Popphoto: A77 is the new King of APS-C (with bugs?).

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There is a new full A77 review at Popphoto (Click here): “The [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] now reigns supreme over APS-C format DSLRs. Neither Canon’s EOS 7D nor Nikon’s D300s can match the A77’s AF speed or resolution. While the Canon 7D does beat the A77 in its noise performance and holds more resolution at the highest ISOs, the A77 ultimately beats it for the overall package, including the video-shooting experience and the versatility of the articulated LCD.

The Chinese website Sheya (Click here) compared the A77 resolution with other top ASP-C models (via RiceHigh).

Sony A77 image samples at Lenstip (Click here).

The Sony A77 manual is available for download at Sony Store (Click here).

One more thing: Please send me your reports or links to posts where people talks about the current A77 issues. I am collecting everything to write an appropriate post. It sounds like Sony will have two cameras to fix, the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] and now the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] too!

P.S.: Those are all the links to preorder the new Sony cameras and lenses:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

New Sony A77 video review by Digitalrev.

Kai from Digitalrev posted the video on top. As you know the Sony A77 is now available in some Asian and European stores. There are also some first reports about bugs and issues. I am currently investigating that. The good news is that it looks like most issues can be solved via firmware upgrade. So don’t panic, it’s normal that new cameras need to be fixed in time :)

Click those links to see if the A77 is in Stock: [shopcountry 8461]

Sony NEX-7 full size samples and A77 and 16-50mm lens review.

There is a new set of nice full size image samples taken with the [shoplink 8454]NEX-7 and the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens. You can see them here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/nex7/discuss/72157627615393769/ Thanks Andrew and NEX-7 group for sending me the link! The images you see have been processed with Capture ONE 6.3. I like them a lot! I really cannot wait to get my hands on that camera
Preorders are available here:
NEX-7 at [shopcountry 8454].
Zeiss 24mm at [shopcountry 845o].

A reviewer form a dutch website sent me this: “Just a short note to let you know we’ve published an extensive review (>5500 words) of the Sony a77 at FotoVideo.nu (an independant and editorial websites about photography and video).The review is in Dutch, but I think you can read it reasonably with the help of Google Translate. Beyond text, we’ve included a lot of images and graphs (also hi-res on Flickr). You are free to use image material and/or text quotes if you like. It’s at: http://nl.fotovideo.nu/reviews/2339/sony-alpha-a77-review (Click here to read the translation). In short we are very positive about the specs of the a77 and think its price-performance ratio is very good. The step to use an EVF over an OVF is couragous, though it’s up to the advanced photographer wether it’s a good alternative (in some cases it’s not, e.g. battery usage). The major disadvantage is that the a77 has lots of noise from ISO 3200 and up. We think it’s a pity that Sony didn’t choose to use the 16 megapixel-sensor of the NEX-5N (we also have a review in preparation for that one). Also, compared to the fullframe Canon 5D Mark II, the a77 lacks detail (despite of the additional megapixels).
We use Imatest for benchmarking and have used a near-final sample (from Sony) with firmware 1.02. Keep up the good work with your site. We’re reading it daily. :-)

Photoreview (Click here) tested the new 16-50mm f/2.8 kit lens: “On the A77 body, the review lens turned in an impressive performance in Photo Review’s Imatest tests, which showed consistently high resolution throughout the aperture and focal length range. Maximum resolution was recorded at f/4 with the 24mm focal length setting

And those are the links to preorder the new cameras and lenses:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

 

DxOmark sensor test: A77 is as good as Nikon and Canon fullframe cameras!

