New cool accessory announcements from CES

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Last night Sony did only announce a new module for the RX0 and a talking robot-dog (LOL). But other companies announced some interesting accessories. The one I like most is this My Passport Wireless SSD from WD for On-the-Go Backup. You can preorder this now on Bhphoto. This might be the easiest way to make secure backups when doing long trips.

SanDisk’s New Extreme Portable SSD, for Speed and Economy (News on Explora)
MOZA Announces AirCross 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer for Mirrorless Cameras (News on Explora)
Fast & Mobile G-Technology G-DRIVE R-Series USB 3.1 Type-C SSD (News on Explora)
New Crane Plus 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer, Object Tracking and More (News on Explora)
The Ronin-S Single-Handed Stabilizer, New from DJI (News on Explora). Preorder available also on Adorama.
My Passport Wireless SSD from WD for On-the-Go Backup (News on Explora)
Flashpoint XPLOR 600PRO at Adorama.

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Panasonic announces the new GH5s. Sony, now it’s your call to answer with the A7sIII.

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via Camerasize

Panasonic just announced their new GH5s. This camera is made to challenge the Sony A7sII. It has some terrific specs (like dual native ISO and Cinema4K) and first tests show this is indeed a serious competitor. Imaging Resource writes:

“At both 12,800 and 25,600, the GH5S looks slightly better than the A7S II at the same ISOs, which is both unexpected and subjectively highly impressive for a camera featuring a sensor that is a fraction the size of the other.
A sensor significantly smaller than the full-frame A7S II is beating that camera in low-light performance. I never thought I would see the day. With these test results, it’s hard to argue that the GH5S is not the new king of low light.”

Overall this is good news. Sony can’t hold back on the A7sIII launch and has to pack it with some necessary features like 4k60p and 10bit internal recording at 24-30p. The NAB show in April would be a logic place for the A7sIII announcement.

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Sony Announces New Expanded Multi-View Shooting Capabilities for the Compact RX0 Camera

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I reported about this before on SAR and now it’s official:

Sony Announces New Expanded Multi-View Shooting Capabilities for the Compact RX0 Camera

New Wired and Wireless Multi-Camera Solutions Enable More Flexibility and Creativity

LAS VEGAS, Jan 8, 2018 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today announced new wired and wireless multi-camera solutions for the versatile RX0 that enable more flexibility, creativity and operability for today’s creators.

The RX0, introduced late this past fall, brings the advanced imaging quality of Sony’s acclaimed RX camera lineup to a robust, waterproof1, ultra-compact body measuring approximately 2 3/8 in. x 1.5/8 in x 1 3/16 in (WxHxD) 2 and weighing just 3.9 oz3. The miniature dimensions and all-around versatility of the new camera make it a powerful tool when used either as a single unit or when combined together with additional RX0 cameras in multi-angle, multi-view shooting situations. For flexible mounting options in tight spaces, the camera features a complete symmetrical lens position and an image flip function, adding to its wide range of creative potential.

The compact RX0 camera offers two different types of solutions for multiple camera shooting and control, including a wired solution for precisely accurate camera synchronization and control, and a wireless solution for added convenience and flexibility.

New RX0 Wired Multi-View Shooting with Camera Control Box

Sony has announced a new accessory Camera Control Box (model CCB-WD1) that connects to the RX04 and enables PC control with web browser5 via wired IP (internet protocol) connection. By converting control signal to IP, camera settings can be reliably controlled6 from a single PC from any location. A wired connection also allows for much seamless control and synchronization of multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and Camera Control Boxes – up to 100 units7 in total – enabling creators to produce high quality movie effects like “bullet-time” or virtual reality, or to shoot high profile events from unique angles.

When using multiple pairs of RX0 cameras and camera control boxes, settings of all connected cameras can be changed simultaneously, and can be triggered to all start/stop recording at the same time. Additionally, a video sync function is also available, allowing frame timing to be synchronized between all connected cameras. This reduces any time gaps between cameras and supports the process of stitching multiple images together to create special effects.

