Editor’s note about the next rumor time: It’s almost Christmas time and as present I can give you that. Right from the beginning of January we will again enter a new very busy time! Sony will launch plenty of new cameras very soon and there will be stuff for everyone, APS-C and FF fans, A and E-mount camera owners. So enjoy the short Christmas break with your family. After that be sure to check back on SAR because there will be MANY surprises. And I am not just teasing you or giving you false hopes 😉
The rumor: More and more trusted sources are sharing tidbits about the soon to be announced new Sony cameras. I just learned that the first camera of the year 2014 will be a new high-end E-mount APS-C camera (likely the NEX-7 successor). it will be announced within the next 4-6 weeks!
Right after that camera Sony will announce not one…but two(!) A-mount cameras! I am still noy sure if the cameras will be announced at the same time or in two different events.
All this is SR5. I also got tidbits about the specs which are not confirmed via trusted sources. Hope I can give you reliable details soon!
Spread the word on the web: Big Sony camera announcements coming right form the start of the new year!
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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!
130 Responses
So the NEX-7 will be renamed A7000?
Does that disturb you?
Come on, give us some SR1 and SR2s
Admin
I am most anxious for clarification of some info on the new 54mp non bayer sensor….
First is thi 18 mp x 3 layers… or. 54mp x 3 layers.
Second… what new tech is it..
3 layer stacked….or 2 layer. YC…G.
Barry,
I think that it is fairly clear that for camera manufactures “MP” really means mega photosites, not mega pixels.
While this is not accurate having everyone use the same, invalid, approach does mean the numbers can be compared to each other.
The problem is that what they mean about mp is not at all obvios
Until recently i beleived that a 24mp bayer sensor had 24 full color mp, since it produces a 24mp file.
I was wrong! Each pixel is monochrome and the software combies 4 adjacent monochrome pixels into one full color pixel…6mp….
In order to increase the resolution this process is done 4x from 4 differrent combinations of 4 pixels resulting in 24mp…every one of which is interpolated.
This is called demosaecing.
A foveon type sensor with the same pixel count 24mp. 8mp x 3 layers would produce a 8mp file.
Because this file would contain all actual pixels and no interpolated pixels this 8mp file could actually be scaled up larger with higher quality than the 24mp bayer file.
This is not a simple thing that the typical consumer would understand..I missunderstood it and despite what my critics will say i am better than most people at understanding this kind of stuff.
Much more complex than saying a current Bayer style 24 MP is really 6 MP. In terms of light intensity it is a full 24 MP, for green it is 12 MP for red or blue it is 6 MP. The human eye is most sensitive to green and is more conscious of intensity differences then color differences. So the end result is things look fine. Yes, a sensor with full color information at each pixel site is better, but if you examine the typical 24 MP image on a computer screen you are getting all the color information you need since the screen is only 4 MP. When you start to pixel peep you can see the difference but the trade-off is for me a good one. You get much more intensity resolution then a non-bayer sensor gives you, you get it in a smaller file format, and from a cheaper sensor. Top end video cameras do use three sensors to get all the color information possible, but most of the formats used to distribute video chuck most of the color information anyway.
I’m sure you’ll get more info when it rolls around to 2015/2016. They aren’t coming any time soon, so don’t expect much info on this. Cool your jets.
+1, cool your jets!
my wishlist then includes fast AF and weather-sealing… 🙂
Hoping the new APS-C camera will have the same body format as the NEX-7
No more ‘faux-DSLRs’ please, Sony!
+1 Although I don’t really care that much about the EVF placement, but rather the dials.
+1 even without EVF is ok 😉 (can be sold separately as accessory)
Hope the nex7 successor looks like nex6 so the new ff-e could look like a nex7!:-)
Sony have stated that the A7(R) would have had a much larger body if they had stuck to the NEX-7 layout. There would be no hump, but you can’t fit a FF sensor and quality offset EVF into a body the size of an NEX-7.
People are doing a lot of whinging about this, but they don’t seem to appreciate the physical engineering constraints of a FF sensor in a camera of this size.
Well, since they’d have all that extra space left out, might as well add IBIS!
+1000000000 this is the right spirit!
Isn’t lack of IBIS due to the camera being too thin? A taller, wider camera wouldn’t help here.
Not to mention that the mount is too small in diameter for IBIS.
I just don’t think IBIS will happen. Ever.
The size of the camera is not the issue..
Sony cliams the small diameter of the mount does not allow any room for sensor movement.
Clearly a lack of thinking ahead when e mount was desighned only for. C size.
