It’s not a big secret that the next SLT camera is the A37. We told you some bits about it yesterday. But what is coming after the A37? A trusted sources confirmed that the next two SLT cameras are all positioned on top of the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink]! One is almost certainly the 24 Megapixel FF camera. I don’t know yet if the second model the source refers too is the FF camera with 36 megapixel or another higher end APS-C model.
UPDATE: All two higher end mdoels will arrive within 1 year!
I hope trusted sources can share me some more info as soon as they read the post 🙂 Thanks!
A900:
The A900 has been discontinued (as marked here by BH). The A900 has a superb viewfinder and buidl quaility and if you want it you can find them for a good price (new!) on eBay: For $2,100.00 at [shoplink 11861 ebay]Cammers (Click here)[/shoplink] or a total of 10 cameras for $2,351.61 each at [shoplink 11862 ebay]800photovideo (Click here)[/shoplink].
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
167 Responses
Within 1 year of what? Within 1 year of the end of 2013? 😉
And will they have screw-drive AF? 😉 😉
12 months from now 🙂
I am really intrigued if I will be able to purchase a A99 (or whatever the name will be) by the end of 2012.
Something tells me no …
If they loose screw drive motor, they are just taking a Nikon. Nikons lower end models don’t have in body motors to save cost. Higher end of course have motors.
I just love this place.
I don’t know how, but a rumour about an entry-level Sony SLT has got people into a frenzy and suddenly all Sony SLTs are not going to have a screw-drive motor.
Did folks miss my 😉 😉 ?
Here it is again:
😉 😉
+1
The sky is falling, the sky is falling……Everyone run!
Are you aiming for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize?
GTFO! How is this news? That Sony will have higher end cameras in 2013?
Come on….
still waiting for A600 ;-)… when comes the Canon 650D ?
Why not grab an used A700 and a nice lens with it instead. Or if you want higher image quality and worse built quality just go for an A580.
I looked at used A580 at ebay, going for nearly actual new price of EOS 550D 🙁 and as this is last Sony OVF I would just postpone my decision to change so better not invest further into alpha. On the other hand I realize that for my budget < €$1000 I will not come out with something really better from NiCan than my actual A550. So maybe I just wait a little longer if my alpha doesn't break into pieces in between 😉
admin, when you told “great news” that you promise?
Not just great news but shocking news. But since there’s no word of it, I suppose those aren’t happening afterall. Is it?
The great news is the build-in wifi, so with a coffee-machine with wifi adapter – at least your camera can now cook coffee for you! 🙂
Just joking, what is the great news you promised, Andrea?
I’ve never been one for gimmicks, but a coffee making camera? I wouldn’t say no to that.
Hope it comes with a caffeine meter. A little could help reduce shake, I say DUAL shake reduction!
Too much will increase shake. 😉
I have this dark dread that instead of fixing the a77 firmware issues, they’ll just release an a78. Fingers crossed for two FF releases and a big a77 firmware update!
I was thinking it was the two FF rumour from ages ago. A8x and 9x?
i hope this come with many new lens for alpha mount 😀
Yes. With price of 500mm f/4
(SAR5) New sony A8x /A9x have XQD card and SLT. Bad news is 1 year too late.
XQD cards have been available for how long ?
Sony is releasing new camera way too fast, why dont they go the canikon way of releasing more glass and solid cameras every 2-3 years…
Lol? What are you talking about? When was the last “solid” Sony camera released? I have never seen such camera with Sony mark.
They need ASAP at least on camera that is semi or pro level that is close to Nikon or Canon competitors.
Iknow you’re just trolling, but the a55, a77, a900 and a850 were all “solid” releases
It’s just the other crap with little minor updates that infuriates us. If you check the wikipedia it’s amazing the number of cameras that Sony have introduced and discontinued. Especially since they’ve only been selling alphas since 2006 with the a100. And they’ve only *really* been in the market since Sept 2007 with the a700.
I count 17 dSLRs (all discontinued!!), 6 dSLT (2 discontinued and 5 NEX (2 discontinued.)
28(!!) cameras in 5 years. Sony are absolutely mental. Some like the a580 were only released August 2010, and are already discontinued. It was on the shelves for maybe 14-15 months.
The A580 wasn’t even sold in some markets. I never saw a single one in stores where I am, though I’m not sure if it was possible to special order it or not.
For the consumer end of the market at least, being able to actually buy stuff in a store is pretty important.
I know right?? With all those “unsolid” cameras, every picture you took suddenly turned dark and showed weird ugly duck spottings all around the pictures and they were completely unusable?? OMG I had the same experience!!!!
Hey Sony, when are you gonna give us a “solid” camera that can take the shots by itself? I don’t care what specs you put there, just make me a better photographer by making the camera shoots and composes pictures by itself. Do your magic, make (us) believe!!
Knowing Sony past “within one year” means “maybe someday who knows and cares when”. Sorry but I don’t believe they are working on this camera and are able to deliver it on date. If they can then please show me mockup, give specs and detailed release date with price.
Hiding those things would make sense only if Sony had FF/pro bodies in their portfolio.
Since few months they don’t have, and A900/850 never were market leaders in terms of specs and selling. So what is the point of keeping your customers without info? This game doesn’t make sense in case of Sony.
