Sony Red Dot Award 2021


About Red Dot Award
The Red Dot Award is the award for an international design competition administered by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany. The award is divided into three disciplines: the Red Dot Award: Product Design, Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design and Red Dot Award: Design Concept. Once a year, international design experts discuss and evaluate each entry individually. Over 10,000 design professionals, companies and organizations from more than 60 countries enter the competition for this very prestigious award each year. Winning entries are honored at a grand award ceremony attended by design professionals from all over the world, and are also presented at the Red Dot Design Museums in Germany, Singapore and China. With more than 2,000 exhibits, the Red Dot Design Museum Essen (Germany) presents the world’s largest exhibition of contemporary design in the former boiler house of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Zollverein, a former coal mine complex. Innovative and well-shaped objects from around 45 nations make the quality of good design become experienceable at close range because touching and testing many of the exhibits is allowed.

Product Design
The Red Dot: Product Design is for product designs which have been launched on the market between 1 January 2019 and 1 June 2021. Entries are judged on nine criteria, including degree of innovation, functionality, formal quality, ergonomics, durability, and symbolic and emotional content.


BRAVIA XR X95J Series Red Dot: Best of the Best
In this high-end 4K LED TV, stunning visuals delivered by an all-new XR™ processor featuring cognitive intelligence are combined with Sony’s original sound system comprising slit speakers, a subwoofer and sound-positioning tweeters for a truly realistic audio experience that feels as if the sound is coming directly from the flat screen. The aluminum edge frame around the flush panel was made as thin as it can get to eliminate all distracting elements for more immersive viewing. Also, the stands were put at the two ends of the screen to avoid reflections and keep the viewer’s attention on the imagery—not the structural supports. The stands feature a triangular cross-section, and their narrow edge at the top connects with the frame in a way that helps guide the viewer’s gaze to the screen. In addition, the versatile three-way multi-position stands give users a choice of three configurations to suit various placement settings.


VLOGCAM ZV-1 / VLOGCAM ZV-1G Red Dot: Best of the Best
With the popularization of social media and video sharing websites, a growing number of young people are now uploading video content online—from snapshots of their daily lives and fresh reviews from travel destinations to product review and makeup videos—to share with the rest of the world. The ZV-1 video camera enables young creators to convey their message in high-quality video that far outstrips content shot with a smartphone. A flat body design was chosen for ease of handling—taking out of a bag, shooting both still images and video, and taking selfie shots. The slightly large ridge on the body is designed to minimize the impact of the wind on sound, and to ensure a comfortable grip when held at an unnatural angle. When used with the shooting grip, the camera can be operated with a single hand, left or right, and flipped around to instantly change the shooting direction. Featuring a large 1.0-type Exmor RS CMOS image sensor and a ZEISS® lens on a compact body, this camera can shoot high-quality video even under poor conditions.


Xperia PRO Red Dot: Best of the Best
The Xperia PRO is an innovative device for professionals who seek to engage in a new style of visual content creation supporting 5G mmWave and 5G Sub-6. It features an HDMI terminal that links with a camera, as well as a 4K OLED display that achieves professional-grade color reproduction. Visual data captured with a camera can be monitored on the Xperia PRO or streamed live via HDMI connectivity. Data can also be sent directly to a remote editor to streamline the workflow and cut costs. To ensure reliable reception and transmission of 5G mmWave signals, which tend to travel in a straight line and are prone to attenuation, the chassis has antennas placed in four directions. A low dielectric constant material covers the outer periphery to help ensure the best 5G mmWave connection. The unique structure diffuses heat during long hours of use to maintain communication efficiency. Terminals and buttons are arranged to enhance usability when connected with other equipment. This device fully incorporates Sony’s expertise in professional products, and combines imaging and communication functions to innovate creative workflows.


Wireless Speaker SRS-RA5000


Wireless Stereo Headset WF-XB700


Wireless Speaker SRS-XB23


Interchangeable-lens Camera α7C (ILCE-7C / ILCE-7CL)


Cinema Line Camera FX6


Smartphone Xperia 1 II


PlayStation®5 Standard and Digital


DualSense™ wireless controller (PS5™ accessories)


HD camera (PS5™accessories)


PULSE 3D™ wireless headset (PS5™accessories)

PS5™ cables

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Sony a1 Glass Recommendations

Best Lenses combining sharpness and speedSpeedRating
Sony 14mm F1.8 GM30fpsOutstanding
Sony 20mm F1.8 G30fpsOutstanding
Sony 24mm F1.4 GM30fpsOutstanding
Sony 35mm F1.4 GM30fpsOutstanding
Sony 50mm F1.2 GM30fpsOutstanding
Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN15fpsOutstanding
Sony 100mm F2.8 STF GM OSS30fpsExcellent
Sigma 105mm F2.8 DG DN Macro15fpsOutstanding
Sony 135mm F1.8 GM30fpsOutstanding
Sony 400mm F2.8 GM OSS OSS (including with TC)30fpsOutstanding
Sony 600mm F4 GM OSS OSS (including with TC)30fpsOutstanding
Sony 12-24mm F2.8 GM30fpsExcellent
Sony 16-35mm F2.8 GM30fpsExcellent
Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN15fpsExcellent
Tamron 70-180mm F2.815fpsExcellent
Sony 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS (including with TC)30fpsExcellent
Sony 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS (including with TC)30fpsExcellent

The Sony Alpha 1 is certainly a monster of a camera that is drawing in lots of new photographers to the Sony  ecosystem, but if you’re new to Sony there are a lot of lenses to pick from and you might wonder which would pair best with your new body. Thankfully SonyAlphaBlog posted a very lengthy review/comparison that should help you pick. Above is a list of some of the best lenses to take advantage of the new Sony A1, but if AF performance isn’t a priority to you then you might want to look over the full comparison to find out which lenses have the best optical performance on the new megapixel monster.

