DxOmark added the test results of the Sony A560. As you can see from the image above the performance is very close to the NEX-5 whereby it shares the same sensor. The Sony A560 is currently in Stock at Amazon US (Click here) but not in Europe.

P.S.: Take a little bit of time to read the following article at Luminous Landscape: “An Analysis by Peter van den Hamer“. It explains how DxO tests the cameras. And those are just a few interesting info from the article:

• “newer models generally outperform older models. In particular, the newest APS-C models (Nikon’s D7000 and Pentax’ K-5 and Sony Alpha 580) outperform the older 1.3× sensors and even most full-frame (1.0×) sensors due to a significantly lower noise floor.
• The performance of the mirrorless Sony NEX-5 is in line with its 1.5× APS-C sensor. Its mirrorless design and its use of an electronic viewfinder have no impact on image quality: a classic SLR swings its mirror out of the way during the actual exposure. So the lack of a mirror doesn’t affect image quality.
• The Sony Alpha 55 , with its notable semi-transparent^[4] mirror, performs roughly as you would expect given its APS-C sensor. But because its semi-transparent mirror doesn’t swing out of the way, 30% of the light never reaches the sensor. Note the performance gap between the Alpha 55 on the one hand and the Nikon D7000 or Pentax K-5 or Sony’s own Alpha 580: the higher score (lower noise) of the latter group could be explained^[5] by the light diverted by the Alpha 55’s stationary semi-transparent mirror.“

What we are posting now will definitely start a BIG discussion! Than according to DxOmark lab results the [shoplink 3028]Sony A580[/shoplink] easily outperforms the translucent [shoplink 3617]A55[/shoplink] brother! Color dept, Dynamic range and ISO performance are better on the classic DSLR Sony camera! De facto the A580 is as good as the Nikon D7000. It looks like you loose a bit of image quality when using a camera with translucent mirror. Let’s face it, difference is barely noticeable in real world pictures but Sony has to work to close the gap between the two technologies. Maybe that’s the reason why Sony has taken all that time to develop the A77 and A99 cameras. I am sure at the end we will say that it was worth to wait…at least I hope so :)

Direct shop links (Click on shop name to visit the product page and check price and availability):
Sony A580 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay
Sony A55 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay

Potographyblog published a new Sony A580 test and get’s highly recommended by the reviewers: “When Sony launched the A55 and A580 cameras alongside each other, many questioned why they needed two such similar cameras in their line-up. While they do share a lot of common ground, the larger and easier-to-use A580 with its trusty optical viewfinder is a great DSLR, and thanks to its 16 megapixel sensor, full HD video and improved AF system, also a real rival to similar offerings from Canon and Nikon.”

Natioal Geographic Shooter Ben Horton reviewed the translucent verison f the A580…the Sony A55. Ben Horton is the same guy that compared Canon and Zeiss lens quality (and declared Zeiss as the clear winner!): “Shooting video with the A55 was a dream. The ability to use autofocus while shooting, coupled with being able to use the viewfinder as opposed to the LCD screen on the back of the camera makes this one of my top picks for HDDSLR shooting. The new Zeiss lenses focus silently, so they don’t interrupt your sound capture while filming.”

Direct shop links (Click on shop name to visit the product page and check price and availability):
Sony A580 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay
Sony A55 at: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE, AmazonFR, AmazonUK, eBay

Photongraph (from www.sonyuserforum.de) found and sent me an interesting Sony PWM-F3 CineAlta Film camera vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II D-SLR comparison. Click the following to see the move file: http://www.fxguide.com/qt/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/5DvsF3_H264s31.mov

FXguide made the test: “As part of our Red Centre Podcast coverage we want to share this clip with you that compares the Canon 5D Mk II and the new Sony F3. In this test, both cameras were attached to the same tripod locked together – and then panned over the same technical background. The results show the F3 recording a considerably better rolling shutter and the benefit of the F3 not line skipping. The 5D – while having a very high resolution sensor – reduces this image to 1920×1080 in a very abrupt way. So while the larger sensor gives the cinematographer a shallower depth of field, – the poorer technical down res-ing produces some really unwelcome artifacts.
Of course, the 5D does manage to produce good shots every day around the world. Our intend here is is to highlight the technical issues and allow the cinematographer to shoot knowing the issues and the risks. ”

Note: Also if that news is not related to an Alpha or NEX camera we want to focus your attention on Sony’s video technology development because they will certainly find some “congruences” with the future Alpha and NEX cameras.

Image courtesy: Photozone

There is a new Sony lens review at Photozone. They had the good idea to review the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 SAM DT lens which is probably one of the most used lenses. SO how does it perform? Photozone: “Optically there’s really little to complain about – the lens is very sharp throughout the zoom range and the subjective sharpness perception benefits from quite low lateral CAs (color shadows). There’s a bit of a focus shift issue at the wide end so it’s a good idea to double check your images in shallow depth-of-field situations here.” Click here to read the full test.

Now let’s compare the price:
$1,199.95 for the D7000 and $799.99 for the A580.
Although there are some differences between the two cameras (ergonomics, handling and so on) to me the Sony A580 looks like a real winner. The future A77 (and A750?) will play in the same Nikon D7000 price league and probably easily bit the High-ISO performance of the Nikon. So please Sony, release the A77 as soon as possible ;)

Those are direct shop links to the Sony A580:
Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, [shoplink 4617]eBay[/shoplink], Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT.

David Kilpatrick from Photoclubalpha posted a nine page long and very accurate Sony A580 review: “there is no better APS-C DSLR available from Sony.”

P.S: On page eight he writes about the flash delay issue: “Whatever the reason, the new generation suffers from flash exposure delays all round, and this one is set to cause Sony a problem. No matter what the explanation, if other makers can provide near real-time flash and all the other required features, Sony should be able to do so too.” Hope Sony is listening…