This is a sign that the new NEX-7 bodies will indeed be shipped to USA within the next few weeks. BHphoto (Click here) is finally accepting preorders on the NEX-7!
P.S.: A few A77 bodies are in Stock at Bhphoto (Click here). Also the A77+16-50mm is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).
Photojottings (Click here) posted a very interesting JPEG and RAW comparison between the most requested Sony camera of the moment ([shoplink 8454]the NEX-7[/shoplink]) and the probably last full frame camera model with optical viewfinder ([shoplink 3032]the A900[/shoplink]). I am again surprised to see how well the NEX-7 holds up against a fullframe camera. You may would argue that the better JPEG performance has to do with the newer processor but looking at the RAW comparison at 6.400 ISO you easily can see the NEX-7 better color performance and only a slightly less resolution compared to the A900. I am sure the new 24 Megapixel sensor of the A99 will bring a quantum leap jump in terms of noise performance and per pixel resolution but APS-C sensors are always advantaged by the fact that they will get the newest technology advancements before FF. It’s on the low and mid level market where you make the big money, not in the pro market.
About the optical viewfinder and A900: The A900 is a great camera and I used it for some of my photographic works. While I am positively surprised by the NEX-7 electronic viewfinder I still miss that huge superb viewfinder of the A900. I know for sure that there will be no new OVF model any time soon from Sony but Fuji has shown us with the X PRO 1 that one technology doesn’t exclude the other. Don’t know if Sony engineers are reading me right now but they should take a look at Fuji’s approach :)
—
Sony A900 search links at [shopcountry 3032].
NEX-7 search links at [shopcountry 8454].
Fuji X PRo 1 at Amazon (Click here). news at Fujirumors (Click here)
Sony Japan (Click here) presented the next-generation Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor (See graph on top): “as the pixel section and circuit section are formed as independent chips, a manufacturing process can be adopted, enabling the pixel section to be specialized for higher image quality while the circuit section can be specialized for higher functionality, thus simultaneously achieving higher image quality, superior functionality and a more compact size. In addition, faster signal processing and lower power consumption can also be achieved through the use of leading process for the chip containing the circuits.”
The well informed Japanese website Nikkei (Click here) said that Sony will acquire 20-30% of Olympus shares. While Sony’s mail goal is to have a control over Olympus highly profitable medical business this may will influence the camera division too. Only time will tell!
P.S.: A swedish source told me that there will be around 100 units of the Nex-7 body in Stock on the 4th of February (Check Sonystore Sweden). More pre order options: [shopcountry 8454]
With all those super positive reviews it’s good to hear a voice of someone that after a first hands-on isn’t really happy with the NEX-7. Read the first impressions by RiceHigh (Click here). Let me know what you think about his critics.
And one of my favorite little blogs 3Dkraft (Click here) toke a close look at the moire effect with the NEX-7. As you know the NEX-7 has a very weak Anti-Aliasing filter so you will notice the moire on fine textures. 3Dkraft made a “pioneering” work by testing the beta version of Lightroom 4. Watch the results on his website!
In Stock status:
Some USA readers sent me emails that their NEX-7 shipment has been delayed (again!). I am really sorry to hear that. All I know is that in February first batch of body only camera will arrive in your stores. Amazon (Click here) isn’t accepting preorders yet so get for Adorama (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) or any other store you like. There are some cameras on [shoplink 8454 ebay]eBay (Click here)[/shoplink] but price is well over the $200 for the body only. For my European friends, I haven’t found any NEX-7 in Stock :(
Image on top shows the “OLD” Sony prototypes. Expect a completely new lens roadmap for 2012 :)
The past weeks months Sony changed the product for 2012. So it hasn’t been easy to get reliable info about their camera and lens release. Finally I got a more reliable overview of Sony’s strategy. There will be three new NEX cameras within the next 8 months. Sony will announce the first camera in April, another camera in Summer and another one at Photokina. As I wrote many times what we really need is new lenses rather than new NEX cameras. But the good news here is that at least 5-6 lenses will be announced within 2012. I am right now collecting the specs of every single product.
It’s clear that Sony will push the new NEX camera and lenses but I have been told that you should expect A-mount lenses and SLT cameras too. Soon it will get pretty busy here on SAR :)
—
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
Hurry: A few A77 bodies are in Stock at Bhphoto (Click here). Alos the A77+16-50mm is in Stock at BHphoto (Click here).
If you want to know why NEX has become so important for Sony just look at the worldwide Amazon rankings.
The NEX-3 is on top of the mirrorless camera rankings in USA (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on top of the mirrorless camera rankings in UK (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on top of the mirrorless camera rankings in Germany (Click here).
The NEX-5n is on top of the mirrorless camera rankings in France (Click here).
My guess is that to bring some real major image quality jump you have to abandon the classic Bayer sensor design. Fuji has shown us what’s possible by a “simple” re-arrangement of the pixel array. And today Sony (Click here) announced a new sensor technology for small sensors that improves the dynamic range. The past months I posted some Sony patents disclosing a sensor with RGB and White pixels. That new pixel allows to capture images with a much greater dynamic range for both images and videos. Sony plans the mass production of these sensors for compact and phone cameras within summer 2012. And maybe one day the new technology will be used on APS-C and FF sensors too!
