Superb! Zeiss 55mm FE is the best autofocus lens ever tested at DxOmark!

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DXOmark (Click here) published the full Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 FE lens test and the results are extraordinary! It’s the best autofocus lens ever tested at DxO and the second best lens ever tested at DxOmark (full ranking here) after the manual focusing and 4 times more expensive $3999 Zeiss Otus.This is what DxO writes about the lens:

In fact, the Zeiss Sonnar has similarly high peak sharpness and outstanding uniformity with less than 5% loss in sharpness across the field at any given aperture value. Transmission is outstanding but while both distortion and chromatic aberration are quite well controlled, some slight CA is evident throughout the aperture range though it decreases when stopping down.
On paper at least the Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA may seem somewhat unadventurous and over-priced given the f1.8 maximum aperture. In reality the lens is a bright 1.8TStops, and image quality is outstanding. Even the $1,000 price seems quite reasonable.

Yes, compared to the Zeiss Otus there FE version has 2/3 stop less. But damn, it costs 4 times less and gives you an almost “Otus” performance! Well done, Sony-Zeiss. We need more lenses like that for the new FE system!

If you don’t own the lens these are the directs tore links to grab one:
USA/Canada: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonyStore US and Sonystore Canada.
Europe: Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT

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It’s back! Sony RX100 for $399!

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[shoplink 24234 ebay][/shoplink]
For a limited time you can grab the great Sony RX100 for $399 at [shoplink 24234 ebay]6ave on eBay US (Click here)[/shoplink]. A couple of weeks ago another US store sold the camera for that price and it sold out quickly. So be fast if you want one!
The Sony NEX-3n with 16-50mm lens now sells for $339 only at Amazon US (Click here).
The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 sells with a huge $175 off at [shoplink 24235 ebay]Buydig on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

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Sony buys Nintendo chip factory to increase the CMOS sensor production.

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One of the few areas where Sony is doing really well is imaging sensor production. And today Sony announced the acquisition of the Tsuruoka fab from Nintendo! The fab used to make chips for Nintendo game console (Source: Image Sensor World). Sony reports:

This planned investment forms part of Sony’s mid- to long-term plan to increase its total production capacity for image sensors from the current capacity of approximately 60,000 wafers per month to approximately 75,000 wafers per month.Following the acquisition, Sony intends to convert part of the semiconductor manufacturing equipment that Sony is scheduled to acquire from Renesas Yamagata Semiconductor to CMOS image sensor manufacturing equipment, and also to install new manufacturing equipment for CMOS image sensors in Yamagata TEC. Yamagata TEC will primarily engage in the manufacture of photodiodes and wiring processes for stacked CMOS image sensors.

Now what we need from Sony is an increased lens production capability too and some really great new camera to put Nikon and Canon in the shadow.

 

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New QX accessories for tablets and new QX cameras coming soon.

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The QX series may have nothing to do with out Alpha Cameras but few of us would have bet on the future of the concept. Well, as reported here oN SAR the QX sales are very strong and Sony will keep developing the idea further. The image on top has been leaked at Xperia Blog and shows the new SPA-TA1 tablet attachment. And new QX cameras (and firmware update for current QX owners) should come too!

It may be that one day Sony will sell more of these kind of camera than our “old” DSLR/Mirrorless cameras ? We will see…

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POLL: What Sony should “copy” from the new Fuji X-T1…

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Source: Camerasize.

We are all eagerly waiting to see how the new NEX-6/7 successor will be. And as Sony’s High End APS-C model it will have to compete against the just announced new Fuji X-T1 (specs and images at Amazon).

Well, the camera has a couple of features that some future A7000 or A9000 owners (whatever name it will have) could like to have on their Sony too. Like the “world’s fastest AF of 0.08 seconds”, freezeproof body or the huge 0.77x and 2,36m dot viewfinder.

Now, let me know what’s the new X-T1 feature the Sony NEX-6/7 successor should absolutely have:

If the rumored Sony A7sIII turn out to be true: Do you like the camera?

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P.S.: Full Fuji coverage at MirrorlessRumors.com.

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(SR4) A77 successor price set at 1.200 Euro.

