We have an update to our previous post on the digital Zeiss ikon. The information comes indirectly from Yokohama through my buddy Sato. Thanks for passing along ;)Before we get into this, let's speculate that why we need rumors? In history Carl Zeiss used to pre-announce a product years (at least months) ahead of its actual ship-date. If we are getting a digital ikon, why aren't we hearing anything from Carl Zeiss instead we follow rumors coming from nowhere. One reason seems to be the following: unlike when Zeiss were producing products of its own designs in other factory (read Cosina made Zeiss), a digital ikon relies largely on technology from elsewhere (read Sony), which Zeiss is bound by their NDA's, forcing Zeiss to deviate from its early-announcement tradition, so we are not expected to hear anything on digital ikon until the partners are actually ready. So how do we get any info on the ikon or rather how do those people send us tips got the info? Nonetheless, let's not worry about our sources, hearing something is always better than complete silence. Let's get back to what we received:
The digital Zeiss ikon will be 35mm full frame using Sony's Exmor R back-illuminated CMOS sensor. Sony's Exmor R technology seems to have solved the dRF problem so well that it outperforms modern CCDs. Its acceptable angle of incident light is greatly improved compared to other sensors, making it a true solution for dRFs. The expected announcement date "should be" around mid-2010. The digital ikon will be the first camera to use a full frame Exmor R sensor, before Sony's dSLRs.
Verdict:
Full frame ikon with Exmor R? Probably true;
Mid-2010 announcement? Could be true;
Stepping ahead of Sony...? I don't know.
Note: This info comes from a camera shop in Yokohama, not meant to be taken seriously.
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