Sometimes I really find crazy stuff in my mailbox. A trusted source sent me a real(!) sketch of the Sony A99 back designed by him. What you see is what you will get with the A99!Basically the almost exactly same back of the Sony A77 (image here). I don’t know how much work he put on this but we all would be glad to receive the sketches from the top and front too…Thanks 🙂
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Ive just picked up my A77 and compared. ‘AF Range’ looks to be the only new thing (bottom right). Not sure what that is… something to limit wide focus swings in video or low light?
Is it the AF EV range? (see http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Photography-Tips/Canon-EOS-DSLR-Autofocus-Explained.aspx and read the paragraph starting ‘Overall sensitivity is how well the AF system performs in low light’).
Hey. Does your A77 have those lines around the hotshoe that are slightly indicative of a pop-up flash?
EDIT – I think I derped a big one here. But I’m hoping that’s a flash.
Oh, and the finder/lcd toggle is missing on the A99 (this is to the left of the top LCD in the A77)… no great loss there 🙂
Hot ? You gotta be kidding.
AF range is usually a function of the Lens not the camera body. this must be a first.
It used to be a function of the lens, when range limiters were mechanical. However, it’s certainly possible to have a software range limiter, as long as you keep track of what position the lens is in. It would certainly be a good feature, and a range limiter customizable via the camera body interface would be more flexible than a few switches on the lens.
the LCD hinge look diff compare with a77
This is a joke,right? can’t believe they just put a FF sensor in a A77 and call it A99.
The Zoom in/out dial on A77 is just plain sucks. The worst zoom method I’ve ever used.
totally agree! y dont sony just put a + – zoom buttom instead of that scroll thingy
Mhh I would have loved a little more distinction between A77 and A99.. I really hope they changed the weatherproofing on the display as that is far from ideal on my A77.. Also a “Rate” button or customizable function would be great.
Whow, Sony-Marketing tries something new to feed rumour sites for heating up expectations 😀
If they really do that I would be surprised!!!
I remembered upon a77, there is a video of a77 leaves on the beach and did a snap shot. will we see another video for a99 lol…
Really? If an intern has sketching abilities these should be well known, so he gets identified quite fast by stuff like this. Therefore I don’t believe this leak.
On the other hand I’ve never seen a rumour site as trustworthy as yours (been an Apple user for years), which of course are your personal skills, but leaves some doubts Sony might try some sort of advanced marketing here – probably using you in a way you don’t really dislike it 😉
Not meant as an offence, because I really enjoy your site whether it contains Sony marketing or not!
No offence. All ic an say is that I am almost sure Sony is not doing this. Actually they are trying to stop all possible leaks!
I see you have your tin foil hat on…
If Sony wanted to drip feed leaks they would be all over the web, not just on SAR.
with this mean, we are going to see REAl image soon! 😀
I was half expecting it to be signed Jimmy aged 10 1/2 ;-}
Si
So no metering mode switch…hmmm….wait for the 36mp version…
+1 !
It was a killer feat on my A700 and i hope it will be on the A99 🙁 I’m unhappy to see it is not 🙁
why do you need that switch when you see the live metering going on? For me i changed the AEL button to Spot AEL whenever i feel the camera doesnt expose to my expectations. There’s really no need for an AEL switch with EVF
“So no metering mode switch…hmmm….wait for the 36mp version…”
Which will not have it either, therefore you will be stock with your a100 for the next 10 years.
What makes you think you will get one on the 36 mp model?
what are the two “holes” on top of the LCD screen?
Looks like it could be legit. Someone probably took a photo of the back of the a99 and ran it through a crappy drawing filter to make it look hand drawn.
Well, it looks like a Sony camera.
That sketch even I could have drawn.
Lucky you, I’m not even close to that level.
Perhaps with a tablet and an image on background layer… no, not even then >_<
LCD attaches differently. The side attachments on
the body sre not there.
I see only one reason why a trusted source might send you a skech (it looks like a real photo converted by a filter) instead of a real photo – let’s assume that they don’t have access to production version and all test versions are somehow differentiated (it can be color – it is easy to manufacture, and do not affect all tests). Your source, of course, do not want to disclose themself so sketch instead of picture.
I really appreciate your web site but I have to notice that the quality (not reliability but informativity) of rumors decreasing. Point for Sony 😉
Radek, since when I started SAR three years ago people says I am decreasing 🙂
Don’t worry, I am sure there will be pics soon, sooner or later someone will leak them.
