First video showing the new firmware 2.0 A6000 startup time and XAVC-S recording option.

Sony issued a new firmware update 2.0 for those cameras. It improves the startup time and adds XAVC-S recording on the A6000. The firmware software should go online within the next few hours here (not available yet at the time of writing!):

Enter your model name and download the software on Sony sites like Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Spain, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony CH, Sony Austria, Sony Portugal, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Finland.

UDPATE: A working FW 2.0 link to the A6000 MAC firmware: sony.de/support/de/content/cnt-dwnl/prd-dime/sony-ilce6000-firmware-update-ver2_00-mac/ILCE-6000

UDPATE: And here is the first XAVC-S A6000 video sample:

Direct US links:
Sony a7 Firmware Update 2.o0: MAC | WIN
Sony a7R Firmware Update 2.o0: MAC | WIN
Sony a7S Firmware Update 2.o0: MAC | WIN
Sony a6000 (ILCE-6000) Camera Firmware Update 2.o0: MAC | WIN

Zeiss just released the full technical specifications and leaflet of the new Batis lenses. Check it out here:

Batis Leaflet: zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/brochures/batis/batis_leaflet_en.pdf
Batis 85mm Technical Specifications: zeiss.com/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_batis/batis_1885.pdf
Batis 25mm Technical Specifications: zeiss.de/content/dam/Photography/new/pdf/en/downloadcenter/datasheets_batis/batis_225.pdf

There are also two new videos:

Michael Pollmann Batis introduction

Carl Zeiss Lenses – New Pro Era

Both Batis lenses are now available for preorder in USA and Europe (UK/Germany)
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens in US at Adorama, Bhphoto. In Eu at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto. In EU at Amazon DE, WexUK. In Asia at Digitalrev.
In Europe and Asia the Loxias can be found in Stock via [shoplink 36456 ebay]eBay sellers (Click here)[/shoplink] and Digitalrev (Click here).

Found via Mirrorlessrumors.

Note for German readers: Gold Box now on the RX1R (Click here).

It’s really great news that Sony finally got competition in the RX FF segment. Leica just announced their Leica Q camera (specs here at BHphoto). And I hope this will one more reason for Sony to finally unleash the RX2! Here is a short recap of the new Leica Q strong and weak points compared to the Sony:

advantages of the new Leica:
– ISO up to 50.000
– faster 28mm f/1.7 lens
– 3.68 MP EVF
– first reports indicate very fast autofocus in bright light conditions.
– better overall built quality and button layout
– longer battery life
– has a proper Q smartphone App

disadvantages of the new Leica:
– The RX1 is still a lot smaller
– video quality on the RX1 seems to be better
– The RX1 is cheaper (RX1 costs $2,800 and the Leica Q $4,250 although the Leica comes with integrated EVF).

Full Leica Q press coverage can be read at MirrorlessRumors (Click here).

Mathieu Legrand‎
Jade – Sony a7 II with 55mm 1.8
Www.mathieulegrand.fr

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!

Hasselblad China just posted the first image of the new “Lusso” camera. This is a “luxurified” Sony A7r clone camera! It is NOT based on the newly announced Sony A7rII. Real world images of the camera can be seen on my previous SAR post.

Current Hasselblad Sony clones are:
[shoplink 37464 ebay]Stellar (Click here)[/shoplink], [shoplink 37465 ebay]Lunar (Click here)[/shoplink] and Hasselblad HV ($7,999 off on BH!).

With the three new cameras Sony also announced a new CLM-FHD5 monitor. Images and specs here:

At a Sony conference in New York Imaging Resource posted a nice set of slides. The one on top shows you that despite the shrinking worldwide digital camera market sales Sony managed to increase their sales in the interchangeable and premium compact market.

Among the other cools slides we have those (all via Imaging Resource):

Reminder:

Sony decided to allow preorders of the three new camera starting from June 17 at 16.00 London time (confirmed via BHphoto). In other timezones this means:
8am Los Angeles time
11m New York time
17:00 Berlin time
24:00 Tokyo time.

Be sure to be online on SAR on that hour as I will link to all major stores offering preorder options on the very first minute! If you want the camera as soon as it gets stay tuned on SAR :)

Store links:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
In Asia at:
A7rII at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX10m2 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.
RX100m4 at Digitalrev, CameraPro.