Image on top: The currently discontinued Sony A850 (via BH).
The last week I got multiple hints about the Sony FF strategy. And now I can start to share some bits of SR5 ranked rumors! 🙂
First, the FF buzz from these weeks happened because Sony now officially choose the final A99 specs. And it is already showing the camera to managers and some important photographers and dealers. The first thing to know is that Sony decided to announce the A99 (or whatever the final name will be) in late August! There will be on Full Frame camera only and the next FF camera is coming in 2013. So what will happen from now? Sony plans to show the camera to photographers and important dealers in May/June. We “normal” user may see some official teaser this summer. But if I will have some luck I may be able to show you the camera earlier 🙂
As I told you many times this is an SLT camera with improved Electronic Viewfinder. I am still waiting to get the final confirmation from my top sources but I know that one FF prototype had 24 Megapixel, 101 cross AF points, same articulating screen as the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink]. De facto it looks like the [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] but is just a bit larger. Price should be below the Nikon D800 (which costs $2999). But as I said, this was my latest info about the prototype version. I hope to get some news about the final approved version soon!
My personal two cent about that: I am no marketing expert but my “feeling” is that the camera could sell well if the price will be around $2500-$2600 (like the currently discontinued Sony A900). A new improved EVF, a Full Frame 24 Megapixel sensor with clean ISO and super speed AF and burst rate could be very tempting. Combine this with the new coming Zeiss lenses and I am in 🙂 The Nikon D800 (Click here) would remain tempting for customers in need for Optical Viewfinder or massive Megapixels. While the Canon 5DmarkIII (Click here) is priced too high for what it does (that’s again just my personal opinion backed by Amazon ranking sales you can see here). And now show Sony your A99 buying intentions:
[poll id=”100″]
P.S.: That said, stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors, there is a lot I have to share with you! And don’t forget to follow the community on Facebook and news on Twitter!
—
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
243 Responses
Wow finally some news on this…
101 cross points? believe it wen i see it.Till then i hope that it does have a slightly imroved af-array in comparrison to the a77.
I think I’d rather use my a900 until it dies, rather than buy a replacement just because something in that area is available.
Or until the scroll wheels die, at least.
That took 3 years of heavy use on my a700, so I guess I’m a couple of years away from that. I’d still be able to get such things services though, so certainly wouldn’t “kill” it.
$2600 is much too much for a FF DSLT with light robbing mirror. It won’t sell at that price. You can pickup a 21mpx Canon 5D MkII for close to $1700 now.
To sell this camera has to be launched at a price not more than $2,000!!!
if 2600, still not a cheap ff slt as what sony rumor hint in their approach. $2000 is the bargin
I agree. One may disagree with the megapixel race, but when you have an established company like Nikon selling a 36megapixel camera for under $3K, Sony cannot expect to break into the market with only a slight decrease in price, considering it is a 24megapixel camera. $2000 body only would be the sweetspot, and depending on video-capabilities I would definitely pick one up at that price. (mainly because I need a new camera, and I own a bunch of minolta type lenses)
Suddenly, 24mp is not enough. I remember there was a time when people(especially Nikonians)were bitching 12mp is enough, even too much, for an FF.
to passer-by: 24 mp is certainly enough.
But 2.600 bucks are too many.
There have been 24 mp cameras (both FF or APS-C) going around the world for a while, for a cheaper price, and now many of those can be found used.
I just can’t see how a 24 mp camera from Sony could remotely compete with similar offerings from Canikon, considering that the price is not competitive at all, and, aside from camera bodies, Sony offerings are not cheaper, nor better, than similar offerings from the Big Two.
Now, with 2.000 bucks, I would start to be in doubt about what to buy…
It costs the same to manufacture a 24mp full frame sensor as it does to manufacture a 36mp full frame sensor – in fact the latter might be cheaper for them to make if they are already manufacturing a lot for Nikon. The only thing that might cost a bit more is if they used a faster bus and a bigger buffer to handle the extra data of a 36mp sensor.
More likely the rumor is true that they cut a deal with Nikon giving them exclusive use of the 36mp sensor for a year from when the D800 was released.
I can hardly see Sony re-using the same 24mp sensor that was in the A900 and D3x – as that is now years out of date – so it must be a new design.
Mind you, 24mp is probably more than enough for most purposes, and it could have less noise at high ISOs
I think $2000 should be the price as well!
