No NEX PRO camera. There will be a Sony RX1 Full Frame fixed lens camera instead (pictures leaked!)
The guys from Photoprice Canada leaked the super secret pics of a new Full Frame camera with fixed(!) Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 compact lens on it! So the big Sony surprise wasn’t really a NEX alike interchangeable camera but rather a big RX100 compact camera alike camera. This is a super nice camera but my first thought was…”damn, I would have loved to have it with interchangeable E-mount like the upcoming VG900” 
P.S.: The lens has a SONNAR design while the already existing Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens (here on eBay) is BIOGON.
I fear that most of us will wait until we Sony will release an interchangeable version of it…don’t know if I would spend $3000 on a camera with fixed lens. Would you?
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This camera is aimed to compete against the Fuji X100 (specs here) and Leica X2 (specs here). But the RX1 will cost more and have a larger FF sensor. But it still will cost a lot less than a Leica M9!!!
Reminder: The Big Sony announcement DDay is this coming week on Wednesday September 12th. Be sure to be online on this website. I will keep a live updated post about all reviews and news around all the new stuff. Do not miss any single news be sure to follow the RSS feed and Twitter stream and join the Facebook fan page!
Jon
9 months ago |No optical rangefinder. Like I’m really going to shoot this at arms’ length! When will they learn…
jlabate
9 months ago |Given what Sony did with the RX100, I am expecting an impressive camera with exceptional image quality. Sure, I’d hoped for that FF Nex but this seems to indicate that will likely be coming. A $3000 price is too much for many of us but I’d preorder at $1500.
Adam
9 months ago |My extreme excitement turned to extreme disappointment. Why doesn’t it have a EVF? If this had a viewfinder (of any sort really) I would have dropped $3k on it if the lens was good.
passer-by
9 months ago |This camera is from RX family… no VF, fixed screen, minimal button. Wait for the NEX version.
nij
9 months ago |swivel lcd pls.
customercopy
9 months ago |Hey Andrea, I think you owe me an apology – I told you there was no FF NEX coming.
admin
9 months ago |Hmmm, I wans’t right. I mean yes, there is a FF NEX camcorder. But the RX1 has a fixed lens. It is not a NEX. It looks like Sony is doing everything but not exactly that what I want
Sam
9 months ago |Is there any reason for thinking the lens is fixed aside from the lack of an obvious release?
Sky_walker
9 months ago |It’s R-series camera. These are large-sensor fixed-lens.
Sam
9 months ago |Great point. The R line is tiny though and the current members, the R1 and RX100 have nothing in common other than breakthrough sensors at time of release. The R1 was CMOS, the RX100 1 inch (in a fixed lens format). If we allow that ILC’s are reasonably new to digital outside the DSLR format could we hope that R is more ‘Radical’ than anything and thus any flagship non-DSLR would fit?
All that said – the fact that this tiny size likely needs custom micro-lenses means I know I’m wrong. I just want this to be something it can’t be yet.
robert
9 months ago |$3k for the A99 is my bet. No way the RX1 is that much.
santela
9 months ago |same sensor, smaller body, with a zeiss lens slapped on it? It’s expensive but it is not overpriced.
john
9 months ago |The reception over at
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123516
seems to be a little warmer than here but they are used to overspending on old tech.
For them its not the destination its the journey.
melody
9 months ago |Is this manual focus?
Kevin S
9 months ago |Looks like it has AF, servo/continuous, DMF and manual focus easily selected by the switch lower right on the front of the body; lower left front from the user perspective.
Gabriel
9 months ago |It’s that the “game changer” ? An overpriced fixed lenses neo-retro design camera ? I guess image quality will be very good, zeiss brand lenses + sony sensor makes a nice combo but apart for some whealthy people, who will buy this camera ? Film nostalgic won’t go to a camera without OVF/EVF and it’s not retro-look enough, there is no scale distance, no direct speed dial.
Ryan
9 months ago |I would have prefer a 50mm lens. Its look nice. Im sure it will be a great camera.
Wt21
9 months ago |+1
One question this will help answer, given Sony’s love affair with tiny cameras: how small can a FF mirrorless get?
Tony
9 months ago |+1 35 is too wide for me for the most part. I had the Zeiss 24 for NEX, but I find the Sigma 30 more useful. I suppose it could be useful for wedding photographers in some situations, especially if it’s silent.
