UPDATE: The Canon EOS-RP has been announced and it costs $1,299 only at Adorama and BHphoto. Still I think the Sony A7II at $999 is still the better choice particularly when it comes to video performance. Or do you think Sony should make a new low entry Sony A5 FF camera?

Canon also announced the development of 6 new RF lenses (no info on price and release date yet)

• RF 85mm F1.2 L USM
• RF 85mm F1.2 L USM DS
• RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM
• RF 15-35mm F2.8 L IS USM
• RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
• RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM

A couple of weeks ago I posted this video showing a new superfast 50mm FE autofocus lens that is currently being developed by a chinese manufacturer. The lens is a prototype and it’s unclear how fast the aperture will be once it will be launched.

Today I just got the following additional info from a highly reliable source:

A Chinese manufacturer is planning to introduce an FE50mmF1.1 autofocus lens between April to June this year. The lens motor and electronic parts are designed by a team located in Dalian, China. The functionality is almost the same as an original Sony FE lens, except that there is no in-camera correction and the AF performance in video mode is not fully tested. They are still working on the in-camera correction and hopefully it can be updated via firmware later after the announcement. The lens looks liked an enlarged Fuji 56F1.2. It has both the aperture ring and the focus ring, and the aperture value can be correctly displayed on the camera. It also supports full-time overdrive focus. There is no AF/MF switcher but you can switch it in the camera’s menu. 

Sounds great so far. Let’s hope image quality will be good when shooting wide open!

We are getting closer to the big WPPI and CP+ show. Sony could finally launch a bunch of new E-mount lenses including the long time rumored 135mm f/1.8 GM. But also third party manufacturers will launch new lenses too:

90% reliable: Samyang will announce a new 85mm f/1.4 FE autofocus lens within 1-2 months
90% reliable: Yongnuo is working on the launch of new FE autofocus lenses. Some tidbits about their roadmap might be unveiled in March
90% reliable: Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2x macro lens should be displayed at the CP+ show
90% reliable: New 50mm f/1.0 FE autofocus lens will be launched soon by a chinese manufacturer (unclear if it’s Meike, Yongnuo or someone else)
70% reliable: Tokina will announce a new 100mm f/2.8 FE autofocus lens at the CP+ show
50% reliable: Tamron might announce a new FE autofocus zoom lens at the CP+ show (unsure if it’s the 70-200mm f/2.8)
50% reliable: Sigma could finally announce the FE version of their f/2.8 zooms at the Cp+ show

I have been told that at the CP+ show Tokina should disclose the final specs and pricing of the new 100mm f/2.8 FE AF lens. I don’t know yet if they will also give us a glimpse on other future FE lenses.

This 100mm lens would be Tokinas second autofocus FE lens after the well known FiRIN 20mm f/2 FE AF Lens (here at BHphoto and Adorama)

The dutch tech site Tweakers now lists the Sony A7000 in their database. I think this is very likely to be a placeholder only. UPDATE: Yes it’s just a place holder. The shared specs are just a guess

Sensor: 24MP
Longest shutter speed: 20s
Video resolution: 3840×2160 (4K)
Video frame rate: 60fps
Cards: 2x slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC
Body: Built-in viewfinder, Tiltable screen, Live view
Body color: Black

At last! Nokishita confirmed the rumor we posted for many months now: Sony will indeed soon announce the new 135mm f/1.8 GM lens! This lens will be announced veeery soon! Stay tuned on SAR :)

The optical design should be the one we leaked some weeks ago:

The rumor I posted last week turned out to be true: Canon is going to launch a new $1599 Canon EOS-RP Full Frame mirrorless camera. This begs the question if Sony will answer with a new lower end model FF camera launch. Or maybe they will just cut the A7III price.

Here are the full Canon EOS-RP leaked images and specs via Nokishita:

26.2 Million Pixels Full Size Sensor
Dual pixel CMOS AF
DIGIC 8
Continuous shooting performance: 5 frames / sec
ISO sensitivity: 100 to 40000 (equivalent to extended ISO: 50, 51200, 102400)
Organic EL EVF
3.0 type touch panel variable angle liquid crystal
Dual Sensing IS
DLO in camera, RAW development in camera, C-RAW compatible
Size: 132.5 x 85.0 x 70.0 mm
Weight: Approximately 440 g (body only), about 485 g (including batteries?)
Kit lens: RF 24 – 105 mm F 4 L IS USM

Unreported by Nokishita is the announcement date which will be around February 14 (Source CanonWatch).

I think it’s great both Canon and Nikon will announce new gear this month. Sony will have to answer swiftly with new lens and camera releases if they want to steal some headlines from the competition!