New NEX-7 reviews roundup. First Sigma 19mm testing.

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Photocomment (Click here) posted a NEX-7 and Zeiss 24mm lens review: “The NEX-7 is one of the few mirrorless cameras that can be a true alternative to an SLR, without any drawbacks. The Zeiss 24mm lens is extremely sharp and has the creamiest out of focus boket I have seen in a lens in a long while.“. NEX-7 unboxing at Photoheadonline (Click here) and a german review at Photo-HS (Click here). P.S.: The NEX-7 with kit lens is back in Stock at Amazon (Click here).

The new Sigma 19mm gets tested on the NEX-5n from our reader Eric Brandon (Click here). No bad results for a lens that costs $199 only at B&H (Click here).

 

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(SR1) Another “unlikely” fullframe roadmap rumor…

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It sounds like asian forums are full of new Sony fullframe roadmaps. I am pretty sure 99% of them are fake. But I am going to post one of them to check with you if such a roadmap would make you happy :)

The “source” Emmanuel from Mobile01 (Click here) wrote that Sony’s plan is to release four different FulL Frame camera models. All are DSLT cameras (electronic viewfinder):
A93 (Entry FF)
A95 (Best Value FF)
A97 (Mid Range FF)
A99 (FlagShip FF)
One (or two) cameras will use a 24 Megapixel sensor, one a 36 Megapixel sensor and another one a square sensor.

Regarding the square sensor camera model the source writes: “Since it’s Square Sensor and fully EVF, view mode are switchable between 1:1, 3:2, 2:3, and there is no need for additional battery grip and much compact in size, there will be a physical button for the video mode switching. but movie recording mode stick to 16:9

As I said I am pretty sure the rumor isnt’ correct. What’s sure is that Sony has multiple camera prototypes including the two FF sensors with 24 and 36 megapixel and the square sensor camera. Let’s see which one will make it through to the final improvement!

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!

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New Sony and Sigma lens rebates. Sony HX9V beats the D800 in sales number!

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After one month the Nikon D800 got dethroned from the most sold digital camera ranking at Amazon (Click here). And surprise…the merit goes to the Sony HX9V :)

But now let’s talk about lenses. While Sony increased the prices of their Alpha mount lenses Sigma now started a new price drop on three lenses. You can check the list and deals at BHphoto (Click here). And there is also a new $100 off on A77/65 and lens bundle options at Amazon (Click here).

P.S.: SLR Magic Bokehmorphic test at ThePhoBlographer (Click here).

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Sony A57 and FS700 news and reviews roundup…

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Before Sony introduces the new NEX-F3 and A37 camera let’s talk about the just announced A57 and FS700!

Whatdigitalcamera (Click here) is the first website posting a full A57 review. The camera earns a great Gold Award with the following motivation: “Anyone looking for a camera which marries entry-level simplicity with enthusiast control should, without question, add it to their shortlist along with the similarly-priced Nikon D5100 and Canon EOS 600D.

Another test has been published by the dutch guys from Focusmedia (Click here). They say it has a “combination of excellent image quality, powerful camera specifications and an attractive price.”

Den Lennie (Click here) posted a report about the Sony NEX FS700 on Location.

I searched for some NEX-FS700 video samples but didn’t find anything on the web. Sony marketing should release some video to promote their camera instead of leaving us in the dark :(

One more thing: On the NEX-FS700 official product page you can find the NEX lens picture including some of the new upcoming lenses. It says “Sony has big plans for the E-mount lens lineup“. Great, but the problem is that we are already waiting a long time for new high quality NEX lenses. It’s taking a  it too long and big words want make it good.

P.S.: And where is our 50mm f/1.8 for NEX lens? Search here: [shopcountry 8448] :(

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New Sony NEX-7 reviews (Fuji main competitor now for sale)

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Sony NEX-7_behind the scene from post production on Vimeo.

Quesabesde (Click here for the translation) posted a new NEX-7 review. He easily recommends the camera as long as you are willing to pay a lot of money for top optics like the Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 lens.