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Small update about the A77 successor. The camera will sell in JUne for 1.200 Euro body only. And as I told you before there will be no A65 successor. This is likely the only ASP-C A-mount camera coming in 2014.

Still no time table for the Full Frame A-mount. Althaugh Sony already said they will launch a 4K FF camera soon (likely at the NAB show in April).

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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Sony A7-A7r SAR readers tests and samples!

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First Test Video with Sony A7R from Luke Holley on Vimeo.

Wilson: I have written a review of A7r with 3 Canon lenses, 2 ZE Zeiss lenses, Zenitar Fish eye, Leica Noctilux, 2 VM lenses and a hasselblad medium format lens. Tho it’s in Chinese, I think it might be useful for everyone just to look at the photos. Below is the link to my blog post and my Flickr.
http://teenymylife.blogspot.hk/2014/01/sony-a7r.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/i-loved-yesterday/”

Thodiris: “I did some portraits with the Sony A7r, the Carl Zeiss 35mm/f2.8 and the Minolta MD 50mm/f1.4 – you can see them here: http://thodorismarkou.com/blog/2014/01/samira-meets-the-sony-a7r-portraits/”

George: “Some thoughts about the A7+ AF adapter + Contax lenses on my blog http://www.photosynthesis.gr/photoblog/?p=1170”

Eddy: “I was in ‘Val di Sole’ last week… :-) Once again for a week on snowshoes. I had the A7R with me (with the LA-EA4 + 24mm f2 CZ). I’ve put up a short review at Dyxum: http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/a7r-one-week-in-the-cold-snow_topic104112_post1246150.html#1246150. And the complete series of pictures is here: http://www.thelightpoet.be/2014/01/snowshoes-new-year-2014/”

Carl: “So I just managed to sell my old 5d, and ordered my A7r. And I am very excited. But what things should I get for it? I am not talking straight photography stuff, like tripods and lenses. For example the battery ”only” last 300 photos roughly for it. Now that is fine for most daytime photographers, but for travelers that is close to nothing (especially with memory cards of today). So I have been trying to google myself through the information web to find basically nothing. Like most people know batteries has Volt and mAh. Volt is the charge out rate if I am not mistaking, and mAh is the longevity. But this is not always the same. I could get more photos with my 7,2V 2000 mAh after market batteries for my 5d, but filming was much better on the 7,4V 1600 mAh. Well that is just one thing, but we’ll worth posting if anyone actually know which or what battery to pick to prefer.”

Desy: “Here is a styled maternity shoot I did for the Sony A7! Used the Zeiss 35mm 2.8 and the 55mm 1.8! http://desycheng.com/love1/2014/1/5/parker-mackenzie”

Javier: “Hola te pongo enlace a un video casero hecho integro con sony A7 y zeiss 35 mm, solo con el microfono del cuerpo de la cámara (algnas tomas con mucho viento y no entra el ruido al micro!). Un video informal pero con una gran cálidad y fluidez de trabajo. Para trabajos familiares pero con resultados profesionales. En clave de humor: http://youtu.be/HKt3M0nZHTA”

Ron: “Thought your readers might be interested to see what the Sony A7 can do with recording live music. http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3Z4RxzRdr1lLfzQVh6V4SRy5SK0d4Ifp“

David: “I played around with the MD Rokkor 28/2.8 on the Sony Alpha, here is a mini review: http://davidtanzer.net/md_rokkor_28_alpha_7”

Rawfa: “I’ve contributed with a music video shot with the A7 a while ago and now I’ve just posted a very very quick comparison between the Sony A7 with a regular Pentax PK adapter on full frame mode and the Sony A7 with a Lens Turbo (the “generic” speed booster) on APS-C mode. Here you go http://www.getdpi.com/forum/sony/49901-sony-a7-vs-lens-turbo-speed-booster.html#post562816”

Brian: “I’ve put together a pretty thorough guide to lens mount adapter for Sony A7 and A7R here: http://briansmith.com/sony-a7-a7r-lens-mount-adapters/”

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Specs and Store Links in US and Canada:
Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).
Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.
Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.
A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.
Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.
Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.
Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.

Specs and Store Links in Europe:
Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.
Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.
Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,
Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT
Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT
Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.

Asia:
A7r at Digitalrev.
A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.
A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.

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