As expected the name of the new NEX-3 successor is….A5000! Full US pricing and specs and preorder at Amazon US (Click here), BHphoto (Click here) and at SonyStore US (Click here).
Sony also introduced the Black 55-210mm E-mount lens that can be preordered at Amazon US (Click here). P.S: HDR-AS100-V action camera (preorder here at Amazon).
Press text and hands on:
Engadget (hands-on pics), Dpreview (press text), ThePhoBlographer (hands-on), AlphaNumerique (French), DSLRmagazine (spanish).
OFFICIAL PRESS TEXT:
LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 6, 2014 – The versatile new Sony a5000 camera (model ILCE-5000) is the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera to feature the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity.1 Weighing in at less than 8oz., the new camera boasts a formidable amount of imaging power for its size.
“Packing DSLR imaging power into an incredibly small and light package, our new a5000 is the ultimate ‘everyday shooter’ that will appeal to a wide range of customers,” said Neal Manowitz, director of the alpha interchangeable lens camera division at Sony. “Its sleek, user-friendly design will attract point-and-shoot users looking to upgrade, while its impressive imaging credentials will appeal to photo enthusiasts looking for a compact camera that can deliver the performance, flexibility and results they crave.”
The new camera features a large 20.1 MP APS-C sized sensor that is paired with a new-generation BIONZ® X processor – the same processor in the award winning Sony a7 and a7R full-frame cameras. These key devices work together to deliver crisp, high-quality still images and full HD videos in all types of shooting conditions.
The BIONZ X processor uses detail reproduction, area-specific noise reduction and diffraction reducing technologies to ensure extremely fine color textures and low noise in images. Additionally, it allows for shooting at extremely high sensitivity – up to ISO 16000 – for impressive pictures in fading light.
On-board Wi-Fi capabilities give consumers one-touch connection with Xperia® or NFC-compatible Android™ smartphones or tablets for instant image transfer and sharing2. A single touch also activates Smart Remote Control, linking the camera with a smartphone or tablet to view shots, and fire the shutter from a distance.
For devices without NFC one-touch capabilities, users can wirelessly transfer images and videos and activate Smart Remote Control with the a5000 camera through Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile™ application, available for the iOS and Android platforms.
The new a5000 model has a comfortable new grip and intuitive tiltable LCD screen that can flip upwards up to 180 degrees for easy self-portraits. There’s also a conveniently placed lever on the camera body for fingertip adjustment of the camera’s optical zoom3, which is especially useful for shooting HD video with the supplied 16-50mm power zoom kit lens (model SELP1650).
The camera’s “Photo Creativity” mode will help less experienced photographers learn and experiment with creative settings. Unique to Sony, this mode replaces complex photographic settings with more easily understood phrases like “Background Defocus” and “Brightness,” giving users direct access to many common manual settings. It also offers quick and easy access to Picture Effects, which includes popular modes like Pop Color, Selective Color, Toy Camera and Miniature Mode.
Sony PlayMemories™ Camera Apps
The growing assortment of downloadable PlayMemories Camera Apps adds a range of exciting and powerful features to the a5000 camera. Shooters can pick from a variety of free to nominal cost apps to broaden creative options, experiment with new effects, learn new photography techniques and more.
There are 16 apps currently available, including an upgraded version of “Time Lapse 2.0,” which intelligently and automatically adjusts exposure for changing lighting conditions over of the course of a time lapse sequence. A new free “Sync to Smartphone” app automatically transfers shots to a pre-registered smartphone or tablet each time the camera is switched off.
New Sony Alpha Lenses and Accessories
The new camera is compatible with Sony’s ever-growing assortment of E-mount interchangeable lenses, which now includes a new version of the popular SEL55210 lens (55-210mm, F4.5-6.3). Identical in optics to the existing silver 55-210mm E-mount zoom lens, this new version has a black finish to match many of Sony’s latest E-mount cameras.
In total, 20 different lenses are now available for Sony’s E-mount system with several premium models from Carl Zeiss® and G Series Lenses.
Additionally, there is a new sleek designed body case – the LCS-EBB model – that serves as a perfect travel companion for the a5000 camera.
Pricing and Availability
The Sony a5000 compact interchangeable lens camera will be available in March 2014 in silver, black and white for about $600 in a kit with a compact, versatile 16-50mm motorized zoom lens (model SELP1650).
The new, black-finish E 55-210mm (SEL55210) zoom lens will be available in March for about $350.
The new camera and all compatible lenses and accessories will be available at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) and other authorized dealers nationwide.
Please follow #SonyAlpha on twitter for the latest Alpha camera news.
0 Responses
Interesting, Still waiting for the Nex-7 successor though
same here.
Same aswell
PREORDERED! https://store.sony.com/a5000-compact-interchangeable-lens-digital-camera-zid27-ILCE5000L//cat-27-catid-All-Alpha-NEX-Cameras;pgid=zeh.EzZeFPVSRpDNUFUX6Old0000C3uAzCVT?_t=pfm%3Dsearch%26SearchTerm%3Da5000
It’s looks more like the Nex 5t successor.
I agree. To me this looks like they replaced the NEX3 with the a3000, NEX5 with the a5000, NEX6 with a6000, etc… I never understood the reason for having 4 NEX cameras. If they dropped the a37 then they could easily drop the NEX3.
