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Last week I told you that the [shoplink 3000]NEX-3[/shoplink] will be replaced by the NEX-C3 in April. And yet not even Sony Japan doesn’t make it a big secret anymore. They officially discontinued the NEX-3 (Source: DC.watch)! According to SonyAlphaRumors sources the new NEX-C3 will have a 16 Megapixel sensor (same as the [shoplink 3003]NEX-5[/shoplink]) and a new body design. If you know more about the NEX-C3 feel free to contact me (Andrea) using the contact form on the right sidebar (anonymously) or by dropping me a message at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

Now dear readers:

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In US the NEX-3 just got a new instant rebates (Check yourself at Amazon (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here).). This could be related to the NEX-3 successor rumor…

NEX-3 direct shop links at [shopcountry 3000]
NEX-5 direct shop links at [shopcountry 3003]

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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!

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Image above: The current [shoplink 5586]Zeiss 16-80mm for APS-C Alpha cameras[/shoplink]

Last week we told you that Zeiss would launch the 24mm f/1.7 for NEX within the next few months. Now another trusted source told us about the next NEX lens! It looks like Sony and Zeiss do have the plan to introduce the 16-80mm for NEX in 2012. We don’t have details about aperture and price yet. The current 16-80mm lens has an aperture of f/3.5-4.5 and price varies from country to country: Check the current 16-80mm lens price at [shopcountry 5586]. let’s hope Zeiss will release the lens as early as possible!

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources (60-80% the rumor is correct)
SR5=almost certainly correct!

Image source: xinhuanet

Dont get to excited about that news. What we are going to see is a new manual and cheap quality lens from China. Zhongyi Optics announced that they are developing a 28mm f/2.8 lens for NEX, which will have a 4 group and 5 lenses design. I believe this is the same company that makes the [shoplink 5594]Loreo 3D lens for NEX[/shoplink]. Price will be around CNY 500 (around 80 USD). UPDATE: Image samples can be found at Xitek (Click here). Thanks Wang!

We already have two cheap chinese NEX lenses:
SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 [shoplink 3514]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]
3D Loreo lenses on [shoplink 5594]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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E just got enlightened about the future Sony 2011 fullframe strategy. The [shoplink 3028]Sony A850[/shoplink] will be slowly get discontinued and the price of the [shoplink 3032]Sony A900[/shoplink] lowered. And the next Sony FF camera will probably shown as a mockup/prototype at PMA 2011.

There are a few indirect signs that the rumor is correct:
1) An official Austria Sony retailer wrote that Sony will not ship any new [shoplink 3028]Sony A850[/shoplink] models anymore (Source: Sonyuserforum.de).
2) In US there is already a never ending instant rebate on the Sony A900 (Click here to check that on Amazon).

It’s impossible for me to check if there are rebates in all stores in all countries so feel free to check for yourself clicking on those links:
Sony A900 direct links to [shopcountry 3032].
Sony A850 direct links to [shopcountry 3028].

As you know the newest [shoplink 3003]NEX-3/5[/shoplink] and [shoplink 3617]A33/55[/shoplink] cameras do make use of the “Exmor” sensor. And a few weeks ago we told you the new A77 will feature the new “Exmor R” CMOS sensor with backlit technology. Funny, with the recent Sony Ericsson Xperia announcements Sony published the teaser I posted on top of the article that indirectly confirmed that future Alpha cameras could/will use the new Exmor backlit technology! We can’t provide you the source because it has been sent to me anonymousely. Please drop me a message at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com if you find it at Sony Ericssons website!

List of all Sony compact cameras with Exmor R sensors at Amazon (Click here).
New Sony Xperia products at Amazon (Click here).
Read more about the Exmor R technology at Sony.net (Click here).

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Short update: New and old trusted sources confirmed the new NEX-C3 will be announced in April. It will feature the same [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5 sensor[/shoplink] but have an “imporved” body. Sounds like the NEX-3 will be definitely replaced.  A NEX-5 successor should be announced a few months later.

I ask my sources to send me rumors about the upcoming lenses that could be announced in April (Thanks!). I guess this is what most of us NEX owners are waiting for…new lenses!

There are a few price drops on the NEX-3 (probably because of the upcoming C3): [shopcountry 3000].

It’s not a secret anymore that Kodak will deifnitely close their CMOS sensor business. The news reinforces the rumor about the possible Leica and Sony sensor partnership. According to MirrorlessRumros.com Leica is working on a fullframe mirrorless system and they need CMOS sensors (not CCD!) for optimal liveview performance. So will Leica use Sony sensors?
Sony already stated that a fullframe NEX is an “option” and the rumored Leica-Sony partnership would create a top of the notch system! Imagine that, Leica and Zeiss fullframe lenses+Sony sensor performance. Who can keep up with that system? Canon, Nikon? No chance!

P.S.: The fullframe mirorrless Leica will be a [shoplink 5501]Leica M9[/shoplink] styled camera without rangefinder and cost 1.500 less! (So I have been told by my sources!)

Useful links:
– Leica M mount lenses at [shoplink 5182]eBay[/shoplink]
– Leica M9 at [shopcountry 5502]

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