On sensor phase detection is the future tech. The NEX-FF and mirrorless ILCE camera will rely on that. As you know the Canon 70D has likely the most advanced solution called “Dual Pixel CMOS sensor”. In that case On-sensor phase detect AF is available on every pixel and adopted for initial subject acquisition.

DxOmark (Click here) posted an interesting Canon 70D vs Sony A77 comparison to see if the Canon tech is as good as it sounds on paper. The full test video page can be seen here. These are some of their findings:

Autofocus accuracy on fast appearance
– In Bright light conditions the Sony AF system is faster
– In Low Light conditions the Sony SLT-A77 performed nearly as well as the Canon, despite only 30% of the light entering the mirror-box being used for AF in the Sony.

Autofocus accuracy for tracking
– In Bright light conditions the Canon EOS 70D is slightly slower as we’ve seen before, while the Sony SLT A77 reacts quickly but displays lens breathing (a change of angle of view during shifting of focus).
– In Low Light conditions the Canon EOS 70D is clearly the better at focusing of the two on test.

DxO conclusion is:

For video enthusiasts, this camera is one of the best choices available on the market currently and at least is a viable option to the entirely likeable and very capable Sony SLT models.

Overall the A77 proves to be a better performer in normal shooting conditions and shows it’s limits only when it gets…dark. Note that the Canon 70D is a brand new camera that also costs $300 more than the two year old A77. It will be interesting to see how the soon to be announced NEX-FF and ILCE7/9 cameras will perform with their new on sensor phase detection tech.

QX presentation video from BHphoto.

More new videos to watch:
DSC-QX100 Sample Movie “Light & Shadow in Singapore” (Youtube). Sony QX100 Phone ‘Lens Camera’ Hands On Preview by WDC (Youtube). Sony QX100 and QX10 Lens Cameras hands-on | Engadget (Youtube). Sony DSC-QX10 im ersten Kurztest (Youtube). Sony Cyber-shot QX10 & QX100 – Praxis-Test Hands-on Smartphone-Kamera | CHIP (Youtube). Sony DSC-QX10 and QX100 – First Look by Adorama (Youtube). Sony Cyber-shot DSC QX10 and DSC QX100 hands on by PhoneArena (Youtube). Sony QX10 and QX100 smart lenses hands-on by Mike (Youtube). Promotion Video for Action Cam HDR-AS30V (Youtube). Promotion Video for 4K Handycam FDR-AX1 (Youtube). Sample Video for 4K Handycam FDR-AX1 (Youtube). FDR-AX1, 4K camcorder by SonyHowTo (Youtube). FDR-AX1 first look by SGNL (Youtube).

Here are all direct links to preorders in USA/Canada:
QX100: Amazon (Click here), SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), SonyCA (Click here).
Soft Carrying Case for DSC-QX100 at Amazon (Click here).
Black QX10: Amazon (Click here), SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here), SonyCA (Click here).
White QX10: Amazon (Click here), SonyUS (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Soft Carrying Case for DSC-QX10 Amazon (Click here).
Sony AX1 4K camcorder Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
AS30V action camera: Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
HDR-MV1 Music Camcorder at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).

Here are all direct links to preorders in Europe:
Black QX100 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
Black QX10 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
White QX10 at SonyDE, Amazon.de (via DealsRunner), Amazon France (via DL), SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
Xperia Z1 at SonyDE, SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
AS30V camera: SonyDE.
X9 4K Ultra HD-Fernseher at SonyDE, SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.
4K FDR-AX1 camcorder at SonyDE, SonyUK, SonyES, SonyIT, SonyNL, SonyBE, SonyAT, SonyCH, SonySE, SonyFI, SonyNo.

RX cameras are very popular among photographers and photography sites. It’s not a surprise to see that the RX100MII is the most sold Sony camera at Amazon (Click here to see the ranking). And the cheapest RX camera is the RX100 for $538 at [shoplink 20682 ebay]BigValue eBay (Click here)[/shoplink].

Today you have a whole bunch of new reviews to read! Here is the list:

Forbes (Click here) posted an article about the RX100 and writes:

Even after a year, there is simply nothing else out there that offers the unique combination of tiny size, brilliant resolution, and responsiveness that the RX100 offers.

Sony RX100MII review at Photographyblog.
Sony RX100R review at CameraLabs.
Sony RX1R review at Digitalversus.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R lens review at DxOmark.
Sony Cyber-shot RX1R Samples Gallery Expanded at Dpreview.
Sony RX1 developers Interview (.pdf).
Sony Cybershot Camera RX100 II Review with Test Photos & Video (Bretthigginsphotography).
Sony DSC-RX100M2 vs RX100 with Real World Sample Photos (RonMartBlog)

Hard to find any negative comments! :)

New RX orders:
RX1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
RX100MII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.

The product presentation video by SGNL

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It is not usual to see so few image samples and test at a product launch. Luckily some small tests can be seen in Asia: The (Chinese?) site PCpop (google translation here) posted the first A3000 ISO test.  Sony Japan posted some image samples with the Zeiss lens (Click here to see) and the PZ lens (Click here to see). If you can find more tests and image samples drop me a message at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com. Thanks!

Preorders in USA/Canada (Click on the store name to open the product page):
Full new NEX camera/lens presenatation page at Amazon (Click here).
$398 A3000 with lens at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$548 NEX-5T body at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto and Adorama.
$698 NEX-5T +16-50mm at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$998 Zeiss 16-70mm f/4.0 at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$598 Sony E PZ 18-105G at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto and Adorama.
$298 Black 50mm lens at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
Soft Case at Amazon and BHphoto.

Preorders in Europe:.
ILC-3000 at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
NEX-5T + 16-50mm at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
NEX-5T double lens kit at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
Zeiss 16-70mm f/4.0 at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
Sony E PZ 18-105G at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.

An image sample taken with the A3000 and Zeiss 16-70mm lens (Source: Gustav from Dyxum)

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The first and only website showing image samples with the new A3000 and Zeiss lens is Gustav from Dyxum (Click here). Gustav writes:

conlusion for me , A3000 is a very nice camera for his price (350 euro)
ofcourse it has also his negatives , but for this price you get a very nice camera with a very very good sensor , and for me personal is that the most important.
ZEIS 16-70 F4 OSS , not to big , not to small very good build , perfect combination at the A3000 and all NEX-camera`s , very good with the lens wide open (F4) , only negative is the price (1000 euro)but it is a “must have lens”

Some of you may wished the lens to be a stop faster. But these would have come to a high cost (more weight and greater size). I prefer the compact size (it’s only a tiny bit bigger than the 24mm Zeiss) and I bet it will become the main kit lens for many NEX owners. And one more thing: Stay tuned on SAR, because more great Zeiss lens are coming soon :)

I now updated the preorder list with links to many US, EU and Canada stores:

Preorders in USA/Canada (Click on the store name to open the product page):
Full new NEX camera/lens presenatation page at Amazon (Click here).
$398 A3000 with lens at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$548 NEX-5T body at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto and Adorama.
$698 NEX-5T +16-50mm at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$998 Zeiss 16-70mm f/4.0 at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto, Adorama and Sony Canada.
$598 Sony E PZ 18-105G at Amazon, SonyStore, BHphoto and Adorama.
$298 Black 50mm lens at Amazon, BHphoto and Adorama.
Soft Case at Amazon and BHphoto.

Preorders in Europe:.
ILC-3000 at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
NEX-5T + 16-50mm at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
NEX-5T double lens kit at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
Zeiss 16-70mm f/4.0 at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.
Sony E PZ 18-105G at Sony DE, Sony UK, Sony ES, Sony SE, Sony AT, Sony IT, Sony NL, Sony BE, Sony FI, Sony CH.

DxOmark (Click here) published the RX1R test and compared it with the RX1 model. The RX1R is indeed sharper but the truth (according to DxO) is that the it comes at a cost. There is a tiny bit less dynamic range on the newer RX1R. But as we discussed here many times before, these tests are certainly to take not too…seriously :)

New RX orders:
RX1 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony France, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.
RX100MII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, WexUK, Sonystore US, Sony Canada, Sony Deutschland, Sony UK, Sony FR, Sony Italy, Sony Netherland, Sony Belgium, Sony Austria, Sony Sweden, Sony Finland, Sony Spain.

Time to catch up with some Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 reviews (done on Canon cameras and on one NEX):

1) ThePhoBlographer (Click here) writes:

We’ve got absolutely nothing but respect and love for the Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 DC HSM. If you’re an APS-C DSLR user, this should be the lens that is a high priority item on your list to get. It’s sharp, contrasty, has beautiful color that is true to life, focuses quickly, and stays compact due to its internal zooming and focusing design.

2) Review of the Canon version at TheDigitalPicture.
3) Francesco: “NEX 7 and Sigma 18 – 35mm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9iAJyHf-Xs”
4) New Lens Data have been posted on Dpreview.

The lens created quite a buzz on the web with plenty of positive feedbacks. And now a question:

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P.S.: The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 A-mount lens will ship any day now at Amazon (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and Adorama (Click here). It will ship in September in Europe according to Amazon UK (Click here).