Sony will increase PlayStation 5 console prices by $50 across all models in the United States starting August 21. The standard PS5 rises to $550, the Digital Edition to $500, and the PS5 Pro to $750. The company cited navigating a challenging economic environment for the increases.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Despite dwindling global market share, retreat from key regions like Europe, and halting in-house production, Sony insists its Xperia smartphone line remains "very important" to its business. 9to5Google reports: During Sony's latest financial results presentation this week, Sony CFO Lin Tao addressed the state of its Xperia smartphone brand, saying that Xperia is part of "a very important business for us" as reported by CNET Japan (translated). Tao said that "communication technology is a very important technology that Sony has cultivated for a long time. We also want to continue to value our smartphone business." Though adding that "communication technology is used in areas other than smartphones."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

After the Z300 camcorder announcement, Sony is rumored/expected to release two more new cameras and a new lens in the next few months:

• Sony A7 V
• Sony FX8
• Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS

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The new Sony RX1R III camera, which was supposed to be in high demand, is sitting on shelves and has already received the first $100 rebate:

• B&H Photo: in stock
• WEX Photo: in stock
• Foto Erhardt: in stock

Sony Japan: the RX1R III could be delayed because of high demand, while the camera is sitting in stock at Amazon

Jared Polin rants about the RX1R III camera: “Sony, you are not Leica”

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[Deal du jour] Le récent casque audio WH-1000XM6 de Sony compte bien s'imposer comme l'un des meilleurs modèles actuels. Le renouveau d'une gamme déjà solide.

[Deal du jour] Le tout nouveau téléviseur Bravia 5 55XR5 de Sony s'avère un excellent modèle pour celles et ceux à la recherche de l'écran parfait pour regarder des films et jouer à des jeux. En plus, il est déjà 200 € moins cher.

Sony has filed a lawsuit in California court against Tencent, alleging the Chinese company's upcoming game Light of Motiram constitutes a "slavish clone" of Sony's Horizon series. The complaint details extensive similarities between the games, from post-apocalyptic robot dinosaur settings to red-haired female protagonists. Tencent had approached Sony for licensing deals in 2024, which Sony rejected twice.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sony a décidé de s'attaquer à Tencent pour plagiat de sa saga Horizon. Il estime que Light of Motiram, édité par le géant chinois, ressemble un peu trop aux titres de Guerrilla Games.

Sony Japan issued a statement about the latest Sony RX1R III camera, indicating that becuase of the high demand, deliveries could be delayed:

"We began accepting orders for the RX1R III (DSC-RX1RM3) full-frame compact camera with integrated lens and related accessories on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. We have received many more orders than we expected, so it may take some time for your products to be delivered."

At the same the Sony RX1R III is sitting in stock at Amazon untouched (Sony RX1R III: is it worth the hype?):

Jared Polin rants about the RX1R III camera: “Sony, you are not Leica”

Finally, a real Leica Q3 competition: Sony announced a new RX1R III camera

Sony RX1R III camera accessories

Check Sony RX1R III availability at:

• B&H Photo
• WEX Photo
• Foto Erhardt
• Camera Canada

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Déjà près de cinq années que la PlayStation 5 s’est installée dans nos salons. Depuis sa sortie fin 2020, la console de Sony a vu défiler une vaste sélection de jeux, entre survival horror, FPS nerveux, RPG... Il y en a pour tous les profils de joueurs. Numerama en a testé une grande partie au fil des années : voici les jeux incontournables à (re)découvrir sur PS5 en 2025.

An anonymous reader shares a report: Sony is testing a Power Saver mode for the PlayStation 5, explaining in a new PlayStation Blog update that the option will permit games to run with lower power consumption. While the upcoming feature was revealed as part of the system update beta, the feature will not be available during the beta phase. However, when the feature does hit your console, players will gain access to a new option called Power Saver. With Power Saver enabled, "supported PS5 games will scale back performance and will allow your PS5 to reduce its power consumption," explained Shuzo Kikuchi, VP of product management at Sony Interactive Entertainment. "If not enabled, or if games do not support the feature, the performance will not be scaled back and power consumption will not be reduced." As for what scaled-back performance actually means, SIE indicates that VR mode will be unavailable and that "some gameplay features may be limited." So that's one very clear change, and one vague, game-specific change.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The previously rumored Sony Z300 camcorder is now officially announced (I was wrong about the mode name, but the rest of the details were correct):

