Stockphotosecrets posted that image (Click here) showing what cameras are the most used on Dreamtime service. As you can see the Sony world is quite small! There is a lot to do to catch up with the two big ones, better cameras, better support, better pricing…I want it all 😉
Let’s hope the new RX, ILCE and NEX-FF cameras will be the first step into the right direction to make that small planet grow!
found via ThePhoBlographer.
89 Responses
Well, technically some of the Nikon, Olympus and Pentax photos would count as Sony since they’re using Sony sensors… 😛
Where is my panasonic Planet? 🙁
The Panasonic planet was was too small and got reclassified as no longer a planet.
ha ha ha agree
Panasonic and Pluto are having a beer together now.
Well, did anyone tell them it’s because most of the Sony guys have been filming with their equipment?
At 60 images a second?
Stock photographers are the worst on the planet, otherwise, they would be selling their photos for more than .20ç. The worst photo I have taken with my NEX 7 this year is worth more than the 8 million Nikon/Canon shots from “dreamstime” combined, and I’m no Gursky.
I switched from Nikon, those cameras in the chart above represent the stone age of photography.
You are showing your ignorance. Sometimes it’s better to keep quiet and for people to think your stupid rather than open your mouth and confirm it.
A good stock photographer will make many £1000,s p/month using not just their photographic expertise but ability to research and understand what sells. One image may be sold 1,000’s of times a year and even at 25c (which is actually the base, plenty of sales at $28) that makes a good return, especially if you have a large portfolio. There are however, plenty of people who are not cutout for that industry. Also bear in mind Stock includes Rights Managed images that can be sold from £10 – £10,000+ a time depending on the licence granted.
Be happy with your camera, what difference does it make if you were the only one using it if it gives you good pictures and you enjoy using it. I really cannot understand the playground mentality of “Sony has to be the best otherwise my camera is no good”. Realistically, Sony is very unlikely to catch up (they have to big a lead) and what difference does it make anyway if you enjoy using your camera?!?
“I really cannot understand the playground mentality of “Sony has to be the best otherwise my camera is no good”.”
+1
+1
+1 +1 +1 Well said Izel.
I’m a Fuji X Pro user but still respect Sony. I always keep an eye out on what they offer as I am more interested in finding the right tool for the job…. that may mean you need different cameras from different manufactures. Unlike supporting football teams, it isn’t a requirement to support one manufacturer.
The Nex 7 introduced me to the benefits of a small mirrorless system, it is a good platform but I couldn’t build a complete system so I had to look elsewhere, pure business decision really.
For some reason I have changed name, DuncanA is Izel Photography 🙂
The only way to make money at this would be to know just what kind of photographs sell as premium stock, have the ability to regularly make such photographs, and to be represented by an agency, or agencies that have a large base of clients prepared to pay top dollar.
For every photographer making a reasonable living out of this, there must be hundreds – if not thousands – submitting photographs and making virtually nothing.
Even someone is really good at this, it must take years to build up a portfolio large enough to ensure a reasonable income stream. Of course if you are talented and skilled enough to come up with an average of one shot a month that sells for £10,000, it’s a different story.
You are right about many people not being successful, that’s life but the statement “Stock photographers are the worst on the planet” is wildly inaccurate.
Planning and research is key, as well as discipline. I submit on average between 600 – 1000 images a month to different agencies so library size can increase quickly (that’s edited images, very few similars). RM takes time to break in to due to turnaround times of images being used and receiving the money but Micro can be quicker. You must allow at least 12 – 24 months to get established. Most people lose interest as there is a lot of hard work involved, it ain’t easy money….. this is the thought that draws people to it initially. These people drop out quickly.
“what difference does it make anyway if you enjoy using your camera?!?”
It makes a difference because stock photographers who have no self esteem have made photography as a career worthless.
Sad thing is, you think you are a photographer, you aren’t.
