POLL: What camera and lens do you hope to get in 2020?

It’s Christmas time and everyone can express their wishes today :)  What’s the camera and lens you hope to get from Sony in 2020?

I hope Sony will release the...

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

I hope Sony will announced these lenses (choose maximum of three):

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

My crazy wishes: Sony 645 medium format system camera and the 21mm f/1.4 GM

POLL: SAR readers choose the best new Sony camera and E-mount lens of 2019!

2019 is over and it’s time to YOU let manufacturers now which one was the best camera and best lens announcement of the year:

The best new camera in 2019 is the...

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

The best new E-mount lens of the year 2019 is the...

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

My two cent: I will choose the Sony A7rIV and the Sony 200-600mm FE lens.

Sony announces a “new pixel structure for mobile image sensors”

This isn’t strictly related to Alpha gear but it’s nice t see Sony pushing boundaries on their mobile sensor tech:

Press text:

2×2 On-Chip Lens Solution

A new pixel structure for mobile image sensors

The 2×2 On-Chip Lens (OCL) solution is a new image sensor technology for achieving high-speed focus, high-resolution, high-sensitivity, and high dynamic range.

CG_2x2

In conventional technologies, the variance in sensitivity per pixel caused by the structure (described below), which places an on-chip lens that spans four pixels, was a major issue. However, we have successfully developed a high-performance image sensor with high image quality through optimization of the device structure and the development of a new signal processing technology.

Pixel structure

A condenser lens called an “on-chip lens” is placed on top of the image sensor pixels.
Conventional on-chip lenses were placed on each pixel. However, four adjacent pixels with the same color share one on-chip lens in 2×2 OCL.

CG_2x2

Phase differences can be detected across all pixels

Since conventional methods for detecting phase differences used dedicated pixels with no imaging functionality, only a small number of pixels could be used as detection pixels.
Due to the fact that the imaging pixels can be used as detection pixels in the 2×2 OCL method, phase differences can be detected across all pixels. As a result, the sensor can focus on even small objects with high accuracy.

CG_2x2

Improved phase difference detection performance (focus performance)

Focus performance at low light intensity

To achieve stable focus performance at low light intensity, the information obtained from multiple phase difference detection pixels must be integrated and the impact of the noise eliminated.
As mentioned above, 2×2 OCL is able to detect phase differences across all pixels, which makes it possible to integrate more information and achieve a stable focus performance.

  • Conventional technology

  • 2×2 OCL

Focus performance that does not depend on the object shape or pattern

Since conventional phase difference detection methods separated the pixels laterally for detection, they were not very good at detecting objects which lacked pattern change in the horizontal direction (ex: objects composed of edges in the horizontal direction).
However, 2×2 OCL is able to detect vertically in addition to horizontally, which enables high-speed auto focus using phase differences in every situation.

The figures below show the phase difference detection characteristics of objects with edges at various angles:

CG_2x2

Color filter array with a Quad Bayer structure

Adopting a color filter array with a Quad Bayer structure that places four pixels with the same color next to each other addresses the needs of both high sensitivity and high resolution. In addition, it also supports High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging.

High resolution

Array conversion through a unique signal processing function enables high resolution imaging.

CG_2x2

High sensitivity

Bright images and videos with low noise can be captured by adding together the four adjacent pixels with the same color. Moreover, improved sensitivity is realized through the design and production technology of the 2×2 OCL which increases the efficiency of light utilization.

CG_2x2

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

Real-time HDR output is possible through a unique exposure control technology and signal processing function.

CG_2x2

This week SAR readers photos selection


Sha Lu‎
Cormorant and rainbow trout. A9 + 600mm GM + 2X TC.
#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 confirmed Photokina presence and says it will “give us the opportunity to present our latest innovations”

Sony manager Yosuke Aoki has officially confirmed they will be present at the May 2020 Photokina event:

“Sony is very glad to be part of Photokina again next year. Photokina 2020 gives us the opportunity to present our latest innovations and to maintain a direct dialog with all Digital Imaging Lovers. Sony is looking forward to seeing you all in Cologne.” 

Photokina starts on May 27 and I will be there :)  I bet I will see the A7IV…and hopefully the A7sIV too!!!

Sony Tidbits…


Sigma 35mm F1.2 DN ART (Sony FE): First Look | 4K

Mirrorless Lenses: The Year in Review, 2019 (Explora).
Sony FE 90 mm f/2.8 G OSS | Profi-Makro-Objektiv im Test an der A7R IV (Valuetech)
Sony RX100 VII Tutorial – Auto Focus Explained (SonyAlphaLab)
Sigma’s New Lenses | Field Test – 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art (Wexphoto).
Holiday 2019: Tripod Head Buying Guide (Explora).
What it’s like to scan film on the Epson Perfection V600 (Dpreview).

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 Tidbits…


Sony A7RM4 Load Camera Settings

Review: Tamron 17-28mm F2.8 Di III RXD (ThePhoBlographer).
Brightin Star 12mm F2 (Sony E) Review (Dustin Abbott)
Apple Launches 16″ MacBook Pro, Its Most Powerful Yet (Explora).
Sigma 45 mm f2.8 DG DN para Sony: ¿bueno, bonito y barato? (Photolari).
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN ‘Art’ lens review with samples (Christopher Frost)

Hadrien:

On October 2019, Sony lent me for a couple of days a prototype of the FX9
Instead of testing it at home i decided to visit my friend Anton Arnarson in Iceland.
I arrived in a middle of a storm so we had more or less only a day to shoot.
Here is the result : https://vimeo.com/375696512

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