• Pre-order: B&H Photo
• Key Features
• 1/2"-Type Exmor R 3-CMOS Sensor
• Supports up to UHD 4K60 Recording
• 17x Optical Zoom, Constant f/1.9 Maximum
• Dedicated AI Focusing Processor
• Digital Content Authentication
• Electronic Variable ND Filter
• XAVC Intra/Long, MPEG HD422, HEVC Proxy
• S-Cinetone, ITU709, 709tone, HLG, 3D LUT
• Multicamera Control App, 4-Ch Audio
• RTMP, RTMPS, SRT Stream, Chunk Transfer
• Product page
• Additional information:

Sony Launches 4K 3-CMOS Sensor Flagship Handheld XDCAM Camcorder With Enhanced Operational Efficiency For Newsgathering And Production

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As I already reported online about the RX1R III being announced without any previous rumors or leaks and with a ridiculously high price for the camera and accessories:

Sony RX1R III camera accessories

The reason there were no leaks is becuase this time Sony did not let anyone know in advance of the existence of the RX1R III. Now they know how to stop the leaks if they want to, but I seriously doubt they will.

Jared Polin was the only influencer who actually had the guts to say something about all of this - "Sony, you are not Leica":

Sony RX1R III camera pre-order links:

• B&H Photo
• WEX Photo
• Foto Erhardt
• Camera Canada

The RX1R III is expected to start shipping in July/August.

Finally, a real Leica Q3 competition: Sony announced a new RX1R III camera

The long-awaited Sony RX1R III camera officially announced

The post Jared Polin rants about the RX1R III camera: “Sony, you are not Leica” appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Sony removed the tiltable screen from its new RX1R III full-frame compact camera to maintain similar dimensions to the previous model, despite adding numerous new features and charging $5,100 for the device, The Verge reports. The company increased the camera's size by only 2.5mm in height and 15.5mm in depth while incorporating the high-resolution sensor from the A7R V, Sony's latest autofocus tracking system, a longer-lasting battery, and a proper electronic viewfinder. Sony integrated the top dials and hot shoe into the body for a sleeker appearance. The camera's compact design prevents the inclusion of lens or sensor-based image stabilization. The Verge points out that Leica also added a tilt screen to its Q3 model after users requested the feature, despite the design compromise required.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

After the RX1R III camera announcement, Sony is rumored/expected to release three more new cameras and a new lens in the next few months:

• Sony A7 V
• Sony Z380
• Sony FX8
• Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 Macro GM OSS

Here are the latest updates to the Sony registered/announced cameras table:

Table via E8M8888

The post What’s next for Sony? appeared first on Photo Rumors.

Sony had an embargo on the RX1R III camera's price and pre-order time in Europe that just expired.  This was a strange move, typically seen in the US. At the same time, the RX1R III was available for immediate pre-order in the US - a notable exception to the usual 24-hour delay.

Sony RX1R III pre-orders are now open in Europe and Canada:

• B&H Photo
• WEX Photo
• Foto Erhardt
• Camera Canada

The RX1R III is expected to start shipping in July/August.

Finally, a real Leica Q3 competition: Sony announced a new RX1R III camera

Sony RX1R III camera accessories

The long-awaited Sony RX1R III camera officially announced

The post Sony RX1R III camera pre-orders are now open in Europe and Canada appeared first on Photo Rumors.

With the new RX1R III camera, Sony also released the following new accessories:

• Sony TG-2 is a dedicated thumb grip that attaches to the Multi Interface (MI) Shoe to provide stable holding and operability, including when operated with one hand. When attached to the body, the metal material and high-quality paint finish provide exceptional design unity.
• Sony LCS-RXL is a compact body case dedicated to this camera model intended to protect the camera from scratches and dirt and enhance its elegance with its refined texture material. The body case allows access to all ports—USB, HDMI, battery, memory card, and tripod attachment—without removal. The grip design improves the holding experience.
• Sony LHP-1 is a lens hood made specifically for this camera. It features a robust construction using lightweight and high-strength aluminum material, protecting the lens from impact and dirt. The bayonet mount allows for quick and secure attachment.
• Sony NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery

The long-awaited Sony RX1R III camera officially announced

Finally, a real Leica Q3 competition: Sony announced a new RX1R III camera

Sony announced new CFexpress Type A memory cards + reader and a new shotgun microphone ECM-778

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Without any rumors or leaks, after a 10-year break, today Sony officially announced a new RX1R III camera:

• Pre-order: B&H Photo | WEX Photo | Foto Erhardt
• Sony RX1RIII accessories
• Leica Q3 vs. Sony RX1R III
• Additional information
• Specs and press release:

• 61MP Full-Frame Exmor R BSI Sensor
• ZEISS Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 Lens
• BIONZ XR & AI Processing Unit
• 693-Point PDAF & Real-Time Tracking AF
• 4K 30p 10-Bit & FHD 120p Video
• 2.36m-Dot 0.7x OLED EVF
• 3.0" 2.36m-Dot Touchscreen LCD
• Step Crop Modes and Creative Looks
• Updated Design, Improved Battery Life
• SD UHS-II Slot; USB-C, HDMI, Mic Ports

Sony Electronics Introduces the RX1R III: The Flagship Full-Frame Premium Compact Camera with a Fixed Lens

Featuring a 61MP^[i] Sensor and AI-based Real-time Recognition Auto Focus in a Palm-sized Body

SAN DIEGO, July 15, 2025 -- Sony Electronics Inc. announces the RX1R III, the eagerly anticipated third generation of its RX1R series, featuring a 61-megapixelⁱ 35 mm full-frame Exmor R CMOS image sensor, the latest BIONZ XR image processing engine, and a ZEISS® Sonnar T* 35 mm F2 lens.

"The RX1R III combines Sony’s design savvy with the latest innovations in imaging technology to produce a new flagship in our RX1R camera series that offers uncompromising full-frame quality in a premium compact camera body," said Yang Cheng, Vice President of Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “The RX1R series has resonated greatly among discerning photographers, and we’re proud to now deliver the next generation of this popular camera model.”

A Focus on High-Quality Photography

The combination of the 61-megapixelⁱ full-frame Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS image sensor and the BIONZ XR image processing engine delivers high resolution and sensitivity, with low noise and a wide dynamic range. The sensor surface features AR (Anti-Reflection) coating and omits the optical low-pass filter to achieve superior image quality.

The integrated lens offers excellent image quality. By optimizing the position of the lens and the imaging surface one by one at the micron level, RX1R III achieves high optical performance in a compact form factor.

Dedicated to Creative Freedom

To ensure you always get your shot accurately and without effort, RX1R III is equipped with the latest AI-processing unit, a valued feature of top-of-the-line professional Sony Alpha^TM cameras. The AI-processing unit can accurately recognize the shape and movement of subjects, human bodies, heads, and the position of eyes, tracking subjects even when their faces are not visible, and is available for both still images and videos. Up to 693 densely arranged^[iii]phase-detection AF (Auto-Focus) points cover approximately 78% (for still image shooting) of the image capture’s area.

While the camera has a fixed lens, users can tap into the versatility of three prime lenses thanks to the Step Crop Shooting^[iv] function, which allows users to switch between focal lengths equivalent to 35 mm, 50 mm, and 70 mm^[v] via assigned buttons or dials. When shooting in RAW format, users can reselect the focal length during post-production. The lens’s macro ring enables instant switching to macro mode, allowing users to get as close as 20 cm (maximum magnification: 0.26x).

For creators who enjoy unique and personalized visuals, RX1R III offers twelve built-in Creative Looks. Adjustments to hue, saturation, brightness, contrast, and sharpness can be applied not only to still images but also to videos. Most notable among the Creative Looks^[vi], FL2 allows the capturing of a nostalgic expression with subdued colors, and FL3 allows for a more vibrant image.

Streamlined Design and Reliable Hardware

Made of lightweight yet highly rigid magnesium alloy, the RX1R III design balances aesthetics and functionality. While maintaining excellent operability, the dials and Multi-Interface (MI) Shoe are embedded into the camera body and the top surface of the body features a flat design. The grip design and surface texture provide a secure and comfortable hold.

RX1R III is equipped with an electronic viewfinder featuring an approximately 2.36 million-dot XGA OLED with high resolution and high contrast, offering a magnification of approximately 0.70x.

