Sony to make major announcement today

[DPNow]

Here is a summary or excerpt from an article that has just been published on DPNow:

We're in the resort city of Split, in Croatia, this morning, attending a lavish and, so far, highly secret, press launch of a major new Sony photography product. All will be revealed later this morning,when this news story will be updated with the new details.

UPDATE:

Sony has surprised us all with a very well kept secret and launched its NEX hybrid or compact interchangeable lens system camera platform. Two bodies, the NEX-5 and NEX-3 have been launched, with three lenses. They will be available in a mont's time, but today we're using pre-production samples to get a feel for ths important new product from Sony. Read about how the launch went and our initial impressions.

Click here to read the whole article...

[Ian]

I'm typing this from the press conference - it is indeed the new hybrid from Sony previewed in mock-up form at PMA at the end of February.

I'll be adding details to the story as we get them during the press conference and launch presentation.

Ian

[Ian]

Big gallery of product shots coming up a little later this morning.

I'm in a product workshop for the NEX-3 and NEX-5 at the moment. Not sure how long my laptop battery will last though!

If you have any questions - please fire away

Ian

[Ian]

NEX-3 and 5 will have ISO 200-12800 range.

Design is deliberately low on buttons for simplicity of use.

44% lighter than an equivalent Alpha DSLR

Cinnabar (orange) Alpha logo remains exclusive to DSLR range.

E-mount has no mechanical interface.

[Ian]

No in-body Image Stabilisation; it's in selected lenses only. Apparently they could not fit in the sensor shift mechanism.

[rogleale]

Full handson write-ups HERE on DP Review

Roger

[Ian]

Prices: (a guide)

NEX-3 £450-500
NEX-5 18-55 kit £550-600
16mm pancake £225

Dealers will be showing their prices from today.

Availability in about a month, first in the UK from independent dealers (including Jessops).

[Ian]

A-mount adapter for Alpha and (Konica) Minolta SLR lenses will not support autofocus or AF confirmation, but the adapter does have a mechanical aperture actuator (E-mount lenses have no aperture pin). Lens data connectivity is supported, so a NEX body will know what model legacy lens is mounted and will know (and set) the aperture. Sony don't rule out AF and AF confirmation in the future for some lenses, but it's apparently quite a technical challenge. The Adapter also incorporates a tripod socket for more balanced mounting.

[Bob Ross]

Originally Posted by Ian

A-mount adapter for Alpha and (Konica) Minolta SLR lenses will not support autofocus or AF confirmation, but the adapter does have a mechanical aperture actuator (E-mount lenses have no aperture pin). Lens data connectivity is supported, so a NEX body will know what model legacy lens is mounted and will know (and set) the aperture. Sony don't rule out AF and AF confirmation in the future for some lenses, but it's apparently quite a technical challenge. The Adapter also incorporates a tripod socket for more balanced mounting.

Hi Ian,
When I heard about the NEX, I got to thinking about my old Minolta Maxxim lenses. At first I heard that the NEX wouldn't support AF or aperture, but your info about aperture support makes more sense. The annoying problem is that many of the older A mount lenses have a very narrow focusing ring. Not completely or conveniently supporting the A mount might bring some grumbles from the DSLR crowd with their lens collections.
Sony's choice of body to lens size ratio does offer an opportunity for a "have a little camera with your lens" quip On the other hand, it shows that miniaturization is alive and well and bringing the body into the Full Frame range and keeping it compact is a possibility.
I have to go nd have a talk with my Maxxim 85/1.4....
Bob

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Hi Ian,
When I heard about the NEX, I got to thinking about my old Minolta Maxxim lenses. At first I heard that the NEX wouldn't support AF or aperture, but your info about aperture support makes more sense. The annoying problem is that many of the older A mount lenses have a very narrow focusing ring. Not completely or conveniently supporting the A mount might bring some grumbles from the DSLR crowd with their lens collections.
Sony's choice of body to lens size ratio does offer an opportunity for a "have a little camera with your lens" quip On the other hand, it shows that miniaturization is alive and well and bringing the body into the Full Frame range and keeping it compact is a possibility.
I have to go nd have a talk with my Maxxim 85/1.4....
Bob

Hi Bob, yes the NEX has a truly massive lens mount - it's actually slightly wider in diameter than the height of the NEX-5 body. This means there should be no problem producing very fast lenses, f/1.2 - maybe even f1.0?

But we should also remember that the NEX is aimed squarely at upgraders from compacts. To be honest, the user interface needs some improvements. Just to change the ISO speed involves lots of button pressing and menu navigation, for example.

I'm just starting to sort through my shots from today...

Ian

[Bob Ross]

Upgraders from compacts (UFCs) are definitely a different group than the downgraders from DSLRs (DFDs)
In looking at the variety of designs for the Large Sensor Mirrorless (LSMs) cameras it remindes me of the early days of digital cameras, where seldom was found anything like the familiar film camera controls. At least they all had shutter buttons
Ian, it will be interesting to hear your comparison remarks, but it would also be interesting to know how a non-advanced snapper takes to the form factor/control layout of these UFC aimed gadgets. The younger crowd are met with a wild variety of control wizardry for each of their electronic appliances and may just roll with the punch of yet another near human interface. Something tells me that we are not going to see a predominant type of interface surface for this new class of camera.
Bob

[Ian]

I mentioned earlier that the NEX-5 and NEX-3 have a user interface a bit like a smartphone, with an icon-based control panel. The only dedicated buttons are the shutter release, video record, and the playback button. These cameras desperately need touch-screens in my opinion. Review samples are expected reasonably soon and I will definitely let a relative novice try one as you suggested

Ian

Originally Posted by Bob Ross

Upgraders from compacts (UFCs) are definitely a different group than the downgraders from DSLRs (DFDs)
In looking at the variety of designs for the Large Sensor Mirrorless (LSMs) cameras it remindes me of the early days of digital cameras, where seldom was found anything like the familiar film camera controls. At least they all had shutter buttons
Ian, it will be interesting to hear your comparison remarks, but it would also be interesting to know how a non-advanced snapper takes to the form factor/control layout of these UFC aimed gadgets. The younger crowd are met with a wild variety of control wizardry for each of their electronic appliances and may just roll with the punch of yet another near human interface. Something tells me that we are not going to see a predominant type of interface surface for this new class of camera.
Bob

[Ian]

Rog, I hope you will be telling everyone on the dpreview forum to come here for an alternative view and live in-the-hand evaluation of the NEX-5.

Ian

[Ian]

Well, that's a relief - it has been raining all morning and in an hour or so we'll be going on a photo tour to test out the new cameras, and the sun has just started to shine

Ian

[Ian]

Well, the sunshine didn't last long, but at least it didn't rain. Just returned from the the very picturesque island resort of Hvar, about a 40 minute boat ride from our hotel here in Split.

I have a lot of sample images to sort through and upload using the NEX-5 and the 18-55 as well as the 16mm pancake.

Just about to go off for a dinner function, but I'll get the samples sorted and uploaded later tonight (probably in the early hours!).

Ian