Sony TidBits (A55, A580, NEX)


Sony A55 AF test with 3rd party AF, body AF, SAM & SSM

ePhotozine reviewed the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink]: “There is no doubt that this is an enjoyable and versatile photographic tool, capable of very fine results. Access to the range of Sony/Carl Zeiss lenses has to be a major plus point, and at a reasonable cost too. The lack of mirror slap reduces potential vibration and also enables very high frame rates.”

Cgarrard posted the first part of his [shoplink 4617]Sony A580[/shoplink] review, And the first part consists of 7 page long detailed tests! “Since the A580 is a relatively lightweight medium sized DSLR, that makes it a contender for backpacking duty. Given the pretty good feature set of the A580 compared to the competition, and there isn’t much it won’t be able to handle for the outdoor enthusiast- that is unless you shoot quite a bit already in inclimate weather.”

DxO Optics Pro Adds Support for Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 (Photographybay). And Alpha Numerique tested the new DxO Optics software on Sony NEX cameras!

The UK camera industry fears compact system cameras (CSC) will kill off sales in the rest of the photographic market, according to research by industry analysts. (Amateur Photographer)

New Sony reviews (A580, A55, NEX-5, 85mm f/2.8 lens)


SAMSUNG NX100 vs SONY NEX5 from hyunmi kang on Vimeo. (UPDATE: The video is made by a Samsung fan! Keep that in mind when you view it.)

PhotoclubAlpha wrote a 7 page long, very detailed and honest new [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] review (Compliments!): “The Alpha 55 actually replaces something which overlapped with my film cameras – the Dimage 7/A series – and also the various video cameras I owned five, ten or more years ago. The video function is also there in the NEX and the 580, but the A55 would be my first choice. It genuinely can track focus during video even with fast-moving subjects or changes of distance, and do so with all the lenses I can fit to it. It removes any need to own a further compact digital.”

Sony A55 vs Nikon D90 in RAW (Fotoactualidad)
PCworld tested the [shoplink 4617]Sony A580 eBay[/shoplink]: “The Alpha 580 is a very impressive camera that’s comfortable to shoot with, and well-designed. Supported by a robust collection of high-quality lenses, the camera is capable of delivering excellent image quality. What’s more, Sony is doing a good job of automating post-production processes like HDR and panoramic stitching directly in camera, turning these “high-end” features into usable, everyday consumer techniques.”

The bulgarian website photo-forum.net tested the new Sony 85mm f/2.8 lens.

External mirrorless poll


Our friends from 43rumros and mirrorlessrumros asked us if we can promote their nre mirrorless poll:
“43rumors and Mirrorlessforum launched a new poll which is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ml_survey. We are curious to see the average profile of our readers. It’s an anonymous poll, and there is no commercial use for it. The results will be published here on 43rumros after closing the poll and you will finally learn how many of us are using mirrorless cameras and what kind of use they do with it!“

New Adobe Camera RAW adds A560/580 support (+ new A55 review by Tony Bridge)

Adobe updated their Camera Raw plug-in and added support for the new Sony A560 and A580 cameras.

The Photographer Tony Bridge reviewed the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink]: “They are certainly not the first to use one in a  DSLR (Panasonic did it with the G1/GH1) but this viewfinder is so close to an optical one that I would have no hesitation in going electronic with all my cameras from here on. Combine that with the pellicle mirror and all the advantages that accrue from that decision and a sensor which is clearly at the top of its class and you have a picture making machine which represents astonishing value. At that price it has to be the weapon of choice. For a long time I’ve been looking for a camera which was small, light, intuitive and offered me a quality level suitable for exhibition work, which offered no compromise results at a highly compromised price point (so call me le miserable!). Not all of us are in a position to afford a Leica.” Click here to read the full review. Thanks Tony for sending me the link!

New EOS to NEX adapter with aperture ring!

[shoplink 4840][/shoplink]

One of our readers (Mistral) just found that new adapter on eBay: “Just to let you know that Kipon, the Chinese manufacturer of adapters, just launched a Canon EF –> Sony E adapter with built-in aperture (since there is no mechanical coupling in the EF mount, you can only use the EF lenses wide open with conventional adapters). Their website is http://www.dl-kipon.com but it is down more than often.
The adapter for sale on eBay:
[shoplink 4840]http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EOS-EF-Sony-nex-3-5-adapter-w-build-in-aperture-/250739038323[/shoplink]”

Popphoto voted the Sony A55 as camera of the year!

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Popphoto choosed the new [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] as camera of the year: “A really good measure of the strength of a technology company is how well it does things that can’t be done.Sony, confronted with a vexing glitch of DSLR video, dipped into a bag of old and new tricks to come up with a remarkably simple solution. Along the way, it invented essentially a new type of camera, one for which we don’t quite have a name yet. What we can call it is the Alpha 55, and the Camera of the Year for 2010.”

I couldn’t agree more :)

And hee the direct preorder links if you want to check the Sony A55 price and availability:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT.

Sony TidBits

Sony develops “Hybrid FPA”, a novel liquid crystal alignment technique that achieves faster response time for liquid crystal displays (Akihabaranews)

Sony CineAlta Moves Beyond Bayer (ImageSensorWorld)

Taiwan market: Sony surpasses Nikon in ILC market (Digitimes.com)

NEX Body and Rear Lens Cap Available (SonyAlphaNex)

Join the Sony World Photography Awards 2011 (worldphoto.org)

Sony NEX-VG10 with Sigma 50-500mm Bigma (SonyAlphaNex).

The Sony clock :)

Carl Zeiss announces record sales (PMAnewsline)