Sony NEX-7 camera of the year (Popular photography ). And new NEX-7 reviews.
Popular photography magazine named the Sony NEX-7 camera of the year in their January 2012 issue. And they posted the full review online at Popphoto (Click here): “Sony’s NEX-7 is currently our pick for the best ILC on the market. It combines outstanding image quality with solid ergonomics and, in addition to the normal array of preset shooting modes, plenty of useful options. When we tested Sony’s first NEX cameras, we weren’t very impressed. Now, we definitely are, and we’re eagerly awaiting whatever Sony has up its sleeve next.”
The french website Clubic (Click here to read the google translation) tested the NEX-7. The NEX-7 is a superb cameras but the reviewer would have preferred the same NEX-5n sensor inside the camera. The real weakness is the kit lens that is not good enough for the high resolution 24 Megapxiel sensor.
Luminous Landscape (Click here) posted a new Legacy Wide Angle Lenses NEX-7 / NEX-5n Comparison: “There is significant lens cast visible with the NEX-7 and some legacy lenses, and it isn’t minor. The reason for it is that the 24 Megapixel sensor has smaller photo sites, and oblique light rays, especially those from wide angle lens (more on this in a moment), show a magenta colour shift. The 5n has larger sensels and also a different microlens layout than the 7, making it much less problematic with some legacy lenses.”
They tested three lenses:
1) Voigtländer Ultra Wide-Heliar 12mm f/5.6 (Click here to see the lens specs and price on eBay).
2) Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5–f/5.6 DC HSM (Click here to see the lens specs and price on eBay).
3) Leica Wide Tri-Elmar 16-18-21mm (Click here to see the lens specs and price on eBay).
There is still no official news about when the camera will be in Stock. The last info I got said it’s coming in February. You can look for NEX-7 preorders at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay. What is in Stock (or will be this week) is the amazing Zeiss 24mm lens: Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Job
2 years ago |YEY! First…
Dave Cox
2 years ago |Knob.
Job
2 years ago |KyouCock
Linh
2 years ago |All the great reviews don’t make the wait any more tolerable
Chris Lewis
2 years ago |+1!
Blah
2 years ago |Great news – Sony kicking some ass
Snapperbox
2 years ago |Put in phase detect af sensors onto the main sensor, come out with a pancake zoom lens and 30/1.8 pancake prime in the next NEX7N and that camera will win all the cameras in the consumer market.
Darren
2 years ago |Do you actually think of the physics involved of doing the things you want or are you just talking out of your arse?
Chris Lewis
2 years ago |I have to say that it’s quite an achievement for a camera that isn’t (yet) available to become camera of the year! I hope it lives up to that accolade (I’m sure it will).
samdman
2 years ago |Indeed.
And this waiting is sort of killing me. I just picked A65 instead for the jobs at the moment.
Andrew
2 years ago |And I though A77 is going to get this award, what a dissapointment for the alpha line
z
2 years ago |NEX is very much alpha, hence the alpha sign on the top right.
Terryfried
2 years ago |A77 has got many awards but it is still only better than other DSLRs the NEX-7 is seen by many press as being almost a new idea and providing something totally new. So I don’t mind it winning but am Happy to stick with my A77.
march
2 years ago |Can list out what award A77 get latest?
And good job SONY !
Almazar80
2 years ago |Luminous Landscape also published a review of the Zeiss 24mm f1.8 for E mount. They were quite impressed with the lens. They compared it with a full frame Leica 24mm f1.4 Summilux and came to this conclusion:
“Those photographers who have been clamouring for fast primes for the NEX mount are starting to have their requests met. With the 24mm f/1.8 Zeiss Sonnar Sony has produced a lens which photographers will find more than exceeds expectations. At $1,000 it isn’t inexpensive, but then considering how well it holds up to the industry’s benchmark, costing almost 6X the price, it actually is a relative bargain.” – Luminous Landscape
He also says that he does most of his shooting with the NEX-5N and NEX-7. Why? “Because convenience often trumps absolute image quality.” I am finding that I want to use my 5N more than my other cameras. And as more high quality lenses come out in E mount, Sony will have a massive hit in its hands.
Vivek
2 years ago |Hurrah! The unobtainable camera is the camera of the YEAR! LOL.
