On left the Nikon D800. On right the Nikon D800E without the Anti Aliasing filter (Click on the image to enlarge)

Let’s not talk about the usual stuff like AF speed or high ISO tests. There are some other aspects the camera manufacturers are now competing for. Example, In the mirrorless segment we already saw the “miniaturization battle“. When it comes to video quality you often read about the “Rolling Shutter jello effect reduction“. But there is also another pretty recent evolution: The removal of the AA (Anti Aliasing) filter that usually protects you from the effect called “Moire”. Within 2012 we already had two new cameras getting rid of the AA filter: The Fuji X PRO 1 (Click here) and Nikon D800E (Click here). Here is a list of links you can check to learn more about it:

Aliasing explanation at Wikipedia (Click here).
Nikon D800 versus Nikon D800 image quality comparison at Pocket Lint (Click here).
Canon 5DmarkIII versus a modified markIII without AA filter at CanonWatch (Click here).
Fuji X PRO 1 versus the “older” Canon 5DmarkII at DSL-check (Click here).

From what I have seen so far the Sony 36 Megapixel sensor really gets a jump of resolution when there is no AA filter. But the Moire effect is really annoying in pictures with patterns. And this cannot be removed in post-production. So for me the Nikon D800E is a no way to go for normal use photography. But the Fuji X PRO 1 tells us another story. By modifying the RGB pattern on the sensor you can almost completely remove the moire issue. And I think that would a way to go for Sony. So here is my question for you:

 Loading ...

—
Links to the mentioned cameras:
Nikon D800E at Amazon (Click here).
Fuji X PRO 1 at Amazon (Click here).
The Nikon D800 remains on top of the Amazon ranking (Click here).
While the NEX-7 surpassed the Fuji X PRO 1 (Click here to see the ranking).

Photocomment (Click here) posted a NEX-7 and Zeiss 24mm lens review: “The NEX-7 is one of the few mirrorless cameras that can be a true alternative to an SLR, without any drawbacks. The Zeiss 24mm lens is extremely sharp and has the creamiest out of focus boket I have seen in a lens in a long while.“. NEX-7 unboxing at Photoheadonline (Click here) and a german review at Photo-HS (Click here). P.S.: The NEX-7 with kit lens is back in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

The new Sigma 19mm gets tested on the NEX-5n from our reader Eric Brandon (Click here). No bad results for a lens that costs $199 only at B&H (Click here).

Sony NEX-7_behind the scene from post production on Vimeo.

Quesabesde (Click here for the translation) posted a new NEX-7 review. He easily recommends the camera as long as you are willing to pay a lot of money for top optics like the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens.

Sony NEX-7 in Vegas with the Leica 35 Summilux ASPH and Zeiss 24 1.8 by Steve Huff (Click here).

A pretty “unfair” comparison between a new Canon 5DmarkIII fullframe camera and the APS-C NEX-7 by Mike Kobal (Click here).

By the way, the NEX-7 main competitor the Fuji X PRO 1 is now in Stock at Amazon and back on the top of the most sold mirrorless cameras (Click here to see the ranking). I think there is plenty of room above the NEX-7 for a NEX-9 with advanced new sensor technology. Hope Sony managers are thinking on the same wave like me :)

NEX-7 in Stock status link check: [shopcountry 8454].

SonyAlphaLab (Click here) tested the 16mm conversion lenses.

The japanese website DC.watch (Click here) tested the new Madoka 180 degrees lens for NEX. Once clicked on the link scroll down to see the image samples (Click on them to enlarge).

Where is my bike? from Peter Prevec on Vimeo.

New Cine HYperprime 50mm f/0.95 lens test on the NEX-FS100 at Domisljije (Click here) and a rolling review at 3Dkraft (Click here).

Image courtesy: Photozone.

Before to start…the NEX-7 body is now in Stock at Adorama too (Click here). And the kit version will be in Stock on March 31 at Amazon (Click here). And now let’s talk about the new lens tests:

Carl Garrard (Click here) tested the Sony 85mm f/2.8 SAM lens: “You probably won’t fall in love with its looks or build, or even it’s max aperture which is “average” for a prime lens in this focal length. Instead, you’ll probably like it’s optical performance which is above the expectations I had set for this lens. Contrast is excellent wide open, one of the better lenses I’ve seen of late, and sharpness is very high too. Color is neutral and accurate, very much like how Sony G lenses have an effect on color.” Check the lens price at [shopcountry 5979].

Photozone (Click here) keeps posting new Sony lens reviews. He just tested the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM G on the NEX-7: “The setup with the EA-LA2 is vastly superior to the NEX kit lens but there is a price to pay for this, of course. The lens itself is actually surprisingly affordable compared to similar offerings from Nikon and Canon but the Alpha adapter doesn’t come for free and size- and weight-wise it is also a bit of a monster on a dwarfish NEX. However, if you want to make the most of your system the Sony 16-50mm f/2.8 DT SSM is certainly a viable option.” Check the lens price at [shopcountry 8457].

Sony 55-2100mm hands on review by SonyAlphaLab (Click here).

SLR Magic HyperPrime CINE 50mm T0.95 lens tested on the NEX-7 at 3Dkraft (Click here).

One more thing: Our reader Björn Utpott (Click here) keeps posting nice image samples taken with the NEX-7 and many different lenses. Check it out from time to time!

The USA readers are having the biggest difficulty to find a NEX-7 in Stock. So it will may help you to know that at the NEX-7 body with 18-55mm lens is in Stock for the normal price at Amazon (Click here) and the body only at Cameta (Click here). In Europe you can find plenty of cameras at Amazon Germany (Click here), Amazon France (Click here), Amazon UK (Click here), Jessops (Click here), Amazon Italy (Click here), Redcoon Poland (Click here) and Redcoon Spain (Click here). In Asia at Amazon Japan (Click here) and Digitalrev (Click here).

But now let’s go back to the NEX-7 theme of the moment. Photozone (Click here) now published the 55-210mm NEX lens test and once again it proves that the NEX-7 demands top lenses to get superb results. Anyway, the lens isn’t as bad as the other NEX lenses: “The lens is surely not remotely capable of exploiting the potential of this sensor but the results are generally decent – at least from a real world perspective.”
Kurt Munger (Click here) tested the 30mm macro lens on the NEX-C3: “Unfortunately, Sony’s hot streak has come to an abrupt end with the new 30mm F/3.5 macro lens.  It’s not that it’s a bad lens, it just isn’t very impressive.”

In Short, if you like me want the best quality on the NEX-7 than go for the superb Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 (Here at [shopcountry 8450]) or the cheap and still good 50mm f/1.8 (preorder at [shopcountry 8448]).