NEX-7 sample images look good, noise is there, but it's livable

I'd say it's a worthy camera. It will have to go up against the
Panasonic GH-2 and the lenses are still a problem (some shots are
soft, could be noise reduction as well), but the overall quality (Yes,
I know the samples are JPEGS) looks good. I rarely shoot above 400
ISO if I can help it anyway.

For any m4/3rd user, the NEX-7 is about the resolution, not the noise
control.

http://dpreview.com/news/1109/11091420sonynex7gallery.asp

 

The cameras used on the press day in San Diego apparently did not have
the later version of firmware that will be available when they are
released for retail sale. It's simply too early to judge the image
quality.

It's also probably not a good idea to judge a camera on the basis of
mediocre snapshots of undemanding subjects. The real issues with the
camera, if any, won't come to light until someone does a comprehensive
test on some difficult subjects in some demanding lighting conditions.

I think the only safe conclusion that can be drawn at this stage is
that 24 million is a heck of a lot of pixels. ;-)

Despite all the above caveats, I have ordered an NEX-7 for myself. <g>

 

Latest shots from the new Zeiss lens look ok wide open, but not great,
not hyper sharp and there is some CA.. I don't anticipate any huge
changes once the firmware is "firmed" up so what we see now (for
JPEGs) is probably a good indication of the production model.

 

some of the shots look spectacular, others just OK. And what can we tell
from JPGs? Not much, really. but Sony's track record for sensors
recently is excellent, so based on that, I have faith.

and I have a NEX 7 on pre-order. the NEX 5 is already gone for a nice
price on ebay.

 

Sony should be congratulated for listening to users and providing what
appears to be a much more "adult" camera than the 3 or 5. This is
exactly what people where asking for.

 

I think Sony was very surprised by the reaction to the original NEX 3
and 5. They may have attracted some former P&S users, but as it turns
out many of us wanted that larger sensor in a much smaller body than the
typical SLR. If the NEX 7 lives up to expectations, and some decent
glass follows, I probably won't have any need to keep the Canon SLR
system I've been using for quite some time. I don't shoot sports any
more, so the need for AF that fast isn't critical. I do travel so a
lighter kit is essential.

What I'd like to see are a few shots taken by the NEX 7 with the 18-200
zoom. That's a nice lens and would make a great match for that body (I
believe...).

 

The NEX 7 is interesting, but very wide lenses, such as the Sigma 8-16
for instance, are still not available.
Also, to support 24MP on an APS-C sensor the lens must be very, very
sharp. I have serious doubts an 18-200 zoom is sharp enough and if so,
you could just get a 16MP model.

 

I have that zoom, and used it extensively on the NEX 5. It's very good.
Also, FWIW, the "SLR Gear" site tested it and it showed quite good
there, as well. This lens seems to be consistently very good/excellent,
especially for a long zoom.

I expect that we'll see some third party glass pretty soon, given the
sales of the NEX line, and the fact that Sony, last April, made the
specs for the E mount public to encourage lens development from other
makers, like Sigma. Also, Sony is going to introduce, next year, a high
quality standard zoom and a few other lenses. I have no doubt that the
third party vendors will offer lenses, given that it's a growing market.