Sony’s three-tiered “My Sony Rewards” loyalty program is set to engage Sony Store customers even more than before, with rewards like pre-sale invites, redemption system, birthday discounts, exclusive parties and more.
With the goal of elevating consumer interaction and rewards, Sony Malaysia has unveiled My Sony Rewards, an upgraded loyalty programme. This updated programme, which now has three tiers and more incentives, aims to provide Sony fans more value, more experiences, and more advantages.
My Sony Rewards will give Sony members points for purchases made at the online and physical Sony Stores (excluding e-commerce marketplaces). Members can redeem these Sony points to offset eligible Sony Store purchases or redeem e-vouchers of their favourite lifestyle brands. When members register their product through My Sony Rewards, they may also be eligible for an extended warranty. This allows consumers to unlock exclusive benefits, making their journey with Sony even more rewarding.
“We are grateful for our highly engaged fanbase in Malaysia and how they have been active supporters of our brand. We’ve developed a plan that rewards Sony Store customers so that we can continue to inspire creativity and spark curiosity with the community. We also hope that through this program, we will be able to continuously engage our customers at different stages of their journey with us and provide exceptional products and experiences for them,” said Mr Kazutoyo Araki, Managing Director of Sony (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
What’s New in Sony’s Revamped Loyalty Program?
While the current loyalty program offers benefits like extended warranty, birthday vouchers, and event invites, the enhanced loyalty program is set to help members unlock rewards at every turn.
These include:
New Member Voucher: To celebrate the launch of the enhanced loyalty program, new members will enjoy a RM30 discount with a minimum spending of RM300. This promotion is valid till the end of February 2024.
Earn Points for Every Purchase: With Sony’s loyalty program, earning rewards is easier than ever. Members will receive 1 point for every RM1 spent, making it simple to accumulate points towards exciting rewards.
Birthday Voucher: Sony knows how to celebrate special occasions! Members will receive a birthday voucher, valid for two months, offering an RM50 discount on a minimum spend of RM200, making birthdays even more special with Sony.
Gain Points from Completing Your Profile and Opt-In for Marketing Updates: By completing their profiles and opting in for marketing updates, members can supercharge their points accumulation. Sony will reward this engagement with 200 points, ensuring that members are well on their way to enjoying exclusive benefits.
Complete a Survey and Earn 200 Points: Sony values member feedback and wants to hear their opinions. By participating in surveys, members will earn 200 points, making sure that their voices are heard and appreciated.
Attend Workshops and Gain Ad-Hoc Vouchers: Sony’s commitment to enriching the fan experience goes beyond transactions. Members who participate in Sony workshops will have the opportunity to gain ad-hoc vouchers, fostering a sense of community and growth.
How to Earn Points
Joining the program is easy – Sony users can sign up on the Sony Malaysia website (https://mysony.sony-asia.com/my/home/mysonyrewards). Members start earning points from the very first purchase thereafter – all they need to do is verify their email address, and their My Sony Rewards account is activated, and they can begin earning Sony points.
Earning points is straightforward:
Make Purchases: Every RM1 spent earns 1 point.
Complete Your Profile and Opt-In for Marketing Updates: Earn 200 points.
Participate in Surveys: Earn 200 points.
Attend Workshops: Gain ad-hoc vouchers for enriching experiences.
About My Sony Membership Tiers
Sony’s loyalty program introduces three distinctive membership tiers to cater to different levels of engagement:
Club Tier: For those who have just embarked on their Sony journey, Club Tier offers a solid foundation. Members at this level will earn 1 point for every RM1 spent. To qualify for Club Tier, members need to accumulate between 1 and 3,100 points. Club Tier members will be eligible to receive welcome and birthday vouchers, along with pre-sale invitations.
Elite Tier: Elite Tier members enjoy a boost in rewards with 1.5x points for every RM1spent, making their loyalty even more rewarding. To reach Elite Tier, members must accumulate between 3,101 and 16,100 points. Elite Tier members will be eligible to receive welcome and birthday vouchers, along with pre-sale invitations.
