Sony Alpha 750

Finally, Sony told us some about the future of the Alpha line of D-SLR cameras. Unfortunately, it does not mean that we will see new cameras soon. The discontinued Alpha 700 will receive a replacement (who is surprised, really?) and it will come with a wide-angle lens Zeiss Distagon T* 24 mm f/2 ZA SSM and a big 500 mm f/4 G. And notice the prominent HD marking on the top of the mock-ups: HD video is coming now.

There also will be a new ultra-compact camera with interchangeable lenses. The presented mock-ups are quite small indeed:

We are waiting impatiently for the launch of new SLR photo cameras from Sony, but here is the weirdest rumour seen in China about this.

Improbable : Sony Alpha 707 & Sony Alpha 900SH

A Sony Alpha 707 with HD video capture and ISO 12.800 sensitivity and a Sony Alpha 900SH with HD video.

Seriously! I can’t believe it for a moment… It’s so strange that I will not even create the Sony Alpha 7007 and Sony Alpha 900SH categories for the YLovePhoto menus.

Thanks to Mash for the link to PR. These guys are ready for any kind of rumour…

The PMA in Las Vegas is now arriving fast. After a long time of little rumors, here comes the moment for big rumors, but not the actual revelations yet.

• Nikon has been telling the world that they intended to have a great year 2010. It seems that they will bring a new DSLR (it could be the Nikon D700x, Nikon D700s, or Nikon D800 according to the rumor mill). It would be confirmed according to the banner visible on LetsGoDigital. But this is apparently a fake built from press material from the older Nikon D3 (via NR).
• Yesterday’s press conference did not bring a single SLR though (Coolpix S8000, Coolpix S6000, Coolpix S4000, Coolpix S3000, Coolpix P100, Coolpix L110, Coolpix L22, Coolpix L21, nothing less!)
• Plenty of people expect to see the Canon EOS 60D arriving now, but it’s still uncertain. NL/DPR predicts a set of features: CMOS 18MPs, 6.3fps, HD 24 and 36fps, Digic IV.
• According to CR, Canon is preparing a new Rebel/EOS camera whose name should be Rebel T2i (the European name could be 550D or EOS 600D), with video, fixed LCD of improved resolution.
• At last, Canon would present the very pro Canon EOS 1Ds Mk IV
• Samsung should extend its new NX line, possibly with some lenses (waiting a little more for a new NX camera body).
• Olympus and Fuji should bring only P&S cameras.
• The Sony rumour line is totally silent, which could be indicator that either they are efficient at keeping a lid on the new Alpha 750 or there is nothing in preparation.

So, let’s wait a little more.

Sony Alpha 700

From all sides, we hear that the Sony Alpha 700 is now reaching the end of its commercial life. Several web sites (including Sony UK and e-tailers like Adorama) indicated it as such.

The question, asked over and over here and there, is still: What camera will follow in its footesteps? For the time being, it’s all speculative. But it seems that the successor is really in the last mile before the official announcement (my own sources now have gone completely silent on this issue). Some tell that the CES show in Las Vegas (7th to 10th January 2010) will be the launch pad for this successor; It would be adequate, but I still think that it may take longer than that.

When we told you that it was going to happen! Here is LetsGoDigital finding a leaked shadow of a future SLR photo camera from Sony, the Sony Alpha 750 which will most certainly will be the successor to the Sony Alpha 700 awaited for the beginning of next year.

Sony Alpha 750

But we will have to wait a little more to know its characteristics and features. We can merely speculate that Sony will push the resolution up and the price down.

Photo-Rumors reveals what could well be the Sony roadmap for the year 2010. You were expecting a pause, you will be disappointed. Competition will still be intense:

• 7-10 January 2010 (CES, Las Vegas) : announcement of Sony A950, 32 MP FF, still no video, high ISO).
• January-April : tele-lens 600mm.
• 10-15 April (NAB, Las Vegas) : Sony A1000, hybrid SLR photo+video.
• A Sony A150 at bottom price (no AF motor).
• 8-10 September 2010 (Fotokina) : Sony A820, small body 32 MP SLR, SD cards, video, in-camera flash, low-cost viewfinder.

but AmateurPhotographer goes as far as asserting that Sony is going to develop a new intermediate range of cameras with 4/3 sensors and an electronic viewfinder (EVF).

Did you spot what is missing? Do you really believe that the Sony Alpha 700, which is rumored to be leaving the warehouses and ready for a replacement, will be waiting all 2010 letting Full Frames take all the light from the spot lights? Would you really believe that the new AF sub-system recently presented here will be left with no application. I’ve been told that this roadmap is essentially “too short”.

There is a bizarre rush for visibility in the online shops all around the web. I start to feel that most of them are actual fakes. Let’s check this:

• Several (accidental?) leaks from Sony web sites, showing Sony Alpha 500, 550, 850 (and possibly Alpha 750, but this one may be a counter-fire).
• A German site showing the Alpha 850, with price.
• An Andorra web site showing a supposed Alpha 800, no price.
• The Canon EOS 7D spotted in Best Buy internal catalog system.

I will not fully judge their credibility, but I feel that the order I used goes from most possible to mere rumor.