(SR4) Sony A900 will be in Stock until December. Death of the OVF technology.

[shoplink 3032]

A source just told me that the [shoplink 3032]Sony A850[/shoplink] will be in Stock until December. There will be no price drop on the camera because Sony is confident that the few camera that are still in hands of the dealers will sell out within the year. As you know this will be the last Sony camera with classic optical viewfinder. The next FF camera will be SLT (translucent) and be announced early Spring. It will very likely have a new generation 24 Megapixel sensor.

If you want that camera search at [shopcountry 3028]. Soon you will not be able to find it in Stock anymore!

 

(SR5) A9x with 24 Megapixel sensor coming in Spring. (SR4) 36 Megapixel FF a couple of months later?

[shoplink 3032][/shoplink]

The [shoplink 3032]Sony A900 [/shoplink]has been discontinued and is no more in production.

Preamble: Working on full frame camera rumors is very tough, actually because of a reason you might be very happy to hear about. Sony wants to launch at least three new full frame cameras within the next 12-18 months and there are many prototypes they are currently testing. And I need to do a lot of work to order the small bits of info I receive. Sometimes it’s not easy to understand what kind of feature will be for what kind of camera

The first rumor (SR5): But I finally got top news from top sources. First, it is 99% sure that the first Sony full frame SLT camera will be the A9x with a 24 Megapixel sensor. Sony is currently testing two different prototypes, one with a 24 Megapixel sensor and very high fps (frame per second) and one with a couple of more Megapixel (with a bit less fps). It seems very likely that Sony will opt for the 24 Megapixel sensor. I guess this makes indeed more sense (who cares about 3-4 Megapixel more?).

The second rumor (SR4): The second full frame camera which will very likely have a 36 Megapixel sensor will be announced right after the A9x. I am not sure yet about the timing as Sony hasn’t chosen the exact date yet. Could be before summer if all goes well. That camera will very likely have a built-in vertical grip and compete against the newly announced Canon 1D X.

And that’s not all! There is a third full frame model in the works. More about that camera will be posted soon on SAR!

Meanwhile, if you can help me with rumors contact me at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Use the contact form you see on the right sidebar if you want to send a message anonymously. Thanks! I really need every piece of info you can send me!

One more important thing: I repeat, the sources all seem to be extremely excited about the coming FF cameras. There will be many innovations, many new things you haven’t seen before on any camera. And all will have the new SLT technology (no optical viewfinder).

And don’t forget to follow the community on Facebook and news on Twitter!

All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461]
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

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!

 

 

(SR2) Sony A77 and A65 firmware 2.0 coming on November 5th?

Asian websites like Mobile01 (Click here) are reporting news about a possible new A77/A65 2.0 firmware coming on November the 5th. I still didn’t hear anything from my sources about that but I hope to give you some update soon. Interesting: Sony China says that you don’t have to upgrade to version 1.03 if you already have version 2.0 installed (See screenshot).

All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461]
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

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!

Collapsible lens patent

The japanese blog Egami (Click here) found a new Sony patent disclosing a collapsible lens technology. The image on top shows the lens in full retracted position. The single lenses are in contact with the other lenses to minimize the length. Actually only Olympus is offering such a lens (The [shoplink 9584 ebay]14-42mm kit lens[/shoplink]). Collapsible lenses and in future also the liquid lens technology should allow Sony to create very small lenses. Can’t wait to see one of these lenses for real!

(SR5) There is no model above the A77, a part of the A9x! (Says Paul Genge)

Yesterdays rumor about a possible new APS-C model probably made did upset some Sony managers. Paul Genge Sony UK posted this message on Facebook: “…it never ceases to amaze me how the rumour mill accelerates from one model to the next, to the next and so on. Stock of the a77 has not reached most markets yet, but people are guessing “what next” I almost felt like posting only “lol”. However, in actual fact its probably better to state that the a77 is now in the range for a while, and the next high end introduction will be featuring the number ’9x’ naming…………… now watch what happens to the rumour mill! )

