Amazon explains why they do not accept A7II preorders anymore. And new A7II previews!

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Image courtesy: SLRclub

SAR reader Oleg (Thanks!) got this mail from Amazon which explains why they removed the A7II preorder option (Click here):

Since Sony hasn’t given us a date that we will receive and be able to ship these, we do not have a date listed. I checked on your order and it is still in effect. We are not allowing more pre-orders at this time as we have filled our pre-order slots.

A new A7II preview has been posted on the Korean SLRClub site. The reviewers first impressions are:

– He thinks the A7II grip is the best of all mirrorless system cameras.
–  A7II is matt like the A99. Therefore, It is mightier than A7 on the scratches and dusts.
– Boot up time is faster than on the A7. You can press the shutter button before display is turned on!
– A cons is the body weight and size.

He also posted a Simple AF Tracking Test (GIF included): http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=minolta_forum&divpage=168&no=897313

Plenty of A7II image samples have been posted on Fengniao.

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Sony UK (Click here), Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Wex UK (Click here). In Finland at Verkkokauppa.

Full Sony A7II product guide pdf for download. Reminder: Preorder now in USA, UK and Germany!

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You can download the extensive A7m2 guide here on Wetransfer. And do not forget to preorder the camera here to get it before Christmas:

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1299 pounds at Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1699 pounds at Wex UK (Click here).

Sony publishes the digital camera goal for 2018: Goes for ultimate speed, sensivity and resolution!

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Sony launched a revised plan for 2015-2018. And in very short Sony will cut the TV and smartphone lineup and make only profitable high end stuff. At the same time Sony sees growth in Playstation and Image Sensor Business. They also published their plan for the Digital Camera business. You can donwload it as pdf here: sony.net/SonyInfo/IR/info/irday2014electronics/IPandS_E.pdf.

And it clearly stands out how Sony is committed to bring the whole Alpha system to a new level. The first slide on top shows they want to stand out from the competition by going for ultimate sensitivity, ultimate resolution and ultimate speed in 2015.

Their goal is to exceed the limits of human eye:

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They want to introduce features like 1000fps recording:

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Have over 20 FE lenses by end 2015:

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You can see many more info on their document and here below and to sum up here are the key info:

– Sony wants to push the Alpha system to the more advance premium market (RX and Interchangeable lens cameras)
– Sony sees growth in the mirrorless market but still recognizes the DSLR market will still be bigger than Mirrorless by 2018.
– Sony wants to expand the Alpha interchangeable market share at cost of the big ones (Canon/Nikon).

Overall it’s pretty clear 2015 will be an exciting year on the Sony Alpha front. and the Sony A9 which is coming soon is just the start!

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There are a couple of more financial reports with some good news:

Reuters Japan: Sony revised upwards the camera sales plan for 2014. While Canon and Nikon digital camera sales are falling Sony reported a growth. While for Sony there is a decrease in numbers of sold camera the earnings are increasing. Mainly because Sony is selling much less non profitable fixed lens budget compacts but it’s gaining shares in the profitable interchangeable camera market.

Reuters: Fitch revises Sony from negative to stable.

A7II to ship on January 15 in Germany (and first preorders in Germany).

A7II

Preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

First Sony A7m2 preorder options are available in Germany through Technikdirekt.de (Click here). I also got the news that the A7m2 will ship in Germany starting from January 15. There is also a first “cheater” price of [shoplink 31020 ebay]$2,699 on eBay US[/shoplink].

Worldwide Sony stores are likely to start accepting preorders within th next 24-48 hours. Stay tuned on SAR and I will give you the link as soon as they are online.

P.S.: The price of the Sony a7II in Sweden will be 17500kr or 2347 dollar (Thanks P.!).