Today Sony announced two new compact cameras, the TX55 and WX30. The TX55 is the most interesting camera which is the world’s thinnest camera in its class (among cameras with an optical anti-shake function). It has 16.2 Mp backside illuminated CMOS sensor and a 27-135mmlens. It records 1080i60 videos. It has a 3.3 inch OLED touch screen. The “coolest” new feature is the ‘Super Pixel Resolution’ digital zoom mode: “That boosts magnification without lowering the pixel count in the final image. Exclusive to Sony, ‘By Pixel Super Resolution’ processing further extends the camera’s 5x optical zoom range, allowing full-resolution 16.2 megapixel images with a maximum 10x zoom.”
Sony α55 DSLR with Glidecam HD-2000 steadicam ([shoplink 7779 ebay]Click here to get the Glidecam on eBay)[/shoplink].
Full Sony NEX-C3 review at Photoreview Australia: “Although the NEX-C3’s grip is slightly better than on the NEX-3, it’s not nearly as comfortable as on the NEX-5. It forces you to pull your index finger back to trigger the shutter, instead of positioning it comfortably above the shutter button…We’re not sure why Sony has restricted the ISO range in this way when the sensor is clearly capable of covering a wider range. It’s most puzzling to see the lower end of the sensitivity scale not being fully exploited…Differences between JPEG and raw files were less than we’re accustomed to seeing, probably as a result of using the supplied raw file converter. Resolution remained high throughout the camera’s sensitivity range, with a gradual decline across the sensitivity range. ”
Also CNET US tested the NEX-C3: “Compact and attractive, with a tilting LCD and excellent photo quality, the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 has some compelling aspects. But with the 18-55mm lens the camera becomes substantially less compact, there’s no EVF option, and the video capabilities are more limited than I’d expect for the price. A lot of people will like the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 for its excellent photo quality and a now more usable design, but it can get unexpectedly heavy with the zoom E-mount lenses, and it’s still a bit more expensive than many point-and-shoot upgraders will like.”
The NEX-C3 will be soon in Stock in non asian countries too. Preorder it at [shopcountry 7207] (Click on the shop names to visit the search page).
That’s a cool accessory: Jtec announced a hotshoe converter for the NEX cameras (from the proprietary Sony hot shoe to the universal hot shoe). Check at DC.watch.
I was wondering why Sony didn’t announce the new compact camera(s) yet. But finally we have some hint. Sony will announce the TX55 at any moment from now.
According to DCviews: “What sets the TX55 apart is the new digital zoom technology called Clear Image Zoom that, instead of cropping the image, is using a more sophisticated process that includes pixel creation and pattern matching for a clearer and sharper magnified image. The DSC-TX55 will come in four colors and cost around $350. The camera is expected to be available in September…”
Those are the specs
26mm wide-angle zoom
3.3-inch touchscreen LCD
10 frames per second (full resolution) burst mode
3D-still photos capability
dedicated video button
1080i full HD-resolution video capability
The Japanese website BCNranking displayed the latest data about the Japanese camera market. There are a couple of interesting points:
Most sold cameras with interchangeable lenses (May 2011):
The first two position are held by the two entry level cameras from Nikon and Canon. The best placed Sony camera is the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink] on Pos. 7 with 5.3% volume share. In Japan NEX cameras are more popular than the Sony SLT and DSRL cameras. Take into consideration that in Japan one third of all sold system cameras are mirrorless!
Mirrorless Market Share (January to May 2011):
Olympus volume share is 37.95% of the whole mirrorless camera. Right behind you find Sony (32.02%) and than Panasonic (30.03%). The year 2010 ended with following shares Panasonic (38.7%), Sony (32.2%), Olympus (29.1%). As you see Sony didn’t gain any market share. I guess one of the main reason could be the lack of new NEX lenses :(
Market share for all interchangeable cameras:
If you count the all interchangeable cameras (Mirrorless and DSLR) than Canon leads with 29.3%, followed by Nikon (27.4%), Sony (15.0%), Olympus (12.7%) and Panasonic (9.7%). Canon and Nikon both loosed market share during the last months. Sony made small steps forward but I guess the upcoming new A77 A65 and NEX-7 can give them a new sales boost.
[shoplink 7518 ebay][/shoplink]
Some “higher forces” asked me to publsih this poll to ask the community if they would like Sony to re introduce the “Rokkor” brand on future lenses. This would help to get away from those boring names like “SAL-30M28” or “DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM Lens” and anchor the future lenses on a glorious past. You can read a bit of history at Camerapedia, Alphatracks, and Minolta.rokkor.de.
You can still get [shoplink 7518 ebay]Rokkor lenses on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and use them on your NEX cameras!
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P.S.: Don’t ask me who those “higher forces” are :)
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