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Thom Hogan tested the four most popular compact mirrorless cameras (The Olympus E-PL1, Panasonic GF1, Samsung NX100 and the [shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink]). The Sony has the best sensor of the four but because of the lack of lenses and a bad handling he cannot recommend the camera: “I can’t really recommend the Sony NEX-5 directly. It’s actually quite good in image quality, especially if you need higher ISO values, and the 16mm f/2.8 lens makes for a very compact wide angle walkaround camera. Sony’s problem is three-fold. First, like Samsung, the lenses just aren’t there yet. Second, many of the lenses just absolutely drawf the camera body, and that starts to make the camera less desirable as a “compact.” Finally, the non-standard user interface and simplified control system is either going to get you swearing at the camera or you’re going to learn to like it. But I can’t predict that last bit, so don’t buy the Sony without actually trying it at a store first. ”

Read the full review at bythom.com

Kurt Munger posted a new interesting Sony 85mm F/2.8 SAM review. After long detailed testing he says: “Sony comes up with another winner in their high performance, low cost easy choice lens series“.

That’s a perfect lens if you want to carry a light lens. If you need a faster lens you have to get the much more expensive Sony/Zeiss 85mm f/1.4.

We also found a comaprison between the Sony 85mm and the Tamron 90mm lens at Sonyuserforum.de.

Check out price and availability clicking the direct shop links:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT, Pixmania FR

Right before the new firmware release Photographyblog tested the Sony A850: “In terms of image quality, the A850 is also hard to find fault with. The resolution is jaw-dropping, the dynamic range is fantastic, the tonality is great and the colours are pleasing. You do get quite a bit of noise at ISO 1600 and higher (and sometimes lower as well), but it won’t really impact on the final output unless you print those high-ISO shots really, really big, and then scrutinise them from a distance that borders on the ridiculous“. Click here to read the 6 page long review.

Reminder:
The Sony A850 is having $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto.

Lori Grunin from CNET reviewed the Sony A55: “Expensive and probably a bit large for the typical point-and-shoot upgrader, the Sony Alpha SLT-A55V nevertheless delivers the performance and photo quality boost those shooters are expecting.”

There is also a very long and detailled review at Letsgodigital: “What remains is a remarkably good performing camera, we cannot deny it. The Sony SLT-A55 uses an old technology to innovate and optimize, which has raised the camera to an outstanding level.”

For our japanese readers: Itmedia and Journal.mycom also posted a new A55 review.

Les G. sent us the following text: “There is a full review of the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] in this week’s “Amateur Photographer” magazine in the UK, in the issue dated Sat 20th Nov 2010. The tone of the review is mostly very positive and enthusiastic. (NB – The AP never prints any review without including at least a few ifs & buts! The AP always awards marks out of 100. The reviewer has awarded 84% (ie 84/100) to the Sony A55. This compares very well to their rave review of the Nikon D7000 in last week’s issue 13 Nov, which gained just 85% (85/100).”

Feel free to use those direct product links to check the A55 price and availability:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT.

Image courtesy: Photozone.de

Photozone released a triple lens review:

1) Sony 30mm f/2.8 DT macro review: “Like most dedicated macro lenses it is extremely sharp straight from f/2.8. Possibly the nicest aspect of the Sony lens is its pricing. At less than 200EUR/US$ it’s really a steal in relation to its capabilities.“

2) Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT review: “The Sony 50mm f/1.8 DT ( SAL-50F18 ) is pretty much a no-brainer for Sony APS-C DSLR users. The lens is very sharp even at f/1.8 and the resolution is about as good as it gets around f/5.6.“

3) Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5 Aspherical review (on Sony NEX): “So all-in-all it isn’t really a perfect lens but it’s fairly affordable on the used market.“

Our friend Kurt Munger published the new Sony DT 35mm F/1.8 SAM review: “The little Sony DT 35mm F/1.8 SAM lens turned in a stellar performance.  The good points are; center sharpness is very high, even at F/1.8!  The mid-sections and corners sharpen up almost to match the centers at F/5.6-8, so it would make a great landscape/architecture lens. Color fringing is well controlled overall, and distortion is about average, but has a simple, easy to correct curve. ”

This is really a must have lens for all Sony APS-C camera owners (it’s not a fullframe lens!).

Click the links below to check price an availability of the lens:
Amazon US, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Amazon UK.

Steve Huff posted the “SLR Magic 35 1.7 Lens review on the Sony NEX-5“:”I have to give applause for someone releasing a small fast lens for these small mirror-less cameras. Even though it is not a super sharp Leica lens, this little 35 1.7 is a great buy for [shoplink 3514]$99 (on eBay[/shoplink]). PERIOD! It may not be a lens you will use all of the time, but when you do use it be prepared for some interesting images.” The SLR magic is a native manual focusing E-mount lens, no need to buy an adapter!

To buy the lens click here: [shoplink 3514]SLR Magic 35 1.7 Lens for Sony NEX cameras on eBay[/shoplink].

Pocket Link posted a new short Sony A55 review: “There’s still some room for improvement, so we wait with baited breath as to just how good the next generation of cameras will be. But for now the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] rules the roost and it really is the pinnacle of new age digital cameras. ”

Use those direct links to check price and availability of the new Sony A55:
Amazon, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon FR, Pixmania DE, Pixmania BE, Pixmania AT, Pixmania UK, Pixmania NL, Pixmania PL, Pixmania IT.