NEX-3n:
The Sony NEX-3n is finally in Stock at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), and BHphoto (Click here). DxOmark (Click here) published the full NEX-3n sensor test. And of course the results are pretty much the same of the predecessor (the NEX-F3) that had exactly the same sensor. The small differences are here because of the slightly different imaging processor.
The NEX-3N is a great little camera that beats many mirrorless camers from other manufacturers. Now let’s bring on the new NEX-7n Sony!
RX100:
The RX100 got a $53 price drop and sells for $597 at [shoplink 17716 ebay]BigValue (Click here)[/shoplink]. Free Shipping of course!
There is a new Sony NEX-6 tests at DigitalCameraReview (Click here). And like Dpreview also the DCR conclusions mentions as only drawback the “sometimes confusing menu system“. Otherwise the reviewer likes the camera: “The Sony NEX-6 is a great little camera and, one of my personal favorites“.
And if you are a lucky owner of the NEX-6 or NEX-5r you can download two new APPS for your camera at Playmemoriescameraapps.com.
NEX deals:
Three Open Box NEX-6 kits with $130 discount at [shoplink 17622 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].
NEX-5r body for $486 at [shoplink 17623 ebay]6ave (Click here)[/shoplink].
Three Open Box NEX-7 kits with $100 discount at [shoplink 17626 ebay]Samys (Click here)[/shoplink].
Last two days of the NEX deals on Amazon Deals Page (Click here).
There will be always discussions between people about the advantages or disadvantages of Electronic Viewfinder against Optical Viewfinders. In a recent short article Luminous Landscape admin describes “Why I Hate Electronic Viewfinders“. He says: “The reason why is that they are at best tiny TV sets, and as such have very low contrast ratios compared to the ability of the naked eye or a good optical or large DSLR viewfinder. In bright situations, where there is also deep shade, it can make visibility into the shadows when shooting highly compromised.”
It’s ture that current Sony EVF can’t give you the clarity of an Optical Viewfinder but I think that in time EVF will get very close to OVF. Plus you don’t have to forget that EVF gives you some inherent features that are simply non available on OVF. So let’s wait and see what the new generation EVF from Sony will be. 3+ Million dots for the NEX-7n sounds like a good improvement!
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Dpreview (Click here) tested the NEX-6 and writes: “It performs as well or better than other mirrorless cameras on the market, and offers some unique features that are genuinely useful. The NEX-6 earns a very solid silver award and only just misses out on a gold. While some of our complaints could be resolved with a firmware update (such as the missing histogram in record mode and app speed), others, such as the lack of direct controls and location of the movie mode button, will have to wait for the revision of the NEX-6.”
basically the like the camera performance but not so the camera usability. And the probably strongest competitor is the NEX-7 which costs only $150 more and at the moment is selling better than the NEX-6 at Amazon (here is the ranking). There will be no NEX-6 successor any time soon, but what would you change on the NEX-6 successor to make it a great camera and to overcome some of the usability issues mentioned by Dpreview?
Sony NEX-6 price check at [shopcountry 14167].
NEX-6 deals in US:
NEX camera savings running until end of March at Amazon (Click here).
Special NEX-6 double lens kit bundle at Amazon (Click here).
Super accessorized kits for the same price as the kit only at [shoplink 17567 ebay]Focuscamera[/shoplink], [shoplink 17568 ebay]Willoughbyscamera[/shoplink], [shoplink 17569 ebay]BuyDig[/shoplink] and [shoplink 17571 ebay]Beachcamera[/shoplink].
DxOmark (Click here) tested the brand new Sigma 35mm f/1.4 lens. And according to their testings this is the best 35mm lens on market. It even beats (easily!) the Zeiss Distagon. DxO writes: “It’s lens that’s designed not only for the very best of today’s sensors but it appears well suited to handle the demands of the next generation of high-resolution imaging chips. The lens sets a new benchmark for optical performance for a retro-focus lens in this focal length and it’s a feat that’s even more remarkable given the price is well-below that of any of the big name brands.”
The lens is set to ship for the Sony A-mount on April 30th accoridng to BHphoto (Click here).
Yep, I am fully aware we are comparing apple with oranges. The Leica M and Sony RX1 are similar but at the same time very different cameras. But it’s interesting to see how they compare when it comes to analyze the pure image quality. You would expect a $12,000 Leica M + Summilux 35mm ($4,999 here at Amazon) combo to match and probably beat the performance of the $2800 Sony RX1. Just watch the video made by TheCameraStore TV (specifically the part from minute 10 towards). The Sony RX1 can shot way sharper pictures! That’s one of the advantages having a fixed lens that has been specifically developed for the Sony 24MP sensor. Suddenly the camera sounds like a bargain compared with the Leica :)
Also Steve Huff compared the Leica M with the Sony RX1 and writes: “The RX1 is a resolution monster as well and seems to beat the Leica M here for sharpness/detail”
I guess that if the Sony RX1 sells well than Sony may come out with a new RX2 soon (maybe in 2014).
RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories: 1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). 2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). 3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks! 4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
The Japanese Blog Ichie-inc (translation here) posted a first 20mm pancake lens test. They compared the performance of the lens with the “older” 16mm pancake. It’s up to you to comment if the 20mm lens is better than the 16mm or not :)
The lens will ship in April in EU and US countries (April 10 according to BHphoto).
