Hi Guys

Just wondering if anyone has bought the updated EA-50M yet? Apart from having the shorter zoom the specs say that it has a new sensor the same size as the FS100 with no aliasing issues and much more sensitive. With the F4 lens Sony is quoting a low lux rating of 1.57 in 50i mode at 1/25th shutter and that's with a slightly slower lens (F4 against F3.5 on the 18-200) Is that for real? The older model is quoted as a minimum lux of 7.0 at 1/25th with the F3.5 lens ... Heck if that's true then the sensor is heaps better and almost gets close to the FS100 (but not quite!) Still it's a huge sensitivity gain over the older model

If you have an M series could you comment please unless Sony's specs are wrong but they seem to be the same locally here and in the USA

Chris

Hey Chris,

The FS100 has a super 35 sensor. The EA50 is APS-C. I understood the new M model to have an "improved sensor" but I read it is still APS-C and based on the previous design. Did you hear differently?

I would like to hear a response to your question too. But what I want to know is does the improved sensor match the original?

I always have had at least two identical body's (like you) for the sake of matching. If this IS a completely new sensor it changes the game.

Steve

Hi Steve

The very reason my post is almost a question says "I don't really know" and obviously nor do others. I'm trying to find out. Sony quote on their site that the new sensor is the same "size" as the FS100 but also say that it's an APSC sensor too . I doubt whether it's a Super35 sensor but is, in fact, a new sensor designed for HD as opposed to the sensors we have which came out the A99 still cameras. All Sony sites DO quote the new low lux rating of nearly 5 times better than the old chip (7 lux against 1.57 lux) on a slower lens .... It's very hard to know what to make of it so we do really need to know if the M model is indeed a whole lot better than our models

Chris

I wonder the Sony service could be switched on sensor in EA50 and replace him with FS100 sensor and pay the difference in cost?
Or any better sensor?

I don't think it's just a matter of switching out sensors between different model camera's, it's not just a sensor switch but how the other hard- and software works together with that sensor and the ea50 is not designed to carry a fs100 sensor and it has not been tuned to get the most out of that sensor either.

Since there is no report or user video whatsoever about the "updated" ea50 where you can see it has improved I would not be trading a first gen model for it. The price however is still very low, here it's exactly 1000 euro cheaper then what it did cost the first year, only 2600 euro including a 18-105mm f4.0 lens which makes the body only just 2K which is a bargain.

I would love to have an ea50 with a sensor with less moire/antialias issues....

We had to film a show recently which was happening in front of a big (16meters broad) LED-Wall- with 3 x ea50
That turned out to be a mess mainly.... I wonder how this will be "fixed in the post".....

Hi Michael

The original EA-50's like ours had the A99 APSC DSLR sensor in it that was optimised for stills ...the new M supposedly has a newer Exmor APSC sensor that was designed specifically for video so your moire/aliasing issues are greatly diminished plus it's more sensitive. However it seems no-one can verify these facts and also it seems no-one has bought one. I wonder if Sony themselves would be any help?

My cameras are nearly two years old now and I normally replace at this interval and sell the old ones but I'm tending to put on brakes until I can get more information.

Surely someone must have bought the new M model ..if sales were poor Sony would discontinue them like the FS100 is going thru???

Chris

We had to film a show recently which was happening in front of a big (16meters broad) LED-Wall- with 3 x ea50
That turned out to be a mess mainly.... I wonder how this will be "fixed in the post".....

The aliasing and moire was one of the reasons I sold my ea50, there where often situations though I really loved the image that came out of this camera, I even liked it more then what my current camera's can produce but boy, at times the aliasing could really mess things up. I remember shooting at a coalmine with big buildings and small bricks, I just couldn't move the camera and even if I didn't, you couldn't see those small bricks, it was just a aliasing and moire spaghetti mess. Even my gopro4 does a lot better in that respect. I have a feeling Sony will just abandon this model, it's very low price might be a indication that they are clearing stock.

Yes, the most logical thing was that Sony just switched to the 18-105 lens to be able to sell the camera for less and clear it away.
Is the "new sensor" part of the description just there since the original text? Didn't the text for the original EA50 also say new sensor for video? Maybe they just left the text as it was and that is confusing us that have or used to have the original EA50?

