(SR4) UPDATED: Sony Sweden says the A560 and A580 will very likely be the last DSLR with “classic” mirror. And there might be a replacement for semi-pro camera A700 at Photokina

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Markus from Sweden sent us the following link (Fotoguiden.se) to an interview with the product responsible guy from Sony Sweden. The interview is in swedish and Anders Ericsson (Sony) says that the Sony A560) and the A580 are probably (pretty certain) the last traditional DSLRs from Sony! So bye bye Optical Viewfinder :(

And than he says that “there might be a replacement for semi-pro camera [shoplink 3228]Sony A700[/shoplink] at Photokina

Can our swedish readers please make a complete translation? Thanks!

Source: Fotoguiden.se

UPDATE: I repeat, we don’t expect the A7xx yo be announced at Photokina. Probaby they will sow the prototype only. But we do believe the A560 and A580 are really the last DSLR cameras…

UPDATE: Here the complete Interview translation made by Eric (Thanks!)

Q: Anders Ericsson, photo specialist at Sony, you have just released four new DSLR. Isn’t that a little too much?
A: Yes, you could really think that. The thing is that we are entering a new market where haven’t been precent. Early this spring we released a NEX camera which combines the quality of the DSLR and also high resolution video in the NEX-5.  We are now entering the DSLR bodies and so are releasing two different types of concepts here.

Q: These new cameras, the A33 and A55, which are a completely new design from Sony with fixed mirrors, which types of customers are they targeted at? Who are you competing with?
A: Well they are for those customers who are thinking along the lines of “Should I buy a very good compact camera with video function or should I aim a little higher?” Maybe they are looking a little at, for instance, the Canon EOS-550.

Q: It sounds like this technology could be interesting for instance for hobby photographers/semi professionals with a 70-200/f2.8 who want’s to shoot sports.  It is possible we could se this technology in cameras with optical viewfinders which are a little bigger and more professional?
A.: Yes, absolutely. This is a new direction we are taking and going from a DSLR, that is a digital system camera, to SLT where the T denotes Translucent, meaning a new type of mirror technology. This broadens the concept type to many different types of camera bodies. So that is true.

Q: Then the A560 and A580 might be the last models of your older, traditional segment?
A: I can agree to that, yes. That is correct.

Q: Now, you have chosen and electronic viewfinder in the A33 and A55, but when we look through it the whole image is not presented – there is a masked area which is not being used. Why is that?
A: It is because the viewfinder has a resolution of 1.44 million pixels. Effectively the resolution is 1.15 million pixels, which is because there is a boarder around the image which might be perceived as unused space. This is why we are communicating that the effective resolution of the electronic viewfinder is 1.15 million pixels.

Q: Is it the graphics card in the camera that can’t handle the whole picture and that is why the whole area isn’t used, or what is the technical cause for this?
A: That’s a very good question. It is possible that i could be that they have used up the capacity of the camera on the software for the autofocus, in order for that to reach top performance.
(That’s what I think he means to say anyway, he’s not expressing himself very clearly.)

Q: A33 and A55 have a fixed mirrors which “steals” some light. How large is this loss of light?
A: They are talking about approximately half a stop before it reaches the software, but the new sensor in this camera should mean that it has less of a loss than the older A550.

Q: So you are gaining half a stop on the new sensor, doesn’t that mean you’re always facing the risk that you are half a stop behind the competition – comparing the latest sensors?
A: We are hoping that the reviews that you and the rest of the press are producing, will show that these cameras perform better than the older A550 did.

Q: Sony has previously gotten some critique regarding noise on some models but we saw earlier with the A550 and A500 that you have improved this some. Do you think with time you will become the leader in terms of noise?
A: The goal is to deliver very good imaging chips and have a very low noise levels in those. What happened in the A500/A550 was that we switched from the older CCD technology in the entry level cameras to the new exmor technology where we digitize the light directly on the imaging chip, which means that we loose the step where you would previously build up noise because of the external A/D converter. We can now skip that step.

Q: Those who have an A700 and are hoping for a new camera for the more advances users, when will they get something new?
A: That is a very good question. There have been a lot for whispering about an A750 during that past six months. We have not seen any press release of information regarding this internally yet. We’ll see what happens at the fair in September, down in Germany.