Platinum Tier: Members in the Platinum Tier enjoy the ultimate reward with double the points, earning 2x points for every RM1 spent. It’s an invitation to an extraordinary level of loyalty, promising an unparalleled experience that reflects Sony’s deepest appreciation for their steadfast support. To attain Platinum Tier status, members must accumulate a total of 16,101 points.
This revamped loyalty program not only elevates the Sony experience but also brings fans closer to their passion for entertainment and technology. Sony cordially invites all fans to embark on this exciting journey.
New In-Camera Signature Solution Attaches Digital Certificate to Photos at the Point of Capture to Certify Legitimacy
Sony Electronics today announced the conclusion of a second round of testing for Sony’s in-camera authenticity technology with Associated Press. This in-camera digital signature enables for the construction of a birth certificate for photos, authenticating the content’s origin.
Sony’s authenticity technology provides a machine-based digital signature, removing the opportunity for undetected manipulation at the start. The digital signature is made inside the camera at the moment of capture in the hardware chipset. This security feature is aimed at professionals wanting to safeguard the authenticity of their content and provides an extra layer of security to aid news agencies in their fight against falsified imagery.
“While the rapid evolution of generative AI (Artificial Intelligence) brings new possibilities for creative expression, it has also led to growing concern about the impact of altered or manipulated imagery in journalism,” says Neal Manowitz, President and COO of Sony Electronics. “The dissemination of false information and images has real world social impact that brings harm not only to our photojournalist and news agency partners, but to society as a whole. We care deeply about this challenge and are committed to using our resources to help solve it. Through Sony’s work on the steering committee for C2PA (Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity), we have helped set the current industry standard for the tracking of editing and manipulation of imagery. Additionally, our in-camera authenticity technology has shown valuable results, and we will continue to push its development towards a wider release.”
“Fake and manipulated images are a major concern for news organizations. Not only do they contribute to mis- and disinformation but ultimately, they erode the public’s trust in factual, accurate imagery,” said David Ake, AP Director of Photography. “We are proud to be working alongside Sony Electronics to create an authentication solution that can help combat this problem.”
Sony and AP’s most recent field test was completed during October of 2023. In this month-long test, both capture authentication and workflow process were evaluated. To accomplish this, Sony partnered with Camera Bits – the company behind the industry standard workflow tool, Photo Mechanic. Alongside Sony and AP, Camera Bits created technology in Photo Mechanic that preserves the camera’s digital signature all the way through the metadata editing process.
“We appreciate the significant challenge that manipulated imagery poses for our partners, and we are highly motivated to play a role in helping solve it,” says Dennis Walker, President and Founder of Camera Bits. “Photo Mechanic has been used by the photojournalism industry for 25 years and continues to evolve as the industry introduces new technology. We are committed to ensuring Photo Mechanic remains a trusted and authentic workflow solution.”
Sony’s new in-camera signature and C2PA authentication is planned for release in a firmware update in the newly announced Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1, and Alpha 7S III in the Spring of 2024.
Capture dynamic moments such as sports scenes with high agility and supreme image quality
Sony is happy to announce the launching of the world’s lightest 300 mm telephoto prime lens G MasterTM FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS, as well as a 35 mm full-frame αTM (AlphaTM) E-mount lens (product name SEL300F28GM) with a maximum aperture of F2.8.
This lens offers the supreme detailing which is the hallmark of G master as well as high-speed, high-precision AF (autofocus) performance. In addition, the lightweight design of approximately 1470g (excluding tripod mount) and excellent weight balance allows you to capture sharp, dynamic and decisive moments such as those of fast-moving sports or agile animals with handheld shooting. Paired with the Alpha 9 III that is simultaneously announced, high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking up to 120 frames per second is possible. Even subjects with complex and diversified movements can be tracked with high precision. It is an ideal match for lightweight camera bodies by reducing the load on the photographer, minimising fatigue during long handheld shooting sessions. It is also compatible with an optional teleconverter, allowing you to shoot in the telephoto range of up to 600 mm (equivalent to 900 mm when using with an APS-C camera).
Lightweight and ideally balanced telephoto 300mm F2.8Main featuresG Master telephoto lens that captures decisive moments with high resolution and beautiful bokeh
Incorporating Sony’s cutting-edge technology, the G Master’s high-resolution performance and beautiful bokeh make the subject stand out clearly and precise AF captures decisive moments such as sports, news reports, events, and wildlife photography. An innovative optical design that includes three Super ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements and one ED glass element is effectively placed to suppress chromatic aberration and achieve high resolution and contrast across the entire frame. Outstanding resolution and contrast are maintained right out to the image edges, which also allows for more flexible cropping and editing.
Breathtaking G Master resolution
Gorgeous, creamy bokeh that is a hallmark of G Master design ideally complements the lens’s 300 mm focal length and F2.8 maximum aperture, allowing the use of narrow depth of field to make subjects stand out from the background. Each lens is individually calibrated during manufacture to optimise bokeh quality. An 11-blade circular aperture mechanism contributes to smooth ball bokeh.
Beautiful bokeh brings subjects to the foreHigh-performance AF that captures dynamic moments and high-speed continuous shooting with AE/AF tracking up to 120 frames per second2
The combination of two latest XD (extreme dynamic) Linear Motors and control algorithms provides high-speed, high-precision, and low-vibration AF performance. When combined with the simultaneously announced Alpha 9 III, it enables high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to 120 frames per second. This allows you to capture dynamic subjects without missing a moment’s opportunity, even when shooting scenes where the subject moves quickly, such as sports or animals, or scenes where the subject moves erratically, such as at events. In addition, high AF performance is demonstrated even when the separately sold teleconverter3 is attached.
Fast, precise AF is also quiet and low in vibrationHigh-speed continuous shooting with fast, precise AF/AEHigh AF tracking performance with 1.4x and 2.0x teleconvertersExceptional mobility and comfortable operability that support professionals in the field
Extensive weight reduction measures make FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS the lightest in its class1, at approximately 1470g (excluding tripod mount) and has been designed with consideration to weight balance. The internal lens barrel uses durable magnesium alloy to achieve both high robustness and light weight. The weight is not concentrated at the front of the lens barrel, making it highly stable and allows for agile and accurate panning while handheld shooting. In addition, MODE3, which provides enhanced viewfinder stability and optimises the image stabilisation algorithm, allows you to accurately capture dynamic scenes.
The lightest in its class2 at 1 470 grams (51.9 oz.)3Built-in Optical SteadyShot
In addition, when using with the Alpha 9 III, you can assign “preset focus” to the function ring that allows you to instantly adjust the focus to any position. Furthermore, the camera features comfortable operability that supports professional shooting, including focus hold buttons placed in four locations that allow you to assign your favorite functions from the camera body.
Function RingAvailability
The new FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS will be available in Malaysia from Q1 2024 (calendar year).
A product video on the new FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS can be viewed here (https://youtu.be/DHuPeArd43I).
A video message from a world-renowned sports photographer can be viewed here (https://youtu.be/lev4VsavT60).
Next Generation Alpha 9 III captures all decisive moments with up to 120 frames per second high-speed shooting, distortion-free and blackout-free images, flash sync at all shooting speeds and much, much more
Sony today unveiled the ground-breaking new Alpha 9 III camera, which has the world’s first1 full-frame global shutter picture sensor.
The impressive new global shutter full-frame image sensor enables the camera to shoot at burst speeds at up to 120 fps with no distortion or camera blackout. By combining this innovative sensor with Sony’s most advanced AF system to date – boasting AI autofocus with up to 120 times AF/AE focus calculations per second – as well as the ability to sync flash at all shooting speeds, the Alpha 9 III opens up a new world of possibilities for professional photographers to capture that decisive moment.
