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Sony's New A1 II Pairs Updated Design With Largely Familiar Performance

Sony has announced the a1 II flagship mirrorless camera, retaining its predecessor's 50.1-megapixel stacked sensor while adding AI capabilities and improved stabilization. The camera features a new dedicated AI processor, enhancing autofocus performance with claimed improvements of 50% for bird eye detection and 30% for both animal and human subjects. Its in-body stabilization system now offers 8.5 stops of correction. The a1 II maintains the original's 30 frames-per-second shooting speed and 759-point autofocus system. New features include pre-capture shooting with a one-second buffer and a multi-angle LCD screen borrowed from the a9 III. Connectivity upgrades include a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, while dual card slots support both CFexpress Type A and UHS-II SD cards. The Sony a1 II will be available mid-December for $6,499.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sony A1 II camera and Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM lens officially announced (update: pre-orders now open)

The previously rumored Sony A1 II camera and Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM lens are now officially announced:

Sony a1 ll camera specification comparisons with other models

 

Sony A1 II Digital Camera

We’re thrilled to introduce the Sony A1 II. Packed with groundbreaking features designed to elevate both image quality and shooting experience, the A1 II sees significant upgrades to AF performance, AI processing, and its low-light sensor capabilities; capturing pin-sharp, high-resolution shots with minimal noise. Taking on features of the A7R V and A9 III, this model is equipped with advanced features for filmmakers including 8K 30p recording with 8.6K oversampling and a new 4-axis multi-angle monitor for complete creative control.

  • Upgraded 50.1 MP FF stacked CMOS sensor
  • New AI processing unit for improved AF
  • High-res 8K 30p; 8.6K oversampling
  • New 4-axis multi-angle monitor
  • Performance from the A7R V & A9 III
  • Improved ergonomic grips and buttons

Sony 28-70mm f2 G Master Lens

The Sony 28-70mm f2 G Master expands Sony’s premium lens lineup, offering a versatile focal range combined with the renowned quality of Sony’s industry-leading optics. This lens features XD linear AF motors for fast, precise focusing, a constant f2 aperture for impressive low-light performance, and a minimum focusing distance of 38cm across the entire range. With its optical makeup and expressive bokeh, the 28-70mm f2 G Master delivers pin-sharp images that rival prime lenses.

  • Compact and lightweight build
  • Fast, precise and quiet AF + tracking
  • Wide, bright and flexible f2 aperture
  • Minimum focusing distance of 38cm
  • Effective chromatic aberration suppression
  • Sony G Master image quality


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New LensFinder website (for Sony, Nikon, Canon, and MFT lenses)


There is a new LensFinder website that keeps a database of all lenses for Sony E, Nikon F/Z, Canon EF/RF, and MFT cameras:


The site's Lens Finder Tool lets users filter camera lenses by brand, focal length, aperture, and more - making it easy to find the perfect lens - the website link will be permanently added to the navigation menu above for easy access:

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Sony's Had the Year From Hell

Sony faces mounting challenges after a year marked by major setbacks in its gaming and film divisions. The company's $200-400 million gaming project "Concord" sold only 25,000 copies before being discontinued, while PlayStation 5 sales targets were cut from 25 million to 21 million units. Sony Pictures struggled with underperforming Spider-Man spin-offs and high-profile departures, including CEO Tony Vinciquerra. Over 1,200 employees were laid off across divisions, and profits fell 39% to $124 million in the latest quarter. Sony's stock dropped 5% over the past year while broader markets rose nearly 40%.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The latest financial results from Nikon, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Canon, and Sony

Nikon released Q2 financial results

  • No real change or surprises
  • 1st half revenue at ¥151.7 billion, earnings at ¥28.8.
  • The full-year forecast remains the same at ¥305 billion, but the earnings forecast raised from ¥45 to ¥47 million.
  • The full-year forecast remains the same, with 850,000 bodies and 1.35m lenses.
  • Nikon claims the market is still 6.1 million bodies and 9.6 million bodies (same as the claimed in August).

Ricoh released Q2 financial results: “The Camera business performed well thanks to the contribution of new products, resulting in increased sales and profits””

  • The Camera business performed well thanks to the contribution of new products, resulting in increased sales and profits

Fujifilm Financial Results For FY2025 Q2 – Strong Digital Camera Sales

  • In the Imaging segment, consolidated revenue amounted to ¥257.2 billion (up 17.4% year-over-year).
  • Consolidated operating income amounted to ¥66.2 billion (up 33.8% year-over-year).
  • In the consumer imaging business, steady sales of the instax instant photo systems drove revenue higher.
  • In the professional imaging business, strong sales of digital cameras contributed to higher revenue.

