The Sony A7III body only is now in Stock at FocusCamera (Click here) and at BuyDig (Click here). And also the very hard to find in Stock Sony 24-105mm lens is back in Stock via FocusCamera (Click here).
Nikon image teaser compared with Sony E-mount (Thanks Jmar – see video here).
Now, before I argue why this sensor makes little sense and people start to scream how fanboy I am I will say this:
1) I am happy Nikon and Canon will join the mirrorless world. This will finally put some pressure on Sony.
2) Nikon and Canon new mirrorless offering will likely be better than Sony cameras when it comes to ergonomic, menu, weather sealing and other important aspects Sony has still to catch up with.
I know there is a lot of people saying the larger mount will help to improve the IQ of fast lenses. Something we have to see and test to see if it’s true. And even if it’s true I doubt people will join the system to buy very expensive f/0.9 lenses…
Nikon says this is a Full Frame sensor camera. But it is also speculated on the web that Nikon did adopt a 65mm mount size diameter in order to eventually fit the larger 43.8×32.9mm sensor. And this (rumor) makes little sense to me:
1) This sensor is only 1.5 larger in terms of area over Full Frame. But the production costs are much higher.
2) In no way this sensor seems to be visibly better than the best Full Frame sensors (Check DxOmark scores or anythe Dpreview X1D review conclusion)
3) Lenses are really much heavier, costlier to produce and slower.
4) The medium format sensor market is totally dominated by Sony. There is no competition here and few sensor to choose from. All of them will be used by all manufacturers. Unless Nikon found a way to get sensors from somewhere else (Towerjazz?)
That said I will repeat myself once more: I hope that if Sony will ever join the medium format world they will go for the larger 54x40mm sensor. It would become a mirrorles system for ultimate quality. Something no other manufacturer could ever match.
P.s.: Canon where are you?
Sony publsihed their Q1 financial report including the Q2 forecast. And there are only good news to report within the Imaging Segment:
Sony writes:
FY18 Q1 sales increased 6% year-on-year to 164.2 billion yen and operating income increased 2.9 billion yen to 26.1 billion yen. The increase in sales and operating income was primarily due to an increase in sales of high value-added products, primarily interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras and lenses themselves. The FY18 forecast was revised upward to 670 billion yen for sales and 78 billion yen for operating income primarily due to the revision in foreign exchange rate assumptions.
On June 28, we announced the world’s lightest, large aperture super-telephoto lens with a 400 mm focal length and maximum large aperture of F2.8, which is designed for the 35 mm format. Aside from the high-quality images that this G master lens can render, its light weight and maneuverability meets the high-level demands of professional photographers not only when shooting sports and the news, but also when capturing wildlife. Once we start selling this product, we will have 29 full-frame interchangeable E-mount lenses. We will continue to expand our lens lineup in order to meet the diverse needs of professionals, and we will work to solidify our position in the full-frame mirrorless camera market.
via Sony.net
The Italian company Lockcircle announced the new A9 Robot Skin (details here) and the A7rIII-A7III Robot Skin (details here). Here is the press text:
The new Robot Skin is another innovative professional LockCircle cage designed to fit like a glove around the latest mirrorless Sony A7III/A7RIII and A9 cameras, featuring the exclusive “Asymmetrical Design Approach” for right hand camera grabbing and controlling with the original camera ergonomic feeling.
Designed for comfortable grip and action, leaving on the left side of the camera all the production tools and accessories mounting:
a still and film camera without the limitations of other cages.
If looking for a more cinematic approach, the asymmetrical concept can be upgraded to “total wrap” with the Side Bar to add other accessories and rigging solutions on the right side of the cage.
A special ergonomic approach offers something more than just wrapping around the Sony mirrorless cameras with a metallic cage with some threads:
a natural extension of the original camera shape!
The Robot Skin is designed for filmmakers using the original XLR microphone adapters and the Top Grip Handle Extension mount, offers an ergonomic handling of the camera set-up with the Microphone Adapter mounted.
The Robot Skin A7M3/A9 integrates the MultiPort for secure connectors locking HDMI/USB-C/Headphone and Microphone mini-jacks. LockPort Flex kits (port savers) are available for the Micro to Full-Size HDMI output.
A professional grade of mounting plates and Positive-Lock Mounts for universal cine-style lens mounting are available, offering precise professional follow-focus work.
