The German magazine “Digit!” unveiled the winners of this years Photokina 2012 Star Award. With no surprise we can find the new Sony RX1 because of his “Unique” design and features. But there is also another quite controversy winner. The Hasselblad Lunar camera. The reason? It is a camera that goes beyond the Price-Features aspects of digital Photography and is made for an “exclusive” target (Source: Digit). Hmmm,If I would be rich I would go for [shoplink 14424 ebay]that $37.000 Leica Titanium (Click here)[/shoplink] instead don’t you think?

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Two Sony cameras into the top 20 of Amazon rankings (Click here) . The unique RX100 and the super discounted NEX-5n.

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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.

The video on top has been made by Paul Genge and introduces all the new Sony stuff like the A99, RX1 , VG900 and NEX-6. What’s also interesting to check out is the A99 High ISO samples that have been posted on Lenstip. As usual keep in mind that you are analyzing images shot on a preproduction camera with non finalized firmware! There is another German first impression review by Photoscala (Translation here).

Somre more A99 news: Image samples at ePhoto and on Facebook. Sony Canada dropped the price from $2999 to $2799 (via Dyxum). Sony Japan also said that most A mount lenses will get a firmware update this winter to be able to use the new A99 Dual Focus system.

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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.

Back in February Olympus launched the Olympus E-M5 and marketing guys kept a mystery around the sensor manufacturer. When asked they always said “No comment“. Until Olympus manager Sasa confirmed that the 16 megapixel sensor is actually made by Sony (Source: DC.watch).

Now Panasonic launched the new GH3 (specs and price here). It has a 16 megapixel sensor and it looks like it is the same of the E-M5. When asked Panasonic managers keep answering “No comment” (Source: EosHD, Personal View and so on).

If our “speculation” is correct than after Nikon, Pentax, Ricoh, Casio, Olympus we also would have Panasonic using Sony sensors. That makes Sony close to a total sensor dictatorship. The only remaining bigger competitor would be Canon and Aptina (for some Nikon cameras).

One more thing. The new Leica M (pecs here) is using a 24 MP sensor which is not(!) made by Sony. it’s made by a small Belgium company named Cmosis. I think that’s great news…to have new kind of companies creating new competition. I am crossing the fingers for that small 42 people company. Good Luck!
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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.

Here is a short roundup of youtube videos showing the new Sony products at Photokina:

Sony NEX-6 by Pixinfo, Which, Consumentenbond (dutch), Nordicdigital (swedish), iOnline (spanish).
A99 by Pixinfo,Pixinfo-2, Which, Photonewsreviews,
RX1 by Pixinfo, Nordicdigital (swedish), Photonewsreviews,
Vg900 by Mediaworldchannel (italian).

And some more news: A99 hands-on at Expertreviews. NEX-6 image samples at Techradar. Hassleblad stuff at Lesnumeriqes (Translation here). The A99 does 4:2:2 sampling and not 4:4:$ like reported before at Slashcam. First impression of the new Sony Flash at ThePhoBlographer. Some A99 cameraporn at Sonysdf. Zeiss pics at Photographyblog. The Lunar specs at Hasselblad. Hasselbad Interview at Digifoto Pro. Hasselblad hands-on at Quesabesde (Translation here).
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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.

Imaging Resource posted an Interview with Sony manager Mark Weir. There are many info about the A99 and other new cameras but there is an interesting part regarding the RX1 and the the possible FF NEX-7 alike cameras.

The RX1 was developed to be as compact as posisble and that’s why it has near-silent in-lens shutter and no interchangeable mount. And when asked about the possibility to make a FF E-mount camera (in rangefinder style) he answered: “Well, I think everyone understands that if we can make the VG900, we could make a still camera variant of that.” and  “Well, I don’t think it’s really the issue of the flange, although the flange does take up some space of its own. But I think that in the context of a mount system, it’s somewhat impractical to develop a mount system that presumes that there will be a shutter in every lens and there will be no focal plane shutter. I think the real issue is whether or not there is a focal plane shutter, because if there is, then there is a certain degree of flange back distance that’s almost automatic.”

You gave us the VG900 and the RX1….now it’s time for the NEX-9 :)

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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.

