APS-C E-mount cameras are literally dominating the Amazon mirrorless ranking (list here).
We are all waiting to see the new stuff at Photokina. But in the meantime …for months now(!) the most sold popular Sony camera at Amazon US (Click here to see the ranking) is the Sony NEX-6.
It’s a bit pity that only Sony E-mount FF lenses are about to be announced soon (16-35mm Zeiss, powerzoom lens and the Zeiss Loxia). Sony should really try to support those many APS-C E-mount owners and make some lenses for them too.
P.S.: Of course they can use the FE lenses too, but it’s really not the same thing (increased weight, increased price, missing focal lengths and so on…).
Reminder: Sony US is selling plenty of discounted ref. cameras:
$700 off on the [shoplink 28308 ebay]RX1R (Click here)[/shoplink].
$80 off on the [shoplink 28309 ebay]RX100 (Click here)[/shoplink].
$120 off on the [shoplink 28310 ebay]A77 with kit lens (Click here)[/shoplink].
Few [shoplink 28311 ebay]A900 bodies (Click here)[/shoplink].
$74 off on the [shoplink 28312 ebay]QX100 (Click here)[/shoplink].
Samys sells Open Box and $300 off [shoplink 28313 ebay]A7r bodies (Click here)[/shoplink].
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I wonder if at least 5% of ‘kit’ owners ever buy a lens. There must be stats, right?
The people complaining the most about the lack of lenses are generally the ones that never go beyond a kit lens.
Yeah…no
I really don’t think the people following this site are only kit lens users.
Where did you get that interesting statistic from?
I think I have read somewhere that people buy on average 1.5 lenses for their system cameras. That would mean that a significant number of people stick with just the kit lens.
It’s a little higher than that and varies by company but for Canon and Nikon DSLRs it’s about 1.5 to 2 yes.
Nex is for Soccer Moms. They don’t need any additional lenses.
Having a few more apsc lenses would be nice, but full frame lenses that will work on all E mount is probably a better long term strategy. Like, a nice 28mm f2 would be happily used by aps-c and full frame.
Agree, and would let the chance of user to upgrade their APS-C to FF without changing lenses (or using crop mode)
Better long term for whom? Sony’s profits? Certainly not better long term for APS-C. I left Nikon because they failed to support high-end DX. What you are suggesting is that ALL APS-C users pay more price, size, and weight even if they have no intention of ever going full frame. NO! They should have smaller, lighter, cheaper APS-C lenses as well, for those who prioritize such things. Although maybe Sony is taking Sigma’s words to heart about how Sigma won’t build FE lenses anytime soon, so Sony will have to do most of the FE work themselves. Zeiss is nice but overpriced.
The A7 is already very small and portable, and I think it makes little sense for Sony to spend resources developing APSC-specific lenses. For those who really care enough to need a fast wide, full frame is the right option. And for those who can’t deal with carrying more, there’re smartphones. Unfortunately NEX is in an awkward middle.
So according to you, it’s either full frame or smartphones, nothing in-between makes any sense. Right. Please be a little less self-centered. Maybe you don’t mind a larger, heavier FF body, and larger, heavier lenses. But some people want to keep body + lens sizes down as much as possible while still retaining APS-C. And they don’t want to pay more for lenses than necessary!
Compare APS-C camera + 3 lenses vs FF + 3 lenses.
FF prices would be much higher. That’s a given. More glass and materials. Look at the slow FE f/2.8 pancake lens at $800. The SEL35F18 OSS is faster, HAS OSS, and is half the price, and smaller too. f/1.8 APS-C vs. f/2.8 FF, the APS-C actually has about the same DOF.
Size/weight adds up. A few ounces here, a few ounces there, added to every single piece of FF body and lens, and soon you have defeated one of the main points of mirrorless.
Then there are side effects like how taking candids gets harder and harder the bigger your lens is. Few people enjoy FF lenses pointed at them, even APS-C isn’t great but at least it’s not as scary for them.
And the focal lengths don’t necessarily translate well after 1.5x crops.
Just because it would work for you does not mean it would work well for others!