DxOmark (Click here) just published an extremely interesting [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] sensor test. The A77 sensor has a very large Dynamic range that easily suprasses the results of the Nikon D700 and Canon 5D markII fullframe cameras: “In conclusion, thanks to its capacity to innovate always further and to break the limits of sensor design, Sony is about to bring on the market a very good semi-professional camera body. The next question is the capacity of the lenses to address the challenge of these very small pixels. The DxOMark lens measurements should give us an answer very soon. Last but not least, as the same sensor will be used by the [shoplink 8459]Sony A65[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX 7[/shoplink], we should see some nice reviews very soon. It will be especially interesting to see the NEX 7 results as it doesn’t feature a translucent mirror and should take full advantage of this amazing sensor.

The real surprise is that the Sony A580 sensor has a similar A77 score. because at High ISO it’s still noticeable better (Click here to see the comparison). I confess I am now very intrigued about how good the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] can be. And of course as DxOmark said, I expect the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] to be a tack better than the A77 because of the absence of the semitransparent mirror.

Now it’s up to you to preorder the right camera. I give you the links to all of them :)
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

Is the Nikon V1 really better than the Sony NEX-5n? (I say no!)

Pocket Lint (Click here) compared the Nikon V1 versus the Sony NEX-5n and comes to the conclusion that the V1 is actually better. I want to hear you’re comments on that. My opinion on  that? Some of their points are really weird. But let’s start the discussion to see why Pocket Lint may be right (or wrong).

P.S.: Engadget compared the Sony NEX-C3 and the new Nikon J1 sensor size comparison (Scroll the article to see the image). And there is a ISO comparison at Focus Numerique.

NEX-5n news roundup…

Sony Nex 5n on a Cinestar 6 from GravityShots.com on Vimeo.

As you know I own the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] but sadly I had no time to test it as I am really busy travelling across Europe for work reasons. I can give you only a short impression, Ergonomomy, Usability and Touchscreen are really NOT good for my needs. But the image quality, the peaking mode are amazing + the combo with the [shoplink 8725 ebay]Nokton 35mm f/1.4[/shoplink] is amazing. Will write a short review as soon as I am back at home next week! And below you can read a couple of new NEX-5n related news:

There is a full NEX-5n review at DC.watch. It’s in japanese but you cans till look at the pictures :)

Dpreview is already showing NEX-5N images on their comparison tool. As you see the NEX-5n does an amazing job at High-ISO!!!

New image samples at Outbackphoto.

The “clicking” issue has been reported to Sony engineering (See https://forum.sel.sony.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=10944) and the Sony China store removed the order option.

And here are the NEX-5n order links. But I suggest you to wait for Sony fixing the Clicking issue(!): [shopcountry 8452].

Sony NEX-7 videos and news.

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Cnet Asia (Click here) first take: “The Sony Alpha [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] is a more advanced camera which could appeal to seasoned users with its manual controls and upgraded features such as a proper hotshoe and built-in viewfinder. Additionally, Sony’s currently limited lens lineup will also be seeing some new introductions later this year that include a promising Carl Zeiss-branded 24mm F1.8 prime and a 55-210mm telephoto zoom. A better selection of lenses could help this camera overcome its high price tag.”

Leica M9 versus Sony NEX-7 at Echenique (Click here): “Based on specs alone, the Sony NEX-7 looks poised to topple the Leica M9 as the King of the Street Shooters, but there are other factors to be considered which cannot be done until I get an actual production camera in my hands. Ergonomics, image quality, shutter noise, AF speed and card writing speed are among the technical issues that remain to be tested. Leica also has a long and storied history having been the camera of choice for many of the greatest photographers of the last 60+ years.

Cgarrard at Alphamountworld (Click here) said: “I didn’t have long with the NEX-7 (i.e.-NEXIE), but what time I had with the interface intrigued me. I came away thinking Ill need much more time with it in order to have a final say on the interface/menu but my first impression was pretty positive. I figure as soon as I dig into the manual and configure all the custom controls to my liking, the NEXIE is going to really be a nice tool to use.

Ein Blick auf die NEX-7 (Fotointern). Tri-dial navigation on youtube. German Hands-on video at IFA berlin on youtube.

Click those direct NEX-7 search links to preorder the camera [shopcountry 8454].