The financial result of the Sony Imaging business

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Sony issued the latest financial report and you can read more about it at Bloomberg. And Bloomberg’s title says it all “Sony’s Hirai Sells Property Instead of TVs as Revival Stalls”. The TV business is still the main problem of Sony but also the other businesses aren’t doing well. That’s why Sony is selling some of their buildings to make some cash. While this may help for a short time they really need to change their product strategy to succeed in the long term.

Talking about the camera business. You can read more about that business under the “Imaging Products & Solutions (IP&S)” section on that pdf (download here): “Sales decreased 4.7% year-on-year (a 9% decrease on a constant currency basis) to 180.5 billion yen (2,075 million U.S. dollars). This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in unit sales of compact digital cameras reflecting a contraction of the low-end of the market resulting from the popularization of smartphones as well as a significant decrease in sales of broadcast- and professional-use products. Sales of interchangeable single-lens cameras increased significantly year-on-year.”

You will see form those three lines how important the NEX system is for Sony and why Sony decided to push the NEX-FF development instead of releasing another SLT-FF yet.

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P.S.: Sony to Focus on Image Sensors (Image Sensor World).

Now let’s talk about real photography instead of Sony gear :) You can see this years finalists of the Sony World Photography Award at Worldphoto.org. Some pics are really amazing!

Last week Sony announced the release of the new firmware for SLT and NEX cameras. And today it’s available for download at Sony Japan’s website (translation here).

UPDATE: You can now visit the Sony Asian websites click on the “support” tab and select the camera you want to update. An example:
Sony Australia: NEX-7 fw update.
Sony Asia: A99 fw update.
Sony Singapore: NEX-6 fw update.
Sony Germany: NEX-5n fw update.
Sony US: All updates here (just select the model).

Let the comunity know your findings after the upgrade!

I LOOK & MOVE from Constantine Konovalov on the Sony a33/a550 and Tamron 17-50/2.8 lens.

A couple of days ago I posted the first part of the SAR readers work roundup. THis is the second part. Thank you all for submitting your work!

Nagendra: “Inspired by the article you had featuring Luca Rossini I have started a 365 days blog with NEX-3 (The first edition NEX) The blog is running for last 118 days. I would be most greatfull if you could check the blog and if found suitable publish it as part of Reader’s work roundup. The blog is running under two separate domains nklightart.wordpress.com and 365dayswithnex3.myfotojournal.com.  The blog under nklightart.wordpress.com will be the one will continue to update. Will only be to update the 365dayswithnex3.myfotojournal.com till the free space limit exceeds.”

Phil: “we make proffesionell image videos for brands and products and work with the a77 & the nex 5 only. check out those 2 vids maybe you want to post 1 of them. https://vimeo.com/54924748 (Few GoPro shots as well)  https://vimeo.com/56802359 (only 1 GoPro Shot)”

Kwan: “Have been using the Nex System with the introduction of the F3 and loving it! And now, with a Nex to Pentax adapter, more fun! My photos are available in http://kwan77.blogspot.com“

Taran: “almost all shots in this set with NEX. http://www.flickr.com/photos/artistwithlight/sets/72157632456864838/”

Alexey: “I want to share my video «Snow Nude. Girls among snowscapes.» It was shot this and last winter in Russia. Cameras were NEX-5N and NEX-6, with some NEX and Alpha lenses. http://youtu.be/jfFW2cb6JV0”

Anonymous: “Here is a set of SB images through various lenses.  More will be added in time. http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivek-iyer/sets/72157632630886829/”

Lee: “This little beast compliments my sony nex 5n brilliantly for video work https://vimeo.com/58391656”

Jaakko: “i´m Sony photographer from Finland. Last year I was still using Nikon gear but I´m currently using Sony A99 and NEX6. If you or the SAR readers are interested I´m writing (mostly photos) a blog here http://www.postiphoto.blogspot.fi/ . I´m action/outdoor oriented photographer and so far the Sony gear has performed more than great. Haven`t missed the Nikon yet!”

