On Friday I posted the A99 prototype camera specs. I got them via trusted sources so I expect them to be very reliable although small changes can still be made for the final production version. I can add some info from unconfirmed rumors (SR3) saying that there will be a 3 Megapixel OLED viewfinder and a more reliable info that (SR4) it records 10-12 fps. In short, for around $2,500-$2,800 (or Euro or Pounds) you will get a FF SLT with 24MPX, 102 all cross AF, ISO50-25,600 (with +2 extension), 1080/p60, weather sealed body with built in Flash and optional vertical grip.

If those specs are correct the question is:

 Loading ...

My impression is that the camera is aimed for sport photography and video. It’s where the cameras can beat the upcoming Nikon D800 and the Canon 5DmarkIII.

I got the 100% reliable specs of one of the pre final FF SLT prototype camera. Please keep in mind that these specs can variate with the final firmware. Here we are:
24 MPX sensor
All cross 102 phase detection AF
ISO 50-25600 (can be extended to 102.400 with the final firmware)
Live view – evaluative & subject recognition lock-on AF
1200 zone live-view evaluative metering
1920×1080 60p and 24p
simultaneous recording of still&movie
921K True Black 3 way tilt LCD
Shutter Speed 1/8000
New iAuto
Smart Tele converter
Magnesium body
Weather Sealed body
Built-in Flash

There will be a vertical grip too!

IThe rumor is coming from a top source. I hope to get the 100% final specs soon.

Image on top: Schneider Tilt-Shift-Lenses for Sony Alpha Mount

For the record. Schneider officially stated tat there is no plan to make any NEX lens (for now). To bad, there are so many good [shoplink 12770 ebay]Schneider lenses[/shoplink] I would like to see in an E-mount version!

It has been a busy week so I am going to make a sum of the latest rumors while I am preparing the launch of the new ones :)

1) No other SLT APS-C model in 2012:
Some speculated that there might be a room for an OVF APS-C model. Sorry to kill your dreams…there is no such a model!

2) Two FF SLT cameras coming within 12 months
I am 99% sure there will be a new SLT FF camera in late August/ September and another higher end model in 2013. I am not so sure about the name of the cameras, unreliable rumors for now say that one is the A88 and the other one the A99 (info not coming via my sources!).

3) New 55-300mm, new 300mm and new 50mm f/1.4 and f/1.2 Alpha lenses coming.
A Sony database leak confirmed that there will be a new 55-300mm and 300mm lens (now discontinued). Rumors floating around the web suggests two new 50mm primes will be launched.

4) A High end NEX?
This is really a wild rumor but some “voices” say that Sony is already working on an updated NEX-7 camera. Could be launched a while after the NEX-5F launch?

That’s it for now! Now let’s see what this week will bring to us!

This is just a short message to thank all anonymous sources sending me info about the Sony stuff coming in late August/early September. It looks like a high end NEX is really coming and so many more NEX lenses. I have some questions for all anonymous sources:

1) When is the NEX-5F and 16-50mmG pancake zoom going to be announced?
2) How many NEX lenses are coming this year? A source said “a lot” but a number would be welcome :)
3) What’s the final name of the 24 megapixel FF SLT camera?
4) Can you confirm the rumored 50mm f/1.2 Zeiss and 70-200mm G lens release?

Thanks! :)

Sources told us that we very likely will not see the light of any new APS-C model this year. For now the A77 successor is scheduled for a 2013 release. Photokina in September will be focused on the release of the new NEX and Full Frame Cameras and Lenses. We already had a first price drop on the current SLT APS-C models and more price drops should arrive this winter.

Meantime all SLT cameras got an $50 discount:
Sony A77 body only (Click here).
Sony A77 with 16-50mm (Click here).
Sony A65 body only (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm (Click here).
Sony A57 body only (Click here).
Sony A57 with 18-55mm (Click here).

Image on top: The current NEX-7. Is the NEX-9 coming?

Before you read, this is a unconfirmed rumor from a new source. So take it with a grain of salt. As usual I hope my anonymous trusted sources can confirm or deny this soon.

A new source told us that a “new High End NEX camera is going to be displayed at the Photokina show“. The model has a higher number than than the [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] (maybe Nex-9?). In any case this is an APS-C model not a Full Frame mirrorless! The fact that the source told me it is going to be displayed may hints the possibility of a 2013 availability (in Stock) only.

I can’t really figure out what the NEX-9 could do visibly better than the NEX-7. You may have an idea of what a NEX-9 APS-C sensor camera should do to convince you to buy it instead of the current NEX-7?

—

P.S.: NEX-7 is a hotseller at all rankings: Amazon US , Amazon Germany, Amazon France and at Amazon.

—

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!