Over the past 7 years, while Nikon and Canon, the traditional camera giants, have slowly fallen asleep and failed to innovate, Sony’s been hard at work pushing their DSLR and NEX lines of cameras and moving past 100-year-old standards. Sony has proved that, by packing in a million plus pixels in their EVF, photographers can not only get realistic colors but also get a lot of technical feedback without having to revert to the larger on screen LCD. Sony has also been a pioneer of providing a swiveling LCD on their entire range of Alpha DSLR cameras, which helps you shoot from all different kinds of angles. So when you continue to innovate the camera and its internals like the Sony 24-megapixel image sensor, it’s not long before competitors come knocking to use your technology.
Cameras and Camcorders
Not a few hours after our report on the Sony NEX-FS700 and its rumored specs with no pictures to be spoken of, we learn of the camera’s official specs with a few pictures to hold us over until NAB 2012 which will be held in Las Vegas at the end of April. So the big rumor of course was the camera’s ability to shoot in 4k resolution and I’m happy to report that those indeed were true. So what else can you expect? Find out after the jump.
Sure there might have been a one month delay for the NEX-FS100 firmware update which is set to add a host of new features and enhancements, but that doesn’t mean that the Sony Alpha A65 and A77 are destined for the same faith. Released today, a new firmware version 1.05 for the A65 and A77 DSLR cameras gives Mac and PC owners a chance to improve their camera with features like adding an automatic lens correction support: 24/2 ZA, 85/1.4 ZA, 135/1.8 ZA, 70-300/4.5-5.6 G, DT35/1.8, DT50/1.8 and improving the response until the “power turns off and then actually from “OFF” the power switch.” After the jump, the full list of updates and a firmware download link to your OS of choice.
Remember how we may or may not have told you about a new Sony NEX-FS100 firmware which was suppose to arrive on March 22nd and add features such as 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p? Well, you may noticed that March 22nd has come and gone and no firmware was released. That’s because Sony has decided to delay the latest firmware till April 19th. The reasons behind the delay are not clear and no new features have been added to the already impressive list of updates which can be found after the jump.
Leave it to Sony to leak their own products but the now removed image from Sony’s own European press portal displayed the new 18-135mm SAM lens. Not much else is known about this 3.5-5.6/18-135 SAM lens, though an announcement is excepted in the near future with additional E-mount and A-mount lenses from Sony.
Come March 22nd, Sony’s camera division is releasing a new firmware update for the NEX-FS100. The NEX video camera is already a darling to videographers as it gives them a Super 35mm sensor that shoots 1080p60 content at up to 28Mbps. Like most recent cameras and camcorders from Sony, the NEX-FS100 is capable of recording on SD and Memory Stick flash cards. Now, a new firmware update for the NEX-FS100 will add and improve a host of features on the high def camcorder like added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p. After the jump, the full list of updates.
At CES 2012, Sony unveiled a new MP4 camera with a Go Pro-like mentality, the Sony Bloggie Sport. The camera, which builds on the Bloggie family once again, packs in 1080p video recording with Sony’s Exmor CMOS sensor and 5-megapixel stills on its internal 4GB memory. Other things which we’ve come to expect, like a 2.7-inch touchscreen, face detection, and HDMI, are all back once again. However, one major thing sets the Sony Bloggie Sport apart from other MP4 cameras and Sony’s own growing line and it’s all in the name.
The Bloggie Sport is meant to be abused. No, we don’t recommend taking a sledgehammer to it, but if you like to hike, snowboard, swim, and do just about anything else in the outdoors, then the Bloggie Sport should now be on your radar. Unlike other Bloggie models which we don’t recommend taking near water, for instance, the Bloggie Sport, which comes in black, red, and blue, is capable of going up to 16 feet under water. As Sony puts it, the Bloggie Sport is also has a
shock resistance rating for up to 5 foot drops plus dirt and dust resistant seals that help make it nearly impervious to mud, snow, rain, and grime.
With a pop-out USB and compatibility with Mac and PC, sharing is as easy as ever with services such as Facebook and YouTube, or to Sony’s PlayMemories Online service. The Bloggie Sport MHS-TS22 is now available for $179.99. After the jump, our video preview and your chance to weigh in.
Via the “Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.10”, Apple has updated their popular iPhoto ’11 and Aperture 3 to support a number of new RAW capable cameras, including two of Sony’s latest, the NEX-7 and the NEX-VG20. Coming in at 7.50 MB, this update is intended for Mac OS X 10.6.8 or OS X 10.7.1 or later users.
This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto ’11:
- Canon PowerShot G1 X
- Nikon D4
- Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GX1
- Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ35
- Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ38
- Samsung NX200
- Sony Alpha NEX-7
- Sony NEX-VG20
After the jump, we show the full range of RAW supported Sony cameras.
Though the Sony Alpha A57 has hardly been a secret and not that Sony’s camera department knows how to keep a secret, but now the company has come out with a press release and unveiled the product. Originally expected to be announced at a rumored March 13th camera event which has now been confirmed for March 15th, Sony has unexpectedly confirmed the cameras existence which begs the question at what this camera event will be all about. However, that’s another subject. The Alpha A57 is here to replace the 1 1/2 year old Alpha A55 with plenty of nice spec bumps for the same price while featuring Sony’s new and power 16-megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor with 1080p video recording at 60p. Those looking for fast paced shooting will be happy to hear that Sony has boosted the shooting rate from 10fps to 12fps while also improving the ISO to 16000. Available in April, a body only model for this translucent mirror camera will run you $699 while $799 will land you a kit with an 18-55mm lens.
