Sony released a MAJOR firmware update for the Sony FX3 and FX30 cameras!

Both the FX3 ($200 off on Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama) and FX30 ($200 off on Amazon, BHphoto,Adorama) got a new major firmware update today!  There is a new 6.00 firmware for the FX3 (download here) and 5.00 firmware for the FX30 (download here)

Benefits and Improvements

  • Allows you to choose the exposure time (from either shutter speed or shutter angle) when shooting movies
  • Allows you to add OK/NG/KEEP flags to clips during or after movie recording
  • Improves the image quality when using 3D LUT software
  • Adds the 709tone color mode to Picture Profile. Please set one of the Picture Profiles (PP1-PP11) to the 709tone color mode
  • Allows notifications to be displayed when the latest software is available for your camera
  • You can now continue shooting while transferring captured photos and videos to a smartphone or tablet
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • Transfer to smartphones and tablets can now be resumed even if interrupted in the middle of a transfer
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • You can now transfer only the differences that have not yet been transferred to your smartphone or tablet, or add videos to be transferred during the transfer process
    Note: Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
  • Adds support for the Network Streaming function
    Notes:

    • Settings must be adjusted in the Creators’ App in advance. For more information, please visit the Creators’ App support website.
    • Ver. 2.5.0 or later of the Creators’ App is necessary. The Creators’ App may not be available in some countries or regions. For more information, please visit the Creators’ Cloud support website.
    • Confirmation has been made that input is possible in M2 Live using SRT.
      M2 Live is an All-in-One cloud switcher service that allows real-time switching of video and audio, overlaying of graphics, and playback of video files on the cloud.
      A contract is required to use M2 Live. This service may not be available in some countries or regions.
  • Supports the following Monitor & Control app functions
    Note: Ver. 2.1.0 or later of the Monitor & Control app is necessary. The Monitor & Control app may not be available in some countries or regions.

    • Wired connection via a USB cable
    • Clip review during camera playback mode
    • Focus map display
    • IRIS operation bar display
    • Selection from shutter speed or shutter angle for exposure time
  • Improves the functionality and operational stability of the camera

Note: Refer to the Help Guide for details on all updated functions.

Today only: Two Lexar 160GB Type A cards for $119 each only at BHphoto!

Today only you get two Lexar 160GB CFexpress Type A cards for $239 only at Bhphoto (Click here).

Reminder: Up to $500 off on Sony cameras and lenses

Cameras:

Lenses:

Accessories:

Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II preorder links:
USA: Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama.
Europe: FotoErhardt, FotoKoch, Calumet, WexUK.

Cooke just announced a new $4970 E-mount lens

Cooke announced a new 18mm T/2.4 Cine lens you can reorder for $4970 at BHphoto (Click here). Explora writes:

The new 18mm SP3 gives you a 99° field of view on full frame sensors, which should prove incredibly useful for establishing shots, tight spaces, and becoming the next Emmanuel Lubezki. The lens also has a close focus distance of only 9.8”, which is helpful for any of those aforementioned cramped quarters. The full six-lens set is now more than enough to cover typical production needs, ensuring you could lens a project start to finish with just the SP3s. These are not budget cine lenses, but they are an incredible value compared to the cost of renting or buying Cooke’s larger Panchro lenses.

Here is a test from BH:

Just announced: New Lexar ARMOR series offers SD and CFexpress cards made of stainless steal

Lexar announced their first 8.0 generation SD card and a new series of super rugged ARMOR card series. They are yet not available for preorder but nearly all current SD cards (Amazon / BHphoto) and CFexpress Type A cards (Amazon / BHphoto) are discounted. Here is the press text:

Lexar memory cards include the CFexpress 4.0, ARMOR series, and SD 8.0.

Lexar presents four new memory cards leveraging the next-gen PCIe 4.0 performance. The lineup includes the TYPE-B DIAMOND, GOLD, SILVER, and the TYPE-A GOLD card, all enabling seamless 8K RAW video shooting. In particular, the Lexar Professional DIAMOND CFexpress 4.0 Type B Card won the ‘TIPA WORLD AWARD 2024’ and boasts industry-leading speeds of up to 3700MB/s read and 3400MB/s write1.

The Lexar ARMOR series include GOLD SD UHS-II and SILVER PRO SD UHS-II cards, the world’s first memory cards made of 316 stainless steel. They offer IP68 waterproofing, dustproofing, and bend-resistance—ideal for outdoor filming. For the SD8.0 card, Lexar Professional GOLD PRO SDXC Express Card delivers up to 1700MB/s1 read speeds—over 5x faster than SD4.0 cards.

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Some of the current card discounts:

 

Mirrorless market share in China: Canon doubles Sony

A Weibo account shared the market share numbers for China:

The “2024-2029 Digital Camera Industry Market In-depth Analysis and Development Strategy Research Report” released by the China Research Institute of Industry pointed out that the competitive landscape is still mainly dominated by well-known brands such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Fuji. With its strong technical research and development capabilities and brand influence, Canon continues to lead the market with a market share of nearly 50%. Sony and Nikon ranked second and third, with market shares of 26.1% and 11.7%, respectively.

So Canon sold twice the cameras than Sony. Moreover Canon’s full-frame micro-single camera market share (number of units) has been leading for eight consecutive months since December 2023, ranking first.

According to official data, Canon’s second quarter financial report shows that sales of mirrorless cameras represented by the full-frame model EOS R6 Mark II and the APS-C frame model EOS R50 are both good. As a mid-range bucket model, the R6II has long occupied the top spot on the full-frame best-selling list since its launch.

With the launch of Canon’s second-generation blockbuster product R5, judging from the current popularity of market sales and pre-orders, Canon’s momentum will only increase in the next few months. The only variable comes from supply. Canon’s official website in Japan recently showed that the delivery period for new orders for the new EOS R5 Mark II camera will be extended, mainly because the orders received far exceeded expectations and the supply was in short supply, coupled with the impact of tight global parts supply. This announcement is only for the Japanese market, and it is not clear whether it will affect overseas markets.