Sony announced a new backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor at IEDM 2016 which is equipped with integrated polarizers. Nikkei reports:

A polarizer is a kind of filter that transmits only light in a specific polarization state and reflects light in the other states. A prototype of the new sensor is equipped with four kinds of polarizers that transmit linearly-polarized lights (linearly-polarized waves) with different polarization directions (polarization angles: 0, 45, 90 and 135°).
In the lecture, the group emphasized that the transmittance and extinction ratio of the prototype are satisfactory. It disclosed data to prove that it has achieved a higher extinction ratio than that of a conventional polarization camera in the wavelength range of 400-700nm. Also, the sensitivity and extinction ratio of the new sensor are less dependent on the incident angle.

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Thanks Barry!

Techart Pro Autofocus adapter AF/MF switching tutorial

Laowa 105mm f/2 STF Smooth Trans Focus Lens on the Sony A7Rii in Muir Woods (Jason Lanier)
Introduction To Shanny SN600EX-RT Speedlight (Gary Fong).
How to Get Accurate Sony Colors in Lightroom (Photographylife).
Top 10 On-Camera Video Lights (Explora).
17 Best Cameras For Digital Low-Light Photography (Adorama Learning Center).

To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Lyubo: “We finished our new actionsport video, shot in Austria in March and April. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFmub_EbVcg It is all filmed on the A7S II with a few shots on the Gopro4. And regarding lenses, it was mostly shot on the Samyang Emount 8mm fisheye, Sony 24-70 f4, and Sony 55-210, with a few shots on the Samyang 50mm f1.4, and the Sony 10-18mm f4.
I hope you like it, and if the viewers have any questions about how we shot it, the gear, editing process, etc., I’d happy to answer.”

Jimmy: “just received my Sony RX100V and shot a bunch of 4K 100Mbps 24p samples that I put together in a nice little video. Thought I’d share… https://youtu.be/XS9nMMLh9Rk“

Last month SAR told you that Sony’s next camera would be a new compact model. And today the camera got announced: It is the Sony HX350 camera with 50x zoom. Sony writes:

Pull the scene as close as you like with a 50x optical zoom (100x Clear Image Zoom) compact that handles and performs like a DSLR camera. Whether your subject is near or far, the power, speed and precision of the 20.4MP Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and BIONZ X™ image processing engine work brilliantly in tandem to deliver images of extraordinary detail.

Full info at Sony UK

Zy Optics announced the new Mitakon 20mm f/2.0 macro lens which comes for both Sony A and Sony E-mount. And they also announced a Silver version of their 35mm f/0,95 E-mount lens. This is the press text for the macro lens:

Shenyang China, Dec 19, 2016 – Zhongyi Optics (ZY Optics) has released a new compact Super Macro Lens for full frame cameras, the Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5x Super Macro Lens and it features a high reproduction ratio up to 4.5:1.
Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro Lens is very compact in its class which allows photographers to capture extremely fine details or patterns with ease. The lens is capable of creating unbelievable macro images ranging from 4x to 4.5x magnification. Users no longer need to DIY or use any extension tubes to reach high magnification shooting. It incorporates a 6pcs of elements in 4 groups structure which delivers impressive resolution from corners to corners. Weighing merely 0.5 lbs (230g) and 6cm long, it is a perfect companion for wildlife and outdoor shooting. The wide angle of view and close focusing distance allows you to compose creative images with more information included into the frame. Greater magnification (up to 13:1) can also be achieved by stacking extension tubes or bellows. The high magnification is also extremely useful for scientific purposes.
The enclosure of the lens is made of metal to strengthen its durability. Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony FE, Sony Alpha, Pentax K, Sony E, Micro Four Thirds, Fuji X mounts are available.
Pricing & Availability
Zhongyi Mitakon 20mm f/2 4.5X Super Macro Lens is now available to ship and purchase at ZY Optics authorized resellers and at our official website (http://www.zyoptics.net/). The Recommended Retail price is USD 199.

Image samples:

Sony A6300 Pros and Cons

Sony A99II image samples and studio shots at Imaging Resource.
Sony a6500 Macro Shots in RAW – Better than A7R2? (Jonathan Stewart on Youtube)
Capture One Pro 10 Webinar | 3 Stage Sharpening with Proof View
Where I store my lenses? | John Sison
First shoot in Raw with the Sony A6500 w/ full frame lenses- shooting a wild sea lion-La Jolla, Ca (Jason Lanier).
How to solve the A7r shutter shock problem (SonyAlphaForum).
Future tech news (Quanta sensor, Caos Camera and Metalens) at Mirrorlessrumors.

To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

f/0.9 For $300? – FD To E Mount Speed Booster Comparison (Lens Turbo II + Roxsen + Fotasy Review)

A6500: Sony’s souped-up, flagship APS-C mirrorless camera hits our lab (Imaging Resource).
The new CAMSLINGER Streetomatic+ is available in the US and Canada at BHphoto and  www.cosyspeedshop.com and in the rest of the world at www.cosyspeedhop.de.
Sony Stops Making 16MP Sensors (Fujirumors)
Using Nikon lenses on Sony Mirrorless Bodies- the Fotodiox Fusion Adapter on my Sony A7Rii (Jason Lanier)
A99II hands-on at DC.watch.
Affinity Photo 1.5 – our biggest update yet
Best Photo-Editing Software (Explora).

To write a guest post on SAR follow the instruction on that page.

Maarten: “Just finished a movie about a campsite in Holland. It was my first try with the A7 line up. I like to show it to your readers. For the rumor part: there is/are sun, wildlife,beautiful beaches and waves in the Netherlands:) https://vimeo.com/193142824

Lasse Thomasson‎
Winter’s Gate
Sony A7SII and Zeiss Contax 35mm f2.8 @ f8 1/125 ISO 3200
https://scatteredlightblog.wordpress.com

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