We’re all just expressing our subjective opinions. That’s a given. Don’t call me “self-centered” just because mine is different from yours. I understand you want to keep weight down–I had the NEX-7 and 6 and 5n myself (that is after lugging around 5Dii and before that a D700). I know. But now that the A7’s are out, and the used A7 is selling for $1000, I find that they tip the IQ/portability balance in their favor. My kit is now an M mount 35/1.4 and 75/1.4 on my A7 (I sold my old A7R to get a quieter shutter). The total weight is 500 + 350 + 500 grams. Still very light, and the IQ is much, much better than I ever got on the NEX’s. My point is if you care enough about photography to argue for a specific APSC fast wide lens, chances are you’d be okay with the weight of an A7 setup.
That aside, NEX lenses I always found too small. I don’t want super heavy, but a bit of weight and heft help to make photography feel more purposeful and the equipment less toyish.
You literally said if you can’t deal with the A7’s weight, to use a smartphone instead. No APS-H, APS-C, MFT, or 1″ sensor, not even a compact camera 1/1.7″ sensor. Go straight to smartphone. You literally said that. You are entitled to your opinion. Doesn’t mean it’s credible, and I do think it’s self-centered because you are basically pooh-poohing the vast majority of ILC system users who use APS-H, APS-C, MFT, and 1″ sensors.
Old glass is ok but some people want AF and in-body CA and distortion correction. You gonna tell those people to forget AF, forget in-body correction, and go buy from the finite pool of legacy glass instead? That’s not a real solution.
I agree with you. People have different situations and needs. I can bring the A6000 and lenses to work and on vacation, while it would be more difficult to do with FF cameras. And if people aren’t printing big or shooting in low light, why not APS-C?
I already said I used several NEX’s after FF SLRs. I have no interest in pooh poohing them. Don’t put words my mouth and use “literally” like you’re a high school girl. Indeed there’re fast wides for MFT. If you just spend a bit more go up to the A7, you can adapt fast M lenses (or wait for Zeiss). If you just go down to MFT, you can use native AF wides. And as is you can already use the SLR Magic 12mm f/2 MF. I continue to think if you care that much about photography to demand a specific APSC AF fast wide (and also refuse to spend/carry extra for FF coverage…), you’d save yourself a lot of pain by just going up to an A7.
You said that full frame isn’t that much heavier and if the weight meant that much to use smartphones. For some reason you keep being fixated on fast wides when that is not the point, the point is that all lenses will be bigger to cover a larger image circle, and cost more due to glass and typical overcharging by Sony for full-frame lenses. Now you’re backtracking. Quit it with your personal attacks.
So you are saying there is not much between APSC and FF lenses?
http://camerasize.com/compact/#33.89,487.392,ha,t
Also 200mm on APSC equals 300 on FF so the A7 with that lens doesn’t even have the same reach as the NEX7 with 200mm.
Also the APSC lens here starts from 18mm which makes it very versatile.
I know the FF lens here is brighter but I don’t need it and there is no alternative!
Show me a similar combo to my NEX7 + 18-200 Lens in FF that’s similar in size and I’ll upgrade even if it’s twice as expensive
But they are making most of their full frame lenses f/2.8, which leaves us APS-C users a little behind.
That’s true. I suppose a 24-70 f4 really doesn’t just the mustard on an A6000. So I agree, some 2.8 zooms, and some 1.4 primes would be nice (even if they’re a little larger), and would help everybody. And, some high quality zooms for the APS-c cameras wouldn’t be a bad idea (like Fuji’s). But aside from the APSc-specific zooms, it feels like the primes would make just as much sense being full frame and cropped.
Err… there are two FF prime lenses. One is f/2.8, the other f/1.8. That’s not most.
It’s clear Sony prioritise size with E-mount. I bought an A6000 and A7R knowing that, and I’m happy with them. I want to see more lenses like everyone else, but APS-C only will be rare now. Much like Canon and Nikon who, after a burst of APS-C lenses when digital was only APS-C, now rarely introduce new APS-C only lenses.
I can see there is still potential for a Pro APSC model higher than A6000, though A6000 is already a mighty camera.
I have the NEX5n and NEX7 – and would be very interested in a Pro model – with more manual dials and Touch LCD – but Sony does not seem to be committed to come out with more lenses for the E mount – I figure they sell so many to users that are just happy on the Green Auto setting and with their only kit lens – so why come out with a Pro model – as the Pros would just be frustrated with lack of lenses
Sony could just put an APS-C sensor inside an upgraded A7 body and call it A7000.
The ability to add a vertical grip would make it a much more pro oriented camera.