@Radek. I agree – It does look like “a real photo converted by a filter” – Some of the details look like they were hand drawn, but not all. Also, the perspective is too good to be only a sketch drawn *completely* by hand. For what it’s worth there are no official press images of an a77 from this exact angle. So, either the source owns an a77, photographed it and ran a find edges/contour filter, or used a not yet released press photo of an a99 and converted it, or had an advance version of an a99 and captured the original image him/herself.
My bet is that it’s one of the graphics companies they use to produce some of their marketing literature.
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I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE SAR, but it’s time to peep game. They (Sony and other “forces to be”) don’t want this site around. This is evident from earlier with the pressure to change the name.
I really hope Andrea isn’t being set up to be discredited by the once trusted sources. I’m sure Andrea thinks of this all the time too… The possibility of Sony feeding “trusted” partners misinformation separately to see where the leak is and cut it off.
PLEASE! LEAVE SAR alone. This site is one of the reasons I bought into Sony rather than Canikon.
+1
I already love this camera! <3
It seems legit, but I cannot understand why someone spent the time drawing this ( They must have had the camera for some time …) instead of just sending a pic…. – It smells Sony marketing…
To be clear, Andrea, I don’t think you work with Sony marketing, I just think that some of all this info is feed by them… 🙂 – There is a difference!
Back to the pic, it saddens me a bit to see the top LCD. I have it on the a77 but I would much rather have used that valuable piece of real estate for something more useful. I seldom use it, and it never feels like it’s needed.
A few more buttons there instead would have made me happier!
I can think of one very good reason to draw this. Someone got an A99 pic but cannot share it. So he draws it!
But why it has A77´s hot shoe? It should not…
Is that actually a drawing or some sketch-like art filter from a post processing software?
They also might be using pictures like this to illustrate things in the manual. Manuals take a considerable time to prepare.
Couldn’t agree with you more E. keep my eye on the viewfinder and change the options on the fly. Get the shot, and don’t miss the moment. The less switches makes me really disappointed. I sound like a broken record. But all the manual controls of my KM 7D meant I never needed to go through a menu to change something for a shot. The 7D is just really user friendly…
I doubt Sony has the marketing creativity to use SAR as an outlet. That would require awareness of their key publics.
😀
Finally Sony came to their senses to remove the stupid ? button.
Well you gotta use that Wacom tabled for something !
I do not understan why most of you guys are so disappointed if the camera will not differ much from the current a77. The more it differs, the less you will be able to afford one. Of course, like it is always the case with most internet complainers, you guys will never buy one anyway.
No kidding!
And on another serious note. the back of the a900 was not much different from the a700.
The a900 is a very fine camera as the a700 is as well.
+1 lollo beat me to it. I actually really appreciate that this is so similar to the A77. When I moved from the A700 to the A850 I was really glad I didn’t have to relearn a completely different layout; just a few new tricks.
It shows a design lineage, too, which can read as stability from a marketing perspective (something Sony could use).
I’m really curious about the AF Range button, though!
The hot shoe, looks like the old one.
Is it me or does it look like the minolta hot shoe instead of the iso hotshoe that is rumoured to be on this fine camera?
it’s good to see something, so it’s getting closer folks. it would take only a few minutes to put an actual photo into illustrator and live trace, so I don’t think the source spent too much time on it. just a way to leak an image without possibly giving up his/her identity. either way, it’s great to see something….nice work SAR.
After a properly set up Nex-7, this looks a bit “too crowded”.
How I don’t miss DSLRs 😀
I think is fake.
-hot shoe not like NEX6.
-no bottom looks like they created a variation of the Nex-7 tri-navi system.
-Look not just a bit bigger and with a more pronounced hump at the top.
Well, looks more like an “artistic” filter applied on a render (or actual photo?).
You confused A99 with A59 which is the one on the photo…
Note it’s showing the Minolta hot shoe
No it isn’t.
mmmm….so hybrid Hot shoe so it will take my cheap ass LED with universal shoe and my awesome Sony Flash ?
While it does look like the Minolta hot shoe on it, it could either be an early prototype or be sporting the slim iISO adapter.
Other interesting things: there is no EVF/Finder button (at least not where it is on the A77), and the eye sensor has moved below the viewfinder (where it used to be on models before the A77).
The A77 have a beatifull design, make sense to use it in another camera to lower manufactured cost, what is inside is what important.