At that point I want to remind you a couple of things:
1) Don’t ever base your shopping decision on rumors. Focus on your real needs! Yesterday I posted a couple of professional A77 reviews where you can red the strengths and weaknesses of the camera. And as you can read the A77 is a top performer. So please don’t wait because of a rumor which per definition is an unofficial and unproved news.
2) That said I want to remind you that my sources are saying there will be one more APS-C model. I don’t know yet what kind of camera it will be, and the news about the A75 (?) being a top-end APS-C model is coming from external and new sources (like a user of Sonyuserforum.de) which had been invited on a Sony presentation. I haven’t been there for myself so I cannot verify if the news is correct. I repeat, my known sources only said there will be a third new APS-C model!
3) I do absolutely trust Paul Genge statement that’s why I think that if there is a new third APS-C model coming than it will be placed below the current A77 camera.

For Paul and all Sony managers: I will be much more careful next time and make it more easy to understand what part of the rumor is coming from trusted sources and what part is from external or new sources. And for our readers, it’s SR4 that there could be a third APS-C model, it’s SR5 that it will not be on top of the A77.

UPDATE: I just read your comments and someone still didn’t understand that my TRUSTED sources said there will be a third APS-C model soon (and that’s FT4). The new and external sources said it’s an A7x or high end model (That’s FT2). Hope it’s clear now :)

—-

And now here is a list of things you absolutely have to read about the A77 (preorders at [shopcountry 8461]):

Our reader Ron sent me this News: “I picked up my new a77 camera on Saturday 08/Oct/2011 from Hendry’s Camera shop in Cambridge Ontario Canada. What a beautiful Camera and it came loaded with the 1.03 software loaded, I am updating from Sony a350 so it is quite a jump, with all the new technology on board. I took it out Sunday and thrilled to bits with the camera, I would recommend this dream machine to anyone and for those people waiting for there A77 you are in for a real treat.

Dave Cox wrote: “More on my A77 first experiences…I went out last night for my first shoot of any length. Caught a nice sunset and managed to have a good play with the camera. I used my Zeiss 16-80 and throughout the zoom range the images are really pin sharp and crystal clear. A real step up from my A33. Next, a comment about noise – with the A33 and any kind of ND filter, images at f/16 and smaller apertures were VERY noisy and needed 100% recovery in ACR. Not so with the A77 – even with stacked ND400 and ND grad, the images at f/22 and f/25 were almost noise free and ACR recovery just introduced peaking into the image. Later, I tried some night shots (it was a full moon) and both at ISO 50 with very long exposures and at ISO 1600 short exposures the images were useable with very little editing. I really am impressed as I was expecting a high ISO disaster – just goes to show that you shouldn’t believe all you read e.g. A7x ;) In summary, this camera is going to result in me spending much less time in the digital darkroom which is very pleasing. I’ve been out with it twice but already I love it!! A few pics from last night at http://www.500px.com/davercox

All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

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!

(SR4) One more APS-C model in the works (A75?)

One of my top sources confirmed that Sony has the plan to release one more APS-C model. It will be a new A7x (probably A75?). Two new (not yet trusted!) and one external sources said that the model will be on top of that [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink]! And that’s actually a huge surprise. In what can the A7x be better than the A77? The model is definitely translucent and I guess that it will have less Mega-pixels and a much higher ISO range (+ more fps). I hope to get some specs about the camera soon!

P.S.: An external source at Sonyuserforum.de was at a presentation from Sony. They showed a pyramid with the A35, A55, A65 and A77. And the space on the top of the pyramid was empty. That is where the new A7x will be placed.

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!

All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

Three Sony accessories in Stock


Back in June Sony announced three new accessories along the new [shoplink 7207]Sony NEX-C3[/shoplink] camera. I don’t think I ever told you that all the three new items are in Stock. Here are the links:
Sony VCT-55LH Mounting Bracket with Accessory Shoe [shopcountry 9322].
Sony LCS-AMB/B Alpha Soft Carrying Case [shopcountry 9323].
Sony HVL-F43AM Flash [shopcountry 9324].