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Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

 

Sony NEX-F3 In-Stock

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Sony NEX-F3

The Sony NEX-F3 is in stock at B&H.  The NEX-F3 looks to be everything that the NEX-C3 is – and more.

As a result, I’m pegging the NEX-F3 as the g0-t0 consumer camera for those who want better quality than they get out of a point and shoot camera.  I own the NEX-C3 and it has been a fantastic camera – particularly when combined with the great little Sigma 30mm f/2.8 lens that stays on it.

The NEX-F3 is available in silver and black.

Sony NEX-F3 Unveiled

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The Sony NEX-F3 is a follow-up to the popular NEX-C3.  While the resolution is the same as the NEX-C3 (via an APS-C 16.1MP CMOS sensor), the NEX-F3 steps up in a couple of departments.  The NEX-F3 offers full HD 1920 x 1080 video capture in 60i or 24p flavors via AVCHD codec.

Additionally, the NEX-F3 features a 180-degree tiltable LCD screen, which allows you to live view from the front of the camera.  The F3 also sports a built-in pop-up flash (something that was missed on the NEX-C3), making it all the more compact to carry.

The existing FDA-EV1S OLED viewfinder is compatible with the NEX-F3 for those preferring a more traditional camera view rather than the live view display.  The Sony NEX-F3 will be available in June for $600 with an 18-55mm kit lens.  Check availability at B&H Photo.

Alongside the NEX-F3, Sony introduced a revised 18-200mm E-mount lens (for NEX models).  The new 18-200mm lens is smaller and lighter than the old version.  It also comes in black rather than the original silver color. The new lens retails for $850 and should be available in July 2012. Check availability at B&H Photo.

More images and details below. [Read more…]

Sony NEX-F3 and A37 Specs Leaked

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Sony NEX-F3

It looks like the full specs for the Sony NEX-F3 and A37 entry-level cameras are now out in the wild with a release date of May 17, courtesy of SonyAlphaRumors.  Leaked images vis Yangcanggih. Check out the spec lists below.

Sony NEX-F3 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • 1080/24p or 1080/60i
  • MP4 codec
  • 180-degree tilting LCD
  • Built-in flash
  • 3fps
  • No touchscreen
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens

One thing that doesn’t jive with the specs and the leaked images is the MP4 codec listed in the NEX-F3 specs.  The images clearly showed the AVCHD logo on the camera body.  Likewise, a 1080/24p and 1080/60i frame rate suggests an AVCHD 1.0 codec.  If anything, I think the MP4 codec would be for a 720p option (like the NEX-C3) – although, the NEX-F3 appears to offer full 1080p HD video capture in addition to a possible 720p MP4 mode…

With the recent NEX models sporting the AVCHD 2.0 codec, it looks like Sony will differentiate the video capabilities on entry-level models by sticking with a max 30fps frame rate at full 1920 x 1080 resolution via the AVCHD 1.0 codec.  This should make the NEX-F3 a perfect consumer camera with great 1080p video.  And, if you want to get your overcranked footage on for smooth slo-mo, you’ll need to step up to the NEX-5N or higher.

Sony A37 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • Built-in SteadyShot image stabilization
  • 7fps frame frate
  • 15-point AF system
  • Tilting LCD
  • 1080/24p and 1080/60i video
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens
  • $799 price point w/ 18-135mm kit lens

The A37 looks to be very competent as well for an entry-level shooter.  Frankly though, unless you have to have the phase-detection AF system of the SLT models, I would suggest most people to choose the NEX-F3 as an entry-level go-to camera over the A37.

I’ll have more concrete thoughts on these models once they are officially announced and I get my hands on them.

Stay tuned.

Sony NEX-F3 Pic Leaked, Due for Launch in May

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Sony NEX-F3

Sony Alpha Rumors just published the above image of the upcoming Sony NEX-F3, which is due to replace the excellent Sony NEX-C3.

The new Sony NEX-F3 will sport a 16.1MP image sensor and is rumored to include a 180-degree tilting LCD, along with a built-in flash.  The presence of the AVCHD logo on the above image also suggest 1080p capture (hopefully, it will be AVCHD 2.0 for 60p like the NEX-5N).

The naming scheme is curious given the Sony PMW-F3, which is a PL mount cinema camera and commonly referred to as simply the “F3”.  Likewise, the potential spec-sheet further suggests that the NEX-F3 may outshine the (also excellent) NEX-5N, in which case we can probably expect a summer 2012 replacement for it as well.

For now, the Sony NEX-F3 is rumored to launch in May 2012, alongside the Sony A37, an entry-level DSLR-ish camera with Sony’s translucent mirror technology.

You can expect to hear a lot more about this camera in the coming weeks.  So, stay tuned.

Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN First Look Review

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Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN for Sony NEX

The Sigma 30mm f/2.8 EX DN is the closest thing to a “fast 50” that we can get right now for Sony’s NEX models in the native E-mount.  I’ve been playing with it for a couple of days and, in short, I think it’s a nice complement to the 18-55mm kit lens.  At $199, it’s certainly a lens that NEX owners should consider adding to their kit. [Read more…]