Category: Tech News

Dell Adds Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard to Alienware Line-up. #Dell #Alienware

Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 laptops have been refreshed by Dell to include Cherry MX ultra low profile mechanical keyboards, with per-key lighting. According to Dell, the new keyboards aim to be an extension of the gamer’s senses, and allow you to press deeper with more emphasis. This mechanical switch delivers a full 1.8mm of key travel in a self-cleaning mechanism. Its two-piece keycap structure and cross-point contact system ensure precision and wobble-free keystrokes during intense virtual gaming sessions.

Many gamers prefer mechanical keyboards because they are more responsive, and are usually more durable. For some of us, a mechanical keyboard just feels better to use, plus the sound of a mechanical keyboard can be good feedback as well. Apart from the change in keyboards, the laptops still run on 10th Gen Intel Core processors and offer up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU support.

Vivian Lien, Vice President of Alienware and Dell Gaming, said: “PC gaming experience is guided by our fingertips. It is why gaming keyboards are crucial – they’re the gateway to connecting a gamer to their PC. But let’s face it: not all gaming keyboards are created equal.

“Delivering the next level of immersive gaming to mobile gamers, we’re thrilled to bring you the CHERRY MX mechanical keyboard on the new Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4. These are the world’s first gaming laptops designed in collaboration with the leading German switch maker CHERRY MX.

“Our partnership with CHERRY MX (aka Project X) began over three years ago. We had the shared goal to create a ‘binary mechanical switch experience’ and shrink it down into a laptop form factor—something that’s never been done before. Not an easy task, but one that has brought the benefits of a mechanical keyboard to mobile PC gaming, delivering the edge needed to dominate virtual battle arenas.”

Alienware m15 R4 & Alienware m17 R4 specifications

The Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 were refreshed in January at CES 2021 to include the new Nvidia GeForce 30-series GPUs. The two laptops have now been made available in a Cherry MX ultra low-profile mechanical keyboard configuration. All the other specifications remain the same. The laptops are powered by the 10th-Gen Intel Core i7-10870H or Core i9-10980HK CPU with up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. They will include the latest Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series GPUs

The Alienware m15 R4 features a 15.6-inch display, whereas the Alienware m17 R4 has a 17.3-inch display. Both are equipped with up to 360Hz full-HD screens (up to 300Hz on m15 model) or UHD displays with standard 60Hz refresh rate. Audio is handled by 2-way stereo speaker design that includes discrete Smart Amp Woofer technology. They come with multi-touch gesture precision-point glass touchpads with integrated scrolling.

Connectivity options on the Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 include Thunderbolt 3, USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 with PowerShare technology, two USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports, Alienware Graphics Amplifier port, Mini-DisplayPort 1.4, an HDMI 2.1 port, RJ-45 Killer Ethernet, and a microSD slot. They also come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.1. Both models have 86Wh batteries.

The new Alienware m15 R4 and Alienware m17 R4 are available in Ireland from www.dell.ie.

Radio Paradise MQA Audio Coming Exclusively to BluOS Players. #MQA #BluOS

Radio Paradise, Lenbrook International and MQA today announced a new hifi internet radio service exclusive to the BluOS platform. Radio Paradise, a listener-supported internet radio station known for its high quality audio streams, is now providing MQA-encoded audio on all four of its mix channels, utilising high-resolution 24-bit masters where available.

Lenbrook International, the owner and developer of the market-leading BluOS high-resolution multi-room platform, has announced that all BluOS devices will receive an update in April 2021 to enable Radio Paradise MQA as a native music streaming option. It will be included in all current and future BluOS Enabled devices from leading audio brands like Bluesound, NAD Electronics, DALI Loudspeakers, Monitor Audio, Roksan, Peachtree and PSB Speakers. The collaboration marks the first time an internet radio station will carry MQA-encoded content.

