Sony Launches NEX-5T and A3000 Mirrorless Camera and Zeiss 16-70mm F4 OSS, 18-105mm F4 G, and black 50mm F1.8 E-mount lenses

Sony has announced the Sony Alpha NEX-5T, boasting all the same features that the Alpha NEX-5R offered with the addition of NFC. Of course, smartphone and tablets with NFC can easily paired up with NEX-5T now.

Sony NEX-5T Key Specification :

• 16.1 megapixels
• APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) CMOS Sensor
• BIONZ Imaging Processor
• ISO 100 - 25600
• 25 Number of focus points
• 3″ Tilting 921,600 pixel LCD
• Wireless built in
• NFC built in
• Lithium-Ion NPFW50
• Price : $700 (with 16-50mm)
•           $550 (Body only)
• Availability : Early September

Guess it wasn't a worth upgrade from NEX-5R.

Of course, Sony is offering a SLR-alike Mirrorless now. Pretty much like Panasonic G series.

Sony A3000 Key Specification :

• 20.1 megapixels
• APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm) CMOS Sensor
• BIONZ Imaging Processor
• ISO 100 - 16000
• 25 Number of focus points
• 3″ Fixes 230,400 pixel LCD
• Electronic Viewfinder
• Lithium-Ion NPFW50
• 128 x 91 x 85 mm
• Price : $400 (with 16-50mm)
• Availability : Early September

Oh mai. Look at the price! It is consider cheap compare with other competitors. I guess it wont hurt to have it and the spec is pretty decent like entry level DSLR.

Sony also announces three new E-mount lenses for NEX system cameras: the Carl Zeiss T* 16-70mm F4 zoom, 18-105mm F4 G power zoom, and a black version of the existing 50mm F1.8. All three feature Sony's OSS Optical SteadyShot image stabilization.

Covering an equivalent range of 24-105mm (in 35mm format), the Zeiss 16-70mm F4 zoom uses lens coatings to reduce flare and ghosting, and uses four aspherical elements and a glass ED element.

The 18-105mm F4 power zoom covers a 27-157.5mm equivalent range and is operated via a lever on the side of the lens barrel. The lens uses two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements.

The 50mm F1.8 will be familiar to NEX fans as it's already in Sony's lineup in a spiffy new shade.

The black 50mm F1.8 and 16-70mm F4 zoom will be ready to ship to consumers in September; the 50mm prime will cost about $300 and the 16-70mm will cost about $1000. The 18-105mm F4 power zoom will be available in December for $600.

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Canon announces Powershot G16, S120, SX510 HS, SX170 IS and N Facebook

Yesterday, Canon just unveils a bunch of refreshment of their Powershot line up.

Nothing much to shout on the Canon premium compact, G16 and S120 except improvement on Wi-Fi.

Canon Powershot G16 Key Specification :

• 12.1 megapixels
• 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) CMOS sensor
• Digic 6 Imaging processor
• ISO 80 - 12800
• 28–140 mm F1.8 - F2.8
• 9 Number of focus points
• 3″ fixed LCD screen
• 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless
• Lithium-Ion NB-10L
• 109 x 76 x 40 mm (4.29 x 2.99 x 1.57″)
• Price : $549.99

Canon Powershot S120 Key Specification :

• 12.1 megapixels
• 1/1.7" (7.44 x 5.58 mm) CMOS sensor
• Digic 6 Imaging processor
• ISO 80 - 12800
• 24–120 mm F1.8 - F5.7
• 9 Number of focus points
• 3″ fixed LCD touch screen
• 1920 x 1080 (60 or 30 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless
• Lithium-Ion NB-6LH
• 100 x 59 x 29 mm (3.94 x 2.32 x 1.14″)
• Price : $449.99

The PowerShot SX510 HS is a superzoom compact packed with CMOS sensor and also Wi-Fi enable. The SX170 is much the same as its SX160 predecessor with a 16x optical zoom and 16 megapixel CCD sensor, though it's no longer powered by AA-batteries. It now offers a rechargeable lithium-ion pack, and the compact superzoom is overall slightly lighter and smaller than the SX160.

