Last year, Sony introduced two new cameras. The first was the Sony ZV-E10 II, a refresh to their popular vlogging camera. The second was the Sony a1 II, a camera that ticks all the boxes for professional photographers (at a significant price point, nevertheless). Prosumers and amateurs were left in the cold unfortunately as some anticipated releases and rumored models failed to see the light of the day. But with a new report indicating two recent camera model registrations by Sony, it’s possible that this year might just bring smiles to a lot of their fans.
What Does The Report Say?
According to an article by SonyAlpha Rumors, two new cameras have been registered in Indonesia by Sony. The first of these, registered on December 4th last year, appears to have dual-band WiFi support. This is a clear indication that this camera can’t possibly be an entry-level model. We could be looking at a professional or prosumer camera model release from Sony here.
Given that it’s been over 3 years since the A7 IV was launched, there’s a strong chance this registration could be for the much-awaited Sony A7 V. That means we can expect to see a newer sensor, possibly more AF points, a much higher stills frame rate, and maybe even 6K video. If this is indeed the registration for the A7 V, then Sony fans looking for a new hybrid stills and video camera this year might just be in for a treat.
What We Think The 2nd Camera Could Be
The second registration done by Sony on January 20th this year is for a Thailand-manufactured camera model. There’s no speculation yet on what this camera could be, however here are some possibilities:
- Sony Rx1R III: The Mk II version of this model stands out as one of the most elegantly designed cameras in its category despite being nearly ten years old. Though not small enough to fit in a pocket, it continues to hold its place as one of the most compact full-frame digital cameras available in recent years. Pair it with a more streamlined lens design, bump up the resolution slightly beyond the current 42MP, equip it with a reliable autofocus tracking system capable of handling 4K or 6K video, and Sony’s manufacturing plants will have a hard time keeping up with the demand.
- Sony a7s IV: The camera that turned amateur videographers into overnight cinematographers (I’m being sarcastic of course), the a7S series of cameras hasn’t seen an update since the a7s III which was launched in 2020. Sony would do well to release an update to this model. Read our thoughts on what specs we feel the Sony a7s IV should have.
- Sony a6800: When the a6700 was released in 2023, we noted that it was just “an APS-C version of Sony’s higher-end full-frame cameras.” Whether you think this is a good thing or a letdown, we felt Sony missed out on a lot with this release. It could have done with better high ISO output. It was missing dual card slots. And there really should have been a joystick on the camera. The a6800 is a chance for them to fix all those mistakes.
- Sony a7r VI: Could the newly registered camera be the high-megapixel touting Sony a7r VI? I don’t know if they would increase the 61-megapixel sensor resolution by much more, if at all, but better high ISO performance, more stops of dynamic range, and a more refined menu system could make this an attractive model.
Screenshots seen in this article are from SonyAlpha Rumors