Screenshot of Radio Paradise’s RP Rock Mix in MQA

“As music lovers and audiophiles ourselves it was a revelation to hear the performance difference in music when encoded into MQA, even when only 16 bit/44 kHz masters are available,” explained Bill Goldsmith, long-time radio personality and founder of Radio Paradise. “It’s a unique opportunity for us to provide improved audio performance to our BluOS listeners who are very serious about their content quality. The team at BluOS has been 100% committed to delivering high-res audio direct to the listening room and has long supported our work at Radio Paradise. Our shared values for best-in-class audio make this collaboration a totally natural evolution.”

“Radio Paradise MQA is the perfect vehicle for the musical curation of Bill and the Radio Paradise team,” says Mike Jbara, CEO of MQA. “We are proud to play a part in helping showcase their talent and expertise alongside our long-time collaborators on the BluOS platform team. The world’s best sounding entertainment is what customers of BluOS have come to expect following their years of leadership and innovation In high-resolution audio.” 

“The BluOS ecosystem has the largest selection of MQA enabled players in the world,” states Gord Simmonds, President & CEO of The Lenbrook Group, the company developing the BluOS platform. “We wanted to offer our discerning customers something they cannot get anywhere else. Now our BluOS family of brands and their global customers have an exclusive 24/7 mix of MQA content at their fingertips. To partner with Bill and Radio Paradise and our MQA friends to offer this great sounding music to our customers, for whom high resolution audio and hifi are paramount, is an outstanding alignment of our shared visions.”

realme 8 Pro officially on sale from March 31st, available on Amazon UK and realme.com/uk. #realme8Pro #Tech

Following its official launch event last week, realme 8 Pro will officially go on sale in the UK on Wednesday March 31st, along with realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2.

The realme 8 Pro 8GB + 128GB, which features a 108MP sensor camera, worry-free battery life, and trendsetting design – weighing just 176g at a super slim 8.1mm – will be available to purchase on Amazon UK and realme.com/uk, priced at £279.

realme Watch S Pro, priced at £199, along with realme Buds Air 2, priced at £46.99, will also be available.

realme 8 Pro – The most affordable 108MP smartphone

realme 8 Pro features the brand’s first ever 108MP sensor camera, offering a maximum resolution of 12000×9000 for ultra-sharp photo quality. With In-Sensor Zoom,  a 3X zoomed photo captured with realme 8 Pro delivers better quality than some optical telephoto lenses in terms of sharpness. Trendsetting photography features like Starry Time-Lapse set realme 8 Pro apart from the competition, with Tilt-Shift Time-Lapse Video being a world-first for a smartphone.

50W SuperDart Charge means the realme 8 Pro’s 4500mAh battery can be charged from 0 to 100% in just 47 minutes. Super Power Saving Mode allows 5% of battery to last for 32 hours on standby, providing worry-free battery life. realme 8 Pro’s back features the texture of natural mineral crystal which provides a unique matte finish. The smartphone weighs only 176g and is a super slim 8.1mm, making it comfortable to hold in hand.

realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2

 

realme Watch S Pro is the brand’s first stainless steel watch, featuring a large  1.39  inch AMOLED touchscreen with advanced Always-On Display, 15 sports modes, 5 ATM water resistance, and GPS sensor.

realme Buds Air 2 support Active Noise Cancellation, noise reduction depth of 25dB, and can effectively reduce most low-frequency noise. They are ideal for all-day use, with up to 25-hour battery life, 10 mm Large Drive and only 88ms low latency mode.

The realme 8 Pro 8GB + 128GB is priced at £279, available on 31st March at realme.com/uk and Amazon UK, along with realme Watch S Pro and realme Buds Air 2.

Skullcandy is launching new tiny earbuds costing £29.99. #Skullcandy #Dime

Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in Stereo Headphones*1 and True Wireless Earbuds*2 under $100, announced today its all-new Dime True Wireless Earbuds. Priced at £29.99 MSRP, the latest solution outperforms other earbuds at the same price point, offering an affordable way to get into the true wireless game.  Dime grants users the freedom to live without wires, combining expertly tuned audio with a noise-isolating fit and must-have features, like a microphone in each bud. Available now at Skullcandy.co.uk and major retailers nationwide, Dime delivers a pocket-friendly, stylish form factor in a variety of colours that won’t break the bank.