Sony A1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 APO Size Comparison


Camerasizecomparison added the Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 APO to its comparison database and it is a pretty large lens as you can see. I am kind of surprised because most of the Laowa designs that I own are quite compact in comparison to similar focal length/aperture lenses.

Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO: VenusOptics

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Sony Quietly Ends A-Mount


When Sony announced the Sony Alpha a99II they claimed that A-mount would be around for years to come and would still be supported by Sony, but it looks like that support has come to an end with the a99II being quietly discontinued. I would have liked to have picked one up on closeout since there is a lot of great A-mount glass, but we weren’t even given that opportunity by Sony. Amazon has a few used ones left, but the price is quite high.

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CameraLabs: Sony A1 vs Fujifilm GFX100S vs GFX100

I already did a specs comparison between the GFX100S and Sony a1 here based on the info available at the time. Now Gordon Laing has released a hands-on comparison of the two cameras, which you can watch above or read the summary of below:

  • 4th GFX camera
  • Almost half the price of the GFX100 with essentially the same capabilities
  • Fujifilm GFX 50S is discontinued
  • The Full Frame Sony A1 actually costs more than the GFX100S
  • The big bump from the GFX50S is gone
  • Similar feels similar to a 5D or D800
  • Changing the battery let Fujifilm to move the battery into the grip
  • There is no portrait grip or dual batteries but it is smaller all around and 500g lighter
  • New battery can do about 460 frames so battery life is good but you will want a second battery
  • The EVF is now fixed and smaller than the GFX100, but it is still comparable to other cameras
  • Sony has a more detailed viewfinder, but Fujifilm’s viewfinder doesn’t hold the camera back
  • The main monitor hasn’t changed on the GFX
  • PASM mode dial on the GFX100S which is different than other GFX cameras
  • Can shoot for up to 60 min on the GFX100S
  • 1.8″ eink display that’s like the one on the GFX100 and it can be reversed from white to black
  • GFX100S misses the second einck display of the GFX100
  • GFX100S should have larger controls that are backlit
  • GFX cameras feel like X cameras in the menus
  • UHS-II dual card slots that are fast enough for the 5fps of the GFX
  • 12-bit RAW can be outputted via mini HDMI
  • GFX lenses are great, but there are more lenses for full-frame bodies
  • The 102MP sensor is the selling point of the GFX
  • The IBIS is very useful
  • Could shoot the 45mm f/2.8 with IBIS at 1/10th a second, but without he needs to shoot 1/80th
  • IBIS is also good for video
  • The AF is as fast as other cameras with smaller lenses
  • The GFX feels like using a smaller format camera
  • The standard test chart had to be shot at double the distance since the camera out resolved the test chart filling the frame
  • GFX100S easily out resolves the Sony Alpha 1
  • Both cameras do better with pixel shift and the Alpha 1 can out resolve a single shot of the GFX100S, but if you use multishot with the GFX100S you end up out resolving the Sony and chart again
  • No camera under 10k out resolves the GFX100
  • GFX100 can easily recover color data in the dark by lifting the shadows
  • 4k recording is different on each camera due to how the cameras come up with their 4k from their sensors
  • Motion tracking in video is fine for somewhat static subjects, but the motion isn’t tracked well in video
  • GFX100S is Fujifilm’s most compelling camera to date
  • The GFX100 and GFX100S perform like smaller sensor cameras, but the GFX100S is more portable
  • The GFX100 can be shot casually thanks to its IBIS
  • If you’re into fast sports and wildlife a camera like the Sony A1 might be better
  • GFX only has 12 lenses at this time, but full-frame cameras have numerous choices
  • GFX100S is best for photographers that demand the best quality and it speaks to your heart in a way other cameras do not
  • There will be more videos comparing these cameras soon

Sony A1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm GFX100S: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Fujifilm GFX100: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama

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Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 APO Announced


Laowa just annoucned the Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO and you can order it directly from VenusOptics.

Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO is a magnificent f/0.95 Standard lens for the Cropped Frame(APS-C) camera. Achieving the APO design, enjoy the clear images with well controlled chromatic aberration. The ultra-fast aperture lens with APO is perfect for low light photography, shallow depth of field portrait and narrative videography. It is blessed with crystal clear details, extraordinary sharpness and exquisite bokeh.

Shipping starts from Early May for Fuji X and Sony E mount.
The Nikon Z and Canon RF will be shipped from Mid May.

Reviews / Hands-on / More
jonasraskphotography

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