While rumors from trusted sources pointed out that the new A-mount mirrorless cameras (both FF and APS-C!) will hit the worldwide stores in very early 2014 I am now getting some interesting rumors about the announcement date. One source (and second anonymous source) told me that Sony will officially announce the new A-mount cameras in a couple of months already! I don’t know yet if Sony will actually show camera prototypes or just introduce their new A-mount mirrorless philosophy or the real final cameras. I hope the sources reading this can send me some clarification about that.
Overall there is a terrific exciting time ahead of us. New NEX-7 successor and NEX lenses (including fast zoom and 85mm f/1.4 lens). New A-mount mirrorless FF and APS-C cameras and FF lenses. I also got hints about some NEX-FF news. I am working almost any day to spill out as much as I can from all my sources 🙂 I don’t think you will have to wait much to see first camera specs! Stay tuned!
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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com.
For readers: Subscribe the RSS feed (Click here) and Twitter (Click here) stream and the Facebook fan page (Click here) in order to not miss any news!
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
99 Responses
Didn’t they say that there will be a FF NEX, yesterday? When would that come?
I willw rite about that soon. Guys, I have so good feelings about the next wave products…I tell you 😉
Thanks! 🙂
Really looking forward to the FF NEX news. 🙂
Will there be a cheap FF A-mount? Sure hope so…
Yup, all the unsold A99 bodies. 🙂
Hmmm, those will do just fine…!
What about lens compatibility? Is the future supersonic only?
That’s the question, how well legacy and third-party lenses AF will perform.
Nobody will know how all those Minolta, Tamron, Sigma etc., lenses will focus until it hits the stores.
Wait wut? You posted a dozen or more posts claiming you know they won’t work. No one knows but you do?
I Andrea!
Any news about the new 70-200 f2.8??
+10000000! Been hearing vague things about this for ages – really looking forward to some solid news about it. The current 70-200 lens from Sony sigma and tamron aren’t good enough 🙁
coming for sure!
Hello Admin,
Is there any chance that the FF Nex will have compatibility with existing Nex lenses? I have the three Zeiss lenses but may sell while they are valuable if there will be no functionality with the FF Nex.
Hope there is some information available regarding this inquiry!
Greetings,
when we may expect some new info about Nex-7 successor? It should be nearest announcement but we still know nothing about it except they made advanced innovation to Nex-7N prototype/concept.
Hi! Happy to hear that new cameras are coming. But what about my ‘old’ camera? No more updates for a99?
Hope we could get news about the new on sensor AF system soon….
It is the key sucess (or fail) for mirrorless DSLR like system.
The one introduced by Canon 70d seems really promising… Anyhow thwy maintained the mirror because of the VF and most probably perdormances…
If the live view AF is good then it pretty much makes the use of EVF’s redundant for most people. You get OVF and rear LCD live view in one camera. Sony’s all or nothing EVF only approach and the expected high prices will seal it’s fate.
Sony are increasingly become more niche and have no hope of attacking the big 2.
70d’s will fly off the shelf, all we have are rumours, speculation and vapour-ware.
Wrong. the on sensor PDAF will make the OVF obsolete. Mind that the purpose of the mirror is primarily in two things – allow you to see what you shoot and also deliver image to the AF module. It also introduces a few things which you do not want to have – image blackouts and most importantly vibrations (not to speak of additional costs for the mirror). Also during the time the mirror is up, the camera has no AF capabilities.
Therefore a full mirrorless is the way to go and that implies EVF use, where Sony has already a big advantage. You eliminate vibrations and have constant AF.
On-sensor PDAF doesn’t solve the problem of interrupted AF. While the shutter is closed, the on sensor PDAF will get interrupted as well.
@whistler
Not wrong, just inaccurate: “the purpose of the mirror is primarily in two things – allow you to see what you shoot…”
before you shoot, not during the shooting; besides, does not give any idea of how your captured image will be
Whistler: +1
Not really. I’d rather have a 100%/1.09x magnification EVF over the 98%/0.95x OVF in the 70d. I just couldn’t go back to an APS-C OVF. In the future, EVFs are only going to get better and better, but how much more can Canon improve their OVFs?
Moreover, live view cannot compensate for the lack of a large, immersive EVF.
+1
I think both Canon and Nikon needs to get on the EVF wagon soon otherwise they will be left so far behind in the industry. EVF has many advantages like Focus peaking, face detection AF, live histogram, live exposure preview. OVF is a dead technology that is so outdated, I would never go back to OVF. Guess what people, we are now living in a digital age, and everything will be headed towards digital.
CaNikon don’t have to worry about putting an EVF into their bodies any time soon.
