I would be surprised if Sony announces any more cameras today. By my count, this is 5. They are introducing another world's first, a fixed-lens full-frame camera called the Sony DSC-RX1. Along with that camera, they also announced the much-anticipated NEX-6 and also three new E-mount lenses, as well as a new A-mount lens. Check out the introduction videos below for more information on the two new mirrorless cameras.
Here are the specs on the RX1:
- Full Frame 24MP CMOS Sensor
- JPEG, 14-bit RAW Image Capture
- 35mm f/2.0 Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* Lens
- Xtra Fine 3" LCD Display
- 1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 24 fps
- Dedicated Focus, Iris and Macro Rings
- Full Frame 24MP Bursts at up to 5fps
- Hot Shoe for External Flash, Viewfinder
- Auto HDR Protects Highlight and Shadow
- Release Date: December 2012
- Price: $2,800
This is an interesting camera from Sony. It's definitely utilizing the same sensor as the VG900 and the A99, but they've gone and given it a fixed lens. The only reasoning I can think of for this is that Sony doesn't actually make any full-frame mirrorless lenses yet, so the only lenses that would actually cover the whole sensor would be the Alpha mount lenses -- using an adapter. If you look at it that way it makes sense, but this is going to be a very expensive purchase for being a fixed lens camera.
I wouldn't expect video quality to be quite as good as the A99, but I would think it would at least be on par with the VG900. Then again, they all may actually look pretty similar when it comes to recording internally. The other two cameras do have the advantage of a recordable HDMI that will give the possibility of higher bitrates.
Here is the NEX-6:
These are the specs of the NEX-6:
- 16.1MP Exmor APS-C Size CMOS Sensor
- E-Mount
- Fast Hybrid AF With Phase-Detection AF
- 3" 921K-Dot TFT LCD
- XGA OLED Tru-Finder EVF
- 1920 x 1080: 60 fps, 24 fps
- Wi-Fi Capable
- Built-In Flash
- Fast 10fps Burst Shooting
- PlayMemories Camera Apps
- Release Date: November 2012
- Price: $850 (body only), $1000 with 16-50mm lens
This camera is not a replacement for the one that Sony literally just announced, the NEX-5R, but is a new model that will sit between the 5R and the NEX-7. Again, Sony is likely utilizing the same sensor that is in the VG30 and the other 16 megapixel cameras. This makes a lot of sense from an R&D standpoint, but Sony may get themselves into a little trouble with too many camera models all priced very close to each other.
Here are the three new E-mount (APS-C) lenses -- 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom Lens ($350), 35mm f/1.8 ($450), and 10-18mm f/4 ($850). What's interesting is that the 16-50mm lens which is actually a kit lens for the NEX-6 is a powered lens, so you will be able to use it with the rocker switch on any NEX cameras that have one (and it will zoom smoothly). Also below is a new A-mount lens, a 300mm f/2.8, which will be strictly for the professional photographer since it weighs in at $7,500.
So that was quite the day for camera announcements, and while it was a little crazy keeping track of all of them, hopefully we did a good enough job so you guys can figure out what's going on. If you need a camera, any camera, in the next few months, there's a good chance Sony has you covered at literally every budget level. But specs aren't everything -- you have to like the image quality first and foremost, and if you don't, then all the specs in the world don't mean anything.
You can pre-order (or order) any of these items from the links below.
Links:
- Sony DSC-RX1 -- B&H
- Sony NEX-6 -- B&H
- 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 Power Zoom Lens
- 35mm f/1.8
- 10-18mm f/4
- 300mm f/2.8
[via The Verge]
