This is the first leaked picture of the Sony NEX-F3! As you can see it has the same NEX-C3 16 megapixel sensor (with improved image quality due the new BIONZ processor) and it has a new built-in flash and the 180 degree tiltable LCD screen like the Samsung MV800. It will replace the current NEX-C3. Some NEX-C3 kits have been already marked as discontinued at BHphoto (Click here), Digitalrev (Click here) and very low in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

As I told you before it will be announced in mid May along the new A37 and two other new A and E mount zoom lenses!

[shoplink 7419][/shoplink]

Image of the current [shoplink 7419]Sony A35[/shoplink]

Maybe it’s just me but I am no big fan of the Megapixel race. So it’s good to hear from another of my trusted sources that Sony will use a 16 Megapixel sensor within the upcoming new A37 and NEX-F3. It is the same sensor of the current [shoplink 7419]A35[/shoplink] and [shoplink 7207]NEX-C3[/shoplink] but I have been told that there is anew BIONZ processor that improves the image quality. Let’s hope it’s true! That said the A37 will have a similar A35 design and same price of the current model. The NEX-F3 will be completely new and “innovative“.

Links to the current A35 and NEX-F3:
NEX-C3 at [shopcountry 7207]
A35 at [shopcountry 7419]

According to top sources Sony will have a new product announcement in mid May! There will be a new NEX-F3 (which I have been told is a great camera), a new A37, and two new zoom lenses (one for Alpha and one for NEX). I am particularly curious about that NEX-F3 that I have been told could become a real hotseller. Very small and sexy and a top image quality. Can’t wait to see it!

For those of you (that like me) are waiting for Full Frame news there will be no official Sony info. What Sony is doing is sharing some “unofficial” news with top photographers, dealers and journalists. And I hope reliable specs about the final A99 will spread through the web soon!

Stay tuned on SAR!

Picture on top: The 180 degree LCD from the Samsung MV800.

First NEX-F3 info from trusted sources are coming in! The new NEX-F3 is coming soon and it will replace the current NEX-C3. Some NEX-C3 kits have been already marked as discontinued at BHphoto (Click here), Digitalrev (Click here) and very low in Stock at Amazon (Click here). P.S.: Thanks to the anonymous sources for sending me this.

One of the big new features coming with the new NEX-F3 is a special 180 degree LCD that works almost exactly like the current Samsung MV800 (image on top). Perfect for taking self portraits. I have no image of the camera yet but I hope sources can send me some pics soon. Or maybe you reader can help me to find some leaked image on Sony’s websites? Search for “Sony NEX-F3” images! Thanks for the help! :)

Image on top: The currently discontinued Sony A850 (via BH).

The last week I got multiple hints about the Sony FF strategy. And now I can start to share some bits of SR5 ranked rumors! :)

First, the FF buzz from these weeks happened because Sony now officially choose the final A99 specs. And it is already showing the camera to managers and some important photographers and dealers. The first thing to know is that Sony decided to announce the A99 (or whatever the final name will be) in late August! There will be on Full Frame camera only and the next FF camera is coming in 2013. So what will happen from now? Sony plans to show the camera to photographers and important dealers in May/June. We “normal” user may see some official teaser this summer. But if I will have some luck I may be able to show you the camera earlier :)

As I told you many times this is an SLT camera with improved Electronic Viewfinder. I am still waiting to get the final confirmation from my top sources but I know that one FF prototype had 24 Megapixel, 101 cross AF points, same articulating screen as the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink]. De facto it looks like the [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] but is just a bit larger. Price should be below the Nikon D800 (which costs $2999). But as I said, this was my latest info about the prototype version. I hope to get some news about the final approved version soon!

My personal two cent about that: I am no marketing expert but my “feeling” is that the camera could sell well if the price will be around $2500-$2600 (like the currently discontinued Sony A900). A new improved EVF, a Full Frame 24 Megapixel sensor with clean ISO and super speed AF and burst rate could be very tempting. Combine this with the new coming Zeiss lenses and I am in :)   The Nikon D800 (Click here) would remain tempting for customers in need for Optical Viewfinder or massive Megapixels. While the Canon 5DmarkIII (Click here) is priced too high for what it does (that’s again just my personal opinion backed by Amazon ranking sales you can see here). And now show Sony your A99 buying intentions:

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P.S.: That said, stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors, there is a lot I have to share with you! And don’t forget to follow the community on Facebook and news on Twitter!

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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!

Soon Sony will have a major product announcement day but it will not be particularly interesting when it comes to the new lenses. There will be two new zooms. One is the already leaked 18-135mm SAM lens and another zoom I don’t have the exact specs yet. So no primes and no fast lenses. Overall I got the “impression” Sony is facing some production issues. They still cannot produce enough 24mm Zeisss and 50mm (both for NEX) lenses. This may be one of the reasons for that unspectacular new announcement :(

Check the availability of the mentioned lenses by clicking these search links:
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 8448]

According to top sources the upcoming next Sony full frame cameras “main feature” will be the low price. What does it mean? There will be no new big special feature compared to the actual [shoplink 8461]A77 camera[/shoplink] (a part of course the bigger full frame sensor and improved EVF). Sony learned from the A77 customer reaction and improved many details. To me that sounds good! I don’t need new marketing bla bla features. The A99 should “just work”. The A99 will very likely feature a new 24 Megapixel full frame sensor. My suggestions? Improve the JPG engine, release the camera with a mature firmware (no more blackouts).

The Nikon D800 is priced at $2999 at Amazon and the new Canon 5DmarkIII at $3499 at Amazon. I think the Sony A99 should be priced at $2499 to compete against them! What do you think?