I got a small amount of info about the new Sony A9 camera from a reliable source:

1. The final price has still not been set by Sony. But they are considering a price close to $4,999
2. The camera could be announced in January 11 at the CES show (which is all virtual this year). But this second wave COVID-19 outbreak may mess with the timeline.

Rumored Sony A9III specs:

• Sony will launch a new High End camera in Q1 2021. Maybe at the January 11 CES show (which is all virtual this year).
• It will be named as an A9x series camera and not A7x (not sure if it’s “A9s” or “A9III”)
• It will have a new ~50 megapixel sensor
• 8k30p video confirmed with no overheating. It’s still an “infant” 8k mode…meaning it’s not 8k60 which would be crazy and there will be limitations in the quality you can record internally.
• Other specs similar to A7sIII (EVF, autofocus, and so forth)
• At least $1,500 more expensive than the EOS-R5 (but price hasn’t be finalized yet) Expect something like $4,999.

The sources will try to give me some more hints the coming weeks…stay tuned on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and chat with me live on Discord to not miss any rumors!

Sony A7sIII preorder at Adorama. BHphoto. Amazon. FocusCamera. Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK. Park UK.

I just got this rumor and I hope it’s true:

A7SIII will get a V2.0+ Firmware update to support QFHD/120p 12Bit RAW Output via HDMI before IBC2021.

One more thing: Matt mentions the new Sony A7S III Features NOBODY Is Talking About:

Today Sony registered this new camera in Asia. It uses the code “WW186333“. It looks like this is a new entry level camera as it doesn’t use the 5Ghz Wifi range used by current A7-A9 models. This means it either an RX model or a new entry level E-mount (APS-C?) camera.

via Nokishita

Image on top shows the current two fast wide angle primes: 20mm f/1.8 G and 24mm f/1.4 GM (via CameraSize).

On October 14 I told you the 16mm f/1.8 lens will be announced in early 2021. A new source gave me some additional info:

The new GM lens that is ready (as you guessed correctly) and was planned to be announced “by surprise” on November 4th has indeed been moved to “early” 2021 due to production issues (production isn’t up to speed and can’t keep up).
On November 17th there will be the official presentation of FX6 and sadly enough that will be it for 2020. Next year will be more exciting.

Of this new source is right on the FX6 launch date than we know the 16mm lens launch was indeed delayed due these issues.

A couple of sources told me that we can expect some of the current existing FE lenses to be updated in 2021. I think particularly some older zoom needs to get a boost in optical quality performance…what say you?

As you know in early October the Zeiss ZX1 has been quickly listed for $6,000 at BHphoto (preorder price has now been removed). Today Nokishita confirmed the camera will be announced on October 29 at 19:00 Tokyo time. I guess we will also finally see some early hands-on review of this quite unusual camera!

I got this from a new source. So I don’t know yet if this is completely BS or if this is a real (and very exciting) news. He told me this:

After the recent IPHONE 12 premiere I was talking to one of my friends who is an Apple engineer. He said that at some point Sony was looking at incorporating new APPLE’s A14Z chip that will be used in the upcoming 2021 Ipad Pro. He said that Sony is working on adding computational photography features to their upcoming cameras. He said that it is also very probable that Sony will start using their own LIDAR sensor that they sell to Apple as they were impressed by how well Apple used Lidar for better AF tracking. One thing he said is that to get maximum performance of the A14Z chip, Sony has to completely rebuild its in-body camera software. I find this very interesting so I thought I’d share. We need to remember that Sony is selling both image sensors and LiDAR sensors to Apple and they have a really good relationship.

Just recently DJI released the new RS 2 Gimbal Stabilizer (available at BHphoto, Adorama). It also comes with a new Lidar sensor with autofocus motor for manual focusing lenses. Here is how it works:

So while a rumor from a new source doesn’t make this a reliable info yet I think it is really highly likely Sony is working to add Lidar tech on their cameras. This may be the next generation autofocus system to beat the rest of the competition!