Sony Alpha77 Mark II, RX100 Mark III & FDR-AX100E 4K Camcorder Launch


[Tech & Gadgets]

 
Made my way over to a special media preview of the new Sony Alpha77 Mark II, RX100 Mark III and FDR-AX100E 4K Camcorder at Sony’s office in Mid Valley, Kuala Lumpur on 12 June 2014. Sony invited two (2) guest speakers to present us some of their work with the new cams. Sony World Photography Award contributor, Mr. William Ooi shared his experience with Sony Alpha77 while film director of WolFang Digital, Mr. Baron Abas shared his videos using the FDR-AX100E 4K camcorder.
As it was just a preview, I didn’t really get to try the cameras however I hope to get my hands on them soon and share a full review with you. In any case, below are the key features for each of the three (3) new products as well as their corresponding specs.
More info at http://www.sony.com.my
 

 
 

Sony Alpha77 Mark II
The new Alpha77 Mark II builds on the heritage of Sony’s original 77 and 700, and gives advanced amateurs a whole bunch of exciting enhancements in a tough, weather-resistant body:

New A-mount camera with world’s highest phase-detection AF point count – 79 points with 15 cross points 
Translucent Mirror Technology delivers ultra-fast, intelligent AF tracking and up to 12 fps burst of up to 60 full-resolution frames
24.3 megapixel Exmor™ CMOS image sensor delivers wide ISO 100-25600 sensitivity range
XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ and 3-way tiltable LCD 
Tough magnesium alloy body with dust- and moisture-resistant seals
BIONZ X™ processor for pro-quality images and Full HD 50p video
NFC/Wi-Fi for One-touch sharing and remote control by mobile

The new α77 II A-mount interchangeable lens digital camera from Sony is now available at local stores from RM3,999 (body only) and RM5,999 (with 16-50mm kit lens) with a variety of lens selection available for consumers.
Click on the photos below to open a larger version.
 
                                                                                    
 
Specifications Sheet

Key Features
ILCA-77M2

Type
Interchangeable lens digital camera with built-in flash

Lens Compatibility
Sony A-mount lenses, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta lenses confirmed

Image Sensor
Type
APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), “Exmor” CMOS sensor with primary colour filters offering 
approx. 24.3 effective megapixels

No. of pixels (effective)
Approx. 24.3 megapixels

Processor
BIONZ X™ image processor

Image Quality Modes
RAW / RAW & JPEG / JPEG Extra fine / JPEG Fine / JPEG Standard

Focus system
Type
TTL Phase-detection AF

Focus point
79 points (15 points cross type) with centre F2.8 sensor*

Sensitivity range
EV -2 to 18 (at ISO100 equivalent)

Focus area
Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot/Expanded Flexible Spot/Lock-On AF(Wide/Zone/Center/
Flexible Spot/Expanded Flexible Spot)

AF mode
Single-shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Automatic AF (AF-A), Direct Manual Focus selectable

Drive
Speed (approx., max.)
Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 12 frames per second

Continuous shooting Hi: Maximum 8 frames per second

Continuous shooting Lo: Maximum 3 frames per second

No. of frame recordable* (approx.)
[Continuous Advance Priority AE mode] Extra fine: 53 images/Fine: 60 images/Standard: 
64 images/RAW & JPEG: 25 images/RAW: 26 images
 [Continuous shooting] Extra fine: 56 images/Fine: 75 images/Standard: 93
 images/RAW & JPEG: 26 images/RAW: 28 images

ISO Sensitivity Range
Still Image: ISO100 – 25600 (1/3 EV step), (ISO numbers up from ISO50 can be set as expanded ISO range.)
AUTO: ISO 100-25600, selectable lower limit and upper limitMovie: ISO100 – 12800 equivalent (1/3 EV step)
AUTO ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit

HD movie record
Recording format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4Video compression: AVCHD:MPEG-4 AVC/H.264MP4:MPEG-4 AVC/H.264

Electronic Viewfinder
XGA OLED, 1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (2,359,296 dots effective resolution), 
with 100% frame coverage, five display modes and grid line display modes.

