Guest post: full frame e-mount roadmap (by Vlad)

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SAR note: This is a readers guest post. If you want to write an article on SAR just contact me at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

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Full frame e-mount roadmap discussion by SAR reader Vlad.

Note: The following is a speculation, based on current rumors. It should simply serve as a conversation starter and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Today’s topic is the full frame e-mount roadmap

It looks like the different colors denote different lines of lenses, i.e. Sony Zeiss (blue), Sony G (yellow) and the regular Sony (grey). If that is correct, Sony is trying to present the ILCE line in its best light during the introduction, but there will be more affordable Sony lenses coming towards the end of 2014.
There are 3 upcoming lenses (mid 2014), that we can more easily speculate on, as they are described to some extent in the roadmap:
1. Sony Zeiss ultra wide angle F4 zoom – based on the current offerings and the speed indicated here, it’s already pretty clear that they are going for size reduction. I’d expect at best a 16-35, but probably something shorter and I don’t think they’ll go wider than 14mm.
2. Sony Zeiss fast prime – nice job of leaving that wide open. If we still consider that the grey lines are Sony lenses, it means that there won’t be many Sony Zeiss ones coming for some time, so something around 85mm makes the most sense (given that we already have a 35 and 55) and I won’t expect anything faster than F2. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an F2.8.
3. G macro lens – here we can expect everything. Given the G denomination, I don’t think it will be anything short, a good entry for a first macro lens for a system that Sony obviously wants to make look good, makes me think of a 100mm. Easily F4. Or faster and shorter, 60mm F2.8?
As to the upcoming Sony offerings, it seems probable that they will fill in the gaps (such as a wide prime), but also provide budget alternatives to the Sony Zeiss lenses and include stabilization for some.
On the high-end, the new family of Zeiss manual lenses (not Sony Zeiss), will probably be of big interest to many, but I expect really high prices for those.
(http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/zeiss-will-launch-manual-focusing-lenses-for-the-a7-a7r/)
What do you think about these assumptions and what Sony or Zeiss lenses would you like to see most, come end of 2014 and through 2015?

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(SR4) New A-mount cameras coming in Q1 (and asking for help from trusted sources)

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One source just told me that it’s highly likely that the next A-mount cameras will be announced in Q1 already. He mentioned both, FF and APS-C cameras are ready to be announced. They will use the current sensors from the A7-A7r while the APS-C cameras will use an improved 24MP sensor. This part is yet not confirmed but other new sources told me that the A-mount cameras could also have some innovative features (read Z-shift and that kind of stuff). I am working on it to verify this.

I know in these busy A7 and A7r news days I didn’t post many rumors but what you don’t know is that I worked a lot on the background trying to get reliable info about the massive(!) 2014 camera and lens roadmap. To verify all that info I need the feedback from my longtime trusted sources, hope they can share some hints about the 2014 so that I can be sure about the rumors I got :)

So please be patient. You really don’t have to wait a long time to enter the next rumor storm :)

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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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Zeiss FE 55mm lens is on par with the Zeiss Otus at medium aperture!

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Click on image to enlarge

Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT

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At very beginning some readers were disappointed to see that new Zeiss 55mm f/1.8 lens didn’t have a faster f/1.4 aperture. That said, the Zeiss 55mm shows an impressive performance! The graphs here show the FE lens versus the $4,000 Otus 55mm Zeiss. UPDATE: We are obviously are comparing apple and oranges as MTF graph do not match the same aperture. But as you see at medium apertures the lenses are on par. But obviously the Otus has been designed to give you a maximum sharpness at f/1.4 aperture. And compared to the Zeiss FE the corners are sharper when shooting wide open (f/1.4 the Otus and f/1.8 the FE). But not really by that much!

Click on image to enlarge

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MTF graph source: Zeiss Otus pdf, Zeiss FE page.

Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT

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Watch this: Long lines in Korea for the first A7-A7r for sale in Sony Store!

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We usually see these kind of images when the newest iPhone gets in Stock for the first time in Apple Stores. But now…it happens to Sony! The video on top shows the long line of people waiting for the Sony Korean Store aperture. They are the first worldwide store having a Stock of A7 and A7r cameras in-house for sale. Lucky guys, cannot wait to get mine next week!

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Specs and Preorders 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 Preorders 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

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

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A7-A7r free(!) accessory kits at Focus Camera. NEX-7 superkit deal at BHphoto. Cheap Canon EF to NEX electronic adapter.

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All that stuff around the A7r comes for free!

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FocusCamera si the first site offering A7 and A7r megakits for sale. And some of them have exactly the same price of the body only. Example:
– Sony A7r body with ten(!) free accessories (Click here).
– Sony A7 with nine free(!) accessories (Click here).
– Sony A7 with kit lens and with ten free(!) accessories (Click here).

Here are the links to the other kits where you pay a small extra:
– Sony A7r with a different 10 accessories kit (Click here).
– Sony A7r with eleven accessories (Click here).
– Sony A7 with ten accessories (Click here).
– Sony A7 with a different eleven accessories kit (Click here).
– Sony A7 with kit lens and eleven accessories (Click here).
– Sony A7 with kit lens and with elevn (different) accessories (Click here).

There is a NEX-7 Superkit with 18-55mm and 20mm Lenses, Sling Bag and 16GB Class 10 SD Card for $1098 at BHphoto (Click here). You save $150 and also get the accessories for free.

Canon EF lens owners that want to use their lenses on the E-mount (FF or APSC) cameras usually have to buy the Metabones adapter ($399 here at BH) to have full electronic support. A SAR reader noticed that there is a much cheaper alternative lens that does the same job. It’s the Vitrox that can be bought for $170 at Amazon US (Click here).

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Sony: We are not going after crazy fast aperture FE lenses. What matters is quality and lightweight design.

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Blunty posted that Sony A7 & Sony A7R Hands-on & Tested & Special Launch Event video. There are a couple of interesting info told by the Sony guys:
1) Minute 14:25: Sony makes no secret about it: Nikon D800/E sensor is from Sony :)
2) Minute 28:30: Micro lens design talk.
3) Minute 31:30: Nikon D800E vs A7r. Sony rep explains what’s better on the A7r.
4) Minute 43:00: Sony is not going after crazy fast apertures FE lenses. What matters is having to performance and lightweight design.

About point 4: I would like Sony to do both. Compact non überfast primes and larger super fast primes. I know it’s easier to say than to do. Their lens production capability is likely not large enough to make all lenses we want :(

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Specs and Preorders 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 Preorders 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

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

 

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