With A77 they had mockup, many leaks and waiting customers – they have failed on every “promise” like time of release, quality, video, price. Why should I/We trust them again? They aren’t even trying this time.
Instead of waiting for probably overpriced camera with plenty of issues that will arrive in those said 12 months one can buy other much cheaper FF like: 5d, 5d2, 5d3, D700, D800 (new or used).
I doubt SLT A99 will be better or at least close to D800 specs, probably with same or higher price. Think about lenses prices also, and possible replacement that may never come or will be there after another 5 years…
The reality for Sony is simple: only NEX line make sense.
.
Retarded Troll Is Retarded!
“Sorry but I don’t believe they are working on this camera…”
lol indeed.
Yes, A99 can be faster and with better picture quality then 5Dm3 and better noise performer then D800. It also be with much better LV then competitors.
So, all of this is to happen in Sept of this year?
6 months from now the a99 will be anounced, released and shipping?
Really?
You know that we are talking about Sony and not Apple or someother well run company like that don’t you?
I agree Apple is the better run company, anyone can see that. Ironically enough Steve Jobs was always mighty impressed by Sony and how they ran their business and was greatly inspired by their model.
Back in the Akio Morita era. Like many conglomerates that were founded by an inspired entrepreneur, things start to fall to bits after they die/step down. Same thing happened with Minolta. Actually, the same thing happened with Apple, too.
It won’t have lower noise than the D800, for being an SLT. Any hopes will lead to disappointment.
That being said, (an expected) more than a stop improvement over an A57 still sounds good.
I will be waiting, would be a nice time to upgrade.
Fix the cameras you have put on the market first before making new ones. How stupid!
So the first ff is NOT in 2012 but now in 2013?
No, it is September 2012!
Is that date of release of first wooden mockup or I will be able to buy it this september 1st? 🙂
REAL camera of course 😉
Hi Admin,
Would it be possible for you to add a Shopping Cart module into this WordPress system. People tends to enjoy posting their equipment for sale here instead of ebay.
I hope Sony takes time in realeasing the next FF and doesn’t get bothered by the FF only demanding folks on the internet.
Sony has announced to upgrade their FF lenses. To me that already shows their commitment in this sector.
I just dont want Sony to do another mess to meet deadlines posted on a rumor site, like they released an unfinished product like the A77.
Great…
And until then No other models in APSC?
Also Andrea… Still waiting for the BIG INFO 🙂
Is it something related to the remove of the Screw Drive…
And update of all lenses to SAM/SSM?
Any hope to see an upgraded 18-250 A-mount?
Probably Sony is wanting to see the D800 and 5DMk3 before finalizing their own FF. It must be in the works for some time now. Canon’s new pricing on the 5D3 and new 24-70 tell us that FF is only for working pros. I honestly think Sony could step in with a $2k FF body and be very competitive.
As a non-pro Canon lifer, I got a Sony A65 and 16-50 f2.8 to play around with and see so much potential with the SLT and NEX lines.
It can only get better as long as Sony can execute properly. Eventually, Sony, Canon and Nikon will be pure mirrorless and FF bodies will become like medium format.
I agree 100% with “lol” Sony has not lived up to what they have promised and will probably not gonna make it this time either? It is easy to promise things when you are “great” but then live up to what has been promised, it seems impossible! Anyone want to buy a “complete” Sony equipment?? A900 with battery grip Zeiss 16-35 F2.8 Zeiss 24-70 F2.8, 70-200 F2.8 Sony HVL-F58AM bags etc. ..
You are a disgrace, you own all that CZ & G lenses and a A900 and you want to jump ship.
I hope you slip on your way overboard.
mistake post
forgiven
I’m jumping right now
a850, 16-35CZ, 35G, 85/1.4, VG-C90AM, HVL58am
The grip and flash have already gone. 3 days left on the a850, zeiss, 85 and 35G on ebay. Then all my Sony gear is gone.
I don’t see how it’s a disgrace to jump ship. It’s not to say that the a850 and those lenses are bad. They’re actually brilliant. But I don’t have faith that Sony can deliver what I want in the future. Everything I see and read makes me wonder why I should stay..
@ David +1
Go ahead and jump, nobody is going to stop you.
Only you, calling people a “disgrace” for choosing a different consumer electronics manufacturer to buy from. Pretty ridiculous.
I think that the d800 has what I want, and that Nikon shares a vision for the future that I want to be part of. Plus it will be nice to be able to:
rent lenses. In the UK there is ONE place which stocks Sony lens rentals, and they have 5 lenses total.
borrow lenses from friends. Nobody else I know shoots Sony
Share equipment with my 2nd shooter. We can share flashes, lenses etc which saves money.
Get third party accessories cheaper and earlier. Quite often the Sony version comes out later
Enjoy a more busy 2nd hand marketplace. Canon and Nikon lenses seem to depreciate less, and they are easier to sell 2nd hand. The two local stores near me weren’t even interested in my 16-35CZ or 35G. That’s why they’re on ebay and I’ll have to pay ebay and paypal fees. They’ve been up for sale on dpreview forums for a week now, with nobody interested.
Easier to get repairs or services. There is no Sony authorised service centre near me. If any local repair shop opens it, they void my warranty. I’d have to post my camera off. Whereas a lot more stores are authorised by Canon or Nikon for repairs.
