Sony Alpha A65 release date pushed to November, A77 might also be facing delays

News

  • October 6, 2011 at 3:46 pm

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Sony's new Alpha cameras: SLT-A65 and SLT-A77

Sony has announced today that it’s pushing the release date of the Alpha A65 digital camera to November, instead of the previously announced October date. The A65 is Sony’s next generation mid-range single-lens translucent (SLT) camera sporting a newly developed high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder. The delay is related to production of the camera and will affect all versions of the A65, i.e. single and double-zoom lens kits.

Also, according to Sony Alpha Rumors, the higher-end A77 SLT camera might also be facing delays, as shipping dates on various official Sony online stores have been removed. We’ve done our own little investigation; several shoppers have already been able to get hold of the A77 from Hong Kong. Sony Hong Kong is still selling the A77 body for HK$9,990, although the lens kit is out of stock. If you are in a hurry to get hold of Sony’s latest camera you can try ordering it over eBay from Hong Kong. Note that both cameras are still available for pre-order on Amazon.com: A77 and A65.

UPDATE: Some early pre-orders are already shipping out, very limited availability still possible.

Panasonic releases firmware updates for the LX5 compact camera and four Micro Four Thirds lenses

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  • September 14, 2011 at 7:30 am

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 digital camera

Panasonic hasn’t released a new version of the very successful DMC-LX5 high-end compact camera this year; but, it just released a new firmware version for the camera with major improvements in performance and capabilities. The updated firmware improves auto focus speed, white balance performance, easier manual focus fine adjustments, new max 250sec manual exposure while there is a new miniature effect and a number of other minor improvements.

At the same time Panasonic has also released an updated firmware for four of its Micro Four Thirds lenses: the H-F008 LUMIX G Fisheye 8mm, H-H014 LUMIX G 14mm, H-FS014042 LUMIX G VARIO 14-42mm and H-FS100300 LUMIX G VARIO 100-300mm. The improvements are targeted towards better video performance; all four get reduced auto-focusing sound during recording, while the two zoom lenses also get enhanced optical image stabilization during video recording.

Download links and further details after the break, of course!
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Fuji Guys tackle the Fujifilm X10, 16 minutes of unadulterated gadget lust (video)

News

  • September 11, 2011 at 6:26 pm

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Fuji Guys showing off the Fujifilm FinePix X10

The “Fuji Guys”, a.k.a. Billy and Greg from Fujifilm Canada, have posted a video demonstrating the new FinePix X10. There is a lot of marketing hype in the video, but you get to spend 16 minutes learning about every aspect of the new high-end point-and-shoot camera.

We’ve made particular note of:

  • Standard optical viewfinder, no information overlay.
  • High precision 4x manual zoom using a metal cam-driven mechanism. Twist lens zoom ring to turn the camera on. Optical image stabilisation.
  • 7 blade aperture system but no built-in ND filter.
  • 1cm macro.
  • Magnesium alloy construction and metal lens cap like the X100.
  • Software and buttons similar to the X100 with some improvements, mode dial instead of shutter speed dial. Fuji has kept the dedicated ‘Raw’ button… why?
  • 1080p video 30fps.

Video is after the break for your enjoyment.
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Nikon to introduce compact mirrorless interchangeable lens camera

News

  • September 9, 2011 at 12:56 pm

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Nikon Corporation

Reuters has conveyed Nikkei daily news of Nikon’s intent to enter the mirrorless interchangeable-lens digital camera (MILC) game. Panasonic and Olympus started it all with their Micro Four Thirds digital cameras in 2008 and many major camera manufacturers have since entered the lucrative market. Nikon and Canon have so far been absent and there were growing rumors that they would soon join.

With camera prices going down, MILCs still command quite a premium. Nikon is said to price its mirrorless camera and lens kit at around 70,000-100,000 yen ($900-1,300). To put things into perspective, Panasonic’s GF3 retails for around $700, Olympus’ EP-3 at $900, while Sony’s NEX-5N retails for $700 and the upcoming super high-end NEX-7 will retail for around $1,350.

