(SR2) Leica to use the new Sony fullframe sensors?

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Here it is one of the most unbelievable rumors I ever read. A new source told us that Leica is currently developing a new fullframe mirrorless system with electronic viewfinder instead of the rangefinder system used for the Leica M9. The new Leica cameras could use Sony sensors instead of Kodak sensors. If the rumor turns out to be true those cameras will be certainly expensive (there is a huge extra you have to pay for the brand). I hope Sony will make their own fulllframe mirrorless system using the same sensors and for half of the Leica price :)

As I said, it’s a new source and the rumor is rated with SR2 only (20-40% chance the rumor could be correct).

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SonyAlphaRumors has a new facebook page.

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Dear SAR readers!

As you may have noticed the SAR facebook account has been deleted by…facebook! This happened because only a real person can register a facebook account. That’s why the kicked as in the axx! I created a new SonyAlphaRumors fan page (that is allowed by facebbok) and you can join right now at http://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors.

On the old account we had over 1.300 followers. So please help me to win them back. Tell your friends that can join again! Thanks! See you there!

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Sony “storms” in Japan, and surpasses Nikon in United Kingdom!

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Amateur Photographer just published a very interesting article about the current interchangeable lens cameras sales:
“Though Canon and Nikon still dominate the market, in Japan their combined share slumped 11% to 60.4% in 2010…..Sony stormed into third place with a 15.2% share, according to the figures.”

And the best part is coming now:
“In the UK, AP understands that Sony overtook Nikon in volume sales of interchangeable lens models for December 2010 – notching up 25% compared to Nikon’s 20%.”

That’s very good news for Sony! The new NEX and translucent cameras (without to forget the [shoplink 4617]A580[/shoplink]) really hit the market. Now Sony, we all know what we need to keep climibin the rankings, the A77, the NEX7, and the new fullframe cameras!

P.S.: There is no place where you can find exact rankings. You can only get a very approximative and general idea of how Sony cameras are selling at Amazon by checking their current bestseller rankings:
– Click here to see the US ranking
– Click here to see the UK rankings
– Click here to see the Amazon Germany ranking
– Click here to see the Amazon France ranking
– Click hee to see the Amazon Italy rankings

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One more visual proof the Nikon D7000 is using a Sony sensor.

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Chipworks.com ripped the new Nikon D7000 and discovered that it comes equipped with a DX format (APS-C) sensor fabricated by Sony, the IMX071 (click here to see the image).. That explains why the [shoplink 4617]Sony A580[/shoplink] and the Nikon D7000 scored the same result at DxOmark. Now you will say “ok, we already knew that“! But you know, Nikon is officially stating that their sensors are somewhat “different” than Sony sensors. After that D7000 massacre we can say that their statement isn’t correct!

P.S.: his image sensor features a pixel size of 4.8 µm x 4.8 µm (as seen in the Bayer patterned RGB color filters). The sensor displays improvements in pixel layout and process features, as compared to previous generations of Sony DSLR sensors.

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New Sony A580 and A55 reviews!

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Potographyblog published a new Sony A580 test and get’s highly recommended by the reviewers: “When Sony launched the A55 and A580 cameras alongside each other, many questioned why they needed two such similar cameras in their line-up. While they do share a lot of common ground, the larger and easier-to-use A580 with its trusty optical viewfinder is a great DSLR, and thanks to its 16 megapixel sensor, full HD video and improved AF system, also a real rival to similar offerings from Canon and Nikon.”

Natioal Geographic Shooter Ben Horton reviewed the translucent verison f the A580…the Sony A55. Ben Horton is the same guy that compared Canon and Zeiss lens quality (and declared Zeiss as the clear winner!): “Shooting video with the A55 was a dream. The ability to use autofocus while shooting, coupled with being able to use the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD screen on the back of the camera makes this one of my top picks for HDDSLR shooting. The new Zeiss lenses focus silently, so they don’t interrupt your sound capture while filming.”

Direct shop links (Click on shop name to visit the product page and check price and availability):
Sony A580 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay
Sony A55 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay

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(SR4) Nikon to launch a pro mirrorless system (with Sony sensors?)

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According to latest rumors (Mirrorlessrumors.com) Nikon will use Sony manufactored sensors to launch a complete new and pro mirrorless system. There is a fair chance Nikon mirrorless camera will feature the same 24 Mega-pixel sensor that will be used inside the upcoming Sony NEX-7. The bad news is that Nikon will present their camera in April and the Sony NEX-7 should be announced a few months after :(

A part from the Sensor Sony and Nikon will NOT share the same E-mount. Nikon will go their own way. To bad, I would have loved to see a partnership on the same system like the one between Panasonic and Olympus.

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