Access to more lenses, and mid-range lenses. While Sony shooters whine that we need a better 35 with SSM, 85 with SSM etc, Canon and Nikon both have those already. And most of their good lenses are weather-sealed. Only one Sony lens is actually weather sealed.
etc etc etc
It’s been a few years now and Sony haven’t caught up at the pace I thought they would.
Many people would wish they had that kind of equipment.
Nowadays we are all spoiled. The A900 is truly a beautiful camera. The CZ lenses are gems!
I could say more, but I couldn’t be bothered giving more reason to something so straight forward.
David you just listed 5 or 7 perfectly good reasons why to switch. One or two would have made it tempting but there are so many reasons to go w the other two it makes it a no brainer. The only reason the Sony die hards have is not even related to Sony itself but to a third party optics company they contracted with to help them design some decent lenses since they did not have a clue themselves how to do it. Pretty pathetic that some people fail to realize the strength of the logic here and continue arguing their case based on some intangible claims of superiority of CZ. This whole debate starts to remind me discussions on Leica forums where some people swear up and down that Leica glass is somehow so superior and “magical”… Like they use the sand from Mars or something to make that stuff. The pros I kmow including guys are are world famous togs just laugh at this stuff
Cheers!
hi david, i saw your post and looked on ebay uk, and interestingly i found your auction..do you ship internationally? 🙂
I can do! Send me a message on ebay and I can calculate a shipping cost for you 🙂
@ Purex, I understand your view. I have recently considered jumping ship too. I like Sony equipment but they are so unreliable and they are losing their edge with increased prices and unreliable equipment. I just bought the A77 and there are so many flaws with it I would be ashamed if I were Sony. I am beginning to think they are not at all interested in enthusiast and pro’s. For the moment, I’m holding on but for how long I don’t know. As for wth, calling him a disgrace because he lost faith just shows that you simply don’t have any respect for other people’s opinion, but that’s your choice in our free world.
Simple, we are here to discuss cameras. If you can’t acknowledge both the pros and cons in a system, you shouldn’t be voicing your biased fanboism opinion.
Statements like this just makes you look stupid
“I just bought the A77 and there are so many flaws with it I would be ashamed if I were Sony.”
– Why did you buy it in the first place then? Why didn’t you test it?
The true answer is because, it isn’t all that bad as you make it out to be!
Please, go sell your Sony stuff and please jump! There is a short line on the top of the building. I believe David was first…
Bitter much?
Sony don’t care about you. Why are you so emotional over somebody choosing a different manufacturer of gadgets?
Maybe he’s just waiting for you to put your gear for sale. 😉
he/she is paid by Sony to defend them no matter what
@Spoon, it’s already on ebay 😉
@Jim, I would hope Sony would hire someone with better spelling and grammar! 😛
There is a lot of new technology on the A77. Perhaps they should have put less features in the machine. I have to say, though, that the A77 as it is (firmware 1.04) is quite useable, even if the interface is laggy at times. It does not stop it from being a good picture (or video) taker. We all need to manage our expectations – no machine will be perfect and what I really want is a mirrorless APS-C and fullframe cameras that work with A-mount lenses directly. I would think that this is coming within the next five years. One thing is scertain. Sony is poised to get to a mirrorless world faster than its major competitors. That is mostly good, but there will be toothing problems. They need to have better quality control, perhaps, and be less enamored with features that may be too gimmicky. Fortunately, the A77, once debugged, promises to be a great tool. In most instances of use, it already is.
+1
Well written! Finally someone with some common sense.
@ Almarzar80, yes you are right, maybe my expectations are too high. I expected it to perform as good if not better than the old A850 I have been using for the last year and a half. I thought that the dual processor would have increased the speed not slowed it down. And I was disappointed again with it last nite when I was taking photos at a runway model shoot. It was taking forever to lock in focus and forever (compared to my A850) to save the file. I did buy it used and I thought that it would work for me and it did seem to work well at first but I had a few issues with speed (the time it took to register that you changed the dial, the time to process photos and the time to recover back to shooting mode after reviewing a photo). It made me look like I was using inferior equipment when showing people that know me and my A850 and the camera was super slow comparatively.’s Also when I used it one time I changed the setting for portrait to add saturation and sharpness and it ruined my jpg (I rarely shoot raw). When I edited the photos, it added the saturation and sharpness AFTER saving the file to give me a unpredictable results for my saved photo. That never ever happened with any of the 7 previous Sony DSLR’s I have previously or currently owned. I take 700-1200 photos a week easy and sometimes I take 500-1000 in a day. I expect some new issues when using a new camera but this is the most problematic Sony camera I ever owned. I did reset the camera and now I never use any additional preset adjustments. Maybe mine is a lemon which is possible but after reading about all of the other people with similar issues I think it’s more of a firmware issue (at least i hope so). Hopefully the firmware update will correct the issues or I will have to send it in to Sony (which can be as little as a week or as long as 3-4 weeks from my experience) which will really cramp my photography since I rarely go out without 1 or 2 backup cameras. Or maybe I’m better sticking my A500 as a backup.
(I rarely shoot raw)
Can you please enlighten me as to why you do this?
I don’t seem to be experiencing the issues you are having in low light focusing.
