Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 preorders links:
In USA at Amazon, Bhphoto, Adorama.
in EU at FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Reviews:
Review at Explora. Review at SonyAlphaBlog. French review at Alphadxd. Product page at Sigma. Test by Yuichiro Fujishiro. Test by Jack Redgate.

Youtube reviews:

The Sony Burano is in Stock for $25k at BHphoto.

Press text:

Sony Electronics Inc. is pleased to announce the next two firmware updates for the BURANO, the newest addition to the CineAlta family of digital cinema cameras. The firmware updates, BURANO Version 1.1 and Version 2.0, are planned to be released over the next year and will include additional recording formats, new de-squeeze options and monitoring updates as well as other features and requests from the cinematic community.

BURANO Version 1.1

Planned for release in late June 2024, BURANO Version 1.1 includes new features for live event production and the addition of 1.5x de-squeeze display for anamorphic lenses. Version 1.1 will add S700 Protocol over Ethernetⁱ which enables remote control of a BURANO using an RCP (remote control panel). Controllable settings include exposure, white balance, paint, and others (depending on the RCP model). ​ Version 1.1 also enables support for Multi Matrix Area Indication. This feature allows users to adjust targeted colors during Multi Matrix operation.

In addition, BURANO Version 1.1 also allows support for Sony’s Monitor & Control appⁱⁱ version 2.0.0 which enables in demand features such as Multi-Camera Monitoring function for iPadOS which allows feeds to up to four cameras, precise exposure monitoring including such as waveform, histogram, false color and zebra. Some other features include intuitive focus control, and frequently used functions’ control as similar operation as Sony’s CineAlta cameras using a mobile device, such as frame rate, ND filter, sensitivity, look, shutter speed, white balance. Sony’s Monitor & Control app is free and available for iOS and Android devicesⁱⁱⁱ.

BURANO Version 2.0

Planned to be released in March 2025 or later, BURANO Version 2.0 offers many new features and improvements requested from the user community, including new recording formats, new 1.8x de-squeeze, and monitoring improvements.

Version 2.0 will include new recording formats including a new 3.8K Full Frame crop that leverages nearly the entire sensor and can shoot up to 120 fps. This new recording mode allows the filmmaker to prioritize faster sensor performance depending on the needs of their application. ​ Other new recording formats include the addition of 24.00 fps to X-OCN 16:9 imager modes and the following:

BURANO Version 2.0 will also add 1.8x de-squeeze setting as well as additional high frame rate (S & Q) modes including 66, 72, 75, 88, 90, 96, 110 fps.

Version 2.0 also offers monitoring improvements, including standardized SDI video output for monitoring across X-OCN and XAVC and an improved on-screen display which places camera status information outside of the image. Version 2.0 will also include View Finder Gamma Display Assist while using S-Log3 for monitoring.

BURANO Version 2.0 also includes additional exposure tools (High/Low Key) derived from the flagship VENICE camera system. Version 2.0 will also expand white balance memory presets from 3 to 8 and support Active/High Image Stabilization in Full-Frame 6K and Super 35 1.9K 16:9 imager modes.

Finally, Version 2.0 will add breathing compensation and image stabilization metadata in X-OCN. ​

Availability

The new BURANO Version 1.1 will be available in late June 2024. BURANO Version 2.0 will be available in March 2025 or later. Filmmakers can easily download the update directly to their camera using a Mac or PC.

At 13:00 London time Sigma will announce the world’s first Full Frame autofocus zoom lens with constant f/1.8 aperture!

Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 preorders links:
In USA at Amazon, Bhphoto, Adorama.
in EU at FotoErhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Sony reports:

After investigation, Sony has confirmed an issue with ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00, which was released on May 28, 2024 (JST). After updating to Ver. 5.00 ,if you turn ON the power with the INPUT2 (audio input 2) switch set to LINE, the audio from CH2 may become unintended level.

Due to this issue, we have suspended the download of ILME-FX6 System Software Ver. 5.00. We apologise for the inconvenience and will rectify the situation by releasing a corrected version as soon as possible.

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Thanks Michael for the tip!

You know what camera is selling best in Japan according to the latest April sales data from BCN? It’s that low quality and boring model I never heard of before (Click here). It’s currently being hyped by the younger generation and influencers. They want affordable and compact cameras that give you a pixelated and more stylish image quality!

BCN reports:

• In April 2024, KODAK captured a 22.5% sales share in the overall digital camera market, which combines compact digital cameras (compact digital cameras), mirrorless single-lens cameras, and single-lens reflex cameras. This was the first time that KODAK had ranked first in monthly market share by manufacturer since BCN began compiling digital camera data, according to the “BCN Ranking,” which compiles actual sales data from electronics retailers and online stores.
• The three products that drove KODAK’s market share were the PIXPRO FZ55, PIXPRO FZ45, and PIXPRO WPZ2. All of them were ranked in the top 10 in sales by series for all digital cameras in April 2012. In particular, the PIXPRO FZ55 took the top spot, accounting for more than 10% of the market share. The average unit price is less than 20,000 yen, and its strength is that it is easy to purchase and use.
• Major camera companies have shifted their focus to expensive mirrorless single-lens cameras, and have reduced the handling of inexpensive compact digital cameras or withdrawn from the market. On the other hand, the demand for easy-to-use compact digital cameras remains. Furthermore, due to the influence of the retro boom in recent years, inexpensive compact digital cameras have become a hot topic on social media, and their popularity has increased, especially among young people. KODAK has made great strides by tapping into such niche needs. (BCN Research Institute, Kakei Saito)

Here are the the top 10 best selling cameras:

1. Kodak PixPro FZ55 (11% share)
2. Sony ZV-E10 (8.2% share)
3. Kodak PixPro FZ45 (6% share)
4. Instax MIni EVO (5.5% share)
5. Kodak PixPro WPZ2 (5.1% share)
6. Canon IXY 650 (4.9% share)
7. Canon EOS R50 (4.0% share)
8. Kenko KC-03TY (2.7% share)
9. Canon EOS R10 (2.4% share)
10. Nikon Z30 (2.3% share)

Between Kodak, Kenko and the IXY we have 5 super cheap compact cameras on top! We don’t have such accurate data in the US and Europe. So let me show the crazy unknown cameras selling hot on Amazon (Click here to see the full bestseller list).

I have been in the camera business for 15 years and I never thought I would see a comeback of the ugly, cheap compact cameras! Also because I did not foresee the advent of the crazy world of social-influencers. This is a ‘world’ based on pure irrationality and an emotional rollercoaster. Now I feel like dropping everything and becoming a farmer in a lonely valley :)

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Source: BCN