A Japanese expert dismantled the Sony A7V to analyze the build quality. Here are his findings:

• The inside of the back cover is now made of magnesium instead of the plastic used on the A7IV. That back cover has a thermal interface that allows the magnesium body to act as a large heatsink.
• The processor and Micron’s LPDDR5 memory are stacked together in a PoP (Package-on-Package) package.
• The AI processor is integrated just like on an Apple MacBook M1 chip.
• The motherboard is from AT&S, which also makes motherboards for iPhones.
• The mechanical shutter is supplied by Nidec Japan.

In this second video the tester did go even deeper into the nerdy tech of the new Sony A7V:

• LPDDR5 memory voltage is 0.6V compared to the Sony A7IV 0.5V. This means it can be faster, cooler and more powerful. That’s why it has reduced heat shielding.
• Cool nerdy tech: The slower USB 2.0 port is at the bottom and this is good news. Because if it breaks it’s cheaper to repair.
• It has abandoned the “flawed” A7IV shutter design in favor of the same and newer A7rV shutter. Although it uses still a “plastic” motor drive.

Overall, the tester is impressed by the quality, which in some aspects even surpasses that of the $7000 Sony A1II.

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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.

Meike announced that the new AF23mm F1.4 lens will be released on December 18.

Meike 23mm f/1.4 specs:

• 11 groups with 13 elements
• minimum focusing distance of 0.25 meters
• 58mm filter interface
• weighs approximately 298 grams.
• It is equipped with an STM stepping motor for autofocus
• compatible with Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Nikon Z mounts.

FujiFilm GFX100II vs Sony A7V vs Hasselblad X2DII comparison page at BHphoto.

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.

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Hold on a second, folks! Obviously, this is a provocative question! I know full well that dynamic range isn’t the only factor! There’s also resolution, color accuracy, handling, software, and everything else. But the point I want to make is this:

Full-frame sensors innovate MUCH faster and are MUCH cheaper than current medium-format sensors!

In recent years, we’ve gotten new full-frame sensors with global shutters (Sony A9II) and partially stacked sensors (Sony A7V, Lumix S1II, Nikon Z6II). We’ve gotten huge improvements in autofocus performance, speed, and video quality.

Meanwhile, Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad XD cameras have been stuck with the same 100 MP Sony sensor from almost 7 years ago. It’s a great sensor, but the autofocus is really bad, the readout speed is terribly slow, and the image quality is only slightly better (?) than that of high-megapixel full-frame cameras. And now, in the “classic” medium format territory… the dynamic range is nearly matched by a $2,900 Sony A7V:

So I wonder what the future holds for medium format cameras if the sensor can only be updated every… almost 10 years!

I speculate a new Sony medium format sensor is coming, after all there is still yet a market for those kind of cameras. But it will not have all the latest Full Frame tech and it will get “old” very soon.

The only two things that could change this situation are:

1. If Sony decided to produce a medium format camera, it would probably focus more on renewing medium format sensor technology.
2. If another company became a direct competitor to Sony in the medium format sensor sector.

By the end of 2026, Leica will announce its new medium format mirrorless system, and I wonder if it will use this Sony sensor or if it will go with a completely different sensor manufacturer. We’ll see…

What are your thought on this?

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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.

The Canon R6III has conquered the Japanese charts and is obviously in the lead. We’ll see how the situation changes in December when the Sony A7V hits the shelves.

Mapcamera best selling cameras in November

1. Canon EOS R6 Mark III
2. RICOH GR IV
3. SONY α7C II
4. FUJIFILM X-E5
5. Nikon Z5II
6. Nikon Z R
7. FUJIFILM X-M5
8. RICOH GR IIIx
9. Nikon Z f
10. SONY α7IV

Yodobashi best selling cameras second half of November

1. Canon EOS R6 Mark III Body
2. Canon EOS R5 Mark II Body
3. SONY α7C II Zoom Lens Kit Silver | Black
4. SONY α7C II Body Silver | Black
5. FUJIFILM X-E5 XF23mm Lens Kit Silver | Black
6. Canon EOS R6 Mark III · RF24-105 L IS USM Lens Kit
7. Nikon Z50II Double Zoom Kit
8. Nikon ZR Body
9. Nikon Z5II Body
10. Hasselblad X2D II 100C Body

Yodobashi best selling lenses second half of November

1. Tamron 25-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III VXD G2 (E-mount)
2. Sony FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS
3. Canon RF45mm F1.2 STM
4. Canon RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
5. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
6. Sigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG | Contemporary (E-mount)
7. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S
8. Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
9. Hasselblad XCD 2.8-4/35-100E
10. Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II