Damn, since we moved on the new server I am working all the time to fix some stuff:
1) Comment system isn’t working well. Your comments do get stored but you wills ee an error page after sending the comment. And you can back to SAR only after 30sec. Annoying!
2) Contact form: Messages will NOT be sent.
3) You cannot register on SAR.

I am spending a lot of time on this right now with my other two “rumor colleagues”. Will let you know when everything is fixed. One thing is sure, there is no more malware anymore. Completely gone and website safe and secure now (we added some measures to block that stuff).

Anyway, I am still working on rumors in the meanwhile. I have one major rumor, but I am going to post it only when everything above has been fixed! Thanks for your understanding, believe me, I am so tired and frustrated now… :(

Panasonic announced the new Panasonic GF3 (here on Amazon) which competes against the [shoplink 7207]Sony NEX-C3[/shoplink]. But Panasonic didn’t manage to beat the NEX-C3 in term of size reduction. The Panasonic G3 is a bit less wide but the NEX-C3 is less height (and that despite the use of a bigger sensor). The real advantage of the m43 are the smaller pancake lenses. I do hope Sony will rethink their roadmap and add some nice primes!

P.S.: Direct search links to NEX-C3 preorders: [shopcountry 7207].

You all will have noticed that google marks this website as “dangerous”. There have been a hack attempt tonight we solved very quickly. The problem is google blocked the website. I asked google to reaccept the website but sadly google will need a the whole day to reaccept the website. In summary, SonyAlphaRumors is a safe website but it’s google that is very slow in updating their servers!

A source just told us that Sony officially lowered the price of the NEX-3, NEX-5 and A390 kits! Those are the new list prices:

NEX-5

NEX-5 with 16mm lens from 549 to 494 Euro
NEX-5 double kit lens from 685 to 631 Euro
NEX-5 with 18-200mm lens from 1005 to960 Euro
NEX-5 with 18-55mm lens from 593 to 540 Euro
Check those direct search links to see the final price at [shopcountry 3003].

NEX-3

NEX-3 with 16mm lens from 456 to 358 Euro
NEX-3 double kit lens from 593 to 494 Euro
NEX-3 with 18-55mm lens from 502 to 403 Euro
Check those direct search links to see the final price at [shopcountry 3000].

A390

A390 with 18-55mm lens from 431 to 381 Euro
A390 with 18-55mm + 55-200mm lens from 603 to 550 Euro
Check those direct search links to see the final price at [shopcountry 7226].

You can now enter the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards. Via ePhotozine: “The 2012 competition sees new categories including Nature & Wildlife’ been introduced to the Professional competition and ‘Enhanced’, ‘Split Second’ and ‘Low- light’ been added to the Open competition. Photographers under the age of 20 can enter the new Youth competition and the Moving Image Awards now features six categories. Entries for the 2012 Sony World Photography Awards close on 04 January 2012. For more information please visit the World Photo website.“

This page gets continually updated! Keep checking for news (latest added news on top of each category).

You can already preorder the new stuff!

Sony NEX-C3 BLACK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 SILVER at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 PINK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 body at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 with kit lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 30mm macro at Amazon (Click here).

Previews

Sony A35: toma de contacto (Quesabesde).
Sony NEX-C3: toma de contacto (Quesabesde).
NEX-C3 First look at Amateur Photgrapher.
Full NEX-C3 review at Focus Numerique (Click here ot read the google english translation).
First look on Photoreview.
HOT: Sony NEX-C3 preview at DPreview.
HOT: Sony A35 preview at DPreview.

Image samples

A35 image samples at Dpreview, Imaging Resource (Studio test).
NEX-C3 image samples at Dpreview, Focus Numerique (ISO comparison with the Panasonic G3 and Olympus E-PL2), Imaging Resource (Studio test).

Highlights

HOT: Sony officially announced that the new NEX-3/5 firmware will come on June 20th!
“A firmware upgrade (Version 4) adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function to existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This upgrade will be available June 20thand can be downloaded from: (www.esupport.sony.com). ”
And so for the A33/55:
“Available beginning June 20th, a firmware update for existing α33 and α55 cameras adds several creative and operational enhancements. Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35 model is now offered. High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (α55 only). Ergonomics are further improved with revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The a33 and a55camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access.”
See the picture effects at Dpreview.
NEX-C3 ships in late July or August, and will be offered with those familiar 18-55mm and 16mm kit lenses for $649 and $599, respectively. Bodies paired with the zoom will be available in black, pink, and silver, while the camera in the fixed-lens kit will only ship in black.
The A35 will hit stores in August for $699 with an 18-55mm kit lens, or $599 for the body. There’s also a new 30mm f/3.5 macro lens ($249, October) and a larger external flash ($149, August) for the NEX series
Sony says the new NEX-C3 cam is designed to fill the gap between point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and is the smallest body to pack an APS-C sensor.
Price in Europe: Alpha 35 body 600 €. With 18-55mm lens 700 €. With 18-55mm+55-200mm 900 €
Price in Europe: NEX-C3 + 16mm for 580 €. With 18-55 mm for 630 €. Double kit for 730 €
The flash costs 150 Euro.

Links to Press release

NEX-C3, A35 and macro lens at Photoscala.
Sony NEX-C3, 30mm Macro Lens & F20S Flash Announced (Photographybay).
A35 article on Amateur Photographer.
NEX-C3 article on Amateur Photographer.
Article on Engadget.
Sony NEX-C3 at Imaging Resource.
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 : fiche technique (Alpha Numerique).
A35 at Alpha-Photo.at.
Sony A35 at Imaging Resource.
Sony Alpha 35 : fiche technique (AlphaNumerique)
HVL-F20S pour NEX : et le flash devient accessoire pour 150 euros (Focus Numerique)

Youtube-Vimeo

Sony NEX-C3 video at Quesbesde.
Sony A35 video at Quesabesde.
Japanese NEX-C3 commercial (Youtube).
Hands-on video on CNET.
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Hands-On Preview (Youtube).
Sony Nex C3 Alfa 35 primi scatti test (Youtube).

Poll

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Sony officially announced that the new NEX-3/5 firmware will come on June 20th!
“A firmware upgrade (Version 4) adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function to existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This upgrade will be available June 20thand can be downloaded from: (www.esupport.sony.com). ”

And so for the A33/55:
“Available beginning June 20th, a firmware update for existing α33 and α55 cameras adds several creative and operational enhancements. Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35 model is now offered. High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (α55 only). Ergonomics are further improved with revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The a33 and a55camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access.“