Canon Q3 2024 Financial Results

  • In the markets which we compete, weak demand in China and Europe, but solid demand overall
  • Sales of cameras, network cameras and laser printers, which recovered in second quarter, continued to grow steadily in third quarter
  • Steady growth in commercial printing equipment sales where medium-to long-term market growth is expected
  • Third-quarter sales up 5.3% from last year and at record high level, also achieved record high in YTD sales
  • Operating profit up nearly 20%, operating profit ratio one point above last year

Sony Q2 FY2024 Consolidated Financial Results

Entertainment, Technology & Service Segment:

  • Sales for the quarter were 619.8 billion yen, essentially flat year-onyear.
  • Operating income increased 15% year-on-year to 70.2 billion yen, mainly due to the favorable impact of foreign exchange rates and cost reduction effects.
  • The FY24 forecast remains unchanged from the previous forecast.
  • Major markets such as North America, Europe, China and Japan remained generally stable during the quarter, and solid business operations enabled us to achieve operating income that exceeded the same quarter of the previous fiscal year.
  • We continue to pay close attention to inventory control, and, while overall segment sales remained essentially the same as in the same period of the previous fiscal year, we were able to reduce inventory by approximately 10% at the end of the quarter.
  • On the other hand, the imaging business, which significantly grew year-on-year in the first quarter ended June 30, 2024, mainly in China, was essentially flat year-on-year in the current quarter. As a result, we have incorporated into our forecast a pro-active change to a more cautious production and inventory plan in preparation for the year-end selling season.

The post The latest financial results from Nikon, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Canon, and Sony appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Sony Airpeak S1 drone and all related products/services are now discontinued


The Sony Airpeak S1 drone and all related products/services are now discontinued. Sony has not announced any replacements or plans to continue the product line, which is precisely what GoPro did with their Karma drones a few years ago. I think it is safe to assume that Sony killed their drone program.

Sony announces a $9,000 Airpeak S1 drone

A quick reminder that the latest DJI Air 3S drone is currently blocked by US customs:

Many DJI Air 3S drone orders are stuck in US customs

Confirmed: the new DJI Air 3S drone is currently blocked by US customs

Here is the full text of the press release from Sony Japan:

Notice of discontinuation of Airpeak S1 sales

Thank you for your continued patronage of Sony products.

Due to recent changes in the business environment, sales of the Airpeak S1 and related products, except for some accessories, will end at the end of March 2025. Please see below for a list of products to be discontinued and details of the end of support, including repair services after the end of sales.

Discontinued Products/Services

  • Aircraft (ARS-S1)
  • accessories
    • Gimbal (GBL-T3, GBL-PX1)
    • Battery charger (LBG-H1)
    • Transmitter (RCR-VH1)
    • Battery Station (LBN-H1)
    • RTK Kit (RTK-1)
    • Battery pack (LBP-HS1, HS1/10SET, LBP-HM1)
    • Propeller (PPL1785)
  • Related Applications and Services
    • Airpeak Base
    • Airpeak Flight
    • Airpeak Protect Plan
    • Airpeak Plus
product Sales to end
Aircraft (ARS-S1)
Gimbal (GBL-T3, GBL-PX1)
Battery Charger (LBG-H1)
Transmitter (RCR-VH1)
Battery Station (LBN-H1)
RTK Kit (RTK-1)
March 31, 2025
Battery pack (LBP-HS1, HS1/10SET, LBP-HM1)
Propeller (PPL1785)
March 31, 2026

*These products are sold at Airpeak dealers. Please contact your local dealer for details.

Scheduled End of Life for Related Applications and Services

Application Service Name End of service
Airpeak Base
Airpeak Flight
Airpeak Plus *1
March 31, 2030
Airpeak Protect Plan ※2 March 31, 2026

*1 Sales will end on March 31, 2029. *2 Sales will end on March 31, 2025.
*1*2 The planned end date of the paid services will depend on when the customer completes the service start-up procedure after purchase, but the above is the maximum period during which the services will be offered.

End of support schedule

Support Content End of service
Regular inspection
and repair
software maintenance
March 31, 2030

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Sony Alpha “special event” announced for November 20-21



Sony Japan announced a new Alpha "special event" for November 20-21:

"We will be holding a fan event to express our gratitude to all of you who regularly use the α. This is a special event where you can get your hands on a mirrorless α and experience it for yourself. We will also be holding special events that will make you love α even more, including a special talk show and a special photography experience booth, in addition to a public display of masterpieces by professionals."

The list of rumored/expected Sony products that will be officially announced at that event can be found here:

Sony is rumored to announce several new products next month

Possible November Announcements: Sony A1 II, Sony a7V, Sony RX1RIII, and Sony 24-70mm f/2

Source: Sony Japan

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