Mark Weir explains why they got rid of the “NEX” name. And says A-mount commitment will be very clear (soon).

Funny image created by Imaging Resource.

In an Interview with Imaging Resource Sony manager Mark Weir tried to explain why they got rid of the “NEX” name:

“The model name prefix started to segregate our E-mount cameras from our A-mount cameras,” responded Weir, “and that was never our intention.

I am wondering why did they start the NEX brand in first place :) He also says:

“and there was concern that consumers could easily misunderstand there to be a lack of compatibility between the two.”

Well there is a lack of compatibility between the two! Or can you use the FE lenses bought for the A7-A7r on the A77-A99? Nope :)

And when asked about the A-mount future he says:

We remain committed to the A-mount system, and I’m sure that that commitment will be very clear.

Well, I guess we will find it out very soon! Z-focus, Mirrorless A-mount, Hybrid A-E mounts and other major features like that. Let’s see if they will find their way in an A-mount cameras this year!

 

Japan 2013 overall sales numbers: Sony DSLR/SLT presence shrinks. Mirrorless share increases.

We have the Japanese market share data based on camera sales of 2013 (Source: BCNranking). As you can see Sony made a+6% jump in the mirrorless segment. The less good news is that Sony lost market share in the DSLR-SLT category. Sony also lost a tiny 1% share in the compact camera business.

Note that in Japan the mirrorless sales numbers are as big as DSLR. Would love to see worldwide results too but unlike Japanese other countries do not provide such detailed data. At leats in US you can make a very rough idea of what sells through Amazon US ranking (Click here to see). And as usual Compact Cameras and DSLR from Canon are on top.

Sigmas new 50mm ART and 18-200mm lenses.

We have two new A-mount lenses from Sigma:

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART lens specs at Sigma Photo. (Note: Sigma missed to add A-mount as an option on the link I gave you. But it’s just an error. Press releases do confirm there will be an A-mount. source: Sigma Japan, ePhotozine or Dpreview)
Sigma 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM at Sigma Photo.

Particularly the 50mm f/1.4 Full Frame lens sounds intriguing. It has a completely new design (retro focus with 13 elements and 8 groups) and if this lens performs as good as expected it could get surprisingly close to the [shoplink 23842 ebay]Zeiss Otus 50mm f/1.4[/shoplink] performance. There are no pricing info and no image samples yet. So we will have to wait a bit to see if this lens can fulfill our hopes!

Sony A5000 launched!

As expected the name of the new NEX-3 successor is….A5000! Full US pricing and specs and preorder at Amazon US (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and at SonyStore US (Click here).
Sony also introduced the Black 55-210mm E-mount lens that can be preordered at Amazon US (Click here). P.S: HDR-AS100-V action camera (preorder here at Amazon).

Press text and hands on:
Engadget (hands-on pics), Dpreview (press text), ThePhoBlographer (hands-on), AlphaNumerique (French), DSLRmagazine (spanish).

OFFICIAL PRESS TEXT:

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 6, 2014 – The versatile new Sony a5000 camera (model ILCE-5000) is the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera to feature the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity.1 Weighing in at less than 8oz., the new camera boasts a formidable amount of imaging power for its size.

“Packing DSLR imaging power into an incredibly small and light package, our new a5000 is the ultimate ‘everyday shooter’ that will appeal to a wide range of customers,” said Neal Manowitz, director of the alpha interchangeable lens camera division at Sony. “Its sleek, user-friendly design will attract point-and-shoot users looking to upgrade, while its impressive imaging credentials will appeal to photo enthusiasts looking for a compact camera that can deliver the performance, flexibility and results they crave.”

The new camera features a large 20.1 MP APS-C sized sensor that is paired with a new-generation BIONZ® X processor – the same processor in the award winning Sony a7 and a7R full-frame cameras. These key devices work together to deliver crisp, high-quality still images and full HD videos in all types of shooting conditions.

The BIONZ X processor uses detail reproduction, area-specific noise reduction and diffraction reducing technologies to ensure extremely fine color textures and low noise in images. Additionally, it allows for shooting at extremely high sensitivity – up to ISO 16000 – for impressive pictures in fading light.

On-board Wi-Fi capabilities give consumers one-touch connection with Xperia® or NFC-compatible Android™ smartphones or tablets for instant image transfer and sharing2. A single touch also activates Smart Remote Control, linking the camera with a smartphone or tablet to view shots, and fire the shutter from a distance.

For devices without NFC one-touch capabilities, users can wirelessly transfer images and videos and activate Smart Remote Control with the a5000 camera through Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application, available for the iOS and Android platforms.

The new a5000 model has a comfortable new grip and intuitive tiltable LCD screen that can flip upwards up to 180 degrees for easy self-portraits. There’s also a conveniently placed lever on the camera body for fingertip adjustment of the camera’s optical zoom3, which is especially useful for shooting HD video with the supplied 16-50mm power zoom kit lens (model SELP1650).

The camera’s “Photo Creativity” mode will help less experienced photographers learn and experiment with creative settings. Unique to Sony, this mode replaces complex photographic settings with more easily understood phrases like “Background Defocus” and “Brightness,” giving users direct access to many common manual settings. It also offers quick and easy access to Picture Effects, which includes popular modes like Pop Color, Selective Color, Toy Camera and Miniature Mode.
Sony PlayMemories™ Camera Apps

The growing assortment of downloadable PlayMemories Camera Apps adds a range of exciting and powerful features to the a5000 camera. Shooters can pick from a variety of free to nominal cost apps to broaden creative options, experiment with new effects, learn new photography techniques and more.

There are 16 apps currently available, including an upgraded version of “Time Lapse 2.0,” which intelligently and automatically adjusts exposure for changing lighting conditions over of the course of a time lapse sequence. A new free “Sync to Smartphone” app automatically transfers shots to a pre-registered smartphone or tablet each time the camera is switched off.
New Sony Alpha Lenses and Accessories

The new camera is compatible with Sony’s ever-growing assortment of E-mount interchangeable lenses, which now includes a new version of the popular SEL55210 lens (55-210mm, F4.5-6.3). Identical in optics to the existing silver 55-210mm E-mount zoom lens, this new version has a black finish to match many of Sony’s latest E-mount cameras.

In total, 20 different lenses are now available for Sony’s E-mount system with several premium models from Carl Zeiss® and G Series Lenses.

Additionally, there is a new sleek designed body case – the LCS-EBB model – that serves as a perfect travel companion for the a5000 camera.
Pricing and Availability

The Sony a5000 compact interchangeable lens camera will be available in March 2014 in silver, black and white for about $600 in a kit with a compact, versatile 16-50mm motorized zoom lens (model SELP1650).

The new, black-finish E 55-210mm (SEL55210) zoom lens will be available in March for about $350.

The new camera and all compatible lenses and accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Please follow #SonyAlpha on twitter for the latest Alpha camera news.