BTW, I don’t care which camera I use, as I currently employ cameras from 4 different manufacturers while working.
Gursky rocks!
Owned A200/350/350/55/700 If they dont return SLR’s Im jumping ship.
Sony haven’t produced a dSLR for YEARS, why are you still hanging on? Go elsewhere for a flapping mirror and OVF, life’s too short to worry about brand names.
Um…this is a joke, right?
Sony hasn’t produced a DSLR in years. It’s been reported MANY times that Sony will not be producing another DSLR.
Nikon and Canon are still making the old-school 1900’s technology, you might want to try there.
Sony will be #1 if images from Xperia is counted in…
This is stock photos. Which kind of explains the stats. I still have some questionmarks regarding Nikon stats. D700 should be rightly popular, but D80 second? This has to be really slowly evolving stats.
If you want a source that count cameraphones as well, look here:
http://www.flickr.com/cameras
(And, um… no, no Xperia there…)
…sorry, Sony Xperia IS there. At #15.
And the intention was not to bash. Just point out that Sony actually is a pretty small player in the cameraphone community.
But, the good news is, Sony as a BRAND overall seems to be growing 🙂
It’s now fourth after Canon, Nikon and Apple on Flickr. Checking in before Samsung, Olympus, Panasonic and Fuji. In that order.
Slowly evolving? You don’t think that people buy cameras to keep them while they last and actually use them.. not buy the next camera just to buy it and say you own it? If D700 and D80 were popular cameras and last for long time – good investments for those people!
What the OP means is that due to the age of a camera there will obviously be more images taken. There may be more of a newer model out there, but fewer stock images as it is reactively new.
+1
Exactly. Thanks =)
Nice! I didn’t know about these Flickr stats.
Sony have had what, two professional bodies?
But also remember that some stock agencies only accepted shots taken by a Canon or Nikon earlier. And they demanded a minimum resolution to keep some brands out… 🙂
I think they should still do that! 🙂
It really wasn’t to keep a particular camera out, you know. Just a minimum resolution that would do more than hold up in print.
You could argue for ages if that was a fair restriction. Let’s not.
Then again, today some microstock pays more the higher the resolution of your pictures. Which has led photogs to upsample before uploading :0)
Agencies can spot this through the metadata and bin images that have been up-scaled. Camera make and resolution etc.
I submit to a lot of the bigger agencies including Corbis who tend to be hard to get into. The image IQ has to be excellent at 100% and produce a tiff files of 50mb+ at 8bit otherwise they will won’t be accepted. As you say, it’s not a manufacture exclusion it’s a quality control and min requirements. Their clients expect / demand a high level of quality.
On the micro side of the industry, DT is not one of the biggest players to be fair but the split is likely to be very similar across the board. Most pro stock shooters need predicable results and have access to a full system. Range of pro glass, flash units, radio controllers etc etc to use in a studio. That was one of my biggest problems using the Nex 7, it wasn’t a complete system.
I agree the flash system is a mess at the moment. I need a new flash for my NEX 7 but I’m unsure if I get a flash with a new or old hotshoe. I am trying to figure out do I want an adapter on my existing or on a new camera. How are each supported for radio, soft boxes etc. It seems the new hotshoe isn’t supported at all.
I made a few mistakes there. I guess I should read it before posting when I’m on my phone.
Minimum resolution? The D80 and 40D are 10MP cameras, D700 is 12MP. Sony has had A100, A700, A850, A900, which I would consider pro bodies and also A200, A500, A550, etc. which would also do the trick.
That is a really limited graphic, no matter how one looks at it – time, market, type of photography…
Yes these infographics seem to be showing the statistics for just one particular site. Their “top” cameras are mostly six or eight years old. Either they are just selling the same old photographs over and and over again, or their photograaphers can’t afford to buy new cameras.
Exactly.
The reason Sony doesn’t show is not because of _resolution_.
It’s because people shooting Dreamtime microstock, at the time the bulk of these images were made, didn’t shoot Sony.