LCD Monitor
7.5 cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT with WhiteMagic technology. Tilt angle: 150 degrees upward and 180 degrees downward. 
Rotation angle: 180 degrees clockwise and 90 degrees counter-clockwise.

Anti-dust System
Charge protection coating on image sensor and image sensor shift mechanism

Exposure Modes
AUTO (Intelligent Auto/Superior Auto) / Scene Selection / Sweep Panorama / Continuous Advance Priority AE /
 Movie (P/A/S/M) / Programmed AE / Aperture priority / Shutter-speed priority / Manual / Memory recall (MR1/2/3)

Exposure Metering System
1200-zone evaluative metering

Shutter Speed
Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec/Bulb;Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 step), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode 
(up to 1/30 in Auto slow shutter mode)

Exposure Bracketing
Bracket: Cont./Bracket: Single, With 1/3EV, 1/2EV, 2/3EV, 1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV increments, 3 /5frames

Media
Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo / Memory Stick XC-HG Duo / SD memory card / 
SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant) / SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant)

Dimensions (WxHxD)
Approx. 142.6 mm × 104.2 mm × 80.9 mm

Weight
Approx. 647g (body only)Approx. 726g (with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo)

* Actual number of AF points used depends on lens and shooting mode.

Cyber-shot RX100 Mark III
The new Cyber-shot™ RX100 Mark III follows its predecessors and is crafted in tough, travel friendly aluminium for lightness and looks. This pocket friendly cameras features an uprated lens and speedy image processor are complemented by a retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ with ZEISS® T* coating, enhanced movie features and a 180-degree tilting LCD.
Key features of the new RX100:

Bright, wide angle ZEISS® Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm F1.8-2.8 lens
Clear, retractable OLED Tru-Finder™ with ZEISS® T* coating 
20.1 effective megapixel back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor and powerful BIONZ X processor
50 Mbps high bit-rate Full HD movies with XAVC S support
LCD flips for easy selfies
4K still image output
Evolved manual controls and new custom button
Support for PlayMemories Camera Apps

The new Sony Cyber-shot™ RX100 Mk III compact digital camera is now available at retail outlets from RM2, 999.00
Click on the photos below to open a larger version.
 
                                                                                           

 
Specifications Sheet

Model
RX100 III (DSC-RX100M3) 

Image Sensor
1.0-type (13.2 x 8.8mm) Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, aspect ratio 3:2(Effective resolution) Approx. 20.1 megapixels

Image processor
BIONZ X

Lens
ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* Lens, 10 elements in 9 groups (9 aspheric elements including AA lens)f=8.8-25.7mm / 
35mm format equivalent (Still Image 3:2) f=24-70mmMaximum aperture F1.8(W)-2.8(T)

Zoom range
Optical (still image/movie): 2.9x; Clear Image Zoom approx. 5.8x

Screen
7.5cm (3.0-type) (4:3) / 1,228,800 dots / Xtra Fine TFT LCD; adjusts up 180° / down 45° (approx.)

Viewfinder
0.39-type electronic viewfinder (OLED), 1,440,000 dots; magnification approx. 0.59x with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m-1(diopter) 
(35mm equiv.), retractable type

Image stabilization
(Still image) Optical SteadyShot(Movie) Optical SteadyShot Intelligent Active Mode, Optical type with electronic compensation, 
Anti Rolling type

Focus modes
Single-shot AF (AF-S) / Continuous AF (AF-C) / Direct Manual Focus (DMF) / Manual Focus

Focus area
Wide / Centre / Flexible spot S/M/L / Lock on AF (Wide/Center/Flexible Spot S/M/L)