Its not a nex-5 successor, nex-5 has 10fps
its got a lower build quality which would make it lower than a 5T,
namely:
-the display seems to only tilt up but not down
-lower res screen (460k)
-less dials
-no port for the viewfinder attachment
what i don’t understand is why this is called the a5000 and looks so different to the a3000, is a6000 going to be the NEX 5 series successor, a7000 the NEX 6 successor and a9000 be the NEX 7 successor???
because then the a3000 would look really out of place
Sort of like the RX10?
They might call the NEX5 series replacement A500 to mark it as a higher class device and A70 or A700 for the NEX7 replacement. Anyway they have to fill the gap between highest class A7 and lowest A3000 & A5000 with products.
two and three digitnames are already occupied by dslr and slt lines.
The NEX5 successor should have a hot shoe, or at least an accessory port that can accept a radio trigger.
Lol, which radio trigger?
How about any that fit into a hot shoe? I use one on with the NEX 6 and A7…
Allacax, a Chinese company, has a radio trigger designed for the NEX-5 accessory port. It’s inexpensive on ebay. And there are hot shoe adapters, too.
There are no 3rd party multi-port accessories and Sony does not make a wireless trigger. The NEX hot shoe is dead. One may only use radio poppers or pocket wizards in manual mode only.
The NEX-5 can accept a flash trigger via a hotshoe adapter such as:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/05/23/NEX-Proshop-launches-Shadow-hotshoe-adapter
I don’t think so. This seems too low end to be a true NEX-5 replacement. No thumb wheel, touch screen or accessory port. That’s just too many features to remove.
Sony’s naming convention is baffling but I think we just have to wait it out and maybe it’ll all make sense.
This appears to be the new lowest end NEX-style e-mount body.
No thumb wheel, touch screen or accessory port; and it has the slimmer grip and replaces the NEX 3 in the scrolling lineup on the website. So seems pretty clearly the NEX 3 replacement not the NEX 5.
I’m not clear on how you are disagreeing with me…
Sorry, that was meant as an agreement based on what you said plus the shape of the grip and an observation about the website.
2014 is going to be Sony’s year, indeed…
Sony’s mirrorless, maybe… More and more compacts, no serious bodies or glass
New 55-210 has SteadyShot image stabilization.
So did the old silver one. Works great!
Yeah but now it has a sleek black finish. How’s that for innovation?
2013 saw the release of the ZA 50/1.4 Planar, the 70-400/4-5.6G II, the 70-200/2.8G II, the LA-EA4 fullframe A-mount adapter, a firmware update for the A77 and 2 firmware updates for the A99.
We’re barely 6 days into 2014 – it’s a little too early to gripe about Sony abandoning the A-mount.
Big deal. The 70-400 and 70-200 got faster SSM a paint job and a hike in price…but the huge gaps in lens line-up continues.
What you appear to forget is the lack of REAL A-mount releases for YEARS and then go on to think that releasing minor tweaks and lens database updates for the A77/99 is a good thing, well let’s all get the flags out for Sony and their fantastic A-mount support…
Based on your statement about big gaps in lens lineup, I assume you mean to compare Sony to Canon and Nikon so let’s do that. The grass isn’t exactly greener over there.
Sony’s 2012-2013
70-200/2.8G II – refresh, AF speed improvement, price hike
70-400/4-5.6G II – refresh, AF speed improvement, price hike
50/1.5 ZA Planar – new release
Canon’s 2013:
200-400/4L – hugely expensive, vanity release
Nikon’s 2013:
80-400/4.5-5.6G VR – refresh, AF speed improvements, price hike
800/5.6 VR – hugely expensive, vanity release
58/1.4G – new release
As for no new A-mount bodies, the A99 was released in 2012 which makes it the same vintage as the 5D Mark III and the D800/D800E. The A77 is older than the D7100 but newer than the 7D.
Some of these product releases mean more for some photographers than others. That’s why we have a free market here. But looking at the big picture, I’m seeing a distinct lack of greener grass in Canon and Nikon’s sides of the fence.
Sorry for the typo, I meant “Sony’s 2013”. I originally meant to include 2012 but I actually decided against it because it was actually pretty biased against Canon, who released several refreshed lenses that year, each with massive markups and attracting the ire of Canon fanboys would have just obscured the reality that Sony is no more abandoning its A-mount than Canon and Nikon are abandoning their respective mounts.
There will always be more consumer/low-end product releases than high-end/pro product releases because consumers are the ones that you can fool into thinking that cameras spoil after a year and that a long list of lenses you could buy (but won’t) is more important than the very short list of lenses you will actually use.
Wesley you are comparing apples and oranges. CaNikon don’t need to release a lot of lenses and bodies in 2013 because they ALREADY HAVE THEM.
What I presented was a straight, apples to apples comparison of what Canon, Sony, and Nikon did in 2013 to develop and improve their respective ecosystems. I’m sure Canon pros who have invested into their systems are comforted knowing that Canon thinks itself so awesome it can start phoning it in.
If that’s the attitude you want from a camera manufacturer, might I suggest the Hasselblad Lunar as well?
