Sony got into full-frame cameras in a big way with last year's A99 and seemingly physics-defying RX1, and the company may be gearing up to apply the same formula to its mirrorless E-mount line. According to multiple sources that have spoken to Sony Alpha Rumors, we'll see three full-frame shooters in the next five months — two in the NEX range, and one DSLR-style E-mount camera in the vein of the new A3000. At least one model is said to be planned for release before the end of the year.

Current E-mount lenses are designed for smaller APS-C image sensors as seen in the NEX-6 body pictured above, so although the full-frame cameras are said to use the same physical mount, new lenses will be required to take advantage of the larger sensor. According to Sony Alpha Rumors, the first optics available will include 35mm f/2.8 and 55mm f/1.8 prime lenses from Carl Zeiss, along with two "high quality" zooms.

No company to date, with the arguable exception of Leica and its expensive, old-school digital rangefinders, has produced a full-frame mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. If Sony were to produce a modern system while keeping the size and price down, it would be in keeping with the company's growing reputation for photographic innovation. This week it introduced the QX Smart Lens series, a pair of wireless camera lenses that can attach to smartphones.