I was really surprised when one of my sources told me that Sony would announce a second SLT camera along the A77. We are not talking about the A35 which will be announced on Wednesday, we are talking about an unexpected new model that will be the official successor of the [shoplink 3617]A55[/shoplink]!!! I have been told the A35 will fix some of the first generation SLT technology issues and maybe that’s why Sony is going to replace the A55 too. I don’t know the name of the camera (A57???) but I have bene told that it looks almost exactly like the A77 (They are like brother and sisther). The main difference between the two cameras is the sensor. I hope to get some specs as soon as possible! Both cameras will be announced in July (let’s hope it is the 7th of July!).

Links:
Sony A55 product pages at [shopcountry 3617]

The 30mm macro f/3.5 will be announced on Wednesday but it seems that Sony France didn’t wait for the presentation and is already accepting preorders on the lens! Check here: https://shop.sony.fr/shop/Reflex-numerique/Macro/SEL30M35.AE. French Sony is a bit in hurry lol? This is the fourth lens ever made for the NEX system. I expect the next lenses to be announced in July (one of them should be the 24mm f/1.7 and maybe the 55-200mm zoom).

UPDATE (Wyldrage translated the french text…Thanks!). Those are the specs:

– Macro lens for large detailed photos of small subjects.
– Compact and light macro lens offering a superb image quality.
– Ideal for large photos of flowers, insects or any other small-size subjects and for a non-macro daily usage.
– 1:1 magnification ratio for large photos in full screen, with small subjects photographed in their real size by the camera’s sensor.
– Minimal distance of just 2.4cm between the front of the lens and the subject, and minimal focusing distance of 9.5cm [AF?]
– Quality lens optics with aspherical and glass ED elements for an exceptional sharpness and clarity with all apertures and focus points.
– Linear focusing system for a fluid, silent and fast focus while recording HD videos.
– The internal focusing mecanism maintains a constant distance between the front of the lens and the subject.
-Compact and elegant design with a refined metal finish to integrate with the camera’s body.
– Includes lens hood (allows fixing optional filters).

The Japanese blog Egami found a new Sony patent that describes the characteristics for two new standard lenses. A new 50mm f/1.2 and a new 50mm f/1.4 fullframe lens. Those are the specs:

• Patent Publication No. 2011-107450
  • Published 2011.6.2
  • Filled 2009.11.18
• Embodiment 1
  • Focal distance f=49.98mm
  • Fno=1.442
  • Half angle of view 23.73 deg.
  • Asph. 1
• Embodiment 2
  • Focal distance f=51.54mm
  • Fno=1.443
  • Half angle of view 23.17 deg.
  • Asph. 0
• Embodiment 4
  • Focal distance f=51.55mm
  • Fno=1.233
  • Half angle of view 23.02 deg.
  • Asph. 1

I guess that those would be welcomed updated of the current 50mm f/1.4 from Sony. Check the specs and price of that lens by clicking those direct links: [shopcountry 7134]. A new and well praised alternative is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 which you can get at [shopcountry 6765].

No announcement today? It doesn’t matter because I just got an even better “rumor” from a veeeeeery good source. He told me that Sony will not only launch the A35 next Wednesday and the A77 in July. There will be one more translucent camera to come!!! I am trying to get some more info about that. That’s a huge surprise!

The same source told me the A35 will replace the current A290/A390 cameras and become the new entry level DSLR camera from Sony. P.S.: The A35 price with 18-55mm kit lens will be around $699 (to high for an entry level camera?).

I am trying to get more info about the third SLT cameras. I am glad that I could at least give you one small good news after telling you about the announcement delay of the NEX-C3 and A35 :)

Links to the A290: [shopcountry 7126]
Links to the A390: [shopcountry 7127]

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!

Sorry guys! The A35 and NEX-C3 will be announced next week on Wednesday June 8th!!!

UPDATE: It sounds like there was a miscommunication between dealers and Sony. I have been told that one huge Sony dealer in UK had already NEX-C3 advertising displayed inside the store. He had to remove them :)

Really sorry for that, but I don’t know yet why that miscommunication happened. My two cent guess on that is that after the April delays caused by the Tsunami desaster the announcement roadmap had been quickly rescheduled and that might caused a comunication mistake. During the last couple of hours many sources contact me to tell me that June 8th is the definitive announcement date. So don’t worry, the new stuff is coming for real!