Sony has registered a new product with an overseas certification body, raising the prospect that a BIONZ XR2-equipped model could be introduced before the end of the year. The certification information confirms support for Wi-Fi 6/6E and manufacture in Japan, suggesting that the product is an upper-tier digital camera.
Sony is reported to have registered a device believed to be a new product with an overseas certification body, and the certification information has been confirmed to relate to a Sony product. Devices receiving certification must meet radio law compliance requirements, and products that have been registered are generally expected to be launched.
The certification information shows that the device features Wi-Fi in the 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz bands, as well as Bluetooth. The reference to 1024QAM as the modulation method suggests support for Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E, indicating high performance in terms of connectivity.
The camera is highly likely to use the BIONZ XR2 or a later image processor and is expected to be positioned as an upper-tier digital camera. Together with the indication that it is manufactured in Japan, this suggests a product in the same class as the α1 II, α7 V, α7R VI, α9 III, α7S III and FX3.
There is no consensus on whether the product will be announced before the end of the year. Based on the date of the certification information and Sony's past announcement patterns, some observers believe that an announcement before year-end remains possible, albeit only just. Attention continues to focus on the possibility of a new product announcement at the end of the year, given Sony's history of launching new products during that period.