Files can also be transferred directly to the connected PC8, with the ability to assign and change file names to avoid any confusion when dealing with multiple cameras. In total, up to 1007 separate RX0 cameras and CCB-WD1 Camera Control Boxes can be linked together for a live-view multi-camera feed. Additionally, via Camera Control Box, shooting settings and modes for all connected cameras can be easily programmed by the user.

The new CCB-WD1 Camera Control Box will ship next month for about $700 US or $900 CA.

Improved Wireless Multi-View Shooting with New PlayMemories Mobile Application

Sony’s latest version 6.2 of its PlayMemories Mobile application expands the multi-camera control capabilities when paired with the RX04. With the new version of the mobile application, users will be able to link their smartphone or tablet to up to 50 RX0 cameras via an access point9 to control them simultaneously10. In addition to the current ability to change key camera settings, all connected cameras can be turned ON/OFF together11, and users have the ability to control and shoot by separately assigned camera ‘groups’.

The new PlayMemories Mobile application version 6.2 will be available this month.

1. Compliant with JIS/IEC protection levels (based on Sony tests). Shooting in depths of up to 10 meters (33 ft) is possible for up to 60 minutes (JIS: Japan Industrial Standards; IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission). Depending on usage conditions and circumstances, no guarantee is made regarding damage to, malfunction of, or waterproof performance of this camera

2. Approximate dimensions

3. Approximate weight with battery and media included

4. System software update for RX0 (scheduled in January 2018) is required

5. Recommended computer environment
OS: Windows 7/Windows 8.1/Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.11/macOS 10.12-10.13
Web browser: Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari

6. Use only in a network environment with security measures

7. Depending on the specifications of the equipment to be used, the number of devices that can be connected will change. Up to 100 units connection have been tested (based on Sony tests)

8. Up to 4 GB per file can be transferred

9. Depending on the specifications of the access point, smartphone, tablet to be used, the radio wave environment of the installation location, the number of devices that can be connected will change. Up to 50 units connection have been tested (based on Sony tests)

10. Use only on Wi-Fi connection with security measures

11. Bluetooth connection required. Depending on the specifications of smartphone, tablet to be used, the number of devices that can be controlled will change.

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Big Weather Sealing Test shows the A7rIII has flaws :(

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Imaging Resource tested the weather sealing of multiple cameras including the new Sony A7rIII:

Given that the A7R III has a significant number of environmental seals (see the screen capture to the right, taken from the Sony website), we were surprised that it had as hard a time with our test as it did – particularly given that all of the other cameras passed it easily.

While the A7rIII sealing seems to be improved over the predecessor it’s disappointing to see water going inside the battery compartment. This is really something that should disqualify the camera as “weather sealed”.

I would say the A7rIII is sealed if you keep it for a short time under light rain. I would not risk to keep the camera in much harsher conditions for a long time.

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Sony to announce a new CCB-WD1 module for the RX0

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There was a rumor earlier this morning that Sony still had something Camera related to announce. Well it seems that while the rumor is true the announcement is actually an accessory for the RX0:

If you own the Sony RX0 you might be interested in this. Sony will announce the new CCB-WD1 module. So far no sign of other camera related stuff that might be announced today…

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(UPDATE) Today Sony press event

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UPDATE: Sony press conference is at 5:00 pm PST (Las Vegas time). And I will embed the live stream here on SAR!

So far I got NO reliable info about a possible Alpha camera announcement. All we know for sure so far is that Sony had a new camera code registered in Asia. And the A5000 is officially discontinued. But it might be that this camera will be announced in February before the CP+ show.

Note: We removed the previous SR3 ranked rumor about an Alpha related announcement. This because we learned right now that this announcement is about a new RX0 accessory. So nothing really exciting to see :(

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