Back in September Sony registered three new camera models in China. We now know what two of them are (The LR1 and the A9III). The third model is definitely a new video oriented model.
“WW559681” code was for the LR1
“WW459276” code was for the A9III
“WW279317” is definitely a new video oriented camera because it’s produced in Shanghai were Sony makes video cameras. So this could be for example a new FX6 or FX9 successor!
So this is it, no A7sIV or A1II coming any time soon. In January we will likely get this new FX6/FX9 or other video camera.
Today Sigma Japan launched a teaser for a new November 16 announcement. I am 100% sure this is related to the new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (listed here at BH). So they will “only” announce the full specs and pricing. According to my source this lens will go on sale on December 7 for €1699. That’s €200 more than the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8.
Reminder: Sony Europe launched up to 500 Euro/Pounds cashback on nearly all cameras and lenses you can find at FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK, Amazon EU, Some of the most hot deals:
The rep couldn’t give me a price or official release date other than “It’ll be next month”. He also was surprised by how light it was. “And everyone thought it would be heavy.” I’d say it somewhat like holding a Tamron 70/180 which I was holding right before going to sigma to check it out. I’ve also owned the Sony 70-200 and that’s how I know the weight was less than that. I am curious if this was possibly an early copy and they maybe shed weight or need to add something to it. But it was a working copy. It’s internal zoom and the lens has super smooth rings. Images looked sharp too. There’s custom 1/2 switches that they couldn’t tell me what it was for yet. My downside to it would definitely be that it’s really long.
Lesnumeriques tried to get some answers from Sony managers on why the A9III has a Base ISO of 250. But they gave none because “There is a huge secret around this sensor “. The French magazine also tried to understand why the Baso ISO is higher than on the A9II:
In terms of sensitivities, the quest for the lowest possible native ISO to satisfy lovers of image perfection has given way to speed. This is why the minimum value is 250 ISO, instead of 64 on some cameras. While the engineers did not agree to answer our questions on this subject, the theory is that the global shutter sensor is more energy intensive than traditional sensors; Additional electronic activity and greater power consumption generate increased electromagnetic noise, limiting the ability to offer low ISOs.
However, we did not notice crazy digital noise, deviant colors and other artifacts. The image quality – especially with the sublime 300mm f/2.8 announced right away – is really very good. But the test will be necessary, particularly in terms of colors and dynamic range, which will be THE main thing to monitor with such a sensor.
After a few photo sessions, we must admit that the level of performance of the Sony machine is quite astonishing.
The camera will start shipping out ion more than three months only…so we still have to wait a long time before we can test a real final production version.
