Image Source: Nationalmultimedia

Sony Japan (Click here) latest press release confirms that the flood in Thailand caused the full camera production stop. The NEX-7, the A65 and the new NEX-C3 and NEX-5n double kit packages will no more released on November 11. Sony could not say at this time when the mentioned cameras will be start shipping. The good news here is that that Sony has already plenty of [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] and [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] stocks. And the lens production is also not affected by the flood.

Here are the links of the new products that will be on sale without any delay:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461]
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

After the Tsunami in Japan now we even had the immense flood in Thailand. It is still difficult to get some info about the effects on the Sony camera production but the bad news today is a unique message from Amazon US (Click here to read it on their website). They removed the NEX-7 preorder option and said that: “Due to manufacturing concerns, availability of select Sony products are currently constrained. Some products may be temporarily unavailable from Amazon.com. We’re working hard to offer our customers the product selection they expect, but in the event we don’t have the camera you’re looking for in stock, feel free to check out products from Panasonic, Olympus and Nikon. These sleek new cameras with lens versatility are available today from Amazon.com. See all products“.

As you see not only due they remove the preorder option, they also invite you to buy Micro Four Thirds or Nikon cameras instead! I have a much better suggestion. Get the amazing NEX-5n instead! Click these search links to check the price at [shopcountry 8452]. As you see it is in Stock everywhere! No need to get the Nikon instead ;)

Anyway, I hope to get some reliable news about the NEX-7 shipment delay. But honestly, I fear the worst…which means no NEX-7 for Christmas!

Rob Galbraith got “A note from Sony Canada sent to Canadian dealers today indicates that delivery of the NEX-7, SLT-A77 and SLT-A65 will be delayed because of recent flooding at Sony’s Thailand factories“.

The good news is that we have been told that Sony alredy produced a large amount of A77 and A65 stocks. If you preordere the camera the weeks after the announcement you will very likely receive it with little delay. The A77 is in Stock at  Jessops UK, Pixmania FR, Digitalrev HK, Kameraexpress NL and of course [shoplink 8461 ebay]eBay[/shoplink]. Regarding the NEX-7, Sonystore US (Click here) still says the camera will be “Available on or about 11/09/2011“.

All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461]
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

[shoplink 8454][/shoplink]

The huge flood that devasted some regions in Thailand caused the production stop of the Sony factory in Ayutthaya. The japanese magazine Pen (via Amateur Photographer) today reports: “The factory has stopped operation since 6 Oct and the company said it will stop operation until 14.” and that “Operation may resume on Oct 17 depending on the situation“.

Reminder: On October 10th Bloomberg said that “Sony Corp.’s factory in Ayutthaya, which produces digital cameras and lenses, hasn’t suffered major damage from flooding and is operating as normal, Yasuhiro Okada, a Tokyo-based spokesman for the electronics maker, said earlier this week.”

Acccoring to info I got from my sources there are still some Stocks of [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink], [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] and [shoplink 8459]A65[/shoplink] cameras that have already been shipped to worldwide dealers. But it’s very likely that the [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] shipment will be delayed. I repeat this is an unofficial news based on rumors. I hope to get real “facts” soon.

On Youtube (see video on top) and on Flickr (Click here) Sony answered many of your A77 questions.

A couple of interesting news:
– There is no way to increase the buffer via firmware. There are hardware limitations.
– “Although we recognize the value,the a77 does not include user adjustable mic input level control“. If they “recognize the value” does it mean it’s coming via firmware upgrade? :)

But what’s missing is any statement about the recent bugs. P.S.: Only very few stores are having the A77 in Stock. Check at [shopcountry 8461]. The reason for the delay is the flood in Thailand that made collapse the whole transport system.

All other new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

Click on picture to enlarge.

Brick Yang from nphoto.net sent me the following text: “I am a Chinese editor from nphoto.net. Pls forgive my poor English. Attached here is the NEX-5N. I have removed the CMOS and the yellow one is shutter unit. In the red ring is a moveable stick to move the curtain. I found the click noise is from the stick when it moved (no other moveable things here). Near the stick is a MIC. The distance between the stick and the MIC is so short, and the noise must be recorded by MIC. I guess this is the truth of the issue.What you think?
Thanks & Best regards
Brick”

Click here to see the full report: Nphoto.net (google translated).

I guess you all know that the most used camera of the world is actually a phone, the iPhone! And the new iPhone 4S uses a new back illuminated 8 Megapixel Sony sensor. The confirmation comes via Chipworks.com (Click here). That’s a huge business for Sony and again a prof that Sony is currently producing the best sensors on market (like the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] 16 Megapixel sensor). I can’t wait to see how good the new fullframe sensor is. We only have to wait a couple of months to see it :)

And her eis one more Sony sensor news: Ziptronix bonds with Sony to provide its oxide bonding technology for backside illumination imaging sensors (eetimes.com).