A couple of SAR readers noticed that Sony and online stores selling the A7 and A7r cameras completely removed the part of the product description that said the cameras are weather sealed. Just check these links in USA and Europe: at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS and Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.

This is just pure speculation but it’s possible that the light leak issue discovered on the A7-A7r cameras also affects the dust and moisture protection. And that could be the reason why they “quietly” removed any reference about the A7-A7r having a weather sealed body. But as I said, there is nothing official yet. And if there is really a problem with the weather sealing it would be better for Sony to admit the issue and work on a solution instead of trying to hide it.

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Joe sent us this:

Sad to say that I can confirm that the a7R does exhibit light leak around the lens mount. This was reported on Sony’s Community site. To test it, put the body cap on, use either ISO25,6000 or ISO16,000 and take a 20-30″ exposure. Shine a flashlight/phone LED light around the lens mount. The image will show the leak at the 9 o’ clock position.
Here’s how mine look like at ISO16,000 and 30″ exposure:
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/–exlz648TZ8/Uv3-kqaopuI/AAAAAAAAXzI/0ERlfxv_u74/w888-h593-no/a7R+Light+Leak+ISO16%252C000+at+30sec.jpg
Original thread:
http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-NEX-Cameras/A7-A7R-Light-leaks/td-p/254835

Night shot of the Aurora Borealis from last week. It was an amazing display and lasted for several hours. Shot with my NEX-6, Sigma 19mm@2.8, ISO 1600, 13 sec exposure, Manual mode. Trond Kristiansen http://flickr.com/trondk

These are some of the most liked SAR readers picture of the week at SonyAlphaRumos Facebook wall (Click here). Share your best work and vote other pictures too!

Image source: Wikimedia

Engagdet reports that Sony is now selling their own Tokyo Headquarter too! Sony estimates it will earn 15 billion yen ($146.5 million) though the sale of the historical building. Engadget also writes:

Locals have blasted the potential move, however, arguing that the company’s “birthplace,” where founders Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka worked on the Walkman and Trinitron TV, should be exempt from its restructuring efforts

This is all part of a world wide restructuring program. And as I told you before the Digital Imaging business is one of the Sony’s key businesses they want to focus on. So, at least we don’t have to worry about the A and E-mount system future. What has to be seen is how long it will take for Sony to get rid off all other unprofitable businesses to get back to financial growth.

Note: In an attempt to fix the many confusing errors present on Sony websites we plan to post them all on SAR. Let’s hope Sony will read us and fix them :)

Also Sony France shows a big typo on the site. Well, lucky French guys can get a lens faster than you get in the rest fo the world :) You found the mistake?

Thanks Jean for sharing this!

The likely most popular introduction in 2014 was the Fuji X-T1 which is now shipping and leading the Amazon mirrorless camera sales. And actually one of the new features the X-T1 has could be added on all Sony high reoslution EVF cameras! And that’s why I am asking you if you would like Sony to add the “Split Screen” feature you can see on the video on top.

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Let’s see if Sony will do it :)

Well, two anonymous sources told me about this a couple of days ago and now it’s official (sorry sources If I didn’t post it in time on SAR). Sony US will close 20 of their own stores!

This is the official press text from Sony:

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics today announced plans to restructure its organization to maintain its competitiveness in an evolving consumer electronics market.

In line with Sony Corporation’s Feb. 6 earnings announcement outlining an estimated headcount reduction of roughly 5,000 employees globally, Sony Electronics confirmed a total staff reduction of one-third by the end of the calendar year, affecting approximately 1,000 employees across all sites. In addition, in an effort to further streamline costs and continue focus on existing partner relations, Sony announced the closure of 20 U.S. Sony Stores

“While these moves were extremely tough, they were absolutely necessary to position us in the best possible place for future growth,” said Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics. “I am entirely confident in our ability to turn the business around, in achieving our preferred future, and continue building on our flawless commitment to customer loyalty through the complete entertainment experience only Sony can offer.”

Sony maintains its position as a leader in the electronics industry, pushing the limits of innovation with products and experiences exclusive to Sony. It continues to drive its industry leadership in premium products across all of CE, including all-things-4K, and further plans to reinforce its market leadership through strengthening its 4K product lineup and bolstering 2K models in 2014, with a continued commitment to the future success of its U.S. television business. The company will place an increased focus on its premium products – including its digital imaging line, high-resolution audio, and full suite of professional solutions – while leveraging its strengths in hardware, content and gaming.

There are no further details at this time.

Sony 4K: One of the few certain things we know for 2014 is that Sony will add full 4K video on many of the this year new A and E-mount models. And yesterday Sony announced the new Xperia Z2 (specs here at Amazon) which shoots 4K videos!

Sony 4K camera: And a new Sony 4K mirrorless camera (no SLT!) will be announced in about one month. It will neither have an E nor an A-mount. A-mount cameras with 4K will be announced a couple of months later.