Sony talks about the competitor to the Fujifilm X100VI, the new 100-300mm f/2.8 and the continuation of the A7s series!


Sony manager Fabrice Abuaf. Image by Phototrend

The French website Phototrend has conducted an interview with Sony manager Fabrice Abuaf. Here are a couple of answers:

About Sony’s market share in Europe:

we remain the leaders in France and Europe in the full-frame hybrid market, while maintaining positive momentum.

About the Sony A7IV sales:

It is true that the A7 IV faces some tough competition. It is not always at the top of sales every month, especially depending on each one’s promotions. However, it remains a best-seller.

Note: He also confirmed the Sony A7IV is their best selling camera.

About the future A7V he answered:

Every product release has its own dynamics. Products arrive when they arrive, if they are meant to arrive.

SAR note…LOL :)

About the Sony A7sIII being the oldest FF camera in the lineup:

It is true that the FX range, especially with the FX3, is very successful with video content creators, but this does not call into question the relevance of the A7S III, which follows a normal life cycle for a product in this range.

As for the future, it’s hard to predict what will come, but for now, the A7S III still has its place on the market. It maintains a good level of sales, while the FX3 is aimed at a more professional and demanding audience.

About Sony making their own version of the extremely popular Canon 100-300mm f/2.8 and Nikon 120-300mm f/2.8 lenses:

I think there is a lot of demand, especially from professional and sports photographers, for Sony to develop telephoto zoom lenses. Sony engineers are listening and prioritizing based on feasibility and production.

About Sony making a camera that competes in the same FujiFilm X100VI segment:

I believe many ambassadors and professional photographers have already given this type of feedback to Sony engineers. As for what the future holds, I can’t predict.

About the APS-C segment:

It is a segment that remains relevant. Although the full-frame range is now more developed with more new features, the APS-C range is not left behind. The launch of the A6700, which integrates full-frame technologies, such as the AI ​​chip, new menus and the dual Bionz XR processor, is an example of this.

About future f/1.2 primes and f/2.0 zooms:

I don’t have any information on product releases.

My take on this interviews:

  1. First of all, it is clear that Sony has received requests for a fixed lens camera. I hope these requests will convince Sony to revive the RX series!
  2. I think it is very likely that Sony is already developing a 100-300mm f/2.8 lens like the competition has.
  3. I am a bit surprised to hear him say the A7sIII is following a normal release cycle and that sales are still strong. What do you think…will we get the A7sIV next year?

 

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Of the future products talked in this interview I would definitely like to get...

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Sony Electronics Releases New Updates for Its Camera Remote Toolkit

Press text:

Sony Electronics Releases New Firmware 

Updates for Its Camera Remote Toolkit

New Versions of Camera Remote SDK and Camera Remote Command Increase Number of Compatible Models, Expand Remote Control Options, and Enhance Video Workflows

SAN DIEGO — Oct. 16, 2024 — Sony Electronics Inc. has released new firmware updates for its Camera Remote Toolkit, giving content creators more creative options and remote-control flexibility when working with Sony’s professional handheld, digital cinema, and alpha interchangeable lens camera models. The new updates include:

Camera Remote SDK – Firmware Version 1.13, planned to be available October 2024

  1. Additional Compatible Cameras: ZV-E10 II, PXW-Z200, HXR-NX800 (the SDK is also compatible with Sony’s ILX-LR1, ILCE-1, ILCE-9M3, ILCE-9M2, ILCE-7RM5, ILCE-7RM4A, ILCE-7RM4, ILCE-7CR, ILCE-7SM3, ILCE-7M4, ILCE-7CM2, ILCE-7C, ILCE-6700; BURANO (MPC-2610), ILME-FX6V/ILME-FX6T (Ver. 3.00 or later), ILME-FX3 (Ver. 2.00 or later), ILME-FX30, ZV-E1, DSC-RX0M2 (Ver. 3.00 or later).
  2. Absolute Position Settings for Optical Zoom: allows users to move the zoom to a desired position with a single command prompt for a substantive time gain.
  3. Remote Emulation: users can remotely receive display information from the camera including on-screen display. This provides the level of remote-control equivalent to a non-remote application.
  4. Exposure Notification Timing Adjustment: provides an exposure signal in advance of shooting still imagery, giving creators the opportunity for an advanced synchronization scenario with flash lighting.
  5. Enhanced Video Recording Workflows
  • Background File Transfer: remote control and file transfer can be performed simultaneously for maximum remote production efficiency.
  • Recorded Video Preview: users can review any section of a video remotely without having to transfer the entire file to a computer.
  1. Remote Firmware Update (ILX-LR1 model only): users can now update the camera’s firmware remotely within the user application. When future firmware updates are released, they can be applied without disassembling the system. As of firmware version 1.13, this capability only applies to the Sony camera model ILX-LR1.

