Amazon explains why they do not accept A7II preorders anymore. And new A7II previews!

1417220374_DSC08258
Image courtesy: SLRclub

SAR reader Oleg (Thanks!) got this mail from Amazon which explains why they removed the A7II preorder option (Click here):

Since Sony hasn’t given us a date that we will receive and be able to ship these, we do not have a date listed. I checked on your order and it is still in effect. We are not allowing more pre-orders at this time as we have filled our pre-order slots.

A new A7II preview has been posted on the Korean SLRClub site. The reviewers first impressions are:

– He thinks the A7II grip is the best of all mirrorless system cameras.
–  A7II is matt like the A99. Therefore, It is mightier than A7 on the scratches and dusts.
– Boot up time is faster than on the A7. You can press the shutter button before display is turned on!
– A cons is the body weight and size.

He also posted a Simple AF Tracking Test (GIF included): http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=minolta_forum&divpage=168&no=897313

Plenty of A7II image samples have been posted on Fengniao.

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Sony UK (Click here), Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Wex UK (Click here). In Finland at Verkkokauppa.

Short A7II hands-on video by WhatDigitalCamera.

WhatDigitalCamera posted that short A7II first look video. And as you know since yesterday evening also UK readers can preorder the camera at Sony UK (Click here).

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (non available), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Sony UK (Click here), Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and at Wex UK (Click here). In Finland at Verkkokauppa.

First “Chinese” Sony A7II review and new image samples.

A7II

Reminder: The new A7II preorders are up at BHphoto , Adorama and SonyStore!

The very first full Sony A7II review has been posted in China at Dc.it168.com (google translation here). Image samples can be seen on that page (Click here). These are the reviewers conclusion:

– A great evolution but not a revolution over the A7
– Autofocus Speed is faster than the one from the A7 but still slower than the A6000
– Image quality is the same of the A7
– Ergonomic is much improved and also the camera “feels” better in terms of build quality

Pretty “obvious” conclusions I would say :)

P.S.: A7II announcement at Fotointern.ch.

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1299 pounds at Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1699 pounds at Wex UK (Click here). In Finland at Verkkokauppa.

Short A7II hands-on report by ItsDanK! UPDATE: additional korean test.

10407279_10154889735725230_2131798036522338732_n

Since yesterday the A7II is available for preorder in USA and in few Eu stores (strangely still no preorder options at Sony EU). ItsDanK is one of the very few lucky guys that got his hands on the A7II and he writes:

Things to note:

  1. The dials are quite nice and rubberized now
  2. The entire body is quite a bit thicker, noticeably.
  3. Weight is also increased.
  4. There’s a manual function for the steadyshot to adjust for third party lenses all the way up to 1000mm.
  5. I’m so use to the shutter button being on top that it’s almost weird to use the grip shutter.
  6. New mag alloy rubberized spec finish for the body, quite grippy.
  7. Steadyshot is pretty awesome and more noticeable with longer focal lengths (obviously).
  8. a6000 like AF box dots whilst focusing. This uses hybrid AF with contrast and phase detect (on sensor) working together at the same time.

All good news so far!

UDPATE: A Korean readers sent me info on Korean A7II tests:

http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=minolta_forum&divpage=168&no=896986
http://www.sony.co.kr/alpha/handler/AlphaIndex-Start
Sony Korea announced that Sony A7II will be launched at 12/2 Tue.
That means its a first launch in the world and so many sony mirrorless cameras sold in korea.

http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=minolta_forum&no=896844
BTW, here a short review of Sony A7II. That explains
– a7ii is more heavier than a7 but the hand grip is better than a7.
– (just felling)viewfinder is better than a7’s one. he felling that framerate is increased.
– AF is more more faster than a7 but not good at low light scene (compare with A7s).
– AF Tracking is better like A6000 in the phase detection area.
– 5-axis stabilization is nice. check that article. (he succeed with 55F18 lens and 1/8)
– boot time is much faster than A7, feels like 2x.
– does not show the flare (halation) — check: http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1247655/144 (http://www.vahonen.com/2013/A7temp/20131226chruchFlareCrop.jpg)
he feels that new A7II is like A8 not A7II. :p
and the here is some shots taken with A7ii : http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=minolta_forum&divpage=168&no=896978&category=3

USA preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

EU preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for 1.799 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1299 pounds at Wex UK (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for 2.099 Euro at Amazon Germany (Click here) and 1699 pounds at Wex UK (Click here). In Finland at Verkkokauppa.

Watch the A7II SteadyShot in action!

Preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

The video on top shows you how much the Full Frame sensor moves to stabilize the image. Quite incredible that there is enough space on E-mount to make it work!

To not miss any of them quickly subscribe our social network:
RSS feed: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonyAlphaRumors
GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/104216500156717934391/posts

Tony Northrup introduction to the A7m2. And watch out for the A9 Tony ;)

Preorders:
Sony Alpha a7II  (Body Only) for $1,698 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony Alpha a7II  with FE 28-70mm OSS Lens for $1,998 at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), Adorama (Click here), SonyStore (Click here).
Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM II Lens for $1,148 at BHphoto (Click here).

Tony Northup posted this 30 min long A7m2 introduction video (Thanks Tony!!!). I agree with him when he says the 5 axis stabilization system is a real game changer feature. Ai also want to add the A7m2 has NOT the A6000 hybrid focus system. That’s coming (in an advanced version) on the Sony A9. And Yes, Canon and Nikon will offer FF mirrorless by late 2015 but Sony’s real advantage is the knowledge they have acquired in these years on the mirrorless front and compared to Nikon Sony has an immense tech knowledge on the video front too. I therefore really do believe Canon and Nikon will not be able to match Sony’s offerings by end of 2015. That’s why the Sony A9 is that exciting. Sony will put all the best tech on it!

Stay tuned on SAR because the real rumor time is ahead of us!

P.S.: There is still no A7m2 preorder option at Sony US and Sony Europe.

To not miss any of them quickly subscribe our social network:
RSS feed: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/feed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonyalpharumors
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SonyAlphaRumors
GooglePlus: https://plus.google.com/104216500156717934391/posts

New Zeiss 16-35mm reviews and size comparison.

size_FE_1635
Image courtesy: CameraSize.

The new Zeiss 16-35mm FE is now shipping almost everywhere and I keep receiving more and more tests. First of all see the picture on top to see how much smaller the A7+Zeiss combo is compared to equivalent Canon and Nikon kits. Also note that DxOmark ranked the Zeiss as best here (although it beats the Nikon only by a hair). And here the new tests:

Verdict FE16-35mm vs. SEL10-18mm (alphafotograf.de).
Sony FE 16-35mm F4 Testing (ProImagenz).
Quick look by Steve Huff.
SONY A7R + Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* FE 4/16-35 ZA OSS (SEL1635Z) Timelapse TEST (Youtube).

Check the 16-35mm Zeiss lens price and in Stock status here:
USA/Canada  at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Sony Store US, Sony Canada.
Europe at Sony DE, UK, ES, IT, FR, CH, AT, NL, BE, FI, SE, NO, PT.
Australia and Asia at Sony AUS, Amazon Japan and Digitalrev.