Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
The Sony NEX-EA50UH is a new pro-grade APS-C format camcorder equipped with an 18-200mm servo zoom lens for a more traditional ENG cam feel. The NEX-EA50UH captures 1080p video at up to 60p in Sony’s staple AVCHD format. The camera is equipped with a 16MP Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor. [Read more…]
The Sony NEX line is already knocking it out of the park, so this news comes as icing on the cake. SonyAlphaRumors.com has good word that the upcoming Sony NEX-5R (which will replace the NEX-5N) will sport a new 16MP CMOS sensor with phase detection AF sensors built as pixels directly on the sensor.
For those unfamiliar with the tech, phase detection AF is what’s used in all DSLRs; however, most mirrorless cameras to date have featured a contrast detection AF method. The contrast AF system has gotten better in recent years – with Sony, Panasonic and Olympus doing a bang-up job of making it much faster in the latest models. However, if you’ve used both a DSLR and a mirrorless camera, then you know that DSLRs just focus faster . . . and that’s due to phase detection AF.
The recently announced Canon EOS M features a phase detection AF method at the pixel level as well. And, Canon even introduced the feature into the Canon Rebel T4i. While the Rebel T4i certainly does a better job at AF than other traditional DSLRs, it still has a ways to go based on my early testing with the camera for full time AF during video. Hopefully, the EOS M performs much better than the Rebel T4i’s AF.
But Sony is really sneaking up on Canon and Nikon. Frankly, I think Sony is the manufacturer to beat at this point in the mirrorless market. If the new NEX-5R steps up the game with an even better AF system than exists in current NEX models, then it’s going to be hard for others to really push past.
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.
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.
This just makes sense. With all the HDSLR cameras that have been introduced over the past few years, I sort of expected to see more of this sooner (I think Canon’s 320EX is the only first-party unit so far). [Read more…]
Redrock Micro has addes new cinema camera bundles to its line for the Sony FS700/FS100, Sony F3 and Panasonic AF100. There are models for both studio rigs and shoulder rigs for each camera.
More details are available on Redrock Micro’s website.
I have been using the Sony RX100 for about a week now and I have to say that it is a stunning little camera. It packs 20MP CMOS image sensor and the fixed zoom lens provides 28-100mm equivalent zoom range with a max f/1.8 aperture.
The RX100 gives a proper use of that little 2.7x crop sensor that’s also found in the Nikon 1 Series. And, best of all, it’s a pocketable camera. [Read more…]
Sony Alpha Rumors has word that a Sony NEX-6 mirrorless camera will arrive next month in time for Photokina 2012 as a “mini NEX-7”, complete with an integrated viewfinder and a lower price. [Read more…]
Kipon has announced new lens mount adapters that offer electronic control of Canon EF lenses on Sony NEX and Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Details are scant at the moment, with pricing and availability dates to be announced later. [Read more…]
Sony just released a new Alpha-mount lens – the Sony DT 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SAM.
The new lens is a consumer-oriented model designed for use on APS-C Sony A-mount cameras like the Sony A77, A57 and A37. It should be available in September for $300. Check availability at B&H Photo.
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
The Sony SLT-A77: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide is a new book from Carol Roullard and Brian Matsumoto. In it, they “teach you how to obtain exceptional photographs and videos as they cover everything from the basics of using the camera’s automatic modes, to the more advanced aperture-priority, shutter-priority, program, and manual exposure modes.”
The Sony SLT-A77: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide retails for $34.95; however, it is currently available from Amazon for $19.06.