Q: Finally, the electronic viewfinder you are using in the A33 and A55, in the press meeting here there was some talk about something even better coming in a year. What kind of technology is that?
A: You are actually getting ahead of me here, I have no facts about that development. What I have heard rumors about is that there is a lot of development going on in that area. What you have now with the viewfinder in the A55 is that you have very little loss of light when photographing in low light, which is a tremendous advantage compared to earlier compact cameras when using an electronic viewfinder.

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First Hands-on with Sony’s new 24mm Carl Zeiss lens

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(Credit: Leonard Goh/CNET Asia)

Asia CNET had the chance to hold the new Sony Zeiss 24mm f/2.0 lens: “Although the lens we got is a pre-production unit, we were impressed by the smooth and precise focusing it offered.” Read more: http://asia.cnet.com/crave/2010/08/30/hands-on-with-sony-s-new-24mm-carl-zeiss-lens/

A preview and some image samples have been posted on Dpreview (Click here)

You can pre-order the Sony Zeiss 24mm f/2.0 lens on BHphoto (Click here)

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(SR1) Having some fun: More asian rumors (A9xx, Axxx, A780)

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Asian rumor writers are quite active in those days! As you know we from SonyAlphaRumors don’t expect Sony to announce any new professional camera at Photokina. But those asian sources do claim to know specs and details about the [shoplink 3032]Sony A900[/shoplink] and [shoplink 3228]Sony A700[/shoplink] successors. As usual, take it with a grain of salt!!! I am almost certain they are purely invented! The only true news is that Sony UK discontinued both fullframe models

The first two camera specs do come from mobile01.com

Sony A9xx
34.6 mp
100% pentaprism
51 AF point
center new double cross f2.8
8 cross
18 hidden assist point AF
ISO 100-25600,extend 50-51200

Sony Axxx
18mp
19 point AF
center double cross f2.8
10fps
new Bionz,unknown number
ISO 100-25600,extend 50-51200
3.5′ Bravia class LCD

And here a rumor from Xitek (via Fotoactualidad)

Sony A750
18MP CMOS
New BIONZ processor (perhaps twice, but is unlikely)
19 points of focus, central cross
Between 10fps and 12fps
ISO 100-25600 (expandable to 50-51200)
Full HD Video 1080i
Folding LCD 1.44K
HDR, 3D Panorama
Metal body
Date of announcement: September 12

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(SR1) A “cheap” A77 rumor and a Leica FF rangefinder rumor (with Sony sensor)

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I found two new rumors (They are not from our sources so don’t trust them too much)!

1) Joseph S Wisniewski worte inside the dpreview forum that “My sources say that there’s already M10 prototypes in the field with the same 24mp Sony used in D3X and A900, but with rangefinder friendly microlenses. Which conflicts with rumors that Sony microelectronics is discontinuing the FF sensors, but hey, rumors are what they are.

2) A very “weak” A77 rumor has been posted by eprice.com.tw

● more than 30 AF points
● sensitivity up to ISO 25600
● Anti-dust metal body (presumably aluminum-magnesium alloy)
● more complete control and a higher standard button configuration
● larger buffer memory storage than the A55. Takes CF cards
● same NP-FM500H lithium battery
● about 1,500 U.S. dollars

Reminder: Rumor classification (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unkown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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New Nauticam waterhousing for your NEX-5!

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Nauticam (Hong Kong) just announced a new water housing for the NEX-5 camera.

Press release:

The NA-NEX5 is an aluminium housing tailor made for [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink], the world’s smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera so far.

The housing design emphasizes a compact, stylish and user friendly appearance allowing logical and comfortable controls of the camera.

Key features of the housing:

• Reliable and rapid port release locking system
• Double safety secured housing lock
• Flash on/off control
• Camera tray allows easy removal of battery and memory card
• Super sensitivity shutter release
• Rocker switch for play and movie control
• Removable optical fibre mounting plate for flexible lighting choices
• Strobe mounting thread on housing providing steady mounting choices
• Focus light cold shoe on top of housing is available
• Rail holder is built providing option for monitoring hood and magnifier
• Wide range of lens port choices

Shipment will start two weeks later!

Source: http://www.nauticam.com/news-detail.asp?id=25

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Sony increases production capacity for image sensors including back-illuminated and large sized CMOS image sensors

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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.

The recent boom in smartphones is creating demand for devices with high image quality and high sensitivity capabilities. Also, the evolution of lighter and more compact Digital Still Cameras as well as improved camera functionality have resulted in an expanding customer segment who own high quality Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras.
These market conditions have led to greater demand for larger image sensors and image sensors with higher image capabilities.

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.

Investment Overview

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!

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