sonyalpharumors

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

admin — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 06:57:28 +0000

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 Sony A900 and Sony A700 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

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

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:26:36 +0000

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!

New Nauticam waterhousing for your NEX-5!

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:08:25 +0000

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 Sony NEX-5, 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

Sony Japan: shipment delays for the NEX fisheye and ultrawide converters

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 17:21:49 +0000

Sony Japan just announced that they will suspend the shipment of the VCL-ECF1 fisheye converter (x0.62 magnification) and delay the releas of the VCL-ECU1 ultra-wide converter (x0.75 magnification). The VCL-ECU1 will be release Spring 2011.

Source: Sony Japan

P.S.: Sony also announced the new MP4 Bloggie Cameras (ThePhoBlographer)

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

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:47:18 +0000

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!

SonyTidbits

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:09:12 +0000

Sony NEX-5 Test from Matthew Allard on Vimeo.

Sony’s minature NEX-5 field tested – by Aljazeera cameraman Matthew Allard (Dslrnewsshooter)

Video: Sony A55 and Sony 135mm f/1.8 Carl Zeiss Sonnar(TheHDblog.net)

Sony A55 test photos (Photokina-show.com)

Crazy comparison: Leica M9 vs Sony NEX-5 (Steve Huff)

The Sony NEX-5 wins the EISA award as best mirrorless camera (+ new reviews)

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 17:20:55 +0000

Eisa (The European Imaging and Sound Association) has choosen the Sony NEX-5 as best mirrorless camera 2010-2011. I believe nobody here will disagree with that decision

In the meanwhile one of our prefered websites Kurtmunger.com tested the NEX cameras (and compared the NEX-5 with the A700). Also Amateur Photographer posted a NEX-5 review.

Instant Savings on the Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 double kits! In Stock on BHphoto and Amazon Germany+UK+France

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:43:02 +0000

BHphoto has the NEX double kit in Stock and with – $150.00 Instante Savings! Click on the product name to visit the BHphoto page:
1) Sony Alpha NEX-5 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Silver)
2) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Black)
3) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Red)
4) Sony Alpha NEX-3 Digital Camera Kit w/16mm & 18-55mm Lenses (Silver)

In Europe we have different prices for every different country (Click on the product name to see the price):
Amazon Deutschland:
Nex-5 Schwarz, Nex-3 Silber, Nex-3 Schwarz

Amazon UK:
Nex-3 Black, Nex-3 Red

Amazon France:
Nex-3 Argent, Nex-5 Noir