Viltrox confirmed the new AF 50mm f/1.2 LAB and AF 85mm f/1.2 LAB lenses are coming in 2026

The silhouette of the 50 and 85mm f/1.2 FF lenses

On Reddit Viltrox wrote:

The AF 50mm f/1.2 LAB and AF 85mm f/1.2 LAB lenses are currently in development, and we plan to launch them in 2026.

We don’t yet have an FE 85mm f/1.2 lens, so this is a welcome addition that fills one of the rare gaps in the E-mount lens lineup.

As for AF FE 50mm f/1.2 lenses, we already have two options to choose from:

Both lenses are likely to be priced around $1000 just like the Viltrox 35mm f/1.2 FE.

Sony’s 2026 Camera BOMBSHELL 💥 FX3 II, A7R VI, RX100 VIII & More!

I made this video with my personal mix of speculations+rumors about what could be coming in 2026. Overall I expect more camera announcements this year compared to 2025.

Sony FX3II (90% chance it’s coming)

This is the only reliable source that has told me it should arrive in 2026. Don’t expect any “mistakes” like those made with the Sony FX2. It will have a new sensor. It could be the same partially stacked 33MP Sony A7V sensor or a new sensor with a global shutter. Both would be perfect for the FX3II. If it uses the same A7V sensor, it could also be an “updated” version with more video recording options thanks to the better-cooled body.

Sony A7rVI (80% chance it’s coming)

After the Sony A7rIV and Sony A7rV shared the same sensor, I expect Sony to announce the Sony A7rVI at the end of 2026 with a new sensor. It could be a new 61 Mp partially stacked sensor that gives us a 1-stop increase at medium-low ISO. After all, this camera aims for maximum image quality, and the new partially stacked sensor has proven that it can offer a real improvement in this area.

Sony RX100VIII (70% chance it’s coming)

The current Sony RX100VII is over 6 years old, and in a rapidly expanding market such as that of compact cameras with fixed lenses, it really cannot compete with new competing models. Sony would be foolish to ignore this fact, and I expect it to launch a new model in 2026. It is possible that it will eliminate the retractable electronic viewfinder (which I find iconic). I hope it’s not just a minor update like the Sony RX1rIII. We need something better!

Sony A6900 (50% chance it’s coming)

Sony has somewhat neglected the APS-C market. The A6700 is a good camera, but I still think they could do more. There is a 50% chance that the A6900 will arrive this year, but considering how many full-frame cameras Sony could launch in 2026, it is likely that Sony will wait another year and only launch it in 2027.

Sony FX30II (40% chance this is coming)

The Sony FX30 was equipped with the same sensor as the A6700. If Sony were to maintain this strategy, this camera would only be launched after a new A6900.

Sony ZV-E1 (30% chance this is coming)

I’m not sure what to think about this camera. Is it really necessary to launch a new ZV-E1II? I don’t think it will be a very successful product.

Sony A7sIV (10% chance this is coming)

Guys, this is a tough question. The line is iconic and very important to Sony. But with the Sony FX2 doing a similar job (cinematic with built-in EVF) and the Sony FX3II coming in 2026… do we really need a new A7sIV? Let me know what you think in the comments!

Sony A7cII and A7cR (5% chance this is coming)

Both should be announced in 2027. Before we get a new A7cRII, we’ll first need to get the A7rVI with the new sensor. Maybe a new A7cII at the end of 2026 might make sense… but I really don’t think it will happen.

Lenses (99% chance this is coming)

Wild surprises:

In my dreams Sony would announce:

  • Sony A7000 “mini A1II” camera for $1900. Not going to happen :)
  • A vintage Minolta looking Full Frame camera. Not going to happen :)
  • A true 6×4.5 medium format camera system with curved sensor. Not going to happen :)
  • A new RX10 APS-C camera. Not going to happen :)

What I will buy:

Here we are, my friends. We’ll see what surprises the year has in store for us. Personally, I’m saving up to buy the Sony A7rVI. I’ve owned every generation of this camera, and I have no intention of missing out on the A7rVI with its new (partially?) stacked sensor.