Sooner or later they will have to.
The longer they hold off EVF, the further behind they will be.
There are no signs from Canon or Nikon about abandoning OVF’s, yet they are happily selling lots of these bodies to people. Folks are not demanding an EVF, they just don’t care about them, even if Sony does.
Not so Peter, it could be argued that the 70D is very much an indication that Canon could be looking to drop OVFs in the not so distant future. If their on-sensor PDAF is really that good, and bearing in mind it will improve in the future, then the arguments for retaining OVFs become less and less, especially when you consider the improvements that will come to EVF tech.
Yes, i fully support evf! evf having so many advantages i never know before, after self using evf, i realise i can’t live without it on my own camera. i hope sony will just remain this evf and even become more and more better in new camera coming soon.
kumart75: +1
With improved on-sensor PDAF, like the Canon’s new 70D seems to have, this opens up for a much better AF-tracking of moving objects, if the camera has an EVF!
This will sooner or later demand a move to EVF and thereby make the OVF obsolete.
Whilst Sony provides vague promises of expensive cameras next year, Canon has just delivered relatively cheap 70D DSLR with PDAF on-sensor covering 80% of the sensor surface.
Here is the description of the Canon’s new PDAF on-sensor technology:
http://www.canon-europe.com/images/Dual_Pixel_CMOS_AF_Tech_Explained-v1_0_tcm13-1066503.pdf
This camera may further increase Canon’s success with videographers. And of course the technology will bubble up e.g. to 5D Mk III successor and Canon video cameras. Also into Canon’s EOS M series mirrorless bodies that were desperately needing faster AF.
+1
I guess you live in a time bubble. 2 years ago, Sony announced the A77. Very possibly, they will bring up something interesting in 2014.
I would really like to see how well that technology works in the Canon though. We already have on-sensro PDAF on some cameras and it is not impressive.
Dpreview published a preview of the 70d. The dual pixel AF sounds very impressive. It works apparently over 80% of the sensor area and allows live view and videa AF even with the lens stopped down to f11.
And if still let’s people have their precious OVF with the conventional AF when they want it.
Dpreview say the AF speed with the new system seems good too. If course real world users may find glitches etc but it seems like canon have made a big jump forward here…
It does sound impressive. Same as plenty of other technologies, which turned out to be not so great.
DPreview:
“our initial impressions are pretty positive. (…) the camera is clearly much faster and more decisive at focusing in Live View than any previous EOS – or indeed any other SLR. We’ll need to test it with more lenses in real-world shooting, but at the moment we’re cautiously optimistic.”
“based on what we’ve seen so far we’re pretty optimistic – it’s certainly streets ahead of anything Canon users have experienced so far”
Might be a big jump, might be not.
“Ironically, those who choose mainly to shoot the EOS 70D as a conventional SLR using the optical viewfinder will benefit least from all this technology.”
Yes, that PD AF on sensor system looks great but only for video or Live View. Standard shooting through the OVF still requires a separate off sensor PD system.
This is where Sony could make another leap by utilizing their high quality EVF.
where the hell is 70-200/2.8 II version ???
I dont understand how can Sony ignore such a mandatory piece of glass. and offer the 10 year old version for the same price as canikon offer their V2 versions (which are superior to the old Sony in many ways)
coming!
Ottimo!!!!
I really hope so.
This lens is bread and butter for so many pro-photographers (wedding, sport, even some portraiters prefer it to the standard portrait primes).
I dont understand how Sony expects to attract pro shooters to their system without having a good up-to-date 70-200 (sharp wide open, weather-sealed…)
Look at latest DXO tests. Even Canon’s old 300/2.8 has higher resolution than the new Sony 300/2.8 II. The Sony 500/4 doesn’t have top notch resolution numbers either.
I would keep my expectations low for the upcoming 70-200/2.8.
I’m already preparing to be mildly disappointed. It’s very doubtful that the new version will be of the same quality as the relatively recent Canon L.
What I’m hoping for is that someone at Sony will think of handing the current lens over to Zeiss and asking them to improve upon it. That way we’d at the very least get the T* coatings and the look that Zeiss lenses are known for and it would also match the look of their 24-70mm. Something many people would appreciate, I’m sure.
But better be prepared for another update in the vein of the 70-400mm. A new coat of paint, slight redesign of the barrel exterior and an update to the autofocus motor. Can’t say that would be enough to interest me.
yes, I get your point…Im also a bit afraid about it, but I highly hope its going to be different. Comparing to the 70-400 is not really relevant, since 70-400 had already a class-leading glass quality and it was only 3-4 years old, there was not really that much to improve on it (from the optical point of view). On the other hand, 70-200 is noticeably inferior to the canikon offers and the optical design is already ancient. I dont think that sony would come with this kind of “lets change the cover color” update in this case. That would be heavily disappointing.
