Press release:

Press Release: Sony Electronics Expands Roster Of “Artisans of Imagery” Ambassadors
Sony welcomes Paul Nicklen, Taylor Rees, David Burnett, Jean Fruth and Nancy Borowick to the Artisans of Imagery program.

SAN DIEGO — Apr. 5, 2019 — Sony Electronics Inc. today welcomed five extremely talented creators to its Artisans of Imagery ambassador program.

These five new artisans—Paul Nicklen, Taylor Rees, David Burnett, Jean Fruth and Nancy Borowick—are each leaders in their disciplines from wildlife photography and photojournalism to sports and documentary filmmaking.

Paul Nicklen (Conservation / wildlife photographer and filmmaker) – Paul Nicklen is a Canadian photographer, filmmaker, and marine biologist who has documented the beauty and the plight of our planet for over twenty years. Paul is the co-founder of the non-profit Sea Legacy, an organization dedicated to raising awareness about ocean conservation through powerful imagery. https://paulnicklen.com

Taylor Rees (Adventure filmmaker and photographer) – A filmmaker and photojournalist, Taylor Rees is driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore and tell the stories beneath the surface. Using narrative voice and scientific vigor, she brings new perspectives to challenging topics including climate change, energy and water.

David Burnett (Photojournalist and sports photographer) – David Burnett is a photojournalist with more than 5 decades of work covering the news, the people, and visual tempo of our age. His work ranges from extensive political and world news coverage to sports photography. David is also co-founder of Contact Press Images, the New York based photojournalism agency, now entering its 44th year. https://www.davidburnett.com

Jean Fruth (Sports photographer) – Jean Fruth’s trajectory as one of baseball’s preeminent photographers has taken her on a round-the-horn tour of the sport’s most legendary teams and landmarks. Jean covers professional baseball year-round, in locations ranging from the US and Japan, to Cuba and Latin America. https://www.jeanfruthimages.com

Nancy Borowick (Photojournalist) – Nancy Borowick is an internationally renowned photographer, author, teacher and speaker, telling intimate stories of people, with a focus on family, health and relationships from around the world using compassion and trust. She works regularly for the New York Times, as well as other high-profile outlets, and has exhibited her work in over 100 cities around the world. http://www.nancyborowick.com

“Sony’s Artisans of Imagery include some of the most respected and admired creators in the industry, each bringing their own unique vison and style in visual storytelling,” said Neal Manowitz, deputy president for Sony Imaging Products and Services Americas. “We’re thrilled to welcome these five new members to the team. Their achievements within the industry are countless, and their passion and support for the Sony brand shines through extensively. Together, we look forward to building on our strong momentum, enabling more photographers and videographers to capture and create like they never have been able to before.”

For more information on the Sony Artisans of Imagery program, including profiles of all the new Artisans, please visit: https://alphauniverse.com/artisans/.

Sigma Japan announced the new Sigma 28mm f/1.4 FE will start shipping out on April 19. Preorders at Adorama and Bhphoto.

Dpreview interviewed Kenji Tanaka from Sony. Here are some of the most interesting news:

Computational photography: “The next step is we have to learn more things from computational photography”

Sony’s answer to low price competition (Canon RP): “I want our technology to be the reason people are attracted to Sony, not the price”

Sony’s advantage over the competition: “Last year we said that speed and AI would be our new technology drivers, and since then other mirrorless companies have tried to develop these technologies.”

Full Frame vs APS-C strategy: “Full-frame is the best platform to deliver our technologies. But of course these technologies need to cascade down for APS-C customers. So we will focus on both groups of customers, but [the] timing is a little different. First full-frame, then APS-C.”

About possible APS-C “GM” branded Lenses: “Maybe not as ‘GM’, but high quality lenses are definitely an option [for development]”

APS-C professional market: “Honestly speaking, for still photography, full-frame is [more appropriate] for professionals. But for video, APS-C is good for both amateur and professional customers, because it’s size is close to Super 35mm, [which is a] video Image sensor format.”

APS-C typed Sony A7s is an option: “That is possible, I think. For example, looking at the US market, at the BlackMagic Pocket Cinema Camera, I think that’s a wonderful product for professionals. Not only for high-end amateurs. The sensor size of that camera is Micro Four Thirds, and [Sony’s] APS-C is bigger.”

A7sIII basic expectations: “The basic expectation is for things like 4K/60, 10-bit 4:2:2. I want to think in a different way and create something that goes beyond the expectations of our customers. It’s easy to add 4K/60, but beyond these specs, a lot of customers have other kinds of demands, and that’s what we’re researching.“

Dpreview sums up the interview and says this:

Mr Tanaka did hint at greater emphasis on APS-C in the near future though, including – crucially – the possibility of some high-end lenses to come.

You can download it here: zeiss.com/camera-lenses/int/service/download-center/firmware/firmware-update-batis-2-40-cf.html

Improvements:

– Optimization of the aperture characteristics (further information)
– Improvement in focal precision when using the eye-AF function on the camera

The Chinese company Qhyccd has announced the first camera using the new Sony 60 Megapixel Full Frame sensor. This is a scientific camera but the news matters because the sensor specs were leaked here months ago. This makes it even more likely that all the leaked Sony sensors info we posted here are correct:

New XEVC 8K codec (article and detailed images here):
8k at 24fps, 12 bit and 240Mbps peak bitrate.

New Full Frame sensors:
IMX555 is a new 102MP 6K sensor (article here)
IMX435 is a new 36Mp 8K sensor (article here)
IMX551 is a new 60MP 8k sensor (article here)
IMX455 is a stripped down version of the IMX551 (article here).

APS-C sensors (article and detailed specs here):
IMX510: 32MP, 16 bit…
IMX571: 26MP, dual gain ISO, 16 bit stills