$2,199 seems good to me!
1,999 seems even better
+1
Get off the light robbing stuff, will you? It’s been beaten to death already. If the 5DMkII had quick autofocus while filming video, maybe it will be tempting. Alas, that feature is not available.
Besides, people need to judge a camera based on what they are going to use it for. Brand loyalty is great, but people ought to use the tool that will allow them to do what they want to do. And hopefully the sensor will have enhanced low light sensitivity to satisfy people who need to shoot with high ISOs.
Pricewise, $2300 will be an ideal price point.
Why not less than 1500?
Look at Nikon D3200 for 600!
The price referes only to marketing aspects, not to the features. So Nikon shows again where to go, unfortunately.
Sure Sony does not want to loose money on this new camera (and the sensor is certainly expensive).
But Sony is, after all, the underdog of the FF market, and in order to compete cannot set prices so close to the leaders, while offering a product that, on paper, is not equipped at the same level.
Let’s hope in the hi-iso miracle, otherwise I cannot see this camera selling much…
Am I the only one who thinks one of the most important options is missing from the poll?
No, I will wait for the high end Sony camera (whenever that comes out)
I am not interested in moving from my A900 to another 24 Megapixel camera. I am in a fortunate enough position to have my hobby pay for itself and in the world of image licensing, size actually matters. I have decent glass and not interested in selling all that to move to another system (to be honest still happy with what I have).
Frankly not particularly excited by this one (although maybe it will surprise me). More news on the monster square sensor camera please!
+1
Agree, that option is missing, and also the one. “No, I will not buy it at that price, but if you lower it to 2K I will”.
PS: My hobby does not pay for itself 🙂
+1.
24MP is sooooo over for full frame, sorry!
24mpx is much more reasonable, because of FPS, buffer, memory cards space, storage and workflow
would you like 4fps like the D800 as well? i wouldnt
Personally I wouldn’t mind having lower fps because I don’t do high speed shooting.
But I do agree that 24mp is quite reasonable (maybe a bit too much) for all-around shooting. It’s the max I’d go with my current processing power (aka computer). Higher mp just means more resources needed – bigger memory cards, more computer ram and powerful processor.
I wouldn’t mind having higher megapixel IF I have the highest spec i7, more than 8GB RAM and very fast SSD disks.
You don’t need all that, even the cheapest PC can run LR just fine.
Ha I have all that, high end i7, 24GB RAM and 256GB crucial SSD and I still need more processing power when using my A700 for HDR panoramas. If I had 24MP or even 36MP it would mean even more waiting time. 24MP is my limit for now. I would however go to 36MP square sensor with the option to shoot in 24MP landscape/portrait.
I am not worried about storage, 6TB should keep me going for a while.
Not according to Canon it isn’t.
If Nikon makes it a 36 MP then that’s OK I guess!!
As Andrea said. The real name is not set. But due to the fact that Sony has a sensor with a higher resolution up their sleeve (or is working on one), I would think the name will not be the highest two digit number available. So maybe it will be the A95 or even the something in the ’80s. My personal guess is “SLT-A85”.
My guess is A87
I want the rumored 36mpix Sony FF, so will stay on the NEX-7 another year and spend on A-mount lenses instead. I think Sony releasing yet another 24mpix FF will be underwhelming in terms of market response: They helped Nikon raise the bar bar with the D800 and they should be pushing it further now.
I believe if the AF system is as good as the current D4/1DX…can reach 10fps with full manual controls..12fps but fixed aperture (same like a77)…has a buffer like the D4…it may kill the sales of the of the Canikon cameras…
Existing D3s/1DsM3 users maybe tempted to jump over as Sony can offer much more value for less money…and you get 24 megapixels as well!! Landscapes and sports photographers will certainly consider this package…
They would if… Sony would have adequate lenses choice. And 2 lenses in last 2 years isn’t really a way to improve situation when competition releases twice as much. Not even saying about missing SSM primes or mid-range lenses (solid build, acceptable prices?).
2 Lenses? You mean one APS-C lens (16-50) and one $13000 full-frame bazooka barrel. I would say zero lenses when it comes to full-frame. Anyone complaining about a penny over a $2000 price point isn’t going to buy the 500mm lens anyway. So realistically it is one cheap 85mm lens and a 24mm Zeiss in the last three years when you get down to it.
