The new Sony financial report shows that the sales of gigital imaging products declined by 2.1% to 162.5 billion yen (about 1.46 billion €), although the digital camera sales rise to 6.2 million units (of the order of 1 million shares, or nearly 20% more than in Q2 09). The cause of that decline are the decreased sales prices. The [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX[/shoplink] cameras pushed the unit sales.
The annual forecast for digital camera sales leaves Sony unchanged at 23 million units.

Sony also announced its first cinema camcorder (PMW-F3) with its new “Super 35 CMOS sensor” onboard. The camcorder has a PL mount lenses, MPEG-2 Long GOP video compression scheme and XDCAM EX Recording format. To bad the camera has no Alpha mount but I guess it makes a lot more sense to use the PL mount to appeal the pro-market. PL-mount lenses are especially designed for video and very expensive lenses ([shoplink 4596]I found lenses up to $38.000 here on eBay[/shoplink]).

Press release:

The PMW-F3K is part of the CineAlta 24P family of digital cinematography products and its support for multiple frame rates includes a filmic 23.98P as well as S-Log workflows.

Sony’s Exmor™ Super35 CMOS sensor was designed with the benefit of two decades experience in Digital Cinematography, pioneering digital HD acquisition for feature films and broadcast TV through the legendary CineAlta product range. It brings a true ‘film look’ and superior image quality into reach for independent movies, pop promos, commercials and other applications, as well as making the PMW-F3K an ideal B-camera for high-end feature film production.

The PMW-F3K is supplied with three high quality Sony lenses and an industry standard PL Mount adaptor providing compatibility with industry standard 35mm lenses. (Also available is the lens-less PMW-F3L.)

Exceptional flexibility is a key feature of the PMW-F3K along with with multiple workflow options. XDCAM EX’s proven high-speed, intuitive workflow offers seamless integration with leading nonlinear editing software – as standard. In addition, a 10bit 4:2:2 HD-SDI output opens up hybrid recording possibilities with a variety of external recording devices. And from April 2011, a Dual Link HD-SDI option will enable 10bit RGB uncompressed signal output – ideal for the high-end film production.

This product comes with PrimeSupport – fast, hassle-free repairs and a helpline offering expert technical advice. Which gives you the peace of mind that Sony is looking after your equipment, and your business.

Sony intend to release it on the 1st of February in with-lens (2,205K JPY) and without-lens (1,522.5K JPY) packages.

Superdrift Challenge 2010 Final Show (shot with the [shoplink 3058]Sony NEX-VG10[/shoplink])

Dcresource tested the new [shoplink 3617]Sony Alpha SLT-A55[/shoplink]: “Despite a few annoyances (which every camera will have, in one form or another), it’s hard not to like the Sony Alpha SLT-A55. It’s a great choice for those who want to capture fast action, instantly create panoramas, or just take great pictures without having to take a class first. Whether you’re thinking of buying your first D-SLR, or already have a collection of A-mount lenses, the SLT-A55 is definitely worth your consideration.”

American Peyote posted a new [shoplink 3058]Sony NEX-VG10[/shoplink] User Review. What is really amazing are their Studio Portrait pictures made with the camcorder! Check out their Flickr page. They say that it: “Works much better than the NEX5 would (which has no hotshoe to trigger the stobes)”

Sony Alpha A580 at photocomment.

Blake Lively and her Sony NEX-5 (SonyAlphaNex)

Sony NEX VCLECF1 Fisheye Conversion and Italy (SonyAlphaNex)

Full Sony A33 review at Imaging Resource.

After days of rumors finally we can see the new Panasonic GF2. And with a little bit of surprise Panasonic dind’t manage it to reduce the size of the GF2 to match the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX cameras[/shoplink]. Using a little marketing trick Panasonic is now promoting the GF2 saying that it is the smallest mirrorless camera…..with built-in Flash :)

P.S.: I still preferr the older Panasonic GF1.

Megapixel had a small talk with Takashi Jasuda (Sony Europe) at Photokina and those are the most interesting parts of the interview:
– 01:48 “We almost completed the development of the 500mm G lens.”
– 02:50 Takashi talks about the NEX roadmap
– 04:33 A700 replacement (it will be a translucent model)
– 07:00 Will there be a Fullframe translucent camera? It is possible to make a FF translucent but Sony doesn’t know if there is a real demand for it. They didn’t decide if they will develop such a model or not.
– At 08:45 Takashi didn’t undertsand the question :)
– 09:39 Takashi talks about 3D
– 13:20 Will there be video lenses for SLT cameras? The answer is “yes”!

It’s SonyAlphaRumors’ first birthday!

I started working on this website exactly one year ago and there is one reason only why I want to celebrate this event. It’s the perfect occasion to thank you! Because of your help I can post unique rumors and interesting news and pay the server bills. What I like most is that through this website I am able to meet so many people from everywhere around the world! I only wish I would have more time to visit you all in your country :)

I could write a book about what happened in the past year, but I will stop here. Because really, the only thing you should know is that I feel happy to be here for you! Thanks!

Akihabaranews tested the new Sony NEX-VG10. Their conclusion: “Despite its painful UI, control button layout, its incapacity to smoothly and quickly zoom in and out as well as many other small drawbacks, the NEX-VG10 is a fantastic camera.” and “Not only is the NEX-VG10 a gorgeous camera to look at but it also offers gorgeous video to watch. It is definitively the best “Hybrid Camcorder” ever made and the best compact “Handycam” made by Sony so”

Direct shop links to the Sony NEX-VG10:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT