Sony announces new 5.6 million dots EVF with 240 fps. Perfect for the Sony A7sIII?

Sony announced a new OLED EVF that surely has the potential to be used by the upcoming Sony A7sIII. The new EVF has a 5-6 million dots resolution (up from the 3,69 million dots from the A7rIII). And a refresh rate of 240fps (perfect for motion).

The only downside is that it will start being produced in November only. Which means the A7sIII would be announced this autumn only (maybe Photokina or New York Photoshow).

Here is the press text:

Sony Releases 0.5-type OLED Microdisplay with Top-of-Class UXGA Resolution, Featuring the World’s Smallest Pixel Pitch of 6.3µm

Tokyo, Japan—Sony Corporation today announced the upcoming release of the ECX339A OLED Microdisplay featuring UXGA (1600 x 1200 resolution), the highest in class for a 0.5-type. This product achieves the world’s smallest pixel pitch of 6.3μm by leveraging Sony’s OLED display technology and miniaturization technology, enabling a resolution 1.6x higher than the previous model*1. By employing a new drive circuit design that operates on half the voltage of the previous model*1, the new product achieves the same level of low-power operation as its predecessor but with much higher resolution. When paired with Sony’s original driving system*2, a frame rate up to 240 fps is supported—double that of previous product*1.

0.5-type OLED Microdisplay ECX339A

Enhancing the resolution on microdisplays has traditionally presented problems such as deteriorating image quality due to decreased pixel pitch and inferior viewing angle properties. The new product features optimized transistors layout and process to address uneven characteristics and loss of withstand voltage, the issues associated with transistor miniaturization. The Sony original variation compensation circuit also enhances picture quality. Additionally, the color filter is deposited directly on the silicon substrate, reducing its distance from the light emitting layer, and the filter’s color array has been modified. This helps to secure the viewing angle properties while achieving high resolution.

OLED Microdisplays are widely used in digital camera electronic viewfinders (EVF) for their superior high contrast, high color gamut, and high-speed responsiveness. Sony, having achieved this high resolution and high frame rate, now offers even more realistic image display and accurate capture of subjects for use in high-end cameras that demand extremely high image quality.

Going forward, Sony expects this high-definition OLED Microdisplay to be employed in a diverse range of fields and applications such as AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) head-mounted displays.

*1Compared with the Sony OLED Microdisplay ECX337A (0.5-type QVGA (1280×960)). *2Driving method of dual vertical line simultaneously (“Dual-line progressive” driving technique)

Main Features

1.High-resolution UXGA in a 0.5-type
The new product has achieved the world’s smallest pixel pitch of 6.3μm by leveraging Sony’s proprietary OLED display technology and miniaturization technology, and has superior resolution 1.6x higher than the previous model*1. Generally, transistor miniaturization results in characteristic variation and reduced withstand voltage. This product uses a Sony original compensation circuit and optimized layouts and process for each individual transistor to address these adverse effects. Furthermore, the color filter is deposited directly on the silicon substrate, reducing its distance from the light emitting layer, and the filter’s color array has been modified to secure the viewing angle properties while achieving high resolution.

2.High-speed frame rate
A new drive circuit design supports a high frame rate of up to 240 fps*2, nearly double that of its predecessor*1. This has made it possible to capture fast-moving subjects in the viewfinder with higher accuracy, so users will not miss a photo opportunity, delivering a more comfortable shooting experience. In head-mounted display devices, this will help to improve image delay issue for items superimposed on real-world vision of AR and to avoid motion sickness during usage of these kinds of devices.

3.Low power consumption
By employing newly-designed peripheral circuits that operate on half the voltage of previous model*1, the new product delivers the same low-power operation as its predecessor when operating at the same frame rate, despite the nearly 1.6x increase in the number of pixels.

via Sony.net

Sony Tidbits…


5 Things I Love About Sony A7 III

Off-Camera with the Sony HVL-F60RM Wireless Radio Flash (Cory Rice).
In the Field: Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (Shawn Steiner).
What’s In My Bag (Michael Hollender).
Light When the Lights Go Out: Recommended Flashlights (Explora).
Tilta Gravity G2X Handheld Gimbal (Personal View).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram SonyAlphaGallery.

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

Udo:I am just a enthusiastic non professional. Nevertheless I try my very best. In January this year I’d made a sailing trip in Antarctica. Using my Sony equipment I made the following Video: https://youtu.be/efoBmBf2w-g

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Apple rumored to launch a triple camera iPhone in 2019. And that’s good news for Sony.


Mockup from Martin Hajek via iDrop News

The past years smartphones adopted the double lens/sensor tech which did help Sony to make record profits in the image sensor production segment. Lately Sony did warn that the boom might be over. But now a new trend seems to form. Apple rumored to launch a triple camera iPhone in 2019. Which means Sony could again get an unexpected boost. (via Macrumors)

Moreover CMOS image sensor sales at all-time high. IC Insights reports “The spread of digital camera applications in vehicles, machine vision, human recognition and security systems, as well as for more powerful camera phones will drive CMOS image sensor sales to an eighth straight record-high level this year with worldwide revenues growing 10% to $13.7 billion, following a 19% surge in 2017. (via Image Sensor World).

Bright future for Sony. if their imaging sensor business keeps growing they will keep pushing R&D and we will get better sensors for our cameras too :)

This week SAR readers photos selection


Alex Phan‎
Peregrine Falcon
A9 + Canon 400DO mkii
#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/sonyalphagalleryfacebook.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…


Why Sony Cameras are Superior to Nikon

SLR Magic New Cine MicroPrime Lenses (Personal View).
Sony A9 Going Back & Chat About A7S III (Peter Gregg).
Why EVERY photographer should have a 24-70 lens (Manny Ortiz).
Stop Oversharing: A Guide to Social Media Privacy (Explora).
Lanparte V-Lock Shoulder Mount Rig (Personal View).

Share your best pictures on our new Instagram SonyAlphaGallery.

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

Adam:I’ve been a long-time passive reader of Sony Alpha Rumors and never really had anything relevant to submit before, but I ended up making something that might just be.  It’s a searchable, user-friendly database that aggregates specs and reviews of great digital cinema cameras.
I made it with a service called Airtable (but also used Zapier to scrape and clean up reviews from the web automatically).  They liked it and posted it on their blog here:
https://airtable.news/a-searchable-database-of-the-best-digital-cinema-cameras-for-any-budget-a55c94fa38b9
I wanted to share in case others might find it useful, but I also started by identifying some of the best but not every camera.  I was hoping to get the word out so others could contribute (there’s a form for that here: https://airtable.com/shrnh2TyoTci0u5Gl) and everyone could make use of the information.

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I kindly invite you all to follow our RSS feed, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to not miss news and rumors

Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens will cost $1,599

Preorder it now at BHphoto and Adorama!

Sigma announced the new 105mm f/1.4 Bokeh beast will cost $1,599. But, they did not unveil yet the shipment start date for the E-mount version :(
Sigma also announced that the Sigma 35mm and 50mm ART lenses will start shipping out in June.

Press text:

Sigma Announces Pricing and Availability for Its 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art Lens
The “Bokeh Master” will begin shipping in Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts in late June for a retail price of $1,599.00 USD

Ronkonkoma, NY – May 25, 2018 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading still photo and cinema lens, camera, flash and accessory manufacturer, today announced that its 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art lens will be available in Canon, Nikon and Sigma camera mounts in late June for $1,599.00 USD through authorized US dealers. The Sony E-mount availability will be announced later.

The “Bokeh Master” with Longest Focal Length Among Sigma Wide-Aperture F1.4 Art Lenses
The Sigma 105mm F1.4 DG HSM Art is the ninth lens in the Sigma F1.4 line-up designed for full-frame cameras. To combine outstanding wide-aperture, mid-telephoto performance with F1.4 brightness at maximum aperture, this lens incorporates 17 optical elements in 12 groups, including three FLD glass elements, two SLD glass elements and one aspherical lens element. This optical setup minimizes axial chromatic aberration to deliver ultra high resolution along with ample peripheral light volume, which minimizes vignetting. As a result, the area in focus is extremely sharp, while the out-of-focus area features a beautiful bokeh effect with highly natural colors, making this a desired lens for portrait photography. The optical design also minimizes sagittal coma flare, making it an excellent choice for capturing starry skies.

Featuring the Sports line level dust- and splash-proof design, this lens can be used in varying weather conditions. The high-speed, high-accuracy autofocus helps photographers react in an instant to capture those special moments.

Other lens highlights include carbon fiber reinforced plastic hood for durability and compatibility of the Canon mount lens with the Canon Lens Aberration Correction function.