[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].
Before to start…the NEX-7 body is now in Stock at Adorama too (Click here). And the kit version will be in Stock on March 31 at Amazon (Click here). And now let’s talk about the new lens tests:
Carl Garrard (Click here) tested the Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM lens: “You probably won’t fall in love with its looks or build, or even it’s max aperture which is “average” for a prime lens in this focal length. Instead, you’ll probably like it’s optical performance which is above the expectations I had set for this lens. Contrast is excellent wide open, one of the better lenses I’ve seen of late, and sharpness is very high too. Color is neutral and accurate, very much like how Sony G lenses have an effect on color.” Check the lens price at [shopcountry 5979].
Photozone (Click here) keeps posting new Sony lens reviews. He just tested the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM G on the NEX-7: “The setup with the EA-LA2 is vastly superior to the NEX kit lens but there is a price to pay for this, of course. The lens itself is actually surprisingly affordable compared to similar offerings from Nikon and Canon but the Alpha adapter doesn’t come for free and size- and weight-wise it is also a bit of a monster on a dwarfish NEX. However, if you want to make the most of your system the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM is certainly a viable option.” Check the lens price at [shopcountry 8457].
SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 lens tested on the NEX-7 at 3Dkraft (Click here).
One more thing: Our reader Björn Utpott (Click here) keeps posting nice image samples taken with the NEX-7 and many different lenses. Check it out from time to time!
According to multiple sources Sony is preparing a big product announcement event for early April. I don’t have the exact date yet but my sources told me is that there will be multiple new products for NEX and SLT (photo cameras, camcorders and lenses).There are so many new products I have heard of, the NEX-F3 a new NEX camcorder, the new 18-135mm SAM lens, the A37 and so on. But I don’t know yet if all are coming now. I also don’t know if there is room for some surprise, the biggest one would be a preview of the upcoming new A99 fullframe camera (or whatever the final name will be).
If you have some “insider” info about the huge Sony product announcement feel free to help me out by sending an anonymous message through the contact form. Or contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!
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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!
As Imaging Resource reports the new CEO Kazuo Hirai’s intention is “to make digital imaging one of three core pillars of Sony’s business.” And today Sony issued a statement saying that “Sony is positioning digital imaging, game and mobile as the three core pillars of its electronics business, and going forward aims to concentrate its resources in these areas to further reinforce the businesses.”
In simple words, the digital imaging department has been elevated to an independent and strong arm of Sony’s strategy. I hope this step will simplify and accelerate the development process of new camera and lens products. With the new NEX and SLT systems Sony created a unique Chance to grow in a market that until a two years ago was merely dominated by Canon and Nikon. Good Luck!
P.S.: Talking about rumors…there is something in the air… ;)
But now let’s go back to the NEX-7 theme of the moment. Photozone (Click here) now published the 55-210mm NEX lens test and once again it proves that the NEX-7 demands top lenses to get superb results. Anyway, the lens isn’t as bad as the other NEX lenses: “The lens is surely not remotely capable of exploiting the potential of this sensor but the results are generally decent – at least from a real world perspective.” Kurt Munger (Click here) tested the 30mm macro lens on the NEX-C3: “Unfortunately, Sony’s hot streak has come to an abrupt end with the new 30mm F/3.5 macro lens. It’s not that it’s a bad lens, it just isn’t very impressive.”
In Short, if you like me want the best quality on the NEX-7 than go for the superb Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 (Here at [shopcountry 8450]) or the cheap and still good 50mm f/1.8 (preorder at [shopcountry 8448]).
[/shoplink] Image on top: The current NEX-FS100
