Tom Calton about the RX1rIII: Sony F***ed up

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Sony RX1rIII in Stock at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK.

Tom Calton has a very nuanced about the Sony RX1rIII :)

Bottom line:

He thinks the Sony RX1R III is not a bad camera — it’s compact, beautifully built, and delivers stunning 61MP image quality. But at $5,100 without IBIS, weather sealing, or even a new lens, it feels more like Sony chasing Leica’s prestige than delivering real innovation. For most photographers, the A7CR offers the same performance at nearly half the price and with more flexibility. The RX1R III might please collectors, but for everyone else, it’s a hard sell.

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Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master vs. G Master Primes – Sharpness and Bokeh Face-Off

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Portrait photographer Alex Barrera recently tested the brand new Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master against some of Sony’s most acclaimed primes: the Sony 24mm f/1.4 GM, the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM, the Sony 50mm f/1.4 GM, and the Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM.Alex tested each lens at three apertures: wide open (f/1.4 for primes, f/2 for the zoom), f/2, and f/2.8, using a tripod to ensure consistency. His goal was to see if the 28-70mm f/2 could match or come close to the optical performance of Sony’s top-tier primes.

24mm vs. 28mm: At f/2, both lenses were extremely sharp, with the zoom even producing more pleasing background blur due to focal length compression. At f/2.8, the differences became minimal, with both performing at a very high level. Wide open, the 24mm f/1.4 had the advantage in subject isolation, but the zoom was still remarkably close.

35mm comparison: The prime lens had slightly rounder bokeh balls and a hair more sharpness, but the differences were small enough that most viewers wouldn’t notice without pixel-peeping.

50mm comparison: The 50mm f/1.4 GM is one of the sharpest primes Alex has used, and while it retained a small edge wide open, the zoom held up incredibly well — particularly when stopped down.

70mm vs. 85mm: Here, the prime’s extra focal length and faster aperture made a big difference. The 85mm f/1.4 GM delivered superior compression, bokeh, and sharpness, making it the clear winner in this range.

Alex concluded that the Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master is so good that it could replace multiple prime lenses for many photographers, especially event shooters, thanks to its image quality, versatility, and the convenience of not having to swap lenses during a shoot.

While the $3,000 price tag is steep, the value proposition of condensing four premium primes into one high-performing zoom is compelling. Alex plans more real-world portrait tests soon, so stay tuned for further impressions.

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Sony 28-70mm f/2.0 GM at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, BestBuy, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, Calumet, WexUK.

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New Sigma 35mm f1.2 DG II Art Reviews

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Sigma 35mm f/1.2 II at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton.

The lens shipment kicked of this week and here are three new reviews:

All new Sigma lenses:
Sigma 135mm f/1.4 preorder links at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton.
Sigma 35mm f/1.2 II preorder links at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton.
Sigma 20-200mm f/3.5-6.3 preorder links at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotokoch, Fotoerhardt, Calumet, WexUK, Clifton.
Sigma 28-45mm T2 Cine Zoom Lens with AF preorder at BHphoto. Adorama.

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Fstoppers: Viltrox Pro AF 85mm f/1.4 – The Best 85mm Lens for Sony E-Mount?

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Viltrox launched the new 85mm f/1.4 FE lens for $598 at BHphoto, Amazon US&EU, Viltroxstore, Pergear.

Viltrox is really making significant progress in improving the performance of Sony GM lenses. Fstopper even goes so far as to claim that this is the next 85mm lens with an E-mount:

And Viltrox isn’t the only chinese company making good quality autofocus E-mount lenses. Here is a comparison between the Viltrox and the new Kase 85mm (available at Amazon):

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First leaked images of the new Sony 100mm f/2.8 GM OSS macro lens coming on September 30!

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Here you have the first two leaked images showing the new Sony 100mm f/2.8 GM OSS macro lens that will be announced next week on September 30. The lens will be the successor of the now aging 90mm f/2.8 OSS G macro lens.  Here are the upgrades of the 100mm lens over the 90mm lens:

  • new lens is GM and not G (means higher quality)
  • has aperture ring
  • has AF-MF switch
  • Full Time DMF switch
  • IRIS lock

I have no info about the price yet but I suspect we will get very close to the $2000 price tag :(

This is likely the only gear that will be announced next week. The Sony A7V is more likely to be announced sometimes later in October/November. More about this camera will be posted here on SAR next week. Stay tuned!

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Sony China Marks 15 Years of Alpha — More Glass, More AI, More innovative tech

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Sony marked the 15th anniversary of its α mirrorless line in China with a broad look at how the brand plans to keep growing: tighter ties to creators, more local investment, and a deeper, end-to-end ecosystem. While there were no explicit product teasers, the messaging strongly hints at continued updates to the three flagship pillars and a steady stream of GM glass.

  • “Complete ecosystem” push: 8 product lines and 80+ E-mount lenses (including 20+ G Master). Expect continued breadth—especially fast zooms/primes that fill focal-length gaps.
  • Flagship continuity: Ongoing emphasis on resolution, speed and hybrid bodies—think α7R (high MP), α9III (global/stacked speed), and α1II (do-it-all flagship).
  • Creator-first programs: Trials of GM lenses, education, and event partnerships suggest features that favor AF reliability, AI subject detection, and robust video options in future bodies.
  • China focus: Continued manufacturing and community investment indicate faster local rollouts and creator-driven feedback loops that can shape firmware and hardware refinements.

What this likely means for upcoming gear

  • More GM glass to round out “holy trinity” updates and specialty primes. Recent benchmarks to watch: FE 24–70mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 70–200mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 16–35mm f/2.8 GM II, FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
  • Tiered body updates: Expect refreshes that preserve role distinctions—more pixels and AI AF for the a7R line, speed/stacked sensor advances for a9, and “best of both” halo features for the a1 family.
  • Video & creator tools: Deeper codecs, heat management, and usability (menus, tally, LUT/monitoring) to keep pace with hybrid workflows and long-form recording.

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Source: Fengniao

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