sonyalpharumors Log in

Store links:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
In Asia at:
A7rII at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX10m2 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX100m4 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.

Press release:
Sony’s RX100 IV and RX10 II Cameras Bring Professional Imaging Experience to Acclaimed Cyber-shot RX Series

New Compact RX100 IV and High-Zoom RX10 II Models Boast World’s First Stacked 1.0 type CMOS sensor with a DRAM memory chip, 40x Super Slow Motion Capture, 4K Video Shooting, High-speed Anti-Distortion Shutter and more

NEW YORK, Jun. 10, 2015 – Sony – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer1 – has today announced two of the most advanced, versatile Cyber-shot cameras ever to come to market, the compact RX100 IV (model DSC-RX100M4) and high-zoom RX10 II (model DSC-RX10M2) cameras.

The two new models both feature the world’s first 1.0″ type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor2 with advanced signal processing and an attached DRAM memory chip. The high speed signal processing and DRAM memory chip work together to enable more than 5x faster readout of image data3 and are responsible for a variety of standout features that have previously been available in only a select few professional-level video cameras. These impressive capabilities include 40x super slow motion video capture at up to 960 fps4,5, an ultra-fast Anti-Distortion Shutter with a maximum speed of 1/32000 second, high resolution 4K movie shooting6 and more.

“Utilizing Sony’s decades of expertise in digital imaging, we’ve made it possible for everyday customers to enjoy a professional imaging experience with the new RX100 IV and RX10 II cameras. With the power of the world’s first 1.0-type Stacked CMOS sensor packed into a compact, portable body, these new cameras bring the excitement and creativity of high frame rate shooting, 4K recording and a variety of other pro-quality features to a whole new audience.”said Kimio Maki, Senior General Manager of Digital Imaging Business Group for Sony Corporation.

Kelly Davis, Vice President of Digital Imaging for Sony North America, added “The new RX100 IV and RX10 II models make a strong statement for Sony, as they break through all existing boundaries of compact cameras and will allow professionals, hobbyists and enthusiasts to capture images and video that they never before thought were possible.”

Up to 40x Super Slow Motion Shooting
A first for Sony consumer cameras, the new RX100 IV and RX10 II both have the ability to record super slow-motion video at up to 40x slower than the standard rate, allowing users to capture and replay fleeting moments of action with incredible detail, resolution and clarity.

Prior to shooting, users will have the ability to choose among 960fps, 480fps and 240 fps frame rates and among 60p, 30p and 24p playback formats4,5 to optimize the recording to fit the speed of the moving subject, with the option to use the movie record button as a ‘start trigger’ to begin recording once button is pressed or ‘end trigger’ to record footage up until the button is pressed. The ‘end trigger’ mode lets shooting begin 2 to 4 seconds before the movie button is pressed, enabling shooters to capture the decisive moment with much more consistency and accuracy. For reference, two seconds of movie footage shot at 960 fps and 24p would take about 80 seconds to play back.

High Speed Shutter, High Speed Shooting
The impressive speed and power of the 1.0″ type stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with an attached DRAM chip allows the new RX100IV and RX10 II to perform exceptionally well while capturing fast-moving subjects. Specifically, it’s fast processing capability results in continuous speeds at up to 16 fps on the RX100 IV and up to 14 fps on the RX10 II for an extended period of time.

Additionally, the ultra-fast readout of the image sensor is responsible for the high speed Anti-Distortion Shutter (maximum speed of 1/32000 second), which allow the new cameras to capture sharp, crystal clear images with a wide open aperture at brightness levels up to EV197. It also minimizes the “rolling shutter” effect commonly experienced with fast moving subjects. This allows photographers and videographers to capture beautiful content with sharply focused subjects and defocused backgrounds under some of the most difficult, bright lighting conditions.

High Precision Direct 4K Movie Recording
The new RX100IV and RX10 II models are the first Cyber-shot cameras to offer the advantages of 4K (QFHD 3840×2160) movie recording6. The cameras utilize full pixel readout without pixel binning to ensure that all the finer details of 4K video are captured with minimal moire and ‘jaggies’. These high-quality results are achieved through use of the XAVC S codec, which records video at a high data rate of 100 Mbps during 4K recording and 50 Mbps during full HD shooting6.