Ivan: “I wanted to share 2 links with you (below). The first one is a interview I made and shot entirely with the a99. The second is the link to what could be the first underwater picture taken with the a99. This is the first videos of a series. Its divided in 3 parts so be sure to watch them all! They should start playing one after the other automatically as a playlist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owoc9fEz1Iw&list=PLezpCwYgD_yvnu33n5zSPbrGFiDHxJOxO
 http://www.mikolji.com/IMAGE_GALLERY_AQUATIC_FAUNA_FRESHWATER_MAMMALS_DSC03646.html”

James: “So I was one of the people who pre-ordered the a99 when it was announced, I have had it for a while and there are lots of images uploaded to my flickr page including my friends (low budget) wedding, but basically all kinds of stuff, I like the a99 because its very ergonomic, the fast switching between LCD to EVF, and so far it’s the best Sony SLR for low light. Oh yeah I also use the RX100, and I am super happy with it as well: flickr.com/photos/theprevia”

Bert: “On my journey to india I took a lot of pictures with the ‘oldskool’ NEX-5 and the 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 lens with Hoya filter. In my opinion this NEX-lens is ideal for travelling if you don’t need a lot of zoom. The image quality is fine and especially the lightweight is a winner for me.You can find the pictures on my blog: http://nexblog.be/2013/01/06/nexblog-special-india/3722/”

Andrea: “Perceiving the look in your eyes https://vimeo.com/58352714. To be relaized the project needs your support at http://www.indiegogo.com/perceivinglooks. Shot on the A55, gli obiettivi usati sono un Tamron 17 – 50 2.8, un Minolta 50mm 1.7 e un Minolta 70 – 210 F4.”

CameraDiner.com Review – Sony NEX-VG900E, the full frame sensor camcorder with interchangable lens

PalmGrip for Sony NEX-6 NEX-7 Cameras at Jimbuchananspace.
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 ART lens tested by Mylightshop.
Sony NEX-6 with the Minolta 58mm f/1.4 lens at SonyAlphaLab.
LED Light with ears, hides them if scared (Personal-View).
Sony 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS, a welcome compromise! By Mike Kobal.
Sony A77 review finally wrapped, but we found a video AF issue (Imaging Resource).
Sony NEX-6 preview extended with the addition of test data (Dpreview).
Sony F35 reaches $12,000 on [shoplink 16698 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] from $250,000 in 2008 (via EosHD)

Kipon announced a new Tilt Shift adapter to use with Nikon or Hasselblad lenses on Sony E-mount cameras. (Source: DC.watch).

Hoocap displayed their smart lens cap for the NEX cameras. You can already find them on [shoplink 16768 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Le Petit Paris from Enrique Pacheco on Vimeo.

I got a long list of SonyAlphaRumor readers work showcase. I divided them in two parts. Here is the first list. We may discover some talents here :)

Dadi: “thought you might like to take a look at some photos from a flight over South Icelands highland interior. I love the results from my Sony Nex5N. http://newhorizonsiceland.zenfolio.com/p725264738”

Vlad: “Hey Andrea, a while ago I stumbled upon a video of Gary Fong reviewing briefly the a77. Now I know that nowadays there’s quite a bit fuzz about the new a99 (which I should say looks just GREAT, although the 6fps kinda make me feel glad I got a77 instead and didn’t wait for the a99 to come out), but the a77 ain’t that old yet :)
Here is the video if you think the SAR fans as myself would enjoy it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imT31-hvmSU&feature=related“

Martin: “Ich habe gerade mit der Alpha 99 einen kleinen Videotest gemacht. Sony Alpha 99 Sony SAL-2875 2,8 / 28-75mm 50p AVCHDManuell Geschnitten in Premiere CS6
http://blog.martindoersch.at/2013/01/eisenbahnbrucke/”

Anonymous: “The following promo is produced for the german(cologne) based musician Josha Wittshell, it is entirely shot on the Sony NEX-6 and therefore or hopefully interesting for your site to demonstrate, what this little systemcamera is capable of. https://vimeo.com/51980444 this talented musician definately needs some support! Please be so nice and share the video with a thumbnail, so that it maybe gets it deserved attention.”