Hi Dmitri

Not only did the description change but the specs have changed substantially! Our cameras had a low lux rating of 7 (1/25, auto gain at 50i) the new sensor quotes a low lux now of 1.57 for the same settings ... way better and much closer to the FS100 Super35 sensor but not quite there of 0.28 lux (which has not changed at all)

With manufacturer's it's all about sales and more sales ..if a camera sales start slipping then it's discontinued like the FS100 ... maybe the move to a cheaper lens allows them to put the camera in a new price category to attract a new market sector for entry level cameras ....at it's new price I cannot see anything else in that range that is a direct competitor so it might be just a marketing tactic?? But yes if it doesn't generate enough sales in it's new slot it too will be discontinued like the FS100 will be shortly ...you can have a brilliant camera out there BUT if it doesn't make you money you find something that will .... all about profit and marketing !! I guess we will find out if Sony's move was a good one or bad one when they get the sales figures???

Chris

You can see that if Sony has a bestseller, like the rx100, they not only bring out firmware updates on a regular base but also improve by making a version II, II etc, if they only do firmware updates and don't update the model within 2 years there is a big chance you will be looking at a discontinued model soon.

I think the NEX EA50 is a sleeper of some kind. It is a mystery to me why it never took off. I absolutely love mine. Bang for the buck it is the best camera I have ever owned. Like several of you guys I bought mine when it was first released and paid full price, I would do it again. In fact I might get the new one. What is holding me back is the lack of information about this improved sensor. None of us know anything about it.

About half my work is done with broadcast level cameras. I don’t own them I rent them or get hired to operate them. When I am working with a bunch of other professional video guys and talking tech everyone knows about the Sony models from the FS100 on up. When I say I have an EA50 they almost always say “what’s that?” Sony classifies it as an entry level professional camcorder. The proof of that is they support it through their broadcast support, not the consumer division. I think it’s low price (even list price) kept it from being recognized by a lot of pros for what it is and what it will do. For the guys that do recognize the model number when we speak it becomes obvious that they see it as a pumped up consumer camera. Which it kind of is. In reality it falls in that grey prosumer range. I think it is that perception/reality that kept it from taking off, not its abilities or features. I don’t care what you call it or how you perceive it. In its new price range I don’t know if it can be beat but no one seems to know that. If the new sensor really does help with the aliasing and low light think about how great that will be. And for $2,700.00, are you kidding me!!!

Here is something else that is weird. The Sony VG30 has got to near the end of its shelf life but they are still in stock everywhere. At this very moment they are at B&H for exactly ONE dollar less than the EA50. Go figure that one out? Let’s see, do I want a rich mans over priced vacation handycam or do I want a pro level EA50. With that said, I did buy a VG30 last year. I got a brand new, open box one off of e-bay for $1,500.00. I bought it to fly on my Black Bird, I needed something small and light that would match my EA50. It works out perfectly. Same sensor, same or similar processor, perfect match.

Keep this in mind too. The 18mm-105mm F4 lens is flawed. That is the lens that works on most NEX cameras but NOT on FS series cameras. It pincushions on FS and some other e-mount cameras. Maybe Sony has paired it with the new EA50 to get rid of a camera that never took off and a flawed lens? Sony really pushed it (and blew it) when they put a “G” designation on that lens. This month they released a truly professional quality “G” lens with the same specs and more. For the pro version you pay $2,000.00 instead of $600.00.

At any rate, I hope someone can answer Chris’s original question. I also want to know if the new sensor is a reasonable match for the old one or does it have a totally different look like almost all differing sensors do? For $2,700.00 with an improved sensor it is still an amazing camera deal to me. And Chris, I think you have a lot of shelf life left in your EA50s. Two years old or not I have no plans to sell mine.

Steve

Thanks Steve

That is a very comprehensive summary of the Sony market. I truly agree with you..the EA-50 is a very under appreciated camera. When it came out I couldn't believe my eyes all the features it had that my Panasonic HMC cameras never had. I have had no issues with my cameras at all and they were bought in January 2013 and the second in March 2013 so yes they are 2 years old now with not a single regret!

If I did replace them it would be with another pair of EA-50's of course ..there is really nothing on the market that has the same features but I still am amazed that we haven't found an M series owner yet!!

Chris

I got mine last week, but only had the chance to try it out a little, before i left for vacation.
Since the ea50 has been almost ignored in my home market (i live in austria/europe), i can't compare it to the previous model, but im very impressed with the low light performance and didn't notice big moire/aliasing issues.
I do have a big problem with the kit lens! I'm not sure, if I have a faulty one, but the servo zoom seems to be mechanical too much for the lens. Whenever I push and release the zoom rocker really fast, i lose focus. the funny thing is, that it jumps right back, as soon as i push it again. luckily i made a video, before i left, so see for yourself:
00005 on Vimeo

Hi Chris

At last we have a "M" user!!! Your clip looked pretty bright!!! What sort of gain does the camera want to apply in say, a normal house room (during the day) It would be great to see if the sensor is better.

