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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.

 

Firmware Friday: Leica D-Lux 5, S2, Nikon V1, J1, Ricoh GR Digital IV, Sigma SD1, Sony NEX-5, NEX-3, NEX-C3, NEX-VG10

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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. [Read more…]

Sony NEX-VG20 APS HD Camcorder Announced

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Sony NEX-VG20

The Sony NEX-VG20 is a follow-up to last year’s groundbreaking NEX-VG10.  The new NEX-VG20 includes “comprehensive manual controls, improved imaging quality and upgraded sound” according to Sony’s press release – all of which are welcomed for this prosumer camcorder.

The NEX-VG20 captures 1920 x 1080 AVCHD video at 60p or 24p frame rates.  The 24p mode offers the ability to use Cinema Tone Gamma and Cinema Tone Color presets for richer color out of the camera.  The NEX-VG20 also continues the use of the Quad Capsule Spatial Array Microphone; however, it now supports stereo and 5.1 channel surround.

Sony has also improved the access to the camera’s controls, allowing access to the manual control dial even when the flip-out LCD is closed.

In addition to its video capture features, the NEX-VG20 also captures high-resolution still images with its 16.1MP CMOS image sensor.  It even offers the option to capture RAW image files – something that its predecessor did not do.

The Sony NEX-VG20 should be available in November for $1599 (body only) and $2199 when equipped with the 18-200mm kit lens.  Check availability on B&H Photo.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

More Sony A77, NEX-7 and NEX-5N Leaks

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Sony NEX-7 and NEX-5N

It looks like several of Sony’s new cameras have surfaced in leaked product images.

Above, you can see the Sony NEX-7, NEX-5N, A77 Battery Grip, Sony 16-50mm lens, Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens and NEX E-mount 55-210mm lens.

Sony is expected to launch the following cameras and lenses on or around August 24: [Read more…]

Firmware Friday: Canon 7D, Rebel T2i, Sony NEX-VG10

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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.

Canon 7D version 1.2.3 – “Fixes a phenomenon in which the settings of the Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 revert to the default settings when both the camera and the ST-E2 are set to auto power off. Fixes a phenomenon in which the Macro Ring Lite (MR-14EX, MT24-EX) and slave flashes do not sync while shooting wirelessly.” [Canon Website]

Canon Rebel T2i version 1.09 – “Fixes a phenomenon in which tone jumps become noticeable in some images, depending on the shooting scene, when shooting with the Auto Lighting Optimizer settings (Low / Standard / Strong).” [Canon Website]

Sony NEX-VG10 version 02 – “Support for the autofocus function with A-mount lenses.” [Sony Website]

Sony NEX E-Mount 18-200mm Lens Pricing and Availability

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Sony Japan has announced that the NEX E-Mount 18-200mm lens (which is packaged with the Sony NEX-VG10) will be available in September 2010 for 99750 yen for other NEX-format cameras; however, US pricing should be in the neighborhood of $800-900 as a best guess.

No word yet on availability stateside, or official US pricing for that matter.  It’s a good sign that we’ll see the E-Mount 18-200mm lens on NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras soon though.

Sony NEX-VG10 Camcorder

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The Sony NEX-VG10 is an interchangeable lens, APS-C format camcorder.  It is the first of its kind.

The VG10 gets the NEX prefix from the lens mount, which accepts Sony’s E-mount lenses like those released with the NEX-3 and NEX-5 mirrorless cameras.  The VG10 will also accept Alpha mount lenses from Sony’s DSLR line with the use of an appropriate lens adapter.

The NEX-VG10 captures 1920 x 1080/60i resolution video in AVCHD format at up to 24Mbps.  An array of four microphones at the front of the carry handle captures audio with front-side directivity and stereo separation.  In addition to capturing video, the VG10 captures 14MP still images in a very similar manner to the NEX-5.

The NEX-VG10 will be packaged with a Sony 18-200mm E-mount lens, which will provide a field of view equivalent to 27-300mm for full frame cameras.  Also included in the box will be a free license for Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 10 via download, which will enable you to work with the VG10’s files and even publish content to Blu-ray discs in full HD.

The NEX-VG10 carries an initial retail price of $2000 and should ship in September.   You can already pre-order the NEX-VG10 direct from Sony Style.

Check availability on B&H Photo, Adorama and Amazon.com.

Update: See a more in-depth overview at Tech Tilt: Sony NEX-VG10 Overview.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]