The three layer design from Sony

And here it is the next back-illuminated and three color layer Sony sensor patent! You can read the full (and very technical) description at freepatentsonline (Click here). It is not the first time we see such a “foveon like” patent. Sigma is currently the only manufactures that produces cameras based on that concept Like the new Sigma DP2s and SD15.

Here is the original patent description:
“In recent years, in the CCD image sensor or the CMOS image sensor, since the size of a pixel decreases and the number of photons incident on a unit pixel decreases, sensitivity deteriorates and thus a decrease in S/N occurs. In widely used pixel arrangement where red, green, and blue pixels are arranged on a planar surface, for example, the Bayer arrangement using the primary color filters, green and blue light does not penetrate a color filter in red pixels and is not used in photoelectric conversion. Therefore, sensitivity may decrease. Moreover, when a color signal is formed by executing an interpolation process between pixels, a problem of a false color may arise.
In order to solve these problems, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-12796 discloses a solid-state imaging device in which green, blue, and red photoelectric conversion units are laminated in a depth direction of the same pixel. In the solid-state imaging device, a blue photodiode (photoelectric conversion unit) and a red photodiode (photoelectric conversion unit) are formed in the depth direction in a silicon substrate. In addition, the solid-state imaging device includes an organic photoelectric conversion unit in which a green organic photoelectric conversion layer interposed between electrodes is formed on the upper layer of the front surface of the silicon substrate on the side of a light incident side with a wiring layer interposed therebetween. According to the configuration disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-12796, since a light loss does not occur in the above-mentioned color filter, the sensitivity is improved. Moreover, since the interpolation process is not performed between pixels, a false color does not occur.”

The patent description is very long and complicated and I would appreciate if you could help me to find some interesting details. Thanks!

P.S.: I don’t expect the A77 or NEX-7 cameras to feature such a sensor. But in my opinion “Foveon-like” sensors are the future!

This is the third HX100V/HX9V leak within 10 days and this should be also the last one. The two compact cameras will be announced next week right before the start of the CP+ show. This also means that there will be no new NEX or ALPHA camera at the show. The only thing we can hope is to see a final prototype of the upcoming cameras. But that’s just a hope and nothing else!

Sony Cybershot HX100V at Letsgodigital
Sony Cybershot HX9V at Letsgodigital

“Nico” the administrator of the dutch fotomateforum.net claims to have found info about the A77 on Sony Scandinavia and Luxembourg websites. But before reading the rumor please keep in mind that the rumor is not from one of our trusted sources! So take it easy. This could be fake. As soon as my sources will send me reliable info I will share it here!

Update: It looks like the original post at fotoforum has been removed! I downgraded the rumor from SR3 to SR2. A source just told me he didn’t hear anyhting about a release on April 16th. So please be cautious!

My girlfriend is from Antwerp but I don’t speak dutch and she is currently outside the house. That’s why I am posting the google english translated text:

“Following the publications on the production camera pack shots we could really expect these leakages.
Previous rumors about a launch in June, September and December are thus proved untrue.
On Saturday, April 16, the Alpha 77 launched at an event in the new luxurious Monaco, Porto Montenegro.
The entire European Photo magazine press is flown.
Sony shows this clearly shows that with this new APS-C SLT competition want to inflict a crushing blow.
The Sony Alpha 77 is in the near future, along with the also launched 500 f/4.0 G SSM SAL “THE tool” for the BIF, Sports Shooter and Wild Life to be.
The Nikon D400 sensor is exactly the same 24.4Mp half years later released. This connected with the Sony sensor and Nikon agreed clause.

