The SG-image 35mm f/2.2 FE pancake lens will be released on January 31.

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SG-image announced the pricing and shipment time for the new 35mm f/2.2 Full Frame Autofocus lens:

  • Black: 699 yuan (around $100)
  • Silver: 749 yuan (around $110)
  • Weight: 163 g
  • Sony E-mount officially on sale January 31 (lenses released earlier this year all use the classic engraved exterior)

Getting such a small, fast Full Frame lens for $100 is quite impressive. Let’s hope Image Quality is good enough too!

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TCL considering buying a 51% stake into the Bravia business

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This is now Alpha camera news but still interesting to notice that Sony is sort of decoupling from it’s Bravia business. Here is the press text:

Sony and TCL Sign Memorandum of Understanding for Strategic Partnership in Home Entertainment Field

Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and TCL Electronics Holdings Limited (“TCL”) today announced that the two companies have agreed to move forward with discussions and consideration for a strategic partnership in the home entertainment field.

Specifically, the two companies have signed a memorandum of understanding to confirm their intentions to establish a joint venture that will assume Sony’s home entertainment business, with TCL holding 51% and Sony holding 49% of its shares. The joint venture will operate globally, handling the full process from product development and design to manufacturing, sales, logistics, and customer service for products including televisions and home audio equipment. Sony and TCL will proceed with discussions toward executing definitive binding agreements by the end of March 2026. Subject to execution of the definitive agreements and relevant regulatory approvals and other conditions, the new company is expected to commence its operations in April 2027.

The new company plans to advance its business by leveraging Sony’s high-quality picture and audio technology cultivated over the years, brand value and operational expertise including supply chain management, while utilizing TCL’s advanced display technology, global scale advantages, industrial footprint, end-to-end cost efficiency, and vertical supply chain strength. The new company’s products are expected to carry the globally recognized “Sony” name and “BRAVIA™” name, aiming to create new customer value through these branded products such as TVs and home audio equipment.

The global market for large TV products continues to expand, driven by trends such as diversified viewing styles through growing OTT(*) and video-sharing platforms, enhanced user experiences enabled by the evolution of smart features, as well as adoption of higher resolution and larger displays. In this market environment, the new company aims to create innovative products that meet the expectations of customers worldwide and achieve further business growth through outstanding operational excellence. Sony and TCL are committed to strongly supporting the sustainable growth of the new company.

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100% confirmed: Sony is developing a new 180 megapixel medium format sensor

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I have learned from reliable sources that Sony is about to introduce a new medium format sensor for medium format cameras. And today, I can confirm via Fujirumors that Sony is developing a new 180-megapixel sensor! There are no details yet on when it will be unveiled (but it shouldn’t be long now) and whether or not it will be a partially stacked sensor. If it is a partially stacked sensor, that would be great news! Imagine Sony A7V technology built into a GFX body!

Suddenly, the Sony A7rV with its low-resolution 61 MP sensor seems so old :)

This raises the question of whether full-frame cameras now have to exceed at least the 100 MP limit in order not to seem “old.” On paper a Full Frame sensor with the same pixel size of this new medium format sensor would give us a resolution of 107 Megapixel. Well, I know that many of you will comment on this post with “Who needs 180 MP on MF and 107 MP on FF??” But I can think of many applications where this might be necessary. The flexibility to crop for a print and still have sufficient resolution. The ability to leave your large telephoto lens at home, use a smaller fixed focal length lens, and simply crop 2x, 3x, or 4x, while still having sufficient resolution.

What resolution do you think the future Sony A7rVi should have? And by the way… shouldn’t Sony also make a medium format camera?

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Just announced: New SWIT Powercell NP-FZ100 Camera Battery for Sony

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The new SWIT battery fro Sony cameras is now for preorder at BHphoto and Amazon. It cost nearly half a regular Sony battery, has built-in USB-C charging port, a chargins LED status display and uses latest battery tech.

Description:

Maximize the potential of your camera with this SWIT PowerCell NP-FZ100 USB-C Battery. Designed with a built-in USB-C charging port, this rechargeable, high-current, lithium-ion battery can be fully charged via USB-C in 3.5 hours or using a fast charger in just 1.5 hours. The battery features V0 grade flame-retardant housing and a touch-activated 4-LED power indicator. It can be charged using the original Sony charger, and it is compatible with any camera or accessory that is powered by an NP-FZ100 battery.

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BCN Award 2026 announced: Sony leads the mirrorless camp while Kodak conquered the fixed lens market

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The Japanese organization BCN recorded about half of the actual sales figures on the Japanese market. And in 2025, Sony managed to maintain its leading position despite declining market share. Canon is now close behind!

Summary via DClife:

Digital mirrorless camera

  1. Sony: 29.9% *3rd consecutive year, 6th time
  2. Canon: 27.4%
  3. Nikon … 15.1%

Sony and Canon are engaged in a fierce battle for market share in the mirrorless camera market. They have an even sales volume share, with Nikon trailing behind. Incidentally, Nikon has been in third place for two consecutive years. Since it’s based on sales volume, it seems that manufacturers with a lineup of cameras that sell in large quantities are strong. It seems that manufacturers who prioritize brand power, limit production numbers, and operate a scarcity business are not ranked highly.

Digital camera SLR

  1. Canon: 44.3% *18th consecutive year, 20th time
  2. Nikon… 38%
  3. Ricoh Imaging (PENTAX) … 17.7%

Although the mainstream camera market is shifting from digital SLR to mirrorless cameras, Canon remains strong in the digital SLR market. This marks the 20th time that Canon has won the award, and the 18th year in a row.

Digital camera with integrated lens (compact)

  1. Kodak: 24% *First time winner
  2. Fujifilm: 13.9%
  3. Kenko Tokina… 13.3%

Kodak has finally won its first award. Kodak offers a wide range of affordable compact digital cameras. In terms of value, Fujifilm is probably at the top, thanks to the success of the X100 series and the Instax (hybrid instant camera).

digital video camera

  1. DJI: 64.7% *2nd consecutive year, 2nd time
  2. Panasonic: 18.9%
  3. Sony: 11.1%

DJI has won the award for the second year in a row, with an overwhelming market share of 64.7%. The driving force behind this win seems to be the Osmo Pocket series, and personally I think the Osmo Pocket series should be included in the action camera category. What do you think?

Action camera

  1. DJI: 40.1% *First time winner
  2. Arashi Vision … 37.9%
  3. GoPro … 18.9%

DJI‘s first win in the Action Camera category shows its momentum. GoPro has finally dropped out, dropping to third place. Chinese manufacturers like DJI and Insta360 are aggressively launching new products and improving specs, overshadowing GoPro. GoPro‘s market share fell from 34.3% to 18.9%.

Interchangeable lenses

  1. Tamron… 23% *2nd consecutive year, 2nd time
  2. Sigma: 17.8%
  3. Sony: 13.1%

Tamron won the interchangeable lens category for the second year in a row. Sigma‘s supply system has been a bit unstable in recent years. Tamron lenses have a wide range of relatively inexpensive lenses, and they are also a third-party lens manufacturer whose high-magnification zoom lenses have long been popular. Sony ranked third among original lens manufacturers.

 

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