Press text: Sony Announces World’s First CFexpress Type A Memory Card with High-speed Performance and Tough Durability

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Sony A7sIII Preorders:
Sony A7sIII in USA at Adorama (up to $400 off with lens). BHphoto. Amazon. FocusCamera.
Sony A7sIII in EU at Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK. Park UK.

New Sony A7sIII accessories:
You will also have to preorder the world’s first CFexpress Type A cards at Adorama, BHphoto. Amazon.
And of course the new Sony MRW-G2 CFexpress Type A/SD Memory Card Reader at Adorama and BHphoto.

This is the press text for the world’s first CFexpress Type A cards:

Sony Announces World’s First CFexpress Type A Memory Card with High-speed Performance and Tough Durability

  • Up to 700MB/s[i] write speed and 800MB/si read speed
  • Compact design and advanced functionality
  • Effective heat dissipation design
  • TOUGH specification construction ensures high durability and dust/water resistance
  • Supported by File Scan Utility memory diagnostic software and Memory Card File Rescue data recovery software

Sony today announced a new generation of media — the world’s first[ii] CFexpress Type A memory cards, in both 80GB and 160GB, (CEA-G80T and CEA-G160T) as the most recent addition to Sony’s TOUGH specification cards. Delivering high transfer speed, durability and reliability, Sony’s new CFexpress Type A cards offer professional and stress-free performance for photographers and content creators.

High-speed Performance

Both the CEA-G80T (80GB) and CEA-G160T (160GB) use the latest flash memory control technology to achieve write speeds as high as 700MB/si and read speeds as high as 800MB/si, greatly reducing buffer clearing times for efficient, stress-free shooting. The CFexpress Type A cards are ideally suited for high-speed continuous shooting of more than 1,000 uncompressed RAW still images, as well as 4K 120p movie recording at high bit rates with the Slow & Quick Motion function[iii] when paired with new Alpha 7S III, which features two CFexpress Type A compatible media slots, that also support UHS-I and UHS-II SDXC/SDHC cards, for simultaneous media capture or extended continuous recording of even the highest bit rate data. Compliance with the VPG400 video performance guarantee profile specification ensures stable video recording at 400 MB/s—creating a smooth workflow for professional creators.

Effective Heat Dissipation Design

The new CFexpress Type A memory cards are equipped with a heat sink to transfer heat generated by the card to the exterior when transmitting large amounts of data at high speed, using Sony’s original alloy with excellent thermal conductivity. This enables users to record for long periods of time[iv] even when recording 4K 120p video internally.

Tough Durability

Keeping up with Sony’s TOUGH specifications, the new CFexpress Type A memory cards feature bending and impact resistance to protect precious data, even when frequently changing cards in the harshest environments. They are up to five times more resistant to drop impact and up to ten times more resistant to bending, compared to CFexpress Type A requirement standards, for outstanding durability. In addition, thanks to a specialised internal structure, they achieve an IPX7 water ingress protection rating and an IP5X dust ingress protection rating (IP57) for enhanced durability.

Reliability

Accidents happen. Sony’s Memory Card File Rescue[v] data recovery software allows users to recover accidently deleted RAW images and 4K video from memory cards. In addition, Sony’s Media Scan Utility[vi] media diagnostic software will be updated to support CFexpress Type A cards allowing users to diagnose and receive a warning before the number of read/write cycles approaches the card’s limit.

CFexpress Type A/SD Card Reader

Optimised for the new CFexpress Type A memory cards, the CFexpress Type A/SD card reader (MRW-G2) provides SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) transfer speed, via its USB Type-C® connector, allowing creators to establish an efficient workflow when dealing with high-resolution image files, 4K video and other types of high-volume data. When combined with a CFexpress Type A card, it allows users to transfer data approximately 2.8 times faster than with conventional media[vii]. The MRW-G2 card reader can be used with CFexpress Type A and SDXC/SDHC (UHS-I and UHS-II) memory cards.

