According to SonyAlhaRumors (the web site which collects the more rumors, if not the most critical), there are several clear items:

• There will be a successor to the Sony Alpha 77
• It will be named A77-II
• It will have ultra-fast autofocus
• It will come in May 2014

Let’s step back a little and review these:

• Existence: The question was really open, but it appears that Sony is not ready to leave the DSLR market yet, even without a real Reflex chamber, or even if featuring an EVF.
• Name: Don’t listen too much to things that can easily change in the offices of Sony Marketing Department (even if time starts runnig short for a last-minute change).
• The A77 was impressive for its speed. Sony marketing must have pushed this advantage and the A77-II will have an improved-again A6000 autofocus system (already the fastest on the market), an EVF with a slightly improved lag (maybe), maybe-improved continuous shooting (here, to go over 10 fps, you need to pay for special mechanics, and the cost may not be OK for the A77-II price range).
• Date: There is always some fuzzy difference between announcement and availibility dates, but May 2014 launch is possible, depending on the credibility of the sources…

Don’t look for more technical details. For the last years, Sony succeeded in managing its “leaks”. Obviously, in most case, it’s not information theft, but “organized leaks” handled within a self-promotion campaign exploiting the Internet and some Internet web sites. If Sony did not let anything go, either they prepare a thunderous announcement, or they have to wait for after Summer…

Seeing the quality of the pictures and the elaborated presentation, it is not difficult to assert that this is really a leak organized in the offices of Canon within the scope of the launch campaign for the Canon EOS 5D MkIII. Of course, nobody will ever confirm this

But it is rumored that the launch will be happening on March 2nd (not far, eh!)

Source: CRF

• Nikon D4: Not before mid-March 2012
• Nikon D800: Not before March 22nd
• Nikon D800E: Quantities may be so limited that we start wondering whether this was a special order from one customer which was used as a marketing scheme (no availability date according to Amazon).

They needed to be fast to satisfy customers starving from a long period of time with no new cameras. Maybe the manufacturers, like Nikon, rushed too much.

This is not for everybody. This is heavy in all senses of the word.

Availability of the Sony 500 mm f/4 G SSM: end of March 2012.

However, if you still want to have an idea of the future of Photoshop through some demos, tests and trials done on some of the versions which were leaked to the Internet, here comes Photoshop CS6 in full video glory.

In English:

Adobe Photoshop CS6.v13.0 Released MacOSX-Incl… par hikarivip

En español :

En français :

In Portuguese:

Last small advice: If you search with Google, you will certainly find a large number of links to download Photoshop CS6. Don’t forget that this is (often, but not always) a fraud to try and infect your computer with a nasty Trojan horse, more than with Photoshop CS6.

Nobody’s really surprised by the presence of the Nikon D700 since Nikon will announce its successor the Nikon D800 as soon as the beginning of next month (probably on February 7th).

On the contrary, if many people (like me) are waiting impatiently the successor to the Nikon D300s which started to look old; Despite its qualities, the competition progressed a lot in the last two years.

So, is this announcing the demise of the D300s and the presentation of a new Nikon D400 in February? At first, some thought it could be an error (!) but after more than 24 hours on site, the error seems to be here to stay. But we are clearly out of rumors about the Nikon D400.

It is now nearly certain that this camera will be named OM-D (to draw from the excellent fame of the analog SLR cameras of the 80’s) or OM-Digital and this was publicly confirmed by the publication of a full-page ad in Amateur Photographer magazine (under the big title of “OH MY GOODNESS!”) and it would be the announcement that Olympus people have long been touting in the tune of “here comes the Pro Pen!” to give a big cousin to the PEN hybrid camera of the same brand.

Furthermore, Olympus has widely suggested that the camera would be shown to the press on February 8th (very soon) and could be available in March 2012.

Up to this point, the information is nearly certain but there are also rumors that require confirmation.

Let’s start with the pictures of the camera where we are told that they are an OM-D mock-up from Olympus: Several web sites tried to take advantage of the situation by showing us nice 3D renderings built from the available (lack of) information (Tecnofotografia and Livedoor). But it is almost certain that none of those is coming from Olympus 3D files. We only have very partial close-ups (probably distributed by Olympus itself through 43rumors in order to keep the buzz up).

However, thanks to a post from Wells Fargo Advisors, we are nearly sure of some key items:

• A frame very similar to the old OM-1 (but smaller), without a mirror but with interchangeable lenses,
• 16 MP digital sensor,
• Fast AF system (it should be a strong feature of this camera),
• Price: 100.000 yens in Japan or US$1.100 in the USA or 1.000 Euros in Europe

After that, we are entering the realm of more or less wild speculations.