Sensitivity (still image)
Auto (ISO125-12800, selectable with upper / lower limit), 125/160/200/250/320/400/500/640/800/1000/1250/1600/2000/2500/
3200/4000/5000/6400/8000/10000/12800 (Extendable to ISO80/100), Multi-Frame NR: Auto (ISO125-12800), 200/400/800/
1600/3200/6400/12800/25600

Continuous shooting
Speed Priority Continuous Shooting: approx. 10 fpsContinuous Shooting: approx. 2.9 fps (AF-S)

Shooting modes
Superior Auto, Intelligent Auto, Program Auto (Program shift available), Shutter Speed Priority, Aperture Priority, 
Manual Exposure, Scene Selection, Movie Mode(Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority, Manual Exposure), Panorama

Picture Effect modes
Toy Camera, Pop Color, Posterization, Retro Photo, Soft High-key, Partial Color, High Contrast Monochrome, Soft Focus, 
HDR Painting, Rich tone Monochrome, Miniature, Watercolor, Illustration

Other Shooting functions
Eye AF, Face Detection, Face Registration, Smile Shutter, Quick Navi, Digital Level Gauge (pitch and roll), MR (memory recall), 
Single-bracketing, Cont.-bracketing, White Balance Bracketing, DRO Bracketing, MF Assist, Photo Creativity, Peaking, Zebra, 
Micref Level, Step Zoom, Self-portrait timer

Built-in flash
Manual pop-up

Still image record
[3:2 mode] 20M (5,472×3,648) / 10M (3,888×2,592) / 5M (2,736×1,824) [4:3 mode] 18M (4,864×3,648) / 10M (3,648×2,736) / 
5M (2,592×1,944) / VGA [16:9 mode]  17M (5,472×3,080) / 7.5M (3,648×2,056) / 4.2M (2,720×1,528), 
[1:1 mode] 13M (3,648×3,648) / 6.5M (2,544×2,544) / 3.7M (1,920×1,920) [Sweep Panorama] Wide (12,416×1,856 / 5,536×2,160), 
Standard (8,192×1,856 / 3,872×2,160)

Movie record
[AVCHD] 28M PS (1,920×1,080/50p) / 24M FX (1,920×1,080/50i) / 17M FH (1,920×1,080/50i) / 24M FX (1,920×1,080/25p) / 
17M FH (1,920×1,080/25p)[XAVC S] 50p 50M (1,920×1,080/50p) / 25p 50M (1,920×1,080/25p) / 100p 50M (1,280×720/100p)[MP4]12M (1,440×1,080/25fps) / 3M VGA (640×480/25fps)

Battery life
(Still Image) Monitor: Approx. 320 / Approx. 160min., Viewfinder: Approx. 230 / Approx. 115min.(Movies actual shooting) Monitor: Approx. 50min., Viewfinder: Approx. 50min. (In [MP4 12M] mode, max. continuous shooting 
time is approx. 15 min. and max. file size is 2GB)

Dimensions (WxHxD)
Approx. 101.6 x 58.1 x 41.0 mm (CIPA compliant)

Weight
Approx. 290g (Battery and Memory Stick Duo are included)Approx. 263g (Body Only)

Supplied accessories
Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-BX1, AC AdaptorAC-UB10C/UB10D, Micro USB cable, Wrist Strap, Strap Adaptor, Instruction Manual, AC Power Cord

 

Handycam® AX100E
The new 4K Sony Handycam® AX100E from Sony is ideal for people who want to capture their special memories and play on their 4K BRAVIA TV in the highest possible resolution. This new Handycam is approximately 75% smaller and approx. 66％ lighter [Size is approx. 1/4, weight is approx. 1/3] than the FDR-AX1E for comfortable one-handed shooting. Gone are the days of hauling around huge cameras and I do suspect that this Handycam will even appeal to professionals looking to shoot 4K videos.
It is the first 4K Handycam® that features a large back-illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor. Far larger than the sensor in normal consumer camcorders, this captures flawless 4K Ultra HD images (3840 x 2160 pixels) with four times the detail of Full HD while also allowing beautiful ‘bokeh’ background blur effects (yes with a Handycam!)
Key features of the AX100 E include:

