Yep, I am fully aware we are comparing apple with oranges. The Leica M and Sony RX1 are similar but at the same time very different cameras. But it’s interesting to see how they compare when it comes to analyze the pure image quality. You would expect a $12,000 Leica M + Summilux 35mm ($4,999 here at Amazon) combo to match and probably beat the performance of the $2800 Sony RX1. Just watch the video made by TheCameraStore TV (specifically the part from minute 10 towards). The Sony RX1 can shot way sharper pictures! That’s one of the advantages having a fixed lens that has been specifically developed for the Sony 24MP sensor. Suddenly the camera sounds like a bargain compared with the Leica :)

Also Steve Huff compared the Leica M with the Sony RX1 and writes: “The RX1 is a resolution monster as well and seems to beat the Leica M here for sharpness/detail”

I guess that if the Sony RX1 sells well than Sony may come out with a new RX2 soon (maybe in 2014).

RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

The Japanese Blog Ichie-inc (translation here) posted a first 20mm pancake lens test. They compared the performance of the lens with the “older” 16mm pancake. It’s up to you to comment if the 20mm lens is better than the 16mm or not :)

The lens will ship in April in EU and US countries (April 10 according to BHphoto).

The more expensive and certainly better performing 50mm f/1.4 Zeiss A-mount lens will ship from very late may only. Preorders are up at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals). In Europe at Wex UK and Amazon DE.

Image courtesy: ThePhoBlopgrapher.

ThePhoBlographer (Click here) tested the Rokinon 24mm T/1.5 lens which is also the first E-mount lens that covers the Full frame image circle. Actually Samyang/Rokinon announced five of these Cine Lenses:

8mm T/3.8 Fisheye Cine Lens for Sony E at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
14mm T3.1 Cine Lens for Sony E at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
24mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
35mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
85mm T1.5 Cine Lens for Sony E at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).

If you buy them you can use them on your current APS-C NEX camera or the Vg900 and future NEX-9 FF camera! ThePhoBlographer writes about these lenses: “They’re sharp, contrasty, affordable, ergonomically excellent, and overall exhibit some excellent image quality. The textured exterior is wonderful when the lens is being held in a hand–though we overall still recommend one to use a follow focus system when using this lens.”

Reminder: As usual be aware that Samyang has many different brand names. Click on these Slidoo eBay links to see a list.
USA: Rokinon, Samyang, Opteka, Bower and in Europe: Samyang, Rokinon, Walimex, Falcon, Vivitar.

What a luck. Some of the commenter’s on SAR argued that the Leica M-E cannot be compared with the Sony RX1 because the Leica uses an older sensor. And guess what happened. Right now DxOmark published the full Leica M results too (Click here to see the test). You may don’t know it but the Leica M has a Full Frame 24 Megapixel sensor like the Sony RX1 and costs $6,995 at BHphoto (Click here). And  this is the price you pay for the body only :)

Accoridng to DxO the Sony RX1 again outperforms the Leica. At that point I am wondering what will happen with Leica if Sony really launches the $4,000 NEX-FF. Will Sony kill Leica?

DxOmark published the Leica M-E test and suddenly the RX1 really looks like a real bargain :)

The $2800 (or 3100 Euro) Sony RX1 outperforms the twice as expensive Leica M-E  camera! And Focus Numerique compared the even more expensive (and newer) Leica M with the RX1 and once again the Sony is better. Don’t know what will happen with Leica the day Sony comes out with the NEX-9 FF…

RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

Click on the image left or right to see the bigger pics. (left orignial pic, right 100% crop).

Gustav posted the first SAL70-400 SSM G II image samples at Dyxum (Click here). He says that “this is a outstanding/superb lens for wildlife/sports , razor-sharp , even with the lens wide open. if you looking for a very good lens that have SSM and personal i think this lens come`s very close near a fixed-lens 300mm/400mm”

Thanks Gustav!

Sony 70-400mm preorders at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).

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The A58 features a brand new sensor and you may check out the first image samples posted by Popphoto, Digitalcamerareview and DCfever to see if there is a noticeable image quality increase. I guess the A58 sensor has the same new tech as the soon to come new 24 Megapixel APS-C sensor of the NEX-7n. So let me know what you think about those images!

P.S.: Sony NEX-3N First Look at Digitalcamerareview.

US preorders:
Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM A-mount lens at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via AlphaCameraDeals).
Sony SLT-A58 at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Black Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Silver Sony NEX-3n at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
DT 18-55mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here) and BHphoto (Click here).
Sony 70-400mm at Amazon (Click here), Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and SonyStore USA (via ACDeals).
Sony HVL-F20 Flash at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony HX300 at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Black at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Orange at Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony TX30 Pink at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 Black at Adorama (White!), BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 RED at BHphoto (Click here).
Sony WX300 White at BHphoto (Click here).

And here are the European preorder links:
The Zeiss 50mm f/1.4 SSM can now be preordered at Wex UK.
The NEX-3n can now be preordered at Sony DE, Amazon DE, Sony UK, Wex DE, Wex UK, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES, Sony NL, Sony SE.
The A58 can now be preordered at Amazon DE, Wex DE, Wex UK.