Should have said “to a higher extent” in previous post, but you get the drift.
Life didn’t originate on Jupiter or Saturn… 😛
Well Sony are nto even offering pro support for their cameras where Canon and Nikon do. Sony offer pro support for video cameras only like FS700. So no wonder not many pros use Sony. Even having as much photos as D700 should count as success IMHO.
This is something that Sony stills imaging will never understand, they lack pro support and LONG TERM support of a SYSTEM. Instead they’d rather swap the hot-shoe to yet another “non-standard” design and dither around whether to use E-mount or A-mount.
Is it any wonder the CaNikon pro’s never bother to look at the mess of a Sony system?
Getting on top is actually simpler than the complicated mess Sony makes of it: Pretty much COPY the top products of both brands and sell it cheaper. It’s as easy as that.
Yeah, great business strategy.
Yes it is, it worked for the Japanese years ago, then the Koreans and it is working for China now.
The A200 was popular as it was SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the D40 and 1000D.
A Samsung TV is both superior and cheaper than a Sony TV. It is a strategy that DOES WORK.
No, it isn’t. By the way, nobody said it doesn’t work.
The analogies you are trying to make are not great. The context is entirely different. You want a race to the bottom, when two of your competitors have the majority of the market. How is it working for Pentax? Their products are better featured and/or cheaper. How did it work for Sony with that A200?
Canon and Nikon have the means to run Sony into the ground and the D600/6D are the proof of that. They can sustain such strategies for way longer than Sony. Makes more sense for Sony to take the shortcut to future technologies, rather than try to fight the established status quo directly. At least in imho.
A200 was the top selling DSLR on Amazon UK head to head first to second spot for over a year. It was priced low and was mostly competitive with rivals at the time
Sony discontinued it and gave us the awful A230, then the 14mp CCD sensor overstock A290. Sony ceased to be appealing in the entry level market they just dumbed the cameras down and people ignored them.
It’s not hard to work out why Sony keep screwing up, they just “don’t get it”
A FF NEX isn’t going to do anything in the market, unless the price is sub D600/6d and by some margin. It won’t be so we can just ignore another “oddball” Sony product
A3000 is another dumbed down cut down uninteresting product.
A FF NEX would sell great, I believe, as there won’t be any competing product out there, even if the price is high. If Sony had a DSLR lined up with the D600/6D, do you honestly believe they would’ve gained market share? I mean, people are always talking about these two current models, but Sony has also A57/58/65/77/99 and had A33/55/700/900 whatnot and where is the market share?
Sony stopped selling an amazing cheap camera and your only conclusion is “they don’t get it”? Or maybe it was too costly to them and wasn’t bringing much, hence that strategy failed and they went for another one?
Sony don’t market their dSLRs/SLT and don’t get them into the shops into the hands of salespeople. If they were cheaper AND were marketed, people would buy them. It really is as simple as that and yes, Sony don’t “get it”.
Yes, that is my feeling too – they screwed up the marketing entirely. Otherwise, they could’ve been in a different place today. The things is though, now it is too late to repeat the same strategy, I think. And going the “innovation” route is a very good strategy (better than playing your opponent’s game, imho), which might yield significantly better gains. Though, they still have to figure out their marketing or they’ll screw that one up too.
“There is a lot to do to catch up with the two big ones, better cameras, better support, better pricing…I want it all ”
Well said! :))
The Canon is 12 times as high as the Sony’s. There is a lot of catching up to be done. If Sony’s mirrorless FF would be a success, then in another couple of years definitely Sony will overtake Canon and Nikon.
GM, Ford and Toyota are also bigger planets than BMW. I’d still choose the BMW though 😉
With many of these stock photos available for 20 cents a shot (a substantial chunk of which is presumably kept by the stock agency) it is not surprising that old cameras like the EOS 40D and D80 score high. For pennies a sale you would need to sell an awful lot of photographs over a long period of time just to cover the costs of buying old second hand equiptment – let alone purchasing any new equitment, paying the bills or putting food on the table.
