This week SAR readers photos selection


Greg Reely‎
Captured this amazing lightning storm here in Osoyoos BC Canada . Used 46 photos for this composite, 15 sec exposures over about 17 minutes.
A7II with Sony Zeiss 24mm, edited in LR.
#sonyalphagallery

1) You can submit one single picture per week only.
2) To submit your picture for the weekly readers roundup post you can choose one of the following three options:
Instagram: Follow @sonyalphagallery and tag us on your picture to give us the permission to repost your image on the instagram gallery and on SAR (we will credit you)
Facebook: Submit your picture on our group: facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera. Please add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery ” to grant the permission for reposting on SAR. Without the hashtag we will not add your picture!
Forum: Submit your picture on the SonyAlphaForum image section and add the hashtag “#sonyalphagallery
3) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: instagram.com/sonyalphagallery, facebook.com/groups/sonyalphacamera and on SonyAlphaForum.
4) A selection of most liked pictures by the community and by me SAR admin will be posted weekly on SAR.

Note: When sending a pic feel free to also add a link to your site to promote yourself! And please do share one single picture per week only. Do not spam :)

Read more

Sony Tidbits…


Best Sony Lenses for Wedding Videography

S1R vs A7R III by Mirrorlesscomparison.
Atomos Introduces NEON Series 4K HDR Cinema Recording Monitors (Explora).
SmallRig 2248 : L-shape wooden grip for Sony RX100 III IV V VA review by Marc Alhadeff.
Take Two! Sony Nails it with the Tough RX0 II (Shawn Steiner).
Most needed accessory for Sony a7iii, A7riii the SmallRig Half Cage with Arca L Bracket (Daniel Oastler).
In Defense of Sony Semiconductor Spin-off (Image Sensor World).

Personal photos and tests from SAR Admin Andrea on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and 500px.

Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
To get news from our Forum subscribe that RSS feed.
I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

Sony China presentation shows the success of their 1 inch compact camera startegy

Sony had a RX100VII launch presentation in China. They also displayed those two graphs.

1) On top you can see the market share of the single Sony cameras in the compact camera segment.

2) Below you can see that while the compact camera market as a whole is shrinking the “sales value” of 1 inch sensor cameras did actually increase in the past years. In short it means Sony managed to make more money by selling less cameras.

via Fengniao

New Sony RX100VII officially annunced with A9 level speed and with real time AF

Today Sony announced the new RX100VII. Expect two more new cameras to be announced within the next 5-6 weeks!

Preorders:
Sony RX100VII in the USA at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, BuyDig and Amazon.
Sony RX100VII in EU at ParkcamerasUK, WexUK.

Reviews and hands-on:
Review in progress at Dpreview. Sample gallery at Dpreview. Preview at ePhotozine. Preview at CameraLabs. Hands-on at Photographyblog. Image samples at Sony.net. Review at ParkCameras. Toma de contacto at Photolari.
Product page at Sony.net.

Key specs:

  • Newly developed 1.0-type stacked 20.1 MP(1) Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip and latest generation BIONZ X™ image processor
  • Alpha 9 level speed performance with up to 60 AF/AE calculations per second(2) and 20fps(3) blackout-free shooting(4) with AF/AE tracking
  • World leading(5) 357-point focal-plane phase-detection AF + 425-point contrast-detection AF with world’s fastestv 0.02 sec((6) focus acquisition speed
  • Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for humans and animals(7)
  • ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm(8) F2.8 – F4.5 Large Aperture High Magnification Zoom Lens
  • New Single Burst Shooting(9) Drive Mode at up to 90fps(10) speed
  • Pro-level movie functionality including 4K HDR(11) (HLG)(12), Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for movie shooting, 4K Active SteadyShot™, Vertical-position data recording for movies and integrated microphone jack

Videos:

Press text:

SAN DIEGO — July 25, 2019 — Sony Electronics today announced a new addition to its award-winning series of RX compact cameras: the RX100 VII (model DSC-RX100M7). Utilizing technologies that were previously available only in Sony’s acclaimed Alpha 9 full-frame mirrorless camera, the RX100 VII achieves new levels of performance in a compact camera, in both stills and movie shooting.

The RX100 VII is powered by a newly developed 1.0-type stacked 20.1 MP Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and the latest generation BIONZ X image processor, which work together to deliver peak autofocus and speed performance that has never before been available in a compact camera. Flexibility of shooting is ensured by a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm(8) F2.8-4.5 high magnification zoom lens, making the RX100 VII a versatile choice for all types of shooting scenarios and users, ranging from photo enthusiasts to professionals.

“The RX100 VII sets a new standard for performance in compact cameras,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president of Imaging Products and Solutions at Sony Electronics. “Sony will continue to drive innovation in the world of imaging, constantly pushing to empower creators with the most capable tools that allow them to realize their vision, and create like they have never been able to before.”

New Standard for AF Performance in a Compact Camera

The RX100 VII offers a world-leading(5) 357 focal-plane phase-detection AF points and 425 contrast-detection AF points. In addition, thanks to a newly optimized lens drive control, the world’s fastest(5) 0.02 sec(6) AF acquisition time is realized. A major leap in AF/AE tracking performance during continuous shooting(13) means the camera performs AF/AE calculations up to 60 times per second(2) and captures fast moving action at 20fps(3) with AF/AE tracking, ensuring that each moment is shot with swift and accurate focus.