What are you saving for? :)

New Dynamic Range: Canon R6 III Trails Sony A7V by Nearly 2 Stops in Dynamic Range! 😱📉

Sony A7V preorders:
In USA at at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Henrys.
In EU at  Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, Foto Köster, WexUK, Clifton, Park UK, Fnac FR.
In Australia at: Camera Pro, Sony Australia.

Bill Claff from PhotonsToPhotos published the Canon R6III dynamic range measurement and the results are clear: The Sony A7V is clearly superior to the Canon with up to nearly 2 stops more dynamic range at around 400 ISO.

  • ISO 50: Sony A7V is nearly 1 stop ahead
  • ISO 100: A7V is nearly 1 stop ahead
  • ISO 200: A7V increases the gap with a little over 1 stop
  • Up to ISO 600: A7V keep increasing the advantage with nearly 2 stops advantage
  • From ISO 800 to ISO 51200: A7V keeps a small 1/4 of a stop advantage across the range.

Basically from ISO 50 to 600 the Sony is way ahead of the Canon. 1-2 stops advantage is a big visible difference.

Now let’s compare the Dynamic Range with electronic shutter:

The Sony A7V overall has the better performance:

  • ISO 50 to ISO 600 the Sony is ahead by 1/4 up to 1/2 of a stop
  • At ISO 800 The Canon is ahead by nearly 1 stop
  • But right after the Sony keeps slightly over performing the Canon again.

Sony really has managed to squeeze out an impressive performance! The Sony A7V is from a pure dynamic range point of view the technical superior camera.

Sony A7V preorders:
In USA at at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Henrys.
In EU at  Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, Foto Köster, WexUK, Clifton, Park UK, Fnac FR.
In Australia at: Camera Pro, Sony Australia.

Sony A7V is now officially announced! Pre-order it today to get it in time for Christmas!

Sony A7V preorders:
In USA at at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Henrys.
In EU at  Fotokoch, FotoErhardt, Calumet, Foto Köster, WexUK, Clifton, Park UK, Fnac FR.
In Australia at: Camera Pro, Sony Australia.

Be fast and preorder now! Only a small batch will ship before Christmas!!!

Sony also announced an new updated Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II Lens: BHphoto. Amazon.

Note for EU readers:
200€ discount if you get the Sony A7V with a GMII lens. There is also a 100€ Welcome-to-Alpha and until tomorrow a separate 200€ on lenses. So you save $500 on the Sony A7V with a GMII lens purchase!

Press releases and reviews:
Hands-on at Explora. Live Talk event at Fotokoch.

Youtube reviews:

Poll:

Will you preorder the Sony A7V?

View Results

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Breaking news: Sony will soon announce the 16-28mm f/2.0 GM lens!

How2Fly confirmed that Sony is expected to soon launch the new 16-28mm f/2.0 GM lens. This will be the world’s fastest wide angle zoom lens! This will be finalize the f/2.0 zoom trinity that includes the Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM and 50-150mm f 2.0 GM.

I still don’t have any additional details such as pricing, size, or other specifications. And at the moment, I can’t confirm whether this lens will be announced alongside the new Sony A7V on December 2 (product page here).

All I know for sure is that within the next 3-4 months Sony will announce those three lenses:

  • 16-28mm f/2.0 GM
  • 100-400mm f/4.0 GM
  • 100-400mm G (variable aperture, more affordable, more compact/lightweight)

Additional Sony A7V info:

A source told me Pre-Capture record up to 1sec and that 30fps is blackout free.

If you want any chance of getting it before Christmas, make sure to preorder ASAP through the links below!

Sony A7V at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Foto Erhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Sony A7V rumored specs :

  • 33MP partially stacked sensor
  • 30fps 14Bit RAW in electronic shutter and 10fps in mechanical (Blackout free)
  • Up to 1sec Pre Capture
  • 8 stops IBIS
  • 4k60p no crop, 4k120p with crop
  • no Open Gate
  • new AI chip like the Sony A1II
  • Free-Angle Tilting 3.2″ Touchscreen LCD
  • 1 SD slot and 1 hybrid SD/CFexpress Type A slot
  • no C5 button
  • improved EVF (5.6m dot?)
  • dual USB-C port (gets rid of the micro-USB port)
  • Same Sony A7rV body design.
  • price close to $3000
  • Announcement on December 2
  • Limited batch ships before Christmas
  • Price: 2999€
  • Sony A7V Preorders (open on Dec 2): BHphoto, Amazon.

