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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony Bringing Translucent Mirror to NEX-Format Cameras?

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If a recent patent application from Sony is any indicator of coming products, it looks like we could see a translucent mirror in future NEX-format cameras.

The obvious benefit of using this design in future NEX cameras is the ability to use a phase-difference autofocus mechanism (as typically found in DSLRs) instead of the slower, less accurate contrast-detection method that so-called “mirrorless” cameras have used to date.

Sony has already forged this technology in current Alpha “DSLR” models – Sony A33 and A55.  The rapid live view and video autofocus in the A33 and A55 looks to be a hit among reviewers so far.

Essentially, this patent application presents the A55 in an NEX-5 body.  It’s actually a design that should have been pretty easy to see coming.  There’s nothing really new that’s not already in the A55 . . . Sony’s just taking out the parts that make it look like a DSLR and presenting it in a smaller package more akin to the NEX cameras we already know.  And, it could very well be an Alpha mount camera in a compact shell, which would mean native functionality with Alpha lenses.

While I found the AF speed and accuracy in the Sony NEX-3 and NEX-5 to be quite acceptable, taking it up a notch or two wouldn’t hurt at all.

What do you think about this design?  Would you be interested in an APS-C camera that is this compact and has DSLR-like AF speed?

[via PhotoRumors]

 

Sony Announces Faster SD Cards, Continues Using Canon DSLRs for Product Shots

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Sony has announced a broader range of SD cards with capacities up to 32GB and top transfer speeds of 20MB/s.

“There’s now a choice of three SDHC card ranges by Sony. The perfect partner for your Cyber-shot™, Handycam®, ? NEX or DSLR camera, they’re also a great match for SD/SDHC-compatible cameras, camcorders and devices from all manufacturers. The affordable ESSENTIAL Series and value-added EXPERIENCE Series are joined by the flagship EXPERT Series for photo users who demand class-leading capacity and transfer speeds.”  -Sony Press Release

Sony also continues the trend of hiring out Canon shooters for its official product shots, with the top photo captured by the Canon 1Ds Mark III.

I realize that Sony is hiring a photographer, but it’s also trying to be a serious player amongst serious photographers.  I never see Canon and Nikon using product shots captured by the other companies’ DSLRs.  Occasionally, a Phase One MF camera will be used by Canon, Nikon or Sony for product shots, which is understandable for high-res product shots since the cap is at 21-25MP for DSLRs right now.  However, Canon’s product shots are otherwise captured with a 1Ds Mark III or a 5D Mark II, while Nikon product shots are generally captured with the D3x.

Sony’s got two 25MP DSLRs on the market.  And, I know I’ve ranted about this before, but isn’t it time for Sony to eat its own dog food?

[Sony]

Sony NXCAM HD Camcorder in Development, Uses NEX E-Mount

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Sony is teasing the development of a new pro-level NXCAM camcorder that uses the same E-Mount lenses found on the popular NEX-series of cameras, like the 18-200mm lens packaged with the Sony NEX-VG10.

Because the NXCAM uses features the E-Mount system, it can accept Sony Alpha mount lenses like the 70-400mm with the aid of the LA-EA1 adapter, which appears to be attached in the above screenshots.

Good news on the recording format front – it looks like the NXCAM will feature full 1920 x 1080 resolution in AVCHD format at a variety of frame rates, including 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and the all-important 24p.  Check out the video below for the rest of the teaser. [Read more…]

Sony A77 with 24MP Sensor

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Sony A700 Replacement

A new rumor puts a prosumer Sony A77 SLT in the pipeline for next year.  Sony Alpha Rumors received word that the new Sony A77 will feature a 24-megapixel APS-C sensor and still maintain noise control on as good as or better than Sony’s current crop of APS-C cameras in the 14-16MP range.  The Sony A77 should have the same translucent mirror technology as found in the recently released Sony A55 and A33.

This looks to be the Sony A700 replacement that everyone has been waiting for (like, forever) and should offer 1080p and 720p video capture in AVCHD format.

[via SonyAlphaRumors]

Sony A55 Capable of Shooting 3K Video?

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A hacker sent an email to Sony Alpha Rumors alleging that it is possible to hack the Sony A55 firmware to capture 3K video at 24p and/or 1080p video at 48/60 fps.

“I have had the Sony A55v for about a week. I’m already into the firmware and from years of hacking motherboard/video-card BIOS and Pentax cameras I can tell you the APS-C sensor can shoot MJPEG at 3k resolution at 24p for at least 45 seconds. I’m more interested in 1080p at 48/60 FPS. I’ll tell right now the memory buffer systems in this camera is huge….probably 3-4 times that of the GH1. All I’ve done is break into the code. A proper hack would take months. Thousands of possible settings to adjust. Testing. But you need thousands of people and a big community to support a project like that.” –SonyAlphaRumors

While this would most likely interest a rather niche audience, if the Panasonic GH1 hack is anything to measure it by, it could also be a pretty big deal.

Sony NEX-5 Review

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The Sony NEX-5 is a 14.2MP mirrorless camera in an ultra-compact form-factor.  If not for the DSLR-sized kit lens that attaches to the NEX-5, this camera would rival some of the consumer pocket cameras in size.  And with the available 16mm lens (shown above), you could make a good argument that it does.

In addition to the great still images the NEX-5 produces with its large, APS-C format sensor, the camera can also capture 1920 x 1080 Full HD video at 60i.  What’s more is the budget-friendly price tag that slides the kit under the $700 mark.

To get the full rundown on the Sony NEX-5, read on. [Read more…]