Sony Q3 FY2017 Report: Confirms Sony Image Sensor Business Slowdown

By Louis Ferreira | Published: February 2, 2018


Sony released their 2017 Q3 results today and they verify what we reported a few days ago, the Sony image sensor business will experiance a due to iPhone. The annalist was spot on, but it wasn’t a difficult prediction to make with all of the reports about iPhone X sales slowing. The overall forecast for the imaging business remains unchanged though and Sony imaging is healthy. Here is one more quote from the financial report:

Semiconductors Sales are expected to be lower than the October forecast primarily due to an expected decrease in unit sales of image sensors for mobile products. Operating income is expected to be higher than the October forecast primarily due to higher-than-expected profits resulting from sales of assets and cost reductions, partially offset by the above-mentioned expected decrease in sales.

Let’s hope that Sony didn’t decide to change CEO’s on a high note just before some kind of tumble. They have been on a roll again with the Sony a9 and Sony a7RIII, which will get even better with the Sony a7SIII and a7III. Let’s hope Sony continues to take a bite out of Canon and Nikon this year.

via Sony

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Kaz Hirai Steps Down as CEO of Sony, Kenichiro Yoshida Named as Replacement

By Louis Ferreira | Published: February 2, 2018


Sony Announces New Management Structure
Kenichiro Yoshida named as President and CEO effective April 1, 2018; Kazuo Hirai to become Chairman

Tokyo, February 2, 2018 — Sony Corporation (“Sony”) today announced that Kenichiro Yoshida, currently Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Executive Deputy President and Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed as Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2018. Kazuo Hirai, currently Director, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, will become Director, Chairman, also effective April 1, 2018.

The above management transition was proposed by Mr. Hirai to the Sony Nominating Committee, and following deliberation by the Nominating Committee, was approved by the Sony Board of Directors at a Board meeting held earlier today.

Following this realignment, Sony will embark on its next mid-range corporate plan starting April 1 2018, under a new management structure led by Mr. Yoshida. Read More »

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Patrick Murphy-Racey Sony a9 + Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM + Sigma MC11 Review

By Louis Ferreira | Published: February 1, 2018

Patrick Murphy-Racey shoots the Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM + Sigma MC11 at a football game on the Sony a9 and reports that it performs solidly. The combination doesn’t need to be reset unlike the metabones adapters and will also work very well with the Sony a7RIII. The only downside is that the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter shifts the lens into a AF-S mode, which might be fixed by a firmware update.

When shooting sports Patrick uses expand flexible spot the most and it works very well for him with AF-C. He also uses the Sony 55mm Zeiss on a second body when shooting action up close, which he might blind fire, which is a little odd. It’s also kind of crazy to see how far the ball moves even when shooting at 20fps.

Patrick also does a little mini-review of the Sigma 500mm f/4 at the end and says it’s as good as anything Canon or Nikon have to offer at this time even as adapted glass. It’s less expensive and has a better warranty than the competition and the only lens that might match or beat it is the upcoming Sony 400mm f/2.8.

While the Sigma 1.4x teleconverter won’t AF-C with this setup the Canon 1.4x teleconverter might, but Patrick doesn’t know, so if you do leave a comment for him on the video. It’s always great to help expand the communities knowledge. On a side note, Patrick makes a plea to support local camera shops at the end of his video and while I support this notion be sure you know any local retailer you deal with well because I recently got stuck with an almost 2k junk lens from a small retailer, which isn’t necessarily easy to absorb and even though I am still pretty upset with them I won’t put them on blast, but their name starts with U. Instead, I will say there are still great local retailers like Ace Photo and Dale Photo & Digital that are very helpful, but so are some of the larger online affiliate driven retailers that help support sites like this.

Sony a9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sony a7RIII: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sigma MC-11: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

Posted in 3rd Party Lens, Sony a7RIII, Sony a9| Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sony a6500/a6300 Firmware Updates

By Louis Ferreira | Published: February 1, 2018


Sony a6500 Update 1.05
This update (version 1.05) provides the following benefits:

  • Adds support for the SEL18135 lens
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

a6500 Download Here

Sony a6300 Update 2.01
This update (version 2.01) provides the following benefits:

  • Adds support for the SEL18135 lens
  • Improves overall stability of the camera

a6300 Download Here

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Sony RX0 Firmware 2.00 Update

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 31, 2018


Sony released a firmware update for the RX0 today and you can download a copy here.

  • Supports Camera Control Box (model CCB-WD1) for wired multi-view shooting
  • Improves wireless multi-view shooting with the PlayMemories™ Mobile application

    Notes:

    • PlayMemories Mobile application version 6.2 or higher is required.
    • Depending on the specifications of the access point, smartphone, tablet, and the radio wave environment of the installation location, the number of devices that can be connected will change. Based on testing, up to 50 units have been connected.
    • Use only on Wi-Fi connections with security measures.
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Analyst Predicts Sony Image Sensor Business Slowdown Due To iPhone

By Louis Ferreira | Published: January 30, 2018


Image Sensors World is reporting a potential slow down at Sony due to lower than expected iPhone sales, based on a Bloomberg report, but is it accurate? Even if iPhone demand slows demand for other phones will likely pick up the slack with Sony sensors in them. Plus Sony will continue selling their sensors to new manufactures, which will mitigate their loses from the iPhone slow down. I am sure there will be some restructuring due to the iPhone slow down, but I doubt it will have a serious affect on Sony in 2018.

via Image Sensors World, Bloomberg

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