We really have to shout Hallelujah! Not only the A77 but also the NEX-7 firmware update has been released!

The NEX-7 firmware update has been spotted at Sony UK: http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/NEX-7/updates. This update brings following new features:

• Addition of capability to enable or disable the MOVIE button
• Addition of exposure settings of bracket shooting (three frames /1.0EV,2.0EV, 3.0EV)
• Improvement of response for showing auto review image.
• Improvement of image quality when using a wide angle lens
• Improvement of indication when setting “Flexible Spot”.

And the A77 firmware update has been spotted at Sony UK: http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SLT-A77/updates. These are the updates:

• Addition of capability to enable or disable MOVIE button
• Expanded the number of automatic compensation compliant lenses: SAL30M28，SAL50F14，SAL2470Z，SAL2875，SAL70400G，SAL70200G，SAL35F14G，SAL1635Z

Same updates fo the A65 at http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/SLT-A65/updates

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For US readers. You save $100 on the A77 open box deal at [shoplink 14756 ebay]Beachcamera (Click here)[/shoplink]. And also on the NEX-7 again at [shoplink 14819 ebay]Beachcamera (Click here)[/shoplink]!

SAR reader “Tony” was ready to preorder the A99 when he discovered that Amazon US (Click here) just removed the preorder options. You can still preorder it at Adorama, BHphoto and more links at Alphacameradeals. But it’s not good news when the largest online store removes the preorder option. Some of you may know why this is happening?

More tests:
Meantime SLRlounge posted a new A99 ISO studio test. And ThePhoBlographer posted a new NEX-6 test.

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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.

A couple of weeks ago I posted the video (you can see again here on top) showing a new Canon EF to NEX E-Mount adapter. It supports full electronic aperture and focus control on Canon EF lens! And finally you can find that adapter for sale on [shoplink 14759 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. The makers of the adapter now contacted me and I am posting their message here:

“We saw our product and video in your website! We are so happy about that!! We are now developing the Contax G to Sony NEX adapter with AF function and it is almost finish. We will update the information to you very soon.Some people email us about Nikon G to NEX (AF support) adapter. We will start this project around November(after Contax G to NEX AF adapter) and we think we will finish it before April 2013.”

It’s nice to have a direct contact with those guys. Usually we all have a bit of fear when buying expensive stuff from unknown Asian stores :)

Here are the contacts of the producer in case you want to get some more info:
Lau
MXcamera
eBay Store: [shoplink 14759 ebay]zhuomingcamera[/shoplink].
YH Store : http://hk.user.auctions.yahoo.com/hk/booth/mxcamera_hk
Web Site : http://mxcamera.com/
face book: https://www.facebook.com/mxcamera

Dpreview (Click here) posted an interview with Phil Molyneux, President and Chief Operating Officer of Sony Electronics. I am going ot highlight the most interesting info only:
– He said there is no need to have touchscreen on the NEX-6 because “We believe their interest in touchscreen capability is far less than the user who shoots with the camera held at arm’s length.”
– It is possible to make a compact mirrorless NEX with FF sensor. The real challenge is “building the lenses that can cover a full frame imaging circle at that flange back distance…But it is possible“. He also said that much of the RX1 design could be used for an interchangeable version camera.
– pre-orders of the RX1 have been overwhelmingly positive.

In sum, I really got the feeling that Sony is aware of the benefits of making a Full Frame NEX system. And I pretty much sure that we will get some nice surprise in 2013!

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RX1 preorders at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 preorders at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

Our SAR facebook reader Emmanuel found a cute mistake made by the marketing guys at Sony Canada (Click here to see it). Just watch the fourth slider image. They put the image of the Sony A900 instead of that of the A99. Not the best way to promote the A99 :)

The only new A900 or A850 I found is on [shoplink 14714 ebay]eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink]. Probably one of the last ever Sony FF OVF model you can find in new conditions. Meantime the A99 shipping date differs and keeps changing from country to country. Now it’s late October for EU and Canada and early November for US. Check out all links at Alphacameradeals to get exact dates depending from the country.

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Some of the A99 preorder links:  Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

Gary Friedman’s book about the Sony RX100 is now available for $21.45 at friedmanarchives.com. This the only Sony camera that managed to stay for months ont he top seller list of Amazon (Click here to see the ranking). Definitely the most popular Sony camera of the year and a camera that has zero competition yet. If I would have to pickup one camera only that this may be my top option.

RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

Before the Photokina news storm we talked about the new NEX and SLT hack project. I think it’s one of the most interesting news of the year and I hope the hacker named “Someone 1.00” will succeed in delivering some interesting new features on Sony cameras. But he now needs your help:
1) To buy the third NEX camera (Click here to donate). UPDATE: Someone 1.00 just told us that they now managed to collect the necessary money!
2) He also needs developers to push the Sony hack project (Click here to read what’s needed).

And here is the link ot the firmware unpacker.

If all goes well we don’t have to rely on Sony only to get new features on current cameras. Yes, I am talking about the NEX-7 firmware update that we are all eagerly waiting for :(