Sony Japan just announced that they will suspend the shipment of the [shoplink 2972]VCL-ECF1 fisheye converter[/shoplink] (x0.62 magnification) and delay the releas of the VCL-ECU1 ultra-wide converter (x0.75 magnification). The VCL-ECU1 will be release Spring 2011.
Source: Sony Japan
P.S.: Sony also announced the new MP4 Bloggie Cameras (ThePhoBlographer)
Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center
Those are good news! I particulary liked this part: “Sony will increase production capacity for mainly large sized “Exmor” used in Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras“!
PRESS RELEASE (via Sony.net):
September 1, 2010, Tokyo, Japan – Sony Corporation (hereafter, “Sony”) today announced that Sony would invest approximately 40 billion yen into Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Kumamoto Technology Center (hereafter, “Kumamoto TEC”), to increase production capacity for “Exmor” and “Exmor R” CMOS image sensors. This investment comprises of an amount previously determined to be invested in the second half of fiscal year 2010, which was included in the forecast for the capital expenditures announced at the earnings announcement for the first quarter ended June 30, 2010, in addition to an amount to be invested in fiscal year 2011.
With this investment, Sony will strengthen its production capacity for image sensors to meet the expected increase in market demand, and continue to solidify its global leadership position in image sensors.
In order to meet these market demands, Sony currently provides two CMOS image sensor models: “Exmor” , which adopts the “Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique”, providing each column within the sensor with its own A/D converter to reduce noise; and “Exmor R”, which applies a back-illuminated structure to enhance image characteristics through high sensitivity and reduced noise.
Since 2009, Sony has been mass producing “Exmor R” for Digital Still Cameras and Digital Video Camcorders on wafer lines (with diameter of 200mm) at Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation’s Nagasaki Technology Center. Furthermore, at the end of this year Sony plans to start the mass production of “Exmor R” on wafer lines (with diameter of 300mm) at Kumamoto TEC for mobile phone and compact Digital Still Camera markets.
With the investment announced today, Kumamoto TEC’s CMOS image sensor production capacity will be further increased, and Sony will strengthen its ability to meet the expected market demand for “Exmor R” used in smartphones as well as a wide range of digital imaging products for consumer and professional use, including compact Digital Still Cameras. In addition, Sony will increase production capacity for mainly large sized “Exmor” used in Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.
| Purpose of investment: | Increase production capacity to meet the increasing demand of CMOS image sensors |
| Investment site: | Kumamoto Technology Center, Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation (Kikuchi-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) |
| Investment details: | Wafer processing equipment for CMOS image sensor production, etc. |
| Investment time frame: | From the second half of fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2011 |
| Investment amount: | Approximately 40 billion yen |
| Production Capacity (Wafer Process/300mm wafers): | 25,000 wafers per month (Before investment this time: 18,500 wafers per month) -Of them, the capacity for image sensors will be 22,500 wafers per month (Before investment this time: 16,000 wafers per month) (Total production capacity of Kumamoto TEC Fab 1 and 2) |
| Outline of Sony Semiconductor Kyushu Corporation | |
| (1) Head office: | 2-3-2 Momochihama, Sawara-ku Fukuoka-shi Japan |
| (2) Establishment: | April 1, 2001 |
| (3) Representative Director (President): | Masanori Okayama |
| (4) Capital: | 24.25 billion yen, fully owned by Sony Corporation |
| (5) Production Bases: | Kagoshima, Oita, Nagasaki and Kumamoto |
| (6) Number of employees: | Approximately 9,000 (including contract and temporary employees) as of March 31, 2010 |
| (7) Business Activities: | Development, design and production of semiconductors, etc. |
| Kumamoto Technology Center | |
| (1) Location: | 4000-1 Haramizu, Kikuyomachi Kikuchigun, Kumamoto, Japan |
| (2) Establishment: | October 1, 2001 |
| (3) Site area: | 256,000-square-meter |
| (4) Floor area: | 195,000-square-meter |
| (5) Main products:; | Image sensors (CCD and CMOS), micro display devices (H-LCD and “SXRD”, etc.) |
Thanks R.K. for sending me the link!
Sony NEX-5 Test from Matthew Allard on Vimeo.
Sony’s minature [shoplink 3003]NEX-5[/shoplink] field tested – by Aljazeera cameraman Matthew Allard (Dslrnewsshooter)
Video: Sony A55 and Sony 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar
Sony A55 test photos (Photokina-show.com)
Crazy comparison: Leica M9
Eisa (The European Imaging and Sound Association) has choosen the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink] as best mirrorless camera 2010-2011. I believe nobody here will disagree with that decision :)
In the meanwhile one of our prefered websites Kurtmunger.com tested the NEX cameras (and compared the NEX-5 with the A700). Also Amateur Photographer posted a NEX-5 review.
BHphoto has the NEX double kit in Stock and with – $150.00 Instante Savings! Click on the product name to visit the BHphoto page:
1) Sony Alpha NEX-5 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Silver)
2) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Black)
3) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Red)
4) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Silver)
In Europe we have different prices for every different country (Click on the product name to see the price):
Amazon Deutschland:
Nex-5 Schwarz
Amazon UK:
Nex-3 Black
Amazon France:
Nex-3 Argent
Adobe is fast! They just released the new Adobe Camea Raw which not only supports the NEX3 and NEX5 cameras but also the just announced A33 and A55 cameras!
Support for the following cameras has been added in this update:
Download the update here: MAC or Windows
Adobe also released Lightroom 3.2
All our most important sources confirmed that there will be no A77 announcement at Photokina. Maybe Sony will show a A77 prototype but they will definitely NOT launch the camera now. Anyway you don’t have to wait years to get the new semi-professional camera. The A77 is scheduled to be announced in January/February 2011. The sources told me that Sony needs that time to analyze the impact of the new translucent technology on the market. They are currently reviewing the press and pros reaction. They will certainly fix some of the A55/A33 limits. As you have seen with the MLU petition Sony is listening you.
The [shoplink 3228]Sony A700[/shoplink] successor will be a translucent model. The current prototype name is A77 (we don’t know if that will be the final name of the camera). The sensor is also new (the prototype has a 18Megapixels sensor).
One of my sources told me that Sony also has a A7xx with optical viewfinder. He doesn’t know if that model will be released.
Let Sony know what you want! Feel free to suggest me some more poll options. I will add them quickly!
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