A7 and A7r price drops in EU (A7 a slow as 1189 Euro in France)

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It’s a bit surprising that 2 months only after the A7-A7r announcement the price of the A7 and A7r cameras dropped considerably in Europe!
Instead of the original 1499 Euro for the A7 you now pay 1189 Euro in France (Click here) and 1314 in Germany (Click here).
And instead of the original 2100 Euro for the A7r you pay 1994 Euro in France (Click here) and 2015 Euro in Germany (Click here).

Don’t know the reason why the price in Europe (and Europe only!) has been lowered by that much. Anyway, that’s great news for EU readers because they are pretty much used with having high prices compared to Asian and North American countries :)

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A3000, NEX-3n and A5000 price drops in USA.

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Despite all new Fuji/Olympus announcements the most sold mirrorless camera in US largest online store is the Sony NEX-3n (Amazon ranking here). That said there are a couple of new Sony US deals:
1) The A3000 with kit lens sells for $288 at Amazon US (Click and than select Amazon as seller!).
2) $109 off on the Sony NEX-3N with 8GB SD Card, Case, and 16-50mm Lens at Walmart (Click here).
3) A5000 got $100 off at Amazon (Click here), SonyStore US (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
4) $140 off on the Sony HX50V at BHphoto (Click here).

And these deals have been extended:
1) Get a $50 Amazon.com Promo Credit with the Sony RX100Ii at Amazon (Click here).
2) Sony Alpha SLT-A99V Digital Camera, Vertical Grip and Flash Bundle at Amazon (Click here).
3) Buy a Qualifying Sony NEX Compact System Camera and Save up to $200 on Select Sony Lenses at Amazon (Click here).

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(SR5) A6000 is the only system camera to be announced at CP+. A79 coming soon!

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Image on top shows the NEX-6. New A6000 will look just like it!

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I am finally making quantum leaps forward on the SR5 rumors. Not only about the next CP+ announcement but also on the next announcement in March! Today let’s talk about the A6000 and A79:

A6000:
I can now confirm that the A6000 (NEX-6/7 successor) is the only system camera that will be announced next week on February 12 . All those waiting for new A-mount camera or other E-mount cameras will have to wait til early April to get them right before the NAB show in las Vegas.
The A6000 looks almost exactly like the current NEX-6 and features a similar 24 Megapixel sensor. But the new sensor has phase detection pixel for improvement focusing on moving object.

A79:
And I can tell you now that the A79 is coming sooner than expected (likely in March). It will be announced short time after the A6000. More info coming soon…

A hint:
I know the A6000 will replace the NEX-7 but not look like it. Don’t worry, if you like the NEX-7 design more there might be a surprise from Sony at Photokina….so I have been told.

Follow Sony announcement live on SAR:
Readers should be ready to take some time off on Wednesday at 5-6am London time to follow the event live on SonyAlphaRumors!!!

—
Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
—

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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Also the 35mm Zeiss FE gets Dxomarked: Second best tested 35mm lens ever.

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DxOmark (Click here) tested the Zeiss 35mm FE lens. The lens is the second best lens teste after the Sigma 35mm and Samyang f/1.4 lenses. These lenses score better mainly because of the greater Transmission (they ahve a much larger aperture). It has not the stellar performance of the Zeiss 55mm FE but the 35mm Fe is also made to be compact and not to be the best 35mm lens on market. And that’s exactly what DxO writes in their conclusion:

Although the Zeiss FE Sonnar T* 35mm f2.8 ZA doesn’t have the consistent performance and sharpness in the outer field of its sibling the ZE Sonnar T* 55mm f1.8 ZA, the fact that it is very close to the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG HSM A in IQ (over the same aperture range) is a plus. On the downside, it lacks that model’s versatility in low light, naturally, but at least it’s a fraction of the size and weight and complements the small size and inherent portability of the A7 models.

P.S.: Also Lenscore (Click here) tested the 55mm and 35mm Zeiss FE lenses.

Zeiss 35mm FE store links:
USA: Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Europe: Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,

Zeiss 5mm FE:
USA/Canada: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore US and Sonystore Canada.
Europe: Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT

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Official: Hasselblad HV A-mount camera launched! Costs $11,500!

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Well, after the [shoplink 22672 ebay]Hasselblad Lunar (on eBay here)[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 22673 ebay]Hasselblad Stellar (on eBay here)[/shoplink] we have the first Hasselblad luxury version of a Sony A-mount camera!

Today Hasselblad announced the new Full Frame A-mount “Hasselblad HV” camera. All info can be read at http://www.hasselblad-hv.com/. The tech specs are the same of the Sony A99. What changes are the weight and the material used to change the style of the camera. You can buy the camera only in a special “High Performance Case” package which includes two batteries and the 24-70mm f/2.8 Zeiss. The full package will cost you $11,500 or 8500 Euro!

