Image courtesy: Optyczne.
The Sony booth at the CP+ show in Yokohama is displaying Sony’s current Full Frame cameras (RX1, A99 and A7r) under a big 4K advertising. UPDATED: The Japanese text you see above the camera is just advertising the Bravia 4K TV and not advertising any new 4K camera.
But according to my sources a first Full Frame 4K camera will be announced soon and challenge the just announced Panasonic GH4.
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cant read japanese but in Sony advertising all these cameras have been noted to support image output to 4k bravia TVs
I can read a tiny bit of Japanese and I can confirm that they’re writing about 4K Bravias.
The first line under “4K” roughly translates as “Not just capture it, but to view it”. And it mentions Bravia. So, no mention of any camera being able to capture 4K. You have to read between the lines to know what they are really saying.
I’ve heard from Sony store that it may be possible to tweak the firmware and record in 4k if you can find a card that has > 100MB/s speed in A7/A7R. I don’t know if its processor can handle this throughput though.
Certainly looks like a firmware upgrade, but I have my doubts as to whether the a99’s bionz could cope…
I think your right. It barely keeps with processing images. One of a few shortcomings of the 99 but otherwise a really nice camera. I
There is no “hint”. They hired the same folks who are doing their websites. Misleading and factually wrong.
Regardless of the GH4, which is still unpriced and untested, Sony has at least been innovating on both sides of the camera. 4K is lovely, agreed but considering the majority of consumers whose computers will keel over and die at the sight of a 4k file, I’m pleased that Sony continues to use better sensors and the new X to produce better still images at the same time. Panasonic produces an admirable video machine but their still images are barely par when compared to OMD or Fuji level output… and any comparison to the A7 level of imaging is completely unfair but it will inevitably happen because I guarantee that the price hasn’t been announced yet because it is going to be high, especially once the dock, so obviously needed to unlock what’s really special about the GH4, is added. I’ve no doubt it will perform but 1 camera does not a battle volley make. Sony already has 4 prosumer and 4 professional 4K camcorders, three of them consider the highest level of digital video offered in Hollywood, 1 of them, the AX100, bringing a new level of capability in a (barely) sub-$2k camcorder.
If you consider that Sony occupies 49% of the marketshare for mirrorless product globally then, truly, I don’t think Sony is terribly concerned about Panasonic. If anything, Panasonic is probably using Sony hardware, again… in which case the GH4 will be just another notch in the Sony belt.
GH 4K $1699, dock $2199, if reports on 43Rumors are correct.
The OMD E-M1 uses a Panasonic sensor and the new GH4 sensor is said to be a further improvement over the latest OMD iteration. If you want to slam the prior Panasonic flagship (GH3) then you’re slamming a Sony sensor… which seems a bit paradoxical to your argument. Nothing wrong with Sony sensors, but man the glass is total sh*t, that’s why most m43 system users stick with the format.
Again some overblown statement about Sony’s glass. Sigh.
What about Sony’s glass?
Man, your weed is good stuff…. LOL
50/1.4, 55/1.8, 85/1.4, 135/1.8, 135stf, 24-70/2.8… On the cheaper end, 35/1.8, 85/2.8 and 16-50/2.8.
16/35 f2.8 Zeiss, 70/400G2 and G1, 70/200G2, 500f4, 35 f2.8 for E mount. 16 fisheye is not so bad after all (it can be much better of course).
Tron… Tron… Tron… Go back into your video games….
Well, ignoring the sensor, Panasonic GHx is the only system with fewer 100% compatible and decent lenses than Sony A mount. You can count them on one hand and still have enough fingers left over to light a cigarette. (Im a Sony A-mount and Panasonic GH and LX owner, so zero fanboy bias).
I can buy a Minolta 50/f1.4 (FF) (or Sony 50/f1.8 APS-C), Tokina 11-16/f2.8 (APS-C) and the Sony 16-50/f2.8 (APS-C), thus making up a good set of video lenses, for less than a third of the cost of the same range with Panasonic. Its a good job those Sony mount lenses work on the GH, otherwise I’d have wasted my money!
I’m calling BS
@tron your talking out of your a$$
Sony has some of the best glass available. Its 24-70mm f/2.8, 16-35mm f/2.8, 85mm f/1.4,24mm f/2.0, 50mm f/1.4, are all best in class.
The 135mm f/2.8 STF, and 135mm f/1.8 are exceptional.
