A reliable leaker on Weibo wrote this:

Chinese zoom autofocus lenses are under development. Mr. Ma has confirmed through news channels that domestic brands are currently developing new zoom AF lenses. One of them has approved two full-frame zoom AF lenses and at least one APS-C frame zoom AF lens, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

In addition, the news of domestic F1.4 full-frame large aperture AF lens has been confirmed. If everything goes well, it is expected that one or two F1.4 large aperture AF lenses will be launched in 2024, ensuring one and striving for two, with commonly used focal lengths, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

Companies like Viltrox and 7Artisans already offer autofocus prime lenses. Making zoom lenses is much harder because the autofocus algorithm gets much more complicated. Now it seems like Chinese manufacturers tackled the issue and we are getting three E-mount zoom lenses this year already!

My bet is that Viltrox will be the first Chinese company launching an AF zoom lens in 2025. Just a reminder: Viltrox teased the launch of many fast primes…including f/1.4 primes like mentioned by the leaker:

• Viltrox AF135mm F1.8 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.2 LAB E full frame
• Viltrox AF35mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF50mm F1.4 Pro E full frame
• Viltrox AF85mm F1.4 Pro E full frame

Statista published those two charts that once more highlight the impact of the smartphone business on sales of digital cameras. They writes:

According to CIPA, a Japan-based industry group with members such as OM Digital Solutions (formerly Olympus), Canon and Nikon, worldwide camera shipments dropped by 94 percent between 2010 and 2023, wiping out decades of growth. The steep decline was mainly driven by a drop-off in shipments of digital cameras with built-in lenses, the type that casual photographers used to rely on prior to the rise of smartphone photography. In 2023, CIPA members shipped just 1.7 million cameras with built-in lens, down from almost 109 million in 2010.

The downtrend seems to have been bottomed out. The next years should be more stable and there might be even some small sales increase with youngsters being very much interested in cameras that give them a certain edge over classic smartphone photography. For example: The Pentax 17 film camera and the FujiFilm X100VI are selling hot because of their unique values. Let’s see if Sony gets it and will update their RX lineup...

There is a new major update for Topaz Photo AI (Click here). This release of Photo AI includes:

• Three new Sharpen models: Lens Blur v2, Natural, and Refocus
• Personalized model and strength settings
• Presets in suggestions
• Auto-selection added to the controls tab
• Improved color accuracy for Canon RAW files
• Performance improvements for preview behavior
• Allow the Capture One plugin to save a DNG

Want to dig in deeper? Here’s a full breakdown of what to look for in this latest release:

Yodobashi reports that during the first half of August the APS-C camera sales did particularly well:

1. Sony α7C II with kit lens
2. Sony α7C II body only
3. Nikon Z8
4. Canon EOS R6 Mark II
5. Canon EOS R50 double zoom lens kit
6. FujiFilm X-T5 with kit lens
7. Sony ZV-E10II with kit lens
8. Canon EOS R10 with kit lens
9. Nikon Z50 double lens kit
10. FujiFilm X-T50 with kit lens

As you see, most cameras are APS-C. And the new ZV-E10II is selling well (as expected). Sitll think that a Sony A7000 high end APS-C would sell hot if Sony would have the courage to launch this!

The BEST Compact Camera EVER Made? | Sony RX100vii in 2024

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Back to School: What You Want versus What You Need (Explora).
Surrealist Photography: How to Take Surreal Photos (42West).
What cameras and lenses I use to shoot high school football: It’s the 1st game of the season! (PM-R TV).
FUJI vs SONY –Same Lens Two Cameras, Which Is Better? (Matti Sulanto).
Viltrox AF 56mm f/1.7 on Sony E lens review (Christopher Frost).
Best Lenses for Wildlife Photography: Top Picks 2024 (42West).
Back to School: Top Backpacks for All Your Devices (Explora).

Follow our new Youtube channel.
Join our SonyAlphaForum.
I kindly invite you all to follow our Discord channel, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group. Sony A1 group. Sony A9 series group. Sony A7r series group. Sony A7s series group. Sony A7 series group.

Til August 26 you save big on Sigma lenses sold on BHphoto, Amazon and Adorama.

Lenses, SD card and accessories:

• Tamron 70-180mm f(/2.8 for $889 at Amazon US (Click here).
• For a limited time you get a $150 discount on this Lexard SD 2-pack sold by BHphoto.
• Til August 25 you save 10% on all PGYTECH products sold on their Amazon page. The deal includes a discount on their well known card reader.

Kickstarter:

• The German company SPINN launched the new generation Water resistant wrapper on Kickstarter (Click here). It now has an extra barrier that now also protects your equipment against wet conditions!
• Light Meter Lit Duo 1 on Kickstarter (Click here)
• PGYtech new customizable Outdoor Photography Backpack on Kickstarter (Click here).

Save up to $600 on Sony gear sold at BHphoto, Adorama and Amazon. Some special mentions:

Cameras:

• $400 off on the Sony A7rV at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $300 off on the Sony A7sIII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $300 off on the ZV-E1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $500 off on the Sony A7III at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
• $200 off on the Sony A7IV at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.

Lenses:

• $100 off on the 50mm f/1.2 GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 85mm f/1.4 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 35mm f/1.4 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 24mm f/1.4 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 14mm f/1.8 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 12-24mm GM at Amazon. BHphoto. Adorama.
• $100 off on the 200-600mm G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 100-400mm GM at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 16-55mm f/2.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $200 off on the 24-105mm G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 70-300mm G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 16-35mm PZ at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 90mm macro at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 20mm f/1.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 15mm f/1.4 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $50 off on the 24mm f/2.8 G at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
• $100 off on the 10-20mm PZ at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.

If you are curious about what Sony said at the annual meeting, take a look at this newly released video. Not much was said about the Alpha strategy…