OK, the lens is NOT parfocal .. very few are so that means that fully zoomed and focussed it will NOT stay in focus if you zoom right out ... I think the image re-focus bit in your clip is the autofocus realising that the focus has changed so it re-focusses ..... if you go to manual focus and zoom to 105mm and manually focus then go right back to 18mm without touching the focus you will find it's fuzzy ....a parfocal lens will stay in focus over the zoom range but nowdays they seem hard to find! Your lens is normal not faulty the blurry bit is just the auto focus trying to adjust after a fast zoom!

Chris

I do have a big problem with the kit lens! I'm not sure, if I have a faulty one, but the servo zoom seems to be mechanical too much for the lens. Whenever I push and release the zoom rocker really fast, i lose focus. the funny thing is, that it jumps right back, as soon as i push it again.

Was the camera in autofocus at that moment? It doesn't look like that though as autofocus usually doesn't make such quick adjustments. The 18-200 stocklens on the first ea50 displayed this behavior as well in some cases but not as bad as in your example. You could have Sony have a look at it but I do have a feeling they will say it's normal behavior.

There is nothing wrong with that lens. In fact if anything the AF may be improved compared to the other kit lens. On the original lens the AF is good at finding its mark but it is not fast at doing so. On this clip his AF is snapping back into focus rather quickly.

Look at the two lenses I mentioned earlier, one at $600.00 and one at $2,500.00 and both looking like they have similar specs on paper. Focal range slightly different, both F4 but a $2,000.00 price difference.

Here is the new EA50 kit lens used in the sample clip

Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens SELP18105G B&H Photo Video


Here is a new par focal pro lens that is similar in specs

Sony FE PZ 28-135mm f/4 G OSS Lens SELP28135G B&H Photo Video

The $2,000.00 difference is justifiable because to manufacture a par-focal lens costs a lot of money. Every element inside the lens is specifically engineered to maintain focus throughout the zoom range. There are also other things that raise the cost but par-focal is one of them. All lenses are only as good as the glass they are made of. Good glass is also expensive to manufacture. Technology has not found a cheap substitute for good glass. Lenses are an area where you really do still get what you pay for.

Chris N. I would test that lens at slow and fast zoom ranges to learn its characteristics so you know how it will perform and live with it. It is a kit lens. It would be unrealistic to expect it to perform like it's $2,500.00 counterpart. Welcome to the forum!!!

Steve

Also:

It is a little hard to be sure exactly what Chris N. is doing there. I am assuming you are pushing the rocker to its fastest position and the AF is refocusing as soon as you stop? I’m not sure what you mean when you said “it comes back when I push it again”?

The original lens zooms very slowly at its fastest setting. Much slower than yours. I suspect that if you zoom slower than fastest you might find a sweet spot with better results. I hope so, I can do it with mine. The 18mm-200mm lens also has a slight jerk to it when a power zoom is initiated. That problem seemed to be worse for some people than others. I think I got a lucky one.

Thank you for posting that clip. There are several of us here that have documented our entire experience with the EA50. I know there are guys here willing to answer any questions you may have. I hope you enjoy your new camera. We are curious about your experience with the new model.

Steve

Chris N.

I always try to contribute in a positive way but sometimes I'm too blunt. I probably should not be so quick to tell someone to "live with it".

Maybe there is more to the randomness of quality with these inexpensive lenses than I realize. I have two of the 18mm-200mm kit lenses. I just tested both of them again. They may be cheaply made but mine sure work well. They perform almost like par-focal even though I do not expect them to. I can cycle ether one of them from full wide to full tele and I have no jerky motion and they almost stay in focus after repeated zooming. At worst, they get a little soft. The focus does not blow out and go back in like yours did. Could it have been the detail in the picture you were shooting that caused it or does it do that every time?

Steve

Hey guys!
Thank you for welcoming me to the board! I've been lurking the forums for a long time, but finally had a reason to register.
First of all: I didn't activate AF, while recording the clip. I understand, that the lens isn't listed as parfocal and it would be a lot to expect, from a lens that cheap, but I don't understand, how it's possible that it jumps to the perfect focus point again, once I push the zoom rocker a second time.
Overall I was very, very impressed with the first tests. I'll be back in europe and ready for longer testing next week!
chris

There is nothing wrong with that lens. In fact if anything the AF may be improved compared to the other kit lens. On the original lens the AF is good at finding its mark but it is not fast at doing so. On this clip his AF is snapping back into focus rather quickly.

