Sooner or later we are going to have large CMOS global shutter sensor on Sony Alpha cameras. This week Sony just announced smaller 2/3 and 1/1.8 inch CMOS global shutter sensors. The new Sony video on top shows the advantage of the global shutter over rolling shutter when recording fast moving objects.

Here is part of the press text (via Sony.net):

Global Shutter Function
Industrial applications require imaging of fast-moving subjects. However, there is the issue that existing CMOS image sensors are unable to accurately identify fast-moving subjects due to focal plane distortion as a result of rolling shutter operation. The IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR address this issue by providing analog memory inside each pixel and realizing a global shutter function, which enables high-picture-quality imaging without focal plane distortion.

The Industry’s Smallest Pixel Size Class for Industrial Applications
Analog memory, transistors and other elements must be added to the inside of each pixel to realize a global shutter function, which made it a challenge to reduce the pixel size. The newly developed products use Sony’s fine pixel fabrication technology to realize a small pixel with a size of 3.45 µm compared to the 5 µm range that is the existing standard for global shutter pixels.
This enables high-resolution imaging using a smaller lens than that of the existing products.

High Sensitivity
In order to reduce the size of pixels equipped with a global shutter function, it is necessary to secure a sufficient pixel light-detecting area while also securing an analog memory area within the pixel, so there were concerns over a drop in sensitivity.
However, high-sensitivity pixel design technology and condensing process technology were used to increase the sensitivity of the newly developed 3.45 µm pixel, and realized high sensitivity exceeding that of the existing 5.86 µm product (1.1 times compared to the existing 5.86 µm product).
In addition, EXview HAD CCD*1 technology also increases sensitivity in the near-infrared range, enabling use with high picture quality even under near infrared light.

*1: EXview HAD CCD is a trademark of Sony Corporation.

High Frame Rate
Customers have strongly demanded higher frame rates for industrial applications, so an ADC 8-bit mode was added to the IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR in addition to the existing ADC 10-bit and 12-bit modes. Also, the column-parallel A/D conversion technology of Sony CMOS image sensors is used to realize high-speed imaging of up to 163.4 [frame/s] (ADC 8-bit) for the IMX250LLR/LQR and up to 216.3 [frame/s] (ADC 8-bit) for the IMX252LLR/LQR (Table-3). This enabled further increasing the processing speed for industrial applications.

A Variety of Functions
The IMX250LLR/LQR and IMX252LLR/LQR are equipped with a variety of functions needed for industrial applications, such as ROI mode and trigger mode. ROI mode crops arbitrary areas, and up to 8 × 8 = 64 locations can be set. Various exposure methods are provided for trigger mode, which controls the exposure time using an external pulse. In addition, the IMX250LQR and IMX252LQR (color products) are equipped with functions such as subsampling, horizontal and/or vertical inverted readout, and multiple frame set output, and the IMX250LLR and IMX252LLR (monochrome products) also have a pixel addition function in addition to color product functions.

Steven: “Awesome video if you wanna share it of Iceland, shot on a Sony HX9V with no sliders, tripods, gimbals. https://vimeo.com/126876271“

Zeiss FE 35mm f/1.4 ZA Distagon T* review at Admiringlight.
Loxia 35mm review at Photographyblog.
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f1.6 review (Sony A Mount) at ThePhoBlographer.
Sony FE 28mm f/2 Sample Images (Photographyblog).
Sony RX100 III review at Adorama Blog.
Zeiss 35mm FE Distagon test at Fengniao.
Hello from Phase One (Capture One Pro and Express for Sony) at SonyAlphaForum.

Jordan: “I thought I’d share this video I recently shot of The Funk Parade in Washington, D.C. All I used was a Sony A6000, Nikkor 50mm 1.4D lens with Metabones adapter, variable ND filter and a cheap plastic shoulder rig. With all the hype surrounding the A6000 replacement, I still think the current model still does a great job. I just hope the new camera has an improved EVF :) https://vimeo.com/126994521”

Alexandre: “I went to Rome, Italy and I shot the landmarks (Colosseum, Pantheon, Vatican, Piazza Navona etc…) and the people with my Sony A7R and the Zeiss Lens 35mmF2.8
http://traveljournalist.com/visit-rome-italy-people-landmarks-monuments-tourism-pictures/“

With the launch of the 5 axis stabilization system of the A7II Sony opened a whole world of new possibilities. Not only is any lens produced so far suddenly “stabilized” (even 60 years old lenses). But on paper you could also realize a Super High Resolution shooting mode that Olympus added on the new Olympus E-M5II. And I even got a rumor lately confirming that Sony is testing that feature.

Diglloyd writes down what I hope will become true one day via firmware update:

Since the Sony A7 II already has image stabilization and a Sony A7R II ought to have the same stabilization, the possibility of a firmware update for the A7 II which supports sensor shift technology is intriguing. Consider the following if implemented only as far as Olympus does it:

• 24MP full-frame sensor could generate 96MP raw files delivering something approaching 60 megapixels of detail under ideal conditions.
• 36MP full-frame sensor could generate 144MP raw files delivering something approaching 90 megapixels of detail under ideal conditions.
• 50MP full-frame sensor could generate 200MP raw files delivering something approaching 125 megapixels of detail under ideal conditions.

I am sure every SAR reader would like to get that feature!