Sony a6500 Press Release

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Preorders (Start on October 9 at 11am NYC time):
B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama

New Flagship APS-C Sensor Camera Combines World’s Fastest AF speed and Highest Number of AF points with In-camera 5-axis optical image stabilization, Touchscreen AF Operation, 24.2 MP Exmor® CMOS sensor and more

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2016 – Sony Electronics, a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer, has today introduced their new flagship APS-C sensor camera, the α6500 (model ILCE-6500).

As the latest addition to Sony’s lineup of award winning mirrorless cameras, the new α6500 shares the same unrivaled 4D FOCUS™ system as the α6300 camera, which can lock focus on a subject in as little as 0.05 seconds, the world’s fastest AF acquisition time. Also shared with the α6300, the new α6500 features 425 phase detection AF points that are densely positioned over nearly the entire image area – the world’s highest number of AF points on any interchangeable lens camera. The new model can shoot images at up to 11 frames per second with continuous autofocus and exposure tracking and up to 8 frames per second in a live-view shooting mode that makes it easy to track fast moving subjects, as it combines all of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder with the immediacy of an optical viewfinder.

The camera can shoot at these high speeds for up to 307 frames thanks to its expanded buffer, which, along with the fast response speeds described above, are all achieved with the support of a new front-end LSI chip that has been added to the camera. This new front-end LSI also serves to enhance both still and video image quality.

Additionally, the new α6500 features Sony’s acclaimed in-camera 5-axis optical image stabilization, making it the first Sony APS-C sensor camera to offer all of the benefits of advanced in-body stabilization, which include a shutter speed advantage of approximately 5 steps. It also offers touchscreen AF capabilities for focus point selection and adjustment.

“We are continuing to push the boundaries of modern innovation in digital imaging, in particular within the mirrorless space,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “By equipping the α6500 with 5-axis image stabilization and touchscreen AF, we’re offering photographers and videographers more control than ever before and a seemingly endless amount of creative possibilities. As our flagship APS-C camera, it far exceeds the performance threshold of any camera in its class, and many above its class as well.” Read More »

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Sony RX100 V Press Release

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Preorders (Start on October 9 at 11am NYC time):
B&H Photo, Amazon, Adorama

NEW YORK, Oct. 6, 2016 – Sony – a worldwide leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer – has today announced a new flagship model for their popular Cyber-shot RX100 series of compact cameras, the RX100 V (model DSC-RX100M5).

The exciting new camera brings a new level of AF performance and speed to today’s compact camera market. It is equipped with a Fast Hybrid AF system with the world’s fastest AF acquisition at 0.05 seconds and world’s highest number of AF points on sensor 1 with 315 points covering approximately 65% of the frame. The camera can also shoot continuously at speeds of up to 24 fps – the world’s fastest for a compact camera – at full 20.1 MP (approx. effective) resolution with AF/AE tracking for up to 150 continuous shots.

The RX100 V is equipped with a newly developed 1.0-type stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor with a DRAM chip, a ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70 mm F1.8–2.8 large aperture lens and an enhanced image processing system with a new front-end LSI chip that maximizes processing speed, expands the memory buffer and optimizes image quality, in particular at high ISO settings. The camera also features 4K video recording with full pixel readout and no pixel binning, super slow motion recording at up to 960 fps with extended recording time and more.

“Featuring a level of power and performance that has never before been achieved in a compact, the new RX100 V redefines what it means to be a ‘pocket camera’,” said Neal Manowitz, Vice President of Digital Imaging at Sony Electronics. “This camera is yet another example of Sony innovating to a level far beyond what exists in the conventional marketplace.” Read More »

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Lensbaby Trio 28 Ultra Compact 28mm F3.5 Lens with 3 Focus Selectives

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Trio 28 – where convenience meets creativity. Designed specifically for mirrorless* camera users, the Trio 28 features three selective focus optics in one compact lens design. Trio 28’s wide 28mm focal length uniquely captures the soul of street scenes, landscapes, environmental portraits, and more. Simply rotate a dial to choose your inspiration from our most popular creative optical effects.