In addition, the image sensor realizes blackout-free shooting(4) for a completely live view, even when continuous shooting at 20fps(3); the same experience as the Alpha 9. The RX100 VII also debuts a new drive mode, Single Burst Shooting(9), for capturing the perfect high-speed shot at up to 90fps(10) in JPEG/RAW format utilizing the anti-distortion shutter. Single Burst Shooting(9) allows the photographer to frame fast moving action and shoot as if taking a single shot, but the camera will actually deliver seven still images taken at 90fps, 60fps or 30fps, so the user can select the perfect moment.

For the first time in a compact camera, the RX100 VII introduces advanced Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF capabilities. Real-time Tracking utilizes Sony’s latest algorithm, including artificial intelligence-based object recognition to ensure that subjects can be captured with excellent accuracy, even via the touch panel on the rear screen. Real-time Eye AF, the latest version of Sony’s acclaimed Eye AF technology, employs A.I.-based object recognition to detect and process eye data in real time. This results in improved accuracy, speed and tracking performance of Eye AF for both humans and animals(7), which allows the photographer to concentrate exclusively on composition(14).

Movie Making Marvel

The compact and lightweight characteristics of the RX100 VII (approx. 302g / 102mm x 58mm x 43mm(15)) mean it can always be carried and has mounting flexibility that larger cameras simply cannot match.

Despite the small form factors, there are a multitude of pro-level movie making capabilities, including:

  • 4K in-body movie recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning in high bit rate XAVC S™(11)
  • Real-time Tracking and Real-time Eye AF for video
  • 4K Active SteadyShot that is 8x more effective than 4K Standard SteadyShot(16)
  • Industry standard 3.5mm microphone input(17)
  • Hybrid Log-Gamma(12) (HDR) / S-Gamut3.Cine / S-Log3, S-Gamut3 / S-Log3
  • Compatibility with Movie Edit add-on from the ‘Imaging Edge™’ mobile application for movie stabilization and editing
  • Vertical-position data recording for movies(18)
  • Interval Shooting(19) for stunning time-lapse videos
  • Super Slow Motion(20) recording at up to 960fps
  • 180-degree flip screen for ease-of use while vlogging

Shooting Grip Kit for Vloggers

Sony will also be introducing a Shooting Grip Kit (DSC-RX100M7G), which includes an RX100 VII and Shooting Grip (VCT-SGR1) that allows for easy recording and zooming right at your fingertips; Bracket with Accessory Shoe; and two Rechargeable Battery Packs (NP-BX1)(21). Pair this kit with an external microphone (sold separately), such as the Sony Stereo Microphone (ECM-XYST1M) which mounts onto the bracket’s accessory shoe and allows for a convenient and simple vlogging setup.

New Jacket Case for the RX100 Series

Sony has also introduced a new leather-look body case for the RX100 series (LCJ-RXK), which includes a lens jacket and shoulder strap to protect the camera from bumps and shocks. Available in black, it provides easy access to the microphone jack and USB terminal, which enables charging and image transfers without the need to remove the case.

Pricing and Availability

The RX100 VII compact camera will ship in August 2019 for approximately $1,200 US and $1,600 CA.

The RX100 VII Shooting Grip Kit will be available later in 2019 for approximately $1,300 US and $1,700 CA.

The LCJ-RXK jacket case will ship in August 2019 for approximately $85 US and $110 CA.

Exclusive stories and exciting new content shot with the new camera and Sony’s other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, a site created to educate and inspire all fans and customers of Sony’s α – Alpha brand.

The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery.

For full product details, please visit:

A product video on the new RX100 VII can be viewed here.

New Topaz Studio 2 on sale now for $79.99 before August 9th

The new Topaz Studio 2 has been announced. You get it on sale now for $79.99 before August 9th.

Press text:

A workflow devoted entirely to creative photo post-processing.

Topaz Studio 2 has only one purpose: creative photo editing. This starts after you select your image and ends when you export your finished work. It’s designed specifically around the artisanal post-processing workflow of carefully crafting a single image to your vision.

Studio is the editor to use when you want jaw-dropping images and you’re not afraid to spend the time to get them. It’s for creating works that push the bounds of your artistic vision; the few that you know you’ll look back upon in years as one of your best creations.

That’s why you won’t find library management, design tools, batch editing, or other common “image editor” tools in Studio. There’s a lot of photo editors out there that help you manage your workflow and make minor contrast adjustments. Topaz Studio is not intended for that. If it doesn’t contribute to the vision of creating singularly beautiful images through post-processing, then we’re not including it.

Instead, Topaz Studio 2 focuses on doing three things well. We consider these the product’s guiding design principles and firmly believe that they will make your creative workflow both easier and faster.

Check out all new Topaz Studio 2 features on this page!

Download the Sony A7rIV brochure

You can now download the full Sony A7rIV brochure (Click here).

Sony A7rIV and new accessories:
Sony A7rIV in USA/CA at BHphoto, Adorama, FocusCamera, Amazon, BuyDig, Henrys.
Sony A7rIV in EU at Calumet DE, ParkUK, WexUK, Calumet NL.
Sony A7rIV in Asia at Sony Japan. Sony Australia.
Sony VG-C4EM grip in USA at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, ParkUK, WexUK.
ECM-B1M Digital Audio Shotgun Microphone at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.
XLR-K3M Mic at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, FocusCamera, BuyDig, Park UK.