I can’t see that this makes any money for anyone except the “agencies” – which, aside from a few big agencies, are probably usually just one guy with a website.
Thanks for having my infographic posted here.
Thanks for commenting here.
Sony never will overtake Canon and Nikon !
First Sony not care about existing customers ! Sony is not reliable manufacturer.
Why ? I try to explain.
I talk about customers who uses Minolta cameras before. I am one of them.
I am waiting a long – and finally get A700. Good camera of these days.
All of the functionality that needed, mirror lock, external contact studio flash, depth of field preview button…
ISO and image quality same as in film camera. Thats OK!
What’s happens next ?
1. Sony says: “We do not produce cameras with optical viewfinder anymore !”
As a existing customers – what I expect from new camera – a much better noise performance and better dynamic range.
I don’t like the idea of translucent mirror technology (Yes, ok it’s good idea for someone) because 1/2 stop of light lost. Thats mean worse noise performance.
And I like feel of optical viewfinder. Not only I. Look at poll at same site – http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/poll-vote-your-future-sony-ff-must-have-features/
27% of people still want camera with optical viewfinder.
Solution is to produce at least 2 cameras with optical viewfinder. One APS-C and one FF (A700/A900 – development)
Did the sony care about this 27% NO! NO! NO!
2. Before I have Minolta camera with two flashes. OK
When I buy a sony – Minolta flashes not work with sony. And I must buy next 2 flashes.
What’s next ?
Sony says: “We don’t produce that kind of flashes anymore ! Now we have a new Multi Interface flash shoe !”
So – with new camera I must buy again new flashes !
What must do a company who cares about their existing customers ?
They must include adapters with new cameras and new flashes. Does sony cares? NO of course.
3. What’s next ?
In one beautiful day sony says – “We don’t produce cameras with A mount anymore !”
Is it possible. I think yes.
I find new camera for me – it’s Nikon D600. Noise performance – great! Dynamic range – good ! Price – acceptable! Yes it uses Sony sensor ! Crazy.
Sony E – mount cameras – no I am not a target group for this. If must change a mount. If must be buy new flashes. Why Sony then?
It is better to leave sony’s planet and fly away to bigger and more stable planet. To planet where live people more like me 🙂
As I have couple of good A mount lenses – maybe I am usig sony as second camera. But it’s good idea to paste over the Sony’s logo a piece of black paper.
It’s means I don’t want to advertise Sony’s logo. It just some third-party camera – in short, no-name category.
Is this comment negative ? Yes, of course for sony. Not for Nikon.
Sorry – this comment target not users who uses sony. This comment is for big guys in Sony. I know – they don’t care 🙂
Have a nice day! – for others !
“Sony never will overtake Canon and Nikon!”
> Possible, but I wouldn’t be so sure. Not that it matters.
“As a existing customers – what I expect from new camera – a much better noise performance and better dynamic range.”
>The A77 is better than the A700 in both measurements. And on top of that it provides way more resolution.
“And I like feel of optical viewfinder. Not only I. Look at poll at same site – http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/poll-vote-your-future-sony-ff-must-have-features/”
> What about it? 27% percent look to me as a minority.
“Sony E – mount cameras – no I am not a target group for this. If must change a mount. If must be buy new flashes. Why Sony then?”
> Yes, why Sony if you are not the target group?
Yoda is sadly right on this Sony really have shown how little they care about their customers. They keep playing around with ideas, but never listen to the actual users.
We do need OVF cameras choice is good. Sony don’t give people a choice which is why they have a “very small planet” Think small, be small.
Small minded management with bad support, bad ideas, and not photographers in any way.
Yes, I wonder who was the small-minded not-photographer who came with the bad idea for the RX1, RX100, NEX-7, NEX-5N and the A77. If only these cameras could take photos.
