We saw it only as a sketch on Sony patents before. But now we have it in real! This is the new Sony curved sensor and it comes in two variations: Full Frame (43mm) and for Mobile Phones and Tablets (11mm).

The Full Frame sensor is likely to find his way in the new RX2 because this is also what Sony patent were showing us: a FF curved sensor used along a 35mm f/1.8 lens.

As far as we know Sony is the only company offering such a sensor and Sony also said at the 2014 Symposia on VLSI Technology and Circuits event that they developed a special production technique to produce it in mass.

At the end what matters is that: With such sensors corners become 2x more sensitive and have a lot less of issues. And lenses can be designed in a more compact way.

Sigma US finally announced the Sigma Dp2 Quattro pricing and you can already preorder it at Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

The DP2 Quattro camera will differ from earlier generations of the DP cameras as it will feature:

The new Foveon X3 Quattro Direct Image Sensor that delivers images equivalent to 39MP output from a conventional sensor
1) Increased resolution from the DP Merrill cameras A Fixed 30mm 2.8 Lens specifically designed for the new sensor
2) The TRUE III Image processor, providing ultrafast processing of an immense volume of image data without any deterioration of the final image
3) Better high ISO performance with one to two stops of improvement
4) Improved 3A performance: Auto Exposure, Auto Focus and Auto White Balance
5) Enhanced Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Portrait, Landscape, FOV Classic Blue, and Monochrome color modes, and new Cinema, Sunset Red, Forest Green, and FOV Classic Yellow color modes

The Panasonic FZ1000 monster zoom and 4K camera got announced today! You can read full specs, price and shipment info at at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

And the best thing is the price: $400 lower than the Sony RX10!!!

The German Photokina partner agency GFK published those graphs and data about the worldwide camera market trend. And there are plenty of interesting info!

Let’s start from the graph on top. It shows:

1) The low end compact camera market is rapidly shrinking
2) The premium camera market (DSLR+Mirrorless+premium fixed lens) are growing
3) Mirrorless is growing more than DSLR
4) The overall revenue is growing.

That graph shows that Mirrorless market share is growing in Asia primarily but also in Europe.

And than it’s very interesting to read when people actually prefers to use a proper camera over a smartphone camera:

And these are the top 5 reason why smartphone user decide to buy a digital camera:

In summary. The analysis form GFK debunks a couple of myths:

1) DSLR market is not shrinking. It’s well alive and stable.
2) Mirrorless market is growing (despite some sites claiming the opposite). Although it’s growing less than expected and still has a hard time to get popular in USA.
3) The future for premium digital camera makers is bright because the overall market is expected to growth!
4) Digital camera Companies are making more money than before! They are selling less lower margin compact cameras. But they are also selling more higher margin premium cameras!

Well, what’s your thought on this?

found via Photoscala.

The world’s fastest lens for mirrorless system will now start t ship worldwide according to the latest Handevision press release (Handevision.de). The lens is already in Stock via German sellers on eBay (Click here). You can get the X, E, EOS-M and MFT mount versions for 1799 Euro.

Image samples can be found at handevision.de/en/impressions/

You certainly have heard about the current shutter vibration issues from the A7r. It is very noticeable only in certain conditions (tele zoom and vertical shooting).

But now Sony goes from one extreme to another because Photoclubalpha got word from Sony that the new Sony A7s has a complete electronic and silent shutter mode! There is no info yet about the possible limitations when shooting in that mode. But that’s certainly a good news for Sony folks!

Addendum: An event better news would be if Sony could provide current A7-A7r owners with such a silent mode feature via firmware upgrade…

Why Mirrorless over DSLR? Sony Alpha a7r, a7, a6000

Leica mirrorless digital IIIf remake at Witono.
Ricoh 26mm F1.8 APS-C lens patent at Egami.
Samsung Galaxy NX sensor review: Smart choice? (DxOmark).
Lower-cost options for avoiding the WATE (Luminous Landscape).
Samsung 85mm f/1.4 Lens Review: a great pro-level portrait prime for NX photographers (Imaging Resource).
Best lenses for the Sony A5000: Part II – Best zooms (DxOmark)
Review: Fujifilm 10-24mm f4 R OIS (X Mount) at ThePhoBlographer
The battle for 1” sensor supremacy heats up! We post Samsung NX Mini First Shots (Imaging Resource).
NX big thing: Samsung’s flagship NX30 reviewed and rated (Dpreview).
Samsung NX Mini – Initial gallery images posted (Imaging Resource).