In the meantime, note that Sony updated their pro telezoom – you say “big deal”, but Canon’s competing lens, the 100-400/4.5-5.6L IS USM, is badly in need of a refresh both optically and mechanically and Canon photogs who rely this lens for paying gigs are left waiting while Sony laps them (or possibly negotiating a second mortgage to buy Canon’s new $12k 200-400/4L monster).
I’ll leave the blow by blow of comparing everyone’s lens lineups to elsewhere on the Internet where they can be fodder for “mine is longer than your’s” pissing contests. Suffice to say, I believe choice in the marketplace is a good thing and real choice is more than just “same gear, different logo”. It means different products from companies with different priorities and strategies.
If Sony’s strategy isn’t to your (or other’s) liking, then might I suggest being a consumer and letting your requirements, rather than brand loyalty, take priority in your purchasing decisions (I know I sound silly saying this to someone who goes by the moniker “AlphaGuy” but there it is).
Hmm, how do you draw that conclusion from this announcement?
for that price just wait a bit and take the 6. It’s a bit disappointing that they do not want to put an ISo/standard hotshoe on the entry levels. OK no evf but the hotshoe can be a big disadvantage if you dont have it…
if beginners are price conscious then they would be reluctant to spend freely on photography gear, and would be unlikely to buy a external flash units for a cheaper, stripped down model.
personally, the more differentiation between the 3 series and 5 series the better, and if they are able to reduce the number of parts and save cost, the cheaper and more price competitive they can sell these things
That’s bullshit. If the cost of adding a hotshoe is circa $1.5, then camera should have it. It doesn’t matter what would a user do with it.
you can just use an adapter. it even has TTL. costs around 25$ max. don’t know what your problem is.
As expected no love for Alpha DSLRs from Sony. It’s worse than if they don’t exist. They were actually mocked for their bulk during the a5000 presentation. Nice job, Sony!
Is that the smell of death?
Can you blame them?
Its the consumer electronic show, not a professional photography show. That’s next month in Las Vegas.
PhotoPro Expo 2014 (Feb 6 -10) is the most likely launch window followed by Photokina ’14 (Sept 16-21).
I’ve got the feeling that the new cameras are going to be very expensive. Gulp.
Don’t worry about the A-Mount its going to shed all of the weight soon enough.
The mirror-less A-mounts are being readied, but they are being designed for semi-pro/professional customers.
if the Specs are correct 4K, 54mp non-bayer ff, 36mp APS-C, and both are 1/3 the size of the A99.
and they’re likely going to be expensive. Start saving.
Sure hope they have an AF solution far better than any other mirrorless. If it doesn’t AF-C any faster than the A77 it doesn’t matter how they price it.
This.
Mirrorless is useless for me.
> and both are 1/3 the size of the A99
So more toys then. What about normal-sized cameras?
Add a battery grip, and a lead weight.
“Its the consumer electronic show, not a professional photography show. That’s next month in Las Vegas.
PhotoPro Expo 2014 (Feb 6 -10) is the most likely launch window followed by Photokina ’14 (Sept 16-21).
I’ve got the feeling that the new cameras are going to be very expensive. Gulp.”
Sorry to be such a drag but I took graduate level marketing and Sony… well, the handwriting’s on the wall.
I just ditched the Sony CES live feed when during the Q&A Sony COMPLETELY dodged a direct question on the future of the a-mount. I’m serious. The guy starts talking about QX lenses consumers can attach to smartphones. Really? You could tell he was fumbling to cover up as he mumbled non-specifics about Sony always will cover a full range of imaging products if there’s consumer interest.
If Sony’s a-mount plans are still super-squirrel secret he could have just said Sony will have a big announcement down the line. It’s the ONLY question he dodged.
More to your point, Sony featured no less than 3 interchangeable lens cameras: all e-mounts. They even brought out a prize winning photographer to showcase the already released a7/a7R mirrorless cameras (yawn) plus their announcement on the NEX3/5 replacement a5000.
I guess I should give up on the a-mount having a future other than being bound to a e-mount shooter with an adapter. Far, far from ideal from a handling perspective but I can adjust. Then I just have to wait for a mirrorless that matches the DSLR specs I expect. With the short-of-the-mark a7/a7R just out, they likely won’t be replaced until late 2015/2016. Patience….
“if the Specs are correct 4K, 54mp non-bayer ff, 36mp APS-C, and both are 1/3 the size of the A99.
and they’re likely going to be expensive. Start saving.”
No problem. The 54mp sensor is at least a year off. Probably longer. I’ve got more than enough time. If it’s more than $3,000 it’s not a matter of time. It’s not that I don’t have the money, a DSLR FF just ain’t worth that kind of scratch to me. I’d rather put it into a new sports car.
Don’t get me started on 4k. I think there’s a lot of wishful thinking on Sony’s part. Sony is desperate to reinvigorate TV sales and 1080p is mature and saturated. They’re boasting being the ONLY end-to-end 4k supporter. That says something. No? Not all of it good. If 4k becomes as cheap as 1080p I’m sure consumers will go 4k then – it’s an easy choice. But who’s going to run out and ditch their perfectly fine 1080p TVs with zippo 4k content to consume?
But you’re right. I see Sony pushing 4k across product lines and there’s a gap in interchangeable lens cameras desperate to be filled and we both know 4k ain’t going to come cheap so might as well stuff it in an over-priced a-mount you don’t care about selling in volume anyhow. Poor sales justify axing the line you probably already lean towards axing.
