mm f/2.8 prime compact APS-C lenses.

Sony US patent Number 20140204265 discloses the design for two new Full Frame prime lenses. The 20mm f/2.8 and 28mm f/2.8. These primes are designed to be very compact and high speed autofocusing lenses. As Sony writes these lenses are suited for both still and video shooting and have fast inner focusing.

The 20mm could be the updated version of the current SEL-20F28 while the 28mm lens would a complete new entry. According to the patent both lenses will cover the APS-C sensor area only (no FF).

Good news: Sony surprises with first-quarter profit!

Finally some good news about the Financial situation: The company posted net income of 26.8 billion yen ($261 million) in the three months ended June, compared with 3.5 billion yen a year earlier (Source: Bloomberg). And if we look at the Imaging Division there are some good news too. While the overall sales decreased because of the global shrinking compact camera market the income increased. This means Sony is selling less compact cameras but more high end (and profitable) system cameras.
This is what Sony writes about the Imaging Division:
Sales:
decreased 9.0% year-on-year (a 10% decrease on a constant currency basis) to 164.6 billion yen (1,630 million U.S. dollars). This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in unit sales of compact digital cameras reflecting a contraction of this market.
Operating income:
increased 8.3 billion yen year-on-year to 17.4 billion yen (172 million U.S. dollars). This increase was mainly due to a reduction in selling, general and administrative expenses in the current quarter, partially offset by the above-mentioned decrease in sales.

Foecast:

Sales are expected to be below the May forecast primarily due to anticipated lower sales in emerging market countries. Operating income is expected to remain unchanged from the May forecast due to the above-mentioned decrease in sales being offset primarily by cost reductions.

Sony TidBits…


Sony Shootout feat Blackmagic (a6000, AX100, A7, FS100, Nex-5t, BMCC, BMPCC)

A7S Silent Shutter Mode: The Leica Killer that even Steve Austin Can’t Hear (PmrPhoto).
A77II test at Photoreview.
Sony A3000 review at CameraLabs.
We see how good the Alpha 7S really is – in a cinema (RedShark).
Working with the Sony A7 and A7R (Photofocus).
Polish A77II test at Optyczne.
Japanese RX100m3 test at DC.watch.
Japanese 50mm f/1.8 lens test at Ascii.
Japanese A7s test at Gizmodo.

Ian: “this leather case looks pretty decent. I may try this out for my new A7s…which is amazing by the way (Etsy.com).”

Anonymous: “Nissin i40 Sony version is ready to delivery: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nissin-Digital/403086046406602”

SJ: “This is my wedding in France video realized only with Sony VG 30, Sony Nex 5T and Sony lenses. Sony 18-105 f/4, 16-50 f/3.5-5.6 and 35mm f/1.8.
I hope you will like this: https://vimeo.com/101443026”

Gaz: “Sony A7s now in stock at CameraWorld UK.”

Joe: “Great Sony A7s review video showing various locations in Tokyo. Has 65,000 views and over 1000 likes so far. Great breakdancing and low light and slow motion.
Sony a7S Camera 24 to 120fps Japan May 2014 | YAK…: http://youtu.be/oIb0BoCfYo8“

Heather & Mat: “Here is our mini project called Through the Cat’s Eye in which we took a series of portraits of cats in low-light situations to capture their dilated pupils. The results are quite interesting! (Bestmirrorlesscamerareviews).“