(SR3) New source says NEX-4 is coming (with 16 Megapixel)
A new source contacted me to share info about the upcoming NEX camera. He said the NEX-4 will be on market in May. It will have the same Sony A55 sensor (16 megapixel) and record 1080p Video! It is the successor of the NEX-3. Let’s see if tonight Sony will show us the NEX-4 prototype that confirms the rumor.
The source gave me the whole NEX camera/lens roadmap for 2011! I do not post that info yet because I want first to check them with other sources. If what he gave me is correct than Sony has a few spectaculars surprises! He said there are two other NEX cameras and four NEX lenses to come in 2011. Hope I can give you more info soon…
I want to thank the source for sharing the news and I hope he will write me back soon 
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GF1
3 years ago |From a business prescriptive the whole NEX3/NEX5 was unnecessary
A single NEX4 to replace NEX3/NEX5 is a good decision
Next 2 NEX cameras properly NEX4 in may (NEX3/NEX5 update) and NEX7
WT21
3 years ago |Why do you think that? There is a pretty strong preference out there from what I can see between the NEX3 and the NEX5 body styles. NEX 5 is more favored, but there are many folks (myself included, and others I’ve chatted with on various boards) who did not like the NEX5 form factor.
Choice is a good thing.
But it is also possible that Sony released two different body styles to see which is favored (given that the specs of the cameras were so close). I hope they continue to provide a choice.
Eric
3 years ago |Choice is always welcome I suppose, but Sony’s camera strategy is the anti-Leica. They seem to love releasing slews of cameras that are barely distinguishably from one another. I’m a firm believer in if you design something right tons of slightly different versions aren’t needed. Seems like one entry level, one mid-range, and one pro model would suffice for me. I’m used to high end weather sealed DSLR’s and I chose the NEX-3 over the 5 because the slight differences weren’t enough to warrant the extra money. Sony should put larger gap between their products.
Dulaney Ward
3 years ago |Sony’s strategy works.
Adi
3 years ago |I agree. As long as you buy a Sony camera (does not matter which one) Sony wins. More models means more development cost, but if Sony has a big dev team, it needs to give them some work anyway. Don’t forget, 2 models does not mean 2 times the cost, first many parts are the same,( as an example A33 and 55 use pretty much the same body ) and the firmware is pretty close. If it took 1 year for the dev team let’s say to develop 1 model, it will take only 2 months to develop another model which is close. At the end it’s purely a business decision between total sales and development cost.
This does not work for a small company like Leica but works for a huge company like Sony.
Eric
3 years ago |Knowing Sony cameras are basically Minolta’s with a different logo printed on certainly helps for me; but I just wish they could have kept the old Minotla brand when they bought them out. I hate to see the old camera brands that I’ve know and used for 20 years fall by the waste side.
Eric
3 years ago |Sorry, meant to replay to the post below.
WT21
3 years ago |I think there might be some mis-perception about Sony. Sony isn’t actually a camera company. They are a consumer electronics company that happened to purchase the remains of a camera company to “have a go” at it. The alpha e-mount series looks to me more like a consumer electronics play over a camera system. If it catches on in a big way, they possibly could turn it into a lasting platform/system, but they are not Nikon or Canon — who build camera systems, and then see if they catch on.
CE companies like Sony mainly want to create lots of iterative models, and possibly tie you into their larger eco-system of electronics (TVs, camcorders, etc.), though no one in the CE space has been very good at that, though Samsung, Panasonic and Sony always try.
WT21
3 years ago |Didn’t mean to sound pessimistic in the above post — I DO think the NEX is catching, sothat’s why we’re seeing more in this space
, and they’ve got a good shot at a run on it. I just think their NEX3/5 strategy was a “is anyone interested in this sort of thing and, if so, which do you prefer” sort of play, and that they may be prone to more of that with new bodies, in the future.