The days are slowing or it just me!
And theres no physic IBIS switch anymore???? O.o
That sucks.
The number of people jumping to conclusions here based on this simple sketch makes me weep for humanity.
There’s a world outside, people. Go photograph it.
PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE don’t use that a77’s “joystick” MENU Button on a99! I felt that joystick is very uncomfortable (even if my hands are a little bit smaller than average ones – my gloves size is 8). It should be more uncomfortable for someone who has average or bigger hands! According to me (I studied in Industrial Design in METU many years ago), there is some problem in ergonomic: the joystick is too high and it’s head is too narrow (even according to my smaller size hands)! A65 and A57 have very ergonomically and comfortable menu buttons, who needs that stupid “joystick”!..
PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE don’t use that a77’s “joystick” MENU Button on a99! I felt that joystick is very uncomfortable (even if my hands are a little bit smaller than average ones – my gloves size is 8). It should be more uncomfortable for someone who has average or bigger hands! According to me (I studied in Industrial Design in METU many years ago), there is some problem in ergonomic: the joystick is too high and it’s head is too narrow and wrong shape: it must be convex not concave!.. A65 and A57 have very ergonomically and comfortable menu buttons, who needs that stupid “joystick”!..
Do they STILL have to print out the full words “SLOW SYNC”.
It’s been 25 years now. We get it.
Wish they made a blackout version with no printing on any button. Then every button could be assigned any function and everyone could customize their body to suit their preference.
That would be intelligent and thinking of the users. Why would Sony do anything foolish like that?!
That LCD has two hinges. Looks to flip in horizontal only. Shouldn’t it be a single center hinge which allows for sideways and vertical flipping too?
Please Sony keep the PC port on the front instead of tucking into side of camera under door. The a900 front PC allows cable to hang great in horizontal and vertical position without stress. The side mounted a700/a77 PC port causes cable to stress bend in vertical position (where most portraits are shot), and forces all that junk to sit uncomfortably in the left hand palm.
Where is IBIS (Super Steady Shot) button? Please don’t tell me I have to surf a menu to turn it on/off. I use that a lot… hand held it’s on. Tripod it’s off. I got a quick mount plate for fast tripod mounting… Now I must surf a menu too? Gimme that switch back!
Please keep some Maxxum DNA in this camera. That’s why I use them. When that leaves, so do I.
Why are they still using strap lugs from 1900? Go back to the 9000/9xi strap loops that don’t stick outside the body and require flipping triangles that scratch paint. And put some on the bottom too so my camera can hang downward and keep the strap away from my hand.
A super curvy camera with two little silver knives poking out. Recess them into the camera.
OMG no meter pattern selector around the AEL button? Must I menu dive for that too? I constantly shift between matrix and spot. I want my switch.
I really hope tbis drawing is fake.
Not exactly what u looking for , but, the AEL can be set to “lock on spot”…
I thought this would be a full sized integrated grip body. But it doesn’t look like it in this sketch.
Oh no, the movie button is still ill-placed. I hate hitting it by mistake on my A77…
Can’t wait for the great deals on used a900’s when this a99 arrives.
Andrea,can you ask the source where the rotating screen ala a77 is? That is defenitly a big plus on a77,a99/a95 should have one too. Or did they see some problems with it?
Where is the text on menu-button?
Thank you!
I think you have to dream about great deals Sony a900 because a lot still wants an FF with OVF.
almost identical in button layouts
there should be more room for MORe buttons on the A99 :p
give us MORE buttons 🙂
It would appear that the LCD has two joints instead of the A77 single joint and that it will therefore not swivel. Curious.
If the AF Range button is like that on SAL 300/500 where you can program the autofocus range that will be the best thing i was wishing to have a future camera
Does Sony want its SLTs being used by news and sports photographers in the long term? I ask this question because the EVF does not allow tracking moving subjects in many frames per second mode, while I alsocan not believe that Sony does not want to corner part of the newsand sports market. I suppose it boils down to whether EVF will evolve in future to allow fully-fledged sport photography – who knows what Sony envisages?
WHere is the on/off button for super steady shot? sometimes I need to turn it off when using tripod.
The digital TC button is there. Man, I thought that I’ve seen useless with Canon’s Direct Print button of yore (before it started doubling as something meaningful).
Hope it’s at least somewhat customizable.
i miss SS hardware button a’la A300 o mine