Sony London press event: Sony “introduces” the 30x compact cameras to the European press and two A-mount lenses.

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Bildschirmfoto 2015-04-14 um 07.14.35

Todays Sony press event in London only showed the two new 30x zoom cameras (X90V and the WX500) to European Journalists. So these were the two “new” cameras Sony “introduced” today. I am surprised they gathered all those journalists for such a small (non-)announcement. UPDATE: Sony just announced two new A-mount lenses. Hurray! :)

And as rumored previously the new E-mount cameras will be announced around mid-May. And we can expect the new RX cameras to come along that announcement too. I am 99% sure that announcement is not a “Bogus” like we had today.

What to expect to be announced by Sony in 2-3 weeks:
A7rII, A6100 and Rx100m4. Yet unconfirmed is the release of a RX1X (don’t know what exactly that is yet).

Personal note: I know some readers are upset with me. But Sony did indeed invite plenty of journalist to have a touch and try session with two “new” cameras. It was legit to hope to see some really new camera announced today just like it was last year. So please don’t blame me if Sony invited all those people for nothing :(
And please keep in mind that the new A7, A6xxx and RX cameras will be announced soon anyway!!! Today mis-announcement doesn’t invalidate them :)

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New Pentax K-3 II has Sony 24MP sensor and Pixel Shift Resolution mode

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PentaxkIII

Pentax announced a new K-3II camera featuring the Sony 24MP sensor inside. And they also add one feature I hope Sony will add on the current A7II and all future on sensor stabilized Sony cameras: Pixel Shift Resolution mode. Pentax writes:

The K-3 II is the first camera in the PENTAX line to incorporate Pixel Shift Resolution® for capturing still life subjects with ultra-high resolving power. Pixel shift technology uses the camera’s in-body Shake Reduction mechanism to move the image sensor at single pixel increments, capture 4 separate images, which are subsequently combined into a single high definition image. Benefits include higher resolving power, reduced false color and improved overall image quality of non-moving subjects. 

Please Sony…copy such good features! :)

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Sony A77II gets tested at Dpreview.

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Dpreview (Click here) posted the full Sony A77II review. The camera earned the Silver Award for the following reason:

The Sony a77 II is the perfect choice for those seeking pro-grade shooting and AF speeds for well-under pro-grade prices. No moving mirror means the a77 II can successfully use continuous AF during both 12fps bursts and video capture, a major advantage over many of its DSLR competitors. And in-body image stabilization helps to keep both stills and video a bit more stable than the competition. Subject tracking, one of the a77 II’s most anticipated features, is unfortunately, not very reliable. And high ISO images have a tendency to be fairly noisy. Build quality and ergonomics, however, are very good. Overall, the a77 II offers a lot of camera, for a very reasonable price.

The A77II got announced exactly one year ago at the Sony World Photography Award. And today Sony will indeed announce new cameras again…but no A-mount today?

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Sony press event at around 14.00 London time. Next press event in May.

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Sony is set to announce new RX, A7 and A6000 cameras series between now and June.

Just to keep you up to date: Today Sony has a press event and so far the only certain news is that they will show two cameras and that there will be no A-mount cameras. And another press event for E-mount is scheduled for May. So what we can expect today at around 14:00 London time is:

1) Sony just introduces the two 30x compact cameras in Europe (X90V and the WX500).
2) Sony announces new RX cameras.
3) Sony announces some other surprise too.

So far I am almost certain the new A7rII and A6100 cameras will be announced in 2-3 weeks around mid May. I guess either option 1 or 2 will happen today. Option 1 would be really a joke but hey…it’s Sony :)

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Both new Zeiss Batis lens now available for preorder at BHphoto and Adorama. POLL: Will you buy them?

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Zeiss_Batis_85mm_18_FE_sony

Both lenses are now available for preorder at BH and Adorama:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 85mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 25mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
I haven’t found EU or Asia preorder links yet.

POLL:
Now let’s see how many SAR readers will really buy those lenses:

Do you like the new FX30?

View Results

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SAR admin opinions:
Unlike the other FE lenses I do not think these new lenses are heavily overpriced. They are weather sealed, build quality is top and I am sure they have top-notch image quality too, the 85mm has optical stabilization and the OLED display may turn out to be more than just a useful gimmick.

Reminder: New Zeiss Batis key features:
1) They are the first Full Frame Zeiss lenses with autofocus
2) Those are the first worldwide lenses with OLED display on lens to show aperture and depth of field info. And at startup it reminds you what you spent $$$ for with a “ZEISS” writing :)
3) The 85mm f/1.8 is the first Zeiss with optical stabilization.

Zeiss_Batis_25mm_20_FE_Sony

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Full Zeiss Batis FE lens specs! First Zeiss FF lens with OLED display, optical stabilization and autofocus!

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The new BATIS 85mm and 25mm lenses have an OLED display on lens!

Preorder links:
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 85mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 25mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).

New Zeiss Batis key info and specs:
Chapeau Zeiss! The new BATIS lens announcement just added a huge value to the FE system. Those are the key points of the new lenses:
1) They are the first Full Frame Zeiss lenses with autofocus
2) Those are the first worldwide lenses with OLED display on lens to show aperture and dpeth of field info. And at startup it reminds you what you spent $$$ for with a “ZEISS” writing :)
3) The 85mm f/1.8 is the first Zeiss with optical stabilization.

The lenses are also weather sealed!
And here are the specs:

Technical specifications Zeiss

Product Zeiss Batis 2/25 Batis Zeiss 1.8 / 85
Focal length 25 mm 85 mm
Aperture range f / 2 – f / 22 f / 1.8 – f / 22
Elements / groups 10/8 11/8
Focusing 0.2 m – infinity 0.80 m – infinity
Working distance 0.13 m – infinity 0.71 m – infinity
Field ** (diag. / Horiz. / Vert.) 82 ° / 72 ° / 51 ° 29 ° / 24 ° / 16 °
Image circle diameter 43.3 mm 43.3 mm
Coverage at close range ** 12.4 mm × 18.7 mm 18.9 mm × 28.3 mm
Magnification at close range 1: 5.2 1: 7.9
Filter Diameter M67 x 0.75 M67 x 0.75
Diameter max. 81 mm 81 mm
Diameter of the focus 78 mm 78 mm
Length (without lens cap) 78 mm 92 mm
Length (with lens caps) 92 mm 105 mm
Weight 335 g 475 g
Camera mounts E-mount E-mount
Focal length 25 mm 85 mm
Aperture range f / 2 – f / 22 f / 1.8 – f / 22
Elements / groups 10/8 11/8
Focusing 0.2 m – infinity 0.80 m – infinity
Working distance 0.13 m – infinity 0.71 m – infinity
Field ** (diag. / Horiz. / Vert.) 82 ° / 72 ° / 51 ° 29 ° / 24 ° / 16 °

Full press release and more images can be seen on that SAR post. And here are the Adorama preorder links (Click on the image):

Adorama85mm Adorama25mm

Reminder: Tomorrow (April 23) big Sony announcement! Follow live on SAR at 12,00 London time.

OLED_Zeiss_Batis

Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 85mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).
Lens shade for 25mm at Adorama (Click here), Bhphoto (Click here).

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