Thanks !
“Sony don’t give people a choice !” Yes – this main.
It’s true – OVF cameras not bad – they have a lot of good properitys over optical viewfinders.
But not a feel 🙂
If sony offers a choice – I am purchasing one – FF/optical viewfinder(like Nikon D600) and second – APS-C with OVF(may-be next generation Sony). But they don’t give people a choice !!
The big guys try to change our minds. They think – they know better what we want.
And where is the EVF option in Canon and Nikon? I guess, they aren’t giving you a choice either.
I’d bet money right now that ask any FF Canikon user and the EVF would be a deal breaker for them.
Most enthusiast shooters don’t want an EVF, it might pass lower end but the higher you move up the scale the less it appeals.
Anyway, Sony’s problem is that this so called EVF crusade has failed to make any impact in the market. We can talk EVF v OVF all day but there are many more issues.
Prices are not good in some areas, Sony still have bad support for models out there (A99 still have flash delay) it’s simply not good enough. Add missing lenses and a silly hot shoe change anyone shocked Sony are struggling?
It’s coming up to the top sales period and Sony have one overpriced FF SLT, one tacky cheap A58 model and 2 dated SLT models A65/77. Meanwhile Canon will sell a TON of 70d’s to people. If OVF’s suck so bad then I’d love to know why they sell so well
“Most enthusiast shooters don’t want an EVF, it might pass lower end but the higher you move up the scale the less it appeals.”
> I doubt the first part and I bet many of those who “prefer” OVFs haven’t tried a proper EVF. As to the second part, that is simply normal, as EVFs have still some way to go.
“Anyway, Sony’s problem is that this so called EVF crusade has failed to make any impact in the market.”
> I very seriously doubt that EVF is the issue. The didn’t make much impact with OVFs either.
“We can talk EVF v OVF all day but there are many more issues.”
> Yes, Sony has actual issue and EVF is not one of them, imho.
“If OVF’s suck so bad then I’d love to know why they sell so well”
> Nobody said they suck so bad. Somebody said EVFs suck so bad.
Third rock from the sun.
🙂
evf/ovf the saga continious… I have an a57 with evf and i like it very much. Both have their advantages and downsides. Sony has choosen the way of evf. A lot of people don’t like that, they can adapt or go to another brand. But a lot of people like the advantages of evf, they can choose Sony or a system camera.
But there are pro’s who like Sony, like Frank Doorhof. At the end it is not the device what counts but the result… And sony photographers can make stunning pictures, like canikon/pentax/… users also can.
Now.. all of you, including people from Sony, would agree that EVFs are not fully matured yet.. and that it has a long way to go to truly replace OVF.. especially to resolve issues for high contrast scenes.. fast panning.. slideshow effect… and finally, saving battery power.
So the point here is simple: “Why would Sony choose to discontinue perfect products with the matured technology of OVF (A900 used to offer the best OVF in the market), and instead push an immatured experimental technology of EVF on to customers with no option to choose?”
Funny part is this decision didn’t allow Sony to lower their cost. So instead of improving the EVF, they’re releasing new cameras with even worse quality EVF.
You are basing your whole argument off of the assumption that OVF is better, which it isn’t. It is better for some things, worse for others.
“So the point here is simple: “Why would Sony choose to discontinue perfect products with the matured technology of OVF (A900 used to offer the best OVF in the market), and instead push an immatured experimental technology of EVF on to customers with no option to choose?””
> That is not a point, it is a question.
“Funny part is this decision didn’t allow Sony to lower their cost.”
> And lowering the cost was the only reason to go EVF?
“So instead of improving the EVF, they’re releasing new cameras with even worse quality EVF.”
> That’s a fallacy.
A900 has a superb viewfinder nobody was unhappy with it. Sony could have just done the live view and video, instead allow Canon to do phase detect off the sensor beating them to it.