Of course there is and that’s the problem, they teased users when they launched the NEX-7 and NEX-6 back in 2011 but since then, they didn’t explored the potential much further – but Fuji has been capitalizing on that. And as they just got started on the FF side, they won’t be exploring that potential any time soon, so for those that bought NEX-7 thinking about growing together with the system, you either have to go FF, which some even preferred, or if you didn’t want to, too bad, you have to change system.
I liked my NEX-7 and 6 a lot and before them the 5n. They were very refreshing after lugging around 5Dii. But after the A7’s I’ll never go back to APSC again, and it’s a bit hard for me to imagine why anyone would want to (I just picked up a used A7 for $1000 only). Granted I use manual focus lenses so the lack of native lenses doesn’t affect me, but that’ll be solved in time.
You got to have in mind that just because it works for you, it doesn’t mean that it works for everyone or that people don’t have different needs. The A7’s cameras have some compromises that might not work for a lot people. For once, I want a more silent and steady shutter, snappier AF and faster fps. An A7000 would had been awesome, but in order to not hurt the A7’s cameras, Sony decided to not go higher-end, plus, they would have to back it up with lenses as well. So it’s not just a matter of FF vs APS-C, photographically speaking, what the A7’s cameras offer is much different from what they NEX-7 was heading into and not everyone prefers FF over APS-C, I like the balance between camera/lens vs size/weight balance of APS-C sensors.
There are benefits when using FF lenses with a apsc-sensor. Less vignetting and relatively sharper edges are among those. I would actually like to see a 1-inch sensor E-mount camera. Current RX100M3-sensor is excellent and with a 1 inch sensor, there should be enough room for a very effective IBIS. Also with a smaller sensor there should be less problems related to sensor heating during the video capture so internal 4K could be possible even with a IBIS.
You might be surprised to see that this isn’t necessarily true; look at dxomark’s sharpness field maps for instance, even the mighty Zeiss 55/1.8 comes back down to earth on APS-C even though it crushes most rivals on full frame. Then look at any number of full frame lenses and see how many don’t do as well on APS-C for whatever reason.
Smaller photosites…
All the more reason to make APS-C specific lenses!
I’m with you on this one, I was just guessing why it is that FF lenses don’t perform as well on APSC. Why would you pay a penalty in price, weight and size for FF if you have no benefit from it?
amazing how NEX6 is a best seller – but like Soccermoms says – it is for soccer moms 🙂 Sony has been clear that the whole NEX line for for Green Auto setting users – users that would be just happy with kit lens –
They made a mistake by releasing the NEX7 aimed at more advanced and pro users –
as they have been very vocal about the horrible NEX menu and the lack of an update for the NEX7 – so truly the NEX6 was revolutionary for the NEX line – it has a MODE DIAL – imagine ! 🙂
There is no question about the IQ – super – so in that sense a good value – and the A6000 in a sense now with a Mode Dial and improved menu system and faster focus etc is a good value for the IQ it produces – form factor is nice – but Sony is still not aiming at advanced users and pros with the E mount line – ( yes the FE mount line ) So because the IQ is so nice it is a shame that there is not a new model that has more manual controls – but then again Sony has not been very interested in producing many lenses for the E mount –
I know the A7/r/s owners are also frustrated with lack of lenses – not sure why Sony is allowing this frustration to brew for so long – but I guess as long as they are making good money on soccer moms and Green Auto users who do not buy lenses then why should they bother –
Not that amazing. Previous generation models selling at discount usually sell better than the latest models.
True – but the NEX6 has been a top seller for a long time and now the A6000 is a top seller as well
Why did they drop the NEX name before clearing all the stock???
Because companies don’t wait with introducing new models until the older ones are out of stock.
OK, now I’m waiting for a good 70-90 mm f1.4-1.8 E lens, can be FF too, and price please no higher than FE 55/1.8 :-))))
I thought you meant a 70-90mm zoom, f1.4-1.8. I was like, “You are a madman, but I’m in!”
