Sony Japan (translation here) just announced that they will release a new firmware update for SLT and NEX cameras on February 05th. This is the google translated text:

Α99:
SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28 adds automatic lens correction support, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28G[2] adding compatible lens [1] Dual AFSAL24F20Z(book 11), SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
Α77, α65, α57, α37 
Add Lens for automatic correction [1]SAL100M28(book6),SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL18200, SAL20F28, SAL28F28
NEX-7
Faster storage corresponding lens when the power is turned OFF when using automatic correction [1] SELP1650 when using [2] SELP1650
NEX-5N
Distortion correction is possible in Ver.4.2 or later software “(image data converter) Image Data Converter” developmentversion up※ RAW dataof [2] RAW data format support automatic correction when using [1] SELP1650 [3 Improved stability of the operation [5] AF lens container faster when the power is turned OFF (1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV) at the time of use [4] SELP1650 adding the number of stages of the continuous mode setting bracket]
NEX-F3
Automatic correction when using the corresponding [1] SELP1650
NEX-6, NEX-5R
SEL1018(book5),SEL35F18, SEL30M35, SEL50F18, SEL18200LEaddition of compatible lenses [1] Fast hybrid AF

Have you found the original english press text?

[shoplink 16632 ebay][/shoplink]

Finally the Speed Booster adapter is shipping via the Metabones website and also in Stock for the regular price on [shoplink 16632 ebay]eBay (via HK)[/shoplink]. And to get notified when more adapters are in Stock save this search on Slidoo eBay (login and change your root country if required).

GetDPI user Brianc discovered that the Speed Bosster and “Tilt Shift combo optical axis decoupling results in some unexpected results.“. And another test is available at Japanese DC.watch (translation here).

There is finally a shipping date for the new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. According to BHphoto (Click here) the A-mount lens will be available in March only :(  If you can’t wait that much and want a nice cheap lens you may grab the Rokinon 35mm f/1.4 instead (here at Amazon). Only drawback…it’s a manual focusing lens only.

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P.S.: To get notified when the Sigma lens will be on eBay login and save this search at Slidoo.

There are small signs that Sony’s A99 price is falling down. Redcoon Spain (Click here) now sells it for 2499 Euro which is a 300 Euro price drop compared to the initial regular price. Also The German store Technikdirekt (Click here) now sells the A99 for 2666 Euro. In US the lowest price now is $2610 at [shoplink 16531 ebay]BigValue (Click here)[/shoplink]. And My guess is that more price drops will follow soon. Canon and Nikon forces them to do so (and that’s good for us).

One more news…DigitalPhotographySchool posted their A99 review.

P.S.: The RX100 sells for less than 500 Euro at Amazon France!

Image courtesy: Engadget.

As you know Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai is trying to restructure the company by focusing on profitable businesses. Engadget now reports that “Sony has announced that it has agreed to sell its New York headquarters building to a consortium led by The Chetrit Group. After settling its debts on the building, the $1.1 billion sale will net Sony about $685 million in operating income, potentially giving it the extra cashflow it needs to avoid a negative Q3 earnings report.”

I repeat it again, all that doens’t affect Sony’s commitment on digital cameras. Actually quite the opposite is happening. Sony elevated the Imaging Business on the top priority list and a lot of development is ongoing. Goals are pretty high and I expect some major breakthrough tech to come in 2014 (as I have written in my previous post).

If your RX1 will break in thousand pieces than just watch the video on top left of the frame to see how to rebuild it in 5 minutes :)

The RX1 is in Stock almost everywhere now (See [shopcountry 15824]). But the optical and electronic viewfinder are still available in Japan only (here on eBay).

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Reminder: RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

BCN Inc., has released the final market shares percentages of the 2012 sales in Japana. These are the results of the digital video and camera market:

Digital camera (integrated lens)
Canon 17.6
Sony Corporation 16.5
Nikon Corporation 14.1
Digital camera (SLR)
Canon 52.7
Nikon Corporation 35.1
Sony Corporation 7.1
Digital camera (SLR mirror-less)
Olympus 29.8
Panasonic 23.3
Sony Corporation 20.1
Digital video camera
Sony Corporation 40.2
Panasonic 24.8
JVC Kenwood 18.2

As you can see Sony made it into the top three of each category. The maybe disappointing news is the DSLR market share which is insignificant compared to the Canon-Nikon duo. So neither the A77 nor the A99 had a significant impact. Sony is doing much better in the mirrorless segment which (in Japan) is exactly as big as the DSLR market.

Amazon ranking (just ro see what’s hot in EU and US):
US ranking (Click here).
DE ranking (Click here).
UK ranking (Click here).
FR ranking (Click here).