Sigma 30mm and Sony NEX-F3 reviews and RX100 image samples

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It’s time for a new review roundup as many of our Sony friends tested new stuff during the last days:

Sigma for NEX
Kurt Munger posted the full Sigma 30mm lens review: “Overall, the Sigma 30mm F/2.8 EX DN lens is pretty good in optical terms, it’s just not a useful combo in my opinion.  Add in the poor flare control, small reproduction size, lack of image stabilization, and this lens really doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.”
Sonyalphalab tested both new Sigma lenses: “Their about the same sharpness as far as I can tell, and both suffer from similar flaws as far as very slight corner softening and chromatic aberrations/ fringing. The relatively small flaws on these lenses are totally reasonable though, considering the ~$200 price tag”
The Sigma 30mm lens is in Stock at Amazon US (Click here), Amazon DE (Click here), Amazon FR (Click here).
The Sigma 19mm lens is in Stock at Amazon US (Click here), Amazon DE (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Amazon FR (Click here).

NEX-F3 and RX100:
Photographyblog posted the full NEX-F3 review: “The Sony NEX-F3 may sit at the bottom of Sony’s mirrorless compact system camera line-up, but for many people this could be the only camera that they’ll ever need“.
Digitalcamerainfo also tested the Sony NEX-F3: “The NEX-F3 is a solid follow-up to the successful NEX-C3, making it the best entry-level compact system camera on the market”
NEX-F3 search links at [shopcountry 12718].
Sony RX100 image samples at Lenstip.
RX100 Preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Germany, Amazon France and Jessops.

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Next top reviews: RX100 tested by Luminous Landscape and EosHD

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Berlin Vignette – EOSHD Sony RX100 test from Andrew Reid on Vimeo.

After David Kilpatrick’s NEX-7 review we have a next top review from one of my favorite websites, the RX100 test at Luminous Landscape (Click here): “The summary judgement for me is that the new Sony RX100 is hands-down the most appealing pocket-sized digital camera yet.” It’s again a must read article!

Also my friend Andrew from EosHD (Click here) posted a full RX100 review: “If you haven’t yet entered the DSLR video world, the RX100 is capable of similar results in video mode and even a similar standard of stills. This is amazing and I cannot believe we’re talking about a pocket camera.”

 

I hope we can get this kind of positive reviews about the upcoming A99 and NEX-5F too!

RX100 Preorders at Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon Germany, Amazon France and Jessops.

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A cheap A77 grip alternative spotted on eBay.

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[shoplink 12857 ebay][/shoplink]

Vertical grip:
A SAR reader sent me the link to a much cheaper [shoplink 12857 ebay]Sony A77 external vertical grip on auction on eBay (Click here)[/shoplink]. As you see it costs much less than the official Sony VG-C77AM Vertical Grip (here at Amazon). Question is, does it work at least nearly as good as the official grip?

Reminder: Sony extended the US deals til September the 1st:
1) The $100 off on some camera+lens combos (Click here).
2) Price drops on a long list of Sony camera accessories (Click here).
3) $80 off on the A65 (Click here) and the A57 (Click here).

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Sony sensor world domination compared with the Kodak film domination…

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Roger Cicala from Lensrentals posted some thoughts about Sony’s sensor strategy based on the latest news that also the new Olympus E-M5 is actually using a Sony made sensor. Robert compared the Sony situation with that from Kodak ages ago: “They were cutting edge developing first dry plates and then film, releasing ‘consumer’ cameras that brought photography to the masses, and making everyone’s prints. They dominated the photographic and movie industries for nearly 100 years.”

I don’t know, on one side I am happy to see Sony ruling the sensor technology and business, on the other side it’s a bit pity that they are not really pushing their own camera business. Things are going a bit slow there and it almost looks like their focus is on selling sensors instead of cameras. Anyway, we are close to Photokina and Sony may show us the exact contrary!

One more thing: Lexar announced that it will join the Sony XQD technology (via ThePhoBlographer).

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A short update on the A99….

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After posting the A99 specs I got contacted by another source. He confirmed that the specs are pretty much spotted right. But firmware isn’t finalized yet so small things still can change. I have been told Sony is working hard to avoid some of the early problems we had on the A77 launch.

Meantime it sounds like the NEX-5F (or someone told me the final name may be NEX5R) and the 16-50mm pancake lens are going to be announced in late August. But there is even more stuff coming along that!

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