Cameras Lenses Sony

Sony Cameras & Lens Receive Prestigious 2016 TIPA Awards: a68 DSLR Entry Level, a7R II Mirrorless Compact System Camera (4K Video), RX1R II Full-Frame Compact Camera, HDR-AS50 Action Cam (Burst and 4K Time-Lapse Photo Modes) & Full-Frame FE 85mm F1.4 GM Lens

The following video presents The Sony a7R II: Radically Advanced:

The a7R II full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera by Sony: Welcome to a world beyond DSLR. @sonyalpha

Sony has been recognised with a record five awards by the prestigious Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) in their 2016 awards for the following cameras and lens:

Sony a68

Sony a68

  • BEST DSLR ENTRY LEVEL: a68
Sony a7R II

Sony a7R II

  • BEST MIRRORLESS CSC PROFESSIONAL: a7R II
Sony SEL85F14GM: Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM

Sony SEL85F14GM: Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM

Sony RX1R II

Sony RX1R II

  • BEST FULL-FRAME COMPACT CAMERA: RX1R II
Sony HDR-AS50

Sony HDR-AS50

The following video presents Sony RX1R II: First Look Interview with Sony:

In this video Kenta Honjo from Sony discusses the latest compact full-frame from Sony, the Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II. Features found on Sony’s Cyber-shot RX1R II include a 42.4MP back-illuminated CMOS sensor, an all-new pop-up electronic viewfinder, a 399 Phase-Detect AF Point that’s 30% faster than the original Cyber-shot RX1 with 5fps capture capability, and most impressively, an electronically-controlled variable low-pass filter.

PRESS RELEASE

Sony Enjoys Record Success at 2016 TIPA Awards

Apr 18, 2016 06:00 GMT

  • BEST DSLR ENTRY LEVEL: a68
  • BEST MIRRORLESS CSC PROFESSIONAL: a7R II
  • BEST CSC PRIME LENS: SEL85F14GM
  • BEST FULL-FRAME COMPACT CAMERA: RX1R II
  • BEST ACTION CAM: HDR-AS50

Sony has been recognised with a record five awards at by the prestigious Technical Image Press Association in their 2016 awards.

BEST DSLR ENTRY LEVEL: a68

The Sony α68 has a 24.2MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor with an ISO 100-25,600 range. Its 4D FOCUSTM system uses a 79-point dedicated phase detection AF sensor with 15 cross points. It can deliver accurate focus in light as low as -2EV, plus constant AF tracking at 8 frames per second. For video fans the Sony α68 can record Full HD in XAVC-S format with a bit rate up to 50 Mbps[i] and continuous autofocus with accurate focus tracking. Other attractive features include SteadyShot Inside image stabilisation, an OLED Tru-FinderTM with 100% frame coverage and an articulating 2.7-inch LCD monitor. Full details of the α68 can be seen here.

BEST MIRRORLESS CSC PROFESSIONAL: a7R II

The Sony α7R II has a 42.4MP “Full-frame” Exmor RTM CMOS sensor housed inside a full magnesium alloy body. It features a hybrid AF system with 399 on-sensor phase detection points and 25 contrast detection points that allow still shooting at up to 5 fps at full AF and AE. The α7R II can deliver 4K video with in camera processing and recording and Full HD (1080p) video in either NTSC or PAL at 60p/30p/24p or 50p/25p using the high bit-rate XAVC S format[ii]. It offers fully customisable colour and gamma controls, including the same S-Log2 and S-Log3 Gamma curves found in high-end Sony cinema cameras. ISO range is 100-25,600, with extendable ranges to ISO 50 to 102,400.Full details of the α7R II can be seen here.

BEST CSC PRIME LENS: SEL85F14GM

The full-frame Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM lens has a new XA (extreme aspherical) element plus three ED (extra low-dispersion) elements that can provide a fascinating combination of extremely high resolution of focused areas with a pleasing, soft bokeh in the background. The lens has a circular aperture with 11 blades plus Sony’s Nano AR coating, to reduce ghosting and flare. It contains a ring drive SSM (Super Sonic Wave Motor) to drive focusing and two position sensors for enhanced focus control. Constructed with 11 elements in 8 groups, the lens is dust and moisture resistant. Full details of the SEL85F14GM can be seen here.

BEST FULL-FRAME COMPACT CAMERA: RX1R II

Sharing the same 42.2 MP sensor and BIONZ X image processor with Sony’s α7R II, the RX1R II has an integral ZEISS® Sonnar T* 35mm f/2 lens. The sensor has an impressive 399 phase detection AF points that work in conjunction with 25 contrast AF points to achieve fast and efficient focus. The camera has the world’s first[iii] optical variable low pass filter that can be set to off, standard or high, with low pass filter bracketing also available. Viewing is via a four-glass element in-built EVF or a tiltable 7.5cm (3.0 type) 1.2 million dot LCD. The camera can deliver Full HD video with a choice of various framing rates. Full details of the RX1R II can be seen here.

BEST ACTION CAM: HDR-AS50

The Sony HDR-AS50 is a durable and highly portable POV video camera that weighs a mere 58g (2oz) [iv]and measures only 2.42 x 4.7 x 8.3 cm. (31/32 x 1 7/8x 3 3/8 inches). It is supplied with an underwater housing that can be used down to 60 metres and can be linked with a new Live-View Remote with full camera command functionality that can be mounted virtually anywhere, including as wristwear. The camera features SteadyShot image stabilisation, a must for action shooting, 4K Time-Lapse Capture, enhanced Full HD video capture, a built-in stereo microphone, and a ZEISS® Tessar lens. To add to the excitement the angle of view can be varied between “Wide” and “Narrow” in two levels, plus zoom mode allows the user to zoom while shooting. Full details of the HDR-AS50 can be seen here.

[i] A Class 10 or higher SDHC/SDXC memory card is required to record movies in the XAVC S format.

[ii] A class 10 or higher SDXC memory card is required to record movies in the XAVC S format. UHS Speed Class 3 is also required for recording at 100Mbps.”

[iii] Among digital cameras. As of October 2015 press release, based on Sony research.

[iv] Main unit only. (83g(2.9oz) with supplied battery)

About TIPA

TIPA (Technical Image Press Association) is a global organisation, represented by photo and imaging magazines worldwide.

TIPA membership comprises 27 leading photo and imaging magazines from 15 countries on five continents, and also has a cooperative partnership with the CJPC (Camera Journal Press Club), representing 11 top photography magazines in Japan.

The TIPA Awards are renowned as the most influential photo and imaging product awards in markets around the world. All products and their advertising media bearing the TIPA Awards logo indicate that these have passed evaluations by TIPA’s technical committee and magazine editors. A TIPA Awards endorsement is the highest accolade for any photo and imaging product.


Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, imaging, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $68 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/


The following video presents Sony’s HDR-AS50 Action Cam –Top 6 useful features:

The AS50 Action Cam is the latest addition to our Action Cam family and without doubt the most intuitive and versatile model yet. In this video, we highlight six of its most useful new features, that will make it easier and more fun to capture your adventures and excursions.


You can pre-order / buy these Sony cameras and lens at B&H (prices are in USD):