Sony “storms” in Japan, and surpasses Nikon in United Kingdom!

Amateur Photographer just published a very interesting article about the current interchangeable lens cameras sales:
“Though Canon and Nikon still dominate the market, in Japan their combined share slumped 11% to 60.4% in 2010…..Sony stormed into third place with a 15.2% share, according to the figures.”

And the best part is coming now:
“In the UK, AP understands that Sony overtook Nikon in volume sales of interchangeable lens models for December 2010 – notching up 25% compared to Nikon’s 20%.”

That’s very good news for Sony! The new NEX and translucent cameras (without to forget the [shoplink 4617]A580[/shoplink]) really hit the market. Now Sony, we all know what we need to keep climibin the rankings, the A77, the NEX7, and the new fullframe cameras!

P.S.: There is no place where you can find exact rankings. You can only get a very approximative and general idea of how Sony cameras are selling at Amazon by checking their current bestseller rankings:
– Click here to see the US ranking
– Click here to see the UK rankings
– Click here to see the Amazon Germany ranking
– Click here to see the Amazon France ranking
– Click hee to see the Amazon Italy rankings

One more visual proof the Nikon D7000 is using a Sony sensor.

Chipworks.com ripped the new Nikon D7000 and discovered that it comes equipped with a DX format (APS-C) sensor fabricated by Sony, the IMX071 (click here to see the image).. That explains why the [shoplink 4617]Sony A580[/shoplink] and the Nikon D7000 scored the same result at DxOmark. Now you will say “ok, we already knew that“! But you know, Nikon is officially stating that their sensors are somewhat “different” than Sony sensors. After that D7000 massacre we can say that their statement isn’t correct!

P.S.: his image sensor features a pixel size of 4.8 µm x 4.8 µm (as seen in the Bayer patterned RGB color filters). The sensor displays improvements in pixel layout and process features, as compared to previous generations of Sony DSLR sensors.

Sony NEX-5 now comes in GOLD.

Sony unveiled the new Gold NEX-5. It should be released by February the 10th. Using a gold body and silver lens is not my taste but you might find it cool!

Sony Tidbits


Hibride W8: Sony NEX-5 + 3 D Panasonic Lumix H-FT012. Using the [shoplink 4840]Micro Four Thirds to NEX adapter (Click here to get one on eBay)[/shoplink].

Sony Alpha 55, test complet (Alpha Numerique)

Sony NEX-5 vs Leica M8 (SonyAlphaNex).

Field Review: Sony a580 (ThePhoBlographer).

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-WX5 Review (Photographyblog).

The Sony Alpha A55 DSLR Camera Is Made Out Of Recycled Plastics (Sonyinsider).

Testing the Best: Sony’s NEX-5, the Small Wonder (popsci).

Clip-on LCD monitor from Sony for HD video shooting with Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras (Sony Presscenter).

Sony close to become number one in japan ;)

Sony is about to write history (ok ok it’s an exaggeration)! Since years Nikon and Canon have been always on top of the weekly japanaese sales chart. In over two years I never saw any other company become the number one in those rankings. Now look at the latest BCNranking data. In Japan the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink] was the second most sold system camera of the week! Now we are very close to the Canon Rebel. Message to Sony: Release soon those new lenses and you will become number one in a second ;)

Mark Weir (Sony) interviewed at Imaging Resource

Sony marketing is finally giving some sign of live and they are spreading good news regarding the future of Alpha and NEX! Mark Weir has been interviewed by Imaging Resource. The interview is very long and full of interesting news. Thanks Mark for answering all questions! I am sure also SonyAlphaRumors readers will appreciate it ;)

A few interesting notes:

– NEX They are by far the number one selling mirrorless cameras in the United States…the [shoplink 4617]A580[/shoplink] and also the [shoplink 3617]A55[/shoplink] have seen demand that has exceeded just about everyone’s initial expectations
– . We’ve been acutely aware of the concern for the arrival of the A700 successor — actually, quite acutely aware, and we’re sorry that it’s taken as long as it has — but we believe that when this successor arrives, everyone will realize that it was very valuable to first develop the technologies and the capabilities that will go into the model, and to save it for those.
– With another year of development of those key devices, we believe that we’ll see a new generation of translucent mirror cameras with new capabilities
– I think it comes as no surprise that many of the models that really are attracting the attention of many enthusiast, semi-pro and even professional users these days are no longer full-frame, but rather the very, very top-end of the APS-C line-ups that are being created. ….This has led to longer life cycles for full-frame cameras
– The 500mm f/4 is coming soon