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It’s probably the hottest combination of the moment. The Sony NEX-7 with the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens. But how is the real image quality? Thanks to Rob Skeoch we can analyze the very first full size image samples on Flickr (Click here). And on his blog ThePictureDesk he writes: “I think this lens will be very worthy of the name. It’s sharp, has great contrast and great flare control. Both the lens and camera are pre-production. I’m not sure how useful this posting is, since they are early versions and the photos are kinda lousy…. and I mean user error or what is often called poor photography. LOL.”

Preorder the NEX-7 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay (Some stores may are not accepting preorders now).
Preorder the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay (Some stores may are not accepting preorders now).

At first look the Sony 30mm macro lens for NEX doesn’t look like it could become a hotseller. It’s way to big and to slow for me. But it’s a very cheap lens. And there is one more good news. The Japanese website DC.watch (Click here) posted a couple of full size image samples taken with the NEX-C3 and the macro lens. And when looking at those images I can say that image look very good! Click on the thumbnails below where I linked some of the images made by DC.watch.

P.S.: The lens will be available in Japan from September 22. We Europeans and Americans will have to wait a bit more to get our hands on that lens (mid October).

You can preorder the lens and check the availability date by clicking those direct search links. 30mm macro at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.

With exactly 400 comments (at the time of wirting) the Sony full frame suggestion article has become the most commented article ever on SAR! Click here to read them all: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/we-need-your-suggestions-for-the-next-sony-fullframe-cameras/

Today I will sum all your suggestions and next week I will start the official poll where you will be able to vote the best new (dream) features of the future Sony cameras. Of course the poll will have zero influence on the new FF products coming in 2012. But I am sure Sony will take notice of the voting results!

One more news: From September 16 to September 26 I will travelling for work. I should have Internet almost every day but please be patient if I don’t answer your emails.

Will Vazquez tested the NEX-5n video quality (see video on top) and discovered that: “after about 10 minutes of recording, the camera said it was overheating and turned itself off. I turned it back on after a few seconds and it seemed fine. It wasn’t that hot, a typical 85 degree (Fahrenheit) night in the Summer. Maybe it was the humidity.”

StevHuff (Click here) made a “Crazy Comparison” between the new Sony NEX-5n and the epxensive Leica M9 Image Quality: “So, can the 5n be called the poor mans Leica M9? In my opinion NO, because it is a totally different kind of camera. The M9 is a rangefinder and you shoot with it in a totally different style. So the NEX-5n will never give you the RF experience. The NEX-7 will bring y ou a step closer with a slightly larger body, more dials for manual controls, built in EVF, etc and in fact, The NEX-7 will be a game changer, mark my words!”

Here are more short NEX-5n news:
Image samples of the NEX-5n with Zeiss and Leica lenses on Flickr.
Japanese manufacturer acquapazza wil release an underwater housing for the 5n in november 2011. See http://www.acquapazza.jp/backnumber/news/286.php
Our japanese readers can read and see a NEX-5n versus NEX-5 comparison at ctec3.blog.so-net.ne.jp.
Another 5n user report at Dpreview forum.

P.S.: Tomorrow I will receive my new NEX-5n. Uhhh, my heart is beating…you hear it?

Today the NEX-5n is back in Stock at Amazon US (Click here) and for the first time at BHphoto (Click here). And below you can find all the NEX preorder links:
NEX-7: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
NEX-5n: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
50mm f/1.8: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
55-210mm: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay

UPDATE: Many readers contacted me to say that the estimate ship date is showing wrong data. The screenshot above shows the NEX-7 preorder at Sonystore US with the shipping date for the NEX-7 being September 13 2011 (LOL!). In fact the date is NOT the shipping date. Many readers contacted me to show me Sony’s mistake. I hope Sony is reading the news and will soon fix the issue.

P.S.: I got similar messages from other people that ordered the NEX-7 or A77 at Sonystore US (Click here) and Sonystore UK (Click here).

The official Sony stores still do say the NEX-7 will be shipped from November and the A77 from October (in EU and US countries). Check:
Sony A77 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony NEX-7 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.