My sources told me the new A900 firmware will soon arrive to bring support for the new super expensive 500mm f/4.0 lens. The firmware is still not online but it will be soon. Same for the NEX-7 firmware update which we should expect to be launched wihtin the next weeks. P.S.: The NEX-7 with kit lens is back in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

Stay tuned on SAR!

P.S.: No this is not the big news I am writing on facebook :)

It sounds like asian forums are full of new Sony fullframe roadmaps. I am pretty sure 99% of them are fake. But I am going to post one of them to check with you if such a roadmap would make you happy :)

The “source” Emmanuel from Mobile01 (Click here) wrote that Sony’s plan is to release four different FulL Frame camera models. All are DSLT cameras (electronic viewfinder):
A93 (Entry FF)
A95 (Best Value FF)
A97 (Mid Range FF)
A99 (FlagShip FF)
One (or two) cameras will use a 24 Megapixel sensor, one a 36 Megapixel sensor and another one a square sensor.

Regarding the square sensor camera model the source writes: “Since it’s Square Sensor and fully EVF, view mode are switchable between 1:1, 3:2, 2:3, and there is no need for additional battery grip and much compact in size, there will be a physical button for the video mode switching. but movie recording mode stick to 16:9”

As I said I am pretty sure the rumor isnt’ correct. What’s sure is that Sony has multiple camera prototypes including the two FF sensors with 24 and 36 megapixel and the square sensor camera. Let’s see which one will make it through to the final improvement!

—

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!

Before Sony introduces the new NEX-F3 and A37 camera let’s talk about the just announced A57 and FS700!

Whatdigitalcamera (Click here) is the first website posting a full A57 review. The camera earns a great Gold Award with the following motivation: “Anyone looking for a camera which marries entry-level simplicity with enthusiast control should, without question, add it to their shortlist along with the similarly-priced Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D.”

Another test has been published by the dutch guys from Focusmedia (Click here). They say it has a “combination of excellent image quality, powerful camera specifications and an attractive price.”

Den Lennie (Click here) posted a report about the Sony NEX FS700 on Location.

I searched for some NEX-FS700 video samples but didn’t find anything on the web. Sony marketing should release some video to promote their camera instead of leaving us in the dark :(

One more thing: On the NEX-FS700 official product page you can find the NEX lens picture including some of the new upcoming lenses. It says “Sony has big plans for the E-mount lens lineup“. Great, but the problem is that we are already waiting a long time for new high quality NEX lenses. It’s taking a  it too long and big words want make it good.

P.S.: And where is our 50mm f/1.8 for NEX lens? Search here: [shopcountry 8448] :(

A couple of months ago Sony officially stated via Impress Japan that they are working on a 100 Meapixel sensor (Click here to download the pdf interview). According to our top sources Sony will display a 100 Megapixel camera prototype with organic sensor and modified RGB matrix at the Photokina show in September. Here are the details of the camera named A101:

– SLT technology (pellix mirror can be flipped up!)
– 100 Megapixel sensor with random RGB matrix and no Anti Aliasing Filter. Similar to the current Fuji X PRO 1 sensor matrix.
– Full Frame sensor size with in body Stabilization
– ISO 50 up to 3.200 (with extension to 12.800)
– 3fps. 5fps with vertical grip attached

The camera aims to compete in the same price league of the Nikon D800 (the current most sold DSLR) and the Canon 5DmarkII.  As I said, the camera will be shown as prototype and I guess it will be available a couple of months later (early 2013?).

Today…is really a ig day!!! :)

The [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] is very likely the most sold mirrorless camera of the moment and the reference for reviewers when testing other cameras. DxOmark (CLick here) just published the full Pentax K-01 test which uses a Sony sensor. The camera gets very close to the NEX-7 in terms of sensor quality but is very distant when it comes to sex appeal :)

There will be much more discussion on the next review: A very simple High ISO comparison between the Fuji X PRO 1 and the Sony NEX-7 has been posted by Steve Huff (Click here). Hm, I think they are pretty close with the Fuji having the edge. But I guess in RAW the difference will be even more negligible. At least according to Amazon US ranking (Click here) the NEX-7 beats the Fuji X PRO 1 orders.

Anyway I can imagine a NEX-9 camera positioned above the NEX-7 with larger body like the X PRO 1. I shoot some test video with the NEX-7 is really damn too small sometimes.

P.S.: NEX-7 order search links at [shopcountry 8450].

[shoplink 6170][/shoplink] Image on top: The current NEX-FS100

One of our trusted sources just told me that Sony will very likely introduce a new NEX-FS700 camcorder. And if Rick at DVXuser is right than the camera will be announced next Monday (April 2). Don’t know yet if the NEX-F3 and A37 will be announced the same day.

UPDATE: EosHD says the NX700 does 4K via 3G HD-SDI to an external recorder. It has 3 internal ND filters and 960fps slow motion. It will be released in June for $9000.

Stay tuned!

—

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!

Some of you wanted to see the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] sensor to be used in a classic DSLR camera. Sony isn’t doing it but it is selling the same sensor to Nikon. And according to Nikonrumors there will be a new D3200 DSLR camera in April using that Sony sensor.

Just my two cent speculation: It sounds like the Sony-Nikon sensor partnership works that way: In the APS-C league Sony has a six months exclusive use of the sensor and after that time shares it to Nikon. Full Frame sensors are sold with a 6-12 months exclusivity to Nikon and can than be used by Sony cameras. The Nikon D80 FF camera has been announced in February and we can expect a Sony SLT camera with the same sensor by September at earliest. Meantime Nikon is selling tons of D800 cameras at Amazon (Click here to read the high deman statement). Hope Sony is not missing the Full Frame train by allowing such an advantage to Nikon. The new A99 has to be close to perfection to beat this!

P.S.: As I already told you, Canon is eating his balls with the 5DmarkIII. The Nikon sales are much higher (Check Amazon rankings). By the way, Mike Kobal compared the new 5D versus NEX-7 video quality (via CanonWatch).

UPDATE: Some here still do not believe Nikon uses Sony sensors. Just loook at that D7000 chip: http://www.chipworks.com/media/wpmu/uploads/blogs.dir/4/files/2011/01/IMX071_diemrk.jpg. Can you read it? ;)