Filmmaker will not believe me on this: NEX-VG900 Full Frame E-mount camera for a tiny bit more than 3.000 Euro!
The image on top shows the just announced Sony NEX-EA50UH Camcorder with 18-200mm Servo Zoom Lens. The Full Frame NEX-VG900 costs less!
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I know I am going to be crucifixed for posting this rumor. But I am sure that the rumor will turn out to be true within the next few weeks. So please cheaters…just have a bit of patience before to attack SAR 
The new NEX VG-900
We just got an unexpected news via trusted sources. Until now I thought Sony is working on a High End and expensive E-mount FF camcorder only but after talking with multiple sources I can unveil this:
Sony will announce the new NEX-VG900 at around mid September. It is a Full Frame E-mount camcorder (Full Frame in photographic terms!). And it costs just a bit over 3.000 Euro! It records 1080p60 in AVCHD format (24Mbps/s). A FF camcorder for 3.xxx Euro is something almost unbelievable. Of course as usual, this alone will not make the camcorder successful. I am working to get the details of the camcorder and hope to post them soon.
E-mount FF
I repeat it again. Current E-mount lenses like the super Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 will work in crop mode only. And you will have a “special adapter” to make Alpha lenses work on the cameras. There will be no E-mount FF lenses yet. For those of you that take more about photography than stills…a “photocamera” with FF E-mount is scheduled for a 2013 release.
Reminder: There is an announcement scheduled for August 29th (NEX-5R) while the E-mount FF camcorder, the NEX-6 and the A99 will be announced two weeks later! Stay tuned on SAR, subscribe our RSS feed and Twitter stream and the Facebook comunity to not miss any hot 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!
Monicalol
9 months ago |When will we be able to buy the new upcoming lenses thats all I want to know!
Thomas Läräng
9 months ago |I’d buy this baby in an instant if this world turn out to be true!
BMan
9 months ago |If this is true, I guess Canon 5dmkwhatever is history.
Their C300 or whatever, is also history even more.
The VG900 will have to be severely crippled though, to not destroy SONY high end video range …
documensony
9 months ago |Canon 5D is clearly the target here! Quite a bold move from Sony to ax the ususally very high premium prices of professional video gear — I am excited to see Canon’s and Panasonics answer to this…
C
9 months ago |Pretty much. I’m not expecting a lot more then what one could get with the 5DMk3. Personally I hope the A99 has the same video mode since I can’t afford both cameras.
In fact maybe the A99 and VG9000 share the same sensor and Sony can’t be bothered to remove the PDAF bits for the A99? Just a thought.
shamb
9 months ago |24Mbps/s seems a bit low for high def 60p. The A77 does higher than that, and broadcast quality requirements for HD ACVHD (from the BBC, who tend to be the most picky) is >50Mbps. Sony would know this and surely go higher for a serious production cam?
Typo? Or is this the entry level, and you have to buy the ‘pro firmware’ to unlock it, and that is how the pricing is being set low.
admin
9 months ago |No typo
shamb
9 months ago |oh. In that case it must be designed specifically as a video DSLR replacement. The low bit rate will pull it down though IMO, as that certainly isnt broadcast quality outside the US.
Either that or they have an uncompressed HDMI out and that is how they are keeping the price down? That may make more sense if it actually is a VDSLR replacement aimed at Indie film production
shamb
9 months ago |Actually, the more I think about it, the more I feel this hinges on whether the cam has clean HD out.
If it does, then VDSLR people wont care what the mative compression is, as they will bypass it. Indie crews/shotgun documentary people will love it esp when NEX allows them to keep their current lenses (they dont need autofocus for a start, so everything will work off the bat). Marketing genius!
If it doesnt have a clean HD out, then there’s a serious problem with that low bit rate.
I have a feeling that Sony ‘get it’ and are doing the former, which would be sweet.
Tom S
9 months ago |Pretty sure VG-20 has clean HDMI out? (or am I confusing with FS100?) If so, this one should have it too.