If the new a-mounts are 1/3 the size of the current DSLRs I have to ask what’s the point? They’re just e-mounts you don’t need an adapter for. I get people who love e-mounts like smaller bodies. They need to get there are a lot of people who like the handling of the larger DSLR bodies. That exact sentiment came out in a pro review I just read of the a7/a7R.
Sony apparently thinks – and they could be right – they can’t compete with Canikon in DSLRs so they’ll carve out a market elsewhere in mirrorless. I think they’re wrong but it’s not my job on the line and I’m not so close to the problem as they are.
I really like my a65. There’s not going back I own so many a-mount lenses. But I keep wondering if I didn’t make a mistake going Nikon. Too late now.
The way I (A77 user) look at it is that if Sony ditch A-mount I will be able to pick up used A77, A900 and A99 bodies for peanuts on eBay. 😉 I already have the lenses I want to use on FF.
I actually was online with esupport who confirmed A-Mounts are enroute so Craig is way off the mark. The A-Mount may have a generation or two left.
I’ m not interested in the A77 replacement. The D800 has been on sale lately for $500.00 off, and they seem to have decent prices on their lenses as well. Maybe I’ll get a Nikon body, and 24-70, 70-200, 35 f/1.4, 85mm f/1.4 lenses just in case.
Looks like a spank train of pain ahead for a-mount users. Better tighten your ass cheeks and put your helmet on. Spank train a comin.
LOL. I see that train coming down the line too.
Nice camera and good pricing.
2 negatives from me…
Sony app purchases are allowed only in very few countries. Apps on the Nex(sorry alpha) are a great idea but sadly sony limiting the app purchases to only a handful of countries limits revenues, developers and consumers interest.
That screen needs a quality upgrade.
With the price drop of the NEX-6, I would much rather purchase the NEX-6.
exactly, et least N6 is a real camera!!
the a5k’s MSRP at $600 is clearly ridiculous,
and more ominously it seems to point that more
such truly farce pricing is on the wall for
other future releases
Grip, no grip… they just can’t decide what to do with the entry level cam.
I think the A5000 is a bit disappointing though, was hoping at least on par with
Nex 7 resolutions. The only plus side I can think of compared to 5T is just new sensor
of 20.1 mp but I mean is it so hard to get to 24MP like nex 7 after so long. ISO is only up to 16000, so I am wondering how is it going to perform in low light compared to 5T’s 25600 limit. I hope it will be usable at ISO 3200 at least. I hope the nex 7
successor will be better. Have been holding my 5N for so long that I want a upgrade.
This is not a 5T replacement so it won’t have all the stuff from the 5 series cameras. This is a decent refresh of the NEX 3N. Smaller size, better grip, 20mp sensor, better processor from A7, Menu system from A7, NFC and Wifi + apps. I don’t get why people who won’t buy this camera are disappointment. SAR clearly stated that a 3N replacement was to be announced today. 5T will probably be replaced after the summer as the 5T is only 4 months old.
Yes, and is identical to the 17 months old 5r
Remember that this is now the ENTRY LEVEL model. I don’t think it is reasonable to expect 24MP, an electronic viewfinder, a fully articulated screen, etc. on an entry level camera.
If it’s Sony’s entry-level, they missed the mark on the price.
I am thinking it is a 5T replacement as they have similar RRP. If Sony charge same price they should provide something better as a update. If A5000 is 3N replacement they should have same RRP for 3N not the same price as 5T and with lesser quality parts like the screen. Personally think nex 7 successor should have something more 24MP sensor and some other improvement to justified the upgrade and 5 and 6 serious should have at the least the nex 7 comparable specs.
They are not the same price. The 5T’s initial pricing was 700US with the 16-50. But apparently, they did crank the price over the 3N by 100US.
YEEEESSS !!!! new menu style finally !!
No obvious way to add an EVF. Interesting.
Sure there is. It’s called the A3000. You just attach your lenses to it. 😉
still no Windows Phone compatible… my Lumia 920 has NFC and Wifi, is it so hard to a company like sony to release an App for WP8!!!
“still no Windows Phone compatible… my Lumia 920 has NFC and Wifi, is it so hard to a company like sony to release an App for WP8!!!”
I own a Nokia 920, too. I’m with out on that.
I seem to own stuff Sony refuses to support. WP8 and Sony a-mounts. 8^)
I heared it works with another windows phone app, google for it.
Yes, there is a free third party app (Remote Camera) made by a guy who visits DPR E-mount forums now and then. Though I much appreciate his work, it is very simple and lacks live view feed and much other stuff. As of now it simply works as a blind remote trigger.
I have been nagging on Sony support and their representatives on photo fairs for a year now about a WP Playmemories app, still zero result.
hmm ok didn’t know it’s lacking livestream, bit pointless then. However a Sony windows phone is expected to come very soon (today?). So the platform should be supported very soon and playmemories app is going to be released soon for sure.
Same problem here… I have a Lumia 820 and no apps for my NEX-5R.
Well to be fair you did choose to get a Windows phone knowing that app support is very poor and will be for some time (forever?). I swapped from Windows 8 to Android and am glad I did.
it looks like the naming system is this now, right?
