Sony Tidbits (With lots of new Lens reviews!)

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Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM review at Photozone: “The Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 SSM G can give you very good results on a full format DSLR but it is not a lens without issues.”

DSLRmagazine tested the [shoplink 2998]Sony 16mm E-mount lens[/shoplink]. Interesting, they compared the pre-production 16mm lens with the final production version. Good news, the lens we buy is much better!

[shoplink 3003]Sony NEX-5[/shoplink] Digiscoping with Kowa TSN-884 (SonyAlphaNex).

Carl Zeiss 21mm f/2.8 Biogon tested on the Sony NEX-5 (SLRgear)

Engadget’s Holiday Gift Guide: Digital cameras.

NEX-5 vs Leica M8 vs Canon 5d Mark II (SonyAlphaNex)

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Sony 70-300mm and Zeiss 24mm tested by Photozone!

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Image courtesy: Photozone

Today I read the article where Ken Rockwell criticizes the Sony lenses. But maybe he should took a look at the following two tested by Photozone! Both lenses do deliver a very good and in case of the Zeiss an impressive image quality!

Zeiss ZA Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM

The Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 SSM may not be as fast as its Canon and Nikon counterparts but it’s capable of delivering a better image quality at comparable aperture settings. Click here to read the review at Photozone. And don’t forget that there is a $100.00 Instant Savings at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto!!!

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM G

The Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM G impressed during our APS-C format test and it is capable of delivering high quality results within the full format scope as well. The build quality of the lens is very good and a step above than the mainstream. Click hee to read the review at Photozone. And also in that case you have a $50.00 Instant Savings at Adorama and BHphoto!

And visit our full US Instante Rebates page (Click here)!!!

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Show your best pictures! Participate the Sony Photo Challenge! (and make SonyAlphaRumors be the special guest!)

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At this year’s Sony World Photography Awards there’s an open category for photographers of all levels to enter a photo. Sony thought it’d be a good idea to get more people shooting great photos, by running the Sony Photo Challenge. They contacted me to invite all SonyAlphaRumors readers to participate. And you won’t disappoint Sony or not? ;)
Here is what you need to do to participate. Every week there will be a new challenge theme. The first theme is “Nature”. To add your picture click the following link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/sonyphotochallenge/. Important! Tag every photo with “SonyPhotoChallenge” and “SonyAlphaRumors“. Why should you add the SonyAlphaRumors tag? Sony said the blogger that sends more people/pictures will be invited as special guest at the Sony World Photography Awards Ceremony on the 27th April 2011. And you won’t disappoint me or not? ;) I want to be there!!!

And the best part is you can win some nicePrizes:

Winner of the Best overall photograph will receive:

  • Recipient of the title “Sony World Photography Awards Open Photographer of The Year”
  • $5,000
  • Winning image will be exhibited on the Sony World Photography Awards’ website and promoted to creatives worldwide
  • Flights to London, and 2 nights accommodation in a hotel and receive VIP tickets to attend the evening gala awards ceremony, taking place on the 27th of April, 2011
  • Sony digital SLR camera equipment

Winners of each individual category will receive:

  • Recipient of the title “Sony World Photography Awards category name Open Photographer of The Year”
  • Exhibited in the Winner’s Exhibition and published in the Winner’s Book
  • Winning image will be exhibited on the Sony World Photography Awards’ website and promoted to creatives
  • Sony digital SLR camera equipment
SO why wait? Send your best “Nature” picture at http://www.flickr.com/groups/sonyphotochallenge/. And don’t forget, tag every photo with “SonyPhotoChallenge” and “SonyAlphaRumors“!!!
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Ken Rockwell doesn’t like the Sony A55

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That review will start a huge discussion on SonyAlphaRumors and elsewhere. After getting tons of positive reviews the Sony A55 camera gets completely “blamed” by the “famous” blogger Ken Rockwell (he usually tests Leica-Nikon-Cony stuff only). He analyzed the pure “photographic” aspects of the camera and came to the conclusion that “I wouldn’t buy one of these, but that’s just me. If you want something similar to a DSLR, but with better video, 10 frames per second and great GPS tagging, check this out. I’m all about photography, not gimmicks like crummy video or GPS.”

And:”Image quality is poor, because the A55 lacks some very important image adjustments.” and “Sony could have been brilliant, and made this camera silent. Nope, even without a flipping mirror, the Sony A55 is at least as noisy, and has at least as much sharpness-robbing mechanical vibration as a conventional SLR.”…”Steady Shot doesn’t work as well as VR or IS.”

What’s good? Exposure, AF is good, Ergonomics.

Read his review because he added tons of arguments against the camera. read carefully and please argument why you do or do not agree with his review!

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(SR4) Quad Bionz for the new Sony FF camera (+short private message)

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Dear SAR readers!

Sorry if I didn’t post many news the last two days but I had connection problems (one) because I lost my iPhone which I usually use to be connected while I am working (two) because I am currently travelling from one place to another. I just solved problem number one because I just got my new iPhone…bye bye 649 Euros :(

Now that I am back I can share with you the next rumor from one of my very trusted sources!

The new Sony Flagship camera (we call it A950 but it could have another name) will feature a new Quad-Bionz processor. This is necessary to elaborate the new huge amount of data created by the over 30 mega-pixel(!) sensor. The camera should be able to shoot at least 8fps (frames per secondin jpg mode)! The source also told me the specs are not 100% defined although at that point he expects only slightly changes. He also confirms the new FF camera will not be announced before the end of the year (2011).

And a new source told us that Sony will discontinue the [shoplink 3028]A850[/shoplink] and sell the [shoplink 3032]A900[/shoplink] only starting by early 2011. I remind you that there are currently instante rebates on those cameras and many Sony lenses (Click here to read the full list of the ongoing rebates.).

That’s it for now! If you can help me to get more info about future Sony products (like the NEX-7, A77 and A950) feel free to use our contact form on the right sidebar. You can avoid to send me your name and email adress. All I need is your anonymous message ;)

I am also available at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com if you want to contact me! Thanks!

Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources (60-80% the rumor is correct)
SR5=almost certainly correct!

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Sony TidBits (A55, A580, NEX)

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Sony A55 AF test with 3rd party AF, body AF, SAM & SSM

ePhotozine reviewed the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink]: “There is no doubt that this is an enjoyable and versatile photographic tool, capable of very fine results. Access to the range of Sony/Carl Zeiss lenses has to be a major plus point, and at a reasonable cost too. The lack of mirror slap reduces potential vibration and also enables very high frame rates.”

Cgarrard posted the first part of his [shoplink 4617]Sony A580[/shoplink] review, And the first part consists of 7 page long detailed tests! “Since the A580 is a relatively lightweight medium sized DSLR, that makes it a contender for backpacking duty. Given the pretty good feature set of the A580 compared to the competition, and there isn’t much it won’t be able to handle for the outdoor enthusiast- that is unless you shoot quite a bit already in inclimate weather.”

DxO Optics Pro Adds Support for Sony NEX-5 and NEX-3 (Photographybay). And Alpha Numerique tested the new DxO Optics software on Sony NEX cameras!

The UK camera industry fears compact system cameras (CSC) will kill off sales in the rest of the photographic market, according to research by industry analysts. (Amateur Photographer)

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