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).“

World’s Fastest Auto Focus Technology explained by Mark Weir.

I hope Sony (and Mark) do not mind if I report their interesting article about the World’s Fastest Auto Focus Technology used by the A6000 :)
Here is the full text originally posted at Blog Sony.

—

Straight Talk from Sony – World’s Fastest Auto Focus Technology

Dear Readers,

Below is an overview of Sony’s latest technological advancement, The World’s Fastest Auto-Focus, written by Mark Weir, a Sr. Technology Manager here at Sony Electronics.  This overview can be very technical for some, so you’ll understand why Mr. Weir is known as the professor around here.  Please read on and hopefully, you’ll be as amazed by this technology as we are. 

World’s Fastest Auto Focus Technology

By Mark Weir, Sr. Technology Manager, Sony Electronics

Digital camera technology is changing all the time, but some recent developments indicate that we are entering a period of exciting innovation.  These developments are apparent in the revolution taking place in Auto Focus technology – and leading the charge is the AF system introduced in the new a6000.  Until very recently, cameras performed autofocus in one of two ways – Phase detection with a dedicated optical sensor, and Contrast detection measured by the image sensor.  “Hybrid AF” – autofocus systems that employ both approaches are reaching performance not possible just a short time ago.

Phase detection autofocus was introduced almost 30 years ago, and still operates on the same basic principles.  A beam splitter directs light from opposite sides of the lens to a dedicated sensor which analyzes differences in Phase (luminance patterns), and determines the direction and distance the lens must be moved for the patterns to be aligned, and thus in focus.  Phase detection AF has expanded to most all modern DSLR cameras, and has been steadily refined with the development of multiple AF points, predictive tracking and even specialized sensors for wide aperture lenses.  Phase detection AF is quick, but its reliance on optics and mechanisms makes it bulky and expensive, and has trouble covering the entire scene.

Another approach to Phase detection has recently been developed which utilizes the camera’s image sensor – eliminating the optics and mechanics of the traditional design.

Contrast autofocus is far simpler – the contrast in the scene is measured and the lens moved until contrast is maximized – the point at which the scene is in focus.  The advantage is simplicity and focus precision, although Contrast AF is typically not as quick as Phase detection AF.

The strength of the a6000 is use of both Phase detection and Contrast autofocus – while maximizing the performance of both with Sony’s Bionz X processor.  Phase detection AF is provided by the newly developed 24MP imager, which includes 179 embedded AF sensors covering more than 90% of the frame, with focus speed as short as 0.06 sec.  Covering more of the frame than most any other camera, a6000 can track even fast moving subjects and focus continuously at up to 11 frames per second.  Contrast information is read from 25 areas of the image sensor and combines with Spatial Object detection based on recognition algorithms.  Both Phase and Contrast detection AF systems can be used alone or together, based on direction from the Bionz X processor – even when shooting video.  With the support of these two systems, photographers can enjoy ultra-fast, accurate and intelligent AF across nearly the entire frame – a potent combination not possible with earlier technology.

Much of a6000’s autofocusing performance is possible because of advancements in device technology – imagers with embedded AF sensors, processors with faster throughput, object recognition algorithms, and lens drive design.  As device technology continues to advance, camera performance will advance with it, providing image makers with options for even greater creativity.

——–

Sony A6000 store link list:
Sony A6000 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore. In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT, WexUK.
Silver A6000 at Amazon US, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sony A6000 with lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore, Sony Canada, WexUK.
Silver A6000 with lens at Amazon US, BHphoto, WexUK.
Sony 70-200mm FE at Amazon, BHphoto, SonyStore. In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT

A6000 Gariz case on eBay in [shoplink 26006 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 26007 ebay]Brown (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 26008 ebay]Camel (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 26009 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink].