Kirk Tuck explains you at Visualsciencelab (Click here) why “Sony gets it when everyone else is stuck at 2004“. According to him “The real story, besides the translucent mirror, is all about the EVF and that’s where the revolution exists. While most of the old timers who grew up with luxuriously bright prism finders will howl in derision the reality is that a superbly made EVF has many advantages.” He ends the article with the following statement: “If this camera, with its 24 megapixels, 60fps video and miracle finder actually works as well as it’s spec’d, and the images are commensurate in quality to their pixel quantity, and the asking price is around $1500,  then why the hell wouldn’t we buy it? “. And now read the full article at Visualsciencelab!

And David Kilpatrick explains at Photoclubalpha (Click here) how Sony should change their transparent mirror position in order to eliminate the ghosting effect: “So, Sony, when you make you that full-frame EVF camera change the entire approach. Position the SLT mirror so it reflects the image sideways, upways or downways! And put the SENSOR where it receives the image from the REFLECTED lightpath. Make the mirror reflect 70% of the light and transmit 30%, instead of the other way round.” Read the full article at Photoclubalpha!

ALL Preorder links:
Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A77 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A65 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, and Sonystore.
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (notification only), Adorama and Sonystore.
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.

The image on top shows the naked A77 AF sensor :)

There is a new set of 34 RAW images taken with the A77 by Dpnow (Click here to download them). You can find the RAW files of the ISO test at Focus Numerique (Click here and scroll right below the ISO testimages).

How to open the RAW images? There are three ways:
Geert wrote us: “I edited the file headers towards the EXIF of A55 RAW files and they opened without any problem in Capture One 6 Pro.”
A Mac Only BETA Raw Processing for A77 Dpreview forum.
For Windows, RAW support at: Visualbakery.com.

BIG question: I cannot find any NEX-7 RAW image samples! I would like to compare the NEX-7 RAW images versus the A77 RAW images to see if there is any image quality difference. Because I want to see if the NEX-7 images are slightly better due the absence of the transparent mirror light loss!

—

Preorder links of ALL new Sony cameras and lenses:
Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A77 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto, and Sonystore (Click here).
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (notification only), Adorama and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).

The video on top shows a new A77 hands-on by Whatdigitalcamera.

Whatdigitalcamera also posted following videos on youtube:
Sony Alpha A77 and A65 Press Launch on youtube.
Sony NEX7 & NEX5N Press Launch on youtube.

Amy Davies posted a new A77 hands-on at Techradar (Click here) with new Images samples:
EVF: “Its detail resolution is impressive. Unlike most EVFs, which have a visible texture, the view in the A77’s finder is smooth.”
AF: “In use the Alpha 77’s AF system proves to be fast and accurate in many situations. Provided you can keep the active AF point over the subject the camera does a good job of tracking focus with fast moving targets. That’s not to say it is infallible, if the AF point strays over an area of low contrast, the lens may hunt and the subject goes in and out of focus. As soon as the AF point is back over an area with contrast, the lens snaps the subject back into sharp register.”

More A77 news:
Dcfever posted a set of A77 image samples

Those are all preorder links I have now. Feel free to send me links if you find more stores!!!

Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A77 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto, Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto, and Sonystore (Click here).
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (notification only), Adorama and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).

Image on top: The hotseller of the moment. The Sony NEX-7 (CLick here to preorder)

There is a new NEX-7 preview at ePhotozine (Click here): “The NEX-7 is an exciting product that gives manual controls, dials, and buttons, on the camera. These are physical, real buttons, that you can press and feel. Even more than this they are customisable to give you the control you want. Without doubt this is the highest specification mirrorless camera available yet.“. Preorder the NEX-7 at Amazon.

And there is also a short NEX-5n review again at ePhotozine (Click here): “The viewfinder is extremely impressive, with stunning detail and colour, although the addition of the EVF does stop you from using flash. Image quality appears to be excellent, and even though megapixels have increased, the camera is still providing low noise levels“. Preorder the NEX-5n at Amazon.

There is also an ISO comparison between the A77, NEX-5n and other cameras ar EosHD (Click here). The NEX-5n.looks like the winner but 1) It has less Megapixels (looks cleaner) and 2) the A77 image quality is coming from a  preproduction camera!

And there is a new ISO test posted by Focus Numerique (Click here to read the google translation): “From 50 to 200 ISO, the grain is almost invisible (displayed on a screen at 100%). From 800 to 3200 ISO, the grain goes up gradually, but the images remain excellent!“. Surprise: “the JPEG 3200 is more pleasant than at ISO 1600“. And than: “At 6400 ISO, the images are still usable. A fine achievement for a 24 megapixel sensor APS-C“. Preorder the A77 at Amazon.

ALL Preorder links:
Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A77 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony A65 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon, Adorama, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, Jessops UK and Sonystore.
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto, and Sonystore.
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (notification only), Adorama and Sonystore.
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon, Adorama, Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore.

Let’s focus on the A77 image quality But before we do that we should consider a few limitations:
1) Most image samples on the web have been taken in non professional conditions. Most journalists or photographer didn’t even know how to use the camera when they got their hands on the A77 also because they had only a few minutes time to play with it!
2) Some features like AF fine tuning and Lens correction still do not work on the pre production A77
3) Camera and firmware are not finalized!
4) Professional RAW support is missing
5) Most of the pictures weren’t taken with top quality lenses. A 24 megapixel sensors needs the best lenses to deliver the best results!

That said let’s take a look at all Image samples.

RAW images

RAW and JPG full size images are available at Imaging Resource.
You can find them at Quesabesde (scroll down a bit until you find the “RAW” mark under the thumbnails).
A77 vs A35 RAW comparison at Dpreview forum.
A Mac Only BETA Raw Processing for A77 Dpreview forum.
For Windows, RAW support at: Visualbakery.com.

JPEG images

A77 Vs K-5 Head-to-Head High ISO Measurbation at RiceHigh.
Full size images at High ISO are available at Fotomagazin (Click here).
Full size images and ISO test at Imaging Resource
Full size images at Dpreview.
Full size images at Videoacademy.
Sony Alpha A77 SLT Sample Photos at ePhotozine.
Full size image at Naver (scroll down to the very bottom of the site).
Full size images at Popphoto.
Image samples and ISO comparison at Dyxum.

And now the BIG question to you (Please keep in your mind the limitations I mentioned on top of this post)

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P.S.: Those are all preorder links. preorder now to get them first!

Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A77 body only at Amazon (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony A65 body only at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon (Click here), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only), Jessops UK (Click here) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 50mm f/1.8 at BHphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon (Click here), Bhphoto (notification only) and Sonystore (Click here).

The new Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 lens has been already reviewed by SLRgear (Click here). They did NOT test the lens on the new Sony A77! The lens is sharper at the wide end than on the tele end. It has a very good corner to corner sharpness. The only real “issue” is Chromatic Aberration. But overall “the combination works to produce excellent photographs.“. You can read the full review and see all the graphs here at SLRgear.

Meanwhile Thom Hogan (Click here) gave his first impressions about the A77: “This is a top end camera, and so obviously it should have a top end level of features, but one thing that struck me in reading all the Sony marketing material was that there was a lot of emphasis on the bells and whistles and not nearly as much on the quality side. When quality was mentioned, it was obviously hyperbole (“flawless image quality”).” and “A few people with preproduction cameras have sent me image samples to analyze, though, and what I see is a lot of noise reduction in the JPEGs, which pretty much rules out the word “flawless” in my book.”
If you don’t agree with Thom drop a comment on SAR. I am sure he is reading your them!

You can check the price of the new Sony stuff and preorder at Amazon:
Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A77 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A65 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon (Click here).
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon (Click here).

Charles Michel form videoacademy made that 9 minute long A77 presentation. he speaks in German but there are English subtitles!

Now it’s time to focus on the real quality of the Sony A77 (preorders here). Let’s start with one of my preferred websites:

Luminous Landscape A77 test (Click here to read the full article):
Feeling: “The A77 is a “pretty” camera; one of the nicest styled Sony cameras in a long time. It has a very organic shape and falls to hand very nicely as well.”
Video: “There is much less visible rolling shutter with this camera than I’ve seen before. If this holds true with a full production camera then DSLR video makers are going to be all over this camera like a kid with a bowel of strawberry jello.”
EVF: “Is it good? Yes, it’s very good – for an EVF. I would go so far as to say that it is much preferable to the dim and small reflex viewfinders found on most reduced frame DSLRs. This then begs the question – how does it compare to the viewfinder on a full frame DSLR like the Sony A900? Not so well.”
Fullframe (A99): “I think that there is, and it even may well use the same (or similar) body as the A77. As mentioned earlier, the A77 is a full-sized camera, with the heft and gravitas that a Prosumer model deserves. It certainly appears as if a full frame sensor could be used with the same chassis (if not the same actual body) as the current one.”
Again, I invite you to read the full article as it is in my opinion one of the best previews written today!

Imaging Resource (Click here to read the full article):
IR has been the first to post a detailed image quality analysis. And starts with that considerations: “I won’t go too much into detail about my disappointment that the A700 went so long without an upgrade or successor; suffice it to say that I thought that camera was Sony’s best chance at making a dent in the Canon/Nikon hegemony, and instead of addressing its few flaws, Sony was spending too much time trying to appeal to the consumer market, a place where Nikon and Canon dominate even more pervasively.”
EVF: “A sensor over the viewfinder detects my eye and makes the switch between the LCD and EVF, but usually doesn’t make the switch fast enough, leaving me first in the dark, then I see a screen that’s a little too dark at first, then my eye adjusts. It’s not a comfortable set of changes, going from very bright to very dark, then to somewhat bright, so most often I and my colleagues shied away from the EVF when out in daylight, preferring the LCD.”
The new 16-50mm lens: “At the outer edges of the frame, the 16-50mm lens shows a little softening, which you can see in the last crop below, but it’s truly remarkable performance from a lens that effectively costs $600 when purchased as a kit, while the full-frame 24-70mm Carl Zeiss lens sells for around $1,750.”
Image quality: IR made many comparisons mostly with fullframe cameras. It’s a bit unfair comparison as the larger fullframe pixels can deliver a much better per pixel sharpness. ANyway, the A77 does a good job at base and high ISO and is not far behind the top (and more expensive) fullframe cameras.
Also in that case I highly recommend you to read the full article (Images are at the bottom of the post).

Preorder the new stuff!

Sony A77 with 16-50mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A77 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A65 with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony A65 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-7 body only at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N with 18-55mm lens at Amazon (Click here).
Sony NEX-5N at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 16-50mm A-mount at Amazon (Click here).
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 50mm f/1.8 E-mount at Amazon (Click here).
Sony 55-210mm E-mount at Amazon (Click here).