DxOmark (Click here) just published an extremely interesting [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] sensor test. The A77 sensor has a very large Dynamic range that easily suprasses the results of the Nikon D700 and Canon 5D markII fullframe cameras: “In conclusion, thanks to its capacity to innovate always further and to break the limits of sensor design, Sony is about to bring on the market a very good semi-professional camera body. The next question is the capacity of the lenses to address the challenge of these very small pixels. The DxOMark lens measurements should give us an answer very soon. Last but not least, as the same sensor will be used by the [shoplink 8459]Sony A65[/shoplink] and the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX 7[/shoplink], we should see some nice reviews very soon. It will be especially interesting to see the NEX 7 results as it doesn’t feature a translucent mirror and should take full advantage of this amazing sensor.”

The real surprise is that the Sony A580 sensor has a similar A77 score. because at High ISO it’s still noticeable better (Click here to see the comparison). I confess I am now very intrigued about how good the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] can be. And of course as DxOmark said, I expect the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] to be a tack better than the A77 because of the absence of the semitransparent mirror.

Now it’s up to you to preorder the right camera. I give you the links to all of them :)
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

Pocket Lint (Click here) compared the Nikon V1 versus the Sony NEX-5n and comes to the conclusion that the V1 is actually better. I want to hear you’re comments on that. My opinion on  that? Some of their points are really weird. But let’s start the discussion to see why Pocket Lint may be right (or wrong).

P.S.: Engadget compared the Sony NEX-C3 and the new Nikon J1 sensor size comparison (Scroll the article to see the image). And there is a ISO comparison at Focus Numerique.

Sony Nex 5n on a Cinestar 6 from GravityShots.com on Vimeo.

As you know I own the [shoplink 8452]Sony NEX-5n[/shoplink] but sadly I had no time to test it as I am really busy travelling across Europe for work reasons. I can give you only a short impression, Ergonomomy, Usability and Touchscreen are really NOT good for my needs. But the image quality, the peaking mode are amazing + the combo with the [shoplink 8725 ebay]Nokton 35mm f/1.4[/shoplink] is amazing. Will write a short review as soon as I am back at home next week! And below you can read a couple of new NEX-5n related news:

There is a full NEX-5n review at DC.watch. It’s in japanese but you cans till look at the pictures :)

Dpreview is already showing NEX-5N images on their comparison tool. As you see the NEX-5n does an amazing job at High-ISO!!!

New image samples at Outbackphoto.

The “clicking” issue has been reported to Sony engineering (See https://forum.sel.sony.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=10944) and the Sony China store removed the order option.

And here are the NEX-5n order links. But I suggest you to wait for Sony fixing the Clicking issue(!): [shopcountry 8452].

[shoplink 8454][/shoplink]

Cnet Asia (Click here) first take: “The Sony Alpha [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] is a more advanced camera which could appeal to seasoned users with its manual controls and upgraded features such as a proper hotshoe and built-in viewfinder. Additionally, Sony’s currently limited lens lineup will also be seeing some new introductions later this year that include a promising Carl Zeiss-branded 24mm F1.8 prime and a 55-210mm telephoto zoom. A better selection of lenses could help this camera overcome its high price tag.”

Leica M9 versus Sony NEX-7 at Echenique (Click here): “Based on specs alone, the Sony NEX-7 looks poised to topple the Leica M9 as the King of the Street Shooters, but there are other factors to be considered which cannot be done until I get an actual production camera in my hands. Ergonomics, image quality, shutter noise, AF speed and card writing speed are among the technical issues that remain to be tested. Leica also has a long and storied history having been the camera of choice for many of the greatest photographers of the last 60+ years.”

Cgarrard at Alphamountworld (Click here) said: “I didn’t have long with the NEX-7 (i.e.-NEXIE), but what time I had with the interface intrigued me. I came away thinking Ill need much more time with it in order to have a final say on the interface/menu but my first impression was pretty positive. I figure as soon as I dig into the manual and configure all the custom controls to my liking, the NEXIE is going to really be a nice tool to use.”

Ein Blick auf die NEX-7 (Fotointern). Tri-dial navigation on youtube. German Hands-on video at IFA berlin on youtube.

Click those direct NEX-7 search links to preorder the camera [shopcountry 8454].

