The latest news on cameras, from EOSHD
Above: Could Micro 4/3rds be shrunk even further, to catch the ultra slim NEX series from Sony?
Those with a keen eye for rumours which usually turn out right, will have noticed Panasonic’s mid-term management report on 43rumors.com recently.
In it, they say their aim for the interchangeable lens camera division is to make a super thin, super high image quality camera.
Above: the thicker GF1 body is due to a longer flange back, which improves optical performance
The Sony NEX5 is a bomb. The build quality of the lenses and the overall styling is incredible. Never before has higher image quality from that size of body been possible, and never has a camera looked so futuristic and contained so much forward-pointing technology. And whilst the new Sony NEX mirrorless cameras are extremely exciting and set to sell like hot cakes, I have some concerns.
Already voiced, are my own regarding video. No 24p and manual controls on the NEX5 for example. Now it seems there are some very knowledgeable photographers who are beginning to speak out, having taken a look at the NEX system only to realise it’s compromised in many other ways.
The mirrorless E mount NEX 7 will follow Sony’s next release above – HD video capable Alpha cameras.
In February when rumours of the NEX series first trickled in, we also had information about a NEX 7 as well as the 5 and 3 series. The numbering appears to mirror the Alpha range. Can we also expect a 9 series NEX camera?
Today I received more info from the same source as last time, who got the NEX 3 and 5 specs bang on right.
There is no NEX 9 planned but there is a NEX 7.
The NEX 7 addresses the missing enthusiast features from the NEX 5.
Is this the reason why Sony’s NEX line doesn’t yet feature 24p and manual control in video mode?
Sony’s plan to keep alive consumer camcorders has kicked into action today with the announcement of an E-Mount camcorder. A press release just hit out of the blue. They kept this incredibly quiet.
The mock-up shown is not like the pro sized AF100 from Panasonic, more like a prosumer camcorder. The E mount camcorder will use the same sensor from the NEX5 but with the handling and feature-set of a prosumer camcorder.
Read moreSony revolutionise the consumer camcorder – E Mount camcorder due late 2010
UPDATE: Now we get to see what Canon does with the same sensor. That Sony BSI gets around a bit!
Don’t worry, innovation is alive and well. Although innovation makes up just 1% of the compact camera market!
Last year Sony developed a back-side-illuminated CMOS sensor, the first on the market. It’s been around for a good few months now, enough time to find itself in a few high end Sony compacts. But Sony didn’t stop there, they are licensing the same Exmor R 1/2.4inch sensor to Casio. (See it reverse engineered here)
What’s interesting is that for HD video, the two companies are taking totally different paths.
A few notes on the GH1 firmware situation as it stands right now.
Today Panasonic have released a official firmware update, version 1.32
UPDATE: 10th May – price drops and added Zacuto Z-Finder
EOSHD.com is having a big one-off sale.
All the equipment is in as-new condition and under 6 months old. I have some really nice kit on sale and the store is open worldwide (reluctantly, payments in GBP & the Euro excluded due to dramatic currency drops right now)
Free shipping to the US!
UPDATE: The rumours were right! Now expect the NEX7 for September’s Photokina.
Sony’s much anticipated mirrorless HDSLR is released in a few days. What do we know?
It will be available in Hong Kong and Japan from May 11th and a limited stock global release that same day.
Whilst an attempt at a global release is good, unfortunately 24p is missing from the spec sheet. Stop reading now?
Read moreSony NEX-5 release date announced for May 11th, no 24p!!