Image on top: The new 20mm lens (preorder at BHphoto)

For the record, the new 20mm pancake and new SLT firmware is all what Sony will show for the CP+ show in Yokohama that will start this week. The real major news like NEX-3n, A38 and A38 camera will be announced in March-April only. Also the new E and A mount lenses will be announced in the same period. I am now going to prepare a more detailed roundup of the rumored new cameras and lenses.

By the way, I am actually very busy working on new rumors. In these days I had again lot of talk about the next 12-16 months Sony strategy. If some of you have some more bits to share you can contact me anonymousely by using the contact form on this site or by sending me an email at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.

Reminder: Don’t miss any rumor about the Sony NEX and SLT world. Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here)!

As I told you last week we should expect soon a new firmware announcement for the A57/A77/A99 cameras.

Today an anonymous source just told me that the new firmware update for the A99 will bring support for the following lenses: SAL24F20Z, SAL85F14Z, SAL135F18Z, SAL70300G, SAL70200G, SAL35F14G, SAL1635Z, SAL100M28, SAL50M28, SAL85F28, SAL300F28.

I may ask the source if he can tell me if there is more improvements/fixes to come with the Firmware update?

Thanks!

Digifoto confirmed that Sony will not share any info at the CP+ show about the possible release period of the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens. And neither they will unveil the final price. And I also have to debunk a myth that is circulating today. The Chinese site PConline writes the lens will cost 2,200 Yuan which would be 350 in US dollars. That is definitely a wrong info. Zeiss never ever releases a f/1.4 that cheap and they will not do that now. I expect the price to be close to $1,000!

The discounted Sigma lenses at BHphoto.

Plenty of you likely noticed the recent worldwide Sigma deals on the E-mount lenses. Like the super double kit at BHphoto (Click here), and the 99 Euro only price at Technikdirekt or on eBay (via Slidoo). Ale from MirrorlessRumors may have found the reason why this is happening. According to his sources Sigma will soon announce a new “ART” high quality version of these lenses. The new Sigma ART lenses have the same high quality standard of the recently announced 35mm f/1.4 lens for Sony (here at Amazon) Two very positive reviews of the lens are available at SLRgear (Click here) and Photographyblog (Click here). The lenses will be more expensive than the current 19 and 30mm E-mount lenses.

What I don’t know yet is if the new lenses will replace the current lenses or just be a higher priced alternative. I like the current Sigma lenses, they are good value for that price and I hope they will remain there in future.

It’s always a pleasure when I have good news to share on SAR! That time top sources told me that Sony will announce a new A57, A65, A77 and A99 firmware update next week! The update will be available for download in early February!

I have no details yet about the specific improvements but I may receive them very soon: Stay tuned on SAR and spread the good news!

UPDATE: One new A99 is for sale for $2499 at [shoplink 16605 ebay]Cameraland (Click here)[/shoplink]. That’s the lowest price ever seen. To get notified when there will be more A99 cameras at that price or lower login and save this search on Slidoo.

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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

Sony will display the Zeiss 50mmf /1.4 SSM A-mount lens at the upcoming CP+ show in Japan (start January 31). But it will be again displayed as “prototype” and not as final lens. Final lens specs and price will be announced in Spring.

That said let’s go back on the 20mm pancake news. As I told you I got the info about the lens weeks ago but I didn’t have the exact launch date and was waiting to get more bits about that. And with all that far more interesting rumors I am getting in these days (Zeiss FF, A78, new sensor tech) I somewhat missed to inform you about it, again sorry!

My sources told me Sony decided to make this lens because they wanted to achieve a higher image quality compared to the sub par performance of the existing 16mm lens. Yep, I do agree with most of you saying this isn’t really a big deal of a lens and many may prefer the bigger but better and cheaper Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens which by the way you get for $99 if bought as double Sigma lens package at BHphoto (Click here). And in Europe for 99 Euro at Technikdirekt.

But I want to remind you…Sony’s path this year is to start from the very low end product release up to the Sony FF NEX in one year. So it will go better and better believe me :)  Also the 85mm f/1.8 E-mount lens will be in Stock by the second half of the year and so the new high quality E-mount zoom lens. Same product announcement philosophy goes for the cameras. NEX-3n and A38 are coming as first. Than new NEX-7 and A57/A77 successors later. I like that kind of product roadmap :)

New lens preorders at BHphoto: 20mm pancake (Click here) and powerzoom (Click here).

Image of the 20mm pancake

Sony just announced the new 20mm f/2.8 pancake for NEX and released the 18-200 Powerzoom lens as standalone. Preorder is already up at BHphoto (Click here for 20mm pancake) and for the powerzoom (Click here).

Editor’s note. I knew about that 20mm lens since over two weeks but didn’t know the exact announcement date. Damn, missed to post the rumor earlier. Sorry :) I have been told by my sources that this lens has a much more acceptable image quality than the 16mm pancake.

Here is the press release:

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 22, 2013 – Sony is expanding its popular E-mount camera system with the addition of two new lenses compatible with all α E-Mount Cameras and semi-professional camcorders.

New 20mm F2.8 ‘pancake’ wide angle lens (model SEL20F28)
When mounted on any Sony α E-Mountcamera, the sharp new SEL20F28 ”pancake” lens creates an exceptionally versatile, portable package ideal for a broad range of everyday shooting opportunities ranging from interiors to landscapes, street photography, casual snapshots and more.
The new lens features an ultra-slim design approximately 20mm from lens front to back, and with its wide angle of view (30mm on 35mm equivalent) and bright F2.8 aperture, it produces excellent contrast, resolution and clarity across the frame for both still image and full HD video shooting.

New 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Powered Telephoto Zoom Lens (model SELP18200)
Originally offered only as a kit lens for the new NEX-VG30 camcorder introduced this past fall, the new SELP18200 powered telephoto zoom lens will now be available for purchase as a stand-alone lens.
Designed for serious videographers, the high-quality lens offers a generous 11x magnification range and whisper-quiet power zoom mechanics, focusing and aperture operation. This allows for smooth cinematic transitions when adjusting zoom level or manual settings during shooting.  It features a comfortably positioned zoom lever that works with a switch on the lens barrel, allowing zoom speed to be selected in three different steps – from slow, beautiful shifts in perspective to dramatic crash-zoom effects.  Zoom can also be controlled directly from compatible NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 and NEX-FS700 (requires firmware update) video cameras.
The new lens also has built-in Optical SteadyShot™, which cuts the effects of camera shake and minimizes camera blur while shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.  Additionally, Active Mode further enhances stabilization at the wide end of the 11x zoom range ensuring smooth, stable footage even if the shooter is in motion.
While the new SELP18200 lens is optimized for video, it’s also a flexible choice for shooting still photography – from expansive landscapes to high impact close-ups of wildlife or athletes – with Sony’s α E-Mountrange of interchangeable lens still cameras.

Sony α E-mount lens family expansion
These new models expand the Sony E-mount family to 13 native E-mount lenses plus two converters, covering virtually any shooting situation for photographers and videographers alike.
Spanning ultra-wide angle, powerful telezoom, macro and fast, bright primes, the range includes premium optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss, and offers refined performance and easy handling throughout the line.

Pricing and Availability
The new E 20mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) wide-angle prime lens will be available this April for about $350.
The new E PZ18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SELP18200) motorized telezoom lens will be available this March for about $1200.
The Sony α family of cameras, camcorders, lenses and accessories can be purchased at Sony retail stores, online at www.store.sony.comand at all other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.