DC.watch (google translation here) interviewed the Sony team who developed the A7-A7r cameras. As you can see from the picture this is quite a young team! If these guys are reading SAR than let me say one thing: Well done guys! You really did a great job! I can imagine it was quite a challenge (and an excitement) to create something completely new. Doesn’t happen very often in the camera industry where usually company tend to focus on conservative development of existing camera.

They have been interviewed by DC.watch and I will report some of the key info. The google translation tool is messing up a lot so please excuse me in advance if there is some mistake. Hope Japanese Friends can check up my text :)

These are the names and roles of the people on the picture:

Front row left (sitting): Sokabe Taku, the Responsible Designer

Front row middle (sitting): Sudo Takahiro, Design Leader

Front row right (sitting): Daisuke Sato, Product Planner

Back row left (standing): Hosoi Masaharu, Responsible for optical design.

Back row middle (standing): Hasegawa Yoichi, Responsible for autofocus design.

Back row right (standing): Foshan Sakiken, Responsible for quality design.

Some key info from the interview:

– They confirm the NEX name is gone forever. Everything is branded as ALPHA now.

– Right from the start the main goal was to create something small. A DSLR quality in a small package.

– One of the hardest challenges was to add the 1/8.000 shutter in such a small body

– The A7r contrast AF is faster than in other Sony mirrorless cameras due the new algorithm and Bionz X processor. AF is 35% faster than the one on the NEX-7. And that has been achieved by keeping a high accuracy

– The LAEA4 adapter and Sony A99 translucent tech are “almost” equal.

– EVF brightness has been increased by 30% and contrast is three times higher over the external FDA-EA1MK EVF.

– 4K video recording has not been added on the 7-series because of power consumption issues such as thermal dissipation.

– To place the EVF in the middle has the advantage on larger lenses that you are on the optical axis.

– The body would have become large with the EVF placed ion the corner like it is on the NEX-7.

– we are actively involved in the development of larger aperture lenses.

Again, thanks Sony guys for working hard to fulfill our …dreams :)

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Specs and Preorders in US and Canada:

Dedicated Sony announcement page at Amazon US (Click here).

Sony A7r body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.

Sony A7 body at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.

Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS. TheCameraStore Canada.

Sony RX10 at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

Zeiss 24-70mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

Zeiss 35mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

Zeiss 55mm at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

70-200mm A-mount at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

Sony A-Mount to E-Mount Lens Adapter at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.

Sony A to E adapter with mirror at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.

A7/A7r leather case at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

A7/A7r vertical grip at Amazon, BHphoto, SonystoreUS.

Sony W Series Battery Charger at Amazon, BHphoto.

Sony FA-CS1M Off-Camera Shoe at BHphoto.

Semi-Hard LCD Screen Protector for A7-A7r at Amazon, BHphoto.

Specs and Preorders in Europe:

Sony A7r body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.

Sony A7 body at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.

Sony A7 with 28-70mm kit Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE, Amazon UK, Amazon DE, Amazon FR.

Sony RX10 at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT, WexUK, WexDE.

Zeiss 35mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT,

Zeiss 55mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT

Zeiss 24-70mm at Sony DE, UK, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, SE, PT

Sony G 28-70mm lens at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO.

Asia:

A7r at Digitalrev.

A7 at Digitalrev, Amazon Cina.

A7 with 28-70mm lens at Digitalrev.