Dime is an ideal, everyday audio companion that boasts up to 12 hours of battery life, freeing users from the hassle of snagging, yanking and tangling wires. When earbuds are removed from the charging case secured with a snap lid, the buds automatically turn on. Easy connection offers a simplified listening experience that’s perfect for those new to true wireless. Intuitive, touch-enabled media controls on the compact stick-style buds enable Dime users to effortlessly take calls, change tracks, adjust volume and activate native voice assistants like Google and Siri, all without ever reaching for their devices.

“Despite being the fastest-growing segment in stereo headphones, true wireless earbuds still account for less than half of the market,” said Jeff Hutchings, Skullcandy Chief Product Officer, referring to 2020 NPD Unit Share data. “Our all-new Dime True Wireless Earbuds are intent on changing that. Offering stellar sound and unmatched simplicity at a price that makes it possible to throw a pair in every bag, Dime breaks down all barriers formerly associated with true wireless.”

Dime was designed and engineered with a range of features to meet everyday lifestyle demands, including: 

• Up to 12 Hours of Battery Life – Listen longer with 3.5 hours of battery life in the earbuds and 8.5 hours in the charging case

• True Wireless via Bluetooth® 5.0

• Microphones in Each Bud – Use either bud solo without losing the ability to take calls

• Full Suite of Media Controls on the Buds – Take calls, change tracks, adjust volume controls and activate native device assistants (Google, Siri, etc.) without ever touching a phone

• Auto On/Connect – Enjoy automatic turn on and pairing with the last device used

• Noise-Isolating Fit – Experience supreme sound with expertly selected and tuned microphones and drivers

• IPX4 Sweat and Water Resistance – Go on an adventure without missing a beat

• Integrated Lanyard – Rely on secure portability that protects the charge case and buds from drops

• Micro-USB Charging Case with Snap Lid

Available in a range of colourways, Dime gives users the freedom to express themselves. Users can choose between four colourways including Dark Blue/Green, Light Grey/Blue, Dark Grey and True Black to show off their personality or style match individual looks.

Dime was built to keep up with an active lifestyle and is backed by Skullcandy’s Fearless Use Promise®. If a user happens to lose or break any of the components, they can purchase buds and cases separately from Skullcandy to replace them with ease.

For more information on Dime True Wireless Earbuds visit: www.Skullcandy.co.uk/dime-wireless-earbuds

*1. The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, based on US Stereo Headphone Dollar Share and Unit Share 12ME Dec. 2020. *2.The NPD Group / Retail Tracking Service, based on US True Wireless Earbuds Dollar Share and Unit Share 3ME Dec. 2020

Social Media Council will help Ireland Combat Online Disinformation, say Experts. #KeepItReal #Article19

ARTICLE 19, an international organisation that works to defend and promote freedom of expression and access to information throughout the world, concluded its #KeepItReal campaign with a virtual event exploring the impact of online disinformation on freedom of expression in Ireland.

The campaign started a conversation with young people in Ireland to ensure their voices are heard in debates around “fake news” and how decisions are made about what is allowed on social media.

Joined by young people from all over the country, expert speakers David Kaye, former UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Aoife Grace Moore, Political Correspondent at the Irish Examiner, Siobhan Cummiskey, Director of Public Policy, Campaigns and Programmes EMEA at Facebook, and Pierre François Docquir, Head of Media Freedom at ARTICLE 19 explored topics such as the role of government and social and traditional media’s responsibility to counter harmful disinformation while protecting free speech online.

ARTICLE 19 also spoke on the organisation’s proposal to establish a Social Media Council (SMC) in Ireland.

Inspired by the experience of press councils, this proposed self-regulatory mechanism would be the first initiative of its kind and would fit within the legal framework of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, currently under consideration. It will be a forum where measures to deal with disinformation and other problematic content can be discussed, fine-tuned, assessed or reviewed.

