sonyalpharumorsLog in

Luminous Landscape had the chance to play around with the tiny NEX-C3. But their article is by way the most interesting hands-on I found on the web (well done guys!). They wrote a couple of things I want to remark here. I want to hear your opinion on that!

This is the list of issues with the NEX-C3:

1) To make the C3 even smaller Sony has made a few design changes, not all of which I think are for the good. The SD card slot no longer shares the battery compartment, having its own bottom panel door. This is fine as far as it goes, but it does mean that if the camera is on a tripod or a mount accessory is attached, it will have to be removed.

2) The more cramped grip of the C3 as compared to the NEX-5 means that one is forced to hold the camera more tightly, and I constantly found myself accidentally pressing the bottom soft key with my palm, something that never happened with the NEX-5.

3) The NEX bodies are very small. But as already mentioned the lenses are still APS-C sized. To keep them within reason in terms of size they have modest maximum apertures. Even the pancake 16mm is just an f/2.8. So indoors, instead of ISO 400, for example, the C3 would have to shot at ISO1600 to ISO 3200, thus cutting its larger sensor advantage considerably. In my view the NEX series desperately needs faster lenses. But, to keep size down they should be primes.

4) Overall I find the NEX interface to be the least friendly and most unintuitive of any current camera. It neither aids the beginner not comforts the more advanced user.

5) When the NEX-5 was introduced I expressed my disappointment that an EVF was not available, but expected that one would be forthcoming. But a year later Sony has failed to satisfy this hope. The lack of an accessory EVF is to my mind a serious handycap for the NEX line thus far.

I recommend you to read the full artcile at Luminous Landscape (Click here). I think those are all valid point and I hope Sony will address them soon. The NEX-7 will maybe go in the right direction and solve some of those problems. And the Zeiss 24mm f/1.7 will be a welcome addition to the lens lineup. But we absolutely need more pancakes and a more professional camera as soon as possible! Thanks Luminous Landscape, and thanks Soy for listening

Amateur Photographer (Click here) posted a full NEX-C3 review. They start the rview with an interesting note: “the new C designation in the NEX-C3′s title stands for compact hints that Sony may plan another line in the NEX range in the future.“. What about the camera itself? AF is good but not as fast as the Panasonic GH2. What’s really good is the dynamic range: “What is particularly gratifying is that when shooting at ISO 200 and 400 images can be underexposed in camera to preserve highlight details, and then the in-camera dynamic range optimiser set to its highest setting to brighten shadow details, without introducing image noise. When doing this, colours are accurate and an impressive amount of detail can be recovered. ” The conclusion is that “it is quality of the images from this little camera that steals the show.”

UPDATE: There is a very well written first impression report on Luminous Landscape (Click here).

Focus Numerique (Click here to read the google english translation). posted the very first full Sony NEX-C3 review! They tested the shutter noise (Click here) and they were not happy with it. it’s to loud. They tested the camera for a weak and noticed that the anti dust cleaning isn’t as good as the one used by Olympus. And also the OIS system is not as effective as the one used by Olympus. They also measured the LCD screen performance. Average brightness is 554:1 (little weak to see the images in outdoor). The image rendering is cold (12,400 K). Now the good news, AF works fast (0.4 sec) and the images form 200 to 1600 ISO are superb (that’s the word used by Focus Numerique). Rolling shutter on NEX-C3 videos are not really an issue (again a very good news!). Focus Numerique “recommends” the NEX-C3. Here is the screenshot of the Pro and Cons list (google English translation):

You can already preorder the new stuff!

Sony NEX-C3 BLACK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 SILVER at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 PINK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 body at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 with kit lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 30mm macro at Amazon (Click here).

This page gets continually updated! Keep checking for news (latest added news on top of each category).

You can already preorder the new stuff!

Sony NEX-C3 BLACK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 SILVER at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-C3 PINK at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 body at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A35 with kit lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 30mm macro at Amazon (Click here).

Previews

Sony A35: toma de contacto (Quesabesde).
Sony NEX-C3: toma de contacto (Quesabesde).
NEX-C3 First look at Amateur Photgrapher.
Full NEX-C3 review at Focus Numerique (Click here ot read the google english translation).
First look on Photoreview.
HOT: Sony NEX-C3 preview at DPreview.
HOT: Sony A35 preview at DPreview.

