The Canon specialized website Cinema5D (Click here) had a chance to test the new [shoplink 9097]Sony VG-20[/shoplink] camera. WHat’s so interesting on that test is that it is the very first video showing the difference between the AVCHD 2.0 and HDMi output video quality. But the result do not look that good: “Unfortunately what we got out of the hdmi port of the [shoplink 9097]Sony VG-20[/shoplink] was only marginally better looking than the VG-20 internal AVCHD recording. If you can see what I see you might agree that the hdmi signal looks like it has undergone very much processing.”

And their final conclusion is quite negative: “This is not a scientific test, just a quick grab of some footage to get a first idea of what we could expect from this camera. And to be honest, our shitty recordings are enough to make up my mind: This camera fails for me!“

I have to be honest. I am not excited about that camera. I would have expected a lot more from a dedicated video camera. What’s your opinion when looking on that test?

Those are the Sony VG-20 search links to check price and availability: [shopcountry 9097].

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Engadget (Click here) posted a new [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] preview. And their conclusion based on the pre-production model is extremely positive: “As you might have gathered, we really love this camera — it’s the first of its size from any manufacturer that could replace a DSLR for almost any photographer, and, while expensive, offers a tremendous amount of bang for your buck. It’s at this point when evaluating a pre-production sample that we’d chalk issues up to the fact that this version is far from final — but honestly, if the NEX-7 were available for purchase right now, even in its current state, we wouldn’t hesitate to pick one up.”

There is also an interesting info about the image quality: “besides filling your SD card quickly (because of the 24 Megapixels), photos look fantastic as well. Sony confirmed that the camera’s “sweet spot” is at f/5.6, so even though you can now shoot photos at up to f/1.8, you’ll want to bump down the aperture a bit if you want the absolute sharpest images.“.

Anyway in summary Engadget is amazed by the NEX-7! I preordered mine ar Sonystore and will give my [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink] to my girlfriend as soon as the NEX-7 arrives!

NEX-7 and lens preorder links:
NEX-7: [shopcountry 8454]
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8450]
50mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8448]
55-210mm: [shopcountry 8444]

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The polish website Swiatobrazu (Click here) posted a couple of new A77 image samples. You can find plenty of RAW and JPEG images at all possible ISO settings. You can open the RAW images with Google Picasa which is available for all systems (Windows, Mac, Linux). That’s what do the polish website says about the A77 (translation by Sky Walker…thanks!):  “It can be clearly seen that in range of 100-1600 ISO this camera works very well. In sensitivities higher than 1600 ISO and lower than 6400 ISO there can be seen some degradation of details and colors saturation, although these problems don’t disqualify the camera these sensitivities.”

Also Digitalcamerareview (Click here) posted a couple of images: “When dealing with scenes of great contrast, the SLT-A77 tended to produce darker images rather than clip highlights. Shooting in Aperture Priority with default evaluative metering, I found some of the shadow detail was lost in images like the one below, but some minor adjustments in-camera or in post-processing could correct the exposure.”

There are a couple of discussions ongoing at Dpreview form (here and here). I found the image quality is very good at low ISO and I still think the final A77 production camera results will show better results at High ISO. So what’s your opinion on the A77 image quality?

You can click those links to check if the A77 is available for preorder: [shopcountry 8461].

And here are the links to all other new cameras and lenses from Sony:
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].

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Today you have plenty of [shoplink 8454]NEX-7[/shoplink] images to analyze! After Imaging Resource also Dpreview (Click here) posted a set of full size NEX-7 image samples. Those are all made with a pre-production camera and the 18-55mm kit lens. There are also sweep-panorama shots! At first glance I have to say the images up to ISO 1.600 do look very good with plenty of detail. A bit surprising if you do consider that we are talking about a 24 Megapixel camera combined with a “cheap” kit lens! I never shoot at 3.200+ ISO so I don’t care about the noise performance. And I cannot wait to see more image samples with the top quality lenses like the [shoplink 8450]Zeiss 24mm f/1.8[/shoplink]. Waiting…

P.S.: Amazon UK says the NEX-7 will be in Stock on November 7. And as usual the NEX-5n and NEX-7 are floating inside the top-20 position of Amazon rankings.

NEX-7 and lens preorder links:
NEX-7: [shopcountry 8454]
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8450]
50mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8448]
55-210mm: [shopcountry 8444]

I still didn’t get my [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink] so I cannot test it for myself. But it looks like the camera has an overheating issue when recording videos! But the good news first. It takes over 20 minutes in an ambient temperature of 30 deg. Celsius before you notice the problem. Probably a more serious issue is the clicking noise when moving around or panning (See discussion on Dpreview). See the video below to hear it:

Beside those problems that hopefully can be solved via firmware upgrade as soon as possible the image quality of the NEX-5n is stunning. See the comparison with the Nikon D700 fullframe camera at Kayakphoto (Click here).

The NEX-5n is in Stock in most stores like [shopcountry 8452] (Click on shop names to check the availability).

All other new camera and lens preorders:
A77 at [shopcountry 8461].
A65 at [shopcountry 8459].
Sony NEX-7 [shopcountry 8454].
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8450].
Sony 50mm f/1.8 [shopcountry 8448].
Sony 55-210mm [shopcountry 8444].

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It’s probably the hottest combination of the moment. The [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink] with the [shoplink 8450]Zeiss 24mm f/1.8[/shoplink] lens. But how is the real image quality? Thanks to Rob Skeoch we can analyze the very first full size image samples on Flickr (Click here). And on his blog ThePictureDesk he writes: “I think this lens will be very worthy of the name. It’s sharp, has great contrast and great flare control. Both the lens and camera are pre-production. I’m not sure how useful this posting is, since they are early versions and the photos are kinda lousy…. and I mean user error or what is often called poor photography. LOL.”

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).

Will Vazquez tested the [shoplink 8452]NEX-5n[/shoplink] video quality (see video on top) and discovered that: “after about 10 minutes of recording, the camera said it was overheating and turned itself off. I turned it back on after a few seconds and it seemed fine. It wasn’t that hot, a typical 85 degree (Fahrenheit) night in the Summer. Maybe it was the humidity.”

StevHuff (Click here) made a “Crazy Comparison” between the new Sony NEX-5n and the epxensive Leica M9 Image Quality: “So, can the 5n be called the poor mans Leica M9? In my opinion NO, because it is a totally different kind of camera. The M9 is a rangefinder and you shoot with it in a totally different style. So the NEX-5n will never give you the RF experience. The NEX-7 will bring y ou a step closer with a slightly larger body, more dials for manual controls, built in EVF, etc and in fact, The NEX-7 will be a game changer, mark my words!”

Here are more short NEX-5n news:
Image samples of the NEX-5n with Zeiss and Leica lenses on Flickr.
Japanese manufacturer acquapazza wil release an underwater housing for the 5n in november 2011. See http://www.acquapazza.jp/backnumber/news/286.php
Our japanese readers can read and see a NEX-5n versus NEX-5 comparison at ctec3.blog.so-net.ne.jp.
Another 5n user report at Dpreview forum.

P.S.: Tomorrow I will receive my new NEX-5n. Uhhh, my heart is beating…you hear it? :)

Today the NEX-5n is back in Stock at Amazon US (Click here) and for the first time at BHphoto (Click here). And below you can find all the NEX preorder links:
NEX-7: [shopcountry 8454]
NEX-5n: [shopcountry 8452]
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8450]
50mm f/1.8: [shopcountry 8448]
55-210mm: [shopcountry 8444]