Canon PowerShot SX510 HS Key Specification :

• 12.1 megapixels
• 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS sensor
• Digic 4 Imaging Processor
• ISO 80 - 3200
• 24–720 mm F3.4 - F5.8
• 3″ fixed LCD screen
• 1920 x 1080 (24 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless
• Lithium-Ion NB-6LH
• 104 x 70 x 80 mm (4.09 x 2.76 x 3.15″)
• Price : $249.99

Canon PowerShot SX170 IS Key Specification :

• 16.0 megapixels
• 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CCD sensor
• Digic 4 Imaging Processor
• ISO 80 - 1600
• 28–448 mm F3.5 - F5.9
• 3″ fixed LCD screen
• 1280 x 720 (30, 25 fps) video recording
• Lithium-Ion NB-6LH
• 108 x 71 x 44 mm (4.25 x 2.8 x 1.73″)
• Price : $179.99

The new Powershot N series is 'Facebook ready' version. It has a dedicated Facebook connect button in the place of the connect-to-device one on the standard N. Once the camera has been taught your login details, you can upload images with a choice of who gets to see them, once posted.

Canon PowerShot N Facebook Key Specification :

• 12.1 megapixels
• 1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm) CMOS sensor
• Digic 5 Imaging Processor
• ISO 100 - 6400
• 28–224 mm F3.0 - F5.9
• 2.8″ tilting LCD screen
• 1920 x 1080 (24 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wireless
• Lithium-Ion NB-9L
• 79 x 60 x 29 mm (3.11 x 2.36 x 1.14″)
• Price : $299.99

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LG finally makes the G2 official

Finally after teaser and teasers keep appearing, LG G2 finally goes official. The new handset looks to offer innovation with things like an edge-to-edge design, Graphic RAM (GRAM) technology to reduce power consumption when displaying a still image, and of course the rear-button design.

LG G2 Key Specification :

• 5.2-inch Full HD IPS with 1080 x 1920 pixels display
• 2.3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 800 featuring quad Krait CPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16/32GB internal memory
• 13.0MP back facing camera with OIS and 1080p video recording
• 2.1MP front facing camera
• LTE
• IR Blaster
• 3,000mAh
• Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2
• 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9mm

There is no hardware key can be found on side. The only hardware key is actually positioned on the back, with a combo of several buttons in one. That's the power/sleep key dead center along with the volume keys. The volume keys also double as shortcuts for the camera and Quick Memo feature. The reason behind the decision to position this key here is to make handling extra large smartphones easier and less prone to dropping.

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Sony Malaysia officially launches Xperia Z Ultra

Today, Sony Malaysia officially launch a brand new Android smartphone, Xperia Z Ultra, a bigger brother for the Xperia Z. It is also Sony first attempt in creating phablet because this giant is come with 6.44" screen size.

The event started with welcome remarks by emcee and followed up by product presentation by Jason Smith, Director of Marketing, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Sony Mobile Communications.

Here are the main spec of Sony Xperia Z Ultra :

• 6.44" with 1080p resolution, Triluminos screen with X-Reality Engine
• 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 Krait 400
• Adreno 330 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal memory with microSD slot
• 8-megapixel back facing camera with Exmor RS sensor
• 2-megapixel front facing camera
• IP 58
• 3,000mAh
• Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean

Check out my first hands-on video on the Sony Xperia Z Ultra.

Sony Xperia Z Ultra is the first Android smartphone with 6.4" full HD Triluminos Display & powered by X-Reality mobile engine. It is as slim as 6.5mm, waterproof and dust-resistant rated as IP58. It also one of the first mobile phone that packed with latest processor from Snapdragon, which is Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor that clocked on 2.2Ghz quad core. Sony Xperia Z also allowed write and sketch with any pencil and selected stylus or pen.

On first glance, the physical design is resemble alot on Sony Xperia Z itself. It might look like an up scaled product but actually they do have a little difference on side.

On right side, only micro USB port available while left side, the 3.5mm jack (none covered and it is water resistant), microSD & micro Sim card slot, Sony signatured powered button and volume rocker can be found. While on bottom right is the speaker itself.

Unfortunately the launcher itself wasn't running the latest one as I seen on Youtube during the international launch on June. Not to mention it is still powered by Bravia Engine 2 instead of X-Reality. According to a XDA senior, 14.1.B.1.414 update and onwards will have the new UI and X-Reality display. I hope Sony Malaysia will roll out the update as soon as possible because the new launcher indeed looks better and much polished. Not to mentioned the X-Reality will make the user experience much better especially on media comsuption.