Handing it over to Zeiss would be a dream-come-true 🙂 I would gladly pay the zeiss-preice-extra. Lets hope that sony realizes that they squeezed maximum from the ancient beercan desing and its time for something wow 🙂 (well, prehaps not totaly wow, but atleast sharp wide open)
fingers crossed 🙂
Are you sure about wanting Zeiss to make the next 70-200?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/857787-REG/Zeiss_1984_159_70_200mm_T2_9_Compact_Zoom.html
Are you sure you know what you’re talking about? I doubt it…
how can you indicate the photography lens price based on cinema lens price???? Those are for pro filmmakers and are expensive as hell. Check the price of canon cinema lens my friend, before posting something…
http://www.abelcine.com/store/Canon-CN-E-30-105mm-T2.8-Cinema-Zoom/
Not to sound too pesimistic but: I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’m not overly confident about Sony next year. I hope they do something good, but their pricing of late is pretty bad (A99) If they do the same next year no matter how good the bodies are, if they’re overpriced then they will have a hard time.
And Canikon have “products” not rumors.
I still say the ONLY way EVF will get acceptance in the market is if there is a cost effective reason to look at it. And at the moment there isn’t with the A99. I doubt Sony will change this strategy which is really sad.
Actually I think that they have some SLT offerings at pretty good price points but I agree that users are pretty much maxed out at the A77 level. The A99 brings very little to the table from for a nearly three fold increase price. Having said that I find that most people that I know loose their reticences regarding the EVF once they have actually used one for a couple hours and have now got in the habit of lending mine to friends who are looking to get a new camera.
If you really believe that Canikon have “products” not rumors, I suggest you look at how long the 7D was on the shelves. Also, I don’t see anything overpriced (A99 included). The acceptance of the EVF will come when people start to realize its advantages. Not sure why an EVF should be significantly cheaper than an OVF, nobody has manage to back that up.
EVF has pros and cons and I think most know that. What is means is simple removal of the prism/focus screen and now with the non SLT models next year phase detect AF off the sensor. That saves production time, less parts used, less cost.
It is entirely reasonable to expect these types of camera to be more affordable than the OVF models from rivals. This is where the A99 has failed, it is significantly more expensive than rivals, and yet offers somewhat worse IQ than the D600. Clearly people won’t pay more “for less” or what is perceived as less.
If Sony try the same strategy next year they will be slaughtered by Canikon.
Most EVF cons have to see with very specific types of photography. In general, the EVF is very useful, not to mention better than most APS-C OVFs.
As to the cost, you are giving me logic, not numbers. I agree that it is most probably cheaper, but I don’t believe it would make any difference for the final price of the camera.
As to the A99 vs D600, I would like to see you being able to tell that difference in two printed shots side by side. The D600 is simply the lesser camera here and the problem isn’t the pricing of the A99, but the non-existence of a cheaper Sony model.
What makes you think even A mount shooters would not consider the D600 as a viable FF option? It’s on cashback now for £1250, v the £2000 odd Sony are asking. Pretty tempting don’t you think? Difference buys a decent lens and flashgun
There is every reason why the A99 should be “priced at or below” the D600 level, both are comparable in spec (few differences but not huge) both consumer FF bodies. What would Sony do with a cheaper SLT camera? Plastic mount? lol. EVF won’t be accepted by most at the pro end, esp not sports shooters, most people I know couldn’t care less about EVF’s they’re not asking for them, Sony is just following their own path not customers. Sony have no choice but to go for consumers mostly and that means “cheaper prices”
@klaus, some people might very well consider the D600 as a viable alternative. That doesn’t change my point. The D600 is as comparable in spec to the A99 as it is to the D800 and 5D3. If you consider those last two as being overpriced, then I’d agree.
As to the EVF, what you are saying is simply anecdotal evidence, unless you can show me a research for the customers wanting an OVF. As I said, “most EVF cons have to see with very specific types of photography”, such as sports (as you mentioned). I think you’d agree that the big majority of photography will be in travel, street, family, nature and landscape, maybe even products. Excluding battery life, I do not see any significant shortcomings to the EVF for those, yet several advantages.
A99 certainly too expensive … no doubt about that…
A99 is as expensive as it should be. No doubt about that.
A99 has probably damaged A mount by tempting users to buy the better priced Canon and Nikon FF Bodies.