  • Twist gives you a large sharp central area of focus surrounded by twisty, swirling bokeh
  • Velvet has a sharp yet dreamy central area of focus with delicate glow from edge-to-edge
  • Sweet creates a sharp central sweet spot of focus surrounded by gradually increasing blur

Whether you’re exploring your neighborhood or traveling afar, Trio 28 helps you shape your vision in the moment –  in unexpected and surprising ways.

  • Sony E-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Fixed Aperture: f/3.5
  • Rotating Front with Three Optics
  • Selectable Twist, Velvet & Sweet Effects
  • Multi-Coated Glass Elements
  • Manual Focusing Ring
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 8″
  • Pancake-Shaped Design
  • Filter Thread: 46mm

Effects Gallery

Lensbaby Trio 28 Pre-orders
B&H Photo
Adorama

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Phase One IQ3

The Sony developed IQ3 has been well reviewed by the likes of luminous-landscapepdnonlinefstoppers and now imaging-resource and dpreview. It should come as no surprised that everyone comes away impressed by it’s impressive 15 stops of dynamic range, but it’s unbelievable that they have managed to pull off usable 12,800 ISO on this size sensor. The Luminous Landscape review is probably the best if you’re really interested in this camera, but the DPReview comparison tool is great for comparing the sensors ISO capabilities.

With the Fujifilm GFX 50S coming in early 2017 and Sony so close to refreshing many of their cameras maybe we will see a mirrorless medium format competitor from Sony in the near future. The 53.7×40.4mm sensor in the Phase One XF probably doesn’t cost much more than the 43.8×32.9mm sensor in the Fujifilm GFX 50S(which you can see in my printable comparison), so maybe Sony can make a knockout mirrorless medium format camera in the $10k range that will shake up the market. We know they do not have to compete at the same price point as Fujifilm to sell their cameras and $10k is within reach of many serious photographers, compared to $47,500-$50,000 for a Phase One XF 100MP.

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Sony AlphaUniverse 2.0

Sony launched the new AlphaUniverse 2.0 website to help support the growing Sony community of photographers and videographers. The new site includes resources like podcasts, videos, tutorials, reviews, articles and events.

The first three podcast are live and cover

Episode 1: Conservation Photographer Cristina Mittermeier
Conservation photographer and Sony Artisan Of Imagery Cristina Mittermeier talks with AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson about making a difference for the environment with photography. In Tech Talk, Sony’s El-Deane Naude explains how white balance works in Sony cameras and best practices for setting your white balance. And Cristina Mittermeier offers up Do This Now tips on prime lenses and how to hone your visual story-telling skills.
Listen Here

Episode 2: Street Photographer & Instagram Star Jose Silva
New York street photographer and Instagram star Jose Silva talks with AlphaUniverse.com editor Christopher Robinson about building a following, keeping up with trends and what it means to be a professional Instagram photographer today. In Tech Talk, Sony’s Kenta Honjo explains how to get photos from your camera uploaded to social media in real time. And Jose Silva gives his Do This Now advice for growing your Instagram following fast.
Listen Here

Episode 3: Pulitzer-Prize Winner Brian Smith
We sit down with Pulitzer-prize-winning photographer and Sony Artisan Of Imagery, Brian Smith. As one of the most accomplished photographers of his generation, Smith’s photographs have appeared on countless magazine covers, ad campaigns around the world, newspapers and more. We talk with Brian about how his career began as a sports photographer, his early conversion to Sony cameras and lenses, and how he approaches portraits, especially celebrity portraits.

In Tech Talk, we speak with Sony’s Mark Weir about lens technology and the many complex steps that go into creating a great lens.

In our Do This Now segment, Brian Smith returns with his tips to help you become a better portrait photographer.
Listen Here

AlphaUniverse 2.0 is also on Instagram as #Alphacollective. If you’re interested in becoming part of the program you can read more about it here and apply to become a member here.

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Sony FE 70-300mm F/4.5 5.6 G OSS DXO Mark Results

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DXO published their results for the Sony FE 70-300mm F/4.5 5.6 G OSS and it did well against it’s rivals, but it’s not as sharp as the Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS.

“In terms of optical quality alone, the FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS is on par with the best of its rivals. It has good sharpness at the longer focal lengths, though closing down a stop at 300mm to f/8, when light levels permit, improves levels significantly.”

via DXO

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