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Image courtesy Optyczne

The polish site Optyczne was present at the London press conference from Sony. They report:

During the presentation the speaker pointed out the continuous development of Sony Alpha DSLR system and emphasized that despite strong offensive on the mirrorless market  cameras with a translucent mirror are not forgotten.

The sideshow title was “Sony maintains commitment to A-mount“.

Yesterday Sony showed the two new A-mount lenses and their two new 30x cameras at the event (See image samples at Fotopolis). There was no “hint” at all about a possible new A-mount camera coming soon. For all we know new E-mount and RX cameras “only” are coming in May-June.

New A and E-mount lens preorders:
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.
Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f/2.0 lens at Adorama, Bhphoto.

RX100m4 may has a larger FT sensor similar to the one of the LX100.

Yesterdays Sony announcement create quite some disappointment. And a lesson I learned is that I have to make it very clear what’s a rumor and what’s a speculation of mine. The rumor I posted about the April 23 event were right (SR5 rumor 1 and SR5 rumor 2). While my speculations (here) that those two “new cameras” could be new RX cameras were wrong. Knowing that there was no E-mount stuff coming on that event I simply deducted that those could be RX cameras. Didn’t expect Sony to display the two 30x cameras to the European press (See for example Fotopolis London report). There was no wrong SR5 rumor but just me having wrong speculations. And I learned that I have to be careful whenever I express my private deductions and hopes! Such a mistake I will not repeat again.

Moving on: Here is the RX camera rumors recap:
(SR5) There will be at least one new RX camera announcement in May-June (SAR article here).
(SR4) It’s rumored that there will be a new RX100m4 camera. Probably with FT size sensor in RX100m3 alike body (SAR article here).
(SR3) RX1X (unclear when it will be released and what kind of camera it is) (SAR article here).

So let’s restart from these three rumors. Please weight the ranking of the rumors and always be aware this is a rumor and not a press release news site :)

The Bulgarian Alphaforum (Click here) posted the very first full size image samples shot with the new A-mount lenses. Check them out!

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New A-mount lens preorders:
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at Amazon, BHphoto and at Adorama.

Sony announced the new Touchless Shutter APP (donwload at Playmermories). Sony says:

With this application, you can simply hold your hand over the eye sensor to release the shutter.
Now you can operate the shutter without touching the camera, thus eliminating camera shake once and for all. When bulb-shooting, hold your hand over the eye sensor twice to start and end the exposure.

Cool thing!

There is also another new APP called Lighting Painting.

First of all a short thanks to the Zeiss source that got the BATIS specs right back in January (SAR article here). I really hope he will send us more Zeiss info in future :)

And now back to the announcements: The last 24hours we got four new lenses:
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).
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).

And the new Rokinon A and E-mount 100mm lens is in Stock at BHphoto.

And as a reminder: New A7x, A6xxx and RX cameras are scheduled to be announced in May. I hope trusted sources will send us full specs soon.

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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!

Images via ePhotozine!

Surprise! Today Sony announced the release of the two new “updated” A-mount lenses! They now have 4x faster Tracking AF, improved image quality and ghost reduction. Below you can read the press text (via ePhotozine). Preorder links:
Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).

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Sony has enhanced its line-up of α A-mount interchangeable lenses with two enhanced versions of its full-frame ZEISS Vario-Sonnar large-aperture standard zoom and wide-angle zoom lenses.

Photo professionals and discerning enthusiasts will welcome the addition of the Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL2470Z2) standard zoom and Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II (SAL1635Z2) wide angle zoom, both delivering significant improvements in image quality, ghost reduction and AF performance, together with a new dust and moisture- resistant design.

The SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 are ideal partners for Sony’s A-mount family of interchangeable lens cameras, including the highly acclaimed α99 and α77 II. With the addition of an optional mount adaptor they’re also compatible with E-mount cameras such as the α7 series.

Uncompromising image quality is a hallmark of every ZEISS Vario-Sonnar lens. It’s taken to new levels with the SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 that feature a ZEISS T* coating on optical surfaces that achieves even greater reduction in ghosting, especially with tricky against-the-light shots.

Autofocus performance of the SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) system in both lenses has also been uprated significantly. Faster, more powerful processing in the lens LSI increases AF accuracy, delivering approximately 4x the subject tracking speed of each lens’s predecessor – a perfect partner to the 4D Focus system in the α77 II – making it ideal for shots of fast-moving action subjects like wildlife, sports and active children.

Both models also feature a new dust and moisture-resistant design that makes the SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 even more appealing options for challenging outdoor assignments.

Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F2.8 ZA SSM II

Covering a popular 24-70mm range of focal lengths, this high-performance full-frame zoom delivers imaging quality you’d expect from a prime lens.

From everyday snapshots to handheld portraits, landscapes and wildlife, you’ll enjoy legendary ZEISS® sharpness and contrast at all focal lengths. With a bright constant F2.8 maximum aperture right across the zoom range, the SAL2470Z2 is a dependable partner for low-light portraits, dim interiors and night-time scenes.

Aspherical and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements are combined in a precision optical design that’s highly effective at suppressing aberration. You’ll appreciate the difference with high contrast and faithful reproduction of delicate gradations.

Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm F2.8 ZA SSM II

This large aperture, wide angle zoom is equally capable of capturing spectacular scenery or bustling street scenes. With a bright F2.8 maximum aperture at all zoom settings, it’s also ideal for handheld shooting at twilight or in dimly-lit interiors.

The precision optical design features aspherical lens elements that minimise distortion. In addition, ED (Extra-low Dispersion) and Super ED glass elements provide superior contrast, resolution, and colour fidelity.

The new SAL2470Z2 and SAL1635Z2 α A-mount ZEISS lenses from Sony are available to pre-order now.

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).
Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA SSM II at BHphoto (Click here) and at Adorama (Click here).

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 :)