The Robot SkinA7M3/A9 baseplate has a mounting “receiver” for the Meta Block (adjustable), designed for a Metabones “state of the art” mounting/locking, a Novo-Block for Novoflex mounts integration and an IMS-Block for high grade professional Positive-Lock Mounts, PL-Mount, Canon EF, Nikon F, Panavision, Leica R, Leica M.
Vertical mount of the camera is available and compatible with the LockPort Flex System, and all along the Focal-Plane there are several threads for the (AC) tape measurement hook mounting.
The camera baseplate has three camera mounting threads (1/4“ and 3/8” with 1/4“ adapter) for heavy-duty safety mounting.
A heavy-duty baseplate is available for heavy cinematic primes and zooms. A titanium grade 5 camera 1/4-20 screw is coming with the cage.
A new MicroMega-M ultra-compact professional modular baseplate for 15mm rods is available together with the RodRocket Titanium Grade 5 15mm rods system.
Asymmetrical classic LockCircle cage design concept.
Right hand camera grabbing/control with original Sony A7M3/A9 cameras ergonomics.
Innovative SFA Straight Function Action with DTV Dials Total View design concept.
Right Side Bar (total wrap) expansion module for right hand accessories/grip handles.
90 (105 threads with the Side Bar) 1/4”-20, 3 3/8”-16 (5 with the Side Bar).
Top Grip handle and Boombooster compatible accessories.
Top Grip extension handle for Sony XLR Microphone Adapter.
CNC machined from billet aircraft grade aluminum.
Ultra-Lightweight and professional heavy-duty grade strength.
High quality organic anodizing with “professional grade” velvet surface finish.
Dura-T (Mil-Spec) heavy duty unscratchable military look finish.
Custom genuine titanium grade 5 screws and knobs.
MultiPort HDMI/Audio port savers with connector locking.
Meta-Block mount (adjustable) for Metabones monolithic mounting.
IMS-Block for IMS – Mounts for the serious cinematographers needs.
Novo-Block mount for Novoflex mounts.
Several IMS Professional lens mounts available: PL-Mount, Panavision, Leica-R, Canon EF and Nikon with Positive-Lock.
Novo-Block mount for total integration of Novoflex mounts.
New MicroMega-M ultra-compact modular expandable 15mm baseplate.
Focal Plain thread for AC measurement custom titanium hook.
New hi-tech deep anodized colors.
Designed by cinematographers and manufactured in Italy.
Available from end of September!
A special trade-in program is available for customers that already owns the old BirdCage Pro/Pro-S for Sony A7M2 Series.
For more informations: sales@lockcircle.com
www.lockcircle.com
Shooting a model with 3 Vintage lenses on A7II
Konica AR 135 f3.2 – A close-focusing bargain (Theweekendlens).
Metabones Degrades the Edge Image Quality of Wide-Angle Lenses (PetaPixel).
Sigma 85 mm F1.4 ART | Version für den Sony E-Mount Kurztest by ValueTech [Deutsch]
Should You Buy the Sony a6000 in 2018? (That1CameraGuy).
Manfrotto Announces a New Travel-Centric Noreg Bag Line and New Additions to Their Commuter Manhattan Line (Explora).
Join the new Sony Alpha Camera Facebook group.
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The long wait is over. The Sony A7III is in Stock at BuyDig (Click here) and BHphoto (24hours). Sony can now move on to the next camera announcements: A6700 and A7sIII. And will there be a third surprise too? :)
The market share in the system camera market (2017)
Nikkei published the 2017 market share report for different categories. Let’s check some of the them:
Sony has a 13.3% market share in the system camera market. Nikkei writes (google translated text):
The interchangeable lens camera is an oligopolistic market where Canon, Nikon, Sony and Japan hold the market share of less than 90%, but the SLR is continuing to decline. SAR
In 18 years, the move of each company to accelerate the concentration of development resources to luxury mirrorless is likely to accelerate.
Interesting to note that the three leaders together increased their market share by +6.2% at the cost of the other manufacturers (Fuj-Olympus-Panasonic-Pentax). Sony did growth by 2,9% in a year to year basis and is getting closer to Nikon. Still Canon did grow faster with 3.9%.
2) Sony has 20% share of the overall camera market (system+compact cameras). Sony’s gap with Nikon is much closer with just 5,7% share difference.
In the CMOS sensor segment Sony owns a 52,2% market share. Nikkei writes (google translated text):
Sony’s single win is continuing for the CMOS sensor. With the trend of strengthening the camera function of smartphones, the market size in 2017 has expanded by more than 20%. For the future, attention will be paid to automobiles, such as high-sensitivity sensors that can recognize obstacles even in the dark.
