Sony's up-market camera push (photos)
At Photokina, Sony announced an advanced translucent-mirror camera to come and a host of lenses to flesh out its NEX line of higher-end compacts. Here's a look at the lineup.
Proving a point: Sony's NEX camera adaptability
COLOGNE, Germany--At the Photokina show here, Sony made the case that its new NEX cameras should be taken seriously. Although only three lenses are available for the NEX family's E mount, adapters let people attach all manner of lenses to the compact cameras, including this bellows option.
Sony's 2011 NEX lens plans
Sony's compact, higher-end NEX cameras use the proprietary E mount to attach lenses, and only three are available for the new camera family today. To expand the line, Sony plans to release four more in 2011: a wide-angle, fixed focal length design with Carl Zeiss optics; a telephoto zoom; a macro lens; and a portrait lens.
Sony's 2012 NEX lens plans
This trio of prototype NEX camera lenses, due to arrive in functioning form in 2012, consist of a high-performance standard zoom, a wide-angle zoom, and a mid-range telephoto.
Turo Katsumoto, head of Sony's Alpha camera business
Turo Katsumoto, head of Sony's Alpha business, at a press conference at the Photokina show in Germany.
500mm supertele mode
Sony has been showing off supertelephoto lenses for years now to highlight its SLR ambitions, but this 500mm F4 model appears to be getting closer to reality. At left is a skeletal version; toward the right the painted equivalent. Sony's SLRs use the A mount inherited from the Konica Minolta line the company bought. A new line, Sony's translucent-mirror models that lack an SLR's flip-up mirror and optical viewfinder, also use the A mount.
Sony 500mm supertelephoto controls
A closer view of the controls on Sony's 500mm supertelephoto lens prototype.
Translucent-lens prototype
This prototype at Photokina shows a planned new advanced model in Sony's translucent-mirror line that today includes the a33 and a55. The new model should arrive within a year.
Sony's flash prototype
Sony also is working on a new flash. A prototype of the swiveling design was on display at Photokina. Also on the accessory list is a new vertical grip for translucent-mirror camera models.
NEX E-mount roadmap
Sony committed to new E-mount lenses for its NEX line of cameras.
NEX camera lens converters prototypes
These add-on converter prototypes show Sony's plans for endowing lenses with a wide-angle and fisheye look.
Sony NEX flash prototype
To flesh out the NEX range, Sony plans a flash tailored for the compact cameras.
Sony's NEX Frankenstein camera
Novoflex's adapter let older Olympus and Canon lenses be grafted onto Sony's NEX cameras. A more realistic combination likely would be Sony's own A-mount lenses from its SLRs. With a firmware update scheduled for October, NEX cameras will be able to take advantage of A-mount lenses with autofocus support.
Leitz on NEX
Old and new: a Leitz lens shown attached to an NEX camera with an adapter.
More Galleries
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?