Samsung wants to dethrone Sony in the image sensor business

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The NX1 still sells for $2,460 on Amazon

Samsung is going to challenge Sony’s leadership in the Image Sensor Business. Etnews.com reports that Samsung wants to become number 1:

Reason why Samsung Electronics is greatly increasing production capacity of image sensor is due to its confidence. Through its internal evaluation, it believes that its technologies are already near that of SONY. SONY and Samsung Electronics are the only ones in the world that developed and commercialized 3-stack image sensors (sensor+ analogue logic+ DRAM) that can process 960 frames per second.

Samsung has yet no goal to make APS-C or FF Image Sensor for the photo industry. Their focus is on smartphone cameras and automotive industry. Still, their NX1 camera was ahead of times in many areas, pity they did quit. Oh and by the way, back when they had their NX system Samsung was bragging that they would become number 1 in the camera mirrorless camera industry. It didn’t work out well.

via Dpreview

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Sony interview at Dpreview

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Dpreview interviewed Mr. Tanaka from Sony. A few highlights:

400mm f/2.8 FE lens: “The weight of our 400mm F2.8 is very light, and you can use it handheld, which makes it easy to create different kinds of photographs. We already announced the development of this lens, and the launch is scheduled for this summer.”

About weather sealing: “in really bad conditions, in really heavy rain, will photographers keep on taking pictures [for long periods of time?] I don’t think so. In those conditions, most photographers will use some kind of rain cover.”

About new APS-C E-mount lenses: “please be patient – we will never ignore APS-C.”

About the lack of proper firmware update support like Fuji: “We’re still in the early stages of challenging the market with our products, and the new model cycle is relatively rapid, compared to our competitors. But the next step is to increase our market share. And if we want to reach new customers, we need [to make] new types of cameras.“

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Sony a7S III Predictions by Jason Vong

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I know many SAR readers are awaiting to get their hands on the new Sony A7sIII. But first the bad news upfront: Sony has yet NOT registered any new camera code in Asia. Which means it’s likely there is no imminent camera announcement. And with the recent Sony A7III announcement Sony managers might prefer to wait with the A7sIII launch until the A7III buzz is over.

Still let’s hope that Sony will surprises us and release the Sony A7sIII at the NAB show in April. It’s easy to guess that the A7sIII camera will have the same A9–A7rIII–A7III body improvements and possibly 4K 60p.

Jason Vong summed up his A7sIII predictions in this video:

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Voigtlander 1.4/35 FE review by Admiringlight: “not a perfect lens, but it’s also not a bad lens”

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Voigtlander 35mm f/1.4 FE lens is in Stock for the very first time via BHphoto.

This new Voigtlander lens has been received with mixed feelings. Optical Quality is average at best but there is no other f/1.4 E-mount lens that is as compact as this. Admiringlight seems to  like this lens despite it’s optical compromises:

As you can see from my pros and cons list above, this is not a perfect lens, but it’s also not a bad lens, and many of the cons actually figure into one of the pros – and that is the creation of that glowy classic look at f/1.4, with unique bokeh that you’ll either love or hate. It’s a lens that I can’t universally recommend, as many will find its negatives to be major dealbreakers. Yet, I do think that most people should really give it a look, as many do love that classic look at f/1.4. It’s also extremely solidly constructed, has wonderful manual focus feel, is downright tiny for a 35mm f/1.4 (and frankly it’s small for any lens), and doesn’t really break the bank at a retail price of $799.
Personally, I really like the lens, and have added it to my bag. I’ve really enjoyed shooting with it. If you like the look, it’s well worth a purchase. If you want a more modern rendering lens, then look elsewhere.

Also Marc Alhadeff tested this lens and concludes:

Although the build construction is very good like all Voigtländer, performances are really below average vs modern lenses. If you buy this lens it will be to shoot often wide open or below F2.8 to precisely get the glow effect & the flare like a vintage lens. 
So definitively not a generalist 35mm lens but a nice compact nostalgic lens 

And we also have two video reviews from Robert Pugh and Eric Barger:

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Sony Tidbits…

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Why to stay with Sony instead of switching to Canon

Lensbaby Burnside 35: sample gallery and impressions (Dpreview).
Things We Love: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Series Cameras (Allan Weitz).
Voigtlander 50mm f/1.2 and 110mm f/2.5 – CP+ 2018 (Newsshooter).
The Best from Japan: Sony’s 400mm f/2.8; Olympus’ crazy concept cameras; Sigma’s “VR” lens hood service and more (Imaging Resource).
WPPI 2018: DJI Ronin-S (Explora).

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

Andreas: “So is there really such a great color difference between a Sony a7r III and a Canon 5D Mark III? Spoiler: there isn‘t.  I compared those two with manual white balance and the same (!) lens. Myth busted. 
MYTHOS Farbunterschied: SONY a7r III vs CANON 5D III https://youtu.be/ZTettajPFN8
Additionally I made an review of the Sony a7rIII after using it for two month:
SONY A7R III: Erfahrungsbericht nach 2 Monaten https://youtu.be/gw8nrzXC-7c
Both in German but maybe still relevant for your audience. ”

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Today only: Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 E-mount lens for $259 (Save $140)

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This runs today only: Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 E-mount lens for $259 at BHphoto.

Sony A7III preorder links:
Sony A7III in USA at Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon,  BestBuy, FocusCamera, BuyDig.
Sony a7III in Europe at Amazon DE, Calumet Germany, Amazon UK, ParkCameras UK, WexUK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, Amazon ES.

Sigma FE lens preorder links:
All lenses listed on one page at BHphoto (Click here). In detail:
Sigma 14mm f/1.8 for $1,599 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sigma 20mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 for $849 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 for $899 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 for $949 at BHphoto and Adorama.
Sigma 85mm f/1.4 for $1,199 at BHphoto.
Sigma 135mm f/1.8 for $1,399 at BHphoto.

Sony US deals:
Up to $900 off on Sony camera sand lenses. See full special page at BHphoto, Adorama, Buydig.
Up to $500 trade-in bonus to buy a Sony cameras. See special page at BHphoto, Adorama, Buydig, FocusCamera.

Zeiss launched new savings on Batis-Loxia lenses:
You save $500 on the Batis 135mm lens at Bhphoto, Adorama and Amazon.
You save $200 on the Batis 85mm lens at Bhphoto and Adorama.
You save $200 on the Loxia 85mm lens at Bhphoto and Adorama.
You save $130 on the Batis 25mm lens at Bhphoto and Amazon.

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