Last Friday I posted a low rated rumor from a Chinese source that unveiled a possible Sony 2012-2013 camera roadmap (Click here to read that article). I asked you which camera you would buy from the rumored list. The result is quite clear with Full Frame cameras beating every APS-C model:

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Of course there is a difference between a “wish” and a real “purchase” of a product. And it’s inevitable that Full Frame has a sort of magic attraction when compared with APS-C cameras. But recent Nikon D800 huge preorder numbers and the Canon 5dmarkIII expectations make me wonder WHY in your opinion Sony could appeal you compared to those two cameras.

So please let me and Sony know what aspects from a Sony FF you think are appealing you:

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If you have another reason I didn’t mention in the poll please comment this post and I will add it to the POLL. Thanks!

Reminder: The Chinese roadmap says that:
a99, 24 million pixels, 2012 (September)
a950 (a1), 36 million pixels, 2013 (February) -> The [shoplink 3032]A900 successor[/shoplink]
Fullframe NEX in late 2013.

The only thing I can tell you via trusted sources is that the A99 rumor is correct, and that other FF cameras will be announced in 2013.

First we had that price increase in Hong Kong, than the rumored price increase in USA. Now one of my trusted sources told me that Sony is going to increase the price almost EVRYEWHERE :( This means that also European and other Asian countries will see new price increases. I don’t have exact info about how much the prices will raise. I only know you will see them in April

For now our USA readers can enjoy an Instant Rebate action at Bhphoto (Click here). It last until March 3th. And from April 1 the party is over with the following price increase:

[shoplink 3032][/shoplink]
Some of our readers noticed that Sony US (Click here) completely removed the A850 and A900 from their stores. A month ago we reported how Sony Japan announced the production stop of the current FF DSLR cameras. Now they are completely gone from the Sony website. A bit pity that we still have to wait until September to see the new Sony FF model. As you know this is an SLT camera with 24 Megapixel and 50-102.400 ISO. The camera is already being tested by photographers and I should get some more info soon.

A personal note: What I will miss form the [shoplink 3032]A900[/shoplink] is the superb 100% viewfinder. It was really the best!

Here are the search links to the last two FF cameras with optical viewfinder (you may will not find them anymore):
Sony A900 [shopcountry 3032].
Sony A850 [shopcountry 3028].

Cotton Coulson used the Sony A77 and NEX VG-20 to shot the video you see here on top: “Both of these cameras are wonderful to work with, each in their own way. For straight video shooting I prefer the ergonomics of the NEX VG-20, but if your primary mission is to shoot stills and at the same time shoot some video clips, the A77 is the way to go. In a perfect world you might own both. I have shot video with the SONY professional model EX-3, and these two cameras (along with the NEX-7) offer tremendous advantage, light, portable, and high quality for in the field documentary work, which is what we do.”

Tamron 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di III VC NEX Lens Review at ePhotozine (Click here): “Those looking for a convenient lens that covers a wide range of focal lengths for their Sony NEX camera should be pleased with the performance from this Tamron optic. Sharpness levels are good for a lens of this type and with a price set almost £100 less expensive than the Sony equivalent it represents pretty good value too.”

Sony NEX-7 video samples with the new Tamron and Rokinon lenses at SonyAlphaLab (Click here).

Sample test crops from the Tamron NEX 18-200mm and Sony NEX 55-210mm (Photojottings).

Sony NEX-5n review at Trustedreviews (Click here).

What’s In the Bag? Sony Artisan Brian Smith at ThePhoBlographer (Click here).

Sony booth CP+ report at Ctec3 (Click here).

Click on the image to see the full size version!

After Samyang, Sigma and Tamron also Yasuhara announced a new lens for the NEX system. It is the Madoka 180, a fisheye lens with 180 degrees. Yasuhara is a small japanese company that has a long history of making Leica clones ([shoplink 11556 ebay]click here to see the Yasuhara Type 1 M-mount camera[/shoplink]). What follows is the official press release text (via Yasuhara.eu)

“Yasuhara announced a new fisheye lens for Mirrorless cameras Sony, Olympus and Panasonic with Sony NEX (E-mount) and micro 4/3 mount. It will be called “Madoka 180” (180 degrees). Links below direct to two image samples you can find on Yasuhara.eu page in full size version.
Madoka 180 image sample No. 1
Madoka 180 image sample No. 2

Here are the basic specs of the Sony E-mount version:

• The lens will have f/4 aperture
• Compact  size
• Length: about 40mm
• Diameter: about 60mm
• Weight: about 200g

The first Yasuhara Madoka will be released for Sony E mount this spring. Madoka will be available for sale on Yasuhara.eu page at the end of March – begining of April 2012. The company is planning to release also a special software for the images taken with Madoka lenses.“

Image of the Nikon D800 (and Sony produced) 36 megapixel sensor

Our good friend from Nikonrumors found an interesting news at Bernama (Click here): “Nikon is targeting to produce 30,000 units of D800 and 5,000 units of D4 camera models, the company’s latest, per month at its factory here.“. There are two interesting aspects:
1) This means that Sony has to produce 30.000 36 megapixels sensor per month for Nikon D800 (and Nikon D800E).
2) It also means that the factories in the form the flood affected area have now been fully restored.

While this is certainly a good business for Sony I am still wondering if Sony will ever have the courage to risk more. It’s ok for me to give the exclusivity for the 36 Megapixel sensor to Nikon. But they should at the same time try to strengthen their FF business. While it’s true that you make most of the money with the smaller APS-C sensor system cameras I am pretty confident there is a huge potential in the full frame market. A 24 Megapixel A99 camera is certainly something appealing but if Sony would have launched a full frame mirrorless system along the current NEX system I am pretty sure many would have bought into that system too! My concern is that Sony is acting a bit too conservative. They risk to loose the momentum they got with thee SLT and NEX launch. NEX lenses are still missing and others like Fuji are catching up (Click here to follow Fujirumors). And I expect Canon to launch their system at Photokina. New Alpha lenses are also needed (some fast primes for example). It’s a time of change now, where new technologies and paradigms are building a new world in the digital camera market. It’s the right time to dethrone the Canon/Nikon world domination!

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P.S: If you want to see some images samples of the new 36 megapixel sensor check at Nikon (Click here) or Jim Brandenburg (Click here).
Price check and preorders at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), J&R (Click here), Amazon Germany (Click here) and Jessops UK (Click here).

Click on picture to enlarge

The taiwanese company Ownuser just published the first NEX-7 battery grip pictures on Facebook (Click here). As you can see form the pictures there is  even a remote trigger. To read the specs and features of the grip just click on the images below. The battery grip cannont be preordered yet and will be avaialble in a couple of months. Ownuser is already known for making remote controllers and battery grips for Sony DSLR/SLT and NEX cameras. You can buy them on [shoplink 11424 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

P.S. NEX-7 in Stock status check:
[shoplist 8454]