The capacity for shooting 4K differs slightly on each of the two cameras, as the more professionally styled RX10 II can shoot 4K video at extended lengths (up to 29 minutes in the US), while the more casual, pocket-friendly RX100 IV can shoot 4K clips at up to about 5 minutes in length. Additional professional caliber video features on both of the new cameras include Picture Profile, S-Log2/S-Gamut, and more.
Both cameras also have advanced dual video recording functionality, allowing shooters to capture 16.8 MP still images during 4K video recording in any of 11 different composition patterns simply by pressing the shutter button.

Versatility in Design, High Speed AF
The new RX100 IV maintains the compact, pocket-sized design of the RX100 family, and has a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm (35mm equivalent) F1.8-F2.8 lens, while the new RX10 II maintains the same body design as the original RX10 and has a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm (35mm equivalent) F2.8 lens.
Each of the cameras is equipped with a new high-contrast XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with approximately 2.35 million dots of resolution, ensuring true-to-life image preview and playback functionality. The RX100 IV maintains the convenient retractable EVF with ZEISS® T* coating from the RX100 III model that debuted last year.

Both of the two new models feature an upgraded Fast Intelligent AF system that enables high-speed, high-precision contrast detection of a moving subject in as little as 0.09 seconds8. Sony’s proprietary AF algorithm allows them to recognize and lock-in on a subject with a simple half-press of the shutter button at a much more efficient rate compared to previous models. The new cameras are also Wi-Fi® and NFC™ compatible and can access Sony’s growing range of PlayMemories Camera Applications. Learn more at www.sony.net/pmca.

Aesthetically, both of the new models feature a variety of customizable controls and buttons to fit any shooter’s style. The RX10 II adds dust and moisture resistance as well.

There is also a new stylish soft carrying case for, model LCS-RXG, that has been introduced. Made of quality natural leather and available in brown and black colors, it is an ideal complement to the sleek designs of all the RX100 series cameras including the new RX100 IV model.

Pricing and Availability
The new Sony Cyber-shot RX100 IV(model DSC-RX100M4) compact and RX10 II (model DSC-RX10M2) high-zoom camera will be available this July for about $1000 and $1300, respectively. Pre-sales for each model will begin on June 17th.

The new cameras and all compatible accessories will be sold at a www.store.sony.com and variety of Sony authorized dealers nationwide.

A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new RX cameras and other high-end Sony imaging products can be found at www.sony.com/alpha, Sony’s new community site built to educate, inspire and showcase all fans and customers of Sony imaging products.

The new content will also be posted directly at global sites www.youtube.com/c/imagingbySony and www.sony.net/product/di_photo_gallery for a full preview of video and still images shot with the new Sony Cyber-shot RX models.

For access to all of the latest Sony camera news on twitter, follow #SonyCamera.

1. Sony is the world’s No. 1 manufacturer of image sensors for digital cameras and video recorders, with over 50% market share. Data based on Sony research from April 2014 to March 2015.
2. The world’s first as 1.0-type sensor with memory-attached design, as of announcement date, Sony survey
3. Compared to previous RX100 III and RX10 models. According to a simulation of the same electronic shutter of up to 1/32000 sec. combined with the Exmor R CMOS sensor employed with RX10 or RX100 III
4. Sound cannot be recorded when shooting slow motion. An SDXC memory card of Class 10 or higher is required.
5. In NTSC
6. An SDXC memory card with a Class 10 or higher speed rating is required for XAVC S recording and UHS Speed Class 3 is required for recording at 100Mbps
7. Using a built-in ND filter
8. Measured with RX10 II model, CIPA standard, internal measurement, at 8.8mm (Wide), EV7.0, Program Auto, AF area: Wide, in NTSC mode.

Stay tuned! I don’t know what it is! Could be the A7rII or A7000 or just Marketing bullshit action. Stay tuned!!!!

There is a new $50 off on the A7 which now sells for $949 at ThePixelHub on eBay (Click here). This is a brand new US warranty item! This makes it officially the cheapest new FF camera ever sold in US!  The Open Box A7 even sells for $888 only at OneCall on eBay (Click here).