Ok, that’s truth.
Well… Andrea gave some SR5 rumor about Zeiss 50mm prime being released along with A99, although this barely scratches the surface of lenses we actually do need.
+1
Landscape does not need 12 fps, they will stay with Canikon.
Sport/wildlife might come over.
You can now have the best of both worlds now 😀
Yup, just like A77 – high resolution, fast FPS.
This is for those that want those super super clean images… I’m sure Sony is working on getting that 36MP FF out asap.
Sony should do what none of the canikon do – cheap FF for sports if they do that i’ll buy it instead of the A77
-FF 24mpx (never 36 because of buffer)
-bigger buffer e processing speed (arround 2 or 3s of burst)
-12fps or more, and give the choice of burst speed in steps of 2: 2,4,6,8,10,12 allowing to improve buffer performance in diferent situations
-cheap (under the D800) arround €2000 would be perfect
-better AF over A77 (double cross 2.8)
-better EVF
-battery life better than the A77
Buffer size can be increased if they wanted to; they could device a reasonably fast 36mpix shooter. A larger buffer (or two) and that new Sony memory card.
Sorry Hellven, in which parallel universe a camera costing 2600 dollars is “cheap”?
Sure for pro that would not be an issue (bar the fact that they would not get the camera for the lack of support / lenses, compared to Canikon offerings), but for people like me who have to spend almost a monthly salary for a camera like this 3.100 – 2.600 = 500 dollars (or euros) of difference… is NOT that much…
2500€ is too much…
You’ll see and soon, Canon will cost less than that and A99 cannot and will not be comparable to D800!
So the only way to sell that 24mpx camera is to lower the price!
no, the way to sell a 24mpx is to improve performance over the A900 and A77
if sony does it right it’s a winner! and the SLT technology will prove superiority over SLR
I really hope Sony this time will improve performance over all models (including NEX-Mount).
You’re right about that…
But I doubt Sony manages to improove quality over a camera like D800…
A77 was supposed to be much better and the translucent mirror reduces quality, that’s a fact… (specially in low light)
So I can’t really believe that A99 will be any similar to the D800! Of course not… (might be a bit better than A900/A850 yes)…
If so, the only way to sell it, is to make it the cheapest full-frame camera, without many advanced functions! (just like A900/A850 was)
Remember also what happened to Canon 5D Mark II… Prices dropped a lot… and it will happen to this new model also, for sure!!!
well i shoot sports, specially on the beach, and i dont want nothing like a D800… it does 4 fps… c’mon… not even Sony’s entry level cameras do that anymore, and for what? 36mpx?? who needs that??
the quality of the A77 is very good, it even matches the Canon 7D in low light high isos, but nowdays every body talks about noise (its easyer for newbies to campare that i guess…), but they forget that image quality doesnt end there, The A77 beats the 7D and the D7000 in many areas of IQ, but all people talk is about shoting high iso scenes…
i just want FPS and a big buffer! its not that hard, if i want 12fps in another brand i have to pay more than €4000, sony give’s me that for less than €1100 in APS-C, now i want that in FF for less than €2500 in FF and a gigantic buffer
If you do it professionally then you have a point here.
But sports shooters are one of the many types of photographers out there. Landscape, wedding, macro, ecc. photogs all think in different ways, and these cameras should try to satisfy everybody, or otherwise their appeal will be limited to niches. And Sony does not want that.
At the moment, on paper, the new Sony FF offering is not competitive vs Canikon, IF NOT on some specific aspect (as you pointed out). This is enough for you, ma certainly not for Sony, if Sony really wants to establish its presence in the FF arena.
As far as I am concerned, I am now accumulating money for an FF camera.
If I had to decide now, I would choose the Nikon D800.
+1
a99 has to be the best as it has to beat D800!
Beat… beat in what?
Value? Features? FPS? High-ISOs? Dynamic Range? Something else?
Being the best is a very subjective matter 🙂
Only $300 difference for a fantastic OVF? I was under the impression EVF was cheaper to manufacture than OVF…. I think i more significant price difference should result.
To buy or not to buy…. I think it is a question about IQ.
If a99 will get DxO score above 100, I will buy.
lolll
dont buy a camera by looking at numbers
Well 5d3 Is iso 25600 while d800 is iso 6400 native, but dxo mark shows d800 higher iso than canon???
