Phase detection or not phase detection….that’s the question! Mirrorless cameras are currently do lag behind most DSLR cameras in terms of autofocus speed. That’s why Sony is developing a sensor for NEX cameras that has built-in phase detection capabilities. I found (again) a new patent that describes the technology (Click here to see the publication at freepatentsonline). Fuji is already using it on the [shoplink 6047 ebay]Finepix Z800EXR (Click here to see that camera)[/shoplink]! See the Fuji camera specs at [shopcountry 6047]. There is also a nice article on Dpreview (Click here) that describes the Fuji technology.

But I don’t know if such a sensor will be ever implemented in NEX cameras. Rumors are saying that Olympus next PEN cameras will have an extremely fast and accurate autotofocus and catch up with DSLR cameras in terms of af speed. So maybe Sony is wasting time with it?

After a two days troubles with hacked code and new server installation I can finally go back to normal news coverage. A trusted source just sent me the price in Euro of the A77 body. As you know two weeks ago I told you that the A77 camera + 18-55mm kit lens would cost $1099. Now I am pretty sure the A77 body only will cost 999 Euro in Europe! I think that’s a very good price if the image and body quality is on top as we expect it to be! I also expect street price to be around 950 Euro.

That’s less than the main competition:
Check Canon 7D price at [shopcountry 6954].
Check Nikon D7000 price at price at [shopcountry 6952].

I have been told that this is possible because the translucent cameras can get rid of the expensive optical viewfinder system. Production costs should be around 15-20% less than classic DSLR cameras!
One more thing: I know from trusted that the price of raw glas almost doubled in a bit more than one year!

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Before you read please keep in mind that I didn’t get a final confirmation for the following rumor. So please don’t get to excited? I am posting this because I hope other sources can confirm the rumor. A good source just sent me this. “July will also see the announcement of the A55 replacement (tentative) and the A77. In addition to the new A mount bodies, 2 new NEX photo products will also be discussed as well as the VG10 replacement.”

If all works fine than Sony will announce following products in July (or some of them in September):
The A77 with 24 Megapixel.
The A57 or A65 (not sure about the name yet) with less Megeapixels (?)
The NEX-7 which has the same sensor as the A77
The NEX-C5 with same A57/65
The VG20
The 16-50 f/2.8 Alpha Mount lens
The 24mm f/1.7 Zeiss NEX lens.
The 55-200mm NEX lens.
One more thing: The 500mm f/4.0 lens has been delayed!!!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: On Tuesday June 14th from 19:00 to 24:00 GMT (London) time comments will be disabled. I am moving the website on a new faster server. That will allow me to avoid crashes during the upcoming Sony announcements. And I can finally add some features on this website (+ fix the current issues). The whole server+installation costs are $3700 high. If you want to help to cover the server costs feel free to use our affiliate links to make shopping ([shopcountry 7207]) or feel free to donate by using that paypal button:

. Thanks!

–

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

A lot of people sent me links to a rumor posted by a website I don’t want to mention here. Since months that website is copying our rumors and rewriting them just a little bit to get some attention. And of course they do it without mention us as the sources. I am not going to link to that website. One of their fake rumors is based on our fullframe camera rumor I posted here: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-sounds-like-we-will-see-two-new-fullframe-cameras-in-2012/

They added one single fake info which makes you people going mad :) They said the A99 will be announced in September. That’s WRONG! That website is famous for copying and than faking rumors. The next FF cameras will come next year.

P.S.: Now you know why I am always writing that boring “SonyAlphaRumors.com” script on images I do leak here!

A new A77 tester contacted me to say that he had the chance to play a bit with a preproduction version of the A77. He said that the automatic focusing is insanely fast (yes that is the word he used). it’s fast even in Tracking Mode. The new OLED viewfinder is a huge step forward compared to the A55 viewfinder. There are “almost” no jerk’s when moving the camera fast. The manual controls and buttons are placed right, he found the usability has been improved too (compared to the A55). And there is also a completely new feature. Apperently the A77 will be compatible with the USB 3.0 standard. Via Wikipedia: “USB 3.0 has transmission speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s, which is 10 times faster than USB2.0 (480 Mbit/s). USB 3.0 significantly reduces the time required for data transmission, reduces power consumption, and is downward compatible with USB 2.0.”. This is wonderful news (if it turns out to be true)! Imagine to transfer all your 24 Megapixel pictures in a few second from the A77 to your computer! WOW! I told you guys the A77 will set new standards!
Stay tuned on SAR, will keep you busy with rumors ;)

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

Dear readers!

The NEX-C3 and A35 have been announced and I wanted to “warn you” new rumors will come soon! Stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors!

There is only one thing that worries me about the NEX-7. As you know the Sony NEX-C3 and A35 will come in August only and the 30mm macro will be in Stock even later…in October! It worries me because this might be a sign that Sony has indeed some production issues. While the A77 and A57 (don’t know the name yet) will be announced in early July….will the NEX-7 and Zeiss 24mm lens might be delayed? Photoscala reports that Japanese companies produced 30% less cameras and lenses compared to last year (April 2011 vs April 2010 comparison). I repeat I have no confirmation that the NEX-7 has been delayed, but I am a bit worried that not a single source sent me some new info about the NEX-7.

If you have some more info about that drop me a text by using the contact form on the right sidebar (anonymously of course!).

Meanwhile, keep visiting the website daily. I am getting more hands-on reports of people testing the A77! They are all really happy with the camera. Can’t wait to see it for real!!!

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Sony officially announced (via Amateur Photographer) that “Sony plans to discontinue its full-frameAlpha 850 DSLR this summer and has already stopped making its Alpha 290 and 390 DSLRs, less than a year since they were announced.” and “Sony plans to halt production of the Alpha 850 (pictured) in July or August because the 24.6MP camera is too similar in specification and price to the flagship Alpha 900 model. ”

You can still get those cameras in some stores:
A850 direct search links at [shopcountry 3028].
A390 direct search links at [shopcountry 7226].
A290 direct search links at[shopcountry 7225].