Sony Gets Serious about Cameras

It may not have the track-record of Canon or Nikon, but Sony's making a strong case with new digital cameras for everyone from serious hobbyists to picky pros. Here's a run-down of the company's latest offerings for shutterbugs at all levels of the rabbit-hole.

NEX-6

At $850 (or $1000 with three new lenses), the mirror-less NEX-6 is really just a happy medium between the lower-end NEX-5 and Sony's more more expensive flagship, the NEX-7. It's not a DSLR, but the NEX-6's 16.1 megapixels are nothing to scoff at, and it can shoot 1080p video at 60 fps.

On-board WiFi enables simple, wireless photo syncs, but there's no touch screen on the NEX-6. Instead, a DSLR-style dial for switching camera modes and a digital view-finder (striking a compromise between an LCD screen and a reflexive ocular view-finder) gives the NEX-6 that "real camera" feeling that's missing from more and more point-and-shoots.

RX1

Sony's RX1 is the smallest full-frame sensor camera ever. What that means is that a camera from Sony's Cyber-Shot point-and-shoot line, a camera that weighs one pound and isn't much larger than a deck of cards, has a pro DSLR-level 24-megapixel, 35.8 x 23.9 mm full-frame sensor.

The amazing size comes with trade-offs: the RX1's 35mm Carl Zeiss lens looks pretty sweet, but you won't be able to change it - and that's on a $2800 camera; so if you're just looking for a point-and-shoot that fits in your fanny-pack you might want to keep looking.

Alpha A99

The first thing you'll notice about Sony's new flagship pro-level camera is how light it is: at 25.9 ounces, the A99 is manifestly lighter than high-end DSLRs by Canon and Nikon. It's got a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, slightly better than Canon's 5D Mark III, but not yet on par with Nikon's D800.

The A99 is fast: it can shoot 6 frames per second at full 6000 x 4000 resolution, or 60 fps 1080p video; and, what's more, its autofocus uses two detection sensors, boosting accuracy and speed. That autofocus even works continually while shooting video; that plus the A99's in-camera audio leveling and an XLR port should make this $2799 (body-only) camera a competitive option for pros who like to shoot video now and then.

Does Sony have what it takes to run with the DSLR big-dogs? Let us know in the comments.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN. 

Source : ign[dot]com

Dumb and Dumber 2 Plot Details Revealed

If the Farrelly Brothers are to be believed, their long-gestating Dumb and Dumber sequel is still on track, with the boys even revealing some plot details.

BEWARE OF DUMB SPOILERS BELOW

Speaking to Digital Spy, Bobby Farrelly said: "It's definitely something we've been hoping for a long time. We always wanted to get the two original guys Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels back together and see what they're up to. Now it's almost 20 years after the original and the other guys are in a point in their career where they had so much fun the first time that they're willing to do it. We will make this movie."

As for the plot, Farrelly explained: “The story revolves around the fact that one of them may have sired a child. They want to go and find the child because he’s having a kidney problem and he wants to ask him for one of his kidneys.”

The brothers hope to shoot the film in spring for an autumn 2013 release, and in case audiences were in any doubt as to the continuing stupidity of their two main characters, Farrelly added “I can tell you that there is no growth out of either one of them.”

Chris Tilly is the Entertainment Editor for IGN and likes the bit with the blind kid and the bird. His idle chit-chat can be found on both Twitter and MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com