Ax -> FF mirroless
Axx -> SLT
Axxx -> SLR
Axxxx -> APS-C mirroless
r -> no AA filter
i think that in future models they should do like they did in the RX100 series, put romanic numbers to name future models (ex: A7 II, A77 IV…), or in 3 years they will have to change everything again…
wrong place…
As the Admin stated at the top of the article, this A5000 is more of a replacement for the 3N than the 5T. While it does bring the WiFi and NFC from the 5-series to the new “entry-level”, it’s other specs seem to come straight from the 3N – 460K dot LCD, zoom lever around shutter button, built-in pop-up flash and no hot shoe, 4fps continuous shooting, and 1080/60i/24p but not 60p (based on published specs at Sony Store). The sensor looks to be the same one from the A3000. Looks like 20 megapixels is the new 16.
Gotta say though, Sony’s naming now really seems a bit confusing. What’ll the NEX-7 successor be named now, A7000, or A6 and A6R?
Hmm, maybe it’s now 4-digits for entry-level and 1-digit for high end models… Kind of like… Nikon.
Yeah, like the d800? Or d610?
I think alpha with 4 digits will be for aps-c e-mount. Only that would make sense to my mind.
But you know, it´s Sony, you´ll never know….
“The versatile new Sony a5000 camera (model ILCE-5000) is the world’s smallest and lightest interchangeable lens camera to feature the convenience of Wi-Fi connectivity”
They know Panasonic GM1 is smaller and lighter, right? Even without a lens, and Pana 12-32 is smaller and lighter than Sony 16-50 too.
The sony dude during the presentation noted that it was the smallest APS-C mirrorless.
They should have kept the NEX name.
+1, it makes more sense than if you put a a3000 and a5000 together in a display cabinet at the shops
+1+1+1
Sony Marketing guys seems to have wasted an established and succesful brand.
I like my cameras to be called Nex (like Lext Gen) rather than Alpha 5000. I think Samsung would have raised an objection as they were first to launch APSC mirrorless and call it NX series.
Did anyone notice when asked is sony is moving away from A-mount for e-mount, the question was segued but never answered. I am not one of these people that come on here heralding the death of A-mount but that was not a good sign or maybe he was not in a position to speak about it. I don’t know am just saying.
I absolutely don’t trust Sony.
I think Sony intends to screw its A-Mount users. I’m not buying another lens, flash or body from the company. Its time to sell, and move to a company that’s honest.
If they intend to kill off the A-Mount let us know so we can begin the transition to Canon, or Nikon.
Didn’t you just earlier post . . .
“Don’t worry about the A-Mount its going to shed all of the weight soon enough.
The mirror-less A-mounts are being readied, but they are being designed for semi-pro/professional customers.
if the Specs are correct 4K, 54mp non-bayer ff, 36mp APS-C, and both are 1/3 the size of the A99.
and they’re likely going to be expensive. Start saving.”
Please explain . . . I am confused?
You think you confused, I’m kind of shocked after hearing the C-Mount comment from the Sony CES rep.
I’m hearing two conflicting reports. That Sony is going to move the A-Mount to a mirror-less solution, with the A99’s replacement being their professional line of camera, and a A77 replacement being the professional APS-C solution.
The other is that Sony is going to eliminate the A-Mount, and move entirely to the E-Mount (Sony A8/A9). Which means all of my glass will rapidly depreciate, and I just bought the 70200G2.
Who knows maybe they’ll do both.
After watching CES 2014, and reading Craig’s post I’m beginning to think that earlier reports are wrong. Maybe the A77/A99 replacements were actually canceled.
“After watching CES 2014, and reading Craig’s post I’m beginning to think that earlier reports are wrong. Maybe the A77/A99 replacements were actually canceled.”
Let me clarify.
I suspect you’re right and the a-mount *technically* will be around for a rev or 2 more. So I imagine we’ll *technically* see some sort of future a-mount dribble.
However, let’s put all the rumors together. It’s been rumored Sony wants to merge the a-mount/e-mount. In that vein, Sony is rumored to be coming out with transitional bodies. Add in rumors – that you repeated – the a-mount is going completely mirrorless and it’s form-factor is going to shrink to parrot the e-mount. Look at the *fact* Sony is dumping the NEX e-mount branding distinction to merge the marketing. Then look at Sony being ABSOLUTELY CRICKETS on the future of a-mounts and dodging questions while HEAVILY PROMOTING e-mounts. Sony gave us their immediate vision at CES and they gave us 4k, e-mounts, and shrinking personal devices for the sake of tiny. Where does a-mounts fit in? Nascent 4k?
Oh, while ignoring a-mounts they did mention doggie cams – seriously.
I think the reason Sony is being so mum is because they expect a small (relative to their NEX fan base) DSLR fan base like myself to be none too excited about the dramatic handling characteristic changes of the new, limited option line-up.
For NEX fans who can’t imagine any rational human liking the ‘bulky’ DSLRs. Canikon is doing quite well pumping out bodies to folks like myself who don’t like the technical limitations and uncomfortable handling (for me) of tiny mirrorless bodies. However, given Sony’s PATHETIC marketing of DSLRs relative to NEX’s going way back to when I bought my a65, you can see where they feel they can compete and where they can’t.
