SonyAlphaRumors is pelased to inform you that Sony will release a new Sony A850/A900 firmware on December 2th. According to our sources Sonys goal is to contribute current users to stay in the Sony system, by showing Sony is supporting and caring them and to push the Christmas year-end sales. That’s why they are offering the $100.00 Instant Savings on the A850 (Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto) and the $200 Instant Savings on the A900 (Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto). An anonymous source sent us the full press release + powerpoint presentation (Click here to see the presentation at docshare.com). Here is the official press release with the new firmware enhancements:

“Press Release (2nd December 2010)

Sony announces free DSLR-A900/A850 firmware upgrade
Creative shooting enhancements for full-frame α cameras

A free firmware upgrade refines shooting responses and creative options with the α900 and α850 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras by Sony.
All new and existing customers are advised to install the upgrade that’s available for download from the ‘Support’ area of the Sony web site.
Autofocus is quicker and more responsive than ever, thanks to improved AF motor control and smarter distance detection of out-of-focus objects.

Creative options are extended by a broadened range of exposure value (EV) compensation settings, now increased from ±3EV to ±5EV. Selected compensation value is displayed in the navigation display on the main LCD screen of both cameras. This boosted EV compensation range gives extra
headroom when composing extremely high- or low-key images.

Exposure bracketing range has also been increased from a maximum of 4.0EV (three shots at -2EV, 0EV, +2EV) to a maximum of 6.0EV (-3EV, 0EV, +3EV). This wider range gives added flexibility when capturing multiple frames at different exposure values – for example when acquiring images for the creation of powerful post-shooting HDR effects.

As a further refinement, a new menu option allows shutter release to be enabled, even when the camera body doesn’t detect an attached lens. It’s useful for specialist applications such as astrophotography when the camera is attached to a telescope.

The latest firmware upgrade by Sony for registered α900 and α850 DSLR customers is available free of charge from http://support.sony-europe.com/dime/DSLR/dslr.aspx.

– Ends –”

Thanks to all our sources!

P.S.: Click here to see all Sony camera and lens Instante Rebates!

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Mit der SONY NEX-VG 10 in Neuseeland – ein Praxis-Kamera-Testbericht (hackermovies.com)

Sony A55 vs A580 image comparison (Dpreview forum)

Sony Announces New CCD, CMOS Sensors, GVIF Automotive Interface (ImageSensorWorld)

Just for fun! Quick Comparison: Ricoh GXR vs Sony NEX-5 (Steve Huff)

There is no doubt anymore. The official Sony Hong Kong website already published the A850/A900 firmware upgrade manual! Take a look at the screenshots at Dchome.

UPDATE: There is an english manual here: http://support.sony-asia.com.edgesuite.net/consumer/IM/ADWB100111.pdf

P.S:: Finally some real nice deals from Sony! The Sony A850 price dropped by $100 and the A900 by $200!!! And there are many other Instante deals on Sony lenses. Use the links below to see all deals!!!

Click the direct shop links to buy the camera:

Sony A580 $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A33 $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A850 $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A900 $200.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.

And here the detailed discount (Click on store name):

Sony 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 DT Lens $50.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Lens $50.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DT $50.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 $50.00 Instant Savings Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM Lens $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 30mm f/2.8 DT Lens $25.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 35mm f/1.4G Lens $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 35mm f/1.8 SAM Lens $25.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT AF Lens $25.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 APO SSM $150.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G SSM Lens $50.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM Lens $25.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 135mm f/2.8 Lens $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Sony 300mm f/2.8 SSM Lens $100.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto.

According to our sources (Thanks!) the new Sony A850/A900 firmware will be announced on December 2th. The main improvement will be the auto focus speed and performance. We have no reliable info about a possible image quality improvement.

Stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors!

P.S.: In US you have tons of Instante Rebates on Sony cameras and lenses. I couldn’t find any deal in Europe  (I am one of those guys waiting for some nice european A850 deal).

Click here to see the full US deal list!