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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A99 Video Up to 1080p at 120fps Rumored

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Sony A99 Rumors

If anybody is going to do it, it would be Sony.

The same company that jumped out in front with the NEX-VG10, then the FS100, and then the high frame rate FS700 that shook everything up could be stirring another big pot with a full frame camera that shoots 120 fps at 1080p.

Moreover, SonyAlphaRumors.com reports on potential specifications that include 1080p video at 50Mbps at 4:2:2 sampling, among other highly sought after video specs noted below.

Sony A99 Rumored Video Specs

  1. AVCHD2.0 format ,below 1080p it have the Bit rate of 50Mbps, 4:2:2 sampling
  2. 1080P with the highest 120fps,at 720P, the highest is 240FPS
  3. MP4 format still 35Mbps
  4. center focus all the lens can use the biggest Aperture. others still F3.5
  5. except P model, A,S model can also auto-focus but M model still MF
  6. 4 times zoom in during 1080P can be captured
  7. multi-recording can take a 2.4Megapixels during recording
  8. HDMI can be Non-destructive Output new shoe can fit the wireless(bluetooth) mic
  9. except the high speed model,other model Maximum recording time is 29min 59s
  10. Time code support

That reads more like a wish list than an actual spec sheet for a DSLR-style camera.  But if anyone would drop this in a sub-$5k DSLR, Sony would.  Expect lots more noise from Sony in the lead-up to Photokina 2012.

 

Sony FS100 Firmware Version 2 Upgrade Now Available

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Sony FS100 Firmware Upgrade

The Sony FS100 firmware version 2 upgrade is now available on Sony’s website.  The new firmware adds the following features to the FS100:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

Sony NEX-FS100 Serious Firmware Upgrade on March 22

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Sony FS100

DSLR News Shooter has confirmed a firmware upgrade for the Sony NEX-FS100, which will add some long-awaited features to the camera.  Among the new features:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

I can’t express how happy I am to see that the expanded focus will get a bump from the lowly 2x that it shipped with.  Likewise, the camera profile loading from memory cards will be welcomed to those of us who hate customizing the profiles one variable at a time.  Loads of other worthwhile upgrades makes this one seem like Sony has been reading users’ wishlists.

The firmware update should hit on March 22. I’ll be sure to update as soon as I see it available.

RED EPIC Takes a Ride on a R/C Octocopter

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Ever wonder what it would be like to strap a $60k camera to a radio controlled octocopter?  Well, someone dreamed up the idea of putting a RED EPIC on one of these devices and produced the stunning results you see in the above video.

To get a better idea of the potential of this rig, check out the below video shot with the Sony FS100 riding on the OM-copter. [Read more…]