Sony roundup…

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Sony A99 hands-on by expertreviews. A99 photos at Nikolaovcharski.
Nex-6 image samples at Techradar.
Full resolution charts of the new Sigma A-mount lenses at SonyAlphaLab.
300F2.8 SSM GII hands-on at Dpreview forum.
Voigtlander 90mm f/3.5 lenses on a Sony NEX-7 (Soundimagesplus).
VG900 testvideo at Videoaktiv.
Sharon Stone uses a Sony NEX camera! Pictures at Dailymail.
Impressive comparison of the improved low light performance of Electronic Viewfinder of the A99 compared to A77. Thread shows images when looking through A99 and A77 EVF in very low light (ISO1600) http://www.sonyuserforum.de/forum/showthread.php?t=123035

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Time: RX100 is under the 50 best inventions of the year!!!

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The famous magazine “Time” selected the Sony RX100 as one of the fifty best inventions of the year! They write: “Digital cameras have been getting smaller and more capable every year, but that trend took a huge leap forward in 2012 with the Sony RX100, which bridges the gap between point-and-shoots and pro-quality digital SLRs. Sony’s innovative design and 1-in. (2.5 cm) sensor allow the camera to take flawless photos even though it’s 20% slimmer than your average digital SLR—small enough to fit in your pocket.”

Yep, that’s exactly the reason why it is the best selling Sony camera for months now (popularity ranking here). Today Gariz also announced new RX100 letherette skins you can alreayd buy on eBay in [shoplink 15141 ebay]Black (Click here)[/shoplink] and [shoplink 15140 ebay]Red (Click here)[/shoplink]. A new review has just been posted by Photographybay.

RX100 links roundup:
RX100 price search links: [shopcountry 13014].
Cases: [shoplink 13347 ebay]Official Sony LCJ-RXA case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13344 ebay]Gariz case[/shoplink], [shoplink 13345 ebay]more leather case[/shoplink].
Batteries: [shoplink 13346 ebay]NP-BX1 Battery[/shoplink].
Special stuff: [shoplink 13343 ebay]Multi-Coated LENS ARMOR UV[/shoplink]. Magfilter at Amazon (Click here). RX100 filter adapter on [shoplink 13486 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]

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First time A99 in Stock at Amazon. NEX-6 in Stock in Europe.

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For the first time the A99 is in Stock and shipping via Amazon itself (Click here). Now let’s see if this will finally push the A99 on top of the popularity ranking. The A99 is already for sale in Europe at Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany and Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and massively on eBay worldwide stores (here on Slidoo).

Readers keep sending me their unboxing videos and first tests: Stealthmode, Bridal, Giveaway at SLRlounge, A900vs A99 comparison on Flickr. Thanks for sharing these links!

Sony NEX-6 is in Stock at [shoplink 15131 ebay]Bigvalue (with lens)[/shoplink], [shoplink 15132 ebay]Bigvalue (body only)[/shoplink], Wex Germany, Amazon DE, Jessops UK, Amazon FR and in many European eBay stores (here on slidoo).

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A Minolta inspiration idea for the Full Frame NEX :)

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[shoplink 15112 ebay][/shoplink]
Imagine that camera…in E-mount :)  Image courtesy: Wikipedia.

Have a little dream, and I want to share it:
As I told you I have no doubt anymore that Sony will sooner (or later) release a new Full Frame E-mount camera. But not only the specs and tech inside the camera will be important also the design has to be perfect. And knowing that some Minolta engineers are still involved in Sony camera development and design I really hope they are going to take some inspiration from the [shoplink 15112 ebay]Minolta CLE[/shoplink] you see here on top! More nice body images can be found within [shoplink 15110 ebay]that camera auction (Click here)[/shoplink].

I owned one for quite some time (sold it after in favour of the [shoplink 15111 ebay]Mamiya 7[/shoplink] a plastic camera but medum format). At the time of the presentation the CLE was the best M-mount camera. But what I like most is the compact size philosophy (it is the most compact M-mount camera), the zero compromise in body quality, the easy design and easy handling. Now imagine a FF NEX camera having the same simplicity. That would be a killer. And probably you would not have to dream the new Leica M anymore. Don’t you think?

