Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

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]

 

Firmware Friday: Sony A900/A850, Fuji HS10, Panasonic FZ100/FX700/FX75, Ricoh CX4

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Camera Firmware Update

Below you will find this week’s firmware updates.  Hit the manufacturer website links for more details and download instructions for the firmware.

Sony A900 / A850 version 2.0 – “You can release the shutter even when no lens is mounted on the camera (P/A/S/M and Auto mode). The range of the exposure compensation is expanded to ±5 EV (Before the update: ±3 EV). The following setting has been added to the continuous bracket and single bracket shooting functions: The exposure bracket can now be set in 3 EV increments and the camera shoots three images ([3.0 EV– +3.0 EV]). (Before the update: Up to 2.0 EV). The speed of autofocus has been improved. The improvement will be most noticeable when using a tele lens, however the effect is dependent on the shooting condition.” [Sony Website]

Fuji HS10 version 1.04 – “1. Custom white balance can be set correctly when an external flash is mounted. 2. On slide show mode, sound of movie recording data can be performed on the HDTV which is connected with the camera via HDMI interface.” [Fuji Website]

Panasonic FZ100 version 1.2 – “1. Image quality improvement of Motion Deblur in iA Mode 2. Performance improvement of autofocus in taking pictures while recording Motion Pictures” [Panasonic Website]

Panaonsic FX700 and FX75 version 1.1 – “1. Image quality improvement of Motion Deblur in iA Mode (FX70/ FX75/ FX700) 2. Performance improvement of autofocus in taking pictures while recording Motion Pictures (FX700)” [Panasonic Website]

Ricoh CX4 version 1.05 – “Modified the following phenomenon. 1. In the Night Landscape Multi-shot, when pressing the shutter release button half way, the camera shake warning symbol camera shake warning will not be displayed in the screen.” [Ricoh Website]

Sony Booth Tour at PMA 2010

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Sony Booth Tour at PMA 2010

Can’t make it to PMA 2010 to check out the new Sony DSLRs and Cyber-shot cameras?  That’s ok.  In the condensed 10-minute video below, you can see what Sony had on display at PMA. [Read more…]

Sony A850 Hands-On Review

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The Sony A850 has no differences from the flagship Sony A900 besides a slower rate of fire, a slightly smaller viewfinder and $700. For the money, it is the best bang-for-your buck value out there right now for full frame photographers. Put some nice Minolta or Zeiss glass in front of that sensor and you’ll begin to see some very nice results. During my hands-on time, I noticed some other slight differences in handling.

[Read more…]