After the jump, the full Sony Alpha A57 specs, pictures and press release await you.
Just yesterday, we reported on Sony’s now confirmed March 15th camera event where the electronic giant is expected to officially unveil the Alpha A57, their latest 16-megapixel, 12fps DSLR camera. Rumors have pointed towards a surprise announcements at the event as well, though we’ve yet to be able to confirm if it will be a camera or additional lenses. A new report from our friends at SonyAlphaRumors point towards an impending announcement of Alpha and NEX lenses from Sony. The report doesn’t go as far as to detail any specs or mention any dates but with Sony’s camera announcement a week away, it’s hard to imagine them not announcing the new lenses at such an event. Are you looking forward to new Alpha and NEX lenses? If so, share you thoughts with us after the jump.
Just over two weeks ago, we ran a story about a then unconfirmed Sony camera event which would be held on March 13th. Though details were sketchy, we were almost certain that Sony would be announcing the rumored 16-megapixel Alpha A57 while some even believe that there will be an addition to the NEX line: perhaps an NEX-6? As I’ve said before, I’m doubtful of a surprise camera from Sony though it would be a nice change, seeing how most of their products are leaked months in advance. Still, the possibility of additional lenses is also rumored but we’ve yet to be able to nail down any concrete details.
Now we’ve learned that the March 13th date is in fact wrong but only by two days. Sony will instead be hosting a March 15th event in the UK where the A57 is expected to be officially announced. My personal hopes include the announcement of the NEX-6 which would close the gap between the NEX-5 and NEX-7 (line the audio input which is all I need from the NEX-7!). After jump, share with us some of your hopes for this announcement.
It’s only been a few months since Sony has been able to get their manufacturing plants up and running to begin production on the company’s NEX-7, A65, and A77. After the disasterous flooding that took place in Thailand , Sony was unable to produce much of their announced 2011 cameras which were set to ship in the later part of last year. Despite this, the company seems to not have changed their camera roadmap and timeline with a rumored March 13 announcement that is aimed at announcing a new DSLR. Many speculations have pointed towards the rumored 16-megapixel Alpha A57 while some even believe that there will be an addition to the NEX line: perhaps an NEX-6?
I’m doubtful of a surprise camera from Sony, seeing how they are not the best at keeping secrets but, if the date holds true, the A57 seems to be a no brainer, seeing how we know most of the specs for the camera, which can be found after the jump. However, it might not be so farfetched for Sony to announce some new lenses for the growing E-mount segment. With the rumored Sony camera announcement less then 3 weeks away, we’ll know soon enough.
During CES 2012, Sony introduced a new generation of their Balanced Optical SteadyShot, designed for their line of HandyCam camcorders. With the five new camcorder lines shown, three of them would feature this new technology. It is aimed at further reducing the shaky footage which can be caused by shaking hands or by walking around. The new Balanced Optical SteadyShot is built on a new concept in which the lens floats in the middle of the camera housing. With this new floating-lens technology, the camera and the parts around it will shake from your movement while the lens in the middle continues to point forward. This means that the lens will not take in the shaking which would no doubt otherwise cause your footage to be shaky.
The result is quite remarkable, given how previous Sony technology already did a wonderful job at reducing shaky footage. However, no words can quite capture the difference between the previous technology and what Sony has in store this time around. That’s why below is a video demonstration of the two technologies, side by side, with the left camera incorporating the new Balanced Optical SteadyShot floating-lens while the camera on the right uses Sony’s previous SteadyShot technology.
In lieu of of the new Sony Bloggie Live and Bloggie Sport, Sony has dropped the price of the Bloggie Touch by $70, now down to $129. The Bloggie Touch, which we’ve reviewed in the past, is part of Sony’s now-growing line of MP4 cameras which are designed to give those who like to make films or capture moments a low-cost and simple-to-use option. As the name suggests, the Bloggie Touch is a touch-based device with a 3-inch LCD screen with only three physical buttons; on/off, camera (to take pictures), and record.
The Bloggie Touch is available in an 8GB configuration with full HD 1080p video and a 12.8-megapixel stills. Coming in black, silver, and pink, which is exclusive to Sony retail stores, the Bloggie Touch is both Mac and PC compatible.
Our editor and social media manager Allegra and I had a chance to attend CES 2012 as you can probably tell from our main page. For those of you who missed it, we provided a live blog from Sony’s press conference and have done several videos from the show floor. Our friends at Sony, specially Sukhjit, were also kind enough to gift us the just-announced Sony Bloggie Live, just two days into our long week of coverage. Of course, this gave us a unique chance to not only use a superior camera than our current Bloggie Touch on the floor, but to also offer you a new video unboxing. We’ll of course be doing a proper review of the Bloggie Live once we’ve spent some more time with it. Till then though, here is our Sony Bloggie Live unboxing.
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