I appreciate some advantages for the EVF, focus peaking, WB and exposure preview, real DOF preview. Battery life is one con, in contrasty light the EVF DR is not satisfactory IMO having used the LCD and OLED EVF’s can be quite annoying in such situations.
Whatever your feelings on this are on this there is no movement from the top 2 makers so far, and thus we have to concluded it is not something that buyers care much about. Thus Sony can’t expect to win just based on EVF’s alone. Once you go higher up the range it becomes harder to sell EVF’s to users. A99 is priced to not sell in Europe, and be honest who’d put £2000 in a a camera that’s going to be soon end of life? (ie with the new no mirror products)
D600 exceeds the A99 in some ways AF system is just one, flash capability another
@Klaus My hypothesis is that the lower priced FF bodies from Canikon are sold with very very low margins, to get the most as many users in the system, before they make the switch to new technologies (say EVF0. Sony simply went for the quicker adoption. Both good strategies. I won’t argue the EU pricing of the A99, it is insane. Also, what do you define as “end of life” of a camera?
The lack of movement from Canikon is not necessarily a sign of the EVF not being accepted. Mirrorless is selling very well in many countries, there is no much movement there either. Or they are simply following a specific strategy like the one I described above.
About the D600. The flash is part of the system. I am simply looking at camera versus camera. I only played with the cameras for a short amount of time and I don’t see much issue with A99’s AF, I actually think it is faster. Not to mention it does have focus peaking and zoom, which, at least for me is a very important addition. The A99 also has a faster shutter speed, in-body stabilization, swivel screen, GPS, better flash sync speed., better shutter life, PC sync, etc.
I am currently using a NEX-7 and the EVF’s DR isn’t a problem. If I really can’t see in the shadows, I quickly tweak one setting and check what’s there. On the other hand, it has helped with a lot of photos with the sun in the frame or welding shots.
Considering the competitons offerings, the a99 is way too expensive. When I was updating camera at the beginning of this year I even considered switching brand and getting the 6D or D600 because they are so nicely priced. What kept me with Sony then was my lens investment. Considering that, I can certainly see why people new to photogrphy do not invest in Sony… I did end up with an a77 that I wouldnt change 🙂
Andrea: Quick question regarding A-Mount. In the beginning of the year you informed us that there will be firmware updates for the A-Mounts and maybe NEXes in August. Any new info on this and an exact date? Especially interested for the A77.
+1
Also Waiting for some news about the update for a77 🙂
still on schedule. But I hope sources can confirm this again.
to Admin:
Will the Nex FF be compatible via a new (SLT ?) adapter with the full frame A-mount lenses ?
No, it won’t be. Sony doesn’t want to sell their lenses.
+1 certainly seems that way…
It may be that they have something coming…. but again they will fail to be ready for the holiday season and will try to sell old tired models using technology that they have deemed ‘end of line’. Horrible message for a consumer to hear.
…and Canikon already have their models shipped or shipping soon for the busiest selling time of the year…
And the widely admitted ‘biggest bang for your buck’ SLT, the A57, is discontinued.
and name new line of those A-mount cams – NAX !!! )))
Given the recent price slashing on the A77, an upcoming announcement makes a lot of sense.
We keep hearing “very early 2014″… But if it is ready for early 2014, why wouldn’t Sony aim for just a tiny bit earlier and aim for the holiday season of 2013?
Having just bought the Zeiss 135mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.4 I am more than hopeful that these lenses will be compatible with the next wave of Sony bodies despite not being SSM. Is there any reason they won’t be? A new AF technology would only be great for me if it is backwards compatible, at least to the same functionality as the a900 gets from those lenses. I get that these Zeiss may not benefit from new body AF features. Very curious about this. Anyone have comments?
There are good reasons to remove the compatibility with the old screw drive AF system. For one, you do not need to put motor in the camera body, which makes it lighter, smaller and cheaper to manufacture. Customers are extremely sensitive to the price of the camera bodies, less so to the price of lenses. Then the screw drive AF is noisy, so not very useful for video. Finally, when you put AF motor in each lens, then you can optimise the motors for their respective lenses – e.g. powerful ultrasonic motors in your top class long tele lenses and cheap step motors in kit lenses. AF motor in a body is archaic today. Canon got rid of it nearly 30 years ago and Nikon got rid of it in all basic models already. Sony have not issued any lenses with screw drive AF for years. Also, for the screw drive lenses that they want to keep in their range (135/1.8 and 85/1.4) it will be relatively cheap to redisign them as USM lenses, add extra $500 to the price and keep selling.
Andrea,
any hints about upcoming firmware updates? You mentioned that we will see new Firmware for NEX-7 and other cameras in summer. Well it is summer now.
