A couple of months ago Sony officially stated via Impress Japan that they are working on a 100 Meapixel sensor (Click here to download the pdf interview). According to our top sources Sony will display a 100 Megapixel camera prototype with organic sensor and modified RGB matrix at the Photokina show in September. Here are the details of the camera named A101:
– SLT technology (pellix mirror can be flipped up!)
– 100 Megapixel sensor with random RGB matrix and no Anti Aliasing Filter. Similar to the current Fuji X PRO 1 sensor matrix.
– Full Frame sensor size with in body Stabilization
– ISO 50 up to 3.200 (with extension to 12.800)
– 3fps. 5fps with vertical grip attached
The camera aims to compete in the same price league of the Nikon D800 (the current most sold DSLR) and the Canon 5DmarkII. As I said, the camera will be shown as prototype and I guess it will be available a couple of months later (early 2013?).
The new Sigma 30mm on the NEX-7. Image courtesy Mike Kobal
While the Sony sensor powered Nikon D800 is undoubtedly the king of the DSLR sales (Click here), the NEX-7 is the most sold mirrorless camera every time it gets back in Stock at Amazon (Click here to grab it now). And even when it comes to the overall camera sales Sony is on the top list with the….HX9V! I guess Sony is doing a great business right now with their digital camera and sensor sales! Let’s hope this will push them to make more products!
Meantime Mike Kobal (Click here) reviewed the new Sigma 30mm lens on his NEX-7 camera. As you know during the last days we posted many reviews from Photozone where we saw that the NEX-7 requires high quality optics to get out the best from the 24 Megapixel sensor. The image samples shown by Mike are actually looking surprisingly good for a lens that costs $199 only at BH (Click here)! Mike writes: “I never expected this little lens to perform at such a high level-reason enough for this quick test.”
A couple of days before the final NEX-FS700 announcement Luminus Landscape (Click here) posted the review of the current NEX-FS100 camera: “There’s little doubt in my mind that it is currently the best value in a Super 35mm video camcorder and very competitive with cameras costing 2–3 times as much in terms of image quality.“
The [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] is very likely the most sold mirrorless camera of the moment and the reference for reviewers when testing other cameras. DxOmark (CLick here) just published the full Pentax K-01 test which uses a Sony sensor. The camera gets very close to the NEX-7 in terms of sensor quality but is very distant when it comes to sex appeal :)
There will be much more discussion on the next review: A very simple High ISO comparison between the Fuji X PRO 1 and the Sony NEX-7 has been posted by Steve Huff (Click here). Hm, I think they are pretty close with the Fuji having the edge. But I guess in RAW the difference will be even more negligible. At least according to Amazon US ranking (Click here) the NEX-7 beats the Fuji X PRO 1 orders.
Anyway I can imagine a NEX-9 camera positioned above the NEX-7 with larger body like the X PRO 1. I shoot some test video with the NEX-7 is really damn too small sometimes.
P.S.: NEX-7 order search links at [shopcountry 8450].
[shoplink 6170][/shoplink] Image on top: The current NEX-FS100
One of our trusted sources just told me that Sony will very likely introduce a new NEX-FS700 camcorder. And if Rick at DVXuser is right than the camera will be announced next Monday (April 2). Don’t know yet if the NEX-F3 and A37 will be announced the same day.
UPDATE: EosHD says the NX700 does 4K via 3G HD-SDI to an external recorder. It has 3 internal ND filters and 960fps slow motion. It will be released in June for $9000.
Stay tuned!
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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!
Some of you wanted to see the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] sensor to be used in a classic DSLR camera. Sony isn’t doing it but it is selling the same sensor to Nikon. And according to Nikonrumors there will be a new D3200 DSLR camera in April using that Sony sensor.
Just my two cent speculation: It sounds like the Sony-Nikon sensor partnership works that way: In the APS-C league Sony has a six months exclusive use of the sensor and after that time shares it to Nikon. Full Frame sensors are sold with a 6-12 months exclusivity to Nikon and can than be used by Sony cameras. The Nikon D80 FF camera has been announced in February and we can expect a Sony SLT camera with the same sensor by September at earliest. Meantime Nikon is selling tons of D800 cameras at Amazon (Click here to read the high deman statement). Hope Sony is not missing the Full Frame train by allowing such an advantage to Nikon. The new A99 has to be close to perfection to beat this!
P.S.: As I already told you, Canon is eating his balls with the 5DmarkIII. The Nikon sales are much higher (Check Amazon rankings). By the way, Mike Kobal compared the new 5D versus NEX-7 video quality (via CanonWatch).
Here is the official improvement list:
• Adding an automatic lens correction support: [shoplink 4419]24/2 ZA[/shoplink], [shoplink 6052]85/1.4 ZA[/shoplink], [shoplink 10337]135/1.8 ZA[/shoplink], [shoplink 11583]70-300/4.5-5.6 G[/shoplink], [shoplink 6422]DT35/1.8[/shoplink], [shoplink 11584]DT50/1.8[/shoplink]
• Improve the response until the power turns off and then actually from “OFF” the power switch
• Improved response
• Improved response before dialing until you see the two improved auto reviews. Response, the dial after
• Improve response of AF (SAL500F40G) 3. 500mm F4 G SSM
• Improve the accuracy of auto focus in the scene, including the four bright spots. (Only SLT-A77)
• Five other improvement.
The firmware is not available or mentioned on Sony Europe and US sites. I am continually updating this post. Please let our readers know how the new firmware works on your camera!
Here are the first User reports: Michael: “This time the performance improvements are actually noticeable. Auto-review is now usable, and turning off the camera is as fast as with earlier models. I recommend 1.05 for everybody!” Lifeispixels: “Speed of both control dials is now greatly improved. The number no longer lags behind when turning the dial quickly. Turning off time is also swift. No longer had to wait a few seconds before the AF motor turns the lens to infinity. Now just switch off and the motor turns the AF to infinity immediately.” Shaokee: “holy shit, the camera’s response towards both dial turns is amazing. and switching the camera off is very quick. highly recommend this update!” Rui: “Installed! start and shut down is instant. dials very responsive. Thanks Sony!” Cody: “Update applied and it is definitely a big improvement in responsiveness, much more than 1.04 was. If I’m being picky, the lag isn’t completely gone but much improved. The usable auto-review is very nice. Startup is faster (and consequently waking up from sleep is faster). I never cared about the shutdown time, but it is fast now. Overall, it now feels like I’m not beta testing this camera anymore” Fotowolf: “On/Off-delay is now a fraction of a second (not 5 seconds any more). Looks like they removed the debugging-flag while compiling the source code. Overall performance is excellent. Even AV speed has improved. The only issue that I have noticed: microAF adjustments do not work anymore” Cheong: “1. the dials are VERY responsive now. it feels like the a850 and my old a230 now.
2. the switch off time is def better, just a tad slower than the a850 (from my impression of using it in occasions)
3. the auto review now will not have the ‘now loading’ screen popping out and will immediately display your pic. even when i use single shot and take a few continuous photos, it will just display immediately. the minus though is that you are effectively doing blind shooting when you do that. However, when you take e shot, see your review, and immediately release and half press the shutter, it will go back to the EVF live view very very very quickly. so now its just a lame excuse if you say the EVF is making you miss shots!” (video on facebook)
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In Stock status and price check links:
Sony A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
Sony A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
[/shoplink] Image on top: The current NEX-FS100