FF was obviously an afterthought or else it would have been a similar diameter to the A mount.
They were lying… or being economical with the truth based on the camera having the same larger LCD and EVF as the A7, not the smaller items in the NEX-7
There is a Sony patent for a FF sensor in a NEX-5 (original version) shell here (obviously an abandoned project):
http://egami.blog.so-net.ne.jp/2013-10-31
If they can put a full frame sensor in a NEX-5 then they could certainly put it in a NEX-6 or NEX-7 body
The DSLR size and shape of the A3000 and A7 are dictated by marketing, not technical constraints
I seriously doubt they were lying. The EVF on the NEX-7 is hardly perfect. The same one in the A77 feels way better, simply because they had more space. Adding an FF sensor, a new and better EVF with better optics and all of this while keeping the camera from overheating (my NEX-7 does overheat), it does look like a significant challenge.
Why is this concept “obviously” abandoned!? Because they released something that looks different first?
Because the body shell is from an original NEX-5… that camera is now four generations out of date (without considering what Sony already have planned for release in 2014 and 2015)!
That is usually the case with patent figures. Rarely are images from current or future products revealed. The purpose is only to demonstrate the novelty of the claim, not show exactly what the product will look like.
It is still possible Sony could release a full frame camera with the overall shape of the NEX 5 (or 5n, 5r, 5t, … ,5z) But you’re right it probably won’t look exactly like the images.
That will be called a6, I imagine.
Any chance one of the rumors include the AF sensor shift? This is the one feature I’d love to read about.
Not in a compact body, I think.
Sensor shift focus IF it happens will only be for the hybrid A-E mount camera.
Obviously. Am I saying otherwise?
This rumor says there will be stuff for everyone…many surprises, etc. That’s a surprise I’d really care about.
Any idea on when the wide-angle F4 Zeiss FE zoom will be announced/available?
If we trust the lens roadmap, before summer.
You mean the roadmap that says that the 24-70 is available now 😉
Better than nothing 🙂
Is IBIS possible?
No, multiple sony engineers / executives have stated it is not possible due to mount diameter / flange distance. E-mount was designed for compactness and ibis was left out early on. A7 is the nail in the coffin for that dream – many upcoming lenses will have OSS.
If you follow a-mount than you will see there are not any savings passed on to the consumer anyway when a lens has OSS / IS or not (see the “new” a-mount 70-200 pricing vs competition or third party lenses that have IS on other systems but not a-mount).
I am hoping the hybrid camera has ibis.
Also sensor shift AF/ macro focus.
I feel that if sensor shift only provides multi- flange distances it should be eliminated as this can be accomplished much more simply with adapters.
If it focuses then the feature will be a real winner.
I hope so too, it would lose a lot of value to me if it does not. If it does include IBIS than it will probably only work in a-mount mode / distance.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Sony decided to include IBIS at a later point and start excluding OSS from their newer lenses just to make the early adopters buy new bodies.
I would be very surprised if that were to happen.
But if the E-Mount can handle FF, why can’t it have IBIS in a APS-C sensor? That should be plenty of room for, shouldn’t it?
E mount diameter smaller than A mount. FF BARELY fits..no extra room for x or y axis movement.
Oops
You said C-sensor
Diregard my answer.
YES, IBIS clearly is possible. The mount gives room for a 24 x 36mm sensor, so a moving sensor less than half that size wouldn’t be a problem. Whether Sony are committed enough to crop E mount to develop IBIS, or if they feel markets justify developing it are questions only they can answer.
Finally a NEX-7 successor. When and how I preorder? It is enough if it will have Wifi with PlayMemories, faster AF and better image on high ISO.
Hi Andrea – any idea on the a-mount specs? I’m assuming apsc = a77 upgrade, but is the ff version going to be the a7 or a7r equivalent? If it’s a cheaper ff option (a88), I’m definitely buying!
One very high end FF for sure.
Thanks Andrea – tough decision… If it’s at the a99 price point I might stay with apsc (at least I can keep my 16-50) or buy a cheap a99.
Even higher than a99?
that give me a hope to get some 1DC Competitor from Sony with 4K ect..
I wonder if these A mounts will be mirrorless or slt
Likely SLT until new sensor tech arrives in 2015 / 2016.
The fact is :- In FE mount, we trust. Thus, since the begin of FE mount, nobody no longer cares about A-mount and E-mount.
Where do you get your facts? FE “mount” is e-mount. Many users care about a-mount and a-mount lenses are a good choice for a7 given how minuscule the full frame AF or fast lens options there are currently. A and e are complementary.
I care.
