What a luck. Some of the commenter’s on SAR argued that the Leica M-E cannot be compared with the Sony RX1 because the Leica uses an older sensor. And guess what happened. Right now DxOmark published the full Leica M results too (Click here to see the test). You may don’t know it but the Leica M has a Full Frame 24 Megapixel sensor like the Sony RX1 and costs $6,995 at BHphoto (Click here). And  this is the price you pay for the body only :)

Accoridng to DxO the Sony RX1 again outperforms the Leica. At that point I am wondering what will happen with Leica if Sony really launches the $4,000 NEX-FF. Will Sony kill Leica?

DxOmark published the Leica M-E test and suddenly the RX1 really looks like a real bargain :)

The $2800 (or 3100 Euro) Sony RX1 outperforms the twice as expensive Leica M-E  camera! And Focus Numerique compared the even more expensive (and newer) Leica M with the RX1 and once again the Sony is better. Don’t know what will happen with Leica the day Sony comes out with the NEX-9 FF…

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]).

Click on the image left or right to see the bigger pics. (left orignial pic, right 100% crop).

Gustav posted the first SAL70-400 SSM G II image samples at Dyxum (Click here). He says that “this is a outstanding/superb lens for wildlife/sports , razor-sharp , even with the lens wide open. if you looking for a very good lens that have SSM and personal i think this lens come`s very close near a fixed-lens 300mm/400mm”

Thanks Gustav!

Sony 70-400mm preorders at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).

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The A58 features a brand new sensor and you may check out the first image samples posted by Popphoto, Digitalcamerareview and DCfever to see if there is a noticeable image quality increase. I guess the A58 sensor has the same new tech as the soon to come new 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor of the NEX-7n. So let me know what you think about those images!

P.S.: Sony NEX-3N First Look at Digitalcamerareview.

US preorders:
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals).
Sony SLT-A58 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Black Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Silver Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
DT 18-55mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sony 70-400mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Sony HVL-F20 Flash at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony HX300 at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Black at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Orange at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Pink at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 Black at Adorama (White!), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 RED at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 White at BHphoto (Click here).

And here are the European preorder links:
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM can now be preordered at Wex UK.
The NEX-3n can now be preordered at Sony DE, Amazon DE, Sony UK, Wex DE, Wex UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony SE.
The A58 can now be preordered at Amazon DE, Wex DE, Wex UK.

Ok ok, we all read the positive reviews written by the usual big photogrpahy websites. But what do real photographers think about the camera? Here are three links you have to check out:

Duncan Davidson (Click here) posted a superb review of the Sony RX1: “Put another way, there has not a single time that I’ve been out and about with only my RX1 and regretted not having my big SLR with me. That’s pretty much a first for me. Even though the X100 came close, it never quite met that standard. I can tell you that my RX1 going to spend a lot of time in my bag or on a strap while I continue to travel around the world in 2013.”

Magnum Photographer John Vink (Click here) is using the RX1 too. His only comment for now is: “The AF definitely needs to be much more snappier.” LOL :)  But you can see some great pics from John on his webesite here (monochrome) and here (color).

Peter Adam (Click here) posted a very detailed review and says about the RX1: “The lens surprised me–I thought it would be more of a limiting factor than it was, but came to appreciate its versatility. Would I love it if this camera had removable/changeable lenses? Of course, I would. However, I have to admit, the 35mm f/2 worked great for 90% of the photos I wanted to take.”

Two more great reviews can be read at Minimallyminimal and in German at Digitalkamera.

Take your time to read them all because these are very good articles. The RX1 rocks and it is hard to resist the temptation to buy it when you have to wait at least one year until we can grab the interchangeable NEX version :(

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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]).

Some of you still think SAR is a place for fanboys but it isn’t. It old you two days ago that the new Sony announced stuff didn’t get any sensible amount of preorders at Amazon US. None of the newly announced cameras or lens made it into the top 100 of the Amazon mirrorless (Click here), DSRL (Click here) and Lens (Click here) rankings. SO let’s take a look at two critics I found on the web that may explain what may be the problem:

ThePhoBlographer tested the new Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM lens and writes: “So far, I was pretty impressed with that the lens had to offer, but not for the $1,498.00 asking price. Then again, I have yet to test it out on a camera. I absolutely loved the A99 when we reviewed it, and this 50mm should be able to take full advantage of its 24MP sensor.”

Carl Garrard shared his thoughts about the A58 at Alphamountworld: “Sure the A58 is a perfectly decent camera, and I’m sure for its price it’s quite a bargain. There’s no denying that. However I think Sony should have called the A58 a different name, because it is not a true upgrade overall for the A57. Sony had a really good thing going with that camera at that level. And instead of capitalizing on it by improving it, they let another fish go back to the sea gambling on a lower cost cut down model to supersede it. Unless there’s an A60 coming this year (doubtful) as a real successor and overall improvement to the A57 at that price point, I think Sony have made a grave error here which begs the question: Who is making these decisions at Sony?”

I want to hear your opinion in that. Is the Zeiss overpriced? Is the A58 wrongfully placed within the SLT range?

Something else: One of our readers spotted the new Pink(!) NEX-3n in Hong Kong. As you know pink camera sell pretty well in Asia.

US preorders:
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals).
Sony SLT-A58 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Black Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Silver Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
DT 18-55mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sony 70-400mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Sony HVL-F20 Flash at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony HX300 at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Black at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Orange at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Pink at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 Black at Adorama (White!), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 RED at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 White at BHphoto (Click here).

And here are the European preorder links:
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM can now be preordered at Wex UK.
The NEX-3n can now be preordered at Sony DE, Amazon DE, Sony UK, Wex DE, Wex UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony SE.
The A58 can now be preordered at Amazon DE, Wex DE, Wex UK.

There is a new RX1 review at Imaging Resource and once again the reviewer is amazed by the camera: “an almost-pocketable camera that delivers stellar hi-res images. The RX1 is the ultimate everyday street shooter or second camera for serious enthusiasts, pros (and trendsetters) alike, but its high price means it’s not for everybody.”

More RX1 bits: Test at Invisiblephotographer and Cnet Asia. Can a Sony RX1 Truly Replace Your DSLR? (Digitalcamerainfo). RX1 and RX100 thoughts at Engadget. RX1 GRIP video on youtube.

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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]).