The winners of the XXI TIPA AWARDS 2011 have been announced. Sony cameras won the price in two categories.

The [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] won the price in the category “Best Imaging Innovation“. That’s the motivation: “Sony has developed translucent mirror technology for a new level of functionality. The advantages of a translucent, fixed mirror technology are evident in the form of real time, phase detect autofocus (also available in Movie Mode) and much increased burst mode speed. By means of SLT design bodies can also be made smaller, thus reducing weight and size without sacrificing functionality and advanced technology benefits.”

The [shoplink 3058]Sony NEX-VG10[/shoplink] won the price in the category “Best Expert Camcorder“. Motivation: “This camcorder could be considered the perfect “convergence” imaging system, equally serving the still photo and video worlds. The novel NEX-VG10 uses most of the electronics of Sony NEX-5 CSC, the same Exmor HD CMOS APS-C size sensor and the same E-mount for interchangeable lenses. However, its architecture and layout clearly favours video with a very remarkable performance thanks to 24Mbps codec AVCHD.”

Full list of the winners at http://www.tipa.com/english/XXI_tipa_awards_2011.php

Click those direct links to check the price and availability of the cameras:
Sony A55 at [shopcountry 3617].
Sony NEX-VG10 at [shopcountry 3058].

(via Noisycamera)

A new japanese Sony NEX advertising page (Sony.jp)
A new NEX tripod mount adapter (DC.watch) and a new NEX panorama bracket (DC.watch).
Sony NEX-3 with Konica Hexanon 40mm 1.8 (SonyAlphaNex).
The Lights Down Test at EosHD ( Canon 600d vs Panasonic GH2/GF2 vs Sony NEX-3).
Replacing NEX LCD cover glass (PhotoclubAlpha)

Links to the cameras mentioned in that post:
Sony A55: [shopcountry 3617].
Sony NEX-3: [shopcountry 3000].

Dear readers.

Sorry if I didn’t manage to post any new rumor or news today. I am a sick because of allergy. My head is literally exploding and I need to rest a bit. Will be back tomorrow with new rumors and news!

P.S.: I still didn’t hear of any A77 and NEX-7 announcement delay. So let’s hope they will definitely be announced in July! (P.S.: both do feature the same 24 Megapixel sensor).

The gap in the DSLR market between Canon and Sony is still big but if you take into account all sold cameras in the year 2010 (DSLR+Mirrorless+compact cameras) the gap is only 1.1%!
According to Bloomberg worldwide camera sales jumped 10 percent to 141 million units last year, helped by the introduction of new models and economic growth in markets such as China. To win new customers, Sony and Samsung Electronics Co. are among companies unveiling devices that eliminated the need for a mirror in professional- grade cameras, where Canon has the lead.
“Sony’s and Samsung’s launching new mirror-less digital cameras helped them obtain more market share,” said Masahiko Ishino, an analyst at Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co.
Most of the sold digital cameras are the small compacts. But you have higher profit margins on system cameras (That’s why Canon and Nikon are making more money than Sony). You can see on Amazon that most cameras in the TOP 20 are compacts:
Amazon US rankings (Click here)
Amazon DE rankings (Click here)
Amazon UK rankings (Click here)
Amazon FR rankings (Click here)
Amazon IT rankings (Click here)

My two cent on that: My crystal ball tells me that Sony will have the chance to surpass Canon if they manage to gain back some trust in the pro business with the A77 and the future full frame translucent cameras. Not to talk if they will manage to release a fullframe NEX. That would make one of my dreams become true! One more thing: I hope all that will happen before the end of the world in December 2012 -> according to the Maya calendar ;)

As you know Sony had to delay the recent NEX and SLT camera announcements. Some of my sources already saw the cameras and they still don’t know when Sony will release them (a possible date is May 26th). The reasons for the delay are well known. In his latest post Thom Hogan made a brief desription about what’s going on with the digital camera production problems in Japan. It perfectly fits with the info I received from my sources: “I see several different estimates from various sources within Japan, but in no case does the Northern Japan power grid (which includes Tokyo itself) look like it will be anywhere near handling the demand this summer. There could be 50% shortfalls some days, and the average shortfall in July and August could reach 30%. That means frequent and long power blackouts, which is bad news for the camera industry. Sensor fabs, for instance, of which several are in the area, need continuous power (on top of the temperature issues in many critical processes, you’ve got to maintain continuous air filtration to avoid contamination). High quality glass factories can’t be turned on and off easily with rolling blackouts. It appears that the deeper into the supply chain you go (e.g., back to chemicals and raw materials), the worse the problem gets: those plants can’t be toggled on and off at whim. Many need long warm-up periods or continuous power to operate.”
and…
“Between the March quake and early winter when things even up a bit in the power realm, I’m guessing that the output of the plants in the affected area could be less than 50% of normal. That could mean nearly nine months of significantly reduced production of everything from Nikon FX bodies, to Nikon/Canon/Panasonic lenses, to Sony CMOS sensors, to all those proprietary lithium batteries, and more.”

Sony is also  considering having all its employees in Japan take two-week summer vacations to save energy (Source: Breitbart)

I guess the Tsunami-Fukushima disaster will affect the digital camera industry for the whole year and maybe more. Le’s hope Japanese engineers can fix the Fukushima plant as soon as possible…

Video on top: Juan Martinez (Sony Product Manager) shows the new Sony NEX-FS100 camera. He also talks a bit about the upcoming E-mount lenses.

According to Macworld the Sony A55 is the best DSLR in the sub $1,000 category.
Chipworks: Sony Switches to Bulk BSI in 1.1um Pixel (Image Sensor World).
iSuppli on Japan Image Sensor Industry Hit by Disaster (Image Sensor World)
Sony mulls two-week summer break to save energy (Breitbart.com).
Sony NEX Viewfinder with Magnifier (SonyAlphaNex)

Sony just announced new Sony Alpha Camera Accessories:
HVL-F43AM external flash with GN43, Quick Shift Bounce adjustment, wireless ratio control and dust/moisture resistant design. Price $350.
VCT-55LH bracket is versatile mounting bracket that offers space for mounting additional ISO cold shoe accessories. Price $50.
LCS-AMB soft carrying case protects A-mount camera and attached standard zoom lens while traveling. Price $50.
ALC-SH111 lens hood shades cameras from direct sunlight to prevent glare and lens flare. Price $20. UPDATE: The lens hood is made for the 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/2.8 specifically (Thanks DYna for reminding us that).

P.S.: Direct links to the Sony 35mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 6422] and the Sony 85mm f/2.8 at [shopcountry 5979].

You can read more at Sony.eu.

At least we have something new we can buy :)  I will go for the flash! And you?

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