Image courtesy: DIGIFOTO Pro

Some SAR readers sent me their impression and reports about the Photokina event. Her eis the list…Thanks guys!

1) Anonymous: Sony A99 footage at http://fil.io/FL82vTNAM/Sony%20A99%20raw%20photos%20and%20footage
2) Thomas: “I’m at Photokina. I put my modified Samyang 7.5mm MFT lens on the Sony full frame E-mount VG-900 Handycam. Here are the shots.
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/thomash3/full-frame-1_zpsa6fffe82.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/thomash3/full-frame-2_zps9a39046d.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/thomash3/full-frame-3_zpsead2db3e.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/thomash3/full-frame-4_zps00b73140.jpg
http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g433/thomash3/full-frame-5_zps05537291.jpg
Thomas website: http://www.thomashuang.net/products/npym180/npym180.html
3) Alexander: “The Zeiss Lenses are just mock-ups but the Lens-Design is going to stay the same:
32mm 1.8 Planar will be a planar. its very small! Sames size as 35 1.8oss  but with 52mm filter
12mm 2.8 Distagon  is short but huge and the distagon lens design is inevitable so it will be a distagon at the and
the 50mm is most likely going to be a planar (macro)
I also have Raw+jpeg files from the 16-50  pancake to see of it has any distortion at its widest setup.
From what I can see it has alot of it. Unfortunately the wide angle zoom for E-mount was not available for testing.
The phasedetect focus for now only works with the 16-50mm and the 55-210 it did not work with my Zeiss 24mm! But the  firmware is only 0.95
The Focus is fast! and the speed does not vary in bad conditions as much as my nex5n with 24mm does. In contrasty conditions the nex6 + 16-50 was only slighlty faster then nex5n + zeiss  @ same f stop and focal.
4) Nexblog: We (NEXblog) haven taken some pictures of the SEL1018 zoomed in and out. While zooming, the lens is 10mm longer at its maximum. Something that you as a user do not suffer from, as it occurs under the hood. On the pictures below you can see cleary the bayonet connection of the hood. Not very huge news, but I have never seen this on the internet. So mayby it is usefull for SAR readers. This is our article: http://nexblog.be/2012/09/19/eerste-indruk-van-de-10-18mm-f4-e-mount/2884/
5) Michal: “I’m travelling back to Poland from photokina. I have photos videos and interview about new Hasselblad/nex7 camera. I also have nikon d600 and a99 jpg/raw iso tests. Just trying to upload this from car :)
Hasselblad is almost the same camera as nex7. Hassel’s specialists talking about own firmware but preproduction model’s menu is 1:1 like sony. Very nice cameras, with good feeling. Useful grip, but this 2 upper wheels are not so easy to use. Canera is solid. Lots of sony lenses around, but no Hassel’s.”
6) Don: Sony A99 ISO samples on Flickr.
7) Something weird: Anton G.: I spotted this truck in iceland, it made me chuckle.. Alpha powrrrr!  good job on sar its the place to go to get news in the morning and read canon fanboys crying in the afternoon… Her eis the image: http://i1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj524/picrumors/DSC_0550-1_zpsfc647c10.jpg

The RX1 specs, price and preorders are available at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany.

Amateur Photographer published an interview with Fuji and they strongly talk about the Full Frame mirrorless camera future. For Fuji it’s clear that there is a demand for full-frame mirrorless cameras. And when asked about the Sony RX1 Fuji’s X-series designer, Masazumi Imai, told AP: ‘I think many customers want a bigger sensor with first rate design. Sony’s answer is the RX1. Of course, I like that kind of camera but it is completely different to our series because the design is too modern.‘

In short, Fuji says there is a market for Full Frame compact cameras although it looks like they want to have such a camera with interchangeable mount. Sony really should hurry to deliver us the NEX-9 FF as soon as possible otherwise Fuji may will steal us the show. P.S.: I consider the new Leica M (Click here to see specs) and Leica ME camera too expensive and feature wise not on top of the market. They are playing in another league.

P.S.: Dearsusans wrote a nice article writing the PRO and CONS of the RX1. Check it out!

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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.