For Nikon using the Sony EXMOR, it’s not awfully relevant wether the ISO gain is done with an analog amplifier or digitally. Canon’s on the other hand suffer from bad ADCs year after year and need to use analog gain till at least ISO 1600 or so and even beyond to minimize pattern noise. For Nikon there would be no advantages, only disadvatages of losing headroom if one were to use analog gain beyond what the maximum is, though probably limiting oneself to lower ISOs and pushing in post is generally the better choice.
What the ISO numbers the manufacturers have decided to use or allow the camera to shoot with is not relevant for other than JPG-shooters.
Funny!
In the meantime, where is the A37 and that fixed lens APS-C compact?
Andrea, you forgot to share with us the new Zeiss lens rumor?
I still think 2500-2600 USD body only is still too high, too close to D800 territory. I hope sony could surprise everyone and price at 2200-2300 range instead. I see no future if it’s only 300 USD cheaper than D800. Without a prism, SLT should cost 700 USD less than a traditional full frame SLR already.
Sony are going to have a hard time convincing people to look at something with a Sony badge compared to the D800. Price is indeed a key requirement and Sony aren’t exactly competitive at the lower-end either.
To get much cheaper, they would not only have to build it in the 3rd world like they do now, they’d have to engineer it there too. And put Sony HQ somewhere where profits repatriated arent negated by exchange rates and high taxes.
It really depends on their commitment in the full-frame area. If they bring out two separate models (with different sensors 24, 36), the R&D cost can be to a large degree (not totally of course) shared between these (and probably even others like A77 for certain parts). If they want to be a contender, they may also need to expect to lose on the R&D side, but hopefully make it up in the long run by selling many more cameras.
It stands to reason that the Sony should be far cheaper in actual parts cost than the Nikon D800, due to different sensors, lack of prism etc.
People will buy the Nikon/Canon regardless of price differences, theres very few people that will be buying the D800 or the 5DMKIII as their first camera so its not like they have to make a camera at this level cheap. Sony need to keep current A mount users happy and even those who will never buy a FF camera will feel reassured the brand is secure if there is a high end camera above the one they use.
I’d imagine the market they are aiming for with the A99 is A700/77 users who are already established with enough glass to stop them from jumping ship, although that sort of security will only go so far and no one with aspirations of becoming professional wants to be stuck with a brand that only caters for APS-C.
I personally have considered jumping ship and when I think about it seriously, its not an option. If I were to buy a new A mount this year, my current A700 will become a second body and having 2 decent bodies is something I would love. Getting to that situation when switching brands is a very expensive investment and for what really? 1-1.5 stops of ISO?
Ur right. Jump ship is way too expensive. And that is where sony screwed up selling d800 sensor, meanwhile 36mp a99 is on hold for one year. All those buying into nikon d800 are locked into nikon lenses nikon flashes nikon bags nik software… And sony gets $500 for all that, from selling the sensor away, from selling market stakehold away.
Oh but sony users will get the worst ever fullframe on the market for $500 less than d800.
we already have the ‘worst’ FF camera in the form of the A850/900, if the A99 is a EVF version of that with the tech of the A77, we will hardly be in a bad place.
Sorry, I don’t agree.
I am a nikonian, but invested in apsc glasses. Passing from DX to FX is like changing mount, after all. At that point it is very legitimate to see what other camera makers offer as an alternative, since I have to re-buy all glasses anyhow.
So far, though, the best alternative to Nikon dx appear to be the Nikon D800, which, apparently, will cost a whopping 10-15% more than the less competitive (on paper) new Sony FF…
Mmmmh…..
you can always use your APS-C glass in crop mode if you bought a FF camera and upgrade as you see fit while using your older camera as a second body. There are plenty of people, myself included, who are using FF glass on APS-C cameras or own legacy glass which is of course FF.
I would imagine the people who were saving money by buying APS-C lenses, aren’t they people that would be interested in the higher, far more expensive end of the market anyway, but of course there will be some people in such a position.
Either way, the move from APS-C to FF of the same brand or another brand is a hefty price and more than most people will realistically be willing to pay, regardless of what they say on internet message boards.
Sure, but in case a person decides to spend 3 big ones (or 2.5, or 3.5… not much difference) then the idea is to extract the best possible IQ from the camera, and aps-c lenses don’t do it.
