Cameras and Camcorders

Sony Officially Announces NEX-F3 and Alpha A37

by Sohrab Osati | May 17, 2012 | 1 comment

We told you about Sony’s May 17th camera event and, with the event, Sony has officially announced the NEX-F3, the followup to the NEX-C3 and the Alpha A37, the A35 replacement. As we originally reported, the Sony NEX-F3 packs a 16.1-megapixel sensor with ISO 100-16,000 sensitivity, AVCHD movie recording with 1080/60i or 24p HD movies, a built-in flash, up to 5.5 fps, and the star of the show, the 180 degree tiltable LCD screen. The NEX-F3 with a 18-55mm lens will set you back $599 and will ship on June 15th in black, silver, and white.

After the jump, we tell you about the Sony Alpha A37.

Meet the Sony HXR-NX30 Camcorder with 96GB Internal Storage. We Have Specs

by Sohrab Osati | May 15, 2012 | 2 comments

Sony’s digital imaging arm has been quite busy the past few months releasing new cameras and camcorders. Though not all, the list of new devices for this year include the NEX-FS700, a 4K recording professional camera under $10,000, the PMW-100 camcorder, offering true 1080p (1920 x 1280) recording with 50Mbps which meets the National Broadcasting Association’s seal of approval for real HD, and the NEX-F3 which features a 180 degree tilt LCD screen. In amidst of all this, Sony announced the HXR-NX30 camcorder, which we clearly missed. Now after the jump, we’re here to tell you all about this handheld camcorder which comes with 96GB internal memory, built-in projector, and is priced less than $2,500.

Deals: Sony Bloggie Sport On Sale for $149

by Sohrab Osati | May 12, 2012 | 10 comments

Just a quick heads up: If you’re looking to get some ‘extreme’ footage this summer and/or are planning on hanging out near the beach, and want to record your memories, the Sony Bloggie Sport is currently on sale for $149, down from $179. For those not familiar, the Bloggie Sport features 1080p video recording with Sony’s Exmor CMOS sensor and 5-megapixel stills on its internal 4GB memory. Other specs include a 2.7-inch touchscreen, face detection, and HDMI out.

Of course, what truly sets the Bloggie Sport apart from the Bloggie Live, for instance, is its ability to go up to 16 feet under water, being dropped from up to 5 feet and enduring dirt and dust without breaking down like another MP4 camera or your smartphone would. Links after the jump.

Sony to Launch a GoPro Camera Competitor This Year?

by Sohrab Osati | May 11, 2012 | 20 comments

Sony is no stranger to small portable cameras, having a wide array of available units on store shelves like the Sony Bloggie Live and Bloggie Sport (pictured above). In fact, the Bloggie Sport is designed to be waterproof, dustproof, and shock resistant, placing it in GoPro territory though it’s not a direct competitor. Now, a recent rumor points that the electronic giant might be looking to take the small portable camera makers head on with their own version of the GoPro.

For those not familiar, GoPro cameras are extremely popular cameras with production companies and support extreme enthusiast alike. While delivering fantastic footage, GoPros at their core were meant to be attached to your device of choice and take a beating. In fact, many POV shots you see in snowboarding videos or site favorite show, Top Gear, are all achieved by using a GoPro camera. With the only real name in town and Sony having expertise in the field, it seems like a good fit for the company’s product line. This is especially true as there are fewer and fewer needs for traditional Bloggie cameras with the superb quality of footage that smartphones can achieve, including Sony’s own phones like the Xperia ion and Xperia S.

Sony Bloggie Live vs. Bloggie Touch Review (video)

by Sohrab Osati | May 9, 2012 | 9 comments

Last year, we put together a video that pitted the Sony Bloggie Touch against the now defunct Flip UltraHD that became quite popular. In our video overview of the two devices, we offered our viewers the traditional spec by spec comparison as you would expect. However, what proved truly valuable was our side by side comparison of video footage from the two devices where we shot simultaneously and played the video next to each other. With Sony introducing the Bloggie Live at this years CES, we thought that once again, it would be a good time to revisit our review and put together a similar video. With no other big name competitor in the market, we instead decided to pit the Bloggie Live against last years champion and our battled test Bloggie Touch. Has a years worth of technological enhancements helped the Bloggie Live or does the Bloggie Touch still reign supreme? Find out in our video below and expect a full product review at a later date.

Sony Camera Announcement to be Held on May 17th

by Sohrab Osati | May 7, 2012 | 16 comments

With Spring coming to an end and the Summer season slowly picking up, Sony is planning on ending the quarter with one last camera announcement. Dated for May 17th, Sony plans to use the day to unveil their 2012 line of cameras which include a new NEX and Alpha as well as new lenses. If this all sounds familiar to you, that’s because the NEX-F3 and Alpha A37 have already been leaked in advance so unless Sony has an Ace up its sleeve, chances are that not a whole lot of new news will come in a weeks time.

Still, it will be interesting to see what the company has to say in regards to their roadmap, pictured above. Keen users will also note a ‘new’ NEX-7 mentioned in the companies product strategy. More details on that, after the jump.

Sony’s 4K NEX-FS700 Gets Priced Well Below $10,000

by Sohrab Osati | May 2, 2012 | 16 comments

Do you remember the Sony NEX-FS700 that got announced last month? Yea, the one capable of recording 4K footage with Super Slow Motion (120-240 fps Full HD or 480 up to 960 fps with reduced resolution) and was rumored to be priced under $10k? While many ran around in a frenzy, saying that Sony couldn’t offer a low price and that the RED Scarlet is already priced near $10k, they seem to forget that with that price, RED only offers you a camera body. In actuality, most RED cameras since they require propitiatory cables, batteries and accessories start near the $16k price range. Delighting us today, its been revealed that the NEX-FS700 price tag will be well below $10,000 for a body and still under $10k with body and lens. We talk price, after the jump.

