Sony updated their statement on A55 and A33 sensor overheating during video recording

By PR admin | Published: October 7, 2010

Sony updated their previous statement on sensor overheating during video recording – now in some cases the sensor will shut off after only 3 minutes:

Sony sensor overheating during video

Source: Sony

Posted in Sony| Tagged | 3 Comments

Sony creates world’s first 16.41MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor for mobile phones

By PR admin | Published: October 7, 2010

Sony announced world’s first 16.41MP Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor for mobile phones:

lens module on the left, actual sensor on the right

Main features of the new sensor:

  • CMOS image sensor with the world’s first*1 16.41 effective megapixel resolution for use in mobile phones. (“IMX081PQ”) -adopts formation technology used to create industry’s smallest*11.12µm unit pixel
  • Realizes high sensitivity and low noise through back-illuminated structure.
  • Adopts Sony’s proprietary “Column-Parallel A/D Conversion Technique”, providing each column within the sensor with its own A/D converter, achieving high frame rates of 15 frame/sec (in all-pixel scan mode) and Full-HD video taking capability.
  • The industry’s smallest and thinnest*1 lens module equipped with CMOS image sensor, lens and auto-focus functions in which the pixel structure and lens are optimally designed. (“IU081F”)
  • Approximately twice as sensitive as a conventional front-illuminated CMOS image sensor by combining back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and bright lens with small f-number. (“IU105F2”)
  • Equipped with 28mm wide-angle lens (35mm conversion) which is convenient for daily shooting.

Some sample images:

Full press release after the break:

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Posted in Sony| Tagged | 2 Comments

Sony will hold a press event on October 12th for a new mirrorless product

By PR admin | Published: October 7, 2010

According to the Japanese site Sankeibiz, Sony has scheduled a press event on October 12, 2010 to to unveil a new mirrorless product:

Speculations are that Sony may announce a new NEX model (NEX 7?) for the holiday shopping season (unlikely) or some kind of a new accessory for the existing NEX models.

Via sony-alpha.saloon.jp

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Now you can bring your PhaseOne 645DF underwater

By PR admin | Published: October 6, 2010

Nauticam will offer an underwater housing (NA-645DF) for PhaseOne 645DF medium format camera. The price will be $9900 and it will start shipping on October 22. Full press release after the break:

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Posted in Nauticam, Phase One| 5 Comments

Sony A77 and A750 with two semi-transparent mirrors?

By PR admin | Published: October 5, 2010


This diagram describes a new camera system with two semi-transparent mirrors and a high-resolution EVF that will be implemented in the next a77 and a750 models from Sony:

“Yesterday Sony explained the new system that will be used for the incoming a77 (the a750 will use a regular SLR design). Practically the are using two semi-transparent mirrors and a high-resolution EVF to reinforced the live image. They are using a reflexive technology design called 70/30, between each semi-transparent mirrors. The final image in the viewfinder will have 30% of original image and 70% of electronic reinforced image through the new EVF.”

Posted in Sony| Tagged , | 21 Comments

Sigma SD1 will not capture video, future models may

By PR admin | Published: October 5, 2010

Dpreview published an interview with Sigma COO Kazuto Yamaki, Foveon VP for Technology and Operations Shri Ramaswami and VP for Strategic Marketing Rudy Guttosch about the Foveon X3 sensor in the 46MP Sigma SD1 DSLR. The interview is rather technical, but here are some interesting points:

  • Sigma SD1 will not have video, but they may consider it in future models.
  • Sigma makes all of their cameras in house and doesn’t outsource to other manufacturers.
  • Quote: “There are two challenges during the development process – improvements in the sensor and improvements in the image processing. We can guarantee that there will be improvements in both [noise and dynamic range] over the previous generation but we can’t yet say by how much.”
Posted in Sigma| Tagged | 1 Comment

Sony looks for 2nd place in the interchangeable lens cameras market in Korea

By PR admin | Published: October 5, 2010

According to Korea Times, Kimihiro Itoki (head of Sony business unit in Korea) said in a recent news conference in Seoul that “Sony looks to edge Nikon for second-place in the interchangeable lens cameras market here, including both the DSLR and the new breed of high-quality shooters, by the end of next year, to gain on Canon – the latest Alpha models will help us claim and solidify the second-position in Korea’s interchangeable lens digital cameras market and narrow the gap with Canon”.