Were you using a flash system with the AF light assist on?
What lens combo were you using?
What was the lighting conditions?
With a 24-70 cz the focusing is pretty quick in low light without AF assist.
The A77 should have superior focusing to the A850 (I shoot professionally with the 850 as well) however in all other respects I think the 850 is still a superior camera. So yes, your expectations are a bit high for that aps-c cam.
@solo
That’s what I thought too, that the AF on the A77 was snappier at AF…
He’s probably holding it wrong…
I shoot with a HVL-F58AM flash and a Zeiss 16-35mm lens and there was a soft light with reflector at the end of the runway and I was about 15 ft. away from the ladies when they stopped. I guess my expectations were too high, thanks for your input Solo. I will say I love the HDR on the A77 (it works great for my sunrise and sunset photos) except I prefer the old way Sony did it without saving the the original prior to merging the photos, but that is minor I guess. My expectation was that the newer dual processor would be better with the same size (24mp files) than the two year old A850 was, I obviously made a mistake. As for me holding it wrong, I highly doubt it, but I’m not going to claim I’m perfect like some people claim on this forum. By the way WTH, I rarely use raw because it’s not necessary since it adds too much time to post processing and it’s really not necessary for my purposes. I have a hectic schedule and at the moment I don’t have the extra cash for the badly needed computer upgrade. I prefer to get the settings down on the camera so minimal post editing is necessary.
Not sure what you’ve been reading before buying, but certainly not reliable information. Because your A850 has dual Bionz processors, the A77 does NOT.
And if you can live with the speed of the A500 instead, there must be something seriously wrong with your A77, because the latter is a lot faster. And that comes from an A500 owner who tested the A77 for a few days.
Tom – all previous Sony bodies had plenty of Minolta thinking and approach baked into them, esp the A900/850. Starting w A77 it’s all pure Sony, the gadget company doing the design and execution. Thus the result
This is the thing. I want a £1100 camera to be more than “quite usable”
+1 Exactly what I was trying to say, well said David! 🙂
w
@Purex, What’s your pricing on the CZs?
What SONY has promised that it has not delivered ?
Before you answer make sure you don’t mix SAR rumors with REAL Sony promises.
Purex, I will buy lenses if priced right
Why buy a lens now with rumors of a pending replacement in 2012 or is it 2013 or 2014?
Because the lenses are still good.
I got a ZA135 1.8 for $500. I don’t care about weather sealing particularly when weather sealing hasn’t even been an issue on these lenses, and the AF is quite fast- don’t mind the noise in a loud event setting.
Damn, that’s a fine deal.
ben,
I want to sell all the equipment together so I do not get stuck with parts of it when I go over to Nikon. It is very sparingly used, all equipment is bought in Norway, I’ll be back with a price so we’ll see if you can accept this?
I wonder what the deal is with that “hybrid” model Sony was working in? Also, the large ff translucent mirror was giving them a really hard time I remember reading. I wonder if they will just mirror less with the ff? Then offer a la-ea2 like adapter for a 1.5x crop body with phase detection af. It would also boost the focal length for sports!!
.02cents.
Jay
Sonyalphalab
Great idea!
Make the full-frame mirrorless the root and offer up the adapters.
And deliver low and high megapixel systems.
If given the choice would you prefer a FF mirrorless system in a form factor such as the NEX7 or a FF mirrorless system in an SLR form factor body.
Certainly the larger body gives more stability, especially with the larger lenses.
Well, I would prefer a smaller body because of my own interest: people and street photography and macro. However, I don’t imagine myself shooting with anything bigger than the Zeiss 135mm (it’s already huge on the NEX body). I just need an optional grip for the current NEX-7.
At this point in my life, and photography needs I would prefer heavily beefed up mirror less ff. Durable, weather sealed somewhat, gigantic next gen battery, with tether support and a hot shoe mount, oled and 3×4 articulating screen, 24mp.
Geared towards pros looking to use high qaulity optics of all kinds in the studio for portraiture, or in the field for landscapes.
Make a camera specially for us, and a similar model geared for sports shooting. High FPS, phase detect af, etc. rather than an all in one.
I’m more than willing to pay Sony, and so are many other pros!!
I’m thinking about $2200 if they do it right.
Jay
Navigation throught the various settings is much easier and faster with the present slr type bodies. I like that benefit than the samller body of the nex. However, I am comparing this on a 5n vs an 850. The 7 may be way better than the 5n with control settings.
Interesting. As a long time Nikon user, I just sold all my gear and went to a Nex 7 & two lenses with a small compact as my second camera. My reasoning was that it’s the photographer that makes the picture, not the camera. I’m still the same photographer, but now I don’t have all that gear to lug around.
I like this post..
Only those who don’t appreciate their equipment and what they could do with it would bitch about something that takes time to come out.
+1
Voted for most intelligent post of the thread
Thats not entirely fair. Of course an excellent camera in inexperienced hands will produce poor results, and a skilled photographer may be able to produce beautiful pictures with subpar equipment. That doesn’t mean the skilled photographer’s results wouldn’t be better with a better camera.
The Nex-7 isn’t exactly a slouch — it’s the superlative camera of the Nex line. And I’m sure you chose it over other models for a reason.