Camera Remote Command – Version 2024.1.0, planned to be available October 2024

  1. Addition of Compatible Models: FX6, BURANO, α9 III, ZV-E10 II
  2. PTP-IP Support: allows users and developers to control their Sony camera via Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a USB cable and improving flexibility in terms of shooting positions and angles.
  3. Supports More Than 100 New Commands: enables switching the memory card slot according to the situation, for both still images and video recordings, and adjusting the upper and lower limits of ISO AUTO to the shooting environment requirements.

About Camera Remote Toolkit

Sony’s Camera Remote Toolkit takes complete control over Sony’s range of cameras and lenses in any environment with the Camera Remote SDK and Camera Remote Command.

Users can develop software that allows them to remotely change camera settings and perform live-view monitoring such as shutter release, framing, and focus. It can also be used for cutting-edge content creation, inspections, and surveys in a wide range of fields such as e-commerce, public institutions, medical care, and education.

For more information and to download the Camera Remote Toolkit, please click here. ​

Good news: Sony A7IV firmware 4.0 released!

Good news folks! Sony officially released the new 4.0 firmware update for the Sony A7IV.

Benefits and Improvements

  • Adds support for focus bracket shooting, which allows for continuous shooting while automatically shifting the focus position
  • Introduces additional settings for exposure value adjustments and number of shots in the exposure bracketing
  • Adds a function that automatically creates still images with Shot Marks from movie frames after recordings
    Note: You can add a Shot Mark while shooting or playing a movie and use it as a mark for selecting, transferring, or editing the movie.
  • Allows the use of Focus Magnifier and Auto Magnifier in MF while using the Bright Monitoring feature
  • Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
  • You can now continue shooting while transferring captured photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • Transfer to smartphones and tablets can now be resumed even if interrupted in the middle of a transfer
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • You can now transfer only the differences that have not yet been transferred to your smartphone or tablet, or add videos to be transferred during the transfer process
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • Adds support for the Monitor & Control app
    Note: The Monitor & Control app connects wirelessly to a camera and enables video monitoring and remote control with a smartphone or tablet.
    Ver. 2.1.0 or later of the Monitor & Control app is necessary. The Monitor & Control app may not be available in some countries or regions.
  • Fixes an issue where peaking display would appear during movie playback
  • Improves the functionality and operational stability of the camera

Note: Please refer to the Help Guide for details on all updated functions.

The new Viltrox AF 28mm F4.5 pancake AF FE lens is now available at Amazon US&EU, BHphoto and other stores

You can finally buy the new pancake lens at Amazon US, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon FR, Pergear, Viltrox.

Personally, I think this is a cool new toy. Instead of using a lens cap, you just have to put the lens on all the time and the image quality is good enough to take photos on the go. And here comes a curious story about this lens. You can actually modify it to make it anamorphic:

This is unexpected: Zeiss is advertising its lenses on YouTube again…will they be back on the market?

5 years ago (April 24, 2019), Zeiss announced the Zeiss Otus 100mm F1.4, its last lens with “photo” focus. The last announcement of an E-mount lens was 6 years ago (September 27, 2018) with the Zeiss Batis 40mm F2 CF.

Zeiss obviously doesn’t believe there is money to be made in this market and has stopped making new photo lenses. They still make new cine lenses and they still produce their old Batis–Loxia–Otus lenses. But we have to be honest, their lenses are now obsolete. The autofocus of the Batis lenses is slow and the competition offers excellent lenses at a much lower price.

But yesterday Zeiss did something unexpected: they released a new video promoting their lenses. Exactly 4 years after the last Zeiss Batis video. In the most realistic scenario, this means “nothing”…. maybe it’s just a random “accident”. In the optimistic scenario, maybe Zeiss is rethinking its strategy and is ready to launch new lenses for the Sony E-mount?

I’m just speculating here, but I think there are a few good reasons why they might do this:

  1. The decade-long downward trend in the camera market has stopped and there are clear signs that the market is now stable. So it’s easier to invest in such an environment.
  2. The high-end market is still healthy and full-frame cameras are now the norm.
  3. Zeiss still has an attractive brand name and would certainly have no problem selling new lenses if they are good enough.

What kind of Zeiss lenses would you like to use?

My opinion:

  1. I think there would be room for a new Otus series designed for mirrorless cameras. The original OTUS was designed for DSLR and was too big.
  2. A series of f/1.4 Batis lenses for the Sony E-mount system would also be nice.

But I am aware that I am in a dream….. The most likely outcome is that Zeiss will continue to ignore the mirrorless world :(