In the future I can see me sticking to APS-C A-mount for telephoto and macro use. FF e-mount for prime lenses, giving a small and light general use camera. That’s the plan, anyway.
By the way, FE lenses use e-mount, so those interested in FE lenses will still be very interested in e-mount.
@Mick
“…. The fact is :- In FE mount, we trust. Thus, since the begin of FE mount, nobody no longer cares about A-mount and E-mount. … ”
Agree! Sony should stop wasting their resource and time in developing A or E-mount, and put whole effort and focus only on FE mount.
It doesn’t seem like they have been wasting that much time on developing A-mount lenses.
How can you agree with an opinion that isn’t based on correct information? FE USES E-MOUNT!
Welcome to the internet.
Haha! Best follow-up comment ever 🙂
You must be new to the Internet if you’ve never seen that comment before.
I agree with Lotus Eater.
no it’s not!!!! Where have u been?
Exactly! Working to support A and E is what a waste! These two mounts are going to obsolete soon in few years. We are moving to FE!
Andrea,
Will we ever see and e mount camera with IBIS or is it technically impossible to impliment?
Also are both A mount bodies FF?
Not sre about IBIS in E-mount yest. One of the A-mount cameras is definitely FF.
admin, are the ff a mounts likely to be slt?
yes
If slt then should include flip up…as per sony patent…and contrast detect…like a7r
CDAF is next to useless with A-mount lenses. You may as well focus manually.
The slt will provide fast focus.
The cdaf is a sloer system for when the mirror is locked up.
The a7r does not use pdaf and is reasonably fast, not REALLY FAST.
Not having pdaf allows the sensor to be fully dedicated to image quality.
The A7R uses CDAF/hybrid AF optimized lenses, mostly with stepper motors. Not comparable to using A mount glass with CDAF. To get an idea, use the A580 in CDAF mode. Ultra…slow.
Please calify..
If it is uldra slow but does focus then its ok because we also have the faster slt system.
If it does not focus at all then my idea wont work
Which is it?
Ultra slow as in several seconds, MF is much faster and to top it, it sometimes gives up too when stuck in an eternal loop. It adds nothing imho, zero. Sony would have to introduce A mount glass that is designed to work with CDAF too, similar to the Canon STM line. And implement much faster communication chips and circuitry as required for CDAF, by default (and not just the 70-200, 70-400 and 300mm versions II).
Will the A-mount camera have 5-axis image stabilization?
Technically Sony could make the E-mount bodies larger, deeper and taller and add sensor stabilization like the Olympus bodies have. I think this likely to happen as soon as Canon and Nikon add stabilization to their APS-C and FF DSLR bodies, that is to say, very unlikely. Sony like Canon and Nikon decided lens based stabilization makes more sense for this system. If Sony ever releases a hybrid body, that might have IBIS to support the A-mount side. Sony could also release an 800mm f/5.6 lens in E-mount technically, but I also see that as unlikely. A 300mm f/4 might make it some day.
Apparently sony claims the issue is not one of size but rather the tight tolerences of the smaller e mount opening do not allow for sensor movement.
By making the shortsighted decision to make this mount a little smaller back when they were only making c sizes..we now have to work around making this inadequite mount work for all etternity.
For all eternity? Please, a-mount is already dead. Average lifespan of a Sony mount can be measured in minutes.
Do you actually read the rumors you respond to?
In every one of them Sony anounces thier intention of continuing A mount and making more A mount cameras and lenses.
How much more clearly can they state it so people like you will be capabable of comprehending?
They should at least make the sensor rotates to aid the ILIS. Rotation is the only missing axis in an ILIS system. Besides, adding rotational mechanism is (probably)not as hard as adding 2-axis IBIS, not to mention 5-axis Oly IBIS.
Camera depth isn’t the problem. Sony can make the e-mount bodies as deep as they want (see FS100).
Great news, especially A-mount, thanks Andrea.
I would like an inexpensive 36,mp a mount c size camera.
I would like $100,000,000.00 and Hannah Ware – not gonna happen! 🙂
simply updating A mount cameras with tech from new e mount without supporting lens, firmware or software is NOT A mount support it is just keeping A77 etc users quite and saving money (only one set of sensors etc.)until with hybrid A-E mount it becomes easy to phase A-mount out without loosing customers.
NEX is dead, APSC E-Mount is dead. Why bother? It is all about A7/r and FE lens now!
That’s what you gathered from this rumor?
I don’t know about NEX as a brand, but APS-C e-mount has a lot of life in it. The a7/a7r are for enthusiasts & prosumers. Much of the NEX line is for consumers and will continue to have a lot of value for Sony.
