Sony releases major update for the A7 series!

Sony released a major update for the A7 camera series and a smaller update for the NEX-5t, NEX-5r and NEX-6.

The A7 cameras are now reported to startup faster, focus faster with FE lenses and show an improved image quality at High ISO (Jpeg images). Sounds great!

Firmware download links:

A7R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

A7

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

NEX5R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX5T

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX6

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

Samsung NX mini officially announced!

It’s here! The new Samsung NX mini with 1 inch sensor (same size as the Sony RX100 and Nikon 1). It’s the smallest system camera ever! It has a very clean and Panasonic GM1 alike design. Specs, price and preorder info can be read here:

Preorders:

Brown: Amazon, BHphoto.

Green:  Amazon, BHphoto

Pink: Amazon, BHphoto

White: Amazon, Bhphoto
 

Press releases and previews:

Preview at Dpreview. Spanish presentation at DSLRmagazine,

 

Images:

Samsung NX mini leaked at European Press Event!

Images of a Samsung NX mini press event somewhere in Europe have been leaked on dpreview forum. The poster writes:

Sorry about the photographs were looks blurred & indistinct.

The new Samsung NX mini was adopts with the 20.5MP 1″ BSI CMOS Sensor,180 degrees Flip & Touch display.

– 22fps continuous shooting / Full HD Video 1080(30fps) / Fast shutter up to 1/16000 / ISO Range up to 12800 / microSD slot

– Integrated with NFC & WiFi connectivity,Built-in flash & hotshoe for the external flash(Perhaps for the external viewfinder too[TBC])

-Longer battery life with the 2330mah battery

-Compatible with the all APSC size of NX Mount Lens,thanks to the Samsung mount adapter(ED-MA4NXM)

-9mm f/3.5 prime lens will be bundle with the sales package(Market dependant)

*Since it only the prototype unit,So i couldn’t show more about the performance of this camera,Sorry.

New Sigma lens patent. Samyang autofocus lenses soon!

Egami spotted a new Sigma patent for a 28-85mm f/3.5-5.6 lens designed for APS-C and MFT mirrorless cameras. Not really an exciting lens.

Much more interesting is the news hat Samyang will announce on March 21. They will likely introduce their first autofocus lenses and if we are lucky some of them will be designed for mirrorless system cameras!

–

Sigma lens design:

End of production for the first digital rangefinder camera: The Epson RD-1!

Epson Japan officially released a note which marks the death for a historical camera: The Epson RD-1! The camera will no longer be produced.

As you know this was the first digital rangefinder camera ever released and had an APS-C sensor. It won the Camera Grand Prix award in 2005.

By bye dear Epson! Too bad you didn’t release a successor with real FF sensor just like Sony did recently with the A7-A7r!

The big battle between the Leica and Fuji f/1.2 lenses. Who wins?

Image courtesy: Admiringlight.

Admiringlight is the first website that had the luck to own both new very fast f/1.2 Leica 42,5mm and Fuji 56mm portrait lenes. And he did a comparison to answer one simple question: What lens delivers the best performance?

Admiringlight writes:

Overall, the Panasonic Leica is a little bit better corrected.  It’s slightly sharper over most of the frame (though the Fuji is a little better into the corners in my experience), it’s got a little smoother bokeh and better contrast at wide apertures.  However, it’s definitely not a runaway.  These systems have two heavyweights in this range.  

Be sure to check out the full test at Admiringlight!