Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon US&EU and PerGear.

Phillip Reeve tested the new Viltrox lens and concluded:

in my opinion this Viltrox 16mm 1.8 AF FE is a real gamechanger. It adds a competitive modern AF system and the most useful and advanced controls found on any E-mount lens (except for some of the high end tele lenses) highlighted by its flashy but also useful LCD display.

Points of criticism are scarce. The vignetting is high at f/1.8 to f/2.0, but this was probably a tradeoff necessary by avoiding a bulbous front element and allowing for easy use of standard filters.
Flare resistance could be better, but considering the competitors’ performances and the Viltrox’ more complex 15 elements design this might actually be asking too much here. And this isn’t a small lens by any means.

To me it was only a matter of time before the Chinese lens manufacturers start to outdo the Japanese ones and this lens might be where it begins. I don’t know how the people at Viltrox did it, but they got a lot of things right here.

Considering the lens is 1/3 the price of the Sony 14mm GM and the new Sigma 14mm FE…well I do believe we have a secret hidden gem here!

Get the Viltrox 16mm f/1.8 FE lens at BHphoto, Amazon US&EU and PerGear.

DxOmark tested the A7rV sensor and concluded:

As the latest iteration, the Sony A7R V has too many improvements to list here, but even looking at the headline features, the fifth-generation model with its new AF system and improved sensor shift is certainly a potent and hugely capable camera. The adoption of the same full-frame 61.2 MP BSI CMOS sensor as its predecessor however wasn’t entirely unexpected. While there are a few differences in the sensor output in terms of color depth and dynamic range at various ISO settings, the modifications are marginal. At $3,899/€ 4,500 body only, the price has crept upwards from the Sony A7R IV at launch, but that’s not unexpected in these turbulent times. As the most refined and accomplished in the series, the Sony A7R V model remains a compelling choice at this level.

You can now preorder the new Sony Xperia 1V at Amazon and BHphoto.

Marques correctly analyzed what Sony should do with their Xperia strategy. I wish one day to see him analyzing the Alpha camera range too…

Preorders:
USA at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon.
EU at FotoErhard, WexUK.

Asobinet made this accurate size, specs and performance comparison between the Nikon Z8 and Sony A7rV. I google translated the text and the specs that are the best ar embarked in red by Asobinet:

SonyAlphaBlog tested the Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM and concluded:

The Sony 50mm F1.4 GM is a superb 50mm for Sony E mount : one of the most compact and light in its class, superb optical performances (sharpness , bokeh, color rendering…) , ergonomics (click/clickless aperture ring ) and perfect AF

Sony 50mm F/1.4 GM at BHphoto. Amazon. Adorama. FotoKoch. FotoErhardt. Calumet DE. WexUK.

I couldn’t agree more with Manny! I myself own the Sony A7rV and I am super happy with it! it does it all for me: High Resolution stills photography, good enough video quality and now even vlogging for my youtube channel :)

Sony A7rV store links:
In US at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FocusCamera, BeachCamera, Buydig.
In EU at Fotokoch, Amazon EU, FotoErhardt, Calumet DE, WexUK. ParkCameras UK.
In Australia at CameraPro, Camerahouse, Sony.