RX1R III uses the rechargeable battery pack NP-FW50, allowing the capture of up to 300 still images^[vii]. It features a USB Type-C® port that allows rapid charging when connected to USB Power Delivery^[viii] -compatible devices, or the addition of external power sources, such as mobile batteries, for extended shooting sessions.

Social Responsibility

Aligned with Sony's ambitious 'Road to Zero' initiative, this product supports the company's vision for achieving a zero environmental footprint by 2050. The Sony Group’s manufacturing facilities for imaging products, including the RX1R III, are operating at 100% renewable energy. . The RX1R III packaging uses Sony's proprietary environmentally friendly Original Blended Material^[ix] instead of plastic^[x].

The camera system incorporates comprehensive accessibility options, including a Screen Reader function^[xi] and Display Magnification, to support visually impaired users across an expanded range of menu items.

Sony RX1R III camera accessories

Optional Accessories

TG-2 is a dedicated thumb grip that attaches to the Multi Interface (MI) Shoe to provide stable holding and operability, including when operated with one hand. When attached to the body, the metal material and high-quality paint finish provide exceptional design unity.

LCS-RXL is a compact body case dedicated to this camera model intended to protect the camera from scratches and dirt and enhance its elegance with its refined texture material. The body case allows access to all ports—USB, HDMI, battery, memory card, and tripod attachment—without removal. The grip design improves the holding experience.

LHP-1 is a lens hood made specifically for this camera. It features a robust construction using lightweight and high-strength aluminum material, protecting the lens from impact and dirt. The bayonet mount allows for quick and secure attachment.

Pricing and Availability

The RX1R III will be available in July 2025 for approximately $5,099.99 USD and $6,299.99 CAD. The TG-2 for approximately $299.99 USD and $349.99 CAD, the LCS-RXL for approximately $249.99 USD and $224.99 CAD, and the LHP-1 for approximately $199.99 USD and $249.99 CAD, in August 2025. They will be sold directly through Sony and at a variety of Sony’s authorized dealers throughout North America.

The post The long-awaited Sony RX1R III camera officially announced appeared first on Photo Rumors.

À l'occasion des 30 ans de la marque PlayStation, Sony avait lancé une gamme de consoles et d'accessoires à l'effigie de la toute première PlayStation. Vite partis, les faibles stocks avaient frustré certains fans. Les intéressés auront une seconde chance d'obtenir un produit.

Additional information on the two upcoming Sony professional video cameras I reported a few days ago:

Sony will release the Z380 in August and a new 12K sensor full-frame interchangeable lens video camera during IBC 2025 in September

Sony Z380

• The Sony Z380 is a newly developed 3CMOS BIONZ XR XDCAM camcorder that features internal variable ND, which supports 4K120p recording in all RGB Tricolor.
• The image quality of the Z380 is significantly higher than that of the Sony Z280, thanks to the BIONZ XR, AI unit, and new high-speed, high-saturation, and high-sensitivity Exmor RS 3CMOS.
• Based on test information, the image quality of the PXW-Z380 is superior to that of the PXW-Z200. It has a low base ISO and a high sensitivity mode ISO, which is consistent with the FX6.
• The Z380's autofocus performance is a vast improvement over the previous generation Z280, relieving the operator of the pressure of focusing and allowing them to shift their attention entirely to composition and following the subject.

Sony FX8

• The New full-frame product, named FX8, will feature a resolution of 12K, which is four times that of the FX9. It uses a 16:9 cropped 12K full-frame (3:2 aspect ratio, 96M total pixels) CMOS image sensor.
• It doesn't have internal RAW or X-OCN recording capabilities. Like the FX6, it outputs full-frame crop 3.8K 16-bit RAW to a third-party recorder via SDI at a maximum of 120fps.
• The only recording format available is XAVC, which offers 8K30p or 4K60p recording in full-frame and S35 modes. And the full-frame crop 3.8K mode provides 4K120p recording.
• The readout specifications are not as good as the URSA Cine 12K, as the processor limits it, but it is still a reliable and easy-to-use camcorder that offers high-speed 4K (for FX6 users) and full-frame/Super35 dual-format 8K30p/4K60p (for FX9 users) for creative freedom.

Sony is rumored to announce two new professional video cameras

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