Full Sony Alpha A37 Specs Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | May 1, 2012 | 16 comments

Despite the devastating Thailand floods that set back Sony’s ambitious camera plans for late 2011, Sony is still pushing ahead at full speed by offering a replacement for the NEX-C3, dubbed the NEX-F3, which offers an all new 180 degree tilt LCD screen. Not resting on just one new camera for the summer season, Sony is also launching the Alpha A37, the successor to the short-lived A35.

After the jump, you can find the full specs and our discussion topic.

Full Sony NEX-F3 Specs Revealed

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 30, 2012 | 19 comments

There’s been no shortage of news regarding the Sony NEX-F3, the successor to the NEX-C3. In just a week’s time, we went from an announcement about the NEX-F3 to a leaked picture of the camera with a 180 degree tilt LCD screen to a full barrage of leaked pictures which showed the camera from all angles. Thanks to the leaked pictures, we’ve also been able to grab a few details about the camera, like its 16.1-megapixel sensor, but not a lot more has been known about the camera specs until now.

After the jump, we have pricing, availability date and full specs which include an impressive ISO from 100-16,000 and 1080 24p HD video with face detection.

Multiple Sony NEX-F3 Pictures Leaked. No Radical Redesign

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 28, 2012 | 2 comments

When something gets leaked from Sony, say a rumor about the NEX-C3 follow up called the NEX-F3, which is supposed to house a 180 degree tilt LCD screen, it tends to pick up the pace quite dramatically with a first time picture a few days later and finally, a series of photos showing the NEX-F3 from different angles. Today, we can definitively show the final design of this 16.1-megapixel E-mount camera and its 180 degree tilt LCD screen. Those hoping for a radical design departure from the NEX series (though really not necessary) will be left disappointed, as the camera follows in the footsteps of its predecessor. From the pictures, a pop-up flash can also be spotted with the red, white, and black NEX.

Sony is expected to officially announce the camera later next month. After the jump, lots more pictures await you.

Sony Announces New Waterproof HDR-GW77V Handycam

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 27, 2012 | 10 comments

If you’re the adventurous type with a knack of documenting your trips, then listen up. Sony has just announced the HDR-GW77V, their first waterproof and dustproof Handycam. Though some might be quick to point out the Bloggie Sport, introduced at their years CES as a camera with such capabilities, the GW77V goes above and beyond the pocket sized MP4 recorder. Capable of being submerged in 16 feet of water and handling a five-foot free fall, the GW77V does this all in style with a 20.4-megapixel Exmor R CMOS sensor capable of 1080p video at 60fps. With a 3-inch swivel LCD screen, 10x optical zoom and 16GB internal memory, its easy to see why videographer in you might reach for this, over the Bloggie Sport. Of course, such features come at a cost of 70,000 yen ($860) but if a picture is priceless, how do you price a video of you snowboarding down Diamond Peak in 1080p at 60fps?

First Picture of Sony NEX-F3 Leaked

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 26, 2012 | 21 comments

We talked about it and before you know it, the first picture of the Sony NEX-F3 has been leaked. Here to replace the year old NEX-C3, the NEX-F3 is expected to be announced in mid May. Like the C3, the NEX-F3 will continue to rock Sony’s solid 16.1-megapixel sensor. Keen users will be able to spot the 180-degree LCD screen though not a lot is revealed from the final design which doesn’t seem to be straying too far from the current NEX mold.

Sony NEX-F3 to Replace NEX-C3

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 26, 2012 | 15 comments

There isn’t a whole lot of details to go by yet but it seems that the Sony NEX-C3, introduced last year, is being discontinued. The 16-megapixel E-mount camera was here to replace the NEX-3, Sony’s first camera under the NEX name. In place will be the NEX-F3, which will house an all-new 180-degree LCD screen, which is expected to take up most of the rear panel. Pictured above is the Samsung MV800 which should help you get an idea for its design. It would be safe to assume that the rotating screen will be touchscreen and that Sony might even move away from physical buttons (though not all buttons will be replaced like the shutter). No other details are known like megapixel count but expect an announcement from Sony in the near future. And yes, I did do this awesome Photochop.

Discuss:

What features would you like to see from the NEX-F3?

Sony Land 3 TIPA Awards for the A65, NEX-7, and XQD

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 17, 2012 | 0 comments

The Technical Image Press Association or TIPA as its known, is a European based photography and imaging advocacy group, established in 1991. The group which holds a prestigious award ceremony every other year at Photokina has just award Sony, giving the company a total of three wins. Leading the pack was the Sony Alpha A65 which won ‘Best DSLR Advanced’, making the world’s first OLED OVF camera to win such an award.

“This impressive viewing experience (2359k dots) represents a breakthrough in ultra-high resolution clarity.”

TIPA also recognized the A65’s 24.3 MP sensor, 10fps at full resolution, thanks to the cameras Translucent Mirror Technology, and 25p and smooth 50p capability, all at Full HD resolution.

Meet the Sony PMW-100 Camcorder. We Have Specs

by Sohrab Osati | Apr 11, 2012 | 1 comment

If you thought the only new professional grade camera from Sony was their 4k recording, sub $10,000 NEX-FS700, it’s time to think again. Not designed to cater to the same professional crowd, the Sony PMW-100 still packs a punch by offering true 1080p (1920 x 1280) recording with 50Mbps which meets the National Broadcasting Associations seal of approval for real HD. Despite a few other handheld camcorders being capable of offering the same specs, the Sony is the only one of the bunch which can do it all internally versus others needs for third party add-ons.