Eric
3 years ago |If that’s the case they don’t understand photographers at all. I don’t care one iota about anything else Sony makes. In-fact I think it is a negative that they are a huge electronics company (same goes for Panasonic and especially Samsung). I’d much rather give my money to an optical company that has been in this business for decades and focuses mainly on the needs of photographers. Without the Zeiss partnership I wouldn’t even consider Sony. If you can buy a TV with the same logo that’s on my camera I consider that a negative. At least Panasonic thought about this and brands their cameras as Lumix. I know none of this ultimately matters; maybe I’m just old, but I’d much rather have a lens with Minolta stamped on the barrel then I would Sony.
Ezio
3 years ago |Tho Eric… what about the idea that you are buying an end to end system?
Canon is the only camera company (in your definition) that has end to end capture and printing. That is from Lens to sensor to ink to paper.
Sony is the only big company, even if its a CE comp in your view, that has end to end camera to display systems. If you prefer Zeiss lenses, then you can count on the fact that from Sensor to Screen, its a Sony system. We know how good their sensors are becoming, and we also know their TVs are pretty competitive with the TV manufacturers.
Between Canon and Sony in this idea, i guess you could say System wise canon is better suited to pros that want to print their own, but Sony’s got the consumer end down well.
Nikon seems to be the only company who doesn’t have anything beyond writing a file to your flash card.
Eric
3 years ago |To each their own, but I personally consider the lenses, cameras, and strobes to be the system. I don’t care about printers, computers, TV’s, or anything else. Every photo I take is either viewed via Flickr or sent to one of the online printers, so recording the image to the memory card is the end of the system for me.
I’ve bought two Sony cameras, so obviously this hasn’t deterred me from buying Sony cameras; but honestly, when Pentax, Nikon, or Olympus has a product that compares favorably to something from Sony/Samsung/Panasonic I’m more inclined to buy from one of the traditional photo companies. It’s probably simply due to nostalgic reasons, who knows.
Ezio
3 years ago |What about knowing that the Minolta engineers who designed the classics are working in Sony making those G lenses?
to me, Minolta’s collapse was due to a failed strategy from senior leadership, and not at the fault of the quality of the design, engineering, or construction of the product. Sony knew this when they bought Minolta, and they kept that engineering team around for a reason.
Michael
3 years ago |Sony has already announced 4 E-mount lenses for 2011 on Photokina. So no surprises there.
Paul W
3 years ago |Hoping this doesn’t mean a delay in the NEX7
Sony really do need to cater for the users who want maximum functionality (twin control dials etc…) as well…I have been holding off both NEX and Alpha upgrades to 7 series models. How long I wonder?
SonyA700
3 years ago |Sony are concentrating on the consumer end of the market, it’s worth more. I wouldn’t hold you breath for the NEX-7 / A77.
Dulaney Ward
3 years ago |I would; they’re on the way.
SonyA700
3 years ago |Provide a link to a Sony press release please.
Paul W
3 years ago |Dulaney…good to see you posting and I know you have your contacts…how would you describe ‘coming’ in the case of the A77…any idea of a likely month for availability?
admin
3 years ago |+1
Paul W
3 years ago |Sure I know that well…I’ve made the very same point many times BUT I think now the time is due for the 7 series. You only have to note that the 5 series cameras are generally outselling the cheaper 3 series to see there is an appreciation for features and must be scope for a 7 series beyond the 5. The user base is now sufficient to provide an upgrade path. After all many intro DSLR buyers are not new to photography (even SLRs)…just new to digital as DSLRs have become more affordable.
Larry
3 years ago |It’s a common tactic, if you want to increase sales of a product at $9.99 to introduce a lower-end version of the product at $7.99. That way people feel they’re not buying the “cheapest” option and getting better value for their money. The sales of the _more expensive_ item actually go up (and perhaps you capture some additional market with the lower priced item that you would have missed with only one product).
So the popularity of the 5s could, in part, be due to the very existence of the 3s.
jack
3 years ago |If that is true, then NEX series has become Commodities,.
Puting a replacement model with higher sensor selling more expensive than the other two with a lower number is not a good thing, i think if NEX-35 is not phrased out and this cam has 16 mpx, it will be NEX-6, not 4!