The lens was in manual focus like I thought.
If that was the case then that kind of behavior his test clip shows is not exactly normal but I have seen similar focus changes on the 18-200mm while zooming reported by some users but not that bad.
Chris, does the same happen if you zoom manually with the lens instead of using the zoomrocker?

That sounds very weird?? Surely if the lens is in manual you wouldn't get a "pop into focus" result by doing a quick in/out zoom with the rocker ..it almost seems like AF has kicked in and has adjusted the focus .. strange.

It certainly will be interesting to find out if Sony has indeed changed the sensor to a more sensitive one? It's basically a slightly slower lens than the original 18-200 so it the same sensor is used it would need a bit more gain to get the exposure right.

We shall wait for Chris to return home from his travels next week

The story of this lens is getting stranger all the time. Of course I was coming from a place of assuming it was in AF mode. We are watching it snap into perfect focus. Now Chris has confirmed it was not set up for AF and it was the zoom rocker on every other push or something like that made it focus.....weird!!!

So this is what we do know:

Sony obviously has QC problems. Look at what we know for sure about the 18mm-200mm PZ lens. I have two of them that work perfectly. Others, including Noa documented theirs did not perform as expected. Some of them are flawed with a nasty jerk when a zoom is started. That lens is what I would consider to be a true "kit" lens. It comes packaged with a camera. It should work as expected and they should all be consistent. But, as a kit lens no one is going to expect great things from it.

The Sony E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens is supposed to be a completely different story. Sony made the mistake of putting a "G" designation on it. According to Sony that is suposed to take it completely out of the "kit" lens class and put it up there with the finest they can make. If you read just the first paragraph on this Sony page you will see their glorious definition of what a "G" badge means.

G Lenses – Concepts behind the "G" (http://www.sony-mea.com/microsite/dslr/09/gLens/)

In the case of this lens, the G badge seams to be more of a marketing ploy than reality. For example, you will never see a "L" designation on a Canon lens unless it is of "L" series quality. You probably will also never see a "L" lens for $600.00. I paid an average of $1,200.00 for most of mine.

According to Sony that G badge means you can expect great performance from that lens. It is NOT a kit lens. But we know that's not true. First, it is already well documented that it is flawed. Its distorted image gets corrected electronically by some cameras but not others. Yet it is still being sold as if it works with any E-mount. For a while Sony even published a camera compatibility list for that lens, but it appears to be taken down now. I looked and the link was inactive. What kind of BS is that? A lens that only works with some cameras that fix it's flaw? But they are still selling it. And it has their highest badge of quality on it!!!

Now, Chris N. is showing us his has other flaws. In fact his flaws could be considered funny because his lens is paranormal y possessed! There are other users here that have good results with that lens on their EA50. Again, it seems to be a QC issue with hit and mis luck involved.

All of this is not making me feel like rushing into a second EA50 anymore. Your not supposed to have to count on luck when you buy a camera or a lens.

Steve

Hi Steve

The EA-50 is a brilliant camera (for me anyway) and both my 18-200's worked great BUT I still didn't think they reached the level of "awesome" or even "stunning" This is the reason why I have body only EA-50's now ..My lenses got me a fair amount of money (Power Zooms see to be in demand and I'm happy with zooming manually and very occasionally I can do a really smooth mini zoom digitally if I have to) I come from a manual background when AF system used Ultrasonic sensors (Panasonic WVP100) and were terrible! I personally think that getting the kit lens on eBay and popping an adapter and all your favourite still lenses on the camera is much nicer. In fact quite a few guys use vintage glass which is often top quality (especially Minolta!) and at budget prices. I share all my Nikon mount lenses between my still cameras and my EA-50's Both my 18-200 PZ lenses sold more than a year ago and I'm happy!

Chris

I have the impression from other videos I have seen from the series VG 10 -20-30 that are much better and sharper image from EA50 models

I have the VG20 and the image is slightly sharper but that's because sharpening is added in camera - Image from my EA50 still beats it as I add sharpening in post - much better.

