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

1) Submit your picture with a message and picture here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors or on the SonyAlphaForum image section.
2) Like and comment the pictures from other readers here: facebook.com/sonyalpharumors/photos_stream?tab=photos and on SonyAlphaForum.
3) 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!

Sony a6500 IBIS: Is it any good?

Sony RX100 IV as a portrait camera (J. Haag).
50mm macro FE test at DC.watch.
Just Published: Our Sony FDR-X3000R / FDR-X3000 Action Cam Review (Steve Digicams).
16 Tripods that Are Not Really Tripods (Explora).
Interactive photography tool to learn how to shoot (Photography-mapped).
Using Manual Focus for Fast Action Shots to get Great Results with Sony A7Rii and Canon 200mm f/1.8 (Jason Lanier).
Sony enhances video security line up with new high sensitivity full HD network cameras with Exmor R CMOS sensors (Sony Blog).

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

Chuck: “Shot some basketball today with A99II, Quick Video: https://youtu.be/JO0rhUKZoKw Been shooting all day, no time for major production quality, sorry. Going to shoot another football game now.”

Frans: “Interesting promotion, 10 % for all lenses Zeiss and voigtlander. For example, I buy a Voigtlander  Heliar 15mm F4.5 for 719 euros.
https://www.lapetiteboutiquephoto.com/boutique/liste_rayons.cfm“

The famous Muhammad Ali photo taken by Neil Leifer

World famous photographer Neil Leifer is now officially a Sony Artisan. This is the reason why he switched over to Sony:

The first thing that came to mind was the Sony weighed half of what my Nikon weighed. I looked through the camera, and I noticed the incredible quality of the Sony Zeiss lenses. Now, I had Zeiss lenses on my Leica’s years ago so I know how good they are.
I decided I really wanted to try it out, so I got in touch with Sony, sourced a loaner camera, tested it while shooting boxing and completely fell in love with it! The weight and the quality of the photography…I thought, this is definitely the way of the future. I know a good camera when I have one in my hands.

A full interview with Neil Leifer can be read at Alphauniverse.

Now I want to hear the Nikon and Canon folks saying Sony isn’t for PRO… :)