As the SMC is envisioned to enable broad participation from social media companies, media and civil society among others, it would also be used as a forum to elaborate a common understanding, not only about the types of content that should be moderated but also about the appropriate and realistic technical approaches to moderation. It would provide an appeals mechanism where users would have access to an independent, external body that can make decisions on disputes related to content moderation. The decisions would be based on international human rights law in order to preserve the right to freedom of expression and other fundamental rights.

Speaking on the need to protect freedom of expression, keynote speaker, former UN Special Rapporteur of Expression and ARTICLE 19 board Member David Kaye said: “Disinformation, when amplified at the scale possible on social media, threatens the public’s ability to sort fact from fiction. And yet government action to counter it, particularly but not only in authoritarian environments, threatens freedom of expression itself. We need to develop mechanisms to address this vast problem without undermining fundamental rights, and social media councils provide one innovative way to do so.”

“At the root of the Social Media Council is the idea that we don’t necessarily want government to be telling companies or individuals what is or is not appropriate speech. However, we do want transparency, because social media platforms are incredibly opaque, so we know very little about how they make content moderation decisions about what’s appropriate on their platforms. We want tools that allow for a public grievance… but also most importantly, providing a kind of civil society, human rights orientation to decision making around online content. This is the thrust behind Social Media Councils and the thrust behind public ownership behind these kinds of decisions and these kinds of questions around platforms. These are hard questions. They are in some respects some of the biggest, most important for our democracies in a digital age.”

Pierre François Docquir, Head of Media Freedom at ARTICLE 19, said : “To make informed decisions on any particular case of content moderation, a robust understanding of the local context is absolutely necessary : the language – the languages, even – the culture, the politics, the history… Social Media Councils at the national level provide a space where local voices can be heard in relation to content moderation decisions that impact them. SMCs also provide a space where all local stakeholders can collectively design balanced and flexible approaches to content moderation issues, such as disinformation.”

“Ireland has been the ideal place for this campaign, and we believe a Social Media Council would work very well here.  Not only does Ireland host the headquarters of social media companies in Europe and have a successful history of self-regulation with the likes of the ASAI and the Press Council, but it is also in the middle of a vibrant and ground-breaking debate on platform regulation and online safety with the current consideration of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill and the formation of the Media and Online Safety Commission. We believe the SMC could work well within the future regulatory framework in Ireland.”

“I was extremely pleased to see the interest of young people throughout the country during the span of this campaign. They have seen the recent, real world effects of disinformation first-hand with the false narratives around the pandemic and the vaccine continuing to threaten public health, so this really is an interesting and fascinating time. At ARTICLE 19, we’re very grateful for their involvement in the campaign, and we believe they deserve the opportunity to have a voice in the debates about content moderation. “

Pith & Stem launch DropTop. World’s first fully-integrated, plug-and-play, wall-mounted workstation.

Pith & Stem, Hertfordshire-based sustainable furniture makers, today launch DropTop.™: the world’s first fully-integrated, plug-and-play, wall-mounted workstation – marking one year since the UK first entered lockdown.

Beautifully designed using sustainable materials, DropTop.™ was created in response to three key ways in which our lives have changed since 23 March 2020:

  • We are spending more time than ever working from home
  • We are all relearning what it means to be productive
  • We are seeking a healthy work-life balance more than ever.

DropTop.™ is an easy-to-install, customisable workstation for productive, efficient and comfortable home-working. Comprising a pair of sleek, smart panels, it folds away easily and discretely at the end of the day. DropTop.™ looks to the future where hybrid working is the norm. It’s there when you need it, and out of sight when you don’t.

The unit is practical (ergonomically designed to promote healthy posture), strong (constructed using the toughest grade hardwood ply, with custom-made hinges), sustainable (made with FSC® certified birch plywood) and stylish (with customisable colours and finishes – you can even add your own favourite photos or artwork to the face).

Built with DisplayLink® technology, DropTop.™ is compatible across all major operating systems. It also features single cable USB charging connectivity and comes plug-and-play ready with energy rated A, flicker-free, LowBlue mode and full-HD monitors.