A99 is much more expensive than the A900/A850 was, yet it’s not as well build and is basically an A77 with a FF sensor. No wonder it’s not done that well being priced so high.
there is no point to EVF/SLT unless it is cheaper, people feel an EVF is a cheaper solution, not a better one. So by pricing your products above OVF models Sony instantly failed before even the first camera hit the shelves.
Actually the A57 isn’t a bad camera, but..guess what Sony discontinue it (sigh) and replace it with the tediously cut down A58. That’s how Sony think have a mostly good product then they stop doing it and replace it with a mediocre one.
That’s Sony for you always thinking about how to make the next product “more cut down” where Canikon make “new better models”
Thanks !
Yes – A camera is just a tool. Camera not taking pictures, photographer did.
Yes – and I can live wihout OVF – with good evf:)
I am just a little bit frustrated that I can’t buy a tool what needed from Sony right now.
Nothing in principle new for A mount today. I need better A-mount that they produce at this moment. Without translucent mirror technology.
But all new is about E-mount.
Needed a stable horse – but Sony feel more like nervous dog.
I don’t think the A58 is a real replacement for the A57. It is more between the A37 and the A57. The price is also lower. However the A58 has things i also would like on my A57 (oled EVF for example) and a bit higher resolution. The thing is that Canikon is the fixed value on the market. Other brands need to different to be able to get their market share. If sony would bring the same systems on the market as Canikon, why you should buy sony then. Canikon has a lot more lenses available, more pro support etc…
What i would like to see in the future from sony (my opinion) is a mirrorless camera with fast AF, ibis and a hybrid E/A mount (so you can use both lens systems and tons of other lenses with adapter). But will need to wait for the future and see what Sony will do. It can be possible i will be shooting with canikon in 5 years…
Sony Planet is orange and not grey ! I don’t believe this graphic !
“Let’s hope the new RX, ILCE and NEX-FF cameras will be….”
<—- Sadly, it's an Alpha blog with no hopes for Alpha anymore. 🙁
Soon even Sony users will say “What was Alpha??”
I think Sony has to clear this out. will there be a future for alphamount. For the moment i only invest in cheap 2 hand minolta glass but would not invest in new zeiss glass if i am not sure we can use it in the future. Or at least know that sony will bring out new high quality adapters.
If I was using cheap Minolta glass there would be nothing to stop me swapping to CaNikon at my next body swap. Think hard before investing any money into A-mount and use the opportunity you have to consider a swap to CaNikon who will support their system for decades.
Perfect answer! I totally share it.
Perfect answer! I totally share it.
I mean Hans’ remark below:
Hans wrote:
“GM, Ford and Toyota are also bigger planets than BMW. I’d still choose the BMW though” 😉
Now how about Flikr and Picasa, and preferably in the last year and not the ancient stock stuff.
+1 That would be very interesting.
Personally I think its a good thing that Sony holds such a small share of the market. Hear me out through my example….
Canon is McDonald’s
Nikon is Checkers
Pentax is Taco bell
Olympus is Kentucky
Like all these fast food chains they twist good at first and are cheap but quality is subpar.
Sony has potential to become what Apple is to the smart phone industry. By increasing quality far beyond that of its competition.
Start with a unique idea…say an Android DSLR with built in WiFi for all models. Next wrap that system with top quality materials that typically don’t have a place in said market. Then design its shape and mixture of materials in such a way as to make all other brands seam predictable and boring. Now at its core hardware provide the best possible sensor none bayer pattern with no AA filter and stacked sensor with phase focusing built in at every touching four corners, thus making all cross type and support said sensor with CPU/GPU/RAM/SSD combo from the smart phone market. Keep a few buttons but mainly have it touch sense like a smart phone. And keep the EVF as its simply the future and shows the viewer what the sensor is able to see so the viewer can make adjustments accordingly. The hot shew must be an industry standard but with an upgrade twist like extra pins for future devices.
