Sony Japan officially announced a new A7 and A7r firmware release for March 19! And these are the improvements (translated from Japanese):

– support for the focus hold button of the new SEL 70-200G lens
– Start up time reduction
– Image quality improvement
– Adds Live view grading and smooth reflection application. Improves “Time Laps” APP.

I am now wondering what they mean with “Improved Image quality”!

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Specs and Store Links in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.

Specs and Store Links in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.

Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.

Just click on the image on top to see a larger size version (Courtesy of Lensvid).

Our friends from Lensvid analyzed the CIPA data and put on graphs the facts that we already knew: The camera industry is facing a deep crisis.  DSLR, Mirrorless and compact camera market are shrinking. And it’s possible that the this will be the trend for the future too with the mass market focusing on using devices like Smartphones, Tablets, Google Glasses to take their pictures and videos.

I am pretty sure there will be always a market for large sensor cameras but it’s likely to become pretty “marginal”. We are on the verge of a big paradigm search in the world of photography where aspects like connectivity and creativity (in form of APPS) become more important than use of system cameras. Considering these aspects what would you suggest Sony to do?

One small thought: Unlike so many other analysts I see a bright future for Sony. Nikon and Canon depend more from the “pure” system camera market than Sony. Sony did a great job to focus on one aspect that will certainly survive: Image sensor production. They are number one and still growing. No matter if people are going to use a DSLR or Smartphone or other new kind of devices. Sony will be the one company making the sensors for it!

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More info at Lensvid and a youtube video made by them:

Sony 70-400mm review by John Sison.

If you want to see some great pics watch the winner list of the latest Worldpressphoto 2014 edition.
Sony in negotiations to supply iPhone front camera modules (Electronista).
RCCDroid: The FIRST Android App for tethering of Sony Alpha SLT-A58.
JPEG Standard 9.1 Will Bring 12-Bit Color, Lossless Compression (Popphoto).
Sony FE 55mm F1.8 ZA Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* Lens – A serious days shooting (Soundimagesplus).
Zeiss 35mm FE lab test at Dpreview.
Sony 4K sensor for security cams (Image Sensor World).
A5000 review at Digitalversus.
Zeiss FE 24-70mm F4 On Sony A7 Impressions at Fratkinphoto.
porridge to the Sony a7r (Ohm-Image).
Mini review and comparison of 50mm ZA vs 55mm FE (SonyAlphaImages).
Haselblad HV hands-on at DSLRmagazine.
Zeiss 24-70mm lens test at DC.fever.
Model Shooting with the Zeiss FE 55mm lens by Mike Kobal.
A7 video review by Digital Digest at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSSoQnD5vzE
Sonnar 50mm f/1.5 review on the Sony A7r at Coolframe (Click here).

Goody hair tie around lens bayonet (Courtesy: Ferrell McCollough)

The following is an official Sony answer to Bart (in NJ) request regarding the Sony A7-A7r light leak issue:

Sony is aware of and acknowledges this light leak problem with the A7 and A7r and our engineering department is currently researching a solution. We will release a notice to the owners once a resolution is found.

And if you want to get rid of the problem now follow SAR reader Ferrell McCollough (blog here) advice:

I started with black electrical tape and recently discovered a hair tie (elastics) to be an easy, non-sticky alternative. It’s easy to carry in any camera bag too. Get the Goody variety because it does not have the metal connector and “it will give you the hold you need and the comfort you crave.” They are available at drug stores or online. They are the perfect diameter to stretch around the lens and fit snugly at the joint between the lens and body. Even if you catch them with your fingers while handling the camera they snap back into the groove. Also, it’s easy enough to leave on to cut down on moisture and dust and the possibility that “normal” exposures might be effected by a light leak. The biggest bonus is that it’s NOT unattractive!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Goody-Ouchless-No-Metal-Hair-Elastics-Little-Black-Dress-27255-36-count

On his blog you can see a simple test that proves how this completely fixes the issue.

Thanks Ferrell McCollough!

It’s quite frustrating to get delays over delays on the new Sigma A-mount zoom lens release. Today Sigma Germany informed one of our readers that they will release the 24-105/f4 Art and 18-35/f1.8 DC A-mount zooms in mid May.

You cannot preorder the 24-105mm zoom yet but the Sigma 18-35mm can be preordered at Amazon, BHphoto and Wex UK.

Here is the original Sigma Germany mail:

Guten Tag Herr XXX,

wir danken Ihnen für Ihr Interesse an unseren Produkten. Leider ist uns nicht bekannt, warum man mit der Lieferung der Sony Anschlüsse so lange wartet, oder zögert.
Lt. Aktuellem Lieferplan sind die Sony Anschlüsse ca. für Mitte Mai geplant.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen

You can now download the a6000 PDF manual at http://support.sony-asia.com.edgesuite.net/consumer/IM/4532055111.pdf.

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Sony A6000 preorder list with US and Europe links:
Sony A6000 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, BHphoto (Click here), SonyStore (Click here). In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT, WexUK.
Silver A6000 at WexUK (Click here).
Sony A6000 with lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, BHphoto (Click here), SonyStore (Click here), Sony Canada (Click here), WexUK (Click here).
Silver A6000 with lens at WexUK (Click here).
Sony 70-200mm FE at Amazon (CLick here), BHphoto (Click here), SonyStore (Click here). In Europe at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, AT, NL, BE, CH, FI, SE, PT

We finally know how much the Hasselblad H5D-50c will cost. The camera featuring Sony’s first 44x33mm medium format CMOS sensor is available for preorder at BHphoto (Click here) for $27,500.00 only! With 80mm kit lens you pay exactly $30,000 (Click here to see the BH page).

Today Hasselblad officially launched the full specs. The PDF file can be downloaded here: http://www.hasselblad.com/media/4728475/uk_h5d-50c_datasheet_en.pdf.

These are the characteristics of the Sony sensor:

The Hasselblad H5D-50c features a brand new CMOS sensor measuring 43.8 × 32.9mm – much larger than the largest 35mm DSLR sensors. The basic ISO rating is from ISO 100 to ISO 6400 and the high sensitivity of the new sensor enables completely new application areas for all professional medium format photographers. It is now totally possible to capture superb quality images even at high ISO settings making low light photography easy. This high sensitivity and fast capture speed together with the high dynamic range of 14 stops makes this a true all-round camera that can be used for almost any type of photography.
The H5D-50c is built around a high speed architecture that can capture full resolution images at the rate of 1.5 captures per second, working either mobile or tethered to a computer. The combination of these features makes the H5D-50c the natural choice for the professional photographer wanting to work with the ultimate in image quality whether working in the studio with controlled lighting or on location.

These are the camera specs: