Sony A55 and A33.. surprisingly good LOL

[photomarcs]

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/08/a55-a ... echnology/

[gstark]

As it happens, there's a Sony event later today. I'm hoping to have a play with some new toys.

[surenj]

Wow looks good on paper.

They are catching up. Just need better Better sensors + ergonomics + better lenses. I Reckon in a few years we will be talking whether to buy Nikon, Canon or a Sony... OR maybe we are already doing that....

[gstark]

OK, just back from Sony.

Had a play with both bodies, and they've also announced pricing for the NEX-VG10. At $3499 it's still significantly cheaper than anything that's pro level, but ...


The A33 and A55 feel very nice and solid. very high quality construction, and something that, given the pricepoints these are coming in at, seems to be very good value.

And the Zeiss lens was an order of magnitude better again.

I'm unconvinced about the digital viewfinders. Why bother with the translucent mirrors if you're using electronic viewfinders anyway? I'm also concerned about the effect upon image quality that shooting your image through the mirror may have: it's another layer of glass, and one that can and will get dirty.

And the blackout time seemed a tad high; much higher than on mirrored camera with an optical viewfinder.

These are first impressions, based upon a five-minute hands-on; didn't have a chance to look at images, so we shall wait until I can get a body for a more comprehensive review.

It's going to be very interesting comparing these two bodies - and the NEX-VG10 - with the D3100.

I'm just waiting for the Canon announcements now ...

[aim54x]

Sony is planning a launch of some sort at the Riesel later this month...it may be the official retail launch of these units.

I guess you will be mirror cleaning rather than sensor cleaning on the A33 and A55