The very first batch of A99II cameras shipped out. But it’s still impossible to find the camera in Stock in any US and EU stores. But now let’s switch over to this:

Imaging Resource posted a set of image samples you can download. And more important they added the A99II studio shots on their Comparometer. As far as I can see there is only a very small image quality difference between the A99II and the A7rII:

What are your thoughts?

Sony A99II preorders at BHphoto, Adorama. Amazon. PhotoPorst, Calumet Germany, Amazon UK and WexUK.

The non expert will have a hard time figuring out what all those numbers and classifications do mean on a memory card. A new and very well written overview of the fastest cards available can be read at Explora (Click here).

Within the article you can also read about the possible future standard camera memory cards:

XQD Cards are the reason CompactFlash cards aren’t getting a speed update, since they are the CompactFlash Association’s official replacement for CompactFlash cards. XQD cards are based on the PCIe standard (with an 8 Gb/s bus speed), offer far higher maximum transfer speeds than CompactFlash, are much smaller, and have a more rugged build than SD cards. There are currently two versions of XQD cards, Version 1.0, which allows for maximum transfer rates of 500 MB/s, and Version 2.0, which allows for speeds up to 1000 MB/s. While still limited in use, both versions offer faster possible transfer rates than the fastest CF or SD cards available.

It’s rumored that Sony is testing future A7/A9 cameras with such cards. The only problem I see for now is the relatively high price of the cards produced by Sony (Click here) and Lexar (Click here).

DxO (Click here) tested the A6500 sesnor and of course it has exactly the same A6300 performance:

With the new Sony A6500 mirrorless hybrid featuring the same 24.2Mp APS-C sensor as its predecessor, the A6300, it’s no surprise that the two cameras offer almost identical image quality results.
If it’s an APS-C hybrid you’re after, the A6500’s updated features, including a bigger buffer for longer continuous bursts, a LDC touchscreen, and built-in image stabilization, might be attractive. If you can live without these additions, however, the $998 A6300 is $400 cheaper and offers the same excellent image quality as the new Sony A6500.

A6500 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Focuscamera. In EU at Amazon.de, Fotomundus, Calumet.de. WexUK. PCHstore.

ThatCameraGuy tested the A6500 RAW Buffer performance:

Roger Cicala from Lensrentals took an Inside Look at the Rokinon 50mm AF FE Autofocus Lens and concludes:

This lens was a pleasant surprise. No, it’s not built like a tank. But it is built like a small, efficient, well-constructed lens. With some of the previous Samyang / Rokinon lenses we disassemble them going “Oh, that’s going to break. This could be a problem.” We didn’t see any obvious weak points like that with this lens. It’s a clear step up in construction quality. It should be, it’s also a step up in price point.

Rokinon 50mm FE f/1.4 autofocus lens at Amazon US, BHphoto, Calumet Germany. The lens has a $70 discount on eBay US (Click here). Only four left in Stock!