Eric
3 years ago |Any chance that one of those E-mount lenses is something like a Zeiss 30mm f/1.4? Lens options are going to be the difference in me sticking with NEX or going back to m4/3′s. I know Panasonic has a high grade 25mm f/1.4 on the way. If Sony can’t match that it doesn’t matter how good the NEX-7 body is.
Adi
3 years ago |This is what I was thinking also. The only explanation will be that a NEX4 will use a plastic body ( a la NEX3 ) even if using a better sensor. Something must be “less” than NEX5 to call it NEX4.
In that case the metal body and other extra improvements will come back on NEX7 only.
Michael
3 years ago |One of the lenses announced by Sony was a Carl Zeiss wide angle prime.
Eric
3 years ago |That’s what scares me. I wonder what they mean by “Zeiss wide angle prime”. Do they mean a prime in the 16-28mm range (in full frame terms), or do they mean a prime in the 35-50mm range? Since the Sony 16mm f/2.8 is such a dog obviously a better wide angle prime is needed, but I’m hoping they come out with a standard prime in the 35-50mm range first. A great sub f/2 standard prime should be the cornerstone of any system.
EE
3 years ago |Something’s off about these rumors. The very idea of an NEX 4 is so illogical:
-Why release an “NEX 4″ when the 3 & 5 are perfectly sufficient by themselves and still very much ‘new’ — they aren’t stale or outdated by anymeans.
-Even if the NEX 4 was meant to outright replace the NEX 3, it still doesn’t make sense. Just how much different will the 4 be from the 3 and 5? And you still have the problem of of the 3 and 5 still being fresh products. This whole idea seems monumentally useless.
Personally, I’m going to go out on a limb here and predict we’ll not see an NEX 7 until closer to Nikon’s EVIL launch (hopefully after, so Sony can respond with design changes).
admin
3 years ago |One thing I learned is that companies are sometimes VERY illogical
EE
3 years ago |The differentiation between NEX 3 and NEX 5 is minimal. The margin between the two is so razor thin I do not see how a NEX 4 can or will fit in this line.
I don’t buy that it’s meant to replace the NEX3…as production for the NEX3 continues.
Edgars
3 years ago |I don’t know so much illogical decisions form Sony. There are some unsuccessful experiments and some mistakes, but overall Sony strategy is valid. What counts? NEX and A55 is flying out of shelves. Sony invest in new fabrication to increase sensor production.
Sony produce plenty of camera models for beginners to look more solid, just like CaNikon. Everyone noticed no so much (three) cameras in advanced segment.
Japanese makers try to avoid number 4. Unluckiness of the number four is well know and hard to believe that Sony will introduce camera with such a number in very successful NEX line. I’m still surprised about lack of GH2 competitor eg NEX-7. APS-C 16Mpix with better bokeh, high ISO noise, full video control, EVF and appropriate ergonomics could be enough to compete.
Ezio
3 years ago |what happened with naming the A450?
Larry
3 years ago |I think we’re probably just seeing the problems inherent in a naming system with only 9 possible values. This camera (if it exists) is clearly the next NEX, but if they skip to 7, they can only contemplate (in the same naming scheme) two more models.
EE
3 years ago |So, is the NEX 4…
…an entirely new camera model meant to fill the space between the 5 and 3?
…a replacement for the NEX 3 only?
…something else?
Which is it? There are problems with each.
Ezio
3 years ago |not to say that they can’t move to double or triple digits… NEX 10? NEX 700?
If the product will be named NEX 4, consumers like to imply that it is something between 3 and 5. But we know technologically that the A55 has a better sensor than A700. Its Sony’s trend to put the latest technology in the newest camera they release, regardless of series, class, or type…. which means, sort by release date!
Adi
3 years ago |Sales of NEX3 and A33 are slugish comparing with the 5 series. To sell them Sony has to do big discounts. So a NEX4 build with a cheap plastic body same as 3 series but with an improved sensor ( a new sensor costs the same as an old one to manufacture once you have the line working), and sold closed to the 5 series price, may be a good bussiness idea.
Will
3 years ago |Because the NEX3 hasn’t done well compared to the NEX5, perhaps?
Jan
3 years ago |Dear Admin, why do you tell us that you have new rumors without posting them, perhaps as an SR2? If they were veryfied, you could rename this site into “sonyalphanews.com”!