Sustainability sits at the heart of Pith & Stem. For every DropTop.™ sold, Pith & Stem plants ten trees through its partner Tree Nation – a global non-profit focused on afforestation, agroforestry and reforestation.

“Working from home comes with many environmental, social and economic benefits,” said Stefan Husanu, Pith & Stem CEO and DropTop.™ designer. “Nonetheless, many people have come to dislike it over the past year, even though it was once their dream! Factors behind this include it being uncomfortable, the lack of correct tools or workspace, and the inability to find that work-life balance. We can’t let these be an obstacle to something that has such a positive environmental impact, however. That’s why we created a home-working solution that fits every space and makes productivity fun, comfortable and stylish.”

Our world has fundamentally changed over the last twelve months in ways that are likely to long outlast the coronavirus pandemic, from hybrid working patterns to climate consciousness. DropTop.™ was built to match this changing world, becoming a future-fit, go-to solution for conscious citizens working at home.

Food and drink brands set to live-pitch to industry buyers at new event. #EnterpriseNation #Sodexo #FoodAndDrink

Food and drink businesses are being urged to brush-up on their pitching skills to be in with a chance to get their product stocked by leading food services provider Sodexo this Friday.

The Food Exchange Ireland, run by small business network and business support provider Enterprise Nation will see early stage Irish food and drink producers learn new skills including how to market and grow their business.

The day-long online event on Friday March 26 offers founders the opportunity to pick up useful retail industry contacts, learn social media and pitching tips before a live pitching session to a buyer from Sodexo on the main stage.

The event is supported by the Local Enterprise Office’s Food Committee and Enterprise Ireland’s Food High Potential Start-up Programme.

Tickets are here and brands can apply to pitch here.

Amazon hosts small Irish business bootcamp. #Amazon #AmazonBootcamp #IrishBiz

Amazon, Enterprise Ireland and Enterprise Nation announce the first ever Amazon Bootcamp Ireland, an online event on Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 April providing free training and guidance to help businesses increase their online sales and reach new customers, as part of the Amazon Small Business Accelerator, a programme to support more than 200,000 entrepreneurs across the UK and Ireland.

 The event will include practical sessions on how to sell products on the Amazon stores, scale operations, master social media, secure funding and more. Tickets are free but attendees must register in advance via this link.

Amazon Bootcamp Ireland has been created in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, Enterprise Nation, and the Local Enterprise Office. The virtual event will feature interviews, panel discussions and interactive presentation sessions with Amazon experts who will provide hands-on, practical advice of how to sell on Amazon, together with Irish industry leaders such as Pamela Laird, former contestant on The Apprentice, who is now a successful Amazon entrepreneur with her brand Moxi Loves.

The two-day event follows the successful Amazon Academy Ireland, which took place in November 2020, where hundreds of attendees learned how to grow revenues, enhance productivity and develop digital skills. More than 4,500 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have now joined Amazon Academy events across the UK and Ireland to scale their businesses.

 Amazon Bootcamp Ireland comes as recent research from Enterprise Ireland revealed that 9 in 10 Irish exporters to the UK see future opportunities in the UK market, with 4 in 5 businesses (83%) saying their strategy is to grow exports to the UK, topics which the bootcamp will cover. The event is part of the Amazon Small Business Accelerator, a major support package for 200,000 small businesses and start-ups which provides free online training and access to business advice, developed in partnership with Enterprise Nation, a leading small business support network.

“Amazon is proud to work with Enterprise Ireland to offer free training and advice to small and medium-sized businesses across Ireland which we hope will help them grow and prosper in 2021,” said Simon Donegan, Head of Seller Services, Amazon. “More than half of all products sold on Amazon stores come from independent selling partners, most of which are SMEs. We also have a long track record of supporting Irish entrepreneurs and small businesses, most recently with the Amazon Academy Ireland event. Many businesses have found their way through the crisis by providing goods and services online. Through this bootcamp we will be providing hundreds of offline and online businesses with the skills, tools and support they need to succeed in the digital world, to reach customers through Amazon or any other service.”

