I have many new rumors I am working on but one of them is actually a bad news. That’s why I start with this. I learned from my TOP sources that Sony delayed the A99 launch. Reason for the delay is the (again) Thai flood. Sony needs time to evaluate the A77 customer response and the A77 production delay will not allow them to launch the A99 in Spring as originally planned. Instead the A99 will be launched in September at the Photokina show in Cologne. To make it worse the whole Sony FF roadmap has been shifted forward, this means the second FF camera (with integrated vertical grip) will probably hit the market in early 2013 only.
The A77 will be 100% available eveywhere in March. Right now you can find few cameras only at Amazon DE (Click here), Amazon Japan (Click here), with shipment in USA in March only (Click here), and overpriced on [shoplink 8461 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Now guys, like you I am also in a bad mood because of this news. I understand that Sony has a very good reason for delaying the A99, and sincerely they really cannot afford to repeat some of the early A77 bugs experience on a camera that is supposed to appeal the pro market. But Nikon (with the D4) and Canon (with the 5DmarkIII coming in February) are pushing forward and Sony really has to come BIG at Photokina otherwise they will miss the train. In general Sony should decide first if they want to be a serious contender in the FF market and than develop a clear and reliable product strategy. I believe Sony has the technical knowledge to challenge Nikon and Canon. But they should really start to make us “feel” they are serious with FF.

A couple of suggestions:
– New sensor technology with quantum leap forward is needed. That would allow to create a massive advantage over current Canon-Nikon cameras. See what’s going to happen with the new Fuji sensor technology tonight to see how this will create a huge buzz.
– Push super video quality on FF cameras. it’s something that will hurt Nikon.
– More top quality FF lenses. A top lens system matters!
– The camera specs should not only look good on paper but work for real from the very first day
– Make a fullframe mirrorless system. Again, create an advantage over Nikon and Canon like they did with the [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink].

In sum Sony, make it right at Photokina…create a historical event! It’s the only way to win credibility! And one more message to my readers. To cheer you up I can share you right now that other rumors I will post soon are very positive :)

P.S.: The A900 which was marked as “discontinued” is now “in Stock” at Amazon (Click here) and Bhphoto (Click here).

The well known Dyxum forum user “ijsvogel” wrote that the new super tele 500mm f/4.0 could finally be announced in April 2012. That lens is floating around different shows since years! I am wondering what’s the reason behind all these delays.

This lens will cost a lot! The Canon 500mm costs $6,799.00 at Amazon (Click here) and the Nikon 500mm costs even more (Click here to check at Amazon). I am certainly not on the waiting list for that lens but I hope there will be other lenses coming along that one.

P.S.: My personal bet. it’s not coming in April…but at Photokina :)

Sometimes I have small info-rumors that I don’t know how to….place on SonyAlphaRumors. Here is a short list of info-rumors:

1) The HVL-MT24AM Macro Twin Flash has been discontinued (See at Bh). A replacement should be announced this year.

2) I got this rumor about an upcoming new video technology: “Sony is working on an interesting project. It’s a software that uses two different exposed 1080p video files out of an 3D Camcorder to get a stunning high dynamic range picturestyle.” This sounds pretty interesting! Thanks anonymous source!

3) Don’t know how this is possible but the first 50mm f/1.8 lens for NEX can be found [shoplink 11003 ebay]here at eBay Germany[/shoplink]. The lens is still not for sale in any store so I am wondering how that guy got the lens! The lens shipment is supposed to start in February or even March only! Check the lens preorder options at [shopcountry 8448] (Those are search links, you may will NOT find the lens at all).

That said I am working on a bunch of important rumors. There is one bad news I will post soon and a couple of good news. Just give me the time to double check everything with other sources. Be patient!

Sony NEX-5N Users Guide Video

The Verge (Click here) selected the Sony NEX-5n as camera of the year 2011! Here is the motivation: “The door that Sony cracked open with the NEX-5 has been blown wide open by the NEX-5N. Besides making the body marginally thinner and adding a touchscreen, Sony endowed the NEX-5N with a truly supreme image sensor. Its 16-megapixel CMOS sensor competes with the Nikon D7000 and Canon 60D (each company’s latest and greatest midrange DSLR) for noise performance, while delivering image quality that leaves other mirrorless cameras in the dust. If the NEX-5N had a universal microphone input and a more generous battery, it’d be a formidable DSLR replacement for professionals as well. As it stands, it’s the top choice for any hobbyist looking for the best image-quality-to-camera-size ratio.”

I have to say that even If I love the NEX-7 I am testing in these days the Sony NEX-5n has still the edge when in terms of price-quality balance. While the A77 and NEX-7 are definitely more “spectacular” cameras the Sony NEX-5n simply does almost all the other two big cameras do, but for a far cheaper price and smaller package :)

P.S.: Dcresource (Click here) started a new NEX-5n gallery

The Sony NEX-5n is selling well in almost all countries. For months now you can find the different kit options under the top 20 of the most mirrorless stuff at Amazon US (Click hee to see ranking) at Amazon Germany (here for the ranking), Amazon France (here).

Here are some NEX-5n shop search links: [shopcountry 8452]. While the camera is relatively cheap the external viewfinder is a bit too expensive: [shopcountry 9110].

P.S.: So why did I buy the NEX-7 to replace my NEX-5n (which is now owned by my girlfriend)? Easy answer, because of the Trinavi navigation. Good usability allows me to work more precisely and faster.

Gary Firedmann contacted me to talk about his latest Sony related books:

“Hi, Andrea! I’ve been a regular reader of your blog for quite sometime. (I even mention your work prominently in my books!) Since you seem keen on letting people know about books for Sony cameras, I thought it would be fair to mention mine as well – I’m writing one about the A65 / A77 (which is on track to be finished by the end of January), and one for the NEX 7 (which will start just as soon as the one I ordered back in October ever arrives. :-) ). They’re available as full-color, instantly-downloadable .pdf files with no DRM (and also as printed books for those who like printed books.) You can read about my other Sony books and register your interest in the soon-to-be-released ones by visiting my website: www.FriedmanArchives.com/ebooks Many thanks, and please keep doing what you’re doing! Sincerely, Gary Friedman”

Thanks Gary!

P.S.:
Sony SLT A65/A77 for Dummies!! (Click here to see it on Amazon)
A77 book from David Busch you can preorder on Amazon (Click here).

Sony will soon announce a bunch of new compact cameras. There will be no new NEX or SLT cameras (or lenses). A leak at Sony unveiled that a new W610 and W630 are going to be introduced.

The compact camera market is still the biggest camera market in terms of unit sales but the profit margin is very low (Click here to see the Amazon photo camera ranking). Plus this market is going to shrink because of the phone cameras that do bring two advantages: When you have a phone that can take pictures why bother to bring a second camera with you? And the second more important reason is the APP world. It’s nice to know that you can upgrade your photo-creativity by using new tools like Hipstamatic. There is where Sony has to work. Create an APP friendly network for NEX and SLT cameras. Hope they will do that!

One more thing: join us here: https://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors
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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!