>>Of course an excellent camera in inexperienced hands will produce poor results
BS, have you tried Auto mode lately ?
Why you think lost of pro wedding shooters are losing sleep bc of amateur “weekend warriors” ?
Todays cameras are very good in Auto mode so anyone can make that killer shot.
Yes Jorg I agree, photography is not only about the technolgy and the skills the camera operator brings is much more important, right behind the image being captured and the lighting falling on it.
I worked with my dad’s speed graphic and plate cameras as a teenager to learn photography and would buy a phase one system with digital back and lug that around to do landscape and of course for studio work if I could afford it. And that’s why I continued with Sony from Minolta when the a900 and a850 shipped………its was the most bang of the buck with the Zeiss optics and the 24mp sensor.
I love the NEX systems size and weight and if Sony would get its head out of its ass and complete the system with more quality optic choices the NEX would be great choice for any pros doing street photography and location events, demonstrations, protests and riots and the like as carrying big cameras and lenses can be difficult and risky the NEX system is small and light.
Not an original thought but I agree nonetheless… I’ve heard Nikon has an exclusive contract on the 36MP sensor and I bet it is for one year. So if that is true, the D800 just came out. So the first camera will probably be FF and 24MP and the second will be FF and 36MP.
In my dream world Sony would use the same sensor as the A77, except cut full frame(23.5×15.6 vs. 36×24). Think about it, the A77 is 65466 pixels per square millimeter in sensor(24M/(23.5×15.6)). For a 36mmx24mm sensor we’d be looking at an obscene 55.8 MP. So even if the pixels per square millimeter goes down by half to around 28MP, we’re still looking at a pretty stout sensor.
I can’t be more agree with you Jorg. I really understand that some people will like to have the new advantages in their cameras, but at the end of the day it won’t make you a better photographer, a great photo depends on the gear behind the viewfinder not inside the camera. Tools will help but can not be the reason to be jumping from one brand to another. In 6 months will be a better camera than the one you think is the best now, thats the way technologies works, will you be a jumper complaining all the time the X Brand or model has more features than your camera???. Take a look of Sally Mann’s work and see her camera.
There is no way Sony will put 36MP on APS-C. Nice move on 24MP FF.
I’m sure it’ll come eventually. I’d wager the A77’s replacement will have 30-32MP.
Yes, As the rumor said 100MP sensor next year? If there is a leap in technology who knows. But I don’t think it (36MP APS-C) will come with these 2 next dSLT after A37.
Steve, I agree but…
For the kind of work (play) I do, I’m not sure better lenses would make that much of a difference. I have two websites photographically oriented & 99% of my work will be viewed online. The remaining 1% will be printed, and of that 1%, 90% less than 8X10 in size. I’ve carefully looked at the specs between Leica, Zeiss and Sony lenses for example, and for my work, no one would be able to tell the difference. An 18-55 stock lens shot at f5.6 or better and at 35mm, would for most people be indistinguishable from the Zeiss, even with printed up at 18″X24″. Now if someone specializes in low light street shooting for example, that would be a different story. I know this will raise some eyebrows, but I’ve turned my Nex 7 image size down to 12mp & standard. Again, I’ve compared the images carefully, and they’re very similar to my 5N is clarity and sharpness. The big difference is download time and file size.
Jorg,
Most of my work is 8×12 (full frame) or bigger
I love MP’s the more the better as it allows me to zoom-in and crop in Photoshop without much loss in quality and spend lots of time pixel-peeking and sharpening and then sharpening again for print.
So, I’m a two camera guy that needs one camera that has high MP’s for some work and a second camera with lower MP for high ISO for stuff.
My guess. That 3rd SLT could be the one with A77’s features and semi-pro body with lower res 16 megapix sensor that everyone has been asking for.
i hope not because that would be incredibly stupid
Isn’t that the A57?
1 year is too late !!!
1 is hybrid mount FF, 1 is SLT FF.
In the software/computer world there has been this saying “never by version 1.0 of anything; wait for 2.0” or something like this……….
my point is that the SLT’s a55/a57 and maybe even an a58 are all version 1 products, and the same can be said about the a77 and all of its firmware past and future will not change that it’s a version 1.0 product.
Most think that the a99 will be a 2.0 product, but this is too soon to tell but It’s clear that the a77 will soon be replaced by an a78, just like Sony’s done to the a33/35/37? And, the a55/57 …………………
Sorry guys, but your beloved a77 will quickly suffer from the same indignity and likely no major firmware release after the one rumored here to happen soon, will ever come along and fix the little things that you dream will be fixed.
The sad part of this for Sony shooters is that someday, Canon and Nikon will join Sony and move to the EVF and reap most of the benefits of the design and engineering suffering Sony put its customers through.
Speak for yourself…I’m not suffering with my a77. I quite enjoy it as a matter of fact.
Shush, leave people to their delusions about how “bad” the A77 is. 😉
The A77 is a great camera. I am actually having fun using it.
I preview my pictures in bright conditions with the EVF. Often people ask me what am I trying to shoot as I am usually pointing the camera at nothing while previewing.
Sometimes out of habit I point the camera downwards while previewing through the EVF… I have had one person said that my shoes are not that interesting to warrant a photo.
LOL…I hear ya…I often thought people must think I’m alittle different wondeingr what h#@l are you shooting.
