It’s Christmas time and I have to give you some sort of nice present ;)

One of the most requested cameras is the fullframe version of the NEX-7. And I have good news for you…although the camera will be much different than you expected!
A couple of sources confirmed that Sony will launch a hybrid AlphaNex mount camera in 2012! Also external sources (like here on Xitek) got the same news. The main goal of that new camera is to unify both worlds, the Alpha and NEX. These are the characteristics of the camera:
– Alpha mount camera with built-in compatible E-mount (no-external adapter needed!). Current NEX lenses will work in “crop mode”.
– Full Frame sensor.
– [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] alike design, just a bit bigger.
– Built-in new generation OLED viewfinder
– global shutter

It’s also important for you to know that there will not be a Full Frame E-mount camera. That AE hybrid camera will be the “fullframe NEX” camera we are waiting for. The camera is already available in different prototypes. So specs can still change but the concept as a whole has been approved and will hit the market in 2012. I guess it will be announced in September at Photokina.

I still don’t know how this hybrid mount works but as I told you weeks ago an idea like that has been already realized with the Zeiss Ikon Contax I, II and III that can still be found [shoplink 10295 ebay]here on eBay[/shoplink].

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!

I really don’t speak japanese so I have to rely on google translation tool to read the following document: https://www.impressjapan.jp/pr/monitor/1112_dcm/271201_free.pdf. That magazine contains an interview with Sony. And here is what we can expect in 2012:

1) Smaller NEX lenses: Sony confirms what we have reported here on SonyAlphaRumors some time ago. There is a new NEX lens roadmap and it includes smaller lenses (yeah, pancakes!).

2) 100 Megapixel sensor: Sony can do a 100 Megapixel sensor. Now I guess this doesn’t necessary mean there will be a camera with such a sensor. It will be more a “look at my muscles Canon” statement :)

3) electronic shutter: This is a big news and very important technology. I bet this is coming for real at Photokina 2012!

Sony also confirms that the next FF cameras will be SLT (electronic viewfinder). Japanese readers may help me to get a full translation of the text? Thanks!

Here is a short post about two professioanl camcorders. One of them is the [shoplink 6170]NEX FS100[/shoplink] which comes with an E-mount. Wideopencamera (Click here) posted a review: “I don’t love it, but I do turn to the FS before the 5D and that never used to be the case. I just trust it way more.” And Slashcam.de (Click here) reports that Sony will release a new NEX-FS100 firmware update in march 2012. You will be able to switch from PAL to NTSC, new 1080 24p PAL recording, camera settings can be stored on cards, epxanded focus, ISO display on LCD, and more…

A rumor about the F3 successor: Philip Johnston from HDwarrior says: “I think we may see a new F5 around NAB time certainly with 50Mbs capability if not better, 10 bit 4:2:2 and dare I say it 4K recording with a  better hi res viewfinder rather than the pull out version seen on the F3 today.”

A new source (Thanks!) just contacted me to say that the “Nex3/5/vg10 firmware could come as early as dec15“. Indeed the new VG10 manual is already available as pdf (Click here / via NEX-VG10 forum).

P.S.: I didn’t hear yet about the new A77/A65 2.0 firmware update. But as soon as I hear something from my sources I will let you know!

Image on top: The current Sony SAL-300F28G 300mm f/2.8 APO G SSM

Reminder: The A99 and the new lenses should be announced in Spring 2012.

The Super discount on Sony lenses is ongoing in USA until the end fo the year:
$500 off on Sony 300mm f/2.8 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$150 off on Zeiss 24 -70mm f/2.8 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$150 off on Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$100 off on Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$50 off on Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$50 off on Zeiss 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$50 off on Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$50 off on Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$50 off on Sony 50mm f/2.8 Macro at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$25 off on Sony 50mm f/1.4 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$25 off on Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$25 off on Sony DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$25 off on Sony 30mm f/2.8 DT AF at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
$25 off on Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT AF at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).

And the NEX converters + adapter + external flash + external monitor have been discounted at Amazon (Click here).

I got two rumors about the new Ricoh-Pentax company (yes Ricoh bought Pentax!). Apparently some of their future products will use Sony sensors.

(SR4) The upcoming new 24-85mm Ricoh GXR module features the same 16 megapixel APS-C Sony NEX-5n sensor! As you know the [shoplink 10592 ebay]Ricoh GXR system[/shoplink] is a modular system where lens and sensor are built-in in the same module.
(SR2) For a long time now we hear rumors about a new Pentax fullframe camera. A unconfirmed rumor says the new Pentax will use the same 24 Megapixel sensor from the A99. The camera will be released in 2012. (Source: Dpreview forum)

One thing is sure, the Nikon D800 is coming very soon and will probably feature the new Sony 36 megapixels sensor. The Sony A99 will be announced in Spring 2012 and rely on the translucent technology. There is no plan to make an optical viewfinder version. Sony believes electornic viewfinders are the future. And so di I…but I think optical viewfinders still have the edge for now.

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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!