Sony NEX-7 in Vegas with the Leica 35 Summilux ASPH and Zeiss 24 1.8 by Steve Huff (Click here).

A pretty “unfair” comparison between a new Canon 5DmarkIII fullframe camera and the APS-C NEX-7 by Mike Kobal (Click here).

By the way, the NEX-7 main competitor the Fuji X PRO 1 is now in Stock at Amazon and back on the top of the most sold mirrorless cameras (Click here to see the ranking). I think there is plenty of room above the NEX-7 for a NEX-9 with advanced new sensor technology. Hope Sony managers are thinking on the same wave like me :)

NEX-7 in Stock status link check: [shopcountry 8454].

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The lens price increase in USA is real :(

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Two months ago our friends over at Photorumors got the news that on April 1st Sony will increase the price on all Sony lenses. Sadly this wasn’t an April joke. And the bad news is that i have been told more price increases will arrive soon in other countries too :(

This is the price change list in USA:

Model Effective 9/1/11 Effective 4/1/12 Price Diff
SAL1635Z $1,899.99 $1,999.99 $100.00
SAL1680Z $849.99 $999.99 $150.00
SAL2470Z $1,799.99 $1,999.99 $200.00
SAL24F20Z $1,299.99 $1,399.99 $100.00
SAL85F14Z $1,499.99 $1,699.99 $200.00
SAL135F18Z $1,599.99 $1,799.99 $200.00
SAL70300G $899.99 $999.99 $100.00
SAL70400G $1,799.99 $1,999.99 $200.00
SAL35F14G $1,399.99 $1,499.99 $100.00
SAL300F28G $6,299.99 $6,999.99 $700.00
SAL100M28 $749.99 $799.99 $50.00
SAL1118 $699.99 $799.99 $100.00
SAL135F28 $1,299.99 $1,399.99 $100.00
SAL14TC $499.99 $549.99 $50.00
SAL16105 $649.99 $699.99 $50.00
SAL1650 $699.99 $799.99 $100.00
SAL16F28 $899.99 $999.99 $100.00
SAL18250 $599.99 $649.99 $50.00
SAL1855/BQ $199.99 $219.99 $20.00
SAL20F28 $649.99 $749.99 $100.00
SAL20TC $499.99 $549.99 $50.00
SAL2875 $799.99 $899.99 $100.00
SAL35F18 $199.99 $219.99 $20.00
SAL50F14 $399.99 $449.99 $50.00
SAL50F18 $149.99 $169.99 $20.00
SAL50M28 $529.99 $599.99 $70.00
SAL85F28 $249.99 $299.99 $50.00
SEL18200 $799.99 $899.99 $100.00
SEL24F18Z $999.99 $1,099.99 $100.00
SEL30M35 $249.99 $279.99 $30.00
no price increase:
SAL18200 $549.99 $549.99 $0.00
SAL1870 $179.99 $179.99 discontinued
SAL30M28 $199.99 $199.99 $0.00
SAL55200/2 $199.99 $199.99 $0.00
SAL70200G $1,999.99 $1,999.99 $0.00
SAL75300 $249.99 $249.99 $0.00
SEL16F28 $249.99 $249.99 $0.00
SEL1855 $299.99 $299.99 $0.00
SEL50F18 $299.99 $299.99 $0.00
SEL55210 $349.99 $349.99 $0.00

Yeah I know, some rumors should never become truth!

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Official: Sony makes offer for a partnership with Olympus.

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The worse financial results and fee scandal forced Olympus to seek for a new partnership. And according to the new Olympus president Sasa Sony (along other) made an official offer (Source Der Spiegel).

My guess is that Sony is interested in the medical business from Olympus, which is very healthy and profitable. What I don’t know if it’s good for Sony to join another new business. Sony is already facing a hard time in many sectors (like for example the TV business).

From a digital camera strategy point of view Sony could force Olympus to jump out of the Micro Four Thirds ship and join the NEX system. I don’t know if that is just a forced speculation or a real plan. Would be good for the NEX system, bad for Panasonic. I think it would be a good new for NEX users havng Olympus on board!

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