John Thomas
9 months ago |I’m guessing it’s 28Mbps which is the rate for 1080p60 in the a77 and AVCHD 2.0. 24Mbps is for 24p.
amband
9 months ago |24mp is far too much already. It’s not needed
gianluca
9 months ago |But current nex5n do 1080 60p 28 mbps
grizzler
9 months ago |AVCHD 2.0 standard doesn’t support 1080p60 at 24Mbps does it? I thought it was 28Mbps.
Hmmm..mixed feelings about this one. I suspect that this will have the same form factor as the VG10/20 so in truth there’s little to be gained unless there’s something we dont know. Possibly better to spring the extra for an EA50 which has a more usable body style and as part of the NXCAM range would probably get better support from Sony.
admin
9 months ago |I wrote AVCHD and not AVCHD 2.0. But it may be an error by Sony. I don’t know.
RTI
9 months ago |So you are getting rumors directly from Sony.
rob
9 months ago |Every rumor has a source. And i hope the admin is not getting rumors from Samsung.
john
9 months ago |from VG20 press release Aug 24 2011
$1600 body only
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2011/8/24/sonynexvg20
“Full HD video shooting in the AVCHD™ format is now complemented by a choice of 24p and 60p (progressive) frame rate options. Footage shot at 24p can be enhanced with Cinema Tone Gamma™ and Cinema Tone Color™ for an even richer, more cinematic look.”
Thomas Läräng
9 months ago |Oh wait, it said VG900 and not FS900, so probably a chip with way to much pixels than needed, and tons of aliasing-rolling shutter-moire…I’ll pass.
admin
9 months ago |That is my fear. BIg sensor…small specs
Thomas Läräng
9 months ago |I think the sensor is fine size-wise, I just hope the put in just enough pixels to make it 1920*1080 and not more, so that there’s no line-skipping.
documensony
9 months ago |I guess you can’t have everything.
This is a full frame sensor in a highly practical body for film shooting in the € 3,000 segment vis-a-vis the likes of Canon 5D.
Segments in higher price brackets will surely be served at a later stage.
And from this, I would expect an upcoming FF Nex7 type of camera to land just around the € 2,000 mark.
Joe
9 months ago |i much rather prefer dslr form factor like the 5d and the c300 since its more discrete for video journalism
matt
9 months ago |so it will be a handicam a99? Being a VG series it will be a consumer cam, a bit like when the VG10 launched and was the first large sensor camcorder Sony made below 50k. Seems like a continuation of that strategy.
Joe
9 months ago |not impressed, they should just focus on video features in the A99
zstan
9 months ago |definitely a dream come true for people with a small budget and VDSLRs users who do not wish to hold a camera in an extremely awkward way while recording video.
fotowolf61
9 months ago |@Admin: why did you change the announcement date to 29th ?
Before you was talking about the 28th .
admin
9 months ago |I think it depends from the location. What is 29th in Japan may be 28th in US and so…
Boooe
9 months ago |What does mean “FF”? FF is 36×24 mm, and that’s not 16:9 aspect ratio. Which area does it really use, then?
Junius
9 months ago |Hopefully the sensor has a low mega-pixel count. Also, there is the possibility that it will have uncompressed 4:2:2 via HDMI-out.
Bear
9 months ago |What do you mean by “Full Frame in photographic terms!”?
Nothing to do with sensor size?
Raph
9 months ago |Size like a FF sensor for photo cameras. It’s 36x24mm.
amateur
9 months ago |I aspect Sony introduces UHDTV 3840×2160 cheap Led TV’s in the market to keep rolling the lead of TV future market (in Photokina maybe) so i aspect cheapest SLT and camcorders in 4k quad-full frame soon. May be VG900 will open that?? Sorry my English…
István Gábor Takács
9 months ago |The fact that its called VG900 not FS900 indicates that it follows the line of VG10 and VG20? Meening it will be smaller than than the FS100 or FS700? That would be a dream camera for me, a small VG20 like videocamera with full frame sensor! (We make a lot of documentaries in handheld settings, and the size of the vg20 is just ideal). It would be awesome!