[shoplink 8461][/shoplink]
Les Numeriques (Click here) tested the new [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] and earns a rating of five stars (the maximum possible).

The Sony Alpha 77 (P)review at Thistonybridge (Click here): “Put another way, this is a camera for every photographer, regardless of their expertise or experience. Sony have taken a long time getting the successor to the mighty A 700 out to the market, but to my mind, the wait has been well worth it.”

Sony A77 unboxing pics at Mobile01 (Click on the green links to see the pictures).

The first taiwan A77 owner can be seen here at Mobile01 :) And it looks like that also Sony UK is shipping the first A77 cameras! Check at Dpreview forum.

Full Sony A77 preorder links:
[shoplist 8461].

“forever-a while”- Shot with Sony A-65 from Johnnie Behiri on Vimeo.

That’s a short summary fo the leatest news I found about the new Sony cameras:

MIke Langner (Click here) posted a full [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] review: “I must admit I’m spoiled by the A900 OVF which is one of the best out there, but if I was still shooting with an APS-C camera the Sony Alpha A77 EVF will seem huge. A700 users have been waiting 4 years for a worthy replacement – and the Sony Alpha A77 is definitely worth it.”

Photoreview Australia (Click here) posted a new A77 first look. The Chinese website PCpop (Click here) tested the new 16-50mm lens (go on page 4 to see the image samples). And another Chinese website Sonysdf (Click here) tested the A77 camera with firmware 1.02. They also made an useful ISO comparison with the Nikon D7000.

CNET Australia (Click here) posted a full [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink] review: “The Sony NEX-5N offers great image quality, a large SLR-sized sensor and a stylish body with the added bonus of a touchscreen. If shooting video is a make-or-break deal for you, hold off buying the NEX-5N for now until Sony issues a fix for the clicking issue when filming.”

Also Philip Bloom (Click here) had the chance to test the NEX-5n: “So all in all. A lovely little camera with a rather annoying issue. I hope this can be fixed…not sure how though as this is a hardware issue not a firmware issue…will they all need to be sent back? One more thing, some people have reported the camera overheating and not being able to get to the 29 mins 59 seconds max per clip. I just did…at 25p with no issue. 50p…no issue. Also without the viewfinder the camera is only half as good for me…it does output a full HD hdmi signal but mounting a Zacuto EVF on this baby would be daft, especially as the OLED EVF is stunning!”

And those are the links to preorder the new cameras and lenses:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Sony NEX-5n [shopcountry 8452].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].
NEX-5n viewfinder [shopcountry 9110].

[shoplink 8454][/shoplink]

There is a new detailed first impression review at Luminous Landscape (Click here).

I am just sharing some of the positive things they wrote about the [shoplink 8454]NEX-[/shoplink]7:
– “From an operational perspective what immediately brings a grin to an experienced photographer’s face is how comfortably the camera falls to hand. It’s one of those designs that makes few demands for accommodation on the part of the photographer. And, given how small the NEX-7 is, this is quite remarkable, even for people with large hands.”
–  “Certainly at low to moderate ISOs the NEX-7 is neck-and-neck with Sony current Pro-grade full-frame camera, and that means that it will be comparable to the image quality of Nikon and Canon’s current full-frame cameras – at moderate ISOs, of course. ”

What’s very nice is that they compared the new [shoplink 8450]Zeiss 24mm[/shoplink] lens versus the very expensive and top quality Leica 24mm Summilux: “The 24mm Summilux simply can’t perform properly on the NEX-7 until its stopped down to f/8 and f/11, at which point it’s comparable to the new Zeiss 24mm.”

Bottom line: “ I predict that the NEX-7 will be one of the hottest cameras of the coming year, and is going to really put other camera maker’s feet to the fire when it comes to offering an attractive mix of image quality, features, size, build quality and price. Sony clearly made a decision to make the NEX-7 as full featured as possible, not holding back any of their available features or technology. With many camera makers creating market segmentation by artificially restricting features to certain price points, Sony is to be commended for pulling out all the stops for the NEX-7 and keeping the price as reasonable as it did given the camera’s wide ranging features and capabilities.”

Preorder the NEX-7 at [shopcountry 8454] (Some stores may are not accepting preorders now).
Preorder the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 at [shopcountry 8450] (Some stores may are not accepting preorders now).