Nikon is supposed to introduce its MILC by the end of the year. We said it before, but we’ll say it again, this is definitely the best year for compact camera lovers.
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Fujifilm FinePix X10 premium point-and-shoot camera announced

News

  • September 1, 2011 at 6:12 am

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Fujifilm FinePix X10 point-and-shoot camera in hand

Fujifilm has just announced the FinePix X10 (previously rumored as the X50), a new retro looking point-and-shoot camera, which can confidently claim to be the younger brother to the X100. The X10 goes directly in the category of high performing compact zoom cameras, together with the Olympus XZ-1, Panasonic LX5, Nikon P7100 and Canon S95. The X10 will feature the largest sensor size for a point-and-shoot, 2/3-inch 12-megapixel EXR-CMOS sensor offering sensitivity up to ISO 12,800 — the other P&S’ above have sensor sizes of around 1/1.8-inch. Fuji has paired this with a 28-122mm (4x zoom) f/2-2.8 Fujinon lens featuring a newly developed optical stabilization mechanism.
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Sony NEX-5N already in stock at Amazon US, coming to Amazon UK on September 5, 2011

News

  • August 31, 2011 at 5:42 pm

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Sony NEX-5N 16.1 MP Compact Interchangeable Lens Touchscreen Camera With 18-55mm Lens

We just though you should know that Sony’s new mid-specced NEX-5N digital camera is already in stock at Amazon US, selling at around $750 (above the $700 Amazon pre-order price), for those who can’t wait to get it in their hands. Having a peak over at Amazon UK, the camera is set to be released on September 5th, so that could be an indication that the official US launch date is not far off either.

As a refresher, the NEX-5N has a new 16.1-megapixel APS-C sensor and can shoot up to an ISO 25,600. Autofocus has been improved and shutter lag has come down to 20ms. The NEX-5N has slimmed by 15mm from its predecessor and can manage full 1080p HD video with ease. We think the NEX-5N is a great choice for its ease of use — it now features a touch screen panel — low ISO performance and really good video.

We’re sure your are going to appreciate this video.

Sony Alpha A77, A65 and NEX-7 ‘magical’ OLED EVF panel

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  • August 30, 2011 at 6:25 pm

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Sony OLED EVF panel

It’s difficult to hide that we are enamored with Sony’s new line of digital cameras. A big part of the allure of both the Alpha A77 and A65 cameras and the NEX-7, is the new OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF).

EVFs have the advantage of allowing you to see exactly the same image your camera’s sensor sees and the image it will eventually record, together with any effects, while providing a host of useful information. They also allow manufactures to do away with the optical mirror and create slimmer cameras. Their disadvantages however are that, they are usually not as large or contrasty as optical viewfinders, they are obviously made out of pixels with a finite resolution and might find it hard tracking fast moving action.
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Sony Alpha A77 vs. A65 vs. NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm Finepix X100 comparison

The Lab

  • August 29, 2011 at 9:24 am

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Sony's new Alpha cameras: SLT-A65 and SLT-A77

We’ve already shown you how Sony’s NEX-7 digital camera stacks up against other high-end compact shooters. However, Sony also announced a pair of incredibly specced single-lens translucent (SLT) cameras, the Alpha A65 and Alpha A77, poised to take conventional Nikon and Canon mid-range DSLRs head-on. We will soon have a look at how these compare to DSLR cameras at the same price range.

Now, we have compiled a comparison between these three higher-end Sony cameras, the Alpha A77, A65 and NEX-7. We are finding it just so damn hard to decide between them, we are sure you as well, and time has started ticking as all cameras are already available to pre-order, so hopefully this will help. We’ve also added our current favorite camera, the Fujifilm FinePix X100, to the mix. Head over after the link for a detailed spec comparison.
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Fujifilm FinePix X50 camera listed in printed catalog

News

  • August 25, 2011 at 3:16 pm

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Fujifilm FinePix X50 Promaster catalog close-upWe first caught wind of the X50 a few days ago. The camera was said to be smaller and cheaper than the excellent X100. Now we have confirmation from quite an unusual source, an actual printed catalogue snapped by a user over at Something Awful forum.

It seems that our initial info was correct, with the X50 having a 2/3″ sensor (smaller than Micro Four Thirds), a zoon lens and a price of $599.95. The full specs from what we could make out:
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Sony Alpha A77, A65, NEX-7, NEX-5N and NEX-VG20 video overview

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  • August 25, 2011 at 1:34 pm

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Sony new Alpha and NEX cameras video overview

Sony has created a series of mouthwatering videos showing off its entire new line of cameras and lenses. The first video below is dedicated to the Sony Alpha A77 while the second covers the NEX-7, A65, NEX-5N, the new E-mount lenses, Alpha-mount adapter and the NEX-VG20 camcorder.