Admin,
can you ask your sources if the technology in the 70d ist what Sony has in mind to? Or if Sony will add something more to it?
Hi – any news on a replacement to the Nex 55-210mm? Recall rumour earlier in the year that current lens was being discontinued but nothing since. Thanks
Sony rumors – Canon make new cameras with nice Vari-angle Touch Screen…
Ouch! Whatever A-mount news, Canon already beat them to the punch. Full PDAF on sensor. Now whatever Sony cooks up will just seem johnny-come-lately although I so believe it should be at least marginally more efficient given Sony’s more advance sensor fabs.
The Canon system is not used for “standard” shooting through the OVF, just video and live view.
If the rumors are to be believed the new Sony’s will as well–they just won’t have a mirror-down traditional PDAF option. So, yes, the on-sensor PDAF will be available through the EVF (vs OVF limited to traditional PDAF) but I don’t think that will be seen as a major advantage to most users seeing as how mixed the response has been to the EVF/SLT design.
…and Sony will have huge price increases to cover the new sensor fab….
The cellphone sensor fab? Good story tough.
The cellphone sensor fab? Good story tough.
You do know that the A99 and NEX6 already provide for on sensor PDAF. And so have some small sensor cameras. We’ll have to see what Nikon counters with. And how good the Canon implementation is. And what Sony’s new tech will perform. It’s a great time for innovation. I for one have grown to like EVFs, and as they progress and have a greater dynamic range, they can only become more desireable (for some users). There will always be people who will prefer mirrors.
And the nex NEX-5?
I wonder what made Sony management to think they can achieve success if they call their A-mount cameras “mirrorless”. They have been mirrorless in fact for several years already (SLT is mirrorless from the customer POV) and result are, at least, not spectacular. Sure, they can gain some more popularity with massive advertising company, but so does the one for NEX cameras (and I believe this would lead to much higher sales feedback). I don’t care about Sony’s future at this market, just express my doubts (which are rather facts — big cameras are for canikon).
SLT is in no way mirrorless. You pull out the lens and you see the mirror.
I meant there’s no difference for end user between SLT camera and pure mirrorless other than low light sensitivity.
Yes there is.
Pure mirrorless cameras use sensor based AF, whether contrast or phase detect.
SLT cameras use a separate, dedicated phase detect AF module, which of course brings significant speed and performance advantages, at least up until now.
To some, that is a big difference.
Are you Ken Rockwell in disguise?
Dude, user doesn’t give a sH1t how a camera focuses. He/she only uses EVF or back screen to frame, choose focusing point and then press shutter button. It will stay the same with pure mirrorless and thus there won’t be a noticeable difference between future A-mount cameras and current SLTs, since Sony promised to leave form factor as it is.
Can’t wait for more info on the Nex 7 successor. Do you know anything about the AF? Is it going to be improved?
Andrea, please, can you hint about NEX-7 successor and fast zoom? When, what specs – at least any hint, please!? August is almost here and we still have zero info about that. 🙁
+1
The new Canon 70D may be a reason for Sony to move up their time frame. If Sony had something similar in mind for the AF system… If they wait too long, they are giving Canon a big headstart.
If dpreview’s optimism is genuine in their early review of the system, then Sony’s dSLT live-view system may finally have a true rival.
No one needs or gets ‘head start’ from the leader. Leader has never ever been challenged on any front. It is why they are ‘leader’. Sony has no urgency and will not change anything. They will miss all holiday sales and continue on as an ‘also-ran’ the same as they always have.
You sound about as bitter as CG.
They are the market leader, not the innovation leader. And the only way to challenge a market leader, is to pull ahead in other ways.
The Sony dSLTs may not have been game changers, but they drew some attention, gave Sony an advantage with some buyers. Even more so with the NEX and RX systems, which have been more of game changers.
AHH!!! My mouth is watering just hearing about new E-mount lenses, and NEX FF. I just want to SEE THEM ALREADY. SONY JUST SHIP WHAT LENSES YOU HAVE OR JUST LET US SEE THEM! LIMITED IN STOCK WILL ONLY MAKE PEOPLE WANT MORE. DON’T LEAVE US DRY. SPILL THE PROTOTYPES AND FINALS.
On dpreview, on the EOS 70D preview, they said this:
“One point worth noting is that turning on Wi-Fi disables movie recording; naturally it will also have some impact on battery life.”
Although the wi-fi allows control of focusing (via the live streaming of the image), it’s funny that you can’t have both. I hope this is a typo.
Is there any chance that the Zeiss e-mount lenses will work on the Nex FF camera???
I am assuming not, but figured I would ask….