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Carl Garrarard from Alphamountworld (Click here) posted his final word about the Sony A77. The real problem he has with the new 24 megapixel sensor is that “while there is no doubt that specification will please some photographers greatly, I feel the vast majority would have been happier with 14-18mp where the A77 could have performed better as an overall-do it all kind of camera. I simply think the megapixel race has ended, and there’s only so much resolution one needs on an APS-C DSLR that is practical to use day in and day out for multiple photographic tasks.”

Carl (like me) would have been happy with less Megapixels or with a new pixel binning function that would have added an option to shot with less Megapixels and higher ISO performance when needed.

And than there is that Sony JPEG engine which has to be improved: “First of all I feel way too much noise reduction is being done on the Jpegs at ALL ISO values, which robs detail in every 24mp file you save. Then why have 24 megapixels you ask? Good question. ”

But a part of that the A77 proves to be an excellent camera if you shoot RAW and low ISO: “If you are going to shoot Raw only and don’t mind shooting at ISO 1,600 and under (or just normally don’t) then the A77 is a fine photographic instrument able to reach resolution levels no other APS-C DSLR or DSLT has been able to reach yet. For gigantic color rich prints with lots of dynamic range, the A77 is a fantastic tool“.

Editor’s note: I fully agree with Carl. I can recommend this camera to anyone shooting RAW and low ISO images (like landscapes). And of course if you shoot video than the A77 is almost a must have camera!

And here is the A77 full link list to check where it is in Stock: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.

Sony NEX 5N studio test from superiormediagroup on Vimeo.

NEX-5n wonderful Oslo Opera image samples on Flickr.

Sony NEX-5N vs Canon 7D – Part 1 (youtube).

Test à hauts ISO des Raw du NEX-5N développés avec Lightroom 3 (Alpha Numerique).

And Jeroen from FotoVideo.nu wrote me: “After weeks of testing (and some delay) we have finally published our 15 page review of the NEX-5N camera. As I think you are using the camera yourself too, I don’t have to tell you how good it is… Our conclusion: It’s simply the best systemcamera (CSC) available at this this moment!* And therefore we’ve gave it 4,5/5 stars which equals a Gold award. The 5N is very versatile (rotating touchscreen), offers superior image quality (which blows all other APS-C camera’s away), is fast (10 fps), offers very good video-performance (1080p50) and is very affordable. The only drawback compared to the competition are the relatively large lenses, which feel a bit weird on such a compact camera. And we’d like so see more lenses too, especially pancakes. Lastly, we don’t understand the different position of the on/off-switch, compared to the NEX-C3 and the NEX-7.
Translated (ENG):  http://translate.google.nl/translate?sl=nl&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=nl&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fnl.fotovideo.nu%2Freviews%2F2340%2Fsony-nex-5n-review
* we haven’t tested the NEX-7 so far (only a pre-production sample)”

The Sony NEX-5n is always in the top 20 of all system cameras at Amazon US (Click here).

To check the NEX-5n price click these links: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.

I guess not all of you know that you can use Micro Four Thirds lenses on your NEX camera by using a m43 to NEX adapter (Click here to see that on eBay). During the last weeks I received three different mails from people testing the new Samyang 7.5mm compact fisheye lens for m43 on NEX cameras:

Mail 1:
“Via adapter , Horizontal Field of View: 185,4 , effective Focal .Lengh: 8,1 m.m
360º virual reality sample 1 @ f:11.:http://www.aragon360grados.byethost24.com/naranjorabadaffc/naranjorabada2.html
360º virual reality sample 2 @ f:11: http://www.aragon360grados.byethost24.com/rabadaordesa/rabadaordesa.html
both: 4 photos + 2.
I send you caps
Cheers.”

Mail 2:
“The new Samyang 7,5/3,5 fisheye lens is the perfect lens for spherical panos on a Nex camera, spherical panos can be done with just 4 photos, to use this lens in a Nex body you need to shave the shade, recalibrate focus and use a m4/3 to Nex adapter, this adapter works better if screwed to the lens mount, a couple of handheld samples, at 200iso http://www.360cities.net/image/palmtrees-at-travalon-elche and 3200iso http://www.360cities.net/image/nex5-samyang-75-test-torrellano-spain”

Mail 3:
“I tested it very fast over NEX with sunshade and this m43 to NEX adapter on eBay. With this adapter doesn´t focus at infity   >-(  so my test is at f:22 to get decent focus, my DIY pano head not exactly calibrated.Tried pano with 3 photos but not enough. Ptgui dates:max width x heigh pano pixels:8772 x 4386 (nex 5),focal lengh:7,9 m.m. HFV:166,4
I´ll test lens on m4/3 body to know if de focus failure is about the lens or adapter…
link to panorama 50% quality and one photo:http://www.megaupload.com/?d=Q8JCLTJ7
You can follow it here:http://www.panoguide.com/forums/tipsntricks/9644/?page=3”

P.S.: Links to the Samyang fisheye lens on eBay.

A couple of SAR readers (Thanks!) sent me a new message sent by Sonystore USA to the customers who preordered the NEX-7. It basically confirms what we heard from other sources. The NEX-7 will be shipped in very small quantities to early pre orders and than a long time will pass until it will back in Stock (March?).

Here is the official message:

“Dear XXX,
Thank you for your recent Sony purchase.
We would like to inform you we are experiencing a delay with your Sony order. The following item NEX7/B has been rescheduled to ship on 11/11/2011.
Tracking information will be sent via email once your order ships. This number will also be available within the order history in your Sony Account. If you are unable to continue waiting we encourage you to visit our website or call 1-866-337-7669 to work with a Sony sales representative to find an alternative product that will meet your needs.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for choosing Sony!
Sincerely,
Sony Customer Care
SonyStyle.com”

I bet those of you that will be lucky to get the NEX-7 can resell the camera on eBay for double the price :)  There are still some stores accepting pre order like Adorama or Amazon Deutschland but I doubt they will ship those within the next 2-3 months.

P.S.: There are still some A77 body only cameras in Stock at Amazon US (Click here to get it!).

Digitalversus (Click here) posted a full NEX-7 review: “Sony’s new NEX-7 is a very well-designed expert-level camera with a customisable interface, a high-def electronic viewfinder and an excellent build and finish. However, Sony’s NEX lenses aren’t good enough to get the best out of the 24-Megapixel sensor. We also found that noise wasn’t handled quite as well in this model.” Anyway, the reviewer liked the camera that much that he gave her 5 stars out of 5!.

Digitalcamerainfo (Click here) previewed the NEX-7: “Is it worth the hefty price difference compared to the mid-range NEX-5N? We won’t have a definitive answer to that question until we get both cameras and run them through our full review process, but we can say that the NEX-7 does offer quite a bit for the money. Whether Sony can squeeze the best out of such a high-megapixel image sensor remains to be seen, however.”

Steve Huff (Click here) tested the Sony NEX-7 with wide angle Leica lenses. He also compared it with the Ricoh GXR A12.

Sony NEX-7 with Rokkor-M Konica and Contax Lens (SonyAlphaNex).

And here are all NEX cameras and lens preorder links (Click on shopname to check price and availability):
Sony NEX-7 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony NEX-5n Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony 55-210mm Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
NEX-5n viewfinder Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.