Amazing: Sony just announced a new 247 Megapixel medium format sensor!

Sony just released the full details for a new 247 Megapixel medium format sensor. This sensor is meant for “industrial use” so it’s not clear if this can be used on regular cameras too.

A couple of impressive specs:

  • 3:2 ratio sensor with 53.96mm x 35.97mm size (that’s a medium format sensor used by 30k plus cameras like the Hasselblad H6D)
  • 247MP Back-side illuminated sensor
  • 5fps (which is quite fast considering size and resolution of the sensor.
  • comes in both color or monochrome versions

Here is the official Sony description:

Description
The IMX811-AAQR is a diagonal 64.84 mm (Type 4.1) CMOS active pixel type image sensor with a square pixel
array and 247.04 M effective pixels. This sensor incorporates maximum 24 dB PGA circuit and 16-bit A/D converter.
16-bit digital output makes it possible to readout the signals of 247.04 M effective pixels at high-speed of 5.3 frame/s
in all-pixel readout mode.
(Application: FA cameras)

Features
◆ Type 4.1 CMOS active pixel type dots
◆ Input clock frequency 72 MHz
◆ All-pixel readout mode
Various readout modes (*)
◆ Rolling shutter function
◆ H driver, V driver and serial communication circuit on chip
◆ +24 dB gain settable in CDS/PGA on chip
◆ Built-in 12-bit/14-bit/16-bit A/D converter
◆ R, G, B primary color mosaic filters on chip
◆ Back-illuminated type
◆ Sensor Slave Mode only
◆Seal glass: both sides are processed by AR coating
◆SLVS-EC output

Device Structure
◆ Back-Illuminated CMOS image sensor
◆ Image size: Diagonal 64.84 mm (Type 4.1)
◆ Total number of pixels: 19680 (H) × 13308 (V) approx. 261.90 M pixels
◆ Number of effective pixels: 19240 (H) × 12840 (V) approx. 247.04 M pixels
◆ Number of active pixels: 19200 (H) × 12800 (V) approx. 245.76 M pixels
◆ Unit cell size: 2.81 μm (H) × 2.81 μm (V)
◆ Optical black: Horizontal (H) direction: Left 188 pixels, right 188 pixels /// Vertical (V) direction: Top 56 pixels, bottom 56 pixels
◆ Package: 786 pin LGA 75.0 mm (H) × 63.6 mm (V)

Drive Mode
All-pixel readout mode 19200 (H) × 12800 (V)
Approx. 245.76 M pixels
12.4 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 12
10.5 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 14
5.3 SLVS-EC Lane 4 × 4 16

My take:
If I am not mistaken I sometimes saw industrial sensors used on regular cameras: An example is this IMX461102MP medium format sensor that is marked for “industrial” use but appears to be the same sensor of the Fujifilm GFX100 and Hasselblad X cameras.
Dear Sony..I am throwing the gauntlet: Make a fixed lens RX camera using this sensor and I will buy it :)

Those 24-70mm f/2.0 specs are FAKE

If you happen to read those info…know those are completely MADE UP by the author of this “rumor”. So I repeat that 24-70mm f/2.0 info you see now is FAKE:

  • Weight: 1,145g
  • Compact design with extensive use of lightweight materials
  • Not suitable for video users as it does not have image stabilization and is not perfocal.
  • Vignetting and chromatic aberration are well suppressed
  • High resolution in the center
  • Spherical aberration correction is insufficient, resulting in overall soft and detailed image quality

What’s real is that Sony will have an announcement on April 16/17 and that we will get the 16-25mm f/2.8 G. As usual they will soon copy me without to credit me (and credit “Weibo” as usual). Hey, that’s how they choose to fool you because they don’t care ;)

Sony Japan announced a paid customization service for the A9III


Sony A9III at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FotoErhardt. Fotokoch. Calumet. WexUK.

Sony Japan announced this unusual service. Don’t know if this will be extended to all other countries too. Here is the google translated text:

Information on digital single-lens camera α9 III paid customization service

Thank you for using Sony products.

We will begin offering a paid customization service to adjust the release stroke for the digital single-lens camera α9 III and α9 III compatible vertical grip VG-C5.

[Target product model name]
Digital single-lens camera α9 III “ILCE-9M3”
Vertical grip “VG-C5”
[Service start date]
Applications will start from Monday, April 15, 2024.

[Customization content]
・Digital single-lens camera α9 III “ILCE-9M3”
Only full press (release) can be selected from 2 levels (default state, shallow).

・Vertical position grip “VG-C5”
Only full press (release) can be selected from 2 levels (default state, shallow).

*For details on customization services, please refer to the support page Click
here for the support page

[Customization fee]
・Digital single-lens camera α9 III “ILCE-9M3”
14,000 yen (tax included)

・Vertical grip “VG-C5”
14,000 yen (tax included)

[Customization reception desk]
Sony Service Station Akihabara
Sony Service Station Nihonbashi
Sony Service Station Naha

https://www.sony.jp/support/repair/repair-contact/ss.html

α Plaza (Sapporo) reception counter
α Plaza (Ginza) reception counter
α Plaza (Nagoya) reception counter α Plaza (
Osaka) reception counter
α Plaza (Fukuoka Tenjin) reception counter

https://www.sony.jp/ichigan/plaza/

*Please refer to the support page for details on service content Click
here for the support page

PetaPixel says that Sony can’t do in camera image stacking because of patent limitations

According to PetaPixel, Sony cannot have in-camera image stacking or electronic LiveND because OM System owns the patents. If this is the case, I hope Sony can come to an agreement with OM Digital, because it is really annoying not to be able to use some functions directly in the camera. I know OM Digital is not doing very well financially, so maybe they would be happy to collect some money for licensing their patents?