According to multiple sources Sony is preparing a big product announcement event for early April. I don’t have the exact date yet but my sources told me is that there will be multiple new products for NEX and SLT (photo cameras, camcorders and lenses).There are so many new products I have heard of, the NEX-F3 a new NEX camcorder, the new 18-135mm SAM lens, the A37 and so on. But I don’t know yet if all are coming now. I also don’t know if there is room for some surprise, the biggest one would be a preview of the upcoming new A99 fullframe camera (or whatever the final name will be).

If you have some “insider” info about the huge Sony product announcement feel free to help me out by sending an anonymous message through the contact form. Or contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

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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!

A couple of days ago I told you that there are already some A99 prototypes into the wild. Photographers are testing the SLT Full Frame camera and their new features. Until know we know that the prototype has a new kind of 24 Megapixel FF sensor with base sensitivity of 100-25.600 ISO that can be extended to 50 up to 102400. One of our sources now told us that the Sony A99 has also an incredible new AF system of “102 all cross point AF“! We are talking about the A99 prototype camera so we cannot be sure the features will remain the same in the final production camera. But sources told me that focusing is one of the main area Sony is working on to beat the Nikon D800 (Click here to read specs) and Canon 5DmarkIII competition. For comparison, the [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] has a 19 cross points “only”.

For the record. Both, the [shoplink 3028]Sony A850[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 3032]Sony A900[/shoplink] cameras have been removed from all Sony website (from the Alpha DSLR camera presentation page not from the store!). They will be also the last optical viewfinder FF cameras from Sony. The A99 will use a new generation SLT and OLED viewfinder technology.

P.S.: Some new A850 can be found on [shoplink 3028 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] and also some [shoplink 3032 ebay]A900 (Click here)[/shoplink].

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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!

[shoplink 11932 ebay][/shoplink]
One of the sources that told me about the SLT camera prototype with square sensor send me some info. Please be aware that this is a camera prototype and that there is no way to be sure yet that it is coming for real.

1) 37 Megapixel
2) 36mm x 36mm square sensor
3) Works with all current Alpha mount lenses
4) It is the biggest camera to date (beats the [shoplink 3032]Sony A900[/shoplink] in terms of size)
5) The SLT technology permits the camera to be smaller than it would have been with the classical mirror box and optical viewfinder technology
6) New generation of square electronic viewfinder
7) 3×3 inch OLED display

The 36mm square format allows you to choose between different formats on the fly or in post production.

P.S.: Kodak once made a digital back with square sensor. The [shoplink 11932 ebay]Kodak DCS Pro Back 645 (here on eBay)[/shoplink].

SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

[shoplink 11918 ebay][/shoplink]A [shoplink 11918 ebay]6×6 Hasselblad camera[/shoplink]. Is it time for a digital resurrection of square photography?

I am working on that rumor since a long time. Multiple sources keep me informed about interesting Sony camera prototypes that do break the usual monotony and long living paradigms of the current digital photography market. Today I am going to post the rumor about one of such “strange” models and a second rumor about another model will follow soon the next days.

The new A1S SLT camera with square sensor:

According to two different sources Sony has a working prototype which one of my sources told me is called “A1S“. The real incredible news is that it has a Full Frame square sensor. Don’t know if it is 36mm x 36mm or a bit smaller. The source said that “will change the world of Full Frame photography“. The very good news is that all current Alpha and Minolta Full Frames lenses will work on it without any issue! I am working on that rumor since a very long time now and I hope this post will help me to get more info about the A1S from my anonymous trusted sources.

As long as I recall no digital camera ever had a square sensor while in the film era we had plenty of [shoplink 11916 ebay]6×6 medium format cameras (Click here to see them on eBay)[/shoplink]. The list includes the super nice [shoplink 11917 ebay]6×6 Rolleiflex[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 11918 ebay]6×6 Hassleblad[/shoplink] cameras.

My first thoughts: I would be super happy to see such a camera. First it would create something unique Canon and Nikon never have done! Take that Nikon D800 and new Canon 5D! ;) I love the square format and it’s also super practical because you always have the freedom to crop the image in post production. I would like to hear what you think about such a camera! And here is a poll too:

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Reminder: We are talking about a camera prototype and I have no info yet if the camera will be really hit the market sometimes near. That’s why the rumor has an SR3 value only….for now!

SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

Image on top: The OLED electronic viewfinder from Sony

Good Morning dear SAR readers!

Let’s start the new week with a smaller info I found at Dyxum (Click here). I am pretty sure Sony has no plan yet to make any new DSLR camera with optical viewfinder. But a Sony source(?) shared some details about the internal Sony discussion about the OVF and EVF theme. The source said “hat right now there is a significant division of opinion within Sony. The higher ranks want to leave OVF behind and press on with EVF only. But the staff who are closer to that actual market are strongly objecting to complete abandonment. And I was told that in the coming months Sony will release two top tier, Nine level cameras, one with an OVF and the other with an EVF.”

As I said, my sources told me the next A99 is 100% an SLT camera. And that there is no plan yet to release a sister model with optical viewfinder So take the rumor with a grain of salt. What’s interesting is that there is a debate ongoing here and on many other forums about Sony’s decision to push the SLT technology. Something else. I had the chance to quickly compare the [shoplink 8454]NEX-7 EVF with the Fuji X PRO 1 hybrid viewfinder. I have to say that on first look the NEX-7 EVF is far more advanced and usable. As you know I am not saying this because I am a fanboy. At first I liked the idea of the hybrid viewfinder and it ma can be improved further by Fuji. But for now the NEX-7 kicks the ass with the OLED technology. Another story is the amazing Fuji sensor. I wish Sony could bring that kind of improvement in future cameras. Let’s get rid of that Anti aliasing filter!

Price and specs comparison:
NEX-7 at [shoplist 8454].
Fuji X PRO 1 at Amazon (Click here).

The Sony Europe Press center just leaked the image of the new 18-135mm SAM lens! They now removed the image from the page but our japanese friends from DigicamInfo copied the image. A trusted source confirmed that the image is real.

As I told you weeks ago Sony is splitting up their new product announcements. New SLT and NEX stuff is coming in a series of small announcements! I think that’s a nice move from Sony and keeps me busy at SAR ;)  The A37, new NEX-F3 and new lenses are coming!

For US readers: Keep on eye on the NEX-7 at Amazon (Click here). It keeps comign and going in Stock for the normal price.

Sony is back to full camera and lens production and as you can see from the screenshot here on top both the NEX-7 kits and the 50mm lens are being shipped by Adorama. Sonystore says they will ship the 50mm lens on March 26th. And the Zeiss 24mm for NEX is in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

That’s all good news because Sony had to delay some of the product announcements to focus on the current camera and lens production. More in detail the A99 for example was originally scheduled for Spring release but will now arrive in September.

P.S.: The NEX-7 still remains the hottest mirrorless camera of the moment being on top of all Amazon US (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon Deutschland (Click here) and Amazon France (Click here) mirrorless rankings.