We haven’t forgotten that Hasselblad joined the E-mount system…have we? And today we have some news from the Swedish company:

Our reader Aliaume (Thanks!) spotted a surprising statement made by Peter Stig-Nielsen, responsible of Hasselblad professional products at Lesnumeriques (tranlsation here). Hasselblad want to develop their own software enhancements on E-mount lenses. But they are also considering to produce their own E-mount lenses with quality manufacturer…maybe with Fujinon.

As usual with these interview made with Managers…be aware that many things can  be interpreted wrong by the interviewers. I would be damn surprised if Fuji would produce E-mount lenses. I think there is only a very low chance this will happen. On the other side I confess I would be very happy to see some Fuji-Hasselblad quality glass. And they already worked together on the X Pan lenses ([shoplink 15310 ebay]some of them you can find here on eBay[/shoplink]).

By the way, I am really curious to see if there will be a serious partnership on the medium format front. You still dreaming of a Sony square sensor camera? :)

—

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!

Image courtesy: Quesabesde.

It doesn’t happen very often but some camera rumors I do receive fall in the category “Mystery cam“. These are cameras having unique and yet unseen features. The Sony RX1 is one of these cameras. According to a trusted source Sony is working on a new “Mystery cam” that yet we haven’t seen realized by any other manufacturer. The source was so cruel (LOL) to not unveil me any bit of info about it. He only said that it is scheduled for a 2013 release. He is a top source, that’s why I post it now on SAR.

Anyway, I let you guess what this may be…

—

The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.

—

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!

Our reader Lewis wrote on facebook SAR that:  “Nissin Digital have informed me via email that the Nissin Di866 Mark II Pro firmware upgrade for Sony Alpha 77 will be released in November.”

What kind of improvements we can expect is unkwnown yet.

The VG-900. The first E-mount FF

Two trusted sources confirmed that Sony is working on a Full Frame NEX-7 alike system. And they said the camera prototype is almost “ready”. But the real issue is the lens system. They told me that Sony has not enough resources yet to design and produce lenses for a new Full Frame mirrorless system. Currently the priorities are those:
1) Develop and produce new E-mount lenses for the current cameras
2) Develop and produce (and redesign some of the existing) A-mount lenses

The sources said that for that reason we don’t have to expect a new FF mirrorless lens system to be ready before the very end of 2013! But nothing has been decided yet. The priority for the first half of 2013 are the new A and E-mount lenses plus the new NEX-7 update and new SLT cameras.

A litte more info: Expect these lenses to be larger than current known FF lenses like the [shoplink 15173 ebay]Leica M (here on eBay)[/shoplink] or [shoplink 15174 ebay]Zeiss ZM lenses (here on eBay)[/shoplink]. Lens design for digital sensors requires a bit a different approach than the design for film cameras (for example AF parts have to be included).

—

Just a note. Zeiss made many FF ZM lenses and quite some of them would be interesting for a new Sony FF mirrorless system:
[shoplink 10875 ebay]Distagon T* 2,8/15 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9803 ebay]Distagon T* 4/18 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9804 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/21 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9804 ebay]C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9805 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/25 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9806 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9808 ebay]Biogon T* 2/35 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9808 ebay]C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9809 ebay]C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9809 ebay]Planar T* 2/50 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9810 ebay]Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9810 ebay]Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].

—

Reminder to all sources: You can send me anonymous messages through the use of the contact form you can find on top of the right sidebar. Or send me an email by using a fake gmail account at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

FF mirrorless: Currently only Sony and Leica are offering FF mirrorless systems. Sony has the VG900. While Leica has three new offerings, the Leica ME. Leica M and Leica Monochrome.

—

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!

We all loved the NEX-7 but the time is close that it will find his way to a well deserved retirement. It stills ell well in US (see Amazon ranking) but according to our sources the NEX-7 is due for replacement the first half of the next year. We are still working on the rumored specs list and sources are welcome to send me the bits of info they have about the camera so that I can be as accurate as possible the day I will post them on SAR.