Image samples

A35 image samples at Dpreview, Imaging Resource (Studio test).
NEX-C3 image samples at Dpreview, Focus Numerique (ISO comparison with the Panasonic G3 and Olympus E-PL2), Imaging Resource (Studio test).

Highlights

HOT: Sony officially announced that the new NEX-3/5 firmware will come on June 20th!
“A firmware upgrade (Version 4) adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function to existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This upgrade will be available June 20thand can be downloaded from: (www.esupport.sony.com). ”
And so for the A33/55:
“Available beginning June 20th, a firmware update for existing α33 and α55 cameras adds several creative and operational enhancements. Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35 model is now offered. High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (α55 only). Ergonomics are further improved with revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The a33 and a55camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access.”
See the picture effects at Dpreview.
NEX-C3 ships in late July or August, and will be offered with those familiar 18-55mm and 16mm kit lenses for $649 and $599, respectively. Bodies paired with the zoom will be available in black, pink, and silver, while the camera in the fixed-lens kit will only ship in black.
The A35 will hit stores in August for $699 with an 18-55mm kit lens, or $599 for the body. There’s also a new 30mm f/3.5 macro lens ($249, October) and a larger external flash ($149, August) for the NEX series
Sony says the new NEX-C3 cam is designed to fill the gap between point-and-shoot and DSLR cameras, and is the smallest body to pack an APS-C sensor.
Price in Europe: Alpha 35 body 600 €. With 18-55mm lens 700 €. With 18-55mm+55-200mm 900 €
Price in Europe: NEX-C3 + 16mm for 580 €. With 18-55 mm for 630 €. Double kit for 730 €
The flash costs 150 Euro.

Links to Press release

NEX-C3, A35 and macro lens at Photoscala.
Sony NEX-C3, 30mm Macro Lens & F20S Flash Announced (Photographybay).
A35 article on Amateur Photographer.
NEX-C3 article on Amateur Photographer.
Article on Engadget.
Sony NEX-C3 at Imaging Resource.
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 : fiche technique (Alpha Numerique).
A35 at Alpha-Photo.at.
Sony A35 at Imaging Resource.
Sony Alpha 35 : fiche technique (AlphaNumerique)
HVL-F20S pour NEX : et le flash devient accessoire pour 150 euros (Focus Numerique)

Youtube-Vimeo

Sony NEX-C3 video at Quesbesde.
Sony A35 video at Quesabesde.
Japanese NEX-C3 commercial (Youtube).
Hands-on video on CNET.
Sony Alpha NEX-C3 Hands-On Preview (Youtube).
Sony Nex C3 Alfa 35 primi scatti test (Youtube).

Poll

 Loading ...

Sony officially announced that the new NEX-3/5 firmware will come on June 20th!
“A firmware upgrade (Version 4) adds the new ‘Picture Effect’ function to existing NEX-5 and NEX-3 cameras. It also adds a Peaking function to assist with more precise manual focusing. This upgrade will be available June 20thand can be downloaded from: (www.esupport.sony.com). ”

And so for the A33/55:
“Available beginning June 20th, a firmware update for existing α33 and α55 cameras adds several creative and operational enhancements. Support for the ‘Picture Effect’ function featured on the new α35 model is now offered. High-Speed Synch is supported during wireless operation with a compatible external flash (α55 only). Ergonomics are further improved with revised menus and a new mode that lets users switch shooting parameters overlaid on-screen for clear, uncluttered composition. The a33 and a55camera’s Digital Level Gauge can also be displayed when shooting via the optional CLM-V55 external LCD monitor. Frequently used features can now be custom-assigned to the D-RANGE button for rapid, menu-free access.“

Via Imaging Resource

Thanks Chris

Sony officially announced (via Amateur Photographer) that “Sony plans to discontinue its full-frameAlpha 850 DSLR this summer and has already stopped making its Alpha 290 and 390 DSLRs, less than a year since they were announced.” and “Sony plans to halt production of the Alpha 850 (pictured) in July or August because the 24.6MP camera is too similar in specification and price to the flagship Alpha 900 model. ”

You can still get those cameras in some stores:
A850 direct search links at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
A390 direct search links at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
A290 direct search links atAmazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.

Via Amateur Photographer