• Magnesium alloy body (like for pro D-SLR),
• Sensor stabilization,
• Sensitivity: ISO 100-25600,
• Dust- and weather-proof body and lenses (like for Pentax),
• Electronic View finder (EVF) trying to fake a good optical view finder (quality?),
• Built-in flash,
• Autofocus system based upon 3D tracking (as for Nikon),
• Black and white/silver versions, with leather-style covering.

So, if some of these will certainly be proven more rumors and wishes than reality (and I would think the combination would look very good even at the very high price shown above), I keep some skepticism. Is it a good idea to invest our hard-earned money in products from a company whose financial future is so uncertain? However, we must praise Olympus for working hard to draw the attention to cameras which could be able to defend the brand future. Long live the OM-1 and -maybe- the OM-D.

Abilene Camera specialize in Mail Order Camera Repair and Restoration of Classic manual focus 35mm SLRs dating from 1960 to 1990.

Kudos to Dominik but do not take this too seriously, though.

Source: Dominik Wörner’s blog, via PetaPixel.

The only problem: Nobody really knows what it’s about. And since the Canon-lovers actually have nothing to talk about at the time (Canon and Nikon had made it clear that it was not even worth inviting them to the Photokina if it was in September this year), the Internet is idly buzzing around.

Nothing filtered out, but since the event will be held in Hollywood and Canon has some trouble on the pro video market, November will probably not see any new DSLR from Canon…

It somehow funny to see how some people I won’t name (they will easily recognize themselves) keep stirring the pot of rumours for Nikon and Canon while they know perfectly well that they have no solid rumor to bring to the table since there is no announcement in the short term. For the time being those two brands are still fighting to put the existing productions back to the pre-Japan-earthquake levels rather than concentrating on new announcements.

Since a lot of information reached our ears already through a number of different leaks, it is now possible to make a few educated guesses and to attempt a comparison with the older Sony Alpha 700 (many of its owners are impatiently waiting for its successor(s)) and the direct competition in the Nikon and Canon ranges.

Legend: Green means “best in class”, Red means “worst in class”.

Let’s not forget that this comparison is still based upon rumors (which will or will not be confirmed in the coming hours).

Visibly, Sony is organizing the flood in order to drown any other announcement from another brand (Nikon) arriving at the same time this week.

Source: DChome.

Source: http://www.d-slt.de/sony-a77/

It disappeared quickly but I found it still available on a slightly more distant web site:

This is the Sony A77 indeed. Most probably, this is something coming straight from Sony. Possibly, as some others commented before, this is a scheduled leak part of the marketing campaign along with the official announcement in a few days (August 24th?) of both the Sony A77 and Sony A65.

All the features of the new Sony SLR cameras:

• Sony Alpha 65
• Sony Alpha 77

• The image shutter will be “lighter” on the Alpha 65 (shorter guaranteed life span, lower frame rate -10 fps instead of 12- and slower max speed -1/4000s instead of 1/8000s).
• Simpler AF system: the A65 will have only 15-zone AF with 3 cross sensors (instead of 19-zone AF and 11 crosses on the A77).
• Somewhat limited extended features on the Alpha 65: No ISO 50 mode as on the A77.
• Lighter mechanical design: Magnesium alloy will only appear on the A77 (explaining a large part of the price difference); Weather-sealing/protection is much better on the Alpha 77 (fully dust-proof and moisture-proof thanks to the many toroidal seals).
• Luxurious User Interface for the high-end: A77 with an additional top LCD for the essential function controls (ISO, speed, aperture, white balance, etc.)
• Back LCD with vertical tilt on the A65, but fully tilt-and-swivel on the A77.

This is more or less what sony did with the Alpha 900 and its little brother the Alpha 850. But they were not launched at the same time. Here, they will collect as many of the customers as possible from the initial announcement.

While they are still unannounced, the Sony Alpha 77 and Sony Alpha 65 are relatively well known from the amount of leaks, rumors and informations available in the recent months.

We know that they will be announced at the end of August. But without waiting any more, I decided to open the description page of these cameras: Sony Alpha 77 features and Sony Alpha 65 features.

Of course, they are more the result of a statistical approach to the posts seen over the international web of photo-related sites than a precise set of features. So, I will keep updating them according to the new data available. And of course, they will be updated to final specification on 23 and 24 August, when they are made official.