Panasonic stepped up in stills in the latest models, side-by-side tests also show that, and if you shoot raw, Panasonic has always done a good job while Sony’s video is still way below Panasonic’s video. Panasonic’s codec is simply miles ahead, even more when you consider that Sony still relies that much on AVCHD, even for their higher-end prosumer cameras. So this statement of yours isn’t really true.
Sony has a lot of qualities and moreover, power. But Sony is just like a teenager, at times they are bold, the FS700 and its slow motion, the RX100, a compact with larger sensor, the A7’s, the first FF mirrorless, etc. But in the end, they change their focus way too often, it’s hard to keep up with their change of direction instead of commitment and improvement – that would be Fuji.
All in all, you disdain just feel like just that, a defensive stand from a fanboy.
You sound even more defensive. Dyna makes a perfectly valid point, that a Panasonic sensor simply is no match for what’s in Sony’s FF cameras. And I completely agree with the main point he makes – Sony is quite probably not that concerned about Panasonic.
As to focus, Panasonic is not that different, they are also all over the place. DSLR-shaped camera, something like the NEX-7, the mini GM1, same as Olympus they entirely gave up on 43 etc. In reality, all that Panasonic has over Sony is one codec.
Its telling that neither Sony DSLRs *nor Pannys* were used in the last Sundance even though both have been around long enough to be considered: http://nofilmschool.com/2014/01/which-cameras-were-used-by-the-2014-sundance-filmmakers.
Even though Pannys are sold as video DSLRs, their downfall is that the footage is far too baked in (i.e. you can’t shoot in a particularly flat profile), irrespective of the high bitrates you can achieve.
This is not something you fully appreciate (and something that most internet reviews seem to overlook) until you start using the footage in anger!
All three versions of the camera will likely be updated this year to be 4K capable. Its been rumoured that a revised A99 is being launched this year, so its possible the A7r, and Rx1r will be to.
I’d definitely be interested in picking up a cheap v1 a99 if that’s the case. Andrea, have you heard anything about this from your sources about this?
It rumoured to be a 36mp update.
BRWAT, who are you?
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr4-slt-isnt-dead-after-all-ff-and-aps-c-a-mount-slt-coming/
Thinking about 4K when they can’t even fix their flash system. Fix the fundamentals first please Sony!
+1
+1
yes please..no point having 4k with a bad codec but most people don’t buy these cameras for video in the first place..Fix the fundamentals before adding bells and whistles
Then please tell us what’s the problem with the flash system 🙂
I don’t have any complaints about it, using multiple 43/58/60 Sony flashes on different A-model cameras, both with and without mirror, on- and off-camera.
G
Google is your friend.
What do you use them for? because all of the above overheat very fast. the 43 does not overheat as easy as the others but it does overheat. When I had then I used them for events and mostly use bounce flash.
strobists usually mention three things 1. f60 overheating shot continually at full power (it’s supposed to be a lot worse than competitors) 2. there is a bad flash delay when shooting wireless ttl using slt cameras (some are worse than others) 3 bad three party support due to change of hot shoe and adapter bulk.
Here you go:
http://community.sony.com/t5/Alpha-SLT-DSLR-Cameras/HVL-F60M-Flash-Overheating-Unusable/td-p/139177
Agreed, I just bought a new F58AM flash solely because of the latent defect in the F60. Sometimes I wonder if Sony didn’t make the 60 defective on purpose so they could flush the inventory of the F58’s. BTW, before I get body-slammed I do love my Sony gear, just not the company.
+99
Ok, don’t trust on me that, but I think it simply says that you can display your photos on a 4K Bravia. Hope someone confirms.
From Sony’s website:
“Watch Ultra High Definition slide shows directly on compatible 4K televisions via optional HDMI or Wi-Fi connection8. The a7R converts images for optimized 4K image size playback (8MP) so you can enjoy expressive rich colors and amazing detail like never before.”
What you say is correct. Basically it says “buy a Bravia for lossless (<- lol) playback of your (stills) shots. it's gonna be amaaaazin'!".
+1 hehe…..
Vlad, you are right!
It says like,
4k bravia can display the pictures taken by alpha without losing any information such as intensity or feel of air.
Exactly, nothing about 4k video in those cameras…
I will be at CP+ tomorrow, any request?
There is no hint, or whatever. It’s saying “photography is not just about taking pictures, but also watching them. 4k Bravia will allow you to get every single detail of your photos.” It’s about 4k tv and screens. Not about 4k cameras.
OK, here is a quick and dirty translation:
4k
“it’s not just capturing, but viewing”
Sony believes that is the work of camera makers
4k bravias reproduce the beauty of high resolution, impact, and feeling taken with alpha cameras
please try for yourself
it will change the course of your photography
The Power of Imaging
Moving The Camera Forward
Actually the translation reads:
“During our latest change of our short product attention span to 4k TVs these are some of the Sony product lines in imaging we plan to ignore. Have a nice day.” 🙂
This is what they call FUD marketing.