Sony SLR division needs to start talking to their professional video division about how to make sure that their new FF is as good at video capabilities as Sony’s professional video cameras. So in 6-12 months there is a simialr video for the new Sony FF available for all to see on youtube. This represents a current gold standard in FF sensor imaging technology, still and video – can Sony beat it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEuddtsgWvM
I think the thing with Sony is that so many people want so many different things in a camera. I am sure that is how all camera companies are, you can not please every photographer. The ideal situation for Sony would be 2 3 series cameras for the lower end, alpha 35 which is current, then an a37 which looks like it is in the wings here. Then 2 5 series, a57 current specs and a58 which would be either the 16 mp or 24 mp sensor, 10 fps, gps, in camera abberation control, micro adjust, mag alloy body parts not all but maybe like the d7000 panels are mag alloy, top lcd, 2 scroll wheels, a77 like screen, and a77 evf. Get rid of the a65 and make the a58 the a65 and rid the 6 series all together. Then a77 for the “amateur/semi pro” whatever constitutes either of those titles, and an a78 which would be an a77 but with tethering, maybe upgrade AF something like 30 AF points and either 15 or 20 cross type, and longer battery life. And finally the full frame, offer an a88 with either a 16 mp ff sensor 45 AF points all or most cross type, full mag alloy body tether, gps, shutter for 200,000 clicks, and all micro adjust for lenses, no video, none of the sony tricks just a basic ff camera that is available for folks like me, who would give an arm for full frame but the wife says $3000 for a camera, get the divorce papers. Finally we get an a99 or a1x a 36 mp true nikon canon killer. 36 mp, 65 AF points all cross, 400,000 shutter life, 3.5 in rear oled screen, all said a88 features, add video (if it’s a high demand) true weather sealing, and if it is made large enough make this the ff that can remove the TMT. I know that would be a “mirrorless” ff, but not every photographer would take it out, but it gives the option if need be. Photography is suppose to be just that photography and I think with all these new technologies our concept of it is changing. We should all pause and look at what Sony’s Alpha system offers. If you printed a photo from most any Nikon or Canon vs a Sony and asked someone to pick which is which, with good technique and post processing, it’d be a crapshoot. Sorry for the ramble, I love my Sonys Call me a fan boy I’ll wear it like a badge, and in due time Ill have my a77 and my full frame, I will be happy, and all Sony shooters should stop speculating and start creating with their craft.
Sorry here is my “wishlist” pricing
3 series- $499 and $599
5 series- $799 and $899
7 series- $1399 and $1499
FF series-$1799 and $3499
this is a fantasy I know, but if Sony want to keep up, this pplan in my humble opinion would keep them relevant. And bear in mind no camera will ever appease EVERY photographer, but until we have a system with interchangeable everything (which Sony would then be king if they had a custom camera making service wherein you choose what works for you and only you) then all the whining would stop, but until then this is what we have!!!!!! Get out and shoot, create, use this frustration to make beautiful photos.
I love this site, especially the comment section, it’s so funny…
Sony FF for the win! I hope they don’t come up with an A77 replacement so soon, it would be so STUPID on their part. Just bring the FW updates!
Hello Admin!
I purchased the zeiss 24. I was planning to get the nex 7, but decided to get the 5n instead. My question is: should I wait a little more and wait to see what’s coming?
thanx!
I can start saving some more money then! Please make it GOOD Sony! Don’t disappoint us with these two new cams. We are all waiting for the great stuff.
If given the choice would you prefer a FF mirrorless system in a form factor such as the NEX7 or a FF mirrorless system in an SLR form factor body. Certainly the larger body gives more stability, especially with the larger lenses.
Glad I got mine from B&H this past December 2011 and it’s a keeper for sure! Even if I buy whatever replaces it I don’t plan on letting this go anytime within the next 3-years or so. Yeah, I bought the extended factory warranty.
here comes sony NEX’s competition:
Samsung NX20
+ 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor
+ a minimum shutter speed of 1/6000 of a second
+ WiFi connectivity to boot
http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/16/samsung-nx20-wifi-gets-unofficial-reveal/
Shame Samsung have a history of producing terrible sensors..
Only thing I would buy from Samsung is a TV manufactured at the disgraceful Foxconn electronics factory.
Sony are regular customers of Hon Hai Precision as well.
Only for their TVs.
Computers, and probably other stuff as well. I don’t think any part of their cameras come from there, except possibly the circuit boards. Hon Hai are a huge company, one of the largest manufacturing concerns in Asia, and make stuff for a significant number of companies.
People are getting upset over nothing. Sony does NOT have a pro market that even comes close to Nikon or Canon. Therefore, they do not need to rush out pro FF bodies with SLT technology.
Sony knows their target market, and this is why they pump out tons of ametuer cameras for the consumer. The a55, a57, a-this-or-that, see my point? The have plenty of lenses for the masses who buy their cameras, plenty of bodies to choose from.
If you’re a semi-pro, or pro, you’ve either moved on from Sony by now or never even looked here.
I think Sony is killing the mirrorless market, and soon they will have more lenses for that system too. Agaian, though, they have enough for their audiences, pro’s are not shooting weddingd or sports with the NEX, just not yet anyway.