Phil
2 years ago |The main point (for me) about the latest installment of the luminous landscape review was not a confirmation of the magenta shift with wide angle lenses, which I’ve been worried about for ages, since it was first picked up. In fact the main point was the clarification that the magenta shift only applies to “symmetrical” design lenses, and the more recent “retrofocus” design of lenses do not suffer from magenta shift as the angle of light hitting the sensor is not as oblique. So not so good for older full frame Leica glass, but newer wide angles designed for digital sensors are fine. When I read that last night it made my week. I think a tweak to that italicised snippet would be helpful, as this is the first time anyone has lifted the bonnet/hood on this issue though there’s a lot been written about it.
Adam
2 years ago |Yup, so the pre-eminent magazine for gear heads has decided to crown the ultimate spec sheet. No surprise there.
JonasM
2 years ago |So WHEN can I buy it!?
Breen
2 years ago |OK. Nex 7 is great camera but IMO Sony gone mad wit its price! I know that there will be many people willing to pay so much but NEX 7 is overpriced. Comparing to 5n it has built in EVF and better build quality(but it is not weather sealed!)24 Megapixels? Who cares!
So Nex 5n costs about 700$ and NEX 7 1400$!
So we get EVF, some better build quality with hotshoe and black lens(the same with nex 5n) for double price! Come on! It should cost about 800-900 max.
Vivek
2 years ago |It is NOT double the price. It is cheaper than the NEX5n!
The limited use EVF (plug that in and you can not even use the peanut flash) costs a bundle and isn’t available yet.
You can not use any Sony flashes or even attach one to the NEX5n.
It is inconvenient to handhold…
The list goes on and on..
(If the Nex7 should cost ~900 USD then the price of the NEX5n should be ~300 USD)
JonasM
2 years ago |I disagree. It has comparable performance to the A77 which is more expensive. Add the EVF option to the 5N and you are already looking at a thousand dollars. Then consider the other performance improvements over the 5N and I say it’s well priced. Personally I have no use for that lens and intend to buy body only.
zahidhasan
2 years ago |+1
SRL
2 years ago |I don’t think it’s that overpriced.
Some reviewers claim that its overall image quality is better than the a77
From my point of view, with the additional controls, hot-shoe, build quality and other features not part of the NEX-5n it’s priced fairly. Now, if you don’t need these features don’t worry about it a buy the 5n or something else.
Maybe the sensor in the NEX-7 (a77) is not going to make a list of the all-time greatest, and a new design is needed. Canon has made a decision not to chase the mega-pixels and use a new 18MP sensor, and I think that Nikon is useing a different new Sony sensor in its next cameras.
I’m holding off on any new Camera till I see what Sony has planned with its full frame models, bothered mainly by the control latency and delays in the general operation of the camera with the a77.
I do a great deal of my photography while walking, shooting in full manual more using both control wheels with the OVF of my a850 up to my eye, chasing the image and the NEX-7 looks like a better tool for me than the a77
NEX-7 over priced no, I don’t think so, but maybe the a77 is.
Vivek
2 years ago |“Maybe the sensor in the NEX-7 (a77) is not going to make a list of the all-time greatest, and a new design is needed.”
I agree and I suspect a NEX-7n will offer this.
Geir E
2 years ago |The 5n is the volum model, The 7 is a more advanced and well equipped camera and cost thereafter. If you can’t afford it, it is not the cameras fault.
Job
2 years ago |I wonder why DigitalRev doesn’t review the NEX7 yet? maybe they are lost for words and insults to make…
blah
2 years ago |Kai is probably thinking some insults up as we speak, I wouldn’t worry too much
shamb
2 years ago |Kai is busy trying to think of a good reason why the Nikon 1 and Canon Powershots are better than the NEX7, hence the delay.
My guess is he’ll simply compare it to CaNikon Full Frame and be done with it.
usch
2 years ago |I still wonder what’s up with the batch of NEX-7 they allegedly made before the flood and why those cannot be delivered.
Pal
2 years ago |Camera of 2011.
You can buy in 2012.
knurd
2 years ago |a55 last year and NEX-7 this year. Sony is on a roll! Lets see if they can claim 2012 with the new FF. At this point (with Nikon delays and price hikes) all they would have to do is just release one.