Could it be the new a-mounts aren’t so much for DSLR a-mounters but aspirational bodies for the NEX crowd? Doubtful but it’s a thought.
Despite all my criticism of Sony, I’m grateful they continue to support a-mount adapters and are offering a-mount owners some future, if dramatically dwindling, a-mount body options. I would like to add, when questioned, part of the guy’s rambling dodge of an answer glossed over some brief, broad mention of pros. So, maybe the rumors you mention a-mounts will become the high-end, über expensive bodies targeted to pros – completely abandoning the current large amateur user base – is true. However, given Sony’s lousy a-mount system support and without amateurs to drive economies of scale (in say lenses), how can they attract pros?
If the admin can get some clarification on the a-mount’s future it would be nice but I predict most likely it’ll confirm we’re approaching a transitional end of the line. However, I doubt anything will be cancelled in the immediate future.
Despite my very long previous comment, one final thought. I suspect – admin can maybe confirm – the reason for the lack of a-mount information and Sony endlessly putting off making product announcements is because they underestimated the technical issues of bring DSLR performance to mirrorless a-mounts designed to replace them. The Sony a7/a7R prove they still have a way’s to go on that front.
Sorry Craig. I got to speak to someone in the know (really in the know), and the A-Mount does has a vibrant future. In fact most of this afternoon was spent/wasted doing this.
I also worked at a marketing company for many years, and I know the value of keeping product information secure. The A-Mount transitioning to mirror-less isn’t a small undertaking, it will really shake the industry’s perception of what a professional camera really is.
This would definitely be a watershed moment for the industry and a defining moment for Sony. They intend to be the market leaders. This is the equivalent to Ford transitioning its entire fleet to Hydrogen.
I’ll re-post this for you to read
Sony is a mirror-less camera manufacturer. The SLTs are the exception to the rule
Sony is a recognized leader in the mirror-less segment. Its NEX 3, 5, and A7 are solid sellers that are profitable, and likely sell for healthy margins, as opposed to the consumer DSLRs with wafer thin margins.
Mirror-less is the future of interchangeable lens cameras whether we want to believe it or not. Sony hasn’t been a strong player in the DSLR market, and their share has only ever been marginal at best.
The mirror-less market is growing, and the DSLR segment is in rapid decline. Sony isn’t stupid and they know some fights are best avoided.
It is in Sony’s interest to move the A-Mount bodies to mirror less where they’ll likely sell more of them, for higher margins, growing their user base, and avoid losing/alienating their current customers/Target Audience (Who spend thousands of dollars yearly, as opposed to hundreds). They would establish an immediate A-Mount user base (in the millions) within in the mirror less segment uncontested.
Sony will then be the world #1 mirror-less camera manufacturer.
Because in the end its all about the money.
I wish you luck finding a honest company in this day and age. I would hold on to your A-mount for at least another year before you make that decision.
I guess I’ll have to wait. I was just on the Sony support website where their customer service rep stated that “Several Cameras are in the works and will be released soon (I’m assuming he meant A-Mount)”, and the A-Mount was definitely not discontinued and further releases are to be expected. Good thing because I would have returned my recent purchase SAL70200G2.
They confirmed that a-mount is going to continue to be supported when AP pushed them on it (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/540126/sony-on-alpha-7r-we-are-not-quitting-a-mount). That said, I’m not planning on investing in anything more than the a77 upgrade until there’s more certainty.
“Its time to sell, and move to a company that’s honest.”
hahahahaha, that’s funny, its very hard to find a good honest company, in the end most of them just want to squeeze as much money from you as possible
“If they intend to kill off the A-Mount let us know so we can begin the transition to Canon, or Nikon.”
that is exactly the reasoning why Sony would not want people to know!
The answer to that question was truly frightening on a few levels. He didn’t know what A mount was. Said they were focused on the C mount (whatever that is) and identified customers as beginners to prosumers
A stark reminder that Sony is a consumer electronics company and the higher ups know little about cameras.
C = Hybrid? Although I’m personally skeptical about the technology.
+1.
That’s the story, and they do well when they stick to consumer products. It’s just that they would like to have the aura glow of pros using big Sony-branded SLRs, like Canikon has.
The A-mount never was serious competition to Canikon, but the Es are successful. It stands to reason that A is getting ditched. Maybe first consolidate, see if the market changes, if not, gone.
“A stark reminder that Sony is a consumer electronics company and the higher ups know little about cameras.”
Hammer, nail, head.
It is CES I suppose… To be fair last time I went into a Sony store they didn’t know the difference between a nex and a p&s so it’s not surprising their people come out with made up mounts!
Very good point and analysis
We had reassurances from Kimio Maki late last year that A-mount was not going to be abandoned so we ought to feel secure on that point, but the cluelessness of the top guys in Sony about cameras is now very clear and explains a lot
Compare and contrast with the CEOs of the other camera companies who are actually photo enthusiasts themselves
So goes the NEX brand name.
Petition to upgrade A77 & A99 to BIONZ X. I am even willing to pay for the upgrade.
WHOA. Andrea, maybe you should post an addendum regarding this:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/5280024/sony-handycam-fdr-ax100-camcorder-shoots-4k
It looks fucking awesome!
