According to new sources Sony will release a new firmware update for the A850 and A900. But we shouldn’t expect anything spectacular. The only new feature of the update will be the support for the one lens that none of us will probably ever buy…the super expensive 500mm f/4.0 SSM lens (Click here to see it on BH). I have been told the new SSM motor is too fast for the current firmware to handle. That’s why an upgrade is needed.

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Sony A900 at [shopcountry 3032].
Sony A850 at [shopcountry 3028].

The first SLT/NEX related announcement of the year is the 500mm lens in February.

You may remember the huge day back in August when Sony announced the new [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink], [shoplink 8459]A65[/shoplink], [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink], [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink] and the new [shoplink 8457]16-50mm[/shoplink], [shoplink 8450]24mm[/shoplink] and [shoplink 8448]50mm[/shoplink] lenses. Sony learned the lesson and will not repeat the mistake to announce too much stuff in one single day. You may have noticed that Sony already had three compact camera announcements this year, one in January, one in February and one in March. The same thing will now happen with SLT and NEX stuff. Sony announced the release of that huge 500mm lens in early February. On March 13th Sony will announce the new A57 and a couple of weeks later Sony will announce the new camcorder for the NAB show and sometimes in April the new NEX stuff (like the [shoplink 7207]NEX-C3 successor[/shoplink]).

I think this is a very correct move. It gives us more time to learn more about a single camera or lens. From now to September I expect new Sony stuff to be announced almost every month, like the 70-400mm and 70-200mm G II lenses, the new NEX cameras, and of course all firmware upgrades.

Stay tuned on SAR, firmware and A57 news are next ;)

[shoplink 11712 ebay][/shoplink]

Image on top: The current [shoplink 11712 ebay]70-200mm f/2.8 lens[/shoplink].

Yesterday I told you about Sony’s plan to create a new line of lenses that will be weather sealed and have new improved lens design. The first of the new “II G” line up will be the 70-400mm zoom. Today a couple of sources confirmed that Sony will also update the current [shoplink 11712 ebay]70-200mm f/2.8 lens[/shoplink]. While I am pretty sure the 70-400mm II G lens will arrive soon I have no info yet WHEN the 70-200mm II G will be released.

P.S.: Links to the current 70-200mm lens at [shoplist 11712].

Reminder: There is a Sony announcement on March 13th. Stay tuned here on SAR!

The new 70-400mm will be white like the just announced 500mm lens you see here on top

My (awesome!) sources contacted me to share some more details about the new lens. First I can safely put an SR5 value on that rumor. And this is actually a very new version of the older [shoplink 11687]Sony 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM lens[/shoplink] lens. It has following new features:
1) The new II version is weather sealed!
2) It has new coatings.
3) It comes in white like the current super expensive 500mm f/4.0 lens (over $12.000 on BH).

But the changes are deeper than you think. The 70-400mm II G lens will actually be the first lens of a complete new Alpha lens line up! And that includes ONE single surprise I cannot unveil yet because I am  still trying to get some more info. But it is a surprise many of you will like. So please stay tuned on SAR. And if you can help me to find out more about the upcoming announcement sent me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com or use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar.

Thanks!

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!