The Sony RX1 now finally is in Stock at Amazon (Click here). This is a little gem camera but don’t know how many will buy it knowing that Sony may release a FF NEX in 10-12 months. According to rumors we got Sony is indeed developing an E-mount Full Frame camera.
Anyway, the RX1 strengths are
1) the super compact size (doubt it you can make it so small with an interchangeable E-mount).
2) Sensor-Lens optimization
3) Leaf shutter (silent operation). This also is not going to be a feature of future FF NEX cameras.
Now let’s hope to get some specs about that FF NEX any time soon!
9 Responses
Waow, after a hideous APS-C camera, Sony will launch now a hideous Full-Frame camera… Awesome!
I appreciate and applaud the buyers of RX-1. Not for me. I will wait for a FF NEX. 🙂
Have the rumors revealed how Sony is going to make the diameter and flange-to-imager dimensions of the E mount accommodate a 36x24mm “nostalgia format” sensor? (I assume that’s what you mean by “full” frame…)
Maybe rumors have a strong enough gravity field to bend light…
There is no physics bending involved. It is possible. Short registry does not necessarily have to translate to short exit pupil distance. That is the key.
Have you not seen the Sony NEX VG-900? It’s video camera with a 35mm fullframe sensor behind an e-mount. Do you suppose Sony created a time machine just to steal technology from the future to be able to create the VG-900?
How full is that frame? Like classic FF A-mount glass on a FF nex? Or does this mean.. a new mount? (If yes: any new mount lenses available soon?).
Can you point to any sample photos from the VG900 that show the full sensor being used with no vignetting?
When I look at the pictures of the sensor behind the mount it looks to me like the extreme corners are obscured by the mount. I spent 10 minutes searching on the web and all the sample still photos I could find were taken using a 16:9 aspect ratio that would not include the corners. Most people that buy a $3000 video camera use it to shoot video so there were not a lot of sample stills but I would think that somebody would have tried it and posted the results online.
A few days ago, I visited one of the major electronic chain store operations here in Japan. I visit there regularly and this time had some opportunity to talk with a Sony representative in the store. Two items of interest he commented to me in answer to a couple inquiries:
1. NEX Full frame. I asked him about when can I expect to see the Sony full frame NEX appear on the market. (I asked in such a way displaying a degree of confidence as if I already had some sort of insight on this happening). He commented that it will still be about a year or two still before that happens. So, it seems that development will still be pretty much ASP-C for the Sony roadmap in 2013 in consistent with what is mentioned in Andrea’s comment here. Perhaps by the end of 2013, we can start seeing things happening in that direction. So, are full frame NEX cameras forthcoming? Probably yes. Are they going to come any time soon? Probably not. So, patient is a virtue. Be content with APS-C for the interim. And besides, APS-C is far better then the little tiny sensor-equipped mom-and-pop type P&S cameras. From those to APS-C is s big jump. From APS-C to full frame, it is not so spectular. Many try to make full frame as some sort of holy grail that you should pay big money for. Well, for now, the APS-C is the best cost performance until full frame becomes more of a common denominator. Then, once that happens, people will be looking forward to medium format as the next holy grail. Fact of the matter is, both of these format sizes easily existed from long time ago in the film era.
2. Tamron and Sony lenses: I inquired to the rep as to which one might be the better to go with, Tamron or Sony for the 18-200mm telephoto for the NEX E-mount. He told me that fundamentally the lenses are made by Tamron. Yes, even the Sony 18-200mm! Fundamentally Tamron OEMs to Sony and of course, sells under their own brand name, Tamron as well. So, in terms of quality, you basically are purchasing Tamron technology regardless which one you buy. Their might be some modifications to accommodate Sony, but, that is what OEMing is all about.
Oh, one more point, the rep hinted to me that a new full frame Sony NEX most likely will be pretty much close to the same size we know the current NEX cameras. It may have to be just slightly larger to accommodate mount flange for the FF sensor.
Personally, I would not buy the Sony RX-1. For the price one must pay, having only fixed lens, no EVF = no thanks. One can buy two (2) NEX-6 lens kit systems for the same price and with change. I personally think the RX-1 is a predessor of things to come and ‘testing the market waters’ of FF in this relatively compact form factor before it becomes main stream.