Steven: “If you are having a slow day, and are featuring galleries by readers shot on Sonys, then you may want to post my photos of Greece shot with the combination of a NEX-5N and M lenses: Voigtlander 12mm; Leica Tri-Elmar 16-18-21; Zeiss Biogon 35mm f/2; Leica Summilux APO 50mm f/1.4; Leica Elmar macro 90mm f/4; Leica APO-telyt 135mm f/3.4. It’s proof that these lenses work splendidly, with no vignetting or magenta corners, on the NEX-5N. I’ve had similar luck with the NEX-6.
http://www.stevepinker.com/Europe/Greece/27138897_QrPTLc”

Ivan: “I read your site religiously every night before going to sleep. Keep up the great work!
I wanted to share with you a underwater picture taken with my a99. Its of a freshwater Amazon river dolphin and is probably the first underwater picture taken with a a99.
I used a ewa-marine case (bag).
I placed it as my facebook cover but can be seen in picassa with a better quality! I also attached it.
http://www.facebook.com/mikoljiwebsite
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LB6g8wUw8ITXgNMlwkdOjdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink
I’m currently shooting raw video footage for a Nat geo TV show using my nex7!”

Peter: “SONY NEX-5N + 18-135mm SONY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaxXCmdvI68 yesterday video from my home town.”

Kidsimple: “Hi, I’d like to submit for your consideration a short film I recently shot on the Sony RX100 for a nightclub promotions company:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfHaLP1QQtU
I’ve been using this camera extensively for video. I think it’s a game changer for documentary minimalist shooting. I’ve blogged about it quite a bit at my blog, www.rungunshoot.com.
Thanks for all the rumors that led to my purchase of this amazing little camera!”

Travelshots: “Benny Rebel, who is a professional wildlife photographer, has compiled a video of his recent Africa trips that was mainly recorded with an A77. Just click on the video on this website:
http://www.benny-rebel.de/foto-abenteuer-safari/fotoreisen-video.htm
For best quality, switch the player to 720p (patience for loading required).
His website also contains tons of great photos:
http://www.benny-rebel.de/en/pictures.html
By the way, I noticed that a 45 min. documentation about his trip to Iran “Wilder Iran” that was recently shown on prime time on Germany’s largest TV station is avilable on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmM5wkQiK1s”

Andrew: “another a99 video https://vimeo.com/56360291”

Joe: “I am almost finished with my final A99-A900-A77 test, and I will be reviewing the legendary Minolta 200mm HS APO G lens next week. If you’re hurting for content for the Sony Tidbits section, feel free to link me. http://stealthmodephoto.wordpress.com/”

Mictian: “We are photo\video company in Ukraine. We use only Sony equipment. https://vimeo.com/58016102”

Troy: “Shot with Sony A99 in Hollywood, CA. Behind the scenes of Iron Man 3!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbfGGSHN3YU“

Gerald: “Hi! I’m an avid reader of your site! Me and my fiance are about to get married. We are wedding videographers. So we decided to do our first DIY project of shooting our own Save the Date video by ourselves!:D Using our newly arrived Sony A99 with Carl Zeis 85 F1.4. Hope you may share it…it will be an awesome wedding gift for our Sony Alpha users group in the philippines. https://vimeo.com/58077446”

Peter: “i am wedding photographer in Slovakia and this is my excerpt of best photowork for year 2012 with sony a77 – wedding book http://svadobny-fotograf.info/svadobna-fotokniha-2012.html sony a77 is a very good camera but now i own the a99 and this camera really shines. is sooooo much better in every aspekt :)“