DC
9 months ago |If Sony could implement the digital zoom feature on this camera, then we might have the 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm view angles… It’s just like having 3 prime lenses on one camera. Continue dreaming…
Wt21
9 months ago |I can’t afford $2700 for a focal length I don’t use.
BillW
9 months ago |Me either. Sometimes you can’t help but wonder how out of touch some of the top marketing guys are with what most consumers need and want. I think this will be a no-go for most except a tiny few with money to burn.
Jimmy
9 months ago |Problem here is that the initial rumour of a full frame nex was what everyone is wanting so the real excitement of an interesting new product has been lost. Can’t wait for this.
dudo
9 months ago |ahahahahahahahah ridiculous price
melody
9 months ago |NO WAY Sony can sell interchangeable full size now.
If this is the interchangeable FF camera, it certainly should have been a game changer, but it it would have killed most of NEX /a99 sales.
Nicholas
9 months ago |If you’re trying to take some of the market away from Leica with a compact FF camera, it seems like a no brainer to make it with interchangable lenses to allow Leica M glass on here via an adaptor – if they can spend $5k on a lens they won’t think twice about $2-3k for a second, full frame body.
All in all though looks like a nice camera from Sony
Sahaja
9 months ago |This may take some market from the Leica X2
Chris
9 months ago |What a dumb strategy..they should have released full frame nex instead of RX1..dont know what they’re thinking..but I dont think it will sell..and..i love NEX design much more..
passer-by
9 months ago |Maybe RX development team is a bit more efficient than the NEX’s. They work independently if I’m not mistaken.
Matt
9 months ago |A FF version of the RX100! This will have IQ that will blow away all the existing FF cameras and its size is tiny in comparison. Great to see someone going FF mirrorless. No builtin EVF, too pricey, and a fixed lens and LCD. OK, but this is the first of its kind. There should be no doubt that other interchangeable lens cameras like this will follow. The writing is on the wall for FF DSLRs.
Just like the first NEX cameras are for APS-C sized MILCs, this will spearhead another exciting development. FF MILCs from Fuji, Pentax, Samsung, etc. Canon and Nikon can stay on the sidelines and I wish they do so that the others can have more headstart and become more competitive, so as to break the duopoly. What a great day!
Walter Knapp
9 months ago |They don’t make lens sales money off people adapting other brand lenses to NEX. Not surprising that they will evolve away from people doing that. In this case they make the money off the lens, no choice. Typical Sony.
Also typical in that they think all anybody wants is a fixed lens consumer camera. Folks claiming so much value for the RX100 have shot themselves in the foot!
matgay
9 months ago |but what if the image quality is twice as good as anything out there in 35mm focal range for that price of $2,800? would you buy it? why not if you will mainly shoot in 35mm? what if the image quality surpassess leica m9 + 35mm which will cost 4x as much?
WM
9 months ago |Trip trap trip trap. Don’t you think folks can see through your anti-Sony bitterness? You’re no better than the typical canikon troll. And all because Sony wouldn’t give you an OVF replacement for your A700. A child throwing toys out of his pram is nothing compared to your behaviour.
Tsu Takamoto
9 months ago |I wonder how many people sold their NEX-7′s in anticipation for a FF NEX because of the rumor? If they’re disappointed in this release, I’m sure they’re crushed finding out it’s not a NEX (after they sold their bodies). OUCH!
Jerry Suppan
9 months ago |I was one of them about to sell the NEX-7 for exactly that reason, and, in fact, currently have it on Yahoo Japan auction. But, luckily with 2 days remaining on the auction, I am seriously thinking now to close the auction early and keep the NEX-7. The fact that the NEX-6 will soon be announced and has EVF, I may get that as a 2nd body to avoid lens swap.
Jason
9 months ago |Has anyone in here looked at the RX100? It is sweet. It feels good and shoots good. This will be a great camera for Sony. It will bring in the Fuji X-Pro1/ wannabe Leica shooters to Sony. It legitimizes Sony. This is for real; it is no toy.
Mike
9 months ago |The RX100 is very nice…portable with really nice IQ.
Kyle
9 months ago |Very nice to see somone headed in the right direction but there is NO WAY I can spend that much on a fixed lens camera. This apeears intended as an ‘interchangeable camera’ to compliment your primary camera. I would be very happy and much more confident to have this in my bag at a wedding as a backup…. if I did weddings.