I have abit mixture between love and hate on the writing/sketching ability in the Xperia Z Ultra. It is good idea that the phone allowed you to write or sketch with any pencil, pen or stylus as long as it met this two criteria - at least 1mm diameter and also can conduct electric. I said it is good idea because you don't need to worry when your stylus gone missing. You can simply replace it with pencil. Of course, don't worry you will scratch the screen. The only thing I hate it was it doesn't come with touch pressure like Wacom. Your hand can't rest on the phone during sketching. Nevertheless, it is pretty good innovation. I had yet to try putting a paper on top the phone and try to sketch.

Sadly the camera a little bit let down. It doesn't come with LED light though I actually doubt is anyone care using it for photography. The low light performance wasn't that superior either since the sensor size is small.

* SBH52, Smart Bluetooth Handset that allowed use to use it as handset or music by pairing it via NFC. It is splash proof as well *

* Sony Smartwatch 2 *

* Sony official leather flip case *

Sony Xperia Z Ultra will be available in all Sony store from now with RRP RM 2,299. Sadly it is HSDPA version instead of LTE. In conjunction of Hari Raya celebrations, Sony giving out free premium phone casing worth RM80 along with 8GB microSD card and also an Xperia t-shirt for whoever purchase the device. Sony will have roadshow at Lowyat Plaza starting 5-11 August.

Motorola Moto X goes live

Finally Motorola Moto X is revealed! It is Motorola first phone developed under Google supervision.

Motorola Moto X Key Specification :

• 4.7" AMOLED display with 720p resolution
• 1.7GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset Krait cores
• 2GB RAM
• Adreno 320 GPU
• 10MP back facing camera with ClearPixel technology with 1080p video recording
• 2MP front facing camera with 1080p video recording
• 2200mAh
• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Just like the latest DROID line-up, the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset is part of the Motorola X8 board, which also includes a natural language processor and contextual computing processor. The Moto X is a customizable phone as well. Customers can choose whether the front panel to be black or white, as well as the color of the back panel from 18 options. There's also a third customizable area called accent - it covers the camera rim and side buttons. Further customization includes adding a name or short message on the back of the phone as choosing a Google account and wallpaper to come preinstalled on the device.

Motorola Moto X has the Active Display feature, which makes use of the OLED screen and brings a snippet of information (the time, new messages and voicemail) on a blank black screen. Motorola has also preinstalled a transfer app called Migrate where allows you to transfer your photos, videos, SIM contacts and even call and text history from any Android phone running Android 2.2 or higher.

The Motorola Moto X a will be available on the five largest carriers in the USA - AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile and US Cellular. It will cost $200 for the 16GB version and $250 for the 32GB units, both with a two-year contract.

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Panasonic announces Lumix DMC-GX7 and Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2

Panasonic has officially announces the Lumix DMC-GX7, the successor for GX1. They decided to skip the number from 2-6 lol. GX7 is Panasonic first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera to include in-body image stabilization. It also the first camera that features widescreen EVF that can be tilted upwards 90 degrees. Panasonic claims that their newly designed Live MOS sensor improves both detail and color saturation by 10%. Other features of note include a tilting LCD, a 'silent shooting' mode, focus peaking, 1080/60p videos, and Wi-Fi with NFC capability.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7 Key Specification :

• 16.0 megapixels
• Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS sensor
• Venus Engine
• ISO 125 - 25600
• 3″ tilting LCD screen
• 23 Number of focus points
• 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 50p, 50i, 30p, 24p) video recording
• built in electronic viewfinder that can be tilted upwards 90 degrees
• Built in Wi-Fi with NFC
• 123 x 71 x 55 mm (4.83 x 2.78 x 2.15″)

The Panasonic GX 7 with 14-42 II Silver Kit Lens will be priced at RRP $1,099.99 and $999.99 for body only. It will start shipping estimated on October.

My Opinion : The newer sensor in Panasonic GX7 is one of the best in mirrorless now. The built in and tiltable electronic viewfinder seem interesting too. It seem it is much value buy compare with Olympus E-P5. Well personal judgement of course. Not until I got chance to hands on on Panasonic GX7 itself.

Alongside with the GX7, Panasonic also launch the Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 - the fastest autofocus lens ever created for the Micro Four Thirds system.

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