Sony currently has 40% of the mirrorless market in Korea with their Sony NEX system.

According to Samsung, the mirrorless market will grow 60% annually and will surpass DSLR sales in 2013.

Posted in Sony| 4 Comments

This is the new Panasonic Lumix Phone

By PR admin | Published: October 4, 2010

It all started with a teaser few days ago and now we have it – the new Panasonic Lumix Phone. The dedicated Japanese website got updated with some pictures but no further details are available:

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Posted in Panasonic| Tagged | 9 Comments

The latest patents applications

By PR admin | Published: October 4, 2010

Olympus filed a patent application in Japan for a new 26-100mm (35mm equivalent) f/1.8-2.4 lens:

  • Patent application: 2010-217478, filled on 03/17/2009
  • Focus length: 6.06-18.76
  • Fno: 1.85-2.39 (aperture)
  • Angle of view: 78.41-27.50°
  • Back focus: 7.33-9.19mm
  • Length 60.49-62.17mm
  • Zoom 3.88x

Apple attempts to patent a smarter camera flash – the patent is about a flash redirector that will let the user select an area on the touchscreen that needs to be illuminated and the camera will make the necessary adjustments to flash only that area:

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Posted in Apple, Canon, Olympus| Tagged | 3 Comments

Rumor: Olympus EP-3 by the end of the year

By PR admin | Published: October 3, 2010

Olympus EP-3 is expected to be a major upgrade, here are some of the rumored specs:

  • 16MP sensor, supports 1080 video and up to ISO 6400, 12800 extension.
  • Articulated LCD, 3″ and 920K.
  • No built-in flash or EVF, but there are connectors for optional ones.
  • The design “lines” are closer to EPL1 than EP2. The form factor, being slim with an articulated screen, is unique. The closest thing would be a scaled-up Samsung EX1/TL500.
  • Considerable improvements in AF. A headline feature is a new dual AF (CDAF+ PDAF). The PDAF aids CDAF to decide the right focus distance reducing the typical CDAF trial-and-error, particularly helpful for AF of heavy classic 4/3 lenses, (it works MUCH BETTER than any m4/3 body with legacy 4/3 lenses, excellent w m4/3 lenses).
  • A special accessory unit comprising a hand grip + 4/3 lens adapter. The unit covers the whole front panel and almost transforms the EP3 to a classic 4/3 camera when attached.
  • Expected in November/December for the holiday shopping season, price TBA.

I even got some information that a new Olympus EP camera is currently being tested in the UK.

Posted in Olympus| Tagged | 20 Comments

Pentax will not use Samsung’s NX mount

By PR admin | Published: October 2, 2010

In another post-Photokina interview, the Head of Marketing for Pentax Imaging Systems Division Mr. Eguchi Kazumichi, made some interesting comments: while Hoya will continue to evaluate the market opportunities of a mirrorless camera, they will not use the Samsung NX mount in the future. He even went a step further by saying that Samsung did not use any of Pentax technologies in their NX line. It sounds to me that the relationship between Samsung and Pentax went sour.

Posted in Pentax, Samsung| 5 Comments

RED Scarlet to include HDRx

By PR admin | Published: October 2, 2010

Red’s CEO Jim Jannard announced on the reduser forum that they will include HDRx™ capability to their Scarlet camera. This will increase the price by $1000 and a cause a “slight delay in the program”. The price for a basic Scarlet “brain only” will now be $3,750.

Here is a short HDRx test video:

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Posted in Red| Tagged | 30 Comments