First the Lunar and then this, the X- Vario Leica with APS-C sensor and very slow zoom. Exactly 20 hours ago I told you that Hasselblad would now sell one single camera they have for sale at Amazon US (Click here). And indeed all 8 cameras are still there. And today Leica priced their super unexciting camera at $2850 (here at BHphoto) which is exactly the same price range of the Sony RX1. I think both companies do seriously risk to devalue their brand value if they keep doing cameras like these.

And if the rumors I am working on are correct by end of 2014 Leica will have lost their uniqueness in the Full Frame Mirrorless market. Sony and Fuji will make equal (if not better) cameras for half of the price. Yep, watch out for Sony’s new FF mirrorless and RX cameras. There will be no reason to buy a $7000 Leica anymore!

Dear Leica fans…Stay tuned on SAR…were you will see some REAL innovation soon :)

The soon to be announced RX100 MKII has Hot Shoe, Wifi and swivel screen. I still have no info about the sensor but I guess it could use the same (or a slightly updated) version of the current 1 inch 20 megapixel sensor. The image you see here is a fake rendering but it gives you an idea of how the Hot Shoe could be placed :)

P.S.: Dear sources, could you also share the exact announcement date? Have to plan my vacation trip :)

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RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!

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

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Last week I wrote about a possible new SLT A-mount firmware release in early July. Now SAR reader Laszlo (Thanks) spotted that hint about a new 1.05 firmware update for the A57 on Sony UK’s website. So many times we were a bit disappointed about the Sony firmware update fixes because they didn’t actually improve the JPG engine. But if the rumor we posted last week is correct than we will finally get a noticeable improvement on the JPG engine. These could be the new fw updated:

1) Added Lens Correction
2) Updated Jpg Engine (based on the honami smartphone project).
3) Revisions to menu structure
4) Revisions to video capture rates

keep fingers crossed!

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!

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I guess that after the Hasselblad Lunar we will soon get a second non-sense camera for rich people! What for a short moment appeared to may become the first Sony RX1 challenger turned out to be…a complete let down :)

The new highly teased (and leaked) Leica X Vario Type 107 camera will be announced on Tuesday and is a fixed lens APS-C camera with slow 28-70mm f/3.5-6.4. And guess what the price will be….2450 Euro! Almost the same price of the Sony RX1 Full Frame with superb 35mm f/2.0 Zeiss prime lens ([shoplink 18876 ebay]2566 Euro at Photodirect[/shoplink]).

P.S.: Don’t get me wrong, I would be glad to see some RX1 competition. Otherwise Sony will go lazy with price drops and new RX improvements!

[shoplink 18872 ebay]

[/shoplink]
I read some comment and got some mails with questions about the new RX FF pocket camera. Once again I want to make it clear that the RX1 is not going to be replaced. What’s coming by end of August is a “variation” of the RX1 and will certainly not replace it. I am still working on the specs but I think the new RX may be even a tiny bit more expensive than the current RX1. If you want the RX1 you have no reason to wait unless of course you have four months time to wait until you can get the new RX (In October-November).

The best price you can find in Europe is at [shoplink 18872 ebay]Photodirekt UK (2566 Euro, shipd to all Europe and no tax to pay)[/shoplink]. In USA you can buy it for the normal price at Amazon US (Click here) and get 4% back as reward!

The probably most praised Sony camera is the [shoplink 15824 ebay]Sony RX1[/shoplink] (praised even by Canonikans!). And you know what? There will be a new “variation” coming soon. Not a successor, but simply a new RX model! I am working on the specs of the camera right now and I hope to get some more info from trusted sources. I also don’t know when the camera will be announced but everything hints on a possible late August release.

In short: A new RX100 MKII is coming in late June. A new RX FF camera likely in late August. New NEX cameras and lenses coming in late August too!

Message to one anonymous source: Got your message. thanks ;)

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RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

Guys!

I got a confirmation from a very trusted source that indeed the new RX100 MKII will be officially announced by end of June! I am still working on the full specs but I can also confirm it has WiFi and swifel LCD. I don’t know the price of the new RX100 MKII but right now you can find the current RX100 with a $60 discount at [shoplink 18822 ebay]Sunset Electronics on eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink].

Stay tuned, I am also working on the next RX and NEX camera and lens release rumors ;)

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P.S.: Zeiss Touit shipping in Europe, new LED+SLT rebates and NEX-F3 kit deal at DealsRunner.com