What do you think brings in more money for Canon, the 5D series or the Rebel series?
I truly expect the A3, A5 and A6 to make it out this year, all in APS-C E-mount. I also expect replacements for the A58 and A65 to be released in APS-C A-mount and a A77 replacement to be FF. Just guesses
This year being 2014, oops
By the very fact it would be full frame, then it isn’t an A77 replacement. A700/A77 is the flagship APS-C camera.
We might well see Sony juggle the numbers about, so 7x series is now FF (in-line with e-mount), but the spiritual successor to the A77 will be APS-C. I reckon it might be a 6x series camera, though.
Sony’s logic in naming cameras is pretty bad so who knows, but I expect the 7-series cameras to end up being full frame and the $1400 price range APS-C camera to disappear. This would imply no NEX-7 successor and no A77 successor, at least not in APS-C.
Just what I have been waiting for, a NEX-5 update!
Next week would have been pretty kick-ass if so.
As a profesional photographer who create with the cameras I feel better, the ones that let me do more, I’m commited with Sony-Zeiss A mount. I use Fuji X series as my personal camera. Fuji cares about my experience after I’ve dropped my money on them, the upgrade, they hear me, they fix and fine tune even years after they release the camera. Still waiting for Sony to commite with us, I’ve a bunch of Alphas than can be much better.
Yes, that is the big problem with Sony – they simply don’t seem to care about existing customers. They treat their cameras as ‘innovative gadgets’ to be sold and regularly replaced with something completely different (just like TV’s or other electrical items), rather than considering them as part of a system which requires support and an ongoing relationship with their customers
A-Mount owners have been experiencing it for years, NEX owners are now feeling it with the major changes to E-mount system (without any reassurances from Sony concerning continuity with existing products) and unless Sony changes their ways people buying A7 and A7r’s will suffer from it in the future as well
+1.
what are the major changes for NEX users? except the addition of FE lenses.
Though I do agree that Sony should pay more customer attention to fix the bugs or improve on those firmware fixable features, as it will build up customer loyalty.
all resources go to A7/r and FE lens team. the rest are dead!
About as dead as little monsters.
Well the obvious change is that the NEX name has been discontinued and there has been no explanation so far of what that means
The second obvious change is that the first two releases in the replacement ‘Alpha E-mount’ series, the A3000 and the A7 have both been the same size as small DSLR cameras, and much bigger in both cases than any NEX camera
The third shock was that the A5000 suddenly got its name changed to NEX-5T at the very last minute. The fact that Sony knew that the NEX name was about to be discontinued seems to imply that Sony do not want ‘Rangfinder Style’ NEX-type cameras in the new ‘Alpha Emount’ range
The current suspicion is that Sony have dropped the NEX concept and are going to make larger ‘Mini-DSLRs’ in future. Many NEX owners hope this isn’t true but so far Sony haven’t offered a single word of reassurance to them
“the obvious change is that the NEX name has been discontinued and there has been no explanation so far of what that means”
> Maybe it only means a name change, so they decided not to explain it. It is weird though
“the A3000 and the A7 have both been the same size as small DSLR cameras, and much bigger in both cases than any NEX camera”
> Here’s the A7 next to the NEX-7 and the smallest DSLR I can think of right now:
http://camerasize.com/compact/#448,488,33,ha,f
“The third shock was that the A5000 suddenly got its name changed to NEX-5T at the very last minute. The fact that Sony knew that the NEX name was about to be discontinued seems to imply that Sony do not want ‘Rangfinder Style’ NEX-type cameras in the new ‘Alpha Emount’ range”
Why? I do not follow your logic here, could you elaborate?
“Many NEX owners hope this isn’t true but so far Sony haven’t offered a single word of reassurance to them”
We will quite probably get this reassurance in 4-6 weeks 😉
I’d just like a new 200 mm or 300mm zoom for my trusty nex 6 and I will be happy not to much to ask is it
I am pretty sure there is a 70-200 on the way
Boards will go nuts if this thing loses tri-navi and has a bump.
Hope they`ll also announce some APS-C emount lenses
Wuld like nice telezoom
an A-mount fullframe SLT, “cheap”, dedicated for action/sport, let’s call it A88
this is something that no other brand offers!!!
-body like the A99 (or A77)
-Fullframe
-High frame rate (8 fps or more)
-big buffer (3 seconds or more of continuos burst in RAW)
-Good AF and tracking (SLT’s should perform better then any SLR due to no mirror blackout!)
