Sony patented a new sensor capable of “control the exposure start and end timings of each pixel“. On paper you can create super high dynamic range images on the fly. An amazing tech that would work perfectly for landscape shots. It gets more tricky when you have moving subjects like people. But Sony seems to have a “trick” for that one too as the sensor is said to be capable to correct the blur effect on moving objects. The sensor creates “a high-dynamic-range image of which camera blur has been appropriately corrected“.

Now the questions is…when are we going to see this on a Sony camera?

Sony reports that it has been recognised with a record five awards at by the prestigious Technical Image Press Association in their 2016 awards.

BEST DSLR ENTRY LEVEL: a68

The Sony α68 has a 24MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with an ISO 100-

25,600 range. Its “4D Focus” system uses a 79-point dedicated phase detection AF sensor with 15 cross points. It can deliver accurate focus in light as low as -2EV, plus constant AF tracking at 8 frames per second. For video fans the Sony α68 can record Full HD in XAVC-S format with a bit rate up to 50 Mbps and continuous autofocus with accurate focus tracking. Other attractive features include SteadyShot Inside image stabilisation, an OLED Tru-Finder with 100% frame coverage and an articulating 2.7-inch LCD monitor. Full details of the α68 can be seen here.

BEST MIRRORLESS CSC PROFESSIONAL: a7R II

The Sony α7R II has a 42MP “Full-frame” Exmor R CMOS sensor housed inside a full magnesium alloy body. It features a hybrid AF system with 399 on-sensor phase detection points and 25 contrast detection points that allow still shooting at up to 5 fps at full AF. The α7R II can deliver 4K video with in camera processing and recording and Full HD (1080p) video in either NTSC or PAL at 60p/30p/24p or 50p/25p using the high bit-rate XAVC S format. It offers fully customisable colour and gamma controls, including the same SLog2 and S-Log3 Gamma curves found in high-end Sony cinema cameras. ISO range is 100-25,600, with extendable ranges to ISO 50 to 102,400.Full details of the α7R II can be seen here.

BEST CSC PRIME LENS: SEL85F14GM

The full-frame Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens has a new XA (extreme aspherical) element plus three ED elements that can provide a fascinating combination of extremely high resolution of focused areas with a pleasing, soft bokeh in the background. The lens has a circular aperture with 11 blades plus Sony’s Nano AR coating, to reduce ghosting and flare. It contains a ring drive SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor) to drive focusing and two position sensors for enhanced focus control. Constructed with 11 elements in 8 groups, the lens is dust and moisture resistant. Full details of the SEL85F14GM can be seen here.

BEST FULL-FRAME COMPACT CAMERA: RX1R II

Sharing the same 42.2 MP sensor and BIONZ X image processor with Sony’s α7R II, the RX1R II has an integral Zeiss Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens. The sensor has an impressive 399 phase detection AF points that work in conjunction with 25 contrast AF points to achieve fast and efficient focus. The camera has the world’s first optical variable low pass filter that can be set to off, standard or high, with low pass filter bracketing also available. Viewing is via a four-glass element EVF or a tiltable 3-inch 1.2 million dot LCD. The camera can deliver Full HD video with a choice of various framing rates. Full details of the RX1R II can be seen here.

BEST ACTION CAM: HDR-AS50

The Sony HDR-AS50 is a durable and highly portable POV video camera that weighs a mere 45g (1.62oz) and measures only 4.77 x 5.25 x 1.9cm. (1.88 x 2.07 x 0.75 inches). It is supplied with an underwater housing that can be used down to 60 metres and can be linked with a new Live-View Remote with full camera command functionality that can be mounted virtually anywhere, including as wristwear. The camera features SteadyShot image stabilisation, a must for action shooting, 4K Time-Lapse Capture, enhanced Full HD video capture, a built-in stereo microphone, and a Zeiss Tessar lens. To add to the excitement the angle of view can be varied between “Wide” and “Narrow” in two levels, plus zoom mode allows the user to zoom while shooting. Full details of the HDR-AS50 can be seen here.

Sony did unveil a super high-end camcorder and you might want to learn more about it to see where the future is going: The new Super-35mm HDC-4800 Shoots 4K at 480 fps! (Adorama Blog).

And here are some more NAB related news:
$600 Sony FS5 Raw upgrade to offer continuous external 4K/60fps and 1080/240fps Raw recording (Newsshoooter)
Zeiss announced Lens Gear rings for the Loxia series (SAR article here).
New Atomos Shogun Inferno – Flagship 4K Recorder For Quad-SDI, RAW & 240fps Slow Motion (Cinema5D).

First test footage from Zeiss Batis 18mm for Sony E-mount at Newsshooter:

Zeiss announced new Lens Gear Rings to turn Otus, Milvus and Loxia lenses into movie lenses with follow focus systems. Here is the press text:

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The ZEISS Otus, ZEISS Milvus and ZEISS Loxia lenses are now also compatible with follow focus systems. How? The new ZEISS Lens Gear Rings in the four sizes mini, small, medium and large turn camera lenses into movie lenses in a flash.

ZEISS Lens Gears boast impressive versatility and no-fuss mounting
The ZEISS Lens Gear Rings are made of premium aluminum with a hardened surface coating, are slid onto the relevant lens and attached to the focus ring of the lens simply by turning the two counteracting rings. “This means the ZEISS Lens Gears can be attached in a flash – and you don’t even need any tools to do so,” explains Christophe Casenave, Product Manager at ZEISS Camera Lenses.

Four different sizes for all ZEISS Otus, ZEISS Milvus and ZEISS Loxia lenses
The ZEISS Lens Gears are available in four different sizes: mini, small, medium and large. “They fit on the different lenses of various diameters precisely and securely,” continues Casenave. “The use of a follow focus system enables optimal focusing, and the ZEISS camera lenses receive functions resembling those of a full-fledged movie lens.” This now allows customers to achieve professional results with the camera lenses and makes any handling difficulties a thing of the past.
The ZEISS Lens Gears are supplied with a rubber-covered band, the GumGum, which features an adhesive surface. This means the inner diameter can be reduced accordingly, thus supporting other lens sizes. The GumGum also protects against scratches and other damage to the focus ring of the lens.

The benefits at a glance:
Quick mounting – no tools needed
Made of lightweight aluminum
Hardened surface coating
Features a 0.8 pitched gear
Follow focus runs smoother than ever before
No more screwdrivers, worn-out belts or protruding straps

A closer look at the new ZEISS Lens Gears

ZEISS Lens Gears turn camera lenses into cinema lenses in a flash