New Sony A55, A580 and A850 reviews!

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Reviewers worked hard this weekend and tested some of the best Alpha cameras!

First Neocamara posted their Sony Alpha SLT-A55 detailed Review: “Without a doubt, the Sony Alpha SLT-A55 deserves our highest rating and we really cannot wait to know how SLT cameras will evolve from here. For now, the A55 is a very compelling DSLR-replacement, particularly for new photographers and video enthusiasts.“. The final verdict is EXCELLENT.
Click on shop names to check the A55 availability and price: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon.de, Amazon.uk, Amazon.fr

Than we found two new Sony A580 reviews. The first is from Neutralday: ““Biggest bang for the buck” is a term that’s used quite a bit, but it does seem appropriate in the case of the Sony A580“. The second review is from Cameraguide: “For about $800 the A580 provides the image quality and performance of cameras hundreds of dollars more, but does so in a very consumer friendly format“.
Click on shop names to check the A580 availability and price: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon.de, Amazon.uk, Amazon.fr

CNET UK tested the Sony A850 fullframe camera: “Offering high performance at a relatively low price, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A850 is one of the cheapest ways to enter the world of full-frame photography. If you can afford it, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.”
Click on shop names to check the A850 availability and price: Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon.de, Amazon.uk, Amazon.fr

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Sony A560 tested at DxOmark

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DxOmark added the test results of the Sony A560. As you can see from the image above the performance is very close to the NEX-5 whereby it shares the same sensor. The Sony A560 is currently in Stock at Amazon US (Click here) but not in Europe.

P.S.: Take a little bit of time to read the following article at Luminous Landscape: “An Analysis by Peter van den Hamer“. It explains how DxO tests the cameras. And those are just a few interesting info from the article:

  • “newer models generally outperform older models. In particular, the newest APS-C models (Nikon’s D7000 and Pentax’ K-5 and Sony Alpha 580) outperform the older 1.3× sensors and even most full-frame (1.0×) sensors due to a significantly lower noise floor.
  • The performance of the mirrorless Sony NEX-5 is in line with its 1.5× APS-C sensor. Its mirrorless design and its use of an electronic viewfinder have no impact on image quality: a classic SLR swings its mirror out of the way during the actual exposure. So the lack of a mirror doesn’t affect image quality.
  • The Sony Alpha 55 , with its notable semi-transparent[4] mirror, performs roughly as you would expect given its APS-C sensor. But because its semi-transparent mirror doesn’t swing out of the way, 30% of the light never reaches the sensor. Note the performance gap between the Alpha 55 on the one hand and the Nikon D7000 or Pentax K-5 or Sony’s own Alpha 580: the higher score (lower noise) of the latter group could be explained[5] by the light diverted by the Alpha 55’s stationary semi-transparent mirror.“
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Smart patent: How to add a foldable grip to compact cameras.

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Today I had some time to read the latest Sony patents. I didn’t find anything about the future Sony cameras. But I found a patent that shows a genius way to add a grip to super compact cameras by simply…folding it! You can see more designs here: http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7871206.pdf.

So was it worth to spend a Sunday afternoon for that? Nope :)  But I  always hope to find some cool stuff like I did last year when I found the translucent technology patent.

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Sony TidBits (Sony A580 review at Photoradar)

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Sony NEX-5 Droidworx Microcopter UAV (via SonyAlphaNex).

Sony A580 review at Photoradar: “As an all-rounder performer it shines, with its high-resolution sensor and articulated LCD screen making it ideal for still-life photography, and its speedy focusing system and 7fps burst rate meaning that it’s not out of place when action presents itself either.”

Sony Alpha 55: Lightroom vs DxO Optics Pro, duel of the titans at high ISO (Alpha Numerique).

DxOmark tested all manual Zeiss lenses (they are not available for Sony yet…but maybe in future…)

Sony NEX-5 vs Olympus E-Pl1 head to head at Tech.sina

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T99 Review (Steve Digicams).

Both Sony and Omnivision Might Supply Sensors for iPhone 5 (Image Sensor World).

Sony HX7V Hands-On Review (Photographybay).

Sony TX100V Hands-On Review (Photographybay).

A55 vs A850 high ISO shootout (Dpreview forum).

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Letsgodigital posts new pictures from the HX100V and the HX9V (no new NEX or Alpha at the CP+)

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This is the third HX100V/HX9V leak within 10 days and this should be also the last one. The two compact cameras will be announced next week right before the start of the CP+ show. This also means that there will be no new NEX or ALPHA camera at the show. The only thing we can hope is to see a final prototype of the upcoming cameras. But that’s just a hope and nothing else!

Sony Cybershot HX100V at Letsgodigital
Sony Cybershot HX9V at Letsgodigital

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SLRmagic is asking you if you want a 50mm f/1.0 prime for NEX cameras.

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[shoplink 3514][/shoplink]

We are all waiting for Sony to release new high quality lenses for our NEX cameras. But meanwhile another lens producer is asking NEX owners if they would be interested in getting a 50mm f/1.0 manual lens. The company is SLRmagic which already made the cheap [shoplink 3514]35mm f/1.7[/shoplink] lens with E-mount. So let them know what you think!

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[shoplink 3514]Click here to see the current SLRmagic 35mm f/1.7 lens at eBay (You can get it here only)[/shoplink].

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(SR2) The Sony A77 is coming on April 16? Probably fake rumor?

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“Nico” the administrator of the dutch fotomateforum.net claims to have found info about the A77 on Sony Scandinavia and Luxembourg websites. But before reading the rumor please keep in mind that the rumor is not from one of our trusted sources! So take it easy. This could be fake. As soon as my sources will send me reliable info I will share it here!

Update: It looks like the original post at fotoforum has been removed! I downgraded the rumor from SR3 to SR2. A source just told me he didn’t hear anyhting about a release on April 16th. So please be cautious!

My girlfriend is from Antwerp but I don’t speak dutch and she is currently outside the house. That’s why I am posting the google english translated text:

“Following the publications on the production camera pack shots we could really expect these leakages.
Previous rumors about a launch in June, September and December are thus proved untrue.
On Saturday, April 16, the Alpha 77 launched at an event in the new luxurious Monaco, Porto Montenegro.
The entire European Photo magazine press is flown.
Sony shows this clearly shows that with this new APS-C SLT competition want to inflict a crushing blow.
The Sony Alpha 77 is in the near future, along with the also launched 500 f/4.0 G SSM SAL “THE tool” for the BIF, Sports Shooter and Wild Life to be.
The Nikon D400 sensor is exactly the same 24.4Mp half years later released. This connected with the Sony sensor and Nikon agreed clause.

A77-Specifications

– APS-C 23.6 x 15.6 mm 24.4 Mp (Effective) Exmor CMOS sensor Backlit
– 16 fps
– ISO 100-204800
– 51 focus points (15 cross-type sensors)
– Micro Adjustment for Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta Lenses
– AVC HD Video / 24 bits (like the [shoplink 4718]Panasonic GH2[/shoplink])
– HDR
– Panorama mode
– GPS
– 3D
– New designed by Epson OLED Super EVF
– Able Tilt LCD Display
– Building and grip similar to the “Magnesium” [shoplink 3228]Alpha 700[/shoplink] – The CF+SD+MS cards can be used in tandem
– Newly designed battery provides up to 1,000 shots.
– The body A77 has a street price of 899 Euros. ”

I ask my trusted sources if they can confirm the rumor about the A77 beeing announced on April 16! If the rumor is true than we have also the good news that Sony is finally giving priority to Sony cameras instead of Nikon cameras!
Thanks Nico for those exciting news! And come visit me in Antwerp ;)

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