I see your point, though: this way the aps-c body becomes my second body.
But at the same time I should re-buy the most important lenses for the “first” body, which means, with a 24-36 mp sensor, buying expensive lenses. Now, consider one or two of the very good zooms (for my needs that would be 14-28 for Nikon, plus a decent normal and tele zooms: if they are optically good, I’d be happy with a 4 max aperture; otherwise I should go for the 2.8, which I would gladly avoid for the weight). Yes, I have some nice prime I should not re-buy (the 105mm macro), but not much more. In few words, even if I economize on some of the lenses, I will probably end-up spending a total of 7-8 big ones in a few months, EVEN IF I already have a Nikon apsc camera.
With the same amount of money I may very easily buy an entire new system. Therefore, if a different system appears to offer the same quality and reliability Nikon does, FOR LESS MONEY, then why not. Or, alternatively, BETTER quality for the same amount of money.
Sony is not doing either: future FF cameras appear almost as expensive as Nikon’s, and not better (if not in fps count, which leaves me quite cold). Sony lenses are not cheaper than Nikon’s, either.
Is Sony interested only in buyers who are already invested in Minolta-alpha glass?
You mean 15 to 20% more.
Well, we are kind of rotating around the 15%: we are talking 2.500-2.600 vs. 3.000 here.
Actually I don’t know the exact prices of the D800, as I live in Japan (I see 267.000 yen, here, on kakaku.com). But the two cameras would be clearly in the same price-range, and will be judged accordingly.
I really hope the Sony is around 2.000 (33% less?)
This is where the hated EVF can play to Sony’s advantage. You have always been able to use an APS lens on a FF body, however what you see in the viewfinder is not what you get. The EVF should crop the view automatically so in essence your FF body becomes a non-compromised APS-C camera. You can’t do that with an OVF. That may make pros cringe, but it is something that could ease the transition of we mortal amateurs to FF.
Yep. I would even say that 1999USD would be probably the best price for eating competition from the market. Especially when body will be build on A77 reducing the costs.
Andrea says “larger” than A77 so it’s not the same body (although I think it would be great if they did use the same body).
It would be great, especially if you could use the same add-on grip for both.
Admin, what do you know about frame buffer size in burst mode? How much fps a99 could do in burst mode? What do you know about new EVF?
Sony usually have a biggest/fastest/highest/first card to play when they release a new camera so I would expect some of the specs to beat the 5DMKIII and D800 somewhere. Personally, I hope its price.
What the a850 for 2600 dollars? it cost 1700 dollars in Indonesia and the A900 2000 dollars. I hope the A99 will be cheaper than 2600 dollars…at least to compensate the loss of light with the slt technology..should be around 2000 dollars max!!! let’s face reality (and i am a Sony user), It won’t reach the perfs of the Nikon D800, so I can be only 500 bucks cheaper than the D800
So, what exactly a99 couldn’t provide but d800 could? It’s about iq, iso, video or number of interfaces? And how did you understood that there wouldn’t be competition between them?
I agree that it should cost no more than US $2000. Anymore than that and it’s likely to be a flop in sales.
I think I’d rather use my a700 until it dies or secondhand A850,A900,
and give back to me OVF……
OVF please. One of the pleasures of shooting with my old film bodies are that huge, bright OVF. EVF of a cropped sensor is fine, but let the FF models have a natural OVF please.
Personally i found EFV even on my a33 very useful for mf focusing (in cases like macro and supertele lenses like telescopes). Maybe you will prefer hybrid VF more pleasant?
Not with a FF sensor and field of view. I’d prefer OVF all the way for this body. I have the EVF for my NEX-5n. It’s is ok, but not what I would want for a FF, semi-pro camera.
It should be less by $200 or more. I’m not happy because it’s only features what about reality. Douse this camera performs better or equal to d800 & 5dm3. When the results of this camera show up we can at least talk about the price. How much this camera performs at mid ISO less than 3200 is it good or as all a-mount performs except those 55 & 580. There are a lot of things to give the right answer. This camera must be superior all models that release by Sony so far.
A850 was $1999, not $2600. I think $2600 is too close to D800. It won’t sell
Now if they can keep the price at $1999, like A850 launch, then that would be a different story.
yup, but they MUST name the budget model A88 or A8x or A8whatever, and also announce a “flagship” a99.