Pricing and Availability

CFexpress Type A memory cards and card reader will be available in Europe in September 2020. See below for suggested retail pricing:

  • CEA-G80T: €230
  • CEA-G160T: €440
  • MRW-G2 Card Reader: €140

For more information, please contact your local PR manager or:

David Edwards, Corporate Communications, Sony Europe

+44 (0)1932 817000 / david.edwards@sony.com

[i] Actual performance may vary and is dependent on environment and usage.

[ii]As of July 2020, Sony Survey

[iii] 10-bit depth and 4:2:2 color sampling, All Intra recording, when shooting in slow motion.

[iv]Depends on camera performance

[v] Does not support data recovery for Content Protected and Game Data files. Not all data may be recoverable.

[vi] MRW-G2 CFexpress Type A/SD card reader is required for CFexpress Type A card diagnosis. Diagnosis is not possible with readers from other manufacturers or a direct camera connection.

[vii] Sony test conditions. Compared to Sony’s SDXC UHS-II memory card.

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There is a leaked Sony A7sIII video everywhere on youtube

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Preorders:
Sony A7sIII in USA at Adorama ($200 off with lens), BHphoto, Amazon.
Sony A7sIII in EU at Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK.

I don’t know how this happened but there are a ton of videos showing the A7sIII on youtube and facebook (see here, see here, see here, see here, and so forth).

Meantime I am working on the next rumor about the new Sigma FE fast prime lens ;)

Here is That1CameraGuy take on the leaked video:

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Just a heads up: New rumors coming after the A7sIII launch (Another Sony camera and Sigma lens)

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Preorders:
Sony A7sIII in USA at Adorama ($200 off with lens), BHphoto, Amazon.
Sony A7sIII in EU at Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK.

Just a warning: After the A7sIII launch I will post new rumors about another nw Sony camera and a new Sigma lens. It really looks like companies have moved all the Spring announcement to the August-September timeframe.

IMPORTANT: To not miss any future rumors and leaks follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Discord.

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German Sony A7sIII press text leaked: Price is 4200 Euro!

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Preorders:
Sony A7sIII in USA at Adorama ($200 off with lens), BHphoto, Amazon.
Sony A7sIII in EU at Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK.

Nokishita leaked the full German press text. Here is the google translated text:

Almost five years after the Alpha 7S II, Sony launched the successor: The Alpha 7S III has an improved 12-megapixel sensor, records 4K at 120p and is said to achieve exceptional results in low-light photography thanks to large pixels. As with the Alpha 7S II, the sensor of the Alpha 7S III has a resolution of 12 megapixels, but is now exposed on the back.

At the heart of the new Alpha is a 12 megapixel full-frame sensor that has been improved compared to the Alpha 7S II. Sony is now opting for a construction with back exposure (BSI), with which more light can be captured and which enables better results with low light shots. The maximum sensitivity is still ISO 409.600 (expandable down to up to ISO 40). The sensor is supported by the new BIONZ-XR processor, which is said to have eight times as much computing power as the previous image processor. Sony is also breaking new ground in operation: For the first time in the Alpha 7 series, a fully moveable monitor (3.0 inches, 1.44 million points) was installed, which now also allows touch operation of the menus. The structure of the menus has also been completely revised; among other things, only the relevant entries are available in photo and video mode for better clarity. The OLED viewfinder achieves a record resolution of 9.44 million points and a magnification of 0.9x. Even glasses wearers have the entire picture in view, the size of the picture can also be reduced.

4K with 120p
One focus of the camera is video recording. Unlike Canon with the EOS R5, Sony does not use 8K for video, but continues to use 4K, which is said to achieve the best results so far with an alpha camera. The sensor’s 12 MP resolution enables a full-pixel readout without pixel binning and without crop up to 4K / 60p. In this setting, the recording limit should be one hour without overheating – the EOS R5 only manages 30 minutes at 4K / 60p. The video recording of the Alpha 7S III in 4K / 120p mode is limited to this length – by the way, a slight crop is used (1.1x).SonyAlphaRumors.