Hahaha 😀 In history only Pentax’ engineers were smoking enough grass to create such a “crazy” things:
http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/long/K400-600f8-12.html
http://kmp.bdimitrov.de/lenses/zooms/short/F17-28f3.5-4.5-Fish.html
I’m quite sure, the only few lenses left to create for most aps-c users needs are, a good quality 16-50 f2.8, a 50-150f2.8, a Macro 60mm f4 to keep size down, and a 85mm f1.8 to complement the current kit of f1.8 lenses. No need for big telephoto lenses beyond 210mm, it’s better to use an adapter for that and use the existing lenses from A-mount. About accesories, The HVL-F20M is small, but was designed for dslr cameras. A new replacement for the hvl-f20s is needed, this time, with a small swiveling head like the big flashes from Sony but with the same capability of the original F20S to use the camera power instead of batteries.
For short tele it doesn’t have to be a 85/1.8, as it gets a little to long on APS-C. But such a small, light 75 f1.8-2.0 would be just enough to create great portraits with creamy bokeh.
So go buy Fuji? Sony have always been about consumer level with crop sensor E-Mount and for that they have a very decent lineup, plus all the third party lenses. Sony have made it clear that the FE system is their ‘premium’ system and the lenses reflect that, Fuji’s premium system is their crop system. If that is what you prefer buy Fuji.
??? Now go and read my message once again. I was writing about bright short tele which is nonexistent in both systems. And I’d prefere rather smaller, lighter, but still great for portraits focal around 75 mm, even slightly darker at f2, as that would fit compact, mirrorless system better than 85 mm with f1.8 or f1.4. And some producers of smaller systems understood it well already:
http://pl.leica-camera.com/Fotografia/M-System/Obiektywy-M/APO-Summicron-M-75mm-f-2-ASPH
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk/en/group/14/product/27970/body/overview/Photo-Lenses.html
http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.uk/en/group/14/product/21620/body/overview/Photo-Lenses.html
And I don’t mind if it would be a FE version, fully useable on crop bodies, just like 35/2.8 and 55/1.8.
Besides – lenses like 10-18/4 and ZA 24/1.8 are not that “consumer level”, but rather “prosumer”. Ditto could be said for hyphotetical FE 75/2 OSS (yes, oSS for longer focals would be nice) 🙂
There is no quality wide angle prime lenses, the 16mm is a lousy pancake, the 20mm is a bit better optically but still a f/2.8 pancake. There is not even a bright 18mm (28mm equivalent). No decent macro or portrait lens, there is not a single APS-C prime beyond the 50mm, so no 85mm, 105mm or 135mm equivalents. It’s easier to just compare to Fuji’s lens line up to get what you are missing. As for fast primes, you get the 24mm, 35mm and 50mm and that’s about that, aside from that you only have the 55mm FE lens, which as Andrea noted, it can be used for APS-C, of course, but it’s not really like a lens made for APS-C. So there are quite few lenses still missing in this 4.5 years of E-mount.
read again. I noted a 60mm macro, and a 85mm for portraits too… Didn’t mention the wide angle primes since we have the 10-18 f4 but if you want primes, ok, it’s your wishlist.
I know that you listed those, I just made a complete list for primes lenses – since there are already plenty of zoom, the f/2.8 constant couple the only real miss. And the 10-18 is a nice quality zoom but although you won’t really need a big aperture for the widest angles, 16mm and 18mm could very well use something like f/1.8 or f/2, f/4 won’t cut that, it’s at least 2 full stops slower.
And it’s not really a wishlist, but more like a normal line up for lenses in any system, Fuji is about to complete those as well as the constant f/2.8 weather sealed couple, Micro4/3 have them as well, for the main mirrorless players and only big miss is from Sony at this point.
There’s also the Touit 32 which is better than the 35 1.8, albeit without OSS. But I agree that a 18/1.8 and 85/1.8 would be great.
Well, the thing about Touit is that it’s a 3rd party lens that is also available for other mounts, it doens’t count as a Sony lens.
If you look at third parties you can find stuff like Samyang 12mm f/2.0 which is a good wide angle prime lens with native E-mount. Manual focus, though.
The Touit primes 12mm and 32mm are also good.
Sigma makes the 19, 30, 60mm primes, only f/2.8 but at least they’re affordable.
I have to disagree about the 55mm FE. I can see absolutely no reason why that can’t be used as an 85mm equivalent on APS-C. It’s not that big, and the APS-C 24mm isn’t any cheaper. I use the 24/55 combo with an A6000 as a travel kit. Sublime.
