Sony Photography News and Rumors

Sony celebrates success at 2021 TIPA Awards with the highly anticipated win of “Best Full Frame Professional Camera” for Sony Alpha 1
Sony is proud to announce the highly renowned Technical Image Press Association has once again recognised Sony’s performance and innovation with a total of five TIPA awards. With wins across both the Digital Imaging and Mobile industries, Sony has claimed titles including “Best Full Frame Professional Camera” for the Alpha 1 and “Best Photo Smartphone” for Xperia 1 III.

BEST FULL FRAME PROFESSIONAL CAMERA Alpha 1
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The most technologically advanced, innovative camera that Sony has ever released, the Alpha 1 combines high-resolution and high-speed performance at a level that has never been accomplished in the world of digital cameras. With a brand new 50.1-megapixel full-frame stacked Exmor RS™ image sensor, blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 30 frames per second[i], up to 120 AF/AE calculations per second [ii], 8K 30p[iii] 10-bit 4:2:0 video and much more, the Alpha 1 will allow creators to capture what they’ve never been able to before. The camera gives new creative freedom to professional photographers in the ranges of sport, wedding, portrait, wildlife and many other demanding fields.

BEST PHOTO/VIDEO CAMERA EXPERT α7S III
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Featuring a 12.1MP (approx., effective) back-illuminated full-frame Exmor RTM CMOS image sensor with ultra-high sensitivity and 15+ stop wide dynamic range for movies (S-log3), a host of impressive video recording capabilities including 4K 120p and 10-bit 4:2:2 colour depth, heat dissipating mechanism, dual slot relay recording enabling over one-hour of 4K 60p movie shooting until battery ends [iv], a new autofocus system, and touch screen interface and side flip LCD screen, the new Alpha 7S III will become the ultimate creative tool for video professionals and all types of hybrid still/video shooters.

BEST PRIME STANDARD LENS FE 50 mm F1.2 GM
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The FE 50mm F1.2 GM (model SEL50F12GM) – delivers excellent resolution and dramatic bokeh known to Sony’s G Master TM line, industry-leading AF (autofocus) capabilities and professional control and reliability in a compact and lightweight design. The lens’s maximum F1.2 aperture combines an impressive shallow depth of field for maximum creative expression with incredible light gathering capabilities, allowing for faster shutter speeds and lower ISO in low light settings, making it ideal for portraits, wedding photography, video and more.

BEST VLOGGER CAMERA Vlog Camera ZV-1
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The ZV-1 features a 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS® CMOS image sensor with DRAM chip and 24-70mm[v] F1.8-2.8 ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* large-aperture lens creating beautiful background bokeh (background blur), allowing the subject to stand out from the background. The camera locks on and tracks subjects with high accuracy and speed using Sony’s leading-edge autofocus system. The ZV-1 is designed with various features and effects that are purpose-built for content creators and vloggers in mind, including a selfie-friendly vari-angle LCD screen, body grip and a recording lamp. A directional 3-capsule mic with wind screen picks up your voice clearly with less wind noise; and the Bokeh switch and Product Showcase Setting make videos more interesting with less efforts. . To meet any video need, the ZV-1 contains advanced video features including 4K movie recording[vi] and in-body image stabilisation.

BEST PHOTO SMARTPHONE Xperia 1 III
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Xperia 1 III is co-developed with the engineers behind Alpha series cameras, renowned for their industry-leading autofocus technology. The model includes fast, accurate continuous AF across all lenses and Real-time Eye AF. Furthermore, the Xperia 1 III features the world’s first Variable telephoto lens paired with a Dual-PD Sensor[v] and 4K HDR OLED 120Hz Refresh rate display[vi].

Xperia 1 III presents a more sophisticated feature set for photographers who strive for picture perfect results. Xperia 1 III features Real-time Tracking[vii], allowing users to shoot the most challenging moving subjects in precise focus. Using AI-based algorithms and the 3D iToF sensor to measure distance, Real-time Tracking can accurately detect and focus on a subject and continue to track it even if it temporarily moves out of sight. This is further complemented by the World´s first smartphone with Variable telephoto lens paired with a Dual PD sensor that reaches up to a 105mm focal length – assisted by fast autofocus thanks to the Dual PD sensor. When switching between 70mm and 105mm[viii], the focus is adjusted in an instant to swiftly capture the beauty in the detail. Xperia 1 III can also reach focal lengths of 16mm and 24mm for more creative flexibility in shooting.

Notes:
[i] “Hi+” continuous shooting mode. In focus modes other than AF-C, effective at 1/125 sec. or higher shutter speed. In AF-C mode, effective at 1/250 sec. or higher shutter speed, and the maximum continuous frame rate will depend on the shooting mode and lens used. 20 fps max. when shooting Uncompressed or Lossless compressed RAW.
[ii] At shutter speeds of 1/125 sec. or higher. The number of AF calculations will depend on the lens used.
[iii] [APS-C S35 Shooting] is fixed [Off] when shooting 4K 120p and 8K movies.
[iv] Sony test conditions. XAVC S-I 10-bit 4:2:2, 25 deg C (ambient, camera when recording started), Auto Power Off Temperature: High. The value will vary depending on the shooting conditions.
[v] Angle of view (35mm format equivalent)
[vi] 4K (QFHD: 3840×2160)
[vii] Accuracy may vary according to environmental circumstances. Some performance restrictions may apply.
[viii] Xperia 1 III / Xperia 5 III feature 70mm and 105mm focal length in the same periscope camera paired with a Dual PD sensor. Verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service against the published camera specifications for over 18,500 smartphones. Correct as of the 14th April 2021
[viiii] Verified by Strategy Analytics’ SpecTRAX Service against the published display specifications for over 18,500 smartphones
[vv] The subject may not be detected depending on the shooting environment
[vvi] 35mm equivalent format