From Engadget:
“There’s a 14.2-megapixel 1-inch Exmor R CMOS sensor and a BIONZ X processor, enabling full-resolution 4K shooting at 24p and 30p with XAVC S encoding. There’s an optically stabilized Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lens with 12x optical zoom and a seven-bladed aperture, which Sony claims should offer some significant bokeh. A new My Voice Canceling feature reduces vocals from behind the camera, serving to minimize capturing the videographer’s own voice. There’s a 3.5-inch (921k-dot) LCD and an OLED viewfinder for framing; 1/4, 1/16 and 1/64 ND filters; WiFi with smartphone control; and output to a 4K TV via a single HDMI cable. Sony’s Handycam AX100 4K camcorder is set to ship in March for $2,000.”
And a 25-300 f2.8 Zeiss zoom lens to boot!
wow, not bad.
I am excited because:
1. This confirms that this chip + Bionz X processor is capable of final 4K movie output
2. There is an improved codec implementation for Bionz X (XAVC-S). If you read the CNET news release, there is a cheaper version of the AX100 that only does 1080p60 @ 50 Mb/s for $1500.
There is renewed hope for future still cameras using Bionz X. I sincerely wish that Sony will stop crippling movie capability with AVCHD.
alpha rumor?
no, but this sensor could be used in cameras like RX10 and RX100 and enable 4k shooting in even smaller packages very soon. I know, still no “alpha” but forget about this alpha, this site is about most Sony cameras including higher end compacts and smartphones.
I’m guessing this uses the same sensor as the A3000? If so, lots of megapixels, but don’t expect much in the high-ISO department.
This myth has been debunked so many times it’s not worth repeating. Look at the samples from the a58 vs the 16mp cameras for some enlightenment. Stop letting people tell you that more resolution somehow hurts high iso performance. It doesn’t.
Basically a NEX 3n iteration with wi-fi & NFC added, for $100 than the 3n launch price? And the Nikon D3300 DSLR announced the same day for $650?
I think the market is too weak for the pricing. Launch should be $450 (what the 3n actually sold for shortly after launch).
This doesn’t look anything like the A3000. It’s a Nex aps-c type, more like a Nex 5r successor, but another confusing naming scheme. Guess Sony is really losing lots of “talents” in the co.
I have like a cars worth of sony a mount stuff. If they don’t knock my socks off with alpha news soon I’m filing for divorce. I don’t even care that I forgot about the pre-nup. Out you go and off to some dirty nikon or canon whore. Its a sad day for an alpha shooter.
Yes. Yes, indeed. All my a mount stuff is going on the eBay and I’m going to buy a good m4/3 body and a few lenses and be done with it. I’ve used a nex camera and didn’t care for it. I like long focal length lenses so nex has absolutely nothing for me except gigantic slow zooms like the 55-210. And before anyone flames me, I used to own it.
Funny you should say that. I just got done looking at an olymus em-1 and was seriously impressed. I just got a PEN series to play around with and about to purchase the 75mm 1.8 on ebay- beautiful lens. I shoot mostly longer stuff and the m43rd’s has some interesting options for this. I plan on keeping my alpha FF camera and lenses while selling off the apsc stuff. I’ll ditch the alpha stuff too if I’m not convinced of longterm support soon. Interesting times indeed.
Yeah I used an olympus four thirds (not mirrorless) system before buying a nex and then an alpha slt model. I look back and still like the look of the images from that camera and it’s been well eclipsed image quality wise by the current crop (pun not intended) of micro 4/3 models. I’m just tiring of seeing camera after camera and lens after lens being announced for e mount. Also, I genuinely feel that sony is planning to transition to an all mirrorless model for all their cameras. Not trying to start a war here about the end of a mount but this is just what I think. And I also have no intention of paying their silly prices for the lenses they do release for a mount. $3000 for a 70-200 with a 20-30 yr old optical design!!?? Are they serious? This is the stuff that leads me to think that sony has moved or is moving a mount into something I have no desire to be a part of. They have some great minolta glass they could modernize and re-release and sell, they had the great plastic fantastic lenses, pioneered evf for reflex cameras (I know they aren’t SLR cameras btw) but they have moved on and I think I will too.
I refuse to buy an adapter to mount my lenses on a nex (I will always think of them as nex) and I absolutely refuse to mount my flash on a adapter to buy a new camera.
Without a viewfinder who is the target market ? I understand that with usable high iso anything but fill flash is overkill (for a pocket camera), but without a SLR style finder how is this much better than a cell phone.
Considering that 90 percent of all photos are taken in the 35-70 mm range (i am guessing), big zooms on a cell phone sized camera may not be much of an attraction.
This really (in my opinion) should have been a aps version of the a7r. I say this because almost everybody that asks me for a recommendation for a camera, wants a SLR style viewfinder, fast focus and 16-20 mega-pixels. The few others want a weather sealed hiking & rafting pocket camera, that is a little better than their cell phone.
Target market is mommies across the good ol’ US of A. Oh, it fits in my mommy soccer bag. Wow, other mommies will dig my small camera when I slap on that cheapo tele lens for pics of the weee little ones.
I don’t know, maybe hypsters who can’t afford an A7 or want one. Now that I think about it, who really is buying these things?