Maxwell
9 months ago |Camcorders are not very interesting for me.
A NEX FF (still camera) would be much more interesting.
Hope Sony one day release such a camera.
But the Sony RX100 is enough for me for some years… maybe
Andreas
9 months ago |Somehow this makes no sense in particular if you are looking at the just announced pricing for the NEX-EA50.
Joel Richards
9 months ago |Yeah, I appreciate the rumor and I’m excited to hear how it plays out but I’m REALLY skeptical about the price. Also it seems strange to release this as a VG model. All-in-all it seems like a strange (but kind of cool) beast. If this were an FS model I would assume it actually shoots native 4K (perhaps even oversampled) and costs around $30k. And it would still be a good deal at that price! (at least for the digital cinema crowd–not really for me)
Tom S
9 months ago |I’m confused about Sony’s vision here… You have VG line, FS line and now EA line? I think VG and EA are closer sensor-wise, but new VG will be full frame, which not even FS line can match in size? FS is probably still better for video with their optimized but smaller video chip?
Jerome
9 months ago |It looks like Sony is set to compete with the Canon 5D M2/3. That was to be expected, I can’t believe the number of video/film crew who use the Canon 5D.
If competing with the Canon 5D is the idea, I wonder if Sony also wants to produce an adapter for the EOS lenses. They are probably the only ones who can make it work with AF.
Also: if the sensor has many mpix, it has been developed for a PHOTO camera. If the sensor is not 100% the one used in the Nikon D800, there is another full frame camera coming.
Rick
9 months ago |Hmmm… don’t know what to think of this. I’ve been looking forward to a VG update, but this would be something entirely different. I’d still like to see the specs for the A99 as the VG900 seems to clash with it, essentially asking which form factor do you prefer – DSLR or camcorder? With presumably better still and AF capability and a pro build, I would give the edge to the A99 – even primarily for video.
The VG form factor is great for video, and a little wonky for stills. The problem with the VG cameras is that Sony dumbed them down to keep the “consumer” aspect of the camera since its not a part of its pro line, but most insulting was the fact that Sony advertised the picture profiles from the 5n and they never included them – angering VG buyers and IMHO destroying its chance of success. That’s why I passed and waited for the FS100.
TylerBreeden
9 months ago |The fact that DSLR’s can’t record for more than 30 min at a time makes them useless for any event (weddings, etc.) where you need to film for an hour or two with no cuts or breaks.
quobetah
9 months ago |I hope you can clear up the “1080p60p 24mbps AVCHD” part. For 1, AVCHD does not support 60p..just 60i. Is it only 60i?! That would make sense..bit no 1080p 60p then?!?! That is such a waste of that sensor!! And I was sooo excited when Ive read it.
Kiril
9 months ago |My nex-7 nex 60p and it says it is recorded in avchd. I do not understand video but this is what NEX-7 and 5n do.
John Thomas
9 months ago |Sony only uses AVCHD v2.0 which does support 1080p60 at 28Mbps. Has for almost 2 years now. I cannot imagine why they would put v1 on a new camera.
Douglas Grillo
9 months ago |I dont get it, how this can be cheaper than the EA50? So, basically could be a nice sensor sharing the VG20 Body and limitations? for what? consumer market?
Weird.
Joel Richards
9 months ago |Exactly! And with a coveted FF sensor to boot. Still, I’m very interested to see how this plays out.
quobetah
9 months ago |AVCHD is the old format, it records 30p and rewraps it in 60i container for bluray compatibility..this was the format of Nex 3,5,vg10. The latest generation is AVCHD 2.0 now supporting 24p and 60p at full HD. Its the recording format in Nex 5N, 7, vg20, fs100 and fs700 and also A57,65,77. If it was AVCHD 2.0 then 60p is expected..but if it is not…then its just 60i..and that will be such a waste.
dts
9 months ago |Sure it will at least have avchd 2.0 with the usual frame- and bitrates. No worries there.