Shoot 4K video with a small camcorder body that allows easy one-handed operation
Back illuminated 1.0-type Exmor R™ CMOS sensor delivers stunning 4K image quality, even in low light
New BIONZ X™ image processing engine
ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T* 29mm wide-angle lens with 12x optical zoom and Optical SteadyShot™
Pro-style control with manual ring, dial and built-in ND filters
NFC for one-touch connection and Wi-Fi for image transfer and remote control from your smartphone

The new FDR-AX100E 4K camcorder is now available in Malaysia at various Sony Store and Sony Centre outlets from RM6,999.00
 

 
 Specifications Sheet

Model 
FDR-AX100E

Image sensor
1.0-type back-illuminated Exmor R™ CMOS Sensor withapproximately 14.2 effective megapixels

Image processor
BIONZ X™

Still image resolution
Approx. 20.0 megapixels

Video recording format
XAVC S format: MPEG4-AVC/H264AVCHD format; MPEG4-AVC/H264 AVCHD 2.0MP4: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264

Video resolution (4K record)
XAVC S 4K : 3840×2160/25P, 24P

Video resolution (HD record)
XAVC S HD : 1920×1080/50P, 25P, 24PAVCHD:1920×1080/50p(PS),24p(FX,FH),50i(FX,FH), 
1440×1080/50i(HQ,LP)MP4: 1280×720 25p

Dual video recording
XAVC S/MP4 or AVCHD/MP4**not in XAVC S 50p,120p and AVCHD PS mode

Lens type
ZEISS Vario-Sonnar T*, focal length 29.0mm (35mm equivalent)

Zoom range
Optical zoom: 12xClear Image Zoom: 18x (4K), 24x (2K)

Focal Length (35mm equivalent) (Movie Mode)
F = 29.0-348.0mm (16:9) with SteadyShot® Active mode OFF

Focusing system
Contrast AF

White Balance Mode
Auto/One-push/Outdoor/Indoor/Colour temp

Image stabilisation
Optical SteadyShot™ image stabilisation with Active mode

Electronic viewfinder
OLED Tru-Finder

LCD display
3.5-type Xtra Fine LCD™ display (921k dot) Wide (16:9)

Audio record format
MPEG-4 Linear PCM 2ch (48kHz/16bit) [XAVC S 4K only]Dolby Digital 5.1ch, Dolby Digital 5.1Creator 
[AVCHD only]Dolby Digital 2ch Stereo, Dolby Digital Stereo Creator [AVCHD only]MPEG-4 AAC-LC 2ch (MP4)

Microphone/speaker
Built-in 5.1ch microphone/ monaural speaker

Media card slots
SDXC Memory Card (Class 10) for XAVC S;Memory Stick PRO Duo (Mark 2), Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, 
Memory Stick XC-HG Duo, SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card (Class 4 or Higher) for AVCHD

Interfaces
Headphone (stereo minijack); Mic Input stereo minijack ); USB Type A(built-in) ; Multi/Micro USB Terminal*; Remote Terminal (integratedinto Multi/Micro USB Terminal*); 
HDMI out (micro, output only);Accessory shoe (Multi Interface Shoe); Composite video out;  
DC In* Supports Micro USB compatible device.

Other features
BRAVIA Sync; PhotoTV HD; Direct Copy (AVCHD only);

Dimensions (WxHxD)
Approx.81mm x 83.5mm x 196.5mm(Approx.90mm x 83.5mm x 223.5mm(including Lens Hood))

Weight (main unit only)
Approx.790g

Weight (with supplied NP-FV70 battery)
Approx.915g

Supplied accessories
Rechargeable Battery Pack NP-FV70; AC Adaptor; Power Cord ; HDMI (micro) cable; USB Connection Support cable;
Remote Commander (RMT-835 with Battery [CR2025]); Lens Hood; Lens Cap