I never said that the 55mm can’t be used, my point being that you can’t rely only on FF solutions as if it’s really a solution, it may work for the 55mm, but it won’t always work through out all the focal length. There is no way to say that FF solution for APS-C is optimal, as noted by Andrea, it will always be bigger, more expensive and heavier than a true APS-C lens. It may be same price as the 24mm but that’s not a real solution as well. I mean, you also need cheaper options, it make less sense for a system, for the average lens solution to be twice the price of the average body. I’m not denying the FF as an option, I’m just saying that this is not an optimal solution for the users.
I’m afraid APS-C will always be a poor cousin to FF when they share a mount. This is not exclusive to Sony. There are many focal length equivalents missing from Nikon’s APS-C line-up, a 24mm prime equivalent for example. The manufacturers are never going to fill out APS-C line-ups, unless APS-C is all they do (eg Fujifilm).
This is the way it is. With dedicated camera sales declining overall, this situation is not about to change.
I’m well aware of that, it happens but that’s not my point because that’s not really what happened. For about 4 years the E-mount was exclusively for APS-C, just like Fuji has been for about 2.5 years, and even with that, the E-mount didn’t progress as it should had.
When they came up with the NEX-7, they showed a glimpse of what was to come, they launched both 50mm and 35mm, two very nice and welcomed lenses – exactly what I would had expected from a manufacurer getting more serious. But since then, there was no continuation on that, the commitment was broken for future FF plans that would take almost two years to come to fruition. Had Sony fulfilled that while the FF was still not out and just in development, the conversation would had been different, but no, during the gap between NEX-6/7/35mm/50mm launch and the A7/A7r Sony didn’t fill with the lenses one could expect.
Fuji did a terrific job in just 2,5 years of existence, even Samsung spread out better their focal length through out their line up, so I don’t think it’s too demanding – or hating – to have expected more from Sony and to think that they dropped the ball. Which is a pity, because the new Axxxx line up of APS-C cameras for E-mount seem pretty great. I do understand though that from now on, I can’t really expect much from Sony in the APS-C front and I will not even demand that, I know that the only way for users like me, is to go to another system, something that I decided couple of years ago, I’m just waiting some pieces fall in the right places – because Sony did have the best balance between photo and video, Fuji has photo but no video, but Micro4/3 are stepping up, so I may mix it up.
But there is no excuse to given for Sony in this, period. They did allure higher-end users for their APS-C E-mount cameras but half way through it they abandoned it. Just like it should feel to be an A-mount user, even more an APS-C A-mount user. My point being that it’s harder to trust a manufacturer that do that to their users, a system’s base are their lenses, if there is no commitment towards that, there is no commitment at all. I understand that this is not how everyone feels because each person has its own needs and some are satisfied or thrilled with what’s going on now, but being satisfied doesn’t mean that Sony didn’t break their commitment towards their users’ base, there is a difference.
I thought if you put the 55mm FE lens on an APSC E mount camera it’ll still be 55mm but only the middle part of the lens will be used. Am I wrong?
If you put the 55mm FE on a APS-C it will act like an 85mm lens (roughly). Yes, it will be using the middle area of the lens. This is not a bad thing.
Yeah I think you are right about the focal length I got that wrong. That 70-200 G lens would then become a 105-300 on APSC but it would still remain F4 right?
Does that mean that the A7 with 70-200mm @200mm sees the same picture as an NEX-7 with 18-200mm @ 200mm?
So these two setups would have the same reach in effect?
Most of the emount lenses are crap. Even the 55/1.8 and 35/1.8 are just good (not fantastic). I gave up and just sold the last of mine. MF only with the NEX6 now. If the want to improve their telephoto, then I’ll reconsider, and a nice, faster (f/2.0 is fine) wide angle without all the complex distortion.
Oh, and how about a 60mm macro/portrait lens. Why is that so hard?
Actuall 55/1.8 -is- fantastic, compared in some reviews to 4x more expensive Zeiss Otus 55/1.4. 35/1.8 I’d call “very good”, as it is very close optically to quite highly praised micro 4/3 Panasonic Leica 25/1.4.
I strongly disagree. The 55 and 35 2.8 are widely known to be exceptional performers even wide open. I’ve spent extensive time with the 50 1.8 , the 35 1.8 and the 24 1.8 as well. All are very good if not great performers. I have settled on the 24 and 50 on my NEX 7 now as they are both excellent. both are sharp and render well wide open and stopped down.
Absolutely wrong! The AF system for the A6000 is perfect for action shooting and we have nothing longer than 210mm to take advantage of the performance. The EA2 adapter is not the answer for good action AF.
