From Top to Bottom…the fastest to the tiny bit least fast.
We got a ton of new Type A cards. They are all super fast, mostly more affordable than the previous generation and made for the next generation of Sony cameras that is likely to support the 4.0 standard: Sony A7sIV, Sony A1II, Sony A7V and so forth!
Prograde Type A card reader for $99 at BHphoto, Adorama.
ATTENTION: High risk card: new Airusan 256GB Type A card from Amazon US and EU (Click here) with officially NOT approved VG400 cards (as claimed by them).
Sony just released the full details for a new 247 Megapixel medium format sensor. This sensor is meant for “industrial use” so it’s not clear if this can be used on regular cameras too.
A couple of impressive specs:
3:2 ratio sensor with 53.96mm x 35.97mm size (that’s a medium format sensor used by 30k plus cameras like the Hasselblad H6D)
247MP Back-side illuminated sensor
5fps (which is quite fast considering size and resolution of the sensor.
comes in both color or monochrome versions
Here is the official Sony description:
Description
The IMX811-AAQR is a diagonal 64.84 mm (Type 4.1) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel
array and 247.04 M effective pixels. This sensor incorporates maximum 24 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter.
16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 247.04 M effective pixels at high-speed of 5.3 frame/s
in all-pixel readout mode.
(Application: FA cameras)
Features
◆ Type 4.1 CMOS active pixel type dots
◆ Input clock frequency 72 MHz
◆ All-pixel readout mode
Various readout modes (*)
◆ Rolling shutter function
◆ H driver, V driver and serial communication circuit on chip
◆ +24 dB gain settable in CDS/PGA on chip
◆ Built-in 12-bit/14-bit/16-bit A/D converter
◆ R, G, B primary color mosaic filters on chip
◆ Back-illuminated type
◆ Sensor Slave Mode only
◆Seal glass: both sides are processed by AR coating
◆SLVS-EC output
Device Structure
◆ Back-Illuminated CMOS image sensor
◆ Image size: Diagonal 64.84 mm (Type 4.1)
◆ Total number of pixels: 19680 (H) × 13308 (V) approx. 261.90 M pixels
◆ Number of effective pixels: 19240 (H) × 12840 (V) approx. 247.04 M pixels
◆ Number of active pixels: 19200 (H) × 12800 (V) approx. 245.76 M pixels
◆ Unit cell size: 2.81 μm (H) × 2.81 μm (V)
◆ Optical black: Horizontal (H) direction: Left 188 pixels, right 188 pixels /// Vertical (V) direction: Top 56 pixels, bottom 56 pixels
◆ Package: 786 pin LGA 75.0 mm (H) × 63.6 mm (V)
Drive Mode
All-pixel readout mode 19200 (H) × 12800 (V)
Approx. 245.76 M pixels
12.4 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 12
10.5 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 14
5.3 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 16
My take:
If I am not mistaken I sometimes saw industrial sensors used on regular cameras: An example is this IMX461102MP medium format sensor that is marked for “industrial” use but appears to be the same sensor of the Fujifilm GFX100 and Hasselblad X cameras.
Dear Sony..I am throwing the gauntlet: Make a fixed lens RX camera using this sensor and I will buy it :)
Finally we have an accurate list of RELIABLE Type A cards!
The CompactFlashAssocitation tested all currently available Type A cards and those are the cards that are proven to support the minimum Bitrate and therefore ave consistent performance:
VPG 400 class (minimum fo 400MB/s the card can write continuously). Links to Amazon US&EU:
The Video Performance Guarantee (VPG) is a standard established by the CompactFlash Association to ensure that memory cards can handle the high data rates required for video recording. Specifically, VPG guarantees a minimum sustained write speed necessary for recording high-quality video without dropping frames. This is crucial for professionals and videographers who rely on uninterrupted, high-resolution video capture.
The VPG classes marked by the logos on the card (e.g., VPG200, VPG400) indicate the minimum number of megabytes per second (MB/s) that the card can write continuously. Higher VPG ratings are indicative of better performance enabling more demanding video formats like 4K as well as allowing high-frame-rate recordings to be captured reliably. This standard helps consumers select the appropriate memory card for their specific video recording needs ensuring compatibility and performance.
CFA-Certified Media Cards that Support VPG Profiles
The following products from CFA Members are certified by CFA to support VPG classes VPG200 and VPG400. For a card to support VPG, the card must pass the VPG certification test by CFA. These cards will have the VPG certification logos – the clapboard logos with either 200 or 400 designators – on their labels. End users requiring VPG Profiles should choose media cards from this list. This list will be updated in real-time as new products are introduced.
At IBC 2022, we had the opportunity to talk to Sony’s Nobutatsu Takahashi-san, who is responsible for the Sony Cinema Line of cameras. In this interview, we learn about the underlying philosophy of Sony’s Cinema Line and the approach the company is taking to further empower filmmakers around the world.
A couple of key info:
electronic ND filter in small Alpha cameras:
Currently, it is considered impossible to fit both an IBIS system and ND filters of any kind in such a small body, but as Nobutatsu Takahashi-san puts it “nothing is impossible”. With that in mind, there’s at least hope that we can benefit from both, IBIS, AF and e-ND in the future!
computational cinematography is a trend that will be impossible for anyone to ignore
Presently, the Sony Cinema Line looks like this: FX3, FX6, FX9, then nothing, and then VENICE (VENICE 2). We used to have the F5/F55 as an intermediate. As it is, Sony still sees the possibility for such intermediate cameras, in between workhorses like the FX9 and the very high-end VENICE cameras.