The NEX and RX line is a good start buy frankly half finished. It dosnt have to go the rout of the lunar project but just a few notches below that.
Then price is just a slightly above the market standard and let the quality of the product sell its self. Canon and Nikon will try to match it but will choke their new product at birth by forcing it to fit their corporate model standard thus it will flop. By then Sony could introduce a smaller cheaper model and in a few short years may very well dominate the market.
As long SONY JOKES with us it will be a small planet.
And nobody cares…..
If you do not see much you fall in the fun of BMW
we here in close…did not believe that BMW build
one pig after other, do you look on design? no..dont..
and drive? hm… nothing but paper-marketing-tiger.
funny people run in traps like that.
ps.. 911… since last good BMW ( 2002 / m3 csi)
It’s quality (Sony) over quantity (Canon/Nikon)
1. Anyone who complains about EVFs should try a recent one. They are not nearly as bad as those on older video cameras, which are apparently the only EVFs in many people’s experience.
2. NEX is the (long-term) future. Well, at least mirrorless is. Taking out the flapping parts can only make a camera more reliable. Full electronic shutter providing zero shutter lag and high speed sync, In-body stabilization and sensor shift focus are all very difficult to implement in a DSLR.
3. Sony is badly screwing its customers now, but it’s been done by every camera brand. The M8 is already essentially unserviceable-big ouch to those who dished out $6000 for it. Canon generated a lot of hate when they switched lens mount. Sony is still new to the game and trying to shake off Minolta’s baggage, I’d give them a bit more benefit of the doubt.
I’m never publishing any of my pictures – those are mine, and certainly not those of the stock-photo-company’s that only let me earn 20-30% of what they get out of it. Hell no – i’m not gonna make ‘m rich.
Good luck selling your images on your own. Most good photogs are not good sales people. A stock house can be a good thing, and they are essentially charging you to be your agent. But a good stock house gives you a bigger cut and sells the images for a lot more money. An agency like dreamtime is a dirtball agency. Alamy is a great agency with good terms, especially if you’re not good enough to be housed by someone like Getty. Alamy is kind of the entry level of real agencies that are worth working with.
Who cares about who’s shooting what with a dirtball agency like dreamtime? I bet there is more Sony shooters there than at a real agency. The numbers from an agency that matters would be even wider and much scarier looking than these. Unless Sony provides pro level support and service as well as retail presence, they will win over any serious amount of pro photographers. I live in a city with over a million people. You cannot even buy an A99 here, nor a real flash or any real lenses. Just low end kit junk. If you were shooting Sony in my city, and you had something break and needed immediate replacement… You’re shit out of luck. You cannot buy it, and you cannot get something over-nighted to you immediately from Sony while your broken gear is being repaired. You cannot borrow a piece of gear you are considering purchasing to try it out first etc…
Simply put, real pro’s don’t shoot Sony…… Not because of features, EVF vs. OVF etc.. But because of service. As a CPS member, I could pick up the phone right now and have them overnight me a 1DX, or practically any lens, flash, etc… and it would be on my doorstep in the morning. Same goes for members of NPS. Sony and Pentax don’t have this, and it makes it not a viable option for pro’s. Olympus tried to do this when the E-1 came out, but the service went downhill, and was never as good as CPS or NPS to begin with. Sony has some of the best glass in the business shy of Olympus, but everybody elses lenses are good enough to get the job done, and service is what sets the bar in the pro arena.
Valid Points.
Here is the difference between Sony and others.
Sony Corporate Executive is worried about taking photos of plants and birds.
Cannon Corporate Executive is worried about getting the perfect shot, right before he is run over by a 250 lbs NFL running back, destroying his gear.
Its hard to switch brands when you have a small fortune invested into one brand’s gear. I know more than a few cannon guys who tried my a99 and want to switch, but can’t justify the cost to switch ships.
This graphic would be more interesting if the photos were limited to uploads in the past year.