From what I’ve heard so far, the upcoming 24MP model is not a compelling upgrade from my A900. Hopefully next year’s models will be more exciting.
Can Sony make a clean High picture? I never seen Sony making that type of camera before. I hope they got some tips from Nikon.
Sony I want a tilt shift lens… please 😀
I am with you Carl. This is not an upgrade from my a900.
Why not? Improved high iso performance, 12-20fps, video, better af.
I can understand it for sports/wildlife, but do most photographers really need more than 5fps? I didn’t even use to find manually winding on film a bother, back in the day.
But then again why even bother buying expensive toys if you could use g1x? You contradict yourself.
I don’t follow you. I buy cameras based on their imaging capabilities and ergonomics, not them ticking a bunch of boxes on their spec sheets. How does the G1X factor into this?
Carl: Stewe is just trying to defend its choices, whatever.
Apparently, since the only aspect where the new Sony will shine is the fps count, many “sonyans” here are starting to say that all other features (such as IQ) are irrelevant.
Super clean super high ISO? Usually it matters only for pixel-peepers who will never print their photos. High FPS? Usually it matters only for sport or wildlife. Video? I’d prefer NEX or other small camera for that and not large and bulky mid/high end body.
As for video – I prefer body that I can hold stable and use viewfinder while refocusing or zooming manually. NEX doesn’t cover it in any way.
the only upgrade I am looking forward to above my a850 is the AF- lacking when it comes to moving subjects and in general when you need to get the shot FAST. It is accurate, but slow. Better than the 5dMkii, but a slouch compared to Nikon systems.
I don’t need more than 5fps (getting by fine with 3fps on the a850 = infinite raw buffer), and while I don’t need video- it will be nice to have available.
I’d also buy this camera for the hopefully implemented tilting screen- using this screen in conjunction with live-view for over-the-head crowd shots (happens a lot at weddings and events) will make for many more keeper images, instead of blindly pointing and hoping you get a decent composition (usually 1/20 shots)- this is especially the case with jewish orthodox weddings when you are in the middle of the chaos and have to shoot over all those hats.
I look forward to lighter weight thanks to the EVF, while the OVF may be more pleasurable to use in my spare time, I think the EVF is very suited to a professional shooting atmosphere (namely events) where seeing live feedback is crucial for constantly changing lighting situations, WB, etc.
I will happily pay up to $3000 for this camera if it ticks all the boxes.
Also … NO CONTROL LAG.
Because I don’t need Hi-iso, high frame rates or video, and on the off chance I do, my NEX system has those things covered…
Then what exactly do you need from true a900 successor?
I got this: better image quality.
Well, it was not that difficult to get 😉
Yeah, because these are no reasons for shining besides fps:
– FF IBIS
– fulltime LV
– fulltime MLU effect
– fulltime low volume/noise shutter sound
– no need to look away from the viewfinder, ever
– fast (continuous) LV AF, regardless of light levels
– usable AF for movies
– most likely the only FF with articulating screen
I can reply to this.
As personally I prefer OVF to LV, or EVF, many benefits linked to that are irrelevant. Well, they are actually cool, but do not compensate the minus of not having an OVF (this is me, my preference, but alas with the same idea there are many buyers in this market segment). There is also the battery life issue connected with using LV, and other aspects it would be too long to discuss
FF IBIS: interesting, cool, but many lenses I will buy for other systems will have In Lens IS; so this can be easily compensated
fulltime MLU effect: I can have a part-time MLU effect with the appropriate command, and this is all I need;
low shutter sound: yes, better, but not determinant;
AF for movies: I have no idea of what the others offer, because, even if I shoot movies with the camera, I don’t care much about this aspects;
articulating screen: cool, useful, but not determinant for my choice.
fps is actually the feature that shines the most, as a difference with the others. And I don’t really need that speed.
Spoon
You forgot to mention:
– Poor dynamic range and smearing in the EVF
– Limited range of lenses
– No professional service network
– Few places to rent A-mount lenses
– Flash system not up to that of Nikon
– No Canon or Nikon label (that matters to many people)
– No matter how good the camera is, you can be sure most reviewers will manage to find reasons why a Canon or Nikon camera is better.
I want a tilt shift lens, too
TS 17 like Canon, please
Samyang will make it.
6 months after its launch SLT FF second hand price will be cheaper than a900/a850 second hand price…
er, no.