-in camera focus limiter (like the A99), this is an outstanding feature
-Weather sealed
-no more than 24 mpx, this is a camera made to be fast!
-better and bigger viewfinder eyecup, lateral sunlight is a nightmare for EVF
-good battery life, at least 800 shots
basic stuff important stuff
Canon and Nikon had to go to reduced resolution sensors to get the speed needed for 12 or 14 fps, I am not sure the current 24 or 36MP sensors can be read fast enough for similar fps rates.
Going lower resolution was also probably chosen for the superior high ISO performance.
i think that 8 to 10 fps is possible, just look at the A77 (i have one), the problem its the buffer, sure 12fps (or 8) its nice, but you can only do it for 1 second…
we need processing power, buffer and fps
Af speed, good tracking and accuracy
this is just what i need for sport fotography
A good list of attributes, only one unlikely to be achieved is the low price.
€2000 – €2200 would be “cheap” enough for a camera like this
Give me an RX10 with better sensor!
what’s wrong with the best 1″ sensor in the world in the RX10?
A RX10 concept in m4/3 would be an interesting camera, closer to full size DSLR but probably still small and light enough for purse carry. An APS-C or FF version would be very large and heavy, not a stick in the purse camera anymore and probably north of $3000 in price.
The new APS-C will likely to be DSLR shape as A7.
If so, there are going to be a lot of Oly EM1’s sold . . .
This might be true. If that’s the case I might want to pick one up. Oly’s be seriously overpriced. I want it for that sick 75mm lens they have though. We’ll see, but I’m totally up for a new A77. I still think that camera is just fantastic outside of high ISO and buffer. Fix these two…wammo..win win win.
Lenses lenses lenses. Thats what we need for A-mount. Please update us about A-mount lenses Andrea.
lets come out with 4k (raw or prores)
Admin – Something for everyone? What a joke. A thousand camera bodies released per day is not system support. Or even what everyone is wanting. This is not P&S land where a camera itself is all there is to the system.
How about macro flash, twin macro and macro ringflash? Maybe a 1x-5x macro lens like Canon has in A mount? TS lenses? 200mm G macro lens? Or at least bring in the Tamron 150-600 long tele at an affordable price under the Sony label to pretend you support the full range of photography! And I’m sure folks can come up with plenty more that’s not a camera body.
400mm please. I’m feeling left out over here. 200mm 2.8 would be sick. It’s shame that one of minoltas best optics never made it to sony land. TS- I have no use for this really but I’m sure there are those that do. Some options would be nice.
All the equipment you’re wanting is available 3rd party.
Well the obvious change is that the NEX name has been discontinued and there has been no explanation so far of what that means
The second obvious change is that the first two releases in the replacement ‘Alpha E-mount’ series, the A3000 and the A7 have both been the same size as small DSLR cameras, and much bigger in both cases than any NEX camera
The third shock was that the A5000 suddenly got its name changed to NEX-5T at the very last minute. The fact that Sony knew that the NEX name was about to be discontinued seems to imply that Sony do not want ‘Rangfinder Style’ NEX-type cameras in the new ‘Alpha Emount’ range
The current suspicion is that Sony have dropped the NEX concept and are going to make larger ‘Mini-DSLRs’ in future. Many NEX owners hope this isn’t true but so far Sony haven’t offered a single word of reassurance to them
This comment is in the wrong place – apologies, please ignore
Have been waiting for NEX 7 successor for a long time.
Just give me an 8fps A99 mk2 with more real cross-type AF points and wider AF coverage (at least thirds) – I would buy it. EyeAF as a bonus also would be nice.
Here is my ideal NEX7 replacement:
1. Same body as A7 (But includes a Builtin flash)
2. Same superfast BionzX processor for ultra fast focus & super IQ
3. New improved 24MP APSC with OnSensor PDAF. (And no Overheating issues)
4. ISO performance on par / superior to Nikon 7100.
5. IBIS!!!! (Pleeeeeeeeeese…)
6. Priced $1000 Body Only
7. Kit with 16-70 F4 Zeiss priced $1799
8. Kit 2 with 18-105 F4 G Priced $1499
I would pre-order one of the kits. This would be perfect for my needs.
I would like to see a FF sensor in an A65 sized body, IBIS and a touch screen for focus points.
(like the sony app provides)
Why not get the A7 and A7r right first? The cameras are a disgrace.
Just give us some good APS-C lens Sony! Zeiss is nice, but not worth the money for many of us. How about a decent compliment of HQ lens to match your great sensors. What’s the point of a high resolution APS-C sensor if there are no lens! The same goes for your new FF format.