Up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
Features of the Alpha 9 III
A new dimension of still image performance created by the world’s first1 global shutter image sensor
The new Alpha 9 III is equipped with a newly developed world’s first1 global shutter full frame stacked CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.6 effective megapixels and built-in memory, combined with the latest image processing engine BIONZ XR®. It achieves blackout-free Continuous Shooting Speed with AF/AE tracking of up to approximately 120 frames per second4. The new Alpha 9 III is equipped with high-density focal plane phase detection AF. A Designated AI processing unit uses Real-time Recognition AF (autofocus) to recognise a wide variety of subjects with high precision. By combining high-speed performance of up to 120 frames per second with highly accurate subject recognition performance, it is possible to easily photograph decisive scenes and moments that cannot be captured with the naked eye4. The AI processing unit in the Alpha 9 III supports movies as well as stills with accurate subject form and movement recognition, providing a significant improvement in human eye recognition performance with Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking automatically recognising, tracking, and focusing on the eyes of a specified subject. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with 8.0 stops of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, allowing for high-quality image rendering.
Newly developed full-frame stacked 24.6 MP Exmor RS™ image sensor with global shutter
BIONZ XR image processing engine
Blackout-free shooting
Wide, fast, precise autofocus and tracking
Continuous Shooting Speed Boost
Reliable recognition of a wider range of subjects
Human pose estimation using a skeleton-based model
Advanced optical 5-axis image stabilisation
Shutter speed is freed from the limitations of conventional mechanical shutter image sensors and achieves a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second (1/16000 second during continuous shooting), making it possible to capture at high speed without any distortion. When a compatible Sony flash is attached, such as the HVL-F60RM2 and HVL-F46RM (sold separately), it is possible to synchronise the flash and take pictures at all shutter speeds up to 1/80000 second8. Previously, if the user released the shutter at a speed faster than the flash’s synchronisation speed, the amount of light would drop sharply, but with the full-speed flash synchronisation function, it’s now possible to photograph scenes that could not be easily captured with conventional technology. Also, when shooting stills or movies under LED lighting, the Hi Frequency Flicker function can significantly reduce high-frequency flicker problems by allowing the shutter speed to be finely adjusted to match the flicker frequency while viewing the monitor.
Ultra-fast 1/8000013 second shutter speed
Flash sync at all shutter speeds
The Alpha 9 III features selectable release lag modes which allows the user to prioritise release lag or viewfinder/monitor display. The newly installed Pre-Capture function allows the user to go back up to 1 second and record the moment before pressing the shutter, a Continuous Shooting Speed Boost change during shooting, and enhanced burst stamina ensures that important moments are reliably captured due to a large buffer memory and increased overall system speed allow up to approximately 390 Fine JPEG images to be captured in one continuous 30 fps burst.
Capture essential moments with innovative high-speed burst support
Customisable focus areas have been expanded to include from XS to XL instead of the previous S, M, and L sizes. The Preset Focus/Zoom function allows preset focus and zoom settings to be memorised in the camera for quick recall when needed. In addition to the existing custom white balance frame size, the user can now select other sizes as needed which allows for fine white balance adjustment after an image has been composed. The Alpha 9 III has upgraded features such as the latest AF algorithms to achieve high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV-5 in AF-S mode (ISO 100 equivalent, F2.0 lens), AF tracking for continuous shooting at F22 and a composite RAW shooting function that gives the ability to combine multiple consecutive images into a high-quality composite.
Breathing compensation for consistent angle of view when focusing
Dynamic active Mode stabilisation
Composite RAW Shooting reduces noise
Advanced video performance without distortion
The global shutter image sensor provides distortion-free image expression for videos as well as still images. For example, the user can shoot images of nearby scenery from a fast-moving vehicle such as a car or fast-moving subjects with ease. This camera is the first in the Alpha™ series to be able to record 4K 120p high-frame-rate video without cropping, allowing the user to shoot at the angle of view intended. It is also possible to shoot high-resolution 4K 60p videos with 6K oversampling.
Advanced image sensor with global shutter system for distortion-free movies
4K 120p without cropping for the first time in an Alpha body
The Alpha 9 III has the image creation process S-Cinetone™, created through the development of the VENICE digital cinema camera for video production, making human skin and subjects stand out beautifully, creating natural highlights. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with the latest video performance including rich gradation performance and S-Log3, and when in Log shooting mode, it can reflect and display the user’s favorite imported LUT. Alpha 9 III is compatible with the mobile app “Monitor & Control” for video creators.
S-Cinetone™ for a cinematic look
Operability and reliability for professionals
Sony has listened to the voices of professional photographers and created operability and reliability that supports professional image makers. The shape of the grip is improved and ergonomically designed so that it can be easily held in the palm of the user’s hand to avoid straining the user even when wearing a telephoto lens or using it for long periods of time.
Ergonomic grip design enhances operability while reducing fatigue
The VG-C5 vertical grip (sold separately), provides the same operability and versatility as when shooting horizontally; the user can comfortably support long shooting sessions. The grip and shutter button area share the same design as the main body, allowing image capture without feeling uncomfortable, with the same operability as the camera. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with a 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor that can be operated by touch, allowing for intuitive operation using the latest touch menu. The electronic viewfinder uses a 9.44 million-dot Quad XGA OLED and achieves high visibility with the same brightness as the α7R V and a magnification of approximately 0.90x. Also, a custom button is placed on the front of the camera, and the continuous shooting speed can be changed by operating the custom button assigned with Continuous Shooting Speed Boost with the finger holding the grip, allowing for highly immediate operations. It supports professional photographers when shooting in all environments.
Optional VG-C5 Vertical Grip
Sony’s original 4-axis mechanism for enhanced shooting flexibility
Excellent viewfinder specs and performance
New front custom button provides greater flexibility
High-speed workflow and scalability to support immediate delivery
New features for the Alpha 9 III include a playback image filter that allows the user to efficiently select a large number of images using high-speed continuous shooting, and a function menu that can be used even during image playback, strongly supporting professional workflows from shooting to delivery.
Playback Filter Condition
A function menu can now be used during playback so the user can efficiently select a huge number of images using high-speed continuous shooting. The “Playback Function Menu” can be assigned in advance, so the user can perform protection, smartphone transfer, FTP transfer, etc. during image playback. The user can select images narrowed down with a playback filter and play them from the function menu, allowing for quick delivery of specific images. The camera is equipped with a dedicated microphone for voice memos on the back, and the built-in microphone located near the mouth allows clear recording of audio even in noisy environments. The recorded audio data can be transferred via FTP along with the images. The camera allows the user to set up to 20 presets from the International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC), an international consultative body in which news organisations from various countries participate.
Improved group display
Fn Menu Settings
The Alpha 9 III can transfer data up to twice as fast as the Alpha 9 II. 5 GHz communication offers maximum speed and stability for news and sports shooters who need to deliver immediately via FTP, as well as for studio environments. The Alpha 9 III allows stills and movies to be recorded to memory media in numerous ways including the two media slots that support CFexpress Type A cards as well as UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards.
Built-in Wi-Fi for FTP and smartphone transfers plus PC Remote tethering
Two CFexpress Type A compatible media slots
It is compatible with the professional mobile application “Transfer & Tagging” which speeds up the image delivery workflow, and the application “Remote Camera Tool” which allows remote shooting of PCs using wired LAN.
Remote Camera Tool
In addition, the Alpha 9 III is scheduled to support functional enhancements such as FTP operability, relay playback, and C2PAformat support through a camera software update.
Sony will continue to expand functions such as breathing correction, relay playback, and C2PA format support for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III in the future17 to meet the needs of professionals along with the Alpha 9 III.
Availability
The Alpha 9 III camera will be available in Malaysia from Q1 2024 (calendar year).
The VG-C5 vertical grip will be available in Malaysia from Q1 2024 (calendar year).
The XAV-AX8500 provides customisable and accessible features for the optimal viewing and enhances audio performance.
The XAV-AX8500 is the latest addition to Sony’s series of automobile AV receivers. The XAV-AX8500 provides a customized experience to meet the user’s personal visual and audio experience, while maintaining industry-leading quality. This new model offers a big HD screen with a unique tilt and swivel mechanism, as well as several customizable capabilities for improved visual and audio performance.
Key Features of XAV-AX8500
10.1-inch HD1280x720 Gapless Anti-glare Capacitive Touchscreen: With a 10.1″ high-definition LCD panel and optically gapless design, it boasts the best-in-class picture quality, while assuring safer and easier operation than ever. The LCD is bonded directly to the protective glass touch layer with a transparent adhesive which realises an extremely precise touch experience.