Don’t be so sure. After Sony declared SLT only future some time ago there are almost no second hand a850/a900 (at least where I live) and if you’re lucky to get one price will be waaay higher than for canikon equivalents.
Well the A700 isn’t more expensive than the A77 second hand price is it. So yes I am sure.
FF vs APS-C. Apples & oranges…
I’m actually pretty tempted to sell all Sony gear and swap to a 5D MKII, with essentially equivalent gear. I wouldn’t spend anything at all to make the change. I’ve been holding out though to see what Sony releases, and maybe it will be worth sticking around for. Time will tell. Not sure that it will be 100% worth swapping my A850 for this camera though..
The gaps in Sony’s lens line up are part of what hurts them most imo..
Some of my friends turned already to a 5D MKII.
I think about to choose the D800. The camera will be enough for the next 10 years and the OVF will definitely stay like new! And whats about the OLEDs (EVF) in a few years?? No, thanks a million!
The big difference between OVF and EVF on a 10 year look-ahead is that OVFs are staying the same, whereas EVFs are moving forward.
There will come a time when EVFs overtake OVFs, and IMO, that will certainly have occurred within 10 years (and probably within the next 3-5 years).
The point was about buying a camera now, and being able to use it in ten years as if it were just bought.
No, the EVF you buy now will not magically improve in the next years. It will remain the same, unless, of course, it gets broken. OTOH the EVFs from other, newer cameras, will get better. But we are not talking about those. We are talking about the same, old, obsolete object that some photographer may still want to be able to use in ten years…
They need to improve the dynamic range and eliminate the smearing on the EVFs
Of course you can’t improve an OVF like the one on the A900 – except maybe to display more information or make some kind of hybrid OVF-EVF
This is a good statement. Why no hybrid OVF-EVF like in the Fujifilm XPRO1 now? Because one make money with EVFs first and later on with Hybrids a second time. Yes, its a question of market-strategy.
I think, all the DSLR manufacturers will present brilliant HVFs (Hybrid-VFs) also for professionals in the next few years.
I would have thought that most people will replace their camera on a 5 year cycle. Long gone are the days when MOST people kept a SLR for 10 years as their primary body.
dSLRs are consumer items these days.
I used my Nikon F3 for many years and the my Minolta 9000…….well I still use it for high ISO retro B/W street using my Zeiss 85/f1.4.
Today, replacing FF camera bodies is like repacing computers; both about every four years depending on product cycles.
Lenses, are a different story, a great lenses ten years or more ago can still be a very good lens today.
any typo error on the 101 focus points! That would be awesome. But please dont put all in the centre.
No typo!!! I checked twice 🙂
Hi Admin,
I know a lot of people here are anal about facts… However this is a rumor site. In the future, don’t worry about the SR5 status and just give it to us as it comes along.
Agree with wth to just give out crap rumor
>The gaps in Sony’s lens line up are part of what hurts them most imo..
True
And they aren’t saying that they have “steady shot inside” but you still must pay same or more for the same lens. And “magic lantern” fw for 5dm2 makes it really great for everything.
>still must pay same or more for the same lens
Not heard of any news on a range of autofocus for Canon. Unless it is coming, Canon has its L range, but it is not the same.
The arguments for A900 vs 5D MkII have been done to death – you need high ISO (well marginal difference at best with latest improvements in noise software) and video, go Canon.
You want inbuilt stabilisation, better colour separation, higher resolution and better OVF, go Sony.
Although I don’t understand for the life of me why people would swap between these two if they already have built up a system of sorts and were happy with the equipment to date.
As interesting as it sounds, and I think I will be sorely tempted to buy one, I do have a large number of AIS MF Nikon lenses. This could be a reason for buying a D800 or D4 from Nikon instead. The quality and quantity of good, fast (prime) lenses remains the main weakness in Sony’s high end product range.
OTOH, I love my Nex-7 and if Sony manages to yet again substantially improve the maximum (and minimum) sensitivity, S/N and dynamic ranges, then I could realistically see myself going for the A99.
Sony could alleviate the lack of high quality fast prime lenses by persuading Zeiss to release all the manual focus prime lenses they have for Nikon and Canon mounts in A-mount as well. They are not auto-focus – but for many purposes that doesn’t matter – and, if they implemented peaking in the EVF these lenses would be easier to focus on a Sony body than on a Canon or Nikon. On a Sony A-mount camera these lenses would also be stabilized – which they are not on Canon or Nikon.