Could be for soccer/football moms. But they can borrow hubbies lenses from his Nex-7 or A7 kit and use them on this camera for the dance recital or baseball game.
Honestly cameras are just tools and you can get pro results from this little camera. With available light and the right lens nobody would know that you took pics with this camera. With some tinkering you can fire off camera flash with it as well. What counts is the sensor and lens you use so, although the target market is probably women and teens this camera is very capable. I suspect that is the reason they don’t add a hot shoe because if they did a lot of people would not bother with a 5 6 or 7. When I use the 3n women are always the first to ask what camera is that and how small and cute it is etc…. I would be very happy with the 3n if it had a hot shoe.
I also forgot to add that for me at least. I find my self not using the view finder very often on my nex-6. It comes in handy when it is very bright outside but other than that life without one is not half as bad as I thought it would be.
I agree that a screen is better for composition and one doesn’t need a viewfinder in most cases, especially if one is so lucky that owns a Samsung with big and bright screen instead of a NEX. But… when you use telelens, there is nothing better than a good viewfinder. Even image stabilization does not make up for that.
Wrong target market, the ones you referring to, should be waiting for the NEX 7 replacement, though if Sony ditches the rangefinder look of the NEX 7 in favor of the A7/r look, get ready for a whole where’s my D700 club.
Oh and it’ll be more expensive then the A5000, probably double the price.
Geez what a naming mess… they let monkeys name their products?
Well they appear to let monkeys develop and test their cameras, so why not?
May or may not be a mess, we need to see what the higher level E-mount cameras end up being called and what they do with A-mount. Right now they have a A3000 and A5000 APS-C E-mount and A7 in E-mount FF. None of the A-mount new name cameras have come out yet. It is possible the A-mount will keep the 2-digit naming format it has now but anything is possible.
t looks like the naming system is this now, right?
Ax -> FF mirroless
Axx -> SLT
Axxx -> SLR
Axxxx -> APS-C mirroless
r -> no AA filter
i think that in future models they should do like they did in the RX100 series, put romanic numbers to name future models (ex: A7 II, A77 IV…), or in 3 years they will have to change everything again…
Possible, but a few changes in my opinion:
Ax -> FF Mirrorless
Axx -> FF SLT
Axxx -> APS-C SLT
Axxxx -> APS-C Mirrorless
r -> no AA filter (or higher mp but no AA filter)
Yes, I kinda like the idea of RX100 and RX100 II, they don’t have to ever add new numbers anymore and just need to continue the romanic number, so who knows in the future you might see a RX100 X
Seems like the price point ($600) is too high for an entry level NEX mirrorless camera that the NEX3 replacement is supposed to represent. This seems to be more of an in between NEX3 and NEX5 level camera, an NEX4 if you will. They will likely have to release a lower cost, more budget conscious version to fill the gap.
Yeah, I think they will fix that “problem” differently”. The 5T replacement will be 100US more.
The A3000 is the entry level camera, The A5000 is similar to what Sony did with the A58, which is to say they released a 4-level camera and called it a 5 level. Better than the old 3N and priced more but not really a replacement for the NEX 5 series. It will be interesting to see if Sony replaces the NEX 7 or not, they may just go with a A6000 and leave the $1200 price level to the A7 like cameras. I see the same on the A-mount side, no real A77 successor but a new low end FF to fit the $1200 to $1600 price range, and a A65 successor.
Its hard to tell, but I would guess that this is the most likely outcome. There are too many models, across too many ‘platforms’ and too few sales. The lineup already consolidated once (a37) and will again. I could see 2-3x e mount aps-c models (low mid high), and 2x a mount aps-c models (mid and high), plus 1-2 high end ff e mount (a7/R) and 1-2 high end ff a mount TBD.
i think…
NEX-3 series successor = A5000, level goes in-between 3 and 5 series;
NEX-5 series successor = A7000, level goes in-between 5 and 7 series, no more 6 series;
NEX-7 series successor = A9000, level goes above 7 series, flagship APS-C ILC.
Makes sense. Then you add A3000, A6000 and A8000, which are the equivalent DSLR-shaped e-mount cameras. And then you start adding the APS-C a-mount cameras, and then….
Sounds to me they are combining the best of the NEX3 and 5 with the A5000. I think we will see the same with the NEX6 and 7 with the AXXXX. I don’t think we will see three NEX range finder style cameras, but will have three APS-C e-mount cameras A3000, A5000 and AXXXX.
As always, naiming mess, no new A-mount lenses, no improve on iso… Don’t know what to do with my A-mount system…
just get D3300 and be done 😉
Of course, it’s some sort of replacement also of the NEX-5T. Obviously this line with Smart Accessory Port is given up completely, but I would feel better about it, if this α5000 wouldn’t lack the Remote Control, Top Control Dial, the better grip and 50/60p Video.
BTW the official release promo video is interesting pointing out the target customer group: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0SfdonL6mk
…but this could mean the NEX-5 form factor is reserved for this future α5: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/the-super-compact-e-mount-full-frame-camera-patent
Ok so it has BIONZ-X but is there full pixel read out?
I don’t understand why there’s still no GPS integrated.
Especially for those small camera’s which are very handy when travelling, GPS should be a key feature. I hope Sony will implement it on the NEX6/7 successor. For me it’s a deal breaker.