Just imagine the size of a lens longer than 210mm with aperture f4 or f2.8… I’m pretty sure, people will complain about it’s size (even if it’s an APS-C only lens). As a comparison, look at the size of the Panasonic 150mm f2.8… It’s still small, but scale that to APS-C standards…
Nonsense! I would love to have a 55-300 High Quality APSC G Lens. Its the perfect compromise between size & Focal Length for cameras like the A6000 & A5100
I want a 16-50 f2.8 now 🙂
finally sony find the “secret” of apple, samsung, canon, etc.
make a new model (that its almost the same as the old one) cut the price of the old model and people will rush to buy the oldies at “firesale” prices
repeat as needed
Take a good look at the sales list, on position 2, 4 and 13 there is an A6000, probably is the A6000 in it’s different forms better selling then the Nex 6.
Actually the NEX 6 is not a great camera for Soccer Moms: average focus speed, no long telephotos lenses…not the best sports system. I own a NEX 6, and I’m not a soccer mom (and, I use “A”perture mode). So there.
any rumor if A7 and a6000 will get XAVC-S firmware update?
no. the sony’s policy: new firmware only with new camera. so A7w(hatever) will have it (maybe).
But the RX10 just got a firmware update with XAVC S. Sony have no excuse now for not giving it to A6000, A7, A7R and A77 II. All of those cameras are potentially better video-making tools than A5100 and RX100 III, both of which have the superior codec.
http://attach.mobile01.com/attach/201408/mobile01-f5dd2531d17a94afd62c70b3b56fbb7d.gif
Fuji is getting all the glory now, even though Sony’s NEX IMO is better. But, they ditched the name and threw the momentum they were gaining in the market out the window. Come on Sony….no one knows what the helll an Alpha is….please bring back the NEX name.
Strange looking at the sales at Amazon I see 6 Sony Alpha cameras befor the first Fuji. I think people see the name Sony befor they see the name Nex…
Never going to happen. Get over it.
Never say never….
Maybe…? It’s really the case that APS-C E-mount owners have to implore Sony for more lenses.
The good sales performance of some E mount cameras on no way justifies Sonys virtual abandonment of the A mount system, nor the failure to put the newest tech sensors in A mount cameras.
I was not of the understanding that Sony was abandoning the A-mount system. I just bought the new A77 II A-mount and new 70-400 II. Fantastic combo for $3,500 and I’m getting close to the capabilities of a Nikon D4S with 600 F4 with a cost of $18,000 except for lens speed. I’m normally a Nikon shooter but Nikon has no cropped frame body even close to the capabilities of the A77 II. (24 MP, 12 FPS at max aperture, 52+ fine jpeg buffer, continuous auto focus, and flexible spot.) I understand that Sony may be introducing a replacement for the A99. The lens side is a little tight but I’m currently waiting for a Tamron 150-600 in A-mount. I’ve been told next week. Sigma is also introducing some of their ART lenses in A-mount.
You see? No problem with A-mount at all. Read well, he said virtual abandonment, because it only exists in the mind of some internet experts. Enjoy your gear and take pictures you like because that’s what it’s about.
Yes the a77Ii is an excellent camera .
Enjoy it.
My concern that generated the above comment is with the ff sensors.
36mp ff sensors by Sony first apeared about 2 years ago in the nikon D800 and more recently in the a7r.
Also the super high iso 24mp sensor appeared recently in the a7s….none of thesehaveyet appeared in A mount cameras.
Meanwhile the rumored a99II with 36mp sensor is rumored to be de ln ayed again.
To add further insult latest rumors indicate the possobility of a 50..ish mp a7x that may be introduced at photokina.
I do not want to see A mountleft even further behind.
It would help if Sony pulled on of their fingers out of their asss. I’m so tired of waiting that at this point I’m numb to the issue.
How many of those buying an old camera on a firesale price will ever even consider to change their lens? That’s your answer.
More than you think.
They really need to make a new 16mm lens. The SEL16F28 is unusable in my opinion…
I have a 7D and an A7s. But if Sony made a E-mount AF 85mm 1.4 so I can shoot indoor sports, I’d buy an a600 and drop Canon completely.
Sony is probably stretched a little too thin to introduce any dedicated APS-C lenses at Photokina: they’ve promised 5 more FE lenses before this year is over. Hopefully one or two of those will be useful for APS-C users as well, without being too bulky.
