Lenstip (Click here) wrote a very detailed and so far best article I have ever read about the Sony SLT tech. The title of the post is: “Everything you always wanted to know about the semi-transparent mirror technology (but were afraid to ask)“.

You absolutely have to read it because it’s really showing on  a scientific way how the Sony SLT system works. At the end those are their conclusions based on they tests they made:

A fixed film mirror has a lot of advantages over the classic solution:

• Burst mode can be faster
• Dirt won’t invade the interior of the camera so easily
• The camera might be more reliable
• The camera is physically lighter and can be potentially cheaper
• The camera might offer continuous preview (not necessarily if you deal with an electronic viewfinder, though)
• Phase-detection AF in the LV mode and during registering a movie

Of course there also many reasons why classic reflex cameras have been sold on the market up to now. Some of them are listed below:

• Bright optical viewfinder
• 1/3 more of light = faster speeds or lower ISO, an advantage in dynamic range and noise
• The mirror can be cleaned without any risk and it’s less prone to damage
• A damage of a film mirror influences the resolution of photos; a damage of an ordinary mirror won’t have such consequences.

What I write now is just my private opinion and not based on rumors: I think the SLT tech will not live long. The chance is high on sensor PDAF will become mainstream in the coming years and therefore semitransparent mirror (and even classic DSLR mirror) may become obsolete. Of course this doesnt mean A-mount has to go. It means A-mount becomes mirrorless just like E-mount and as Sony stated recently, they can use the “free space” to explore other new tech (Z-shift and so on).

Capture Professional Looking Portraits with a Sony Alpha Camera and Kit Lens

Conquering the dimension of time with 4D autofocus (Sony Blog).
Sony Low-Cost Global Shutter Sensor Features in Point Grey Cameras (Image Sensor World).
The Zeiss Distagon ZM 35/1.4: First Impressions on a Sony A7r (DearSusans).
AdoramaPRO and SONY Present: The New PXW-FS7 (Youtube).
Real-world samples: Sony Alpha 7 II in Kauai (Dpreview).
Comparing several Sony microphones by Dave Tameling.
Sony A7R: Sensor Glass Thickness, Ray Angle and Image Degradation: Kolarivision Modification (Diglloyd).
a7S power solution from Hawkwoods (Newsshooter).
We redesigned cinema5D and open our doors for your films (Cinema5D).

Anonymous: “Just love this example on how to color grade the Sony a7S SLOG: https://vimeo.com/116417752“

How To Configure Sony Autofocus (Moving Objects Or People)

Tiny macro lens on the A7 (SonyAlphaForum).
A Thinner Sensor Stack on the A7r (Lensrentals).
Sony A7 II First Impressions (Photographylife).
Updated Sony SELP18105 F4 review Luxorphotoart.
Quick Comparison – Leica 50mm f/0.95 Noctilux and Mitakon Speedmaster II “Dark Knight” 50mm f/0.95 (Talkemount).
Samyang 12mm f/2 NCS CS lens test at PhotoClubAlpha.
Sony 70-200mm f2.8 G SSM II (ThePhoBlographer).
A7 shoots the Andromeda Galaxy (SonyAlphaForum).
Hawkwoods have released the BP-FS7U power solution for the Sony FS7 (Newsshooter).

Miguel Quiles sent me the following mail:

Hey SAR! I’m going to be doing a free seminar at Adorama on Jan 20th that will be live streamed or recorded for the internet. I’ll be talking about my transition from shooting with Canon DSLR’s to Sony Alpha cameras (particularly the A7II and A6000). I will also be doing a live shoot showing how I use these cameras with Canon glass via adapters. You can see the details for the event at the link below and feel free to share if you think your readers might be interested. Thanks!

http://www.adorama.com/pages/SEMINAR-events-Mirrorless-Cameras-The-Future-Is-Now-Miguel-Quiles-012015?admin=t

The graph on top has been posted by Flickr and shows the “mirrorless share” of the Flickr members. As you see Sony is growing and Micro Four Thirds shrinking. Fuji is doing really well and maybe Sony should learn from it and do the following:

1) Copy the “kaizen” philosophy. It means offer constant support and firmware upgrades on all cameras.
2) Create a spot on lens line with not to expensive and very necessary prime and zoom lenses.

Do you agree with me SAR readers? :)

And here are the most popular mirrorless cameras on Flickr:

Zenon Toczek
Spider Fangs, Sony A7r, Canon 100macro +rings stack of 18 images

1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors or on the SonyAlphaForum image section.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos_stream?tab=photos and on SonyAlphaForum.
3) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself!

As you know since last year Sony changed their sales stagey in North America. They closed most of their US stores and today they announced they will close ALL(!) fourteen stores they have in Canada. Sony writes:

Over the next 6 to 8 weeks we are closing our Sony Stores in Canada and will redirect all of this business through our national network of Sony retailers, our online store … as well as through our Sony-trained Telesales team,

Source: Financial Post.