Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony NEX-FS100

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Sony has just released details on its new professional grade NEX camcorder – the NEX-FS100.  This new camcorder is the big brother to the popular NEX-VG10 and accepts all E-Mount lenses, as well as A-Mount lenses with the use of an adapter.

The Sony NEX-FS100 sports an APS-C / Super35mm format sensor and is capable of recording 1920 x 1080 60p at 28Mbps.  The NEX-FS100 will also capture at 30p and 24p frame rates – and it offers the ability to shoot with a proper 1/48s shutter speed when recording 24p video.  Additionally, the NEX-FS100 includes built-in controls for over- and under-cranking footage at full 1920 x 1080 resolution. [Read more…]

 

Sony A77 Announcement in July, Shipping October?

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More word of the Sony A700-replacement is trickling out.  This time, SonyAlphaRumors cites “trusted sources” that confirm a July announcement for the Sony A77 translucent mirror camera and an October 6, 2011 ship date for the camera.

While none of this is set in stone, it correlates with earlier statements from Sony that we’ll get a Summer 2011 announcement for the camera.  Additionally, previous info from Sony indicates that the A77 (if that is in fact the new camera’ s name) is expected to be released alongside a new kit lens and prosumer-grade speedlight. [Read more…]

New Sony Full Frame Camera in 2012?

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Sony A850 and A900

As Sony continues to tease the coming A700-replacement camera (presumed to be called the A77), rumors are building for a full-frame camera to follow-up the 24.6MP Sony A900 and A850.  Sony Alpha Rumors writes that its “trusted sources” have indicated an “amazing” full frame camera will be available from Sony in 2012.

Additional comments suggest that the full frame camera will use the translucent mirror technology found in the Sony A33 and A55.  Of course, the new A77 model will feature the translucent mirror; however, putting a full frame sensor behind the translucent mirror will be a first for Sony.  Given the recent developments with Sony’s SLT models, we should expect the coming full frame model to also capture at least 1080p HD video using AVCHD compression.

[Sony Alpha Rumors]

Sony NEX-7 Coming Soon?

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The rumor mill is churning about a new NEX flagship camera from Sony.  The rumored Sony NEX-7 was tipped to Photo Rumors as a follow up to the popular NEX-3 and NEX-5, along with the following description:

When you look in front of the new Sony NEX 7 with the 24mm Zeiss mounted, the new camera looks like a twin of the Minolta Dimage A2 – a really small nice pro body.

That description reminds me of the recently announced JVC GC-PX1, although it is a fixed lens camera.  Not much more about the new mirrorless camera is known at the moment.

[via Photo Rumors]

Sony Alpha Instant Rebates

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Sony has a number of Alpha models (both DSLR and NEX) on special through March 5, 2011.  Most of the instant rebates are $50 off and include the new Sony A33 and NEX-3.  Additionally, the A900 has a $200 instant rebate; however, those are apparently in short supply at the moment.

See the full list of available Sony instant rebates over here at B&H Photo.

Sony A77 Price and Features: Soapbox Edition

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In the recent post about the Sony A77 prototype camera on display at CP+, Chris left a comment asking about the price of the new camera, which is due to be released later this year.

So far, Sony hasn’t revealed the price point for this new camera.  However, we do know a few things about the A700 successor. [Read more…]

Sony WX9 Hands-On Review

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The Sony Cyber-shot WX9 is 16.2MP compact camera that fits somewhere in the middle of Sony’s early-2011 lineup.  The image sensor is Sony’s rather impressive back-illuminated Exmor R CMOS sensor, which is backed up by the power BIONZ image processor that allows the WX9 to deliver up to 10fps in burst mode and capture 1080i AVCHD video.

The WX9 is a close mate to the WX10, although it takes a step down in a couple parts of the feature set.  Check out my first impressions of the WX9 below. [Read more…]

Sony Reveals More About A700 Replacement, Coming Mid-2011

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Sony has taken every opportunity over the past year or so to tease an A700 replacement.  Such is the case again this week at CP+ in Japan.

In this case, however, Sony managed to give an idea of when it would be available.  The yet un-named model that will replace the A700’s position in the Sony Alpha lineup will be available “mid-2011” according to the official word from Sony at CP+.

In addition to the new A700 successor, Sony is developing a new standard kit lens and a new hot shoe flash to pair with the prosumer camera.  As we have already learned, the Sony prosumer model will feature Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology (as found in the A55 and A33).  The prosumer model, rumored to be called the A77, will also capture AVCHD in full 1920 x 1080 resolution.  The camera will also feature an APS-C format sensor.

Sony Opens E-Mount for Third-Party Lenses

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Sony has announced that it will be unlocking the keys to its popular NEX camera models (i.e., the E-mount specifications) and allow third-parties to develop lenses for the system.  What’s more, Sony won’t charge them a dime.

Given the initial popularity of cameras like the NEX-5 and NEX-VG10, I would expect to see plenty of lenses down the road from the likes of Sigma and others.  In fact, Sony is touting the endorsement of the move by Sigma, Zeiss, Cosina, and Tamron.

No specifics on what glass will be the first on store shelves, but my guess is that these guys already have stuff in progress.

Any Sony NEX owners out there with a wish-list of lenses from Zeiss, Sigma, etc.?

Sony HX9V and HX100V Announced

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The oft-rumored HX9V and HX100V are now official as Sony’s latest Cyber-shot models. Both camera feature 16.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensors and Optical SteadyShot image stabilization.

The Sony Cyber-shot HX9V sports a 16x optical zoom lens with a 24mm equivalent wide-angle field of view.  The HX100V is a superzoom model with 30x optical zoom, which starts a 27mm on the wide end.  Both models offer a max sensitivity up to ISO 3200 and capture Full HD 1080p video at 60p.

The HX9V and HX100V feature 3-inch touchscreen displays with a 921k-dot resolution.  Of course, both models offer Sony’s signature 3D Sweep Panorama mode for easy panoramic images.  Both cameras should be available in April 2011.

Along with the HX9V and HX100V, Sony also unveiled the no-frills Cyber-shot W520, which sports a 14.1MP sensor, 5x zoom lens and 2.7-inch LCD.  The W520 is set for March 2011 availability.

More details and images below. [Read more…]