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The Olympics, Tokyo 2020 will start in July. Shot on a A7R mk4 and a 55mm taken today in Tokyo. #olympics2020 #olympics #tokyo2020 #rainbowbridge

A post shared by Bob Martin (@bobmartinphotography) on Feb 2, 2020 at 3:17pm PST

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Bob Martin is well known for testing new Sony gear ahead of their announcement. Two years ago he was spotted testing the 400mm GM lens. Today he posted this IG image claiming it was shot with the A7mk4.

Many readers asked me about this so I thought it might better to address this in a public way so that I don’t have to answer all mails. UPDATE: Bob Martin now corrected his post and indeed he meant the A7rIV and not the A7IV :)

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Thanks Devan!

Image of the 9mm M-mount prototype version mounted on the Sony

What you see here below is the first image sample shot on the 9mm f/5.6 full-frame lens. This lens will be available as native E-mount option too:

There is yet no info about the possible release date and pricing

via VenusOptics

The past 2-3 days I got VERY reliable info about new Sony FE lenses (will post them soon) and conflicting rumors about the A7sIII launch date.

If some of the trusted sources reads this. Can you please let me know via form below when the exact A7sIII announcement will happen? Thanks!  Please use your usual Nickname so that I can recognize you as this contact form is completely anonymous:

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Today’s Canon financial report clearly hypes up their next 8K 45 Megapixel camera launch:

Although we have launched two full-frame mirrorless cameras as well as ten dedicated lenses, our lineup is still insufficient. In order to recover from our late entry into the mirrorless camera market, we have plans to launch a model that incorporates a newly developed image sensor and image-processing engine that offer even more advanced features. We will work to raise our presence in the mirrorless camera category, leveraging large trade exhibitions around the world. Even amid increasing competition, we will expand sales of higher-end models driven by new products and aim for top market share even in the mirrorless camera market. At the same time, we will expand our lineup of dedicated lenses launching several innovative ones that take advantage of the new mount that allows greater flexibility when designing lenses. We will accelerate sales by responding to user need to capture various images, expanding options by combining camera bodies and lenses

They clearly claim they want to be number one in the high end mirrorless market where Sony is the leader. So far Canon sensor tech really lags behind Sony and their 4K capability is crippled in many ways (no Dual AF, crop mode and so forth). I find it hard to believe Canon can suddenly surpass or even match Sony sensor performance. And we know marketing words count ZERO (valid for Sony marketing too of course).

Still, if the new EOS-R5 delivers what it promises Sony has to step up the game considerably. And that’s good news for us too!

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via CR via MR

Canonrumors is sure that on February 13 Canon will announce the first EOS-R5 8K camera. Here are he rumored specs (in bold the once that are somehow more reliable):

• Named the Canon EOS R5
• 45mp full-frame CMOS sensor
• IBIS
  • 5 stops with IBIS alone
  • 7-8 stops of correction when used with in-lens stabilization
• 12fps mechanical, 20fps electronic
• Scroll wheel added to the back
• No touch bar
• Liveview/Movie toggle like previous EOS DSLRs
• Larger capacity battery, but looks like the LP-E6
• 8K @ 30fps
• 4K @ 120fps
• 4K @ 60fps
• Built-in 5GHz WiFi
• New battery, but the same shape and compatibility as the EOS 5D Mark IV
• Announcement ahead of CP+ next month
• Launching in July 2020 (I’m assuming this means ship date)
• Announcement on or around February 13, 2020

Now, it’s unclear if that 8K feature works in FF mode, or if it works in crop mode or if it’s more of a “unserious” burst mode feature similar to the one some Panasonic cameras have. If it’s indeed that “burst” modus than you really cannot say it’s a real 8K video camera.

That said, if on February 13 the EOS-R5 will have this 8K recording than Sony will have some trouble. They may have to announce the A7sIV (or A7sIII) at CP+ and not at the NABshow to steal the show to Canon. But lately Sony has been a bit lazy with their releases. Also the Fuji X-T3 reigns unchallenged in the APS-C world :(

I remind you that Sony said the A7sII successor will at least do “4K/60, 10-bit 4:2:2″. And it’s rumored it can actually record 4k120p…

A Zeiss source told us the ZX1 will ship in mid 2020 only. And he said the reason for that are “conflicts with the Sony RX1R III“. He didn’t mention WHAT those conflicts might be but I guess it confirms Sony will launch the new RX1RIII in 2020? It might be that Sony wants to launch it before the Zeiss. I am 99% sure most of the physical Zeiss ZX1 components are made by Sony and this is why they have to coordinate the launch together?

I confess that I have a hard time believing Sony will continue the RX line. The only reason to do so if it would clearly differentiate from the current Sony FE cameras. Which means for example using innovative tech like curved sensor or to test and launch a completely new interface.

What to you think?

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Based on the rumors let me speculate a possible camera and lens release timing roadmap:

February/March:

• 100% sure there will be a new compact camera. It’s unclear if this will be a new action camera or the new RX10V or RX1III (article here).
• 70% likely we might get a new tele photo lens. I heard of a couple of tele lenses that are on the roadmap but I am uncertain which one will come first. Maybe the new 300mm f/2.8 GM? (article here).
• Sigma might launch the new 70-200mm f/2.8 (80% reliable – article here).
• I heard about “something bigger” around March. It could be the A7IV but I will try to remain to be conservative and put the A7IV release timing at Photokina just to play SAFE :)

April:

• There is a fair 70% chance the Sony A7sIII will be announced at the NAB show. The camera will definitely have 4k60p 10bit 4:2:2 (article here).
• Sony FE C 16-35mm T/3.1 G and two more Cine FE lenses will be announced at the NAB show.

May:

• Sony promised it will be display the “latest innovations” at Photokina. The Sony A7IV seems like the perfect camera for this although this camera might be announced earlier at CP+. But I got no evidence so far this will be the case and therefore remains my pure speculation. The only wild rumor I got said the A7IV will have a fully articulating screen (article here).
• I have heard about another “consumer tele” coming this year. I guess it would make sense to launch this lens along the “consumer” A7IV
• There will be up to six new Tamron FE lenses announced this year. Expect the first ones to be unveiled at Photokina (article here).

June-December:

• Historically June/July has always been a good time to announce new RX cameras. New RX100 and/or RX10 models might be coming
• There will be definitely a new wide angle GM lens.
• Historically October/November have been good months for new FE camera released. So if for some reason the A7IV might not be announced at Photokina it’s likely it will be announced in autumn
• Expect some current FE lenses to be updated (24-70mm f/2.8 GM for example)
• Third party: Venus Optics will launch a f/0,95 FE lens, Sigma will launch more FE zooms (tele zooms?). Of course some more Tamron FE lenses (mostly primes)

Surprises?:

• We didn’t get many surprises from Sony the past couple of years. What would be a surprise for me? Well: Sony A7000 (with EVF in the center), Sony medium format camera (fixed lens), Sony A5 (sub $999 Full Frame with A6000 alike compact styling)
• Sony said they are considering making f/1.2 fast autofocus lenses. It would make sense for example to make a 50mm f/1.2 GM lens (article here).

While the camera and lenses mentioned in this post are based on rumors the timing is mostly purely speculative. Keep this in mind when I will be wrong on some of my speculations :)  If I get some “timing rumors” I will update this roadmap and mention clearly what is “speculation” and what is “rumor”

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For potential SOURCES:
If you know “something” and want to share it anonymously please use the anonymous contact form on the top right of the sidebar. Please use a nickname so that I can recognize you in future messages. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Use remailer.paranoici.org to send me an anonymous message if you prefer to do so.

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