All I can say for now is that every aspect from EVF, sensor up to the AF will be changed (ok that was to be expected). I haven’t heard of any revolutionary new feature yet (like foveon sensor or whatever you imagine). While final prototypes are already out for testing you may share your wish list for the new NEX-7 successor while I am working on the real specs info. Contact me anonymously (with fake mail address) at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Or just drop a message on the contact form you see placed here on the right sidebar. Thanks!

The $100 NEX-7 rebates on Amazon:
Meantime there is a $100 rebate action on the NEX-7 (Click here). You save another additional $100 when purchasing it along the 55-210mm lens and another 2% on the overall total price. That deal is part of the many Golg Box deals launched three days ago (Click here to see them all / there will be a DSC-H90 deal starting soon).

There are also some good deals on eBay:
In USA: You can get them even cheaper at [shoplink 15102 ebay]Bigvalue ($1066 click here to check out the auction)[/shoplink]. And private sellers are also selling some new bodies for less than $1000 at [shoplink 15100 ebay]Bucsmom[/shoplink] and [shoplink 15101 ebay]Kirmell[/shoplink].
In Europe: Cheapest price at [shoplink 15103 ebay]Microprice Italy (topseller store)[/shoplink]. It’s about 60-70 Euro less than in other stores.
Full list of eBay NEX7 auction here at Slidoo.

—

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!

The Sony mirrorless market share in Japan

Yesterday BCNranking (translation here) posted the market shares of the mirrorless market in Japan. As you see Sony is the second top player. But how is Sony doing financially? Today Sony released that pdf document (Click to download). In short: The company lost $198 million in Q2 but that’s much lass than they amount they lost in Q1 ($312). But forecast data looks good and Sony should go back to profit by end of 2013. What do we know about the digital camera business?

The imaging division that includes Digital Imaging Products and Professional Solutions categories. had a slightly revenue drop from ¥219.1 (Q1) to ¥182.6 (Q2) but there is still an operating income plus of ¥2.6 (numbers in millions). Sony writes that “This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in unit sales of compact digital cameras reflecting a contraction of the low-end of the market resulting from popularization of smartphones as well as a slowing economy.“. But the forecats prediction says that “Sales are expected to increase and operating income is expected to increase significantly year-on-year.”

What is Sony’s goal for the imaging business? Here it is:
“Although the market for compact digital cameras continues to contract, Sony is working to restore profitability through reinforcement of its high value added products such as those that are differentiated through the use of highly competitive image sensors developed by Sony. For interchangeable single lens cameras, which are enjoying a steady expansion of sales, Sony aims to contribute even further to profitability by enhancing product competitiveness through the integration of network functionality and services. Image sensors contributed to profitability this quarter and, with the aim of further expanding profitability, Sony is making additional investments in production capacity to meet the growing demand for high performance image sensors in the growing market for mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.”

P.S.: Unlike it is in Japan you can’t get real market shares data from Europe and US. To get a very basic and non scientific idea of the popularity you can still check the largest online store rankings:
US ranking (Click here), DE ranking (Click here), UK ranking (Click here), FR ranking (Click here).

As you know back in September Zeiss announced that they will release three new NEX lenses in mid 2013 (Source: Zeiss.)! All priced at around 1.000 Euro and with full electronic support (yep AF too!). And as you know the first three lenses are the 12mm f/2.8, 32mm f/1.8 and 50mm f/2.8. Zeiss also said that “Zoom lenses are an option that is still being considered“.

Now some of our sources had a talk with Zeiss representatives. And the unofficial goal for Zeiss is to launch these lenses in April 2013! Same rumor has been posted by Patrick from FujiRumors (the lenses will be available for the X system too). Finally some new high quality glass like the superb [shoplink 8450]Zeiss 24mm f/1.8[/shoplink]!

Back in September I asked you which lens you would buy. This were the results (If you haven’t voted yet than do it to see the results):

 Loading ...

P.S.: The lenses are designed to cover the APS-C circle and not the for FF NEX cameras like the [shoplink 14178]Sony NEX-VG900[/shoplink].