So stop complaining, and take the great little soccer mom camera’s and go shoot some high iso’s of your cats please.
Why would I want to shoot high iso’s of my cat?
I’m tempted to buy one of the last new A900 bodies. It may be the last chance to get a genuinely pro Sony FF body until they release a FF mirrorless Alpha (not expected until late 2013, if ever). In any event, I expect the A99 will be just as crippled by the pellicle mirror as the A77 is.
Doug maybe you should move on now. Obviously you’re not going to be happy with Sony’s SLT direction so just put yourself out misery now instead of prolonging it.
Unfortunately, unless Sony starts giving their pro cameras the love they deserve I may have to.
Nikon and Canon has great cameras with flappy mirrors.
Doug – have you shot with or tried C and/or N FF bodies in the past. You may like them as much or more than S. I like my Canon 5D A LOT – no regrets about switching systems for a second. My Canon gives me a similar level of pure photographic enjoyment I had with my Minolta equipment for many years. Sony’s new stuff is way too gimmicky for my taste. I have an A55 and was never fully happy with it. Right before switching to Canon I also considered investing into A850 but decided against it due to lack of confidence in Sony’s ability to deliver what I want over the long term. With Canon there is a clear upgrade path as far as FF bodies (I am already saving for Mk3) and their lenses are first class – and quite often less expensive than Sony counterparts. Canon made a smart move long ago by developing their SSM system. Now all lenses you can buy at KEH or similar in the EOS system are super fast and quiet, unlike the old Minolta screw type that Sony put its name on and charges an arm a leg. Many lenses are simply not available in the A mount, and I really wanted them, e.g. 24mm 1.4, 35mm 1.4 and 50mm 1.2.
I hope this is helpful
The irony is that your 5dMkI is sorely inferior to the A850/A900, as well as your lenses to their Zeiss counterparts (with silent and fast AF)
Glad to see you here as usual, doing your best to convert us.
@Solo
If by inferior, you mean world class that people use to make a living, then yes the Canon Mark II is inferior.
I dont even own a canon, but have alot of friends who do, go to photography exhibits, and listen to pros. The Canon provides low light performance that Sony oculd NEVER achieve, has excellent lenses, and a huge selection of Semipro & Pro bodies & lenses.
I shot Sony for years, I now shoot Nikon, but i would never be so arrogant & plain stupid as to call any product inferior. Especially when that product is one of the top cameras used by pros in the industry. I have seen hundreds of people shooting with the Canon 5d bodies in professional events, weddings, studios, etc, & yet the only time I have ever seen an A900 pro body was at a camera shop.
I think the a900 is a wonderful camera, but I wouldnt call it superior due to the lack of video, LV, and poor high iso. All of which Nikon & Canon have in their camera’s at impressive levels.
Youre a fool Solo. Now go take some high iso pics of your cat to show on the web, Youre obviously not making any pictures worth while.
The 5D2 was Canon’s way of telling their customers that they should have bought a 1Ds3 instead,
@sonypoo
You are pretty rude and dumb. You are right that you’ll find more noise on an a900 picture compared to a 5d mk ii or a D700. Equally the resolution of the a900 picture is greater, so the noise is less relevant. It’s usually possible to completely remove noise with no visible trace because of this high resolution in post.
Ask any one who has fought with the AF on a 5d ii how great they think their camera is. You’ve obviously never used an a900 so I would keep comments like that to yourself
man – i meant it and you said it.
I suppose all those pro’s out there are so dumb that they can not figure out which camera is superior and thus they stay ignorant and continue shooting with their pathetic Canons and Nikons. They should ask Solo to enlighten them with his wisdom!
I have the Zeiss 24mm F2 for my A900. Its razor sharp and AF is SSM, not screw drive. I also own the Zeiss 16-35 and again, it’s an SSM lens and beats the pants off the Canikon competitors.
Jim, I was a Nikon shooter until the A850 came out and now I’m hooked on my Zeiss Alpha glass. It’s just too good darn to give up. Their 135mm and 85mm lenses simply blow away their Nikon and Canon counterparts.
Doug -thank you for a thoughtful reply. I had a chance to try CZ24-70 w/ A900 and I honestly can not tell that it’s better than my 5D with 24-70L, in fact I am convinced the Canon setup renders more punchy colors as seen on my 27” iMac. Broadly speaking I just don’t get the whole fascination with Sony made lenses that have CZ designs in them… Sure they are nice lenses but Sony charges a super premium price for them. I played with most of them at the Sony flagship store in NYC – the built quality is very high, but not higher than Canon L line, and no weather sealing. CZ24-70 is plastic and 24-70L is metal, not than it matters too much… I often hear from Sony users that CZ glass is ‘superior to Canikon glass’ but technical testing refutes this assertion hands down, plus who can actually tell such minute difference in real life shooting, assuming this difference actually exists? Photozone says CZ135 and 135L are about the same in terms of performance but CZ is ~70% more expensive at B&H. I found Canon L glass to be quite reasonably priced – and all of the come with SSM, even used 20 year old lenses at KEH…
Oh please. The CZ 24-70 is far better than the junk 24-70L version I. And the 16-35CZ walks all over the L too.
I do agree that they’re overpriced and that lack of weather sealing is disappointing when you’re paying that much.
