And a small surprise comes via UK. The first Silver 16-50mm is for sale at [shoplink 16037 ebay]Podmantech eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. All European auctions can be found via eBay Slidoo.

That said I am still trying to figure out when the new 85mm f/1.8 lens may be announced. Before or after the CES show? For now I am inclined to say that all major new NEX and SLT stuff may be announced a couple of weeks after the CES show…But that’s just my feeling for now. I need to get some relaible confirmation form trusted sources about that…

—
P.S.: If you visit our new Slidoo website register to modify your root country, save the search and get notified when there are new items! Thanks :)

The RX100 never had a price drop since the day of his release. But at least today you can grab the camera and get a free $50 gift card back at Samys (Click here). And a $50 gift card is also what you get on the NEX-5n kit at Bhphoto (Click here).

As you know Sony launched a up to $300 rebate action on APS-C SLT cameras. Sadly they didn’t apply the same discount on the A99. Some of you said that the A99 would be to new for a rebate action. Truth is that Nikon just did it with the Nikon D600 bundle that got discounted…$700 at Amazon, Adorama and Bhphoto.

Two more Sony related deals:
$360 in cart rebate (add in cart!) on the Sigma 50-500mm f/4.5-6.3lens at BHphoto (Click here).
Rokinon 85mm T/1.5 Cine lens in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).

The new Sony SLT design patent.

A week ago a new source claimed to know that the next generation of SLT cameras will have a Flip Up mirror. And see what happened today, I just discovered a brand new published Sony patent describing exactly how this will work! More here at freepatentsonline. The patent has been sent in back in 2009 and it is certainly not a prove that the rumor I got is correct. But at least it shows you that Sony is actually thinking on it.

As you know the so called “translucent mirror” reflects about 1/3 of stop of light for the use of the phase detection mirror. And many SAR readers wanted Sony to implement a mirror lock up mode to be able to get out the best possible image quality from their camera. The next SLT camera is scheduled for a release in February-March. I am working on a bunch of SLT, NEX and lens rumors and I hope to share some more good news like that soon! As I told you, even Canon and Nikon will envy us ;)

I kindly invite you to join the very active and growing Facebook community! And s ubscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream. You really will not miss all the news and rumors that will come from now on!

—

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!

SAR reader Dave (Thanks!) made this image to show you how Apples compare to Apples :)   Check the A99 review at Dpreview. Also ePhotozine posted a new A99 review and it got a “Highly Recommended” mark.

A warning for EU readers: As you knwo ther eis that crazy 2200 Euro price on the A99 at [shoplink 15977 ebay]ukbnsuk on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. Our reader “Arismakr” (Thanks!) got some info about the store: “The camera is an “NTSC only” model and that means PAL is not an option for European buyers. As you may understand there will be a problem with video playback in Europe. They also told me that the box is not sealed whatever that means”

Soudns like they improt the camera from cheaper Asian stores!
A99 store links: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.