Before we get into this speculative bit about the Sony medium format system I kindly invite you to subscribe my new Youtube channel (click here). And now let’s get onto it:
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It’s about time to talk about facts, myths and rumors about the possible future Sony medium format system. In my video above I explain everything we know so far and below you can find some facts and rumors. It’s important to disclose ASAP that there is no hard fact yet that convinced me the medium format system is coming any time soon. But there is some increasing background noise, and some patents that gives us some breadcrumps on how such a system might look like:
Sony statements on Medium Format:
Back in 2017 Sony manager said that at least for now they rule out the possibility to launch a medium format camera. The reason is that it takes a lot of time and resources to develop a new system with cameras, lenses and accessories. At the same time Sony they have all the necessary resources (knowledge and components) to make such a medium format camera if they would like to do it.
387mm f/2.8 (lens length: 679mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 240mm f/1.7 (using online calculator)
323mm f/2.8 (lens length: 576mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 200mm f/1.7
258mm f/2.8 (lens length: 380mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 160mm f/1.7
161mm f/2.8 – in Full Frame terms this is a 100mm f/1.7
84mm f/2.9 (lens length: 123mm) – in Full Frame terms this is a 52mm f/1.7 (it would be 2cm longer than the Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 FE)
The extraordinary feature of those lens patents is that they are all designed for curved sensors. Sony patented some curved sensors design (example here). This includes also Full Frame curved sensors (example here). Some other company like for example CEA-LETI already displayed some working prototype (more about this here). While Sony already showed an image sample shot on a curved sensor back in 2014 (see here).
“Curved CMOS Image System: When light transmitted by a lens strikes a perpendicular target such as a CMOS image sensor, it forms a circle of light called an image circle. It’s difficult for a flat (planar) CMOS image sensor to deliver high image sensitivity at high resolution (highly scaled pixel pitch) because of the fundamental physical limit known as quantum efficiency. To break through that physical limit and to achieve higher sensitivity anywhere within the image circle at higher resolution, Sony built and will describe an imaging system that comprises a hemispherically curved, back-illuminated CMOS image sensor (BIS) and integrated lens. It doubles the sensitivity at the edge of the image circle while increasing sensitivity at its center by a factor of 1.4, with a 5x reduction of dark current (Jd) compared to a planar BIS. Moreover, a common problem known as lens field curvature aberration (Afc) is mitigated by the curved sensor itself, and so the curved BIS enables higher system sensitivity with a brighter lens with a smaller F number (Fn) than is possible with a planar BIS. In addition, by controlling the tensile stress of the BIS chip to produce a curved shape in the first place, the energy band-gap (Eg) is widened and a lower Jd is achieved. (Paper T2.1, “A Novel Curved CMOS Image Sensor Integrated with Imaging System,” K. Itonaga et al., Sony)“
Recent medium format Rumors:
The only rumor I got from solid sources says that Sony is working on a new kind of camera. But we shouldn’t get too excited about that wording. It could mean a new kind FF camera too. All other rumors are from anonymous sources and therefore at high risk of being B.S. The last two I got tell us this:
Simultaneous announcement about curved sensor medium format camera development (2 cameras, 150mp and 200mp, 9-12 prime lenses, very expensive, to follow quickly)
the medium format system Sony will release in 2 years has not curved sensor, its a new developed 200mp 54×36 sensor in a new mount, Sony will release an adapter to use E lenses (just they can say it had a lot of compatibility lenses cause the system will be released with only 3 primes) and will be a system without mechanical shutter with flash sync faster than anything in the market by far, its a system targeted for ultimate studio work
The business case for a Sony medium format system:
The Sony A1 and the Fuji GFX proved that people is willing to pay a lot of money for exciting cameras. In all those years of constant camera market decline only the high end stuff keeps selling. Sony might have been motivated to be bold and launch a MF system.
Wrap Up:
If patents are any indication for the direction Sony wants to go with their medium format system than we can assume this:
The sensor is 2.2x larger than FF with 53.5mmx 40mm size and 0,65 crop factor. This is larger than the current Fuji GFX sensor (44x30mm, 1.7 larger than FF and 0,79 crop)
All these sensors are curved. This allows the lenses to be much smaller because they don’t need additional glass to correct for distortion. And it allows to get the same sharpness all across the frame. The f/2.8 (FF equivalent f/1.7) lenses are barely larger than Full frame f/1.4 primes.
The patented lenses are all primes with f/2.8 aperture. This is equivalent to f/1.7 in Full Frame terms.
So you see, Sony seems to aim for a proper 645 sensor with curved sensor tech to beat the Fuji GFX system in terms of image quality while still maintaining a relatively compact lens system. The trade off is that such curved sensors are eventually going to be very costly to produce.
It’s all speculation for now, and patents are no proof for real stuff happening. But I hope that within the next few months we will finally learn more if Sony is serious about this. Maybe after reading this known sources can give me some more info about what’s going on with Sony’s medium format plan ;)
A new Sigma patent published today unveils some superb new lenses options for us Sony shooters:
Sigma 300mm f/2.8 for mirrorless system cameras (which definitely means there will be an E and L-mount version).
Sigma 250mm f/2.0 for mirrorless system cameras
Sigma 200mm f/1.8 for mirrorless system cameras
Now usually patents are no guarantee these lenses will make it into final production. But it would make sense from a business point of view because currently Sony doesn’t offer affordable telephoto prime lenses. Not everyone can spend $12,000 for the Sony 400mm GM :)
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