The monitor can be swiveled, and the handle and controls have become larger, as with other cameras of the third Alpha generation.

With Full HD, the Alpha 7S III even records at up to 240p. For time-lapse recordings, lower frame rates up to 1p can also be selected in S&Q mode. It is recorded internally with a color subsampling of 4: 2: 2 and a color depth of 10 bits. New codecs are available: XAVC-S-I records single images (All-I) with a data rate of up to 500 Mbits / s, XAVC-HS reduces the amount of data in image group compression to 200 Mbit / s thanks to H.265 compression. With HDMI 2.1, the camera can even output 4K / 60p as 16-bit raw files (ProRes Raw) to an Atomos recorder. Of course there is also a logarithmic gamma profile available (S-Log 2/3), which should enable a dynamic range of over 15 f-stops; the sensitivity starts here at ISO 640 (extended: ISO 160). According to Sony, the rolling shutter effect has been significantly minimized. The Alpha 7S III is equipped with a 5-axis image stabilizer in the housing, which, measured according to the CIPA standard, achieves an effectiveness of 5.5 f-stops; In video mode, digital stabilization (active mode) is also used, which also uses a gyro sensor. The information from this gyro sensor can also be stored in the metadata of the videos so that it can be used in post-processing for digital stabilization.

Fast autofocus and 10 frames/s
The hybrid autofocus covers 92% of the image sensor and uses 759 phase detection points and 425 with contrast AF. In addition to human, the AF algorithms now also recognize animal eyes – according to Sony, also at a greater distance than before. The AF sensitivity goes down to -6 EV series, the camera shoots at up to 10 frames / s. The mechanical shutter is designed for 1/8000 s.
Sony is using two memory card drives in the Alpha 7S III for the first time, which can use both SD cards (UHS-II) and the new CFexpress type A cards. They are smaller than Type B cards and faster than SD cards. For most video modes, SD cards of video classes V60 and V90 are sufficient; CFexpress is only required in S&Q mode with 4: 2: 2 color subsampling and 10 bit color depth. The series mode also benefits from the faster cards; 1000 uncompressed raws in a row should be possible here. Sony plans to launch two CFexpress Type A cards on the market in September, which have a write speed of 700 MB / s and a read speed of 800 MB / s: The 80 GB version is said to be 230 euros, the 160 GB version 440 Cost euros and supplies electricity for 600 photos or 95 minutes of video.

A Z battery is used for the power supply,
which can be charged via USB-C and power for
600 photos or 95 minutes of video. Continuous power supply via USB is also possible.
The Sony Alpha 7S III should be available in September for around 4200 euros.

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Sony has heard our prayers: Sony A7sIII has a new menu system!

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Preorders:
Sony A7sIII in USA at Adorama ($200 off with lens), BHphoto, Amazon.
Sony A7sIII in EU at Fotokoch. Calumet DE. WexUK.

Oh damn I was assuming th Sony A7sIII would have the same crappy menu of the the current A7 cameras. But luckily for all of us I was wrong!

Now here is the twist: Trusted sources told me there is a new menu system while a new anonymous source sent me the image above. Now, this is a new source so I cannot be 100% sure yet it’s legit. But I guess there is a fair chance it is.

More A7sII rumors:

And another two sources (Thanks to you too) sent me some more info too:

  • Completely new menu with full touch support.
  • The smallest rolling shutter effect in the world.
  • Huge viewfinder with the ability to reduce the field of view of images, for people wearing glasses.
  • The 16-bit raw info applies to recording in movie mode (and not just photos) to an external recorder.
  • The Sony a7siii will have a passive cooling heat sink type system probably made of aluminum (copper, alloy or stainless steel are other options) similar to those used in the Raspberry Pi B board.
  • Apparently in Europe the camera will start shipping out in September.

Personal note:

I am exhausted and I am getting new rumors about a Sigma lens too! And I have two days left to prepare my 2,700km car trip through Europe (will post the pics on my IG channel).

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