Sony is putting these displays on for people to think twice about buying existing 4K equipment today.
Wait for our stuff! Sony Says…..
FUD= Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt.
2007 called. It thanks you for resurrecting its acronym.
True, some things never change.
Reckon they’ll add 4K with an update? Would make sense to seeing as Bionz X can accept a 5K stream right! It can already output 4K stills via HDMI!
They’re just urging customers to view the pictures taken by them, and not just the demo pictures of the presentation, using their stunning Alpha models with a 4K Bravia TV in order to enjoy the quality of their cameras,
Not sure if others already translated it but here’s a very quick translation.
Not just taking photos, but seeing them!
Here at Sony we believe that’s the job of a camera manufacturer.
4K Bravia reproduces with no loss, the high resolution, the beauty, the impact, even the air itself that Alpha captures.
Give it a try
It’ll change the history of your photos!
The Power of Imaging
Pushing cameras further ahead
So read into it whatever you want, but there really isn’t much there of substance.
Isn’t that “air” actually “atmosphere”?
really? you want to be a pendant on this? Kukikan is pretty difficult to translate, as it literally means feeling of air. atmosphere, mood, feeling, air, vibe…nearly anything would work. if you really want to be a pendant, you could say that atmosphere is something that surrounds the earth and protects us from the vacuum of space.
but youre not a pedant and youre not a native speaker or professional translator or even an advanced student of japanese, right?
Pendant is a hanging piece of jewellery. Pedant is the word you are looking for.
I asked revdocjim a question, precisely because my Japanese is not that good and I want to learn. As you said, it is difficult.
I feel really sorry for you – you think that proper language should be the realm of pedants, native speakers, professional translators or advanced students only. guess, you also call people ‘grammar nazis’, when they are actually being helpful.
when you read the translation made by Revdocjim, “Atmosphere” make more sense in the sentence and as you stated yourself it could be one of the translation so why not point it out?
Andrea put this post and asked for the help of the community to translate japanese words. All the help is welcome.
I don’t read japanese so I do appreciate the work of Revdocjim as the participation of Vlad. No need to start a drama!
@admin the comments should start with the newest to the oldest coment , the way it is now,sometimes troll comments stay at 1st forever.
Just watch the photos of Sony CP+ stand on Optyczne and DC watch and I am drooling at that shelves with all the lenses and bodies (by the way it put in perspective the lack of Sony’s lenses).
Also we can see probably one the first image of the 70/200 f4 mounted on the Alpha7/7r at DC watch. Look big at first glance but pretty “compact” setup (in regard of the range of the lens)once in hand.
Sony lacks no lenses, they have enough choice. What is missing are extra fast primes and affordable lenses. Not everyone has a brick heavy wallet made by LV.
THE 4K CAMERA COING IS A OR E MOUNT?
APSC or FF?
What is “A-Mount?” Isn’t that the Minolta Film Camera system?
My Dynax 9 & 700si are still going strong 🙂 .
Who needs 4k and for what purpose. It implies a full environment of new equipment. And then, i agree with Thom Hogan when he states that there are so many breaches open in 1080 that they should fill first. We change permanently the standard, making it better?? at every time without even having been able to ripen the fruit we cultivated last time before. They should try to make one standard perfect and keep it for a while. 1080 is that good in picture quality that I doubt at any moment that 4k will make it better. It seems to me, when I read about it that all of us have 4000$ in the pocket to spend for a 4k monitor in 100 inch size. Beside that, we seem all to forget that the cameras we buy are photo cameras, so I estimate that someone who has 4k Grant for a screen has also the 8k Grant to buy a correct camcorder. What is all this nonsense of video cameras that also make photos good for. Tell Sony to make a Manual Focusing 36 mpix FF body without video, and the same in APSC, and many will jump on it, I am sure it will be a hit. Nikon is not losing customers, so far as I know, by selling a low resolution camera without video for a horrible high price. So, up to Sony to do one at price anyone wants to pay.
Sony, let’s get 14 bit color on your high end cameras first then worry about screwing up 4k.
http://diglloyd.com/blog/2014/20140214_1-SonyA7-artifacts-star-trails.html
Does this mean they’re going to ditch AVCHD?
I know I couldn’t care less about 4K video if the bit rate is crap.
I need 8K for new pitures for http://www.wallpapersultrahd.com