Sony says: We will keep surprising you in 2014!

 

Sony manager MR. Kimio has been interviewed at Dc.watch (google translation here).

1) The first part of the interview is about the current stagnation on the camera market. And he talks about the Xperia Z1 and the QX cameras to be one of Sony’s way to win young people and balance the losses in the compact camera business.
2) Sony will focus on more high-end photographic products.
3) Sony will keep focusing on creating something new and they will “surprise” us.
4) We will definitely NOT stop to produce A-mount cameras.
5) The Sony manager literally says that next year quite some people will say: “What the heck is this?” as soon as they see some of the very innovative new Sony cameras :)

As you know here on SAR we talked a lot about some crazy tech developed by Sony: The new Non-Bayer sensor, the Z-shift sensor cameras, liquid lens tech and so on. What would really surprise you?

Found via Mirrorlessrumors.

Sony press conference on January 6, 2014 (But don’t expect A-mount camera news yet).

There will be three big shows the first months of 2014. The CES show in January, the CP+ show in February and the NAB Las Vegas show in April. Androidauthority reports that Sony has scheduled a press conference on January 6. But I think the chances are extremely low that Sony will announce any new A-mount camera on that day. From what I heard the timeframe for the next A and E-mount camera announcement is February-April (with 4K A-mount to be shown at NAB in April).

As I told you before we can expect new APS-C and FF A-mount cameras to be released. And so new APS-C E-mount cameras (including the NEX-7 successor). What Sony could announce on January 6 are a couple of compact cameras.

A7r in Stock now via Amazon itself!

A couple of A7r cameras are again in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

US deal reminder:
There is a new price drop on the NEX-7 superkit at BHphoto (Click here). For $999 you get camera, two lenses, bag and SD card!
$50 off an plenty of free extras on the RX100II at BHphoto (Click here).
$40 off on the Rokinon 8mm f/3.5 HD Fisheye Lens with Removable Hood for Sony at BHphoto (Click here).
up to $15 instant savings on Sony SD cards at BHphoto (Click here).

Sony working on a rotating semitransparent mirror (for SLT).

The Sony patent (google translated)

Egami (google translation here) found a new Sony patent describing a rotating semi transparent mirror tech. The reason why the mirror should rotate is because by changing the angle you will also change the kind of light that will hit the sensor. For example you can opt to transmit or not to transmit infrared light. Not only that it seems also capable to influence the RGB color separation. Really don’t know if this will ever make it into a real production camera or just lay on the desk of the Sony engineers for the years to come…

That said, what do you think of the patent?

(SR5) Zeiss says they will launch a Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 in 2014!

As we have seen from the many tests so far the best lens you can use on your A7-A7r camera is the Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 (with E-mount adapter). Well if you like to get the best possible lens you will be happy to learn that Zeiss quietly admitted on their Zeiss page that their next “next Otus lens will be available in 2014: Otus 1.4/85.” Save the money guys! Found via MirrorlessRumors.

One more thing: They have no plan to make an A or E-mount version of the lens. It’s manual focusing lens so it doesn’t really matter anyway. Just use an adapter :)

A new Sony A7r with Zeiss Otus test can be seen at The.me:

The Zeiss Otus is a magnificent piece of optical engineering, as I could confirm having borrowed one from the Zeiss people here. It is F1.4, has no noticeable flaws and is very sharp if you focus correctly.