The VG20 has no picture profiles (I believe the VG30 has) and so I find the image too contrasty for my taste and so only carry it as a spare in case I have an issue with the EA50

Pete

I have a VG30 to back up my EA50. I bought it to fly on my Black Bird. I find the images to be a satisfying match without a big noticeable difference. Of course that is when I match lenses too. I use canon and Sony lenses. The sensor is the same but what surprised me is the processor. They have to be the same or very close to it. Even though I shoot in manual most of the time these two cameras will pick the exact same settings in any auto mode almost every time. They compliment each other quite well. The VG30 is like an EA50 in a stripped down box with few features. When I first got it I laughed because I never thought I would own a camera with picture type icons in the menu ;) ;) ;)

The VG30 does not have profiles, just a cinamatone setting and a bunch of other cheesy filters common on consumer cameras.

The VG30 is an expensive Handycam with the internal guts of the EA50. The EA50 is a superior camera in every other way. These two cameras sell for the same retail price at the moment. It would be ridiculous to choose a VG30 over an EA50 at that price. Because of the similarity in image quality the VG30 makes a nice back up for the EA50. They are also cheap on E-bay because they have been out for a while. I think it is awesome to have a small lightweight camera to fly or backup my main camera for a low cost. I use all the same lenses on both cameras and do not have to do any modifications in post for matching.

Note that the VG30 does not have any 720 shooting options. It does have the same 1080 modes as the EA50 including 1080i FX and 1080P 60 PS.

Steve

OK guys, I did it. I ordered a second EA50. I have some reservations about it I can't answer until it arrives and I put my hands on it. My big concern is this newly improved sensor. Sure it will be nice to have better low light but will it match the look of the other camera? I am old school, one reason for the purchase is where I come from you just don't mix a bunch of brands and models together. I have always had camera kits with two or three of the same model. I am also heavily vested in good Canon glass. Having the interchangeable lens ability of the EA50 is critical to me.

As I said in this thread I also have doubts about the new lens. A Sony "G" lens is supposed to be of their highest quality. But is this one that good? I will have to see for myself when it arrives? Even then it will not be a huge deal because both cameras will have Canon lenses on them most of the time.

I really like the EA50 and at the current price it is still an amazing value. If everything works out this will give me a three camera kit I like for two head interviews. My VG30 is a match, it can be the two head shot and an EA50 on each face will work well for me. I hope they match!!!

Steve

Awesome Steve!!

Please let us know about the sensor and it's performance! The spec sheet quotes amazingly better low light performance with the new sensor and considering the lens is slower than the 18-200 too.

We would really appreciate a side by side comparison of the old and new cameras to settle for once and all if there actually is a new sensor in the M camera!

Chris

If it is in fact a NEW sensor id be VERY interested in the improvements. I am about a month from getting mine.

Hi Guys

Just wondering if anyone has bought the updated EA-50M yet? Apart from having the shorter zoom the specs say that it has a new sensor the same size as the FS100 with no aliasing issues and much more sensitive. With the F4 lens Sony is quoting a low lux rating of 1.57 in 50i mode at 1/25th shutter and that's with a slightly slower lens (F4 against F3.5 on the 18-200) Is that for real? The older model is quoted as a minimum lux of 7.0 at 1/25th with the F3.5 lens ... Heck if that's true then the sensor is heaps better and almost gets close to the FS100 (but not quite!) Still it's a huge sensitivity gain over the older model

If you have an M series could you comment please unless Sony's specs are wrong but they seem to be the same locally here and in the USA

Chris

Hey Chris,

Even though I already placed the order I was trying to find info on the new sensor. The bottom line is there is no way of knowing what I am getting. I am not sure where you saw the original EA50U with a lux rating of 7.0? A cording to B&H Photo (not an authority but usually pretty good) both cameras have identical specs of 1.57 as you posted above. This new sensor truly is a mystery, you flat out can not find much on it.

Steve

Randy,

If anyone is genuinely interested I will post my findings. After two years on the shelf there is probably not a lot of interest in this camera but it still works for me.

Steve

Randy,

One more thing for you to consider. The free Metabones E-mount to Canon EF rebate ends at the end of this month. I don't remember if you use Canon lenses or not? If you do that is a $400.00 adapter.

Steve

Steven, what do you mean by 2 years on the shelf?

I would love to see your footage.

Hey Tim,

I bought my first one just after it was released about two years ago. I meant two years on store shelves not my shelf. I am not a gadget guy that has to have the latest and greatest. For me, it is all about my ROI. At $2,700.00 plus a free $400.00 adapter that I use this is a great deal for me. It does what I need a camera to do for much of my work.