And the strange issues on Sony US Store keep enduring: There is still no A7r listed on Sony US site (Click here). Two are the outcomes of that story: Someone of the web team will get fired or the A7rII is coming. I certainly do hope nobody gets fired :)

Christian Dandyk posted some great new image samples shot with the new Batis lenses. You can find them here:
Batis 85mm samples on Flickr.
Batis 25mm samples on Flickr.

At first glance the performance looks outstanding! Still wondering if that OLED screen will be something I will get used too :)

Both Batis lenses are now available for preorder in USA and Europe (UK/Germany)
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
In Europe and Asia the Loxias can be found in Stock via eBay sellers (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).

P.S.: The leaked official Sony roadmap (October 2014). Shows A7, A6 and RX camera announcement are (or were) planned.

This is just a short update on the A7rII and A7000 rumors. Here are some of the talks I head:

1) A couple of store owners said they have been told by Sony about a new A7rII and A7000 (or whatever the final name will be). They started to get info about those cameras back in March but Sony went quiet the last 1-2 months.
2) Two trusted sources still confirm that Sony had (or has) issues with the A7000 hardware. They don’t know if Sony solved them by now.
3) Two(!) of my trusted sources have been told by Sony that they have a mid June announcement. The sources are aware that Sony postponed some of the camera releases. They will send us a note as soon as Sony confirms the exact announcement date! And hopefully no delay this time!!!

Overall: I hope you can forgive me for that confusing time. But it never happened before that Sony had such issues on the release of cameras. I am working to find out the exact reason of why this happened. I should get a confirmation within the end of this week if we are going to see the A7000 and A7rII next week already!

A look into the future: Some “major” stuff should be announced by Sony during the second half of the year. I hope to learn from y sources if that roadmap has not change unlike the A7000 and A7rII delay.

ePhotozine reviewed the new 28mm FE lens and writes:

This lens has a lot going for it. It’s capable of delivering high levels of sharpness, it’s compact, relatively lightweight and not too expensive. It’s a shame the aperture has to be stopped down to improve performance towards the edges of the frame, and to reduce chromatic aberrations, but overall the lens performs well. As a result, it should win over many fans amongst those who own one of Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras.

28mm FE store links:
US at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, FocusCamera, Sony US.
Europe at Sony Germany, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, AT, CH, SE, FI, NO, PT.
Asia at Digitalrev, Sony Australia.

ePhotozine also tested the 24-240mm FE lens and writes:

Depending on your expectations of what a lens designed for a compact system camera, that costs over £800 should deliver, will depend on how pleased you are with this lens. For starters, it is neither lightweght, or compact, in fact it is larger and heavier than some similar lenses designed for SLR cameras. Sharpness towards the edges of the frame could be better, as could control of chromatic aberrations and flare. Quicker autofocus and a constant minimum focus distance would’ve been nice features too. If you’re able to overlook these aspects of the lens, in the name of convenience, then this lens will still be able to deliver decent quality images and should make a decent addition to your Sony Alpha FE mount kit bag. However, despite its flaws, it is a good lens, it just maybe doesn’t meet expectations as well as it should in some areas.

Sony 24-240mm FE lens store links:
USA: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, FocusCamera, Sony US.
Europe: Sony Germany, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, AT, CH, SE, FI, NO, PT.
Asia: Digitalrev, CameraPRO, Sony Australia.

The french review site Focus Numerique tested the 90mm FE macro and writes:

The image quality provided by the Sony FE 90mm f / 2.8 Macro G OSS is very impressive. The images are full of fine details from center to edges, and from f / 2.8 to f / 16. We rarely observed as perfect homogeneity and consistency.

90mm Store links:
In USA at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
In Europe at Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony AT, Sony CH, Sony SE, Sony FI, Sony NO, Sony PT.
In Asia at Digitalrev, Sony Australia.

UPDATE: Two Loxia 35mm lenses are in Stock at FocusCamera eBay (Click here). P.S.: KenmoreCamera eBay (Click here) removed the $100 off deal on the Distagon 35mm FE lens.

And here are more new deals:
One single Open BOX A7 for $849 at BuyDig (Click here).
You have 24 hours left from now to get that Sony64GB Class 10 SDHC card for the record low price of $29 on BeachCamera eBay (Click here).
Gold Box deal on the EyeFI card at Amazon US (Click here).