A list of interesting things about the NEX-VG10 at Cameratown.com. Two things that were a surprise:
8. LCD Pivots, but not toward front: The 3.0" LCD screen is both bright and sharp but it only pivots up or down - and not forward. This prevents you from flipping the screen to the front so that it's visibile when you're in front of the camera [...]Cameratown.com: 21 things You Should Know...
9. Lens lacks AF/Manual Switch: Yes, you can still manually focus but you'll have to press a menu button on the side of the camera (under the LCD) to make the change. There is a zoom 'lock' on the lens to prevent the lens from extending during travel.
Sony NEX-VG10 Test Run
H. Paul Moon posted another text video from the NEX-VG10. This was shot hand-held because evidently it's illegal to use a camera with a tripod without a permit in Washington D.C.
Sony's Active Steadyshot image stabilization is best-in-class as a mechanism, but seems to perform slightly worse than their previous flagship high-end consumer camcorders, the HDR-XR500V and later HDR-XR550V (makes sense, since the sensor in the NEX-VG10 is dramatically larger and requires more than just micro-movements for stabilization). That's where I'm coming from.
Read about the video on the Vimeo page: Sony NEX-VG10 Test Run - nexvg10.info
Nex VG10 Day 1
Adam Mizrahi of Mizrahi Films has a short film shot with the NEX-VG10, which he loves:
Here is day one of my tests I will be doing the the new Nex VG10. MY first thoughts, I love this camera! It is amazing and feels amazing. I have no idea what everyone else is saying for what it is 9 out of 10 from day one I will let you know what I think in detail soon.This includes some video shot with a 50mm f/2.8 Alpha lens, which just reinforces my belief that the camera will perform so much better in low light [and shallow depth-of-field] with a wider aperture lens.
Nex-VG10 from Adam Mizrahi on Vimeo.
Camera controls aperture on Alpha lens
I'm assuming (and that's dangerous) this applies only to the Sony Alpha-NEX lens adapter, not to the multiple third-party adapters that are out there, but the NEX-VG10 can control the aperture of Alpha lenses reports Steve Mullen on the dvinfo.com
I keep finding the so called "reviews" are wrong. For example, an Alpha 50(90)mm/1.8 does have its aperture controlled by the VG10.Amazon: Sony LA-EA1 - Lens adapter Minolta A-type - Sony E-mount
However, everyone needs to understand HOW these STILL camera lenses work via the adaptor. They STEP from one aperture size to another. That means the step-size is determined by the lens itself. That means, you cannot use a STILL lens and have it work like a camcorder lens. Now that's not a huge surprise, but I'll bet there will be screams about it.
B & H: LAEA1 Adapter f/A-MOUNT Lens
dvinfo.com: Sony NEX-VG10 AVCHD E-Mount Lens Camcorder