Rick
9 months ago |After thinking about it for awhile – the A99 with steadyshot would be a far better option as you would lose that with Alpha lenses on a VG camera. Then you get all the advantages of a FF sensor and stabilization – which is huge with video and low light stills.
This sure sounds like a strange move by Sony…
Kiril
9 months ago |This is weird. Full Frame sensor that does lo-fi video and no photos…why pay the price? Ok they would not want this to do 4K with super high quality as to not canibalize more expensive products but they should allow amateurs to hack decent quality out of it somehow.
A consumer product that expects use of 3rd party lenses only….thsi is even more bizarre. Especialy if 5n or nex-7 do better subtract they are not ful frame.
I hope A99 is somewhat better then this.
dt
9 months ago |NEX-VG30 ok
NEX-FS900 ok
but VG900 ? sounds strange to me…
Michael
9 months ago |Is it possible that someone confused “Super-35″ with “35 mm”? Would not be the first time. Super-35 makes much more sense for a camcorder, and, of course, Super-35 is not 36 mm x 24 mm.
MattH
9 months ago |Possible. But unlikely. The admin is well aware of this potential mixup and has been consistently clear that it is full frame in still photographic terms.
David
9 months ago |Must be super35 mm.
amateur
9 months ago |I agree, must be Super-35 (VG??), or FF 4k (FS900).
DKNL
9 months ago |Keep up the good work Andrea!
amateur
9 months ago |I remember that Sony as a Notebook Vaio VGN FS900, so Nex-FS900 might be a big confuse…
Michael
9 months ago |Sony does not care about things like that. Remember that there is a NEX-3C and a NEX-C3, two totally different cameras. If that is not confusing, I don’t know what is.
Brad
9 months ago |Exciting times ahead. It seems a little silly to argue the minutae, since it’s still rumor or leak at this point…and also silly to treat any device in black & white absolutes. Hashing out details makes more sense after release.
Each device has pros & cons, and price point usually (not always) balances this. It amuses me when some here bash an item, simply because something else “fits” them better. If the Sunset picture profile is more important to you than unlimited recording time, or clean 8bit 4:2:2 clean HDMI out, then go with the NEX5n/r and be happy. If it’s the latter, go with the VG20…and be happy. If a large “designed for video” sensor that doesn’t downsample 16mp to 1080p, increases low light sensitivity, reduces moire, allows more picture profile control, etc., then save up and get the FS100. 3 solid devices, 3 different and justifiable price points, and all 3 can output beautiful work in the hands of a talented operator.
I’m genuinely excited about Sony’s response to the market. It’s “all good”, if you consider the larger picture. A VG900 proves to the VG buyers that Sony will continue support for the line…smart…because some folks need longer than 29min record times, or prefer a different form factor, and have been worried that Sony cowered in the face of all the bad VG press (which I never understood, considering the price point).
And by the way, to all ye haters of the existing E-mount lens line: The Zeiss Alpha glass is fabulous and FF. Expensive, but so is quality Nikon or Canon glass. With the LA-EA2, any NEX camera is an AF video force to be reckoned with. Or with a cheap CY/Nex adapter, NEX shooters can get get FF Zeiss glass in Contax/Yashica mount on the cheap, with manual focus. (It’s all about the glass, y’all. Camera bodies come and go, and all are pretty good these days.)
Personally, I highly doubt the VG900 will be a low MP sensor like the FS100, and more likely will have high a MP stills camera sensor. My guess is that it’s a repurposed A99 in an alternate form factor, since it’s more affordable than designing a brand new sensor for that model. Consider that a designed-for-video Full Frame sensor with a low megapixel count simply doesn’t exist in the marketplace, and won’t be cheap if/when released, and will be reserved for a Pro line. The logical conclusion says it won’t be found in the VG900 around $3750US.
