Pocketbooks can give Kindles and Sonys a run for their money, IMO. In particular, the small Pocketbook 360 is probably the best of small readers up to this moment, though we'll have to see what users think of Sony 350. Hanlin devices are quite praised as well, though I'm not personally impressed with them. At any rate, none of them are cheapish knockoffs, but well-established brands on their own merits.
Regarding your Sony question, they're indeed supported by Calibre already. Calibre supports practically everything you throw to it