EnPassant
9 months ago |Didn’t anybody tell Sony that compacts with big non-collapsing lenses went out of fashion in the 80′s?
kingrenas
9 months ago |Oh..no! This look like a shot in the foot.
For those who were waiting for a full frame NEX camera.
The good thing for me I can wait for a FF NEX next year I cannot afford one at the moment.
au currant
9 months ago |Yes, and to add to that, look at cell phones. We used to be able to grab it securely, today we need rubber to keep it from slipping from our hands. It’s a shame the human hand have not aquired the capability to collpase within the past 30 years, because manual focusing a thin lens is not as pleasant as one the size of our out dated hands.
Mike1
9 months ago |It proves that Sony is more like a high tech company than a camera maker. High tech companies like to change user behavior. It’s like Sony telling us “Hey guys, shoot it like a i-phone, it’s cool!”. When I have a iphone, I shoot it with a iphone. When I have a camera, I shoot it with a camera, a camera with a viewfinder, period.
Mike1
9 months ago |By the way, if it’s a 50mm with a viewfinder, then I may start to save the money to get one.
WhyNoTethering?
9 months ago |Uhhhg they made the aperture ring backwards. Minolta MD rings have wide aperture far left. So do Contax, Leica, Oly PEN… Even Maxxum lenses with manual adapters for NEX have wide aperture at FAR LEFT!
Damnit Sony pay attention to your legacy and keep things consistent.
And where the hail is the front mounted PC port on the a99??? Side mounted PC ports KILL cables in vertical shooting. Put it back where it belongs on the FRONT! I’m sorry your super secret Nat Geo Togs didn’t tell you that. Perhaps you should speak with those who’ve shot Maxxum for 25 years. We don’t like these thoughtless changes that make things worse. Side mounted PC port is for your convenience… not ours.
Sahaja
9 months ago |Maybe they are after Nikon users by putting the wide aperture on the right.
Brian
9 months ago |The Aperture ring is correct for a Zeiss Sonnar, same as on my 1934 5cm F1.5 Sonnar. Zeiss at least paid attention to that.
Onigorom
9 months ago |You guys are camera addicts. This is unique, high quality gear, full frame and quite handsome, and for only a few of us. If Sony can deliver on RX100′s 20 MP sensor, then it will deliver on a FF 24MP sensor for sure. Price seems justified, who cares if you will buy it or not? But what is the point of complaining? Because the rumor mill spoke of game changer, as if it were a claim by Sony? Sony is issuing a couple of products for a couple of target groups. Be happy.
I also don t get the FF NEX hype, it will make the NEX bigger (at least its FF lenses).
Alpha Mark
9 months ago |Smart move from Sony, seeing there is a overwhelm demand on NEX FF. They’ve made one with non-detachable FF compact, simply because first there is no exiting FF NEX lens (not until they release the lens and body at the same time), secondly they’ve seen the success of Fujifilm X100. However I think the price is little too much for a FF compact. 2k should be best price range for this camera. I like the 35mm F2 Zeiss..Can’t wait to see the quality. For me 35mm is pefect for FF compact. Really good for street photo. As for the sensor. I hope its an improved version of the 24mpx or even better if they can lower it to 16 to 18mpx but improve the ISO.
matgay
9 months ago |admin gots it wrong!! admin said to sell off to ebay all u nex7 for this! this is not no game changer! it couldve easily been the game changer if in e-mount with m-mount adapter. couldve but couldnt.
ageha
9 months ago |It isn’t the first time he got it wrong…
matgay
9 months ago |hmmm… high quality lens lasts forever. camera body lasts 2-3 yrs.
lens on camera body = hammer and screwdriver to salvage high quality parts?
matgay
9 months ago |maybe sony should have released 3 versions of this camera in fixed lens for 18mm, 35mm, 50mm?
ageha
9 months ago |Might come sooner than you think.
Kevin Alpha
9 months ago |At first I saw an orange mount on the body like the a99, I thought holy cow, is it a-mount compact body? Lets see guys, this baby might turn out as an a mount changeable body on sept 12.
David Lam
9 months ago |Sony needs another brand name like ‘Contax’ to justify its high price!