 “I believe Amazon offers a huge opportunity for small and medium sized businesses in Ireland to grow and I’m looking forward to taking part in the Bootcamp to help get more businesses online,” said Pamela Laird, founder of Moxi Loves. “By listing products on Amazon, SMEs have access and reach to an entirely new customer base. It can be costly to acquire a new customer online, especially if you are new to e-commerce, but Amazon provides a simple and cost-effective opportunity for your products to go global!”

Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland: “It’s great to partner with Amazon following our successful event for small businesses last year. Amazon Bootcamp Ireland will build on the strong foundations laid at the Amazon Academy, helping hundreds more companies to take their businesses online. I’m excited to welcome lots of new faces to our virtual event in April.” 

Padraic McElwee, Chair of the network of Local Enterprise Offices: “Selling online has become a key component for Irish small businesses and we saw the difference that made in 2020 when we approved over 13,000 Trading Online Vouchers as traditional businesses pivoted to online. As the Local Enterprise Offices are the first stop shop for start-ups and small businesses in Ireland, it is great to partner with Amazon on this event that will give small companies even greater resources and knowledge on how to build their online skills.”

Emma Jones CBE, Head of Enterprise Nation: “We’re looking forward to returning to Ireland with another fantastic Amazon event, with the aim of helping more small businesses to prepare for growth by embracing e-commerce. Attendees will get an understanding of how to get their businesses online from industry leading experts over the two-day event and we can’t wait to be a part of it.” 

Amazon’s fulfilment network supports millions of businesses of all sizes worldwide through its Fulfilment by Amazon offering, and many of those businesses are based in Ireland. There are hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), authors and developers in Ireland growing their companies and reaching new customers with Amazon products and services. Amazon offers a suite of services to help businesses export their products and services, including providing global delivery and distribution, managing customer services in the local language and translating hundreds of millions of product listings each year on behalf of smaller businesses.

 In 2020, Amazon announced it was creating another 1,000 permanent jobs in Ireland over the next two years. The new, highly skilled roles will be based in locations across the company’s Cork and Dublin sites in Blanchardstown, Tallaght, the city centre, and north County Dublin, and will bring Amazon’s total permanent workforce in the country to 5,000 people over the next two years. This will help to support Ireland’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

For over 16 years, Amazon has been investing and growing in Ireland. The company launched its first cloud infrastructure region outside of the US in Ireland in 2007, and since this time, has grown the number of staff, expanded its collaboration with colleges and universities, invested in skills programmes, and strengthened its relationships with local communities across the country. Amazon, through Amazon Web Services (AWS), maintains the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. Millions of customers – including the fastest-growing start-ups, largest enterprises, and leading government agencies – are using AWS to lower costs, become more agile, and innovate faster.

Sony Introduces Three New High-Performance 50mm 40mm and 24mm G Lenses to Full-Frame Lens Series. #Sony

Sony today announced three outstanding G Lenses to its impressive E-mount line-up – the FE 50mm F2.5 G (model SEL50F25G), FE 40mm F2.5 G (model SEL40F25G) and FE 24mm F2.8 G (model SEL24F28G) All three lenses deliver high image quality and beautiful bokeh in a lightweight and compact design, perfect for photographers and videographers alike who strive for standout shots and easy mobility. When paired with a Sony full-frame camera or APS-C, all three lenses boast high resolution, intuitive operability and fast, precise and quiet autofocus capabilities. The lenses have been introduced as the perfect set for photo and video for a wide range of uses including snap shooting, portraiture and landscape shots.

“At Sony we are constantly innovating to produce the tools that creators need to capture the beauty of this world” said Yann Salmon Legagneur, Director of Product Marketing, Digital Imaging, Sony Europe. “With superb resolution and mesmerising bokeh, all housed in a compact and sophisticated design, the FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G enable users to experience the joy of owning lenses that capture different perspectives of the same scene”.

These three prime lenses each deliver a focal length for any shoot with the 50mm best for portraits, the 40mm optimal for still or movie snap shooting, and the 24mm ideal for landscapes. With their intuitive operability and superb build quality they are a fantastic set of three.