I work with cameras of all types and levels in my corporate work. I always own lower level professional cameras for smaller productions and interviews that don't require broadcast systems. I learned to shoot video with big heavy Betacams on my shoulder so I love the EA50 form factor. I am always amazed at the bang for the buck you can get these days. I think the EA50 is an amazing bargain.

I will be glad to let you guys know what the second edition is like after it arrives.

Steve

I have a Canon TV Zoom J6x11 macro lens I bought at an auction. Most of the equipment was beta stuff, so not of any great value. But the lens I thought might work. Would this lens work with the EA50 sensor (the old one, since we don't know what the new one is like), and what adapter would be needed if it would work? Thanks, Tim

Also, maybe you could help me with this question. It seems everyone including the news agencies around me are going to really small cams, mostly JVC but also a few panasonics. Am I going to look like old old school if I show up with a larger form factor?

When I started covering protest events, the bigger camera always got the interview, even though we knew some of these guys were shooting with old equipment, the public didn't seem to have a clue. Is that perception changing? Do you lose shots with a cam this big because it is more obvious?

When there are six cams in the subject's face, it is nice when they talk to your lens instead of the competition, so appearances in my events are important.

P.S. I like the idea of post production being for enhancement.

Hi Steve

I truly give up on getting accurate specs as the latest from Sony UK show the discontinued model having a low lux rating of 4 and the new M model now seems to have a lux rating of 5 due to the slower lens. Bottom line is that I have no idea at all so IF you think the M model seems to be better in low light it would be appreciated! Personally I'm pretty happy with the sensor although it would have been better if it had a little better dust and debris protection.

Anyway when it arrives let us know what you think about whether the sensor is different (obviously with the same glass on each camera.

Chris

Hi Chris,

I will let you guys see what I get out of it.

I could be wrong but my understanding is that on ALL digital cameras of any type the face of sensor is NEVER exposed. Even though it looks like it, what you see and clean is a protective surface over it. So, for example, if you scratch it they do not replace the real sensor, they can replace the protective layer.

Steve

Tim,

I have very little experience with news shooting. I have freelanced a couple of times and been a stringer a couple times. So I am not the guy to answer for that.

What I would say is call your local station and find out what their broadcast specs are. Just because they CAN broadcast any video format does not mean they want to. Giving them video that meets their spec raw will go a long ways towards getting it used.

Steve

I'm curious about the EA50U vs EA50M also.
The description of the EA50 (original) says, "NEX-EA50 features a new Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor.."
and the description of the EA50M says, "It inherits the same versatile semi-shoulder mount design from its predecessor--the NEX-EA50UH--but adds an updated Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor.."

The low light specs match on the B&H site and it seems nearly impossible to find information comparing these two cameras so who knows?

I'm thinking about buying a second one.

I can answer my own question on the canon lens macro. It does not look like it will work and even if it does, the motor drive will cause problems. Says TV zoom but that was a long time ago and a very different camera.

Took forever to find that answer but finally found a page where someone had actually made the transition.

It would be nice if Sony would finally let the specs of the new model out...

Hi David

I would say that Steve will be a far more reliable source as to whether the sensor is vastly different than Sony. They might have put in an improved sensor to compensate for the slightly slower F4 stock lens but really who knows?? The only official change that sounds correct (apart from the different lens) is some firmware that allows you to use the grip trigger to record to the SD card and the top handle trigger to record to the FMU drive (assuming it's fitted)

Steve? I would have thought that Sony wouldn't leave an exposed sensor either ... If it does have a protective layer it's pretty good ... So when you do a sensor clean you are actually just wiping off the dust on the top protective layer then???

My cams are also just over 2 years old ..They released them here in December 2012 and I bought one in January 2013 and one in February 2013 ...Wow time flies!!!

Chris

Hi Chris. Good to talk to you on this board. I used to be a member on this site a long time ago but I guess my old login expired so I had to start over.

Yes Steve will be a great source regarding the EA50 versions :)

I'm especially curious as to how they compare with the same lens in low light

I started a new thread to compare the two cameras:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-nex-ea50-all-variants/527588-im-going-compare-ea50u-ea50m.html#post1881733

Steve

Expecting to receive an EA-50M by next week.

Me and my friend have a pair of Sony a6000 cameras, the EA-50M will be used for long-form events mostly.

My own exposure to professional video cameras was a borrowed Canon C100 on a week-long event.

N.F.