So, can we try and build a summary of what is known and what the Nikon-lovers must know and understand if they are waiting for their next dream photo camera?

The first thing to notice is clearly the way Digital SLR photo cameras ran one after the other in the Nikon range of cameras. I dare say that I borrowed a camera Timeline built by Wikipedia (See below). This historical approach based on the record of launch dates allows to better perceive how Nikon usually operates:

• Entry-level photo cameras replaced at high frequency
• A much quieter Pro-level range

It is immediately clear that the pro photo cameras are about to be replaced with new models, if only because of the age of the current cameras:

• 3 years for the D3x
• Nearly two years for the D3s
• 3 years for the D700
• 2 years for the D300s

From this poiint, rumors are flaring up quite naturally (just look at how many wrong rumors we collected about the Nikon D400).

But the rhythm seems to speed up with the various announcements seen recently on Facebook, NikonRumors, PCHome (China), Tech.Hexun.com (China too), and a few others.

We long considered as certain that Summer 2011 would see the simultaneous launch of two pro cameras at Nikon, but the Japanese tsunami totally changed the landscape for a company whose main pro camera manufacturing plant was in Sendai (nearly exactly at the center of devastation in March). Nikon quickly reacted and decided to move its manufacturing resources to Malaysia. The latest news tell that machines are now humming with the people you relocated (with the help of special supporting bonuses) and the “Made in Malaysia” production is nearly here (with the same quality as in Japan).

On the other hand, it seems that it transformed the Marketing calendar that Nikon had built in January 2011. All the rumors were concentrating on a Summer with a Nikon D4 and a Nikon D400 (successors to the D3 and D300s). But in the recent weeks, everybody seems to be sharing an expectation of Nikon D4 and Nikon D800 (successors to the D3 and D700). I could not seriously confirm this change but it seems that it could have been dictated by the need to optimize resources leading to something like:

1. Two Full Frame cameras in September 2011 (according to NR, it could even be August)
2. A D400 in January 2012

the only problem of this scenario: The Nikon D800 is supposed to use the Sony digital sensor being readied to power the Sony A99 which should not appear before the end of 2011 (or even the first quarter of 2012).

So, it is still possible that the rumors heard here and there are going to be corrected by facts and that in September 2011 we’ll see a Nikon D4 (with a specific sensor designed exclusively by Nikon with a “pro” label) and a Nikon D400 (with an APS-C sensor shared with the Sony A77 -or slightly modified- and an “expert” label).

Nikon D400

• 24 MP APS-C CMOS sensor from Sony
• ISO 100-51,200 (ext. ISO 102,400)
• New AF
• Continuous shooting: 9 fps
• Full HD video
• In-camera GPS?
• Two SD cards

Nikon D800 or D700s

• 18 MP FF/FX CMOS sensor from Nikon
• ISO 100-102,400 (ext. ???)
• Same AF as D700 or D3
• Continuous shooting: 9 fps
• Full HD video
• CF + SD cards

Nikon D4

• 18 MP FF/FX CMOS sensor from Nikon
• ISO 100-102,400 (ext. ???)
• New AF?
• Continuous shooting: 10-15 fps
• Full HD video
• CF + SD cards

• Translucent mirror
• 36.9 Megapixel 3MOS Exmor sensor
• (No Bayer filter)
• ISO 100-102400 extendable to 204800 and 409600
• 12 frames per second
• No infrared or anti-alias filters
• Digital infrared filtering with three modes NO IR,WITH IR,ONLY IR
• In camera moire remove
• 89 cross-type points AF
• Metering direct from sensor
• 60/1-1/24000sec, time, bulb shutter (focal plane)
• Flash synchronization up to 1/500sec and high-speed sync up to 1/24000sec
• Built-In GPS and Wi-Fi plus Thunderbolt
• Two CompactFlash card slots
• Price around €3000

The author did not even take time to copy this information to their other web site SonyAlphaRumors.com ; It says it all…

• Sony Alpha 77 + 16-50mm18-70mm f/2.8 SAM = 1800€
• Sony Alpha 77 nu = 1050€
• Sony Alpha 65 + 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM = 1000€
• Sony Alpha 65 nu = 900€

Suggested prices (to be reduced in the actual shops).

