Sony Alpha digital cameras

DxOmark test: Sony RX1 Zeiss lens is “outstanding”

February 22, 2013
reviews
100 Comments

–

DxOmark (Click here) published the RX1 Zeiss lens performance test. And they write: ” Its optical performance is outstanding, and particularly noteworthy for its consistent sharpness and homogenous imaging across the frame. With excellent image quality at maximum aperture becoming outstanding at f/2.8 and on, the Zeiss Sonnar T* 2/35 is likely to become a classic, against which all others are judged. Of course the lens can only be obtained with the purchase of the RX1, a camera that is not entirely without its own quirks and shortcomings. In spite of this, if you have the money to invest, then close to perfect imagery is assured.”

And for all these people that do think the RX1 is too expensive read this: “With a high overall DxOMark score of 33, the Carl Zeiss Sonnar T* is a superb performer optically. That score puts it comfortably ahead of the $1,850 manual focus Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 1.4/35 (35mm f/1.4) on a Nikon D3X, which achieved a DxOMark score of 30.””

Now, I want that lens to be made for the future NEX FF system. I know it will be a tiny bit bigger and not have that nice leaf shutter. But I want it anyway :)

—-

RX1 links roundup:
RX1 at [shopcountry 15824].
RX1 Gariz accessories:
1) They made a new half leather case in Black and Brown ([shoplink 16437 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
2) The new lens cap ([shoplink 16439 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).
3) The new entry is the anti loose button(!) ([shoplink 16438 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]). Don’t know if that will be really useful for you RX1 owners. Someone has it and call it how it works? Thanks!
4) And this is the really first time I see that. A special Leather skin hood! ([shoplink 16441 ebay]Click here to see them on eBay[/shoplink]).

The not so real roadmap :)

February 22, 2013
news
28 Comments

The Japanese magazine “Nippon camera” published that camera roadmap that created quite a buzz on the Internet. As you see the magazine lists the NEX-7r, NEX-F3R and NEX-9. And there is no SLT camera. This lead to some speculation that there will not be any new A-mount camera this year. As you saw from yesterdays A58 announcement this is’t true. There will be a NEX-7 successor named NEX-7n (and not NEX-7) and there will be an A77 successor this summer. The FF NEX comes in 2014 and not in late 2013 as suggested by their roadmap. So stop being worried :)

Sony patent discloses the first Full Frame lens for the E-mount Full Frame system!

February 22, 2013
news
79 Comments

Egami spotted the first Sony patent describing the lens charcatersitics of a 35mm f/1.8 E-mount lens for the future Full Frame system. The lens specs are:

Focal length f = 35.81
Fno. = 1.85
Half angle of view ω = 30.78 °
Image height Y = 21.6mm
Mod β = -0.25
Eight lens elements in 7 groups configuration
Two three-sided aspherical
1 ED glass sheet

This would be a perfect street photography lens! I am going to buy it if if it comes in 2014 :)

Nikon announces the D7100. Time to see the new A7x!

February 21, 2013
deals
185 Comments

Today Nikon announced the new 24 megapixel D7100 (spes on Amazon). It’s a nice camera with no Anti Aliasing filter and plenty of new features. It puts again a lot of pressure on the Sony SLT cameras. Sony is going to announce the new A7x this summer and I hope the new generation of Sony sensors will at least catch up with the quality of the new Nikon! And for that they will probably have to get rid of the AA filter too.

Sony A58 versus Sony A57 image comparison!

February 21, 2013
reviews
102 Comments

This is the very first time we see image samples of the new A58. SLRclub (Click here) posted a comparison between the A58 and the A57 and I have to say results are indeed impressive! The A58 has more resolution, more sharpness and less noise than the A57. Again check these images and see for yourself: http://www.slrclub.com/bbs/vx2.php?id=newproduct_sony&no=9099.

And David K. from Photoclubalpha (Click here) posted his thoughts about the new A58. He explains in easy words what one of the new A58 features is, the “TriLuminos colour gamut“. Nice article!

Loading ...

70-400mm lens now on Sony Europe site.

February 20, 2013
news
24 Comments

The new 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM II lens just has been added on the Sony Europe sites (see Sony UK, Sony DE, Sony IT, Sony FR). The lens will ship from April. The new Zeiss 50mm lens is already listed since yesterday at Sony UK, Sony DE, Sony FR, Sony IT, Sony ES (available in June).

There will be a second US announcement of the same stuff on Monday.

Official A58 and NEX-3n videos.

February 20, 2013
news
101 Comments

Sony posted new videos about the new cameras. On top you see the A58 presentation. And click here to see the NEX-3n video. If you speak German you may check out the nice presentation made by Chip.de and ClubSonos.

The A58:
The A58 should be seen as the successor for the A37. If you see it from that perspective the A58 certainly is a nice camera and also priced well. Price for body with new 18-55mm SAM II kit lens $599 but preorders at Amazon and BHphoto will be online on Monday only. I know it sounds weird but the official US presentation will be made on Monday!

The NEX-3n:
The main coolness of this camera is the incredible tiny size (check the size comparison at ePhotozine)! It’s the smallest APS-C mirrorless camera of the world and the $499 price includes the 16-50mm pancake zoom. That’s a good price if you consider that the current NEX-F3 with the less good and much bigger 18-55mm lens has the same price (here at Amazon). Also the body quality has been improved over the NEX-F3 with a less “plastic” feeling.

And now tell us:

Loading ...