Dear Sony: Stop dragging your feet and give us the A99II. No compromises, 50MP’s and ISO performance to match the A7S. It should also have the most advanced hybrid auto focus system on the planet with a global shutter as well. All the above cameras are just a drop in the bucket. Give us the BEAST.
There’s no maybe about the need for more lenses. When I decided to get a lighter system than my Nikon gear I pondered Fuji and Sony. I’ve owned both a NEX 5n and a NEX 6 and liked the cameras. Great travel cameras and backups. However, Sony only has one lens as good as the Fuji equivalent and a couple that are close (24, 35, 50). Sony does have the nice 17-70 Zeiss. At every other focal length Fuji’s lenses are of higher quality. They’re higher cost, too, but coming from full frame Nikon gear even Fuji’s prices are a bargain. Also, Fuji has published a roadmap of future lenses, that fill out a system, and has pretty much kept to it. Sony keeps making new 18-200 lenses.
Fuji also has the advantage that they put out software updates for older camera where Sony just comes out with a new model.
Serious photographers mostly don’t buy cameras, they invest in systems. It’s too bad. Sony makes great cameras but seems aimless when it comes to strategy and filling out system lenses.
Maybe Sony could invest more into its A-Mount line-up, so that it’s SLT cameras get to be bestsellers, not only mirrorless bodies.
It’s kind of hard to get excited about the success of the Alpha cameras when knowing that all of those are E-Mount.
The fundamental problem occurs when many people like APS-C but Sony doesn’t make the lenses they want. Shooting FF doesn’t make anyone a pro, although it has some characteristics some pros want. APS-C is a happy medium for many of us, but we’re not happy about the lens selection. So will Fuji improve in areas to match Fuji before Sony builds a lens lineup that rivals Fuji? If Sony decides it doesn’t think there is a market for better lenses, its customers deserve to know.
Sony shows that there is a market for better lenses. Look at the FE55 f1.8, the FE35 f2.8 (small and exelent) the FE70-200 f4, look at the SEL35mm f1.8 OSS the SEL50mm f1.8 OSS the SEL18-105 f4 SEL24mm F1.8
All are excelent lenses.
Problem with very good lenses is that they cost a lot. Look at every system, their excelent lenses are all expensive. Expensive lenses don’t sell a lot, so it makes sense to make the excelent lenses FF for Sony so both FF and APS owners can enjoy the exelent lenses.
Look at Canon and Nikon DSLRs, how many excelent APS lenses do they have? Not many, all their L and G lenses are Full Frame. This will happen to the E-mount too…
That’s why many Nikon fans are also unhappy–the lack of better APS-C lenses. That’s the gap for Fuji to exploit.
just make FF lenses at good quality and price in A and E mount, forget making APS-C lenses, the FF lenses work well in APS-C format (better even because of crop). If the APS-C camera owners want to buy a FF camera, no worries, they already have the lenses for it. APS-C specific lenses make NO sense to me.
That works well for the longer focal length, makes the normal ones larger than necessary, but doesn’t work at all for wide-angle lenses.
I just lookaed at Amazone and to all the Sony bashers: In the top 10 are 8 Sony E-mount cameras, 1 Samsung and one Panasonic. The top 5 is Sony only (the Nex6 at 1, the very cheap A3000 at two, the A7s at three, the A6000 at four and five….
Still waiting for something like a 16-50 2.8 in e-mount. I honestly can’t believe they never released one.
I too would like a wide angle zoom for my E mounts, but it’s not gonna happen from Sony either for APSC or Full frame. There aren’t any other 2.8 zooms and I don’t think there will be for the same reason Sony hasn’t released any primes faster than 1.8. Size.
I’d like to see Sony not focus on APSC specific lenses at all, but instead make 2 lines. The high end, Zeiss lenses around $900-$1,000 and straight Sony lenses in the $200- $800 range.
Just make them all cover the full frame Sensor. Focal length isn’t an issue as long as they stick go 16 or 18 on the wide end. How cool would it be if the 20, 24, 35 and 50 all covered the FE sensor? The 10-18 almost does.
Perhaps keep a few specific APSC lenses like the tiny power zoom.
We need decent APCS macro lens. 50mm is okay but an 80 or 100mm would be fantastic
This is because dpreview haven’t updated their buyers guide.