HD Graphical User Interface: The 1280 x 720 HD touchscreen offers an enhanced user interface for safety and ease of use. It features a clean design with customisable icon positioning and wallpaper to suit your vehicle and style.
High-definition capacitive touchscreen
Anti-glare design: The internal anti-glare filter hugely improves touchscreen visibility by reducing sunlight reflections, ensuring easier and safer driving.
Gapless Anti-glare Display LEFT: Display device with no anti-glare filter. RIGHT: Display device with anti-glare filter.
HDMI Connectivity (Micro-HDMI): HDMI connectivity allows for hooking up an external audio and visual source device, for viewing while parked.
HDMI Input
Easily Adjustable Tilt & Swivel for Every Journey: The newly designed tilt and swivel mechanism let the driver manually adjust the oversized display’s viewing angles. Its screw-less structure offers a range of ±15 degrees, both horizontally and vertically with no tools required. This not only allows for altering the angle to the preferred seating position, but also avoiding things such as direct sunlight reflection, or even for sharing the navigation screen with your passengers.
Customisable viewing angle for every journeyLEFT: With no tilt and swivel function. RIGHT: With tilt and swivel function.How it worksInstallation
Additional Features
Quick Wake Up: With Sony’s Quick Wake Up feature, drivers are ready to go right after turning on the ignition.
Ready to go
Wireless Smartphone Connection: Wi-Fi connection from the user’s smartphone, together with the supplied GPS antenna, provides wireless connection to Apple CarPlay®, as well as Android Auto™ compatibility.
3-camera trigger inputs: In addition to the regular rear-view camera connectivity, by utilizing the supplied trigger wires, drivers can see the images of up to three connected cameras with each camera image switched on and off, or from one to another automatically by detecting the vehicle’s turn signals or sensing compatible signals such as that from a connected front camera.
3-camera trigger inputs
USB Type-C® Compatible: USB Type-C®(Hi-speed) compatible reversible connection interface ensures safe and easy plug in, while it can carry 5V 3.0A maximum current for updated smartphone connectivity.
Sound Customisation: The built-in DSP offers sound processing and time alignment – down to a remarkable 1cm for each of the five addressable channels (four speakers + subwoofer via pre-out). A 14-band EQ enables adjustment on the overall sound to customers’ music or taste.
LDAC for Exceptional Sound Quality: Connect compatible devices to stream audio at 96 kHz / 24-bit sampling with bitrates up to 3x higher (990 kbps) than conventional Bluetooth®.
Enhanced wireless audio streaming with LDAC
High Voltage Pre-out (5V): In general, head units deliver 2-volt audio signal, meanwhile Sony’s head unit with high voltage pre-out gives 5-volt signal, which realises clearer sound with less distortion when the head unit is used connecting to power amplifier.
FLAC Audio File Compatible: Plays back FLAC files with up to 24-bit depth and sampling frequency at 384 kHz.
Gold-plated 3-preout Terminals for Your Future System: The 3-pre out connectivity allows customers to build a full acoustic system, a mono amplifier and 4-channel amplifier.
Simple Button Controls with Improved Ergonomic Design: The new button design features large keys to seamlessly fit with the sleek display.
Safer, easier operation
Customisable Wallpaper: Allows changing its wallpaper to the preset colour choices or user’s favourite JPEG image saved in a USB device.
HD Graphical User Interface
Single-DIN chassis for flexible installation: The main unit is packed in a single-DIN chassis for flexible installation in both single and double-DIN dashboards, while still leaving plenty of room for cables and harnesses when installed in double-DIN vehicles.
Single-DIN chassis for your flexible installation
Environment in Mind:
Sony’s products are not only designed to be stylish but also with the environment in mind. For the individual packaging of the XAV-AX8500, 90% of the cushions are made of paper materials, and compared to the prior model, printed information has been carefully considered for simplicity and length to reduce printer ink usage by approximately 80%, reflecting Sony’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.
Pricing and Availability:
The XAV-AX8500 will be available in Malaysia from January 2024.
