Sony will display the Zeiss 50mmf /1.4 SSM A-mount lens at the upcoming CP+ show in Japan (start January 31). But it will be again displayed as “prototype” and not as final lens. Final lens specs and price will be announced in Spring.

That said let’s go back on the 20mm pancake news. As I told you I got the info about the lens weeks ago but I didn’t have the exact launch date and was waiting to get more bits about that. And with all that far more interesting rumors I am getting in these days (Zeiss FF, A78, new sensor tech) I somewhat missed to inform you about it, again sorry!

My sources told me Sony decided to make this lens because they wanted to achieve a higher image quality compared to the sub par performance of the existing 16mm lens. Yep, I do agree with most of you saying this isn’t really a big deal of a lens and many may prefer the bigger but better and cheaper Sigma 19mm f/2.8 lens which by the way you get for $99 if bought as double Sigma lens package at BHphoto (Click here). And in Europe for 99 Euro at Technikdirekt.

But I want to remind you…Sony’s path this year is to start from the very low end product release up to the Sony FF NEX in one year. So it will go better and better believe me :)  Also the 85mm f/1.8 E-mount lens will be in Stock by the second half of the year and so the new high quality E-mount zoom lens. Same product announcement philosophy goes for the cameras. NEX-3n and A38 are coming as first. Than new NEX-7 and A57/A77 successors later. I like that kind of product roadmap :)

New lens preorders at BHphoto: 20mm pancake (Click here) and powerzoom (Click here).

Image of the 20mm pancake

Sony just announced the new 20mm f/2.8 pancake for NEX and released the 18-200 Powerzoom lens as standalone. Preorder is already up at BHphoto (Click here for 20mm pancake) and for the powerzoom (Click here).

Editor’s note. I knew about that 20mm lens since over two weeks but didn’t know the exact announcement date. Damn, missed to post the rumor earlier. Sorry :) I have been told by my sources that this lens has a much more acceptable image quality than the 16mm pancake.

Here is the press release:

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 22, 2013 – Sony is expanding its popular E-mount camera system with the addition of two new lenses compatible with all α E-Mount Cameras and semi-professional camcorders.

New 20mm F2.8 ‘pancake’ wide angle lens (model SEL20F28)
When mounted on any Sony α E-Mountcamera, the sharp new SEL20F28 ”pancake” lens creates an exceptionally versatile, portable package ideal for a broad range of everyday shooting opportunities ranging from interiors to landscapes, street photography, casual snapshots and more.
The new lens features an ultra-slim design approximately 20mm from lens front to back, and with its wide angle of view (30mm on 35mm equivalent) and bright F2.8 aperture, it produces excellent contrast, resolution and clarity across the frame for both still image and full HD video shooting.

New 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS Powered Telephoto Zoom Lens (model SELP18200)
Originally offered only as a kit lens for the new NEX-VG30 camcorder introduced this past fall, the new SELP18200 powered telephoto zoom lens will now be available for purchase as a stand-alone lens.
Designed for serious videographers, the high-quality lens offers a generous 11x magnification range and whisper-quiet power zoom mechanics, focusing and aperture operation. This allows for smooth cinematic transitions when adjusting zoom level or manual settings during shooting.  It features a comfortably positioned zoom lever that works with a switch on the lens barrel, allowing zoom speed to be selected in three different steps – from slow, beautiful shifts in perspective to dramatic crash-zoom effects.  Zoom can also be controlled directly from compatible NEX-VG900, NEX-VG30 and NEX-FS700 (requires firmware update) video cameras.
The new lens also has built-in Optical SteadyShot™, which cuts the effects of camera shake and minimizes camera blur while shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds.  Additionally, Active Mode further enhances stabilization at the wide end of the 11x zoom range ensuring smooth, stable footage even if the shooter is in motion.
While the new SELP18200 lens is optimized for video, it’s also a flexible choice for shooting still photography – from expansive landscapes to high impact close-ups of wildlife or athletes – with Sony’s α E-Mountrange of interchangeable lens still cameras.

Sony α E-mount lens family expansion
These new models expand the Sony E-mount family to 13 native E-mount lenses plus two converters, covering virtually any shooting situation for photographers and videographers alike.
Spanning ultra-wide angle, powerful telezoom, macro and fast, bright primes, the range includes premium optics by Sony and Carl Zeiss, and offers refined performance and easy handling throughout the line.

Pricing and Availability
The new E 20mm F2.8 (SEL20F28) wide-angle prime lens will be available this April for about $350.
The new E PZ18-200mm F3.5-6.3 OSS (SELP18200) motorized telezoom lens will be available this March for about $1200.
The Sony α family of cameras, camcorders, lenses and accessories can be purchased at Sony retail stores, online at www.store.sony.comand at all other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

I had quite busy talks with sources in these days about the long term strategy from Sony. And I also got some bits about the Sony-Zeiss collaboration. First of all it is confirmed that the next three Zeiss primes (2.8/12, 1.8/32 and 2.8/50 macro) for the NEX system will cover APS-C only.  But at the same time Sony and Zeiss made an agreement on FF E-mount lenses. And it works like that: Zeiss will now design at least three new E-mount Full Frame prime lenses. They will have to possibility to test the lenses on a non final prototype. Zeiss has scheduled the official release of the lenses for June 2014! Sources didn’t unveil me the detailed lens specs yet also because nothing is final yet. But one thing they told me…the lenses will be expensive to buy! And certainly more expensive than their [shoplink 15174 ebay]current FF ZM series[/shoplink] :(

Anyway, this rumor comes via top top and top sources. So it’s marked as SR5 but of course it’s a long way to go and the June date may change depending on how things will work out. Meantime feel free to share your expectation. I may do a poll with your suggested Zeiss FF NEX lenses to show Zeiss what it’s needed according to our SAR fellowship. Of course be aware that everything will come at a high cost. So dream the lens you can actually afford :)

Take some inspiration from the superb Zeiss ZM list:
[shoplink 10875 ebay]Distagon T* 2,8/15 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9803 ebay]Distagon T* 4/18 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9804 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/21 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9804 ebay]C Biogon T* 4,5/21 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9805 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/25 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9806 ebay]Biogon T* 2,8/28 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9808 ebay]Biogon T* 2/35 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9808 ebay]C Biogon T* 2,8/35 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9809 ebay]C Sonnar T* 1,5/50 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9809 ebay]Planar T* 2/50 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9810 ebay]Sonnar T* 2/85 ZM  (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 9810 ebay]Tele-Tessar T* 4/85 ZM (Click here to see price on eBay)[/shoplink].

As you remember Sony announced new NEX camcorders at Photokina. And they came with a new version for the 18-200mm E-mount lens that features Powerzoom (See image on top of the Sony NEX-VG30 with that lens). This is not really a big news but Sony will soon offer the lens as standalone products you can buy to use on your NEX-3/5-6/7 camera. Exciting? Of course not but some filmmakers may be happy to grab a lens like that :)

So let’s start this week with the forecast about the next Sony camera releases. I am getting many mails about the soon to come new Sony stuff. While I am not sure about the announcement date I am almost sure this is what you can expect to come soon:

The new Sony NEX-3n, the new Sony A38 and after that the new Sony A58. All three come with the “new” standard ISO Hot Shoe. And at least the A58 has a very new sensor too!

As I have told you before Sony will go from bottom to top within the next 12-16 months. First the entry level NEX and SLT, than the more advanced NEX (7n?) and A78(?), and than by end of this year or early next year the new Full Frame mirrorless and maybe another “Flagship” camera I heard about for the first time last week.