Just like Lexus/Toyota!
shawn
9 months ago |Biggest disappointment ever.
clivengu
9 months ago |Haha Ohh admin this time you are so wrong..this really surprises everyone. Luckily I didnt follow your advice to sell of my new nex7 for this. This really has nothing to do with Nex. Anyway good job in updating us all the latest news. I still waiting for the 3 new nex lenses. Hope these lens wont be disappointing.
Memo
9 months ago |I want it! I would use it for concerts.
IcanCwhatUsay
9 months ago |Ok I don’t know much about cameras, but if this doesn’t have a viewfinder, what’s the point?
Steve
9 months ago |wtf !!!
Rototo !!
Michael
9 months ago |Guys… just chill ok . its a freaking rumor site ! Admin as already provided a good overall coverage. Whether this camera suite you or not just move on…
+1
daenur
9 months ago |So, there WILL be a Zeiss Sonnar 35 f/2 after all? I mean, no way they developed this lens for this camera only.
Alpha mount please, no NEX!
Lucia
9 months ago |Hi would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with? I’ve loaded your
blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot quicker
then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair
price? Cheers, I appreciate it!
Carlo
9 months ago |Is it just me, or does the first picture look like a bad photoshop job? Looks totaly fake to me!
Legoland
9 months ago |totally nonsense for me is spending 3000$ on a fixed lens FF camera. If it were NEX like, I’d jump on it right now.
Nick Chill (@NickChillPhoto)
9 months ago |This is so frustrating. Why would they release a full-frame, compact body in a fixed lens system, before releasing it in the ILC system. They are really attracting the interest of the pro-photographer community with the NEX 7. This is a disappointing move.
Jon
9 months ago |I’m sure that this camera will deliver phenomenal images, but I have to ask even if I risk getting flamed: What is the point? Is this camera really going to be so much better than a camera with an APS-C, 1.5″ or even 1″ sensor? I would understand it if we could interchange sensors like we swapped films the olden days.
But why stick with it in a fixed lens camera? Because of tradition that some guy decided to make a use of cheap movie film over 100 years ago?
I would understand if it came with a M mount. Heck, I would have been intrigued if Sony put a S2-sized sensor in there, just to “break the mold”. But I guess they wanted to capture a part of the rich hipsters market.
P.S. Or maybe Sony is testing the waters for a FF NEX system?
passer-by
9 months ago |It is what it is because it is an R or RX series. To become qualified as one, it has to be:
-small as possible (no vf, fixed screen, fixed lens)
-expensive. you have to pay more for a smaller package you know…
I can speculate that FF Nex is coming… SR1.
Ruhayat
9 months ago |Umm. That lens seems anything but compact to me. If the body is the size of the GX1, then this camera is definitely not pocketable (okay, maybe in a large jacket). But still, full frame with a 2.0 lens in a package smaller than any full frame DSLR currently available? Hmmmmmmmm…
Nah. I’d rather buy another film M instead, at that price. If it were priced at $2,000 then it might just be tempting…
a900andanex5
9 months ago |I’m sure there’s a niche market for this with people who will find it’s combination of size and quality images exactly what they want.
But it’s not for me; 35mm would not be my personal choice of focal length and f2 seems too slow for how I’d choose to use it too. (and slower than a lot of competing lenses too; although undoubtable it would have had to be bigger to have been faster)
And assuming that the lens accounts for a large chunk of the price, why would I invest that much into a lens with such a limited lifespan; that is integrated into this one particular camera, which is bound to be superceeded within a few years at maximum.
Maryland Movers
9 months ago |I really like the idea behind the sony engineers but, number one, that i do not like is fixed lens. and # 2 the price. it should be not more than 1600$ for camera like this. !!!
Andy Schulz
8 months ago |I prefer 40 mm or 50 mm in a fixed lense like in an analog MF Format
Rangefinder Plaubel Makina67 , better for shooting portraits,people and I prefer the famous HCB look:-) of the 50 mm lense.
I would buy one straight with a 50 on it. love leaf shutter option for artist stuff in combination with fill in flash outside. its like MF in a small body.
But 35 mm is to wide for fashion,portraits and for my style of work.
interchangable lenses okay I would in the boat without to think twice!!!
would be my dream camera like a contax G2 Film System. Perhaps next year:-)