The Sony NEX-5n has proven to be a very good camera and a real hotseller (right now on top at Amazon). But according to our top sources Sony is ready to launch an improved version this summer! It will be called Sony NEX-F5 (and as you know the NEX-F3 is coming on May 17th). I have no specs yet but I have been told there will be improvement in all aspects of the camera (image quality, video quality, screen, usability). As usual if you heard something about the NEX-F5 feel free to drop me a message :)

P.S.: There is a $50 instant rebate on the NEX-5n at Amazon (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here). And the super 50mm f/1.8 lens is also in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

A personal message: For days now I am working in the middle of nowhere. There is a low speed Internet connection, and I have to write articles with my iPhone in order to save energy. That’s why you will see a huge amount of typos and why I am not answering your mails. I may post a picture of the place where I am later :)

Good Morning!
In case you forgot it, we are ten days away form the next big Sony announcement. Every image and spec of the new camera and lenses have been already leaked. The image on top shows the roadmap from Sony. As you can see it’s Sony’s goal to strengthen the Middle and High Alpha range within the year. I was hoping that Sony would show the A99 prototype too but it’s unlikely that this will happen.But let’s see…miracles can happen from time to time!

P.S.: The NEX-7 is marked as “new” because massive shipment started in March only :)

Rumors are getting stronger about the next Full Frame DDay announcement in late August. I am sure that there will be new Alpha lenses coming along the A99 (or whatever the final name will be). Question is which kind of lens should we expect? I am getting more and more “indications” that there will be a new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens. The rumor still hasn’t reached the SR5 value (which means that many trusted sources confirmed this) but I hope to get the definitive answer soon.

The current Sony 50mm f/1.4 is still based on the lens design typical of the 70s to 80s. It’s a decent performer but we absolutely need a high quality version too! I hope it will not be too expensive.The currently most expensive Full frame 50mm lens on the market is the [shoplink 12485 ebay]Zeiss Planar f/1.4 (Click here to see auctions on eBay)[/shoplink] which is available for Canon/Nikon/Pentax mount. That is the price I expect for the new Sony Zeiss!

Links to the current 50mm f/1.4 lens from Sony: [shopcountry 12486].

And here a short poll:

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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!

OK guys, this is neither an Alpha nor a NEX camera news but it’s interesting to know that under the most sold cameras you will find the GOPRO camera series. A new source just told me that Sony will enter that kind of market with GoPro “clones” by end of the year. It sounds like Sony will focus on NEX and on that kind of cameras in order to bring in some cash within the Digital Imaging business.

For those of you not knowing the GoPro camera here are some shop search links to check specs and price: [shopcountry 12474].

We had a busy weekend with plenty of rumors and leaks. Time to sum everything in one single post. And I also want to know your buying intentions :)
The good news of all these leaks is that I posted the NEX-F3 and A37 rumor over three months ago. These means that also my Full Frame rumors are very likely correct as they are coming from the same sources!

One more thing: The roadmap image you see in the first thumbnail below doens’t include the pro stuff! Don’t worry, A99 is coming in August :)

A37:

Specs:
16.1 MP
ISO from 100-16,000
Steadyshot offers 2.5-4 stops of additional image stabilization.
7fps due to translucent mirror
15 pt autofocus system with 3 cross sensors
Quick AF Full HD Movie mode
Auto Portrait Framing (from the A57) takes a landscape photo and crops it.
Clear Image zoom (Digital zoom) but they still do recommend a telephoto zoom lens
11 picture effects
448g (8% smaller than T2i and 3 % than the D3100).
LCD is tiltable
Tru-finder = 100% coverage
1080 24p HD video with face detection
Also in 60i
Available in June  $599 with 18-55mm $799 with the 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 SAM.

18-135mm f3.5-5.6 SAM
$500 by itself

Sony NEX-F3

Specs:
16.1 MP same as A37
latest Bionz processor
ISO 16,000 from 100.
24p 1080p HD or 60i
MP4 Codec
3:2 in MP4 mode
Auto Portrait Framing
180 degree LCD for easier self portraits
Clear image zoom is present if you want
Built in flash
Improved battery performance to 470 images per charge
Charge on the go via USB to pc
Accessory terminal: you can add the trufinder or the microphone
Ergonomic grip addition like the 5n
3fps
No touchscreen
Silver, black and white.
June $599 with kit lens no 16mm f2.8 bundle

18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS in black going to be announced in summer.

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And here are the full specs of both cameras. Sounds like the Sony “secret” press presentation in Malaysia was not that secret :)

A37:
16.1 MP
ISO from 100-16,000
Steadyshot offers 2.5-4 stops of additional image stabilization.
7fps due to translucent mirror
15 pt autofocus system with 3 cross sensors
Quick AF Full HD Movie mode
Auto Portrait Framing (from the A57) takes a landscape photo and crops it.
Clear Image zoom (Digital zoom) but they still do recommend a telephoto zoom lens
11 picture effects
448g (8% smaller than T2i and 3 % than the D3100).
LCD is tiltable
Tru-finder = 100% coverage
1080 24p HD video with face detection
Also in 60i
Available in June  $599 with 18-55mm $799 with the 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 SAM.

18-135mm f3.5-5.6 SAM
$500 by itself

Sony NEX F3
16.1 MP same as A37
latest Bionz processor
ISO 16,000 from 100.
24p 1080p HD or 60i
MP4 Codec
3:2 in MP4 mode
Auto Portrait Framing
180 degree LCD for easier self portraits
Clear image zoom is present if you want
Built in flash
Improved battery performance to 470 images per charge
Charge on the go via USB to pc
Accessory terminal: you can add the trufinder or the microphone
Ergonomic grip addition like the 5n
3fps
No touchscreen
Silver, black and white.
June $599 with kit lens no 16mm f2.8 bundle

18-200mm f3.5-6.3 OSS in black going to be announced in summer.