We’ve particularly noted the mention of the benefits of an OLED viewfinder in terms of refresh rate over LCD. Best moment of both videos is definitely the demonstration of the A77’s 12fps burst shooting. A word of warning, watching any of these videos could significantly hurt your medium-term financial status.
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Sony NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm X100 vs. Olympus E-P3 vs. Panasonic DMC-GF3

The Lab

  • August 24, 2011 at 7:18 pm

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Sony NEX-7 with Alpha lens

Sony’s just announced NEX-7 digital camera is a real contender as the new king in the compact mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera realm. We’re sure that you are itching, same as we, to see how it stacks up against the competition. We’ve pitted the NEX-7 against two Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras, the new Olympus E-P3 and the Panasonic GF3 — although we are sure Panasonic is secretly cooking a high end shooter, the GF3 is currently their higher end compact MFT camera. We’ve also added the excellent fixed lens Fujifilm FinePix X100 to our comparison; the NEX-7 shares some of same genes having a no-nonsense retro look, APS-C sensor and lots of controls. Head over after the link to see a spec fight-out.
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Sony NEX-5N, NEX-7, A65 and A77 officially announced, pricing and details confirmed

News

  • August 24, 2011 at 5:26 am

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Sony's new Alpha cameras: SLT-A65 and SLT-A77

Sip by sip, information about Sony’s new cameras has been leaking over the past few months. Today Sony has finally made official four new digital cameras. Two new mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras (MILCs), the NEX-5N and NEX-7, and two single-lens translucent (SLT) cameras the Aplha A65 and Aplha A77.

The Sony Alpha A77 resides at the top of today’s food chain with a brand new 24.3-megapixel APS-C sensor and 2359k dot (XGA) OLED electronic viewfinder packed into a DSLR-type body. The worthy successor to Sony’s A700 boasts a 19-point autofocus system and 12 frames per second burst shooting speed taking advantage of a claimed world’s fastest continuous autofocus using full-time phase-detection. The A77 can shoot all the way down at ISO 50 and up to 16,000. The back of the A77 is dominated by a three-way tilting 921k LCD screen. The camera can capture full 1080p HD video at 60p and 24p frame rates. The Alpha A77 will arrive in October for $1,400 or as a kit with Sony’s new 16-50mm f/2.8 lens for $2,000.
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Fujifilm FinePix X50 to be the smaller and more affordable zoom brother to the X100 camera

News

  • August 22, 2011 at 2:33 pm

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Fujifilm X100 held in hand

Fujifilm undeniably rocked the digital camera world with its retro looking FinePix X100 digital camera. The X100 went against the flow, with Fuji opting for complexity and a fixed focal length lens, and in the end the bet paid off. Unfortunately the X100 is out of most people’s budget at around $1,200. Fujifilm is now said to announce a smaller and cheaper but still capable retro looking camera, the X50.
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Upcoming Sony A77 and Sony NEX-7 shown in their 360-degree glory

News

  • August 22, 2011 at 4:00 am

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Sony Alpha NEX-7 mirrorless camera

The two upcoming Sony Alpha cameras, the A77 and NEX-7, are quickly becoming Sony’s worst kept secret. We’ve already looked into the specs of the A77 translucent mirror camera (DSLT); just to refresh, the camera is to feature a 24-megapixel sensor, new BIONZ image processing engine, the world’s first XGA OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF) and awesome video capabilities. A German website, D-SLT.de has now brought us a slew of new high-resolution images of the A77 for your viewing pleasure.

Today we’ve also got some detailed specs of Sony’s compact mirrorless high-end shooter, the NEX-7, courtesy of Photo Rumors. The camera is said to have the same 24-megapixel Exmor sensor and XGA OLED viewfinder as the A77, together with a 3-inch 921,000 dots TruBlack LCD touchscreen display, and offer a 100-16000 ISO range. The NEX-7 should do 1920×1080 60p/60i/24p AVCHD video recording. Everything will be wrapped up beautifully into a magnesium alloy body. Photo Rumors have also got their hands on a host of new pictures showing the NEX-7 in its EVF and dual mode-dial glory

Both cameras are said to be available in November this year. Pictures and links after the break.
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