Quite reasonable like that new 70-200 F2.8 L, 24-70 F2.8 L etc.? Basically all the new L lenses?
Jim, the Sony Zeiss lenses are more than just Zeiss designs. They’re manufactured using Zeiss-certified machines and glass formulated by Zeiss. Every aspect of the design and manufacture is controlled by Zeiss. The lack of weather sealing is a valid point, however. Apart from that, the lenses are built like tanks. And optically, the Sony Zeiss’s are second to none.
Delete
@jim
You remind me of those religious folks that comes to my doorstep wanting to spend a few good hours to convert me.
these discusisons of photo gear aren’t supposed to be compared to something as absolute as one’s religion…unless you are so hopelessly brain washed that you can no longer think logically.
If it was pertaining to a logical discussion I would agree…
However, You won’t see me in the Canon forums posting remarks about Sony equivalents when someone shows some affection for their equipment.
You haven’t looked back at Sony? You are exactly doing that by reading and posting here. 😉
looked back? No. Given the current state of the system and the latest lack of action w/ respect to FF body – not for a second. Yet I have a tiny glimmer of hope that the A mount system I spent a better part of my photography hobby using would somehow leap forward so much and so fast as to match the other two. There is probably a 5% chance I will ever buy a Sony camera again, but I still enjoy these discussions.
Case in point, I spent 3 months wanting to get NEX7 (even placed an order in Dec which they said will ship in April, so I cancelled it). This is when I started reading this forum and found the discussions here 50% entertaining and 50% educational. Then I did some more homework and in-hand testing in stores (B&H had NEX7 on display) and guess what – I got the Fuji X100 instead which I absolutely love! Looks like the Canonet, built like a Leica and picture quality like a DSLR (or NEX7 / 24mm, but that one is $1000 more). I love the optical viewfinder too
pls don’t feel so territorial about SAR. There are links to other forums here too – just look at the top right of the start page. Its all one big photo community on the web. I read all other forums too
I recently sold an A77 to go full frame with a used A900 which I picked up for £1200 on eBay. Best purchase I ever made. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not an SLT Hater, I just wanted full frame. Of course it lacks a movie mode but it is a superior camera with superior image quality to the D700 and 5D mk II IMHO.
If there were no Thailand flood, A99 will surely arrive in the last quarter of 2012. With that disaster probably, it will start produced in the second quarter of 2013.
Two higher SLT? I’m expecting the other camera to be the A85, the next FF camera for less than 2000USD with excellent build quality just like the A850..
As a happy 850 owner, I can’t really see any reason to purchase an A99. If someone can give me a reason to do so, please reply.
For me, an slt with a repurposed translucent mirror (replacing the AA or low pass filter) and 4k video (I suspect I’ll have a 4k tv within 1 – 1.5 years) would be very compelling. Don’t waste my time with incremental changes – I’m saving my pennies for major improvements (and I CAN wait).
Nobody really knows what is in the A99 yet.
Some things for certain would be
EVF = most likely better than the A77 (5+ megapixels ???)
Good on you for being happy with the 850, I too would be very happy with it. Alas, I am saving up for the A99 too.
Rob – those new Mk3 videos look so awesome – especially with fast primes for shallow depth of field. . Not that many of us would spend as much time doing video as we currently spend on stills, but having that feature in a new Sony FF would be very tempting – no?
Sure. If you don’t need a new camera why should you buy? Why should anyone give you a reason to buy something?
Using the translucent mirror as an AA filter is simply not possible. Any such filter has to be right in front of the sensor, actually it is part of the sensor.
IMHO it will be a while before 4K video becomes mainstream. Think of how long it took for 1080p to really pick up. DVD is still selling more than Blu-ray. If I was considering to get into video, I would start with this wave of HD first. Video is a different beast and there are numerous things to learn before you get to the resolution of your footage.
It depends- I use the A850 professionally for weddings and events, and the focusing could definitely be improved in low-light. It is not instant like my partner’s D700/D3/D3X bodies.
If the AF system is upgraded to the standard of the A77 then I will be upgrading.
If you depend on AF I expect the A99 will be a distinct improvement over the A850. I love my A850, but autofocus is definitely its Achilles heel. Fortunately I almost always manually focus anyway. But that’s also hard to do in low light.
The focus peaking on the a77 is certainly useful and something I would assume they would provide in a full frame.
I think that, the way things look, I’ll keep on saving for the higher def alternative. I like printing very large images, so going with just another 24 megapixel camera would be ridiculous. The cheaper nex 7 could be purchased for relatively little, so why bother with an A99? I want a 36 megapixel camera with 4K to go with a 4k tv – screw the tiny increments!!
I’m pretty happy with the clarity and colour of my 850/70-200 2.8 G combo. If I switch, the change HAS to be significantly better!! e.g. see link (hope it works…) http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=§ion=&global=1&q=xylidin#/d4cohzb
whaaatt? i just bought my a77 a few hours ago :O
p/s: i’m really happy with my purchase :DDD
Well, according to the morons here, the A77 is rubbish.
Most of those stating such a thing do not own the camera. They probably never even handled such a high specced camera too. Indeed they’re morons.
But but but… he loses 1/3 stop of light… apparently he is meant to be really upset about this and sell his lenses on ebay… then pop back over here to announce his decision.