OWC just announced the new Generation 4.0 Cfexpress TypeA cards that will be available soon on their official store front here at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama. This is the price:

• 480GB for $319 (preorders coming soon)
• 960GB for $519 (preorders coming soon)

No Sony camera yet has the hardware to support these Generation 4.0 cards. But there are three good reasons why to buy them anyway:

1. Those cards are backwards compatible and will work just fine on any Alpha camera on their max speed possible (900MB/s)
2. When you download the file to your computer it will be running at max speed of 1620MB/s Write via the new 4.0 card readers
3. I suspect that future cameras like the Sony A1II will support those cards. So if you buy those cards now you are future proof if you switch to a future new Sony camera

A couple of months ago I told you that Sony would have quite a slow start in this new year. It’s even slower than the first half of 2023 when we “only” got the new ZV-E1 and ZV1-F. But Sony has been always relatively quiet the first 3 months of the year:

Jan-March product announcements (first three months of the year):
2024: Cameras: nothing Lenses: 24-50mm G (March 22)
2023: Cameras: ZV-E1 (March 29) Lenses: 20-70 G (Jan 17) 50 GM (Feb 21)
2022: Cameras: nothing Lenses: 16-35 PZ (March 22)
2021: Cameras: A1 (Jan 26) FX3 (Feb 23) Lenses: 35 GM (Jan 13) 50 1.2 GM (March 16) 24–40–50 G (March 23)
2020: Cameras: nothing Lenses: 20 G (Feb 25)
2019: Cameras: A6400 (Jan 15) RX0II (March 26) Lenses: 135 GM (Feb 26)
2018: Cameras: A7III (Feb 27) Lenses: 85 G (Feb 7) 100 STM (Feb 7)
2017: Cameras: nothing Lenses: 85 GM (Feb 3). 70-200 GM (Feb 3) 24-70 GM (Feb 3) 50 f/1.8 (March 29) 70-300 (March 29)

So hold on folks, new ZV-E10II is coming soon and more Sony cameras are coming the second half of the year …one of them might be something really “innovative” ;)

Press text:

SAN DIEGO. April 12, 2024 – Today, Sony Electronics launched a new version (Version 1.12) of the previously released Camera Remote SDK (Software Development Kit), bringing more features and Wi-Fi connection amongst other improvements. Additionally, new Camera Remote Command capabilities enable remote control of a wide range of 29 digital camerasⁱ. Through this new specification document, Sony removes restrictions to third-party software development and supports the creation of software that remotely controls Sony’s digital cameras, including shooting, monitoring, and file transfer. These updates are available at no cost through the link here: https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/sdk/en/index.html

Camera Remote SDK（Version 1.12)

Camera Remote SDK is a high-level command system designed for development efficiency that enables operation and control of Sony digital cameras using dedicated API provided by Sony. This is ideal for use with high-level APIs to efficiently develop programs. This package includes software modules, API references, and sample code.

Version 1.12 expands the capabilities of compatible models (Alpha 1, Alpha 7S III and Alpha7 IV) and now also supports the α9 III, a full-frame interchangeable lens camera with Global Shutter technology. It provides a more efficient workflow when using Sony digital cameras to take remote photographs in the B2B market, like inspections and surveys and e-commerce.

Version 1.12 and later supports the following features:

1. ​ In addition to USB and Ethernet connections, it also supports Wi-Fi, making it possible to use it even in environments where wired connections are difficult, expanding the range of use.

2. ​ Approximately 100 types of functionsⁱⁱ will be expanded for automation will be added such as: remote key operations, newly added Fn Menu operation and Custom key, etc.

In addition, it supports switching the memory card slot for recording still images and videos according to the shooting situation and switching the ISO AUTO upper/lower limit according to the shooting environment.

Camera Remote Command

Camera Remote Command enables remote control of cameras using a communication protocol that is Sony’s proprietary extension of the ISO standard PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol). This increases convenience when operating camera products from different brands with a single software, or when applying existing software to Sony’s digital cameras. This package includes command references and sample code for developers. Some of the users could be healthcare system development integrators, ITS integrators or photobooth photography system developers, and more.

Both “Camera Remote Command” and “Camera Remote SDK” will be collectively called “Camera Remote Toolkit.” Developers can choose the most suitable method according to their development purpose and application.

For more information and to download Camera Remote Toolkit, please visit the URL below.

https://support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/app/sdk/en/index.html

Western Digital this week is previewing the industry’s first 4 TB SD card. The Sandisk 4TB SD card is being showcased at the NAB trade show for broadcasters and content creators and will be released commercially in 2025. No info about the pricing yet…

The recent weeks I noticed that the RX100VI is no more in Stock:

• Amazon is NOT taking preorders anymore
• BHphoto reports the camera will ship in 4-6 weeks
• Adorama reports it’s “on Backorder”
• FotoErhardt says it’s “on preorder”

Our reader Diego shared an interesting story:

I recently had to service my RX100M7 I bought at Best Buy in the US and I was told I needed to get a replacement through the extended warranty I had purchased. 

Unfortunately the replacement was actually just getting store credit at Best Buy for the original purchase amount. I tried to get the same camera again but now it’s out of stock when I’m pretty sure it was available one or two weeks earlier. Checking Amazon, B&H and the Sony website I’m realizing that it is also unavailable there. 

Does this mean it has been discontinued or replaced by something else? I just thought it was interesting reading your reports of a possible new camera that could compete with the Fuji X100VI.

A couple of weeks ago I reported that the Sony RX1rII has been discontinued…and now it seems the RX100VII is going to encounter the same destiny. I will soon share some info about possible new series of compact cameras ;)