Instead, you should consider renaming your site into “sonyalpharumorrumors”, since you have started peddling rumors about rumors!
Kind regards, anyway!
Ezio
3 years ago |clever jest!
But a 99% possible “news” is still technically a rumor until some official press release comes out. That’s when it becomes News and not Rumor. I like the idea of SARR tho!
admin
3 years ago |Hi Jan!
I learned that many people are taking the SR1 and SR2 rumors to seriousely and when those rumors do not become true they say we invented them to drive traffic…or start to blame us. That’s why I try to post “real” rumors only. I posted that NEX-4 rumors because honestly I have very little information about the NEX-4 and I thought it’s better to post something than nothing. I promise you I will try to post all the info I have as soon as possible.
P.S: Wish you a Happy New Year!
Dr. Tom
3 years ago |I’m interested in seeing what a Nex-9 would have for features, but I’m sure they are waiting to get more NEX lenses out before releasing a full frame version.
EE
3 years ago |Could a NEX FF even work with the current NEX lenses, or are they all too small (built for APSC sized sensor)? If true, then Sony have ‘shut the door’ on any possibility of there ever being a FF NEX
Dr. Tom
3 years ago |Very true!
Edgars
3 years ago |It is not film which doesn’t fit into certain type of camera. Sensor size limits only wafer size. It is possible to make sensor with crop factor 1.1 or 1.2 and use existing FF A-mount lenses. Also Sony didn’t say ‘no’, they say ‘not planed for any time soon’. In general it is no need for FF NEX camera as such. It would be much more expensive in comparison to APS in every aspect. If 24 MPix APS sensor is coming in this year, why you ever need FF NEX?
EE
3 years ago |“Why would you ever need a FF NEX”?
Because size matters when it comes to sensors.
Bigger sensors = better bokeh. Always!
Ezio
3 years ago |Yeah… well there goes another part of the gamut. They designed the E mount so that it could fit a full frame sensor, which means its great in the future for mount-converted off brand lenses, your exotic leica or zeiss primes for example. I would say that if they came out with a E mount FF camera, they would have to release some new E mount full frame lenses at the same time (Zeiss / G with SSM and Optical SS) just to keep the auto focus users happy and stay competitive with m4/3. Manual focus users can delight in putting all their off brand converted lenses to full use.
Adi
3 years ago |I would say bigger sensor is better low light IQ first…Of course you also can get more pixels for the same IQ also.
Edgars
3 years ago |I would say A55/A580 with higher pixel density is better high ISO than A900 with larger pixels.
Edgars
3 years ago |Bokeh difference between APS and FF is not so dramatic, as many expect. Lens design and characteristics are much more important. With poor bokeh lens you never will get it nice ether on APS or FF camera. If you care about bokeh, buy fast lens or STF which is tree times heavier than NEX5. In this respect small camera-lens combo is unbalanced.
richard
3 years ago |If they manage to had the same price of NEX3 and has mode dial and add some newer lens than we had a good winner.
ty
3 years ago |NEX-4 with a real hotshoe mount will sell well.
sgts
3 years ago |dont really see the need for that many lenses on a nex tbh – after all, its for putting in your pocket most of the time.
EE
3 years ago |Precisely. And the NEX lacks those desperately needed compact primes.
sgts
3 years ago |well, theres plenty of old minolta lenses out there – yes i know you need an adapter now
– the baby beercan is the best imho
Will
3 years ago |“He said the NEX-4 will be on market in May. It will have the same Sony A55 sensor”
Is the A55 sensor better than the NEX3/5 sensor? The NEX3/5 sensor was so loved for its low-light excellence, it seems odd to abandon it.
Adi
3 years ago |Yes it is, quite better. NEX3/5 has the same sensor as A33. All in depth tests shows the A55 sensor is at least a stop better in low light and is 16 Mpixel.Nikon, Pentax and Fuji latest 2010 DSLRs are using a version of it. It’s the best APS-C sensor on market right now. (the NEX/A33 is a generation older).
luis
3 years ago |hola