Here are the key differences between the Hasselblad HV and the Sony A99:

1) Unlike the Sony A99 this camera has a “Machined high-grade aluminium” chassis. Hasselblad writes:

Even though the trend in the camera industry is to manufacture camera bodies in cast magnesium for lightness, the fact is, ‘old-school’ aluminium has far more qualities. It is resistant to corrosion, more durable and much tougher than magnesium – especially when machined from a solid block of top quality alloy.

2) And it has a “PVD – the best coating treatment available today”. Haselblad writes:

We certainly don’t intend to bore you with the details of high temperature vacuum evaporation and plasma sputter bombardment processes, but suffice it to say that PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is serious cutting edge coating technology. It was originally developed as a specialist hardening treatment for high speed cutting tools but has evolved into an outstanding finishing process solution. Its hardness is second only to that of diamond.

3) The High Performance case details:

THE HIGH QUALITY, PROTECTIVE CASE OFFERS safe transportation for your equipment and is the choice of professionals. All beautifully presented, the case is functional with considered design features to make using your equipment practical and safe. Particular attention has been given to the weight, to the aesthetic and the bespoke foam centre.
THE HV HIGH PERFORMANCE CASE IS MADE FROM RESIN called TTX01 which makes it more robust and protective against external agents yet lighter than any other case on the market. It also guarantees extra protection from dust, water, impacts, shocks and chemical agents and is able to resist extreme weather conditions and temperature changes from -40° C up to 80°C.

 

More pictures:

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(SR5) Sony APS-C E-mount announcement on February 12!

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According to multiple trusted sources Sony will have a press announcement next week on Wednesday February 12 at 5-6am London time! The event is focused on the launch of new mirrorless products. New A-mount cameras and lenses are supposed to be unveiled in a separate announcement in Spring. This includes the A77 successor and 4K A-mount FF.

Next week we can expect Sony to certainly announce the NEX-6/7 successor. The price of the body will be around 800 Euro and the improvements are mainly made on the SPEED front. Which means, faster fps, faster AF, faster EVF (no lag) and Bionz X processor. It’s also likely that Sony will disclose a new lens roadmap and probably show some preproduction lens too.

There are also unconfirmed rumors I got about other new cameras but I don’t know yet if they will be announced next Wednesday:
– New RX camera
– New FF E-mount camera

As usual I ask the help of sources to get more specific and also more reliable rumor about these new cameras and lenses. Contact me anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com (best is if you create a fake email on gmail so that it’s easier for me to chat with you).

And you readers should be ready to take some time off on Wednesday at 5-6am London time to follow the event live on SonyAlphaRumors!!!

—
Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
—

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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A7-A7r news and reviews roundup…

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EOSHD Sony Shootout Part 1 – RX10, A7R, FS100, RX1 from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

This is a new roundup of the many reviews and tests made by our SAR readers:

A7r review at EosHD:

“Enthusiasts will love the stills but are better served by the 5D Mark III or Panasonic GH3 for video. Stills users should also seriously consider the Olympus E-M1 for the superior ergonomics, native lens range and AF. Yet the A7R is ultra-special in terms of outright stills quality with 36MP resolution and 14 stops dynamic range, combined with the ability to use almost any traditional SLR lens via an adapter.”

Full A7 review at Focus Numerique (French)
A7r with Nokton 21mm review at SLRclub (Korean).
Zeiss 35mm FE lens review at Cetus (German).
A7/A7R Light leaks at Sony community.
White Orb problem ont he A7? DPreview forum.
Sony LA-EA4 Review by Philip Reeve (In German at SystemKameraForum).

Maarten: “I’ve posted a in-depth, hands-on video review of the Sony a7R on Youtube: http://youtu.be/x5_EP2M_5eY. The sample images from the video are available on flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/maartech/sets/72157640284560815/
More details on my blog at maartech.com“

Nick: “Hi guys, I’ve done a small unscientific test on the A7 and a handful of legacy lenses, hope you like it.
http://fullframeboy.co.uk/2014/01/legacy-lenses-test-on-the-sony-a7-part-1/”

Holger: “A7r pictures from the air in Southafrica http://aufwind-luftbilder.photoshelter.com/gallery/Sony-A7R/G0000NdXgcJFYs3s/”

River King: “Hi I recently took a road trip along the US pacific coast only one week after I got my A7R. It was a great experience to know this camera through the trip. One thing I did realize this fantastic camera has “forced” me to think more before I press the shutter. In the end, I shot less photos, but enjoyed a lot more. The lens I used from this trip are CZ135mm, 24-70mm F2.8CZ, Contax G35/45/90, pretty light set up actually. You can see the road trip photos from here:
http://www.riverkingphoto.com/?p=1714”

David: “I made a comparison of sensor noise with the Alpha 7 at different ISO levels (from 100 to 25600). The article includes three 100% crops for all ISO levels and links to the original images. Maybe this is of interest for your readers: http://davidtanzer.net/alpha_7_iso_noise”

Doug: “We just published my written and video reviews of the a7: Blog: http://rds.com/aatg12 Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kDnLUVn8lo“

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Specs and Store Links in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.

Specs and Store Links in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.

Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.

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