As a matter of fact, the information is present at the bottom of page 36 in Réponses Photo, second photo magazine in France which is organizing an amateur photo competition with a large quantity of prizes in real photo gear from all major brands (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony). Curiously, they did not make precise announcements of the Sony-based prizes, but they give a good indication:

We can read:

• An expert SLR (A700 replacement) + quality lens (APS-S) (approx. value 1800€)
• An expert SLR (future model) + 18-55mm (approx. value 1000€)

From this, knowing that the Alpha 700 will come with a small brother under the name of Sony A65 and tying to be normally able in the art of divination, it becomes possible to deduce the price of these cameras.

since the details of the photo competition will only be known in the next special edition (n° 12), it is quite possible to understand that the indicated availability date (“the 2nd and 3rd prizes from Sony […] will be known in Fall”) confirms the possibility of an official launch during the first half of September 2011 (the news people of Réponses Photo quite certainly already have the cameras under test and are invited to the official launch ceremony to be organized by Sony France).

This is still a rumor coming from a leaked image, but it looks like one of the most accurate information up to now. This is the confirmation of the tilt-and-swivel mechanism holding a large LCD screen. It was rumored, but the mechanism seems quite clear and precise. Good news for this new camera (expected in July 2011).

It’s quite certain that this is not a pre-series or a prototype but a model (enlarging the function/feature rotating button shows what is probably only a rough prototype of this part). But who cares?

As is quite obvious on the photo, there is a second camera and it appears that it could be named Alpha 65 or A65. This is the real surprise since -visually- this is a simplified A77 (the LCD seems to be tilt only and the rest looks very similar except the viewfinder/flash gap line) as Sony has been already used to in the past, but the name is breaking the few Sony conventions for cameras in a similar range since they started using two figures (A33, A35, A55, etc.) for the Alpha series. It may not mean anything specific; maybe just a glitch in the Naming Group of the Marketing Department…

The main questions are:

1. Is the Alpha 65 going to use the Alpha 77 big 24 MP CMOS sensor? The naming would point to a somewhat smaller sensor, but it’s still pure guessing.
2. Most certainly, the A65 will have a reduced sensitivity range (probably not reaching the ISO 102,400 that everybody is hoping to see on the Alpha 77, if they keep the same sensor).
3. Will they use the same viewfinder AMOLED viewfinder LCD? I would bet on “yes, the same” according to my sources who suggest that the current viewfinder will be obsolete for Sony in July (Don’t read me wrong: Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is a 101% certainty for these two cameras).

The presence of two cameras also raises questions about pricing. We all know that the EVF is helping Sony reduce costs, increase continuous shooting speeds and ease fast AF even in video modes; But Sony may be trying to keep a relatively large margin on the Alpha 77 by giving it a little brother which would be shooting for rock bottom prices. At first, Sony may have the possibility of keeping high prices (high margins, big revenues) on the A77 with bargain prices on the A65. When Nikon presents a competing product (the Nikon D400 in September? or October?), Sony will be ready to reduce margins (and prices) kicking Nikon where it’s most painful: Price.

If I’m right, the Sony Alpha 65 will be the camera to buy this Summer and the top-performance Alpha 77 reaching its real price potential only at the end of the year (but expect a tremendously deep price fall, then: Both will fly below 1000€).

By Jove! Things are going to be interesting. The next meeting points will be:

• Sony official release of the Alpha 77 and Alpha 65 in early July
• Nikon counter-attack in September: Nikon D400

But there is something much more important: The price would be like the sound of thunder in a bright blue sky since we are told about $1077 (or $1099) in kit with a zoom (probably the current Sony DT 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM, but without any official confirmation, of course). The price will also be the stepping stone of joyful comments which are expected to accompany the marketing buzz of the camera launch. But, more critically, it must be frightening competition. At $1500/1500€, it would have been running strong in the race (between the Nikon D7000 and the Canon EOS 7D). But under 1100€ with a zoom lens, it is rushing ahead and goes neatly below the Nikon price and will go and grab the prize we thought reserved to amateurs rather than experts and pros.

We’ll wait for a confirmation, but I seem to hear the rumbling noise from salespeople meeting rooms from Canon, Nikon, Pentax: They will have to re-organize the catalogs, cut prices to limit the consequences. It may be seen in the future as the same kind of historical event as the launch of the Canon EOS 300D which, in 2003, was the first digital SLR camera going under $1000/1000€ in one sweep.

