Sony | Stuff-Review

Global release of Sony NEX-7 camera delayed indefinitely due to Thai floods, Alpha A65 and lens production also affected

October 20, 2011 at 6:06 am

Bad news for anyone waiting on Sony’s compact mirrorless high-end shooter. The global launch of the Sony NEX-7, which was due to be released in November, just in time to entice holiday buyers, is now being delayed indefinitely.

Months of heavy monsoon rains in Thailand have caused widespread floods and have affected operations in two of Sony’s three production facilities in the country.

Production of the new Alpha A65 translucent mirror camera has also been affected. We reported that some A65 cameras were already shipping, but availability was scarce. Sony is delaying the Japanese launch of the A65, while we would expect general availability to be affected.

A Sony spokesperson has said that the company is considering shifting production to an unaffected production facility. Besides the two cameras, production of lens kits and headphone products has also been affected.
continue reading

Sony Alpha A65 shipping now for early pre-orders

News

October 16, 2011 at 9:36 am

We had reported that the release date for the Sony Alpha A65 digital camera was pushed to November. Well it seems that this is not exactly the case, as some lucky early pre-orders are already shipping out.

We’ve received the screen capture above (from which we’ve removed any sensitive info), which shows that a lucky individual will be receiving a brand new, latest technology, SLT camera at his doorstep very soon.

Note that the order was placed way back in August, when the camera was announced. The announced delay from Sony could just mean that the company is finding it difficult to meat initial demand, but the camera might still be slowly trickling out. Have you also received a similar notification? Let us know in your comments.

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

News

October 6, 2011 at 3:46 pm

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.

Sony announces US price and release date for the HMZ-T1 OLED 3D head-mounted display

News

September 8, 2011 at 4:48 am

We recently had a look at Sony’s HMZ-T1, a headset which offers an immersive 3D HD experience equivalent to watching a 750-inch screen from 20 meters away. The technology is based on twin 0.7-inch 720p (1280×720) OLED panels. The 3D headset just got a US release date and price, it will be available in the coming November and has been priced at $800.
continue reading

Sony’s HMZ-T1 OLED 3D head-mounted display is a 750-inch screen in your home

News

September 5, 2011 at 9:19 am

Sony has been hitting home runs with its new tiny high resolution OLED displays. The company’s latest announcement is a futuristic headset, the HMZ-T1, hosting a pair of 0.7-inch OLED displays. Each display, one for each eye, is capable of a 720p HD resolution (1280 x 720), offering full 3D support for movies and gaming with zero crosstalk — that is, each eye will be seeing a totally different image, unlike current 3D TV technology. Sony is claiming that the experience is similar to being in a movie theater looking at a 750-inch screen from 20 meters away.

OLED panels offer very fast refresh rates, so fast moving action is a non-issue for them, while contrast ratios are also very good because OLEDs can be bright and colorful but at the same time offer deep blacks. Sony has paired the displays with a newly developed optical lens and with 45-degree wide horizontal viewing angles, you can imagine the level of stomach-turning immersion this headset can provide.
continue reading

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

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

News

August 30, 2011 at 6:25 pm

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.
continue reading

Sony Alpha A77 vs. A65 vs. NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm Finepix X100 comparison

The Lab

August 29, 2011 at 9:24 am

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.
continue reading

Sony Alpha A77, A65, NEX-7, NEX-5N and NEX-VG20 video overview

News

August 25, 2011 at 1:34 pm

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.
continue reading

Sony NEX-7 vs. Fujifilm X100 vs. Olympus E-P3 vs. Panasonic DMC-GF3

The Lab

August 24, 2011 at 7:18 pm

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.
continue reading

Sony NEX-5N, NEX-7, A65 and A77 officially announced, pricing and details confirmed

News

August 24, 2011 at 5:26 am

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.
continue reading

Upcoming Sony A77 and Sony NEX-7 shown in their 360-degree glory

News

August 22, 2011 at 4:00 am

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.
continue reading

Un-announced Sony Alpha A77 new details leak

News

August 10, 2011 at 5:33 am

Sony hasn’t been keeping a very tight lid on the upcoming Alpha A77 digital camera. The, still, un-announced camera has now appeared as a nominee for a Good Design Award; an award system operated by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization.

Besides a new side view of the camera, the organization’s website confirms some of the specifications we’ve already reported on and adds a couple of new exciting details on the A77.
continue reading

Upcoming Sony Alpha A77 24MP digital camera images leak

News

July 20, 2011 at 8:15 am

Two more pictures of Sony’s rumored Alpha A77 digital camera have surfaced, courtesy of Dyxum forums, which could end up to be real. The first picture which you can see above, while a second picture awaits for you after the break.

There have been quite a few rumors going around regarding Sony’s upcoming top mid-range shooter which will be based on translucent mirror technology. The Sony Alpha A77, which would be replacing the aging A700 APS-C DSLR, is said to boast a 24 megapixel sensor, new double Bionz processors and a 3-million dot OLED electronic view-finder. The A77 is also said to be joined by a slightly worse spec’d A65.
continue reading