If the price point is body-only, or assumes an inexpensive kit lens, then the VG900 price balances more evenly relative to the EA50.
Admin, did your sources say anything about the 18-200 POWER zoom as an included kit lens? And thanks for all your hard work, Admin. It is truly appreciated.
(A57, NEX5n, VG20, GH2, Zeiss ZA 24-70mm 2.8, Zeiss ZA 85mm 1.4, Zeiss ZA 135mm 1.8, Zeiss E-mount 24mm 1.8, Zeiss ZA 16-80mm 3.5/4.5, Zeiss CY 50mm 1.4, Zeiss CY 100mm 2.0, Tokina 11-16mm 2.8)
Rick
9 months ago |The bad VG press was largely centered around the fact that Sony’s original specs included the picture styles that the 5n has – like portrait, sunset and so on, but then left them off – leaving users no ability to tweak the contrast, sharpness and saturation of the image.So you’re stuck with “standard” or “cinetone” and can make no adjustments to the recorded image whatsoever. That killed the VG20 for me – and I was set to buy one.
Sony also didn’t put the camera in the hands of any reviewers beforehand, there was little pre-release hype and the VG20 fell flat when released without advertised features. Sony’s poor marketing and support are solely to blame.
MattH
9 months ago |My bet is that this will be the A99 but with a camcorder form factor and nex mount. That’s why the A99 has phase detect pixels despite having an SLT pentaprism, the sensor is multi-use. I expect it to take full resolution stills as well. This is obviously Designed to compete with the video side of the 5dmk3 so it will have to be better than that and the current VG cameras which are nex5s and nex5ns in a different body. The EU50AH is untouched because it has a ‘pro video’ form factor with xlr inputs. The FS700 is untouched because of its slow motion abilities. As long as sony don’t cripple this cam to ‘save’ the fs100 is should be a winner.
Mick
9 months ago |Andrea,
Have you heard whether it will do 30p? Also you say 60p at 24mpbs, you must mean 28mpbs, correct?
amateur
9 months ago |Abaut NEX-EA50 see this… http://player.vimeo.com/video/48022613
Cliff
9 months ago |Sony wouldn’t DARE make this low pixel count sensor.
This will be a highly over sampled image with lots of moire BY DESIGN. It will be a “good” image,…but carefully made not to be “too good”.
Sony in the past 5 years has REALLY cranked the “creative crippling” tactics.
Unfortunately, it’s so bad today that it’s become a silly circus. Or….like one of these shell games on a street corner. (Find the ball, under here under there?…where is it?,,,haha… GOTCHA!)
Crazy.
S
9 months ago |I was hoping for a non sucky VG30. Guess that will never happen. Sony is really cranking out these cameras, and that’s great, but I’ll hope for the best for why Canon comes out with. I just don’t trust Sony anymore.
Boooe
9 months ago |I think Sony made a mistake putting mask on the rear of E-mount lenses (compare, Sigma didn’t). If these lenses did not have a mask, FF sensor could be used as “multiaspect” with them.
Boooe
9 months ago |I wonder, why the camera on the picture (Sony NEX-EA50UH) has *HUGE* ocular? It is very big even compared to large screen attched to it.
How many dots its screen has?
Claus
9 months ago |I found an Article about new Sony televisions and the new Sony Playstation to be in 4K. Will the new camera also support this standard?
http://www.bgr.com/2012/08/22/playstation-4-4k-resolution/
István Gábor Takács
9 months ago |Hi, any ideas on when the VG900 would be available?
thanks!
Rozella
9 months ago |Currently it looks like Movable Type is the best blogging platform available right now.
(from what I’ve read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
admin
9 months ago |no. But I may change in 2013…
EVAN
8 months ago |VG900 may list as cheaper than the EA50 since it’s listing the price for body only. Add a lens for $700.00 and it evens out. Plus the EA has the XLR inputs which is very handy for shooting the corporate gigs. IMHO.
passang
2 months ago |sony should consider about the low cost starage. coz ss card is too expensive