A77-Specifications

– APS-C 23.6 x 15.6 mm 24.4 Mp (Effective) Exmor CMOS sensor Backlit
– 16 fps
– ISO 100-204800
– 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
– Micro Adjustment for Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta Lenses
– AVC HD Video / 24 bits (like the [shoplink 4718]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink])
– HDR
– Panorama mode
– GPS
– 3D
– New designed by Epson OLED Super EVF
– Able Tilt LCD Display
– Building and grip similar to the “Magnesium” [shoplink 3228]Alpha 700[/shoplink]
– The CF+SD+MS cards can be used in tandem
– Newly designed battery provides up to 1,000 shots.
– The body A77 has a street price of 899 Euros. ”

I ask my trusted sources if they can confirm the rumor about the A77 beeing announced on April 16! If the rumor is true than we have also the good news that Sony is finally giving priority to Sony cameras instead of Nikon cameras!
Thanks Nico for those exciting news! And come visit me in Antwerp ;)

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As you know Sony announced the gold [shoplink 3003]NEX-5[/shoplink]. Now, according to our sources Sony will soon announce many new colored NEX cameras. I know this is not an exciting news but I guess this is what we have to expect to be announced at the upcoming CP+ shows which will be held in February.

There is only one anonymous source that believes a new NEX camera is coming but that rumor is rated SR2 (not reliable rumor form new source): The source claims to have seen the new NEX-7. It features a 14.1 mpx sensor, a high-res 16:9 articulating LCD screen and that t will be announced within one month! As I said, I don’t believe in this.

But before you start complaining against Sony listen carefully. I expect tons of new real products to be announced starting from the second quarter of the year! So please faith a little bit more time. I bet you will NOT regret it!

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources (60-80% the rumor is correct)
SR5=almost certainly correct!

This is the first picture of the new HX100v

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UPDATE: Images and text have been removed form the originial website!

Sony will announce the new HX9v and HX100v compact cameras on February 2nd. The HX9v specs have been already leaked and now we got the HX100v specs too! Sony Nordic posted them on his website:
“The camera incorporates technology not only from “Cyber-shot” series development but also from “Handycam” and the “a (alpha)” series
– DSLR quality with Manual to Auto, Higher resolution 50p Full HD movie & 3D in one body
– 30x Ultra high zoom H with Hi-speed AF, GPS & compass
– Equipped for Full HD movie shooting in AVCHD format
– Intelligent Sweep Panorama
– 16.2-megapixel back-illuminated “Exmor R” CMOS sensor, 27mm-810mm^*1 f/2.8-5.6 Carl Zeiss “Vario Sonnar T*” lens, and “BIONZ” Imaging Processor for high-speed signal processing
– Movie mode supports 1920 x 1080 Full HD”

I repreat once again. Even if this is a non ralted Alpha or NEX news it will be very interesting to see the two most exciting features those cameras will bring. Ultrafast 0.1 sec contrast autofocus (as fast as the [shoplink 4718]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink]) and the incredible 1080p60 (or 50) 28mbit/s video recording!

I don’t speak Chinese but Hong Kong readers sent me two link to Sony lenses that just have been discontinued! If the “rumor” is correct Sony will stop selling the DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 and the 300mm f/2.8 G lens! As usual take that info with a grain of salt. I didn’t hear anything from my sources about possible successor for those lenses.

Take a look for yourself:
– Sony Hong Kong SAL18250 product site
– Sony Hong Kong SAL300F28G product site

I just received a short message from one of my anonymous sources: “A77 packshots are ready and currently being reviewed by management!“.

The source is reading us….feel free to ask him whatever you want to know about the A77. Hope he can/will answer your questions!

Things we know about tha A77:
– 24 megapixel sensor
– FullHD
– New advanced OLED(?) EVF
– UNCONFIRMED -> There were rumors (and also a Sony patent) about some kind of hybrid viewfinder ( a là Fuji X100 (Click here to see that camera on Amazon)?).
– ISO will go ‘up into the hundreds of thousands’
– price will be in the same area of the [shoplink 5117]Canon 60D ($900-1200. Click here to check price)[/shoplink]
– The A77 has a bigger and robust body compared to current SLT cameras.
– The A77 will not have a flip-up mode to allow shooting without this extra sheet of glass in place.
– It will take CF+SD+MS cards, of which you can use two at the same time.
– With the new battery you can take around 1.000 pictures.

P.S.: Paul Genge of Sony UK said that “this camera will include such high specification features that current [shoplink 3228]A700[/shoplink] owners will be amazed”

P.P.S.: We have a new facebook page! Join us at http://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors!

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unkown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!