Sony TidBits (A55, A580, NEX)


Sony A55 AF test with 3rd party AF, body AF, SAM & SSM

ePhotozine reviewed the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink]: “There is no doubt that this is an enjoyable and versatile photographic tool, capable of very fine results. Access to the range of Sony/Carl Zeiss lenses has to be a major plus point, and at a reasonable cost too. The lack of mirror slap reduces potential vibration and also enables very high frame rates.”

Cgarrard posted the first part of his [shoplink 4617]Sony A580[/shoplink] review, And the first part consists of 7 page long detailed tests! “Since the A580 is a relatively lightweight medium sized DSLR, that makes it a contender for backpacking duty. Given the pretty good feature set of the A580 compared to the competition, and there isn’t much it won’t be able to handle for the outdoor enthusiast- that is unless you shoot quite a bit already in inclimate weather.”

DxO Optics Pro Adds Support for Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 (Photographybay). And Alpha Numerique tested the new DxO Optics software on Sony NEX cameras!

The UK camera industry fears compact system cameras (CSC) will kill off sales in the rest of the photographic market, according to research by industry analysts. (Amateur Photographer)

New Sony reviews (A580, A55, NEX-5, 85mm f/2.8 lens)


SAMSUNG NX100 vs SONY NEX5 from hyunmi kang on Vimeo. (UPDATE: The video is made by a Samsung fan! Keep that in mind when you view it.)

PhotoclubAlpha wrote a 7 page long, very detailed and honest new [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] review (Compliments!): “The Alpha 55 actually replaces something which overlapped with my film cameras – the Dimage 7/A series – and also the various video cameras I owned five, ten or more years ago. The video function is also there in the NEX and the 580, but the A55 would be my first choice. It genuinely can track focus during video even with fast-moving subjects or changes of distance, and do so with all the lenses I can fit to it. It removes any need to own a further compact digital.”

Sony A55 vs Nikon D90 in RAW (Fotoactualidad)
PCworld tested the [shoplink 4617]Sony A580 eBay[/shoplink]: “The Alpha 580 is a very impressive camera that’s comfortable to shoot with, and well-designed. Supported by a robust collection of high-quality lenses, the camera is capable of delivering excellent image quality. What’s more, Sony is doing a good job of automating post-production processes like HDR and panoramic stitching directly in camera, turning these “high-end” features into usable, everyday consumer techniques.”

The bulgarian website photo-forum.net tested the new Sony 85mm f/2.8 lens.

First Micro Four Thirds lens tested on the Sony NEX-5

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What happens if you put the [shoplink 4867]Voigtländer Nokton 25mm f/0.95 Micro Four Thirds lens[/shoplink] on a [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink]? That’s exactly what Woodent (a dpreview forum user) made in his latest test! He used the new [shoplink 4840]Micro Four Thirds to NEX adapter [/shoplink] and shared his pictures on Flickr (Click here to see the images). As you can see there is a lot of vignetting when shooting wide open (at f/0.95). Stopped down images are sharp and vignetting almost disappears. Anyway, I would prefer if Voigtländer would produce specific E-mount lenses. As you know they are working very close with Zeiss so this is not an impossible “dream”.

on eBay: [shoplink 4840]Click here to see the current Micro Four Thirds to NEX adapter auctions[/shoplink].

New A55/A33 camera reviews (UsaToday, Photographyblog, Digicam)

Jefferson Graham from the magazine USAtoday have been asked: “I want to buy a digital SLR: which one should I get?” The answer he gave is: “Well folks, this year, I have a new answer –the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink]” :)

Photographyblog posted the Sony A33 review. The camera gets a “Highly Recommended”: “The [shoplink 3617]Sony A33[/shoplink] turns conventional design on its head to provide what is in many ways a better user experience than traditional DSLRs can achieve, at a price point that Canon and Nikon must be worried about. If you can overcome your reservations about electronic viewfinders, the Sony A33 is a great choice for both beginners and more cautious enthusiasts alike.

The german Magazine Digicam-beratung.de also tested the Sony A55: ” Sony did almost everything right with the A55!” (Click here to read the google english translation)

David Pogue includes the NEX-5 as a holiday pick (+Sony 16mm f/2.8 E-mount lens review)

It’s Christams time and David Pogue from the New York Times gives you his picks for this years holiday season’s best tech gifts. And what kind of system camea does he reocmmend? The [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink]! Watch the video i posted on top ;)
Get the NEX-5 using this direct shop links:
US -> Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Europe -> Pixmania (de, fr, it, nl, uk, be, pl) and Amazon (de, fr, uk, it).

Slrgear.com tested the [shoplink 2998]Sony E 16mm f/2.8[/shoplink] lens. Conclusion: “The size of the lens make a NEX camera system almost pocketable. If you like the idea of a wide prime for your NEX camera, right now there’s simply nothing else available. It’s an interesting little lens, but its price point and its performance are perhaps limiting it to strictly consumer application.”

P.S.: Thanks to the anonymouse people that sent me the links!

Thom Hogan about the NEX-5: best sensor but bad usability

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Thom Hogan tested the four most popular compact mirrorless cameras (The Olympus E-PL1, Panasonic GF1, Samsung NX100 and the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink]). The Sony has the best sensor of the four but because of the lack of lenses and a bad handling he cannot recommend the camera: “I can’t really recommend the Sony NEX-5 directly. It’s actually quite good in image quality, especially if you need higher ISO values, and the 16mm f/2.8 lens makes for a very compact wide angle walkaround camera. Sony’s problem is three-fold. First, like Samsung, the lenses just aren’t there yet. Second, many of the lenses just absolutely drawf the camera body, and that starts to make the camera less desirable as a “compact.” Finally, the non-standard user interface and simplified control system is either going to get you swearing at the camera or you’re going to learn to like it. But I can’t predict that last bit, so don’t buy the Sony without actually trying it at a store first. ”

Read the full review at bythom.com

New Sony 85mm F/2.8 SAM review by Kurtmunger.com!


Kurt Munger posted a new interesting Sony 85mm F/2.8 SAM review. After long detailed testing he says: “Sony comes up with another winner in their high performance, low cost easy choice lens series“.

That’s a perfect lens if you want to carry a light lens. If you need a faster lens you have to get the much more expensive Sony/Zeiss 85mm f/1.4.

We also found a comaprison between the Sony 85mm and the Tamron 90mm lens at Sonyuserforum.de.

Check out price and availability clicking the direct shop links:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT, Pixmania FR