And of course, this comes with features which would attract attention without this kind of surprise price:

• APS-C 23.6 x 15.6 mm 24.4 MP (effective) EXMOR CMOS backlit sensor
• Continuous shooting at 16 fps
• Sensitivity: ISO 100-204800 or ISO 100-102400
• Autofocus: 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
• AF Micro Adjustment for Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta Lenses
• Full HD 720p/1080p Video / 24 bits
• Modes: HDR, Panorama, 3D, Panorama 3D, etc.
• EVF viewfinder based upon a new OLED display
• Tiltable 3″ LCD screen
• Built to the Alpha 700 standard
• Memory cards: compatible with CF, SD and MS (usable in tandem)
• New high-performance batteries (1000 shots per charge)
• Price: 899€ (Body only) / 1099€ (in kit with the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom)

Here are the expected features for the Sony A35 (the next photo camera in the Sony Alpha range):

• 16MP CMOS EXMOR sensor
• HD video recording (Full HD or 1920×1080 or 1080p)
• Sensitivity: ISO 100-12800
• High-speed shooting mode with continuous AF
• New picture effects
• 3D panorama mode
• Continuous shooting at 7 fps
• 15-point AF
• HDR mode
• Electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 100% coverage
• Less than $700/700€

The feature set of the next Sony NEX camera:

• 16.2 MP EXMOR sensor
• HD video recording (1280×720 or 720p)
• Sensitivity: ISO 200-12800
• New picture effects
• 19 or 25 AF points (with face detection)
• Shutter speed from 5s to 1/4000s
• 3″ LCD screen (921k dots)
• HDR mode
• New battery
• Less than $600/600€

The Sony NEX-C3 is still unofficial, but this is a pretty much probable rumor.

Samsung tells us the story of how they proceed to launch the future lenses (particularly for the products of the hybrid NX family). Presented as several videos from their web site.

Videos are in English.

On this occasion, Samsung took some time to produce an illustration picture which gives us an idea of what could be the next generation of the NX range at Samsung. Obviously, they intend to give this modern range of cameras a retro look.

Bizarre, but why not? We’ll see if it works.

Some will also ask if the next Samsung NX-20 and Samsung NX-200 are present on this photo.

• Sony 30mm macro lens
• Sony 50mm f/1.8
• Zeiss 24mm f/1.7
• Sony 55-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom
• Sony medium telephoto lens
• Sony semi-pro standard zoom
• Sony wide-angle zoom

More details when they become available. For now, we don’t even have the maximum aperture for most of them (let alone prices and shipping dates).

And, there should also be a Sony NEX flash with 24-50mm coverage which will cost around $150/150€.

Source : SonyAlphaRumors.

According to the Spanish webzine QUESABESDE.COM, Nikon has clarified (at least internally) what to do with the upcoming replacement of the Nikon D700 (FX large sensor with a high sensitivity).

Because of the impact of the Japanese earthquake on the Sendai plant normally used to work on the pro SLR cameras of Nikon, the future Nikon D800 was in a rather difficult position. According to QSD, the announcement has been moved from the beginning of Summer (July? about the same time as the 3rd birthday of the D700) to October with a D800 camera availability still pushed around the end of 2011 (Marketing launch is easy, making the camera is a bit more difficult).

Obviously, the exact dates are not set yet because of the fluctuating nature of the news about the earthquake recovery. But this seems in line with what I hear about the industrial capacity of Nikon right now and in the coming months.

QSD also indicates that the Nikon D4 (successor to the Nikon D3s) will only be launched in 2012. But this is still very imprecise and needs to be confirmed.

What is clearly the matter of speculative thinking is the availability date of Photoshop CS6. Most observers indicate that nothing should be expected before the beginning of 2012. But the usual cycle could be shortened to to take advantage of the holiday sales of the end of 2011.

On the contrary, some technical features are getting pretty clear.

Presentation

Visibly, Photoshop CS6 will receive a (more or less) revamped interface in order to take a better advantage of multiple screens (many graphic designers and photographers now use several screens to widen their work space and to spread several applications around). PS CS6 will allow to better spread the tools, palettes between these screens with a new specific “docking” mode and maybe some additional features to support these users.

Furthermore, it is also said by some that the integration of the high-end graphic card features will be improved again (to speed up many basic functions of Photoshop).

Features and productivity

Adobe is preparing to provide a whole set of new features looking toward the best possible result with the smallest number of steps for many day-to-day needs. We already new the content-aware fill feature to quickly clean up a picture zone without hours of brushing details and textures to keep the change as invisible as when the communist Kremlin was wiping out previous officials from photographs.