The CLE still sells used on [shoplink 15112 ebay]eBay (Click here to see all auctions)[/shoplink]. There were even some Gold editions (here on slidoo ebay). History about the camera can be found on Cameraquest and Camerapedia. MIntola acutions on eBay here on slidoo.

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Ozawa Chukyo’s work with the Sony RX1.

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Sony launched a dedicated Ozawa Chukyo page that shows his work with the new Sony RX1: http://www.sony.jp/cyber-shot/1hand-fullsize/photographer.html. A poor automatic translation can be found here via google. Mr. Ozawa talks a lot about his experience with the RX1. And of course he liked the camera. We will still have to wait over a month before first cameras will be shipped. Meantime I can’t wait to see some real RX1 test soon.

The RX1 can be pre ordered at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.

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(SR4) New NEX-7 successor coming in first half 2013!

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We all loved the NEX-7 but the time is close that it will find his way to a well deserved retirement. It stills ell well in US (see Amazon ranking) but according to our sources the NEX-7 is due for replacement the first half of the next year. We are still working on the rumored specs list and sources are welcome to send me the bits of info they have about the camera so that I can be as accurate as possible the day I will post them on SAR.

All I can say for now is that every aspect from EVF, sensor up to the AF will be changed (ok that was to be expected). I haven’t heard of any revolutionary new feature yet (like foveon sensor or whatever you imagine). While final prototypes are already out for testing you may share your wish list for the new NEX-7 successor while I am working on the real specs info. Contact me anonymously (with fake mail address) at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Or just drop a message on the contact form you see placed here on the right sidebar. Thanks!

The $100 NEX-7 rebates on Amazon:
Meantime there is a $100 rebate action on the NEX-7 (Click here). You save another additional $100 when purchasing it along the 55-210mm lens and another 2% on the overall total price. That deal is part of the many Golg Box deals launched three days ago (Click here to see them all / there will be a DSC-H90 deal starting soon).

There are also some good deals on eBay:
In USA: You can get them even cheaper at [shoplink 15102 ebay]Bigvalue ($1066 click here to check out the auction)[/shoplink]. And private sellers are also selling some new bodies for less than $1000 at [shoplink 15100 ebay]Bucsmom[/shoplink] and [shoplink 15101 ebay]Kirmell[/shoplink].
In Europe: Cheapest price at [shoplink 15103 ebay]Microprice Italy (topseller store)[/shoplink]. It’s about 60-70 Euro less than in other stores.
Full list of eBay NEX7 auction here at Slidoo.

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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 new financial report…

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The Sony mirrorless market share in Japan

 

Yesterday BCNranking (translation here) posted the market shares of the mirrorless market in Japan. As you see Sony is the second top player. But how is Sony doing financially? Today Sony released that pdf document (Click to download). In short: The company lost $198 million in Q2 but that’s much lass than they amount they lost in Q1 ($312). But forecast data looks good and Sony should go back to profit by end of 2013. What do we know about the digital camera business?

The imaging division that includes Digital Imaging Products and Professional Solutions categories. had a slightly revenue drop from ¥219.1 (Q1) to ¥182.6 (Q2) but there is still an operating income plus of ¥2.6 (numbers in millions). Sony writes that “This decrease was primarily due to a significant decrease in unit sales of compact digital cameras reflecting a contraction of the low-end of the market resulting from popularization of smartphones as well as a slowing economy.“. But the forecats prediction says that “Sales are expected to increase and operating income is expected to increase significantly year-on-year.”

What is Sony’s goal for the imaging business? Here it is:
“Although the market for compact digital cameras continues to contract, Sony is working to restore profitability through reinforcement of its high value added products such as those that are differentiated through the use of highly competitive image sensors developed by Sony. For interchangeable single lens cameras, which are enjoying a steady expansion of sales, Sony aims to contribute even further to profitability by enhancing product competitiveness through the integration of network functionality and services. Image sensors contributed to profitability this quarter and, with the aim of further expanding profitability, Sony is making additional investments in production capacity to meet the growing demand for high performance image sensors in the growing market for mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets.”

P.S.: Unlike it is in Japan you can’t get real market shares data from Europe and US. To get a very basic and non scientific idea of the popularity you can still check the largest online store rankings:
US ranking (Click here), DE ranking (Click here), UK ranking (Click here), FR ranking (Click here).

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