(SR4) NEX-7 firmware udpate is on his way (NEX-7 EVF better than the X PRO 1 hybrid VF)

Image courtesy: Andrew Reid.

NEX-7 firmware
A trusted sources just told me that after the NX100 and A77 firmware also the new NEX-7 firmware upgrade is almost ready to be released. He didn’t share any details yet but I hope to get them soon. I hope Sony did read the NEX-7 firmware suggestion list from Björn Utpott (Click here). If only half of them would really be fulfilled I would be extremely happy!

Electronic versus Hybrid viewfinder
And while the DSLR versus SLT debate is still ongoing on SAR but also on many other forums you might read the following article written by Andrew Reid (Click here). He is right now testing the Fuji X PRO 1 and his sentences are quite radically in favour of the main competitor, the Sony NEX-7: “In my opinion, the optical viewfinder is superseded by the OLED EVF and no amount of hybrid niceness can save it. 5 years ago, it was preferable to have an optical viewfinder because EVFs were rubbish. Now, it is the opposite. The hybrid viewfinder in the X-Pro 1 is barely any different from the X100 and doesn’t particularly suit the interchangeable lens format it is now paired with. The larger lenses get in the way for a start, as does your hand.”

NEX-7 terrific sales:
The NEX-7 body is in Stock at Amazon US (Click here). And even if you have to pay a $100 extra for it the camera sells like hotcakes! It is on top of the Amazon US mirrorless ranking (Click here). And it is also on top at Amazon UK (Click here) and on second place at Amazon Deutschland (Click here) and Amazon France (Click here).

This could soon become the most sold camera of Sony’s history!
Check more order options at [shopcountry 8454] (Those are search links! Sometimes stores sold out or do not list the camera anymore).

 

New NEX-FS100 firmware on March 22th

[shoplink 11763 ebay][/shoplink]

DSLRnewsshooter reports that on March 22th Sony will announce a new [shoplink 11763 ebay]NEX-FS100[/shoplink] firmware update. It will bring the following new features:

1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

 

In Summary: On March 22th the new FS100 firmware and on March 29th the new A77/A65 firmware.

Paul Genge again: “New DSLR introduction is highly unlikely.” -> Wait for the A99!!!

We already heard this a couple of days ago at Techradar (Click here). Now Paul Genge from Sony UK released another similar statement at Amateur Photographer (Click here). He confirmed that “Given the level of investment Sony is putting into SLT, it is highly unlikely we will ever introduce another DSLR…”

And David Kilpatrick (Click here) reminded us the content of the last conversation he had with Paul Genge: “Paul Genge had a short exchange of information with me when I was considering selling my Alpha 900 and all my frame Alpha lenses (after starting to use the A77). He said I’d regret selling my good full frame lenses when I replaced my Alpha 900 with a full frame model I would just not believe. His message was ‘you wait – you’ll not regret it’.”

Yes, Paul, we are waiting and waiting and waiting…but don’t let us wait to much! The Nikon D800 and Canon 5DmarkII are a big temptaton for many people out there!

(SR5) More A57 pics…


The A57 pictures and specs keeps being leaked left and right. Here is the next set of images (Click on it to enlarge). Again, the camera is going to be announced in a few hours (5am London time).

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!

(SR5) What’s new with the A57: Clear zoom and auto portrait framing.


While the A57 will not bring any kind of new revolutionary feature there are still some minor new tidbits coming along the camera:

1) Clear Image Zoom
That is the biggest new innovation. It’s a new proprietary “By Pixel Super Resolution Technology“. It is a 2x digital zoom that can almost match the quality of a normal optical zoom! That means you can instantly 2x zoom with any lens you have without having any major loss of quality. I have to see this to believe it! ;)

2) Auto Portrait framing
With the help of the face detection feature the A57 can create well balanced horizontal or vertical portrait cuts.

The camera will be announced on Tuesday March 13th at 4am London time and as usual I will follow the announcement live here on SonyAlphaRumors. This means I will keep updating you with links to news, reviews, videos image samples and more.

While the on paper the A57 doesn’t sound like a spectacular camera it certainly can do a lot for the price ($699). And many SAR readers complained about the too high Megapixel count on the [shoplink 8461]A65/A77[/shoplink]. So this might be the right camera for you!

P.S.: If you are not from London than your announcement time is:
9pm San Francisco time (Monday March 12th)
12pm New York time (Monday-Tuesday night)
5am in Berlin (Tuesday)
1pm in Tokyo (Tuesday)

—-

For US readers: The A77 kit is back in Stock at BHphoto (Click here). And first $2 price drop at Amazon (Click here) … :)

(SR5) First picture of the Sony A57


Gdgt (Click here) already leaked the first picture of the upcoming new Sony A57! As you see it’s pretty much the same camera like the [shoplink 8459]Sony A65[/shoplink]. And as I told you before Redcoon Germany is also listing the new product. The camera will be announced on Tuesday 4am London time.

In short the specs are:
16 megapixel Exmor HD sensor
10 fps (12fps in tele zoom mode)
100 up to 16.000 ISO
1,44 million dots EVF
15 point AF with 3 cross sensors
AVCHD 2.0 60p/60i/24p recording

All that for a body only price of $699. Sony’s goal with that camera is to compete against the Canon 600D/T3i ($620 at Amazon) and Nikon D5100 ($650 at Amazon). If you are waiting for the new Sony A99 FF model than you will have to wait until September!

Sony A57 already listed at Redcoon Europe!


Next Tuesday Sony will announce the new A57 SLT camera with 16 Megapixels. And stores are already preparing the new preorder pages. So it comes that you can now find the void A57 listed at Redcoon Belgium, Redcoon Germany and Redcoon France.
A part of the new 16 megapixel sensor and the 1,44m dot viewfinder the A57 is pretty much the same camera like the A65. I will cover the A57 presentation here on SAR on Tuesday morning (6-7-8am London time). Stay tuned!