Sony released a major update for the A7 camera series and a smaller update for the NEX-5t, NEX-5r and NEX-6.

The A7 cameras are now reported to startup faster, focus faster with FE lenses and show an improved image quality at High ISO (Jpeg images). Sounds great!

Firmware download links:

A7R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

A7

Mac – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Germany, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Spain, Sony Italy, Sony Holland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Switzerland, Sony Finland, Sony Sweden, Sony Norway, Sony Portugal, Sony Australia

NEX5R

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX5T

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

NEX6

Mac – Sony US, Sony Australia

Windows – Sony US, Sony Australia

It’s here! The new Samsung NX mini with 1 inch sensor (same size as the Sony RX100 and Nikon 1). It’s the smallest system camera ever! It has a very clean and Panasonic GM1 alike design. Specs, price and preorder info can be read here:

Preorders:

Brown: Amazon, BHphoto.

Green:  Amazon, BHphoto

Pink: Amazon, BHphoto

White: Amazon, Bhphoto
 

Press releases and previews:

Preview at Dpreview. Spanish presentation at DSLRmagazine,

Images:

Epson Japan officially released a note which marks the death for a historical camera: The Epson RD-1! The camera will no longer be produced.

As you know this was the first digital rangefinder camera ever released and had an APS-C sensor. It won the Camera Grand Prix award in 2005.

By bye dear Epson! Too bad you didn’t release a successor with real FF sensor just like Sony did recently with the A7-A7r!

Preorders:

Nikon 1 V3 with 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here),

1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM lens at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here),

1 NIKKOR VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 at BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here),

Nikon 1 V3 press: Dpreview, Imaging Resource, DSLRmagazine,

Nikon lens press: DPreview, Imaging Resource, DSLRmagaizne,

Videos: Youtube (Nikon Asia),

Sony A7r Light Leak video by Ferrell McCollough

The probably most popular mirrorless camera curiously share the same issue: A light leak on the mount!

As SonyAlphaRumors reports the issue is minor but visible. Sony is working on a fix for those that want to get rid of the problem. A cheap and temporary solution has been explained by Ferrel McCollough.

And also Camera.Reviewed reports about the Fuji X-T1 having the same issue. But Fuji already offers a service where you can send in the camera and they will repair it within 10 days!

An excellent analysis by LensVid on worldwide camera shipments in 2013 and comparison with previous years. Not at all a rosy year for interchangeable lens cameras. A must see / read!

Let me catch up with some mirrorless related news:

1) The team from Akihabaranews interviewed Sigma manager about the DP Quattro (video on top)

2) Samsung issued a new fw update for the NX300 (download here).

3) Short Sony 24-70mm test at Leica Boss.

4) Zeiss Touit hands-on by ePhotozine.

5) Leica X Silver eidtion launched (Photographyblog).

– NEX-6 sells for 818 Euro in Europe (via Dealsrunner).