Here, Photoshop will come with CS6 features to give a picture the look and appearance of another which is provided as reference image. The examples that Adobe Photoshop could use may be as diverse as the pictures from a well known photographer (“I want my photo to look like one photo from Laurent Baheux or like one photo from David Lachapelle“). If you will not get their genius and elegance, at least, your picture will look similar enough.

I expect that if the reference image is an HDR picture, you will obtain directly the same colorful look without the effort to combine several images, and without the long DIY work of false HDR in Photoshop (6 not-so-easy-to-remember steps).

More generally speaking, the automated tasks like “automatic contrast” or “automatic colors” will be much improved and simplified in order to solve simple problems we all encounter: bad contrast, fuzzy images from hand-held vibration, offset colors, etc.

Then, (as usual, I’m tempted to say) Adobe is ready to improve its selection tools with more efficiency, faster operation, more precision.

Video et animated images

If you are interested in the possibility to present your photographs in an animated format, there will certainly be some more possibilities to go beyond “Animated GIF”, and Adobe Helium will be there to allow the creation of sequences, animations, and even some interactive web components based upon CSS3 and HTML5.

Furthermore, the video capture feature of our SLR cameras will be better served. This is pretty sure, even if we don’t know much except that the new Canon codec being developed for the future Canon EOS 5D MkIII will be supported.

Conclusion

We still have nearly a full year to wait until we see the details, but the already-planned features are significant. They will come with an extension of the use of the 64-bit architecture allowing to handle forever more memory space (we already know that 4 GB of RAM is now the minimum for comfort when using Photoshop and PS CS6 will be no exception).

Some ask if Adobe will apply its subscription/rental offer (month-by-month payment) onto CS6 and onto some other markets than USA. If this is the case, it will be the consequence of the subscription offer there and it could well start before the launch of Photoshop CS6.

Meanwhile, you can still go and have a look at the preview of some features of Photoshop CS6 (Alpha version) from November 2010.

photo © 2011 jennifer chong | more info (via: Wylio)

This is visibly a consequence that could be foretold from the destruction generated by the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami. To give some perspective on this status in another industrial domain, Toyota announced that they were just restarting most of their plants in Japan but… that full production would not be reached before November or December. The issues with sub-contractors and suppliers will keep them waiting. The photography industry sees the same kind of problems.

So, a few new products will have to suffer a little from this:

• The launch of the new Sony NEX C3 (recently visible) could wait until June.
• The NEX-7 is still on schedule for July.
• The Sony Alpha 35 (next Alpha SLR camera, at entry level) will certainly have to wait until July.
• Le Sony Alpha 77 (future high-end SLR camera in the Alpha range of APS-C sensors) despite having been in the waiting list for a very long time will not be delayed (July anyway!) but will not be available before September; And don’t expect more than a few parts: Full production is targeting October (or even early November).
• No lens should be announced before August, maybe expect a 16-50mm to be presented with the A77 but probably not more available than th camera body.

While I’m at it, I have been confirmed that the launch of the Sony Portable PlayStation (game console) is still on the horizon but it could be not available before the Christmas holidays. Jack Tretton, president of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, has publicly admitted that in order to alleviate such issues they are ready to prioritize world markets. Some region(s) may see the product while others will be waiting (Apple is known for using such tactics on the iPhone). I would bet a large sum of money that Sony is going to play the same card with photo cameras (and I would also be ready to say that some eBay users are already prepared to play with exchange rates to buy cameras on continents where they do not live).

Not much to be learned about the technical features of the camera, but it seems clear that it would be available in kit with the Sony 55-200mm f/4-5.6 SAM DT zoom that is so perfectly adequate for this type of entry-level SLR cameras and the nice little Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM DT zoom.

According to a leak published in a DPreview forum, Sony is about to launch a new photo camera in the NEX series (hybrid cameras distinguished by the combination of a small exterior size, interchangeable lenses and a large APS-C digital sensor).

The NEX-C3, as it will be known, will have a 16 MP digital sensor derived from the one in the Sony A55 and will be able to record 720p HD video (but not 1080p Full HD). It will include a large tiltable LCD screen on its back (whose characteristics are not known yet).

Clearly, from what the photos tell us -unfortunately they have been quickly removed from the web site- its appearance is an evolution from the previous NEX cameras with a slightly more serious design in a still-small format.

Also worth noticing: A new external flash designed specially for the NEX series.

The official announcement could be as soon as next week, but Sony may have delayed some product launches well into June and July to take into account the consequences of the Japan earthquake of 11 March 2011.