Image on top: The A99 FF sensor

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Two months ago I gave you a shock by telling you that Sony canceled the planed A-mount camera releases for 2013. This means not entry level FF, not high end FF and not A77 successor will come within the next 6 months. The reason why Sony dropped them is that the new CEO wants to really challenge the Canon-Nikon dominance in the only profitable pro camera market. And to achieve that goal the new cameras have to be not just a small upgrade but a real new big step forward over the predecessors. I am now working on the new A-mount roadmap. And I got some reliable info about the new Full Frame strategy:

1) Two new A-mount Full Frame cameras coming in 2014
2) There is a third A-mount Full Frame camera planed but it may be released in early 2015.
3) All new Full Frame cameras will be mirrorless (this means DSLR shape, A-mount, but no SLT mirror).
4) Both cameras will use a new generation 30+ MP sensor (yes, I said new and not the same of the Nikon D800…it’s better!).

There are a few more specs I am working on and I am asking all my trusted or possible new sources to share what they know at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com (or via anonymous contact form). Thanks!

Editor’s note: Also the E-mount roadmap got some small changes. That’s why it takes so long to see the new NEX-7 successor. Don’t worry, that camera is coming this year with announcement likely to be in late August.

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Free advertising form my new project: All daily Sony deals can be seen at dealsrunner.com (register to see how well it works!).

The official Asian Samyang retailer unveiled via Facebook the first picture and specs of the new Samyang 16mm f/2.0 lens. It will come in both A and E-mount versions  mount too. They write: “The 16mm focus length with rectilinear imaging system ensure extra wide angle of view amounting to 83.1 degrees (for Nikon version and 79.5 for Canon). The big aperture opening of F2.0 ensure photographers able to use it for low light environment like night street shooting. The weight of the lens is just about 571g, as a result this lens will be a attractive carry on for architecture and landscape shooting.” P.S.: Save this search on Slidoo to get notified when the Samyang lens will be available one Bay.

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I like Rokinon/Samyang lenses a lot and I recommend you the following two lenses for Alpha mount:
1) The 35mm f/1.4: In US you can find it as Rokinon at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and on [shoplink 7453 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. In Europe the name is Samyang and you can find it on [shoplink 7380 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and with the name Wallimex again on [shoplink 7831 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].
2) The 85mm f/1.4: You can get for $274 on Amazon (Click here), branded with the name Rokinon on [shoplink 7456 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and branded with the name Samyang on [shoplink 7454 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

And here are the links to the newly announced Samyang/Rokinon lenses:
8mm f/3.5 fisheye at Amazon, BHphoto,
14mm f/2.8 at Amazon, BHphoto,
24mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,
35mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,
85mm f/1.4 at Amazon, BHphoto,

A trusted source told me that Sony is very confident that the new A-mount cameras to be launched in 2014 will drive up A-mount lens sales by almost 50% for the entire 2014 year (compared to 2013). I still have no specs about the new A-mount cameras but Sony is pretty confident that this could sign a new start for the system. Key aspect of the new cameras will be that they are mirrorless (no SLT tech) and sensor tech and autofocus performance will be dramatically improved.

Let’s hope Sony isn’t too optimistic with that kind of “predictions”. They have been wrong quite many times in the past. And now they cannot afford to make any mistake anymore. To challenge Canon and Nikon in the profitable High End digital camera business they have to deliver some noticeable game challenging camera. There is no other way around that.

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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.

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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!