Three lenses are on Sony’s roadmap:

  • 16-28mm f/2.0 GM
  • 100-400mm f/4.0 GM
  • 100-400mm G (variable aperture, more affordable, more compact/lightweight)

Black Friday deals are now live worldwide at Amazon US, BHphoto Holiday page , Amazon Canada.
In EU at Amazon Germany, Amazon UK, Amazon France, Amazon Italy, Amazon Spain, Amazon Netherlands, and other Amazon EU countries. And also at Amazon Australia.

Confirmed: Viltrox is developing a new Tilt Shift E-mount lens!

Our reader Bruce (thanks!) discovered a newly published patent from Viltrox for a tilt-shift lens featuring electronic contacts—possibly for autofocus or just EXIF data recording. The patent clearly shows it’s designed for the E-mount system, likely full-frame. According to Bruce, it typically takes around 6 to 12 months for a product to be officially announced after a patent is granted.

Based on the design I created this realistic AI image:

Looks neat!

 

Sony talks about the future of the Alpha business: New sensors coming and more “innovative” lenses!

Sony published a new corporate report that is highly interesting

1) New sensor tech is coming!

Sony has made it clear that it is currently working on a newly commissioned advanced process technology. This will enable the production of the new multi-layer stacking (three layers). In addition, the global shutter sensor technology for mirrorless cameras is to be improved.

Here is their official text about this:

An additional trend that is expected to drive further evolution of characteristics is increasing density. Higher density is realized by process node adaptation through a newly commissioned advanced process technology, and by multi-layered stacking (three layers), which has been achieved through the evolution of the I&SS segment’s strengths in stacking technology. The segment will aim to achieve further business growth by harnessing these two technologies to increase the value of its sensors.
With regard to image sensors for interchangeable-lens cameras, in particular, the segment’s global shutter technology has garnered strong interest within the industry, and it is promoting further development through close collaboration within the Group.

The article about the new Sony 3-layer stacking sensor can be read here on SAR.

2) New innovative lenses coming!

Lenses such as the new Sony 50–150mm f/2.0 GM are optical masterpieces and something that no other company has attempted before. Sony made it clear in its presentation that we can expect more of the same:

The segment plans to enhance the expressive capabilities of increasingly diverse creators through initiatives such as advancing imaging technology through the development of proprietary sensors with the I&SS segment and expanding its lineup of innovative lenses,

3) Business goal in the Entertainment business:

In terms of business figure targets, the segment (Entertainment, Technology & Services) aims to increase the share of the highly profitable Area Expansion and Business Growth/Generation categories by 10 or more points from FY2024 to FY2027, accelerating the shift in its business portfolio. By FY2027, the segment aims to see an operating income margin of 10% and FCF of 160 billion yen.

Our reader and tech expert George M told me this:

My interpretation of these documents is that Sony is choosing to stick to its 24-26 mid term plan that we have previously seen but is now confirming investments into the next phase. Sony Entertainment is actively pursuing the development of new proprietary sensors, which on it’s own doesn’t mean much if it were not for the fact that Sony I&SS states that it’s working on a newly greenlit “advanced process technology” that uses three-layered stacking and that it is further developing global shutter sensors.

This is amazing news and we can likely expect to see products begin to arrive in the next couple years (fingers crossed for 2027). Additionally, Sony says that it is “Pivoting imaging business products like cameras and services toward content creation”. I think this means we can expect these new global shutter cameras to become available at “content creator” price points.

My take:

Yesterday I published an article about the Sony FX lineup manager saying hat we just need a little patience—Sony has some big upgrades and surprises on the way. Their business plan already confirms that new sensor technologies, including 3-layer sensors and global shutters, are in development. This makes me think that by the second half of next year we could see cameras with truly innovative sensors, offering performance that will be unique and unmatched by the competition.

I also really like Sony’s ongoing commitment to pushing boundaries with new lens designs. If their track record is anything to go by, we’re in for some exciting releases—I honestly can’t wait to see what’s coming!