What’s more, the three lenses are all the same size (68mm diameter x 45mm), all have the same filter diameter (49mm) and are almost all the same weight (FE 50mm F2.5 G 174g, FE 40mm F2.5 G 173g and FE 24mm F2.8 G 162g) and internal focus so lens interchange is easy – even when using a gimbal. They feature the same stylish exterior design, but focal lengths are clearly marked for quick switches.

High resolution in a compact design

The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G deliver the high image quality of a G Lens, whilst being compact and lightweight. The image quality is achieved by state-of-the-art optics using aspherical elements and ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements[i], delivering high resolution and suppressing colour fringing. The aspherical elements ensure high resolution performance in every corner of the image, even from the widest aperture with shallow depth of field. Enjoy shooting in high resolution using a compact design.

The stunning bokeh of the G lens is achieved with the optimisation of a circular aperture and is delivered at the widest point of each lens (F2.5 at 50mm, F2.5 at 40mm and the F2.8 at 24mm).

All three lenses were carefully designed for optimum mobility and are compact and lightweight enough to suit any location. Whether shooting with a full-frame or APS-C body for portraiture, landscape, snap shots or movies with a gimbal and more, the size and weight are balanced perfectly. Experience the benefits of interchanging lenses to suit any scene or subject.

Focus distances

As well as the 50mm angle of view being perfect for portraits and snap shooting stills or movies, the FE 50mm F2.5 G has a minimum focus distance of 0.35m (AF) / 0.31m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.18x (AF) / 0.21x (MF), meaning it’s ideal for a variety of scenes and objects.

The FE 40mm F2.5 G 40mm angle of view is ideal for snap shooting stills or movies with a minimum focus distance of 0.28m (AF) / 0.25m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.20x (AF) / 0.23x (MF). Particularly for movie shooting, 40mm is the preferred angle of view as it corresponds to the natural field of vision and for stills, 40mm allows subjects to stand out against backgrounds.

With a wide 24mm angle of view, the FE 24mm F2.8 G lens is perfect in situations where the background is included, such as gimbal or selfie shooting with a grip attached. And with a minimum focus distance of 0.24m (AF) / 0.18m (MF) and maximum magnification of 0.13x (AF) / 0.19x (MF), you can also shoot close-ups with a blurred background.

High operability and reliability

Despite their compact size, the lenses feature a focus hold button, focus mode switch, aperture ring, and Aperture click switch for ideal operability. The focus hold button is customisable from the camera menu and can be assigned a function that the user prefers. The aperture ring provides a more intuitive and direct feel, compared to operating the aperture from the camera body when shooting either stills or movies. The aperture also provides switchable click stops that can be turned off for movie shooting using the aperture click switch. Furthermore, with Linear Response MF, the focus ring responds precisely and linearly when focusing manually so control feels immediate and intuitive, directly reflecting the intent of the photographer and allowing delicate focus adjustments.

The aluminium exterior and engraved Sony logo ensure a premium, sophisticated finish as well as increased strength and durability. Conveniently, the diameter of the filter threads on the hood and the lens barrel are equal[ii] (49mm), allowing the same cap and filter to be attached to both the hood and the lens barrel. The lenses are also designed to be dust and moisture resistant[iii] to ensure usability in any outdoor environment.

Fast, precise and quiet autofocus

The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G feature two linear motors to deliver fast, precise autofocus (AF) with excellent tracking performance which is maintained despite instantaneous changes in subject motion – making the lens ideal snapping moving subjects. The AF is also quiet, so works for both still and movie shooting.

Pricing

The FE 50mm F2.5 G, FE 40mm F2.5 G and FE 24mm F2.8 G lenses will be available in April 2021 at a variety of Sony’s authorised dealers, for an estimated retail price of £630 and €700 each.

For detailed product information on the three lenses, please visit:

A variety of exclusive stories, videos and exciting new content shot with the newest cameras and other Sony products can be found here. Sony’s European photography hub is available in 22 languages and details product news, competitions and an up-to-date list of Sony events in each country.