I am sorry, if the camera will cost 2600 USD it will be way overpriced. The D800 costs only slightly more and people will rather choose it over the Sony which is inferior to the Nikon. The only thing which would make people pay that amount of price would be some crazy sensor which Sony would place in that camera which would beat everything elso n dynamic range and iso.
I am more and more convinced that the A99 will flop big time. If Sony would listen to the market they would actually make a first APS-C camera without an AA filter. An A77E would be the killer camera on the market. And then as many stated – lenses, lenses, lenses. There are so many on the peoples wish list that Sony is missing – affordable mid range lenses (like a new beercan), new tele G lenses (400mm, 200mm, refresh of 70-200G, 70-400G etc), new SSM primes to replace the aging Minolta glass.
will wait until 2013 and see~~
Real poll answer is “no, as it is above my current spending limits”. Just bought a A77 and it will be a couple of years before I get another body. The only thing a more pro-oriented body might have that I would use, besides full frame sensor is a larger buffer for continuous shooting.That being said, If Sony can get a price in the $2500 range with good features it should sell OK. I will certainly be looking for what Sony has to offer in two years. May be able to squeeze a full frame in then.
finally…. a SR5 …! i hope the date can be earlier……
At $2,000 i would buy, At the proposed $2,600, I would wait for the next higher spec’d camera in 2013.
I hope all of this extra time is being spent getting this one right, Sony.
They need to sell it for $2000 and no more. If they keep it to 24 MP they will already be behind the competition.
And throw in a Zeiss lens while they are at it too….
/sarcasm
They can keep their zeiss-lens, but body-only should be 2K if they expect to have a decent full-frame market-share, considering they do not have the name of Nikon/Canon, less people have a collection of relevant minolta/sony lenses, and the sensor is 24mpix (which I don’t care much about, but on paper the Nikon looks better to most)
The Sony Zeiss lenses are second to none and better than most. Give us more Zeiss glass!
SLT + EVF = not excited at all about this “upgrade” to my discontinued A900.
So is the “new & improved” EVF 3 times better than the A77’s tracking and dynamic range performance? It would be great to see, but I doubt it. Doesn’t matter if the AF has 100+ AF points, if a fast moving subject in the EVF is smearing across your view. Really don’t get how photographers find this acceptable. I’ll stick with my A900’s for now, start browsing the market for possible alternatives. Yeah, I know, this is only a ‘rumor’ site. But with the writing in big huge letters, on the wall, and Sony not saying anything different to the public, got to seriously start looking for a viewable path for my future camera purchases.
Bummer, man.
I’m fortunate enough to say that a $3k USD plus or minus cost for a quality camera that I will use for three or four years is not a problem. I’m willing to pay for performance and build quality and in the end, it’s all about the image that I can produce using the various elements of the system.
Having said this, this time I need Sony to show me the lenses so that I know that Sony is serious this time about marketing a complete system, including optics that match-up in corner to corner sharpness with the incredible sensors and the weather sealed bodies Sony can make.
Nikon is doing this, and Canon……well, Canon has shown that can also.
So,as I see it today, no I won’t be the first in line for this camera, but maybe if Sony at the same time releases a sharp high quality Zeiss 50/f1.4 or a Zeiss 100m/f2.8 macro or something else similar YES, count me in for new lenses.
+1
I have been waiting for that CZ 1.2/1.4 50mm for what seems like ages now…
Sony REALLY needs something amazing in this camera to sway people from throwing a few hundred bucks extra at the D800E.
Lower price is nice and all…. But in the end, if I want to upgrade from the A77, this camera has to really make the difference.
Which I think next years camera has to be about.
I do agree with the part that Sony needs to provide a really good camera in order to sway people from buying the D800. I think that you either have to be sub 2000 USD for a cheap FF camera or you make a camera that will kill the competition and then you can even ask 4000 USD for it. For someone who can afford a 3000 USD camera a few hundred USD make no difference, he will look for IQ and features first and pay the extra cash to get the best.
Too late for me. I already pre-ordered my D800E. Unless Sony announces something better between now and the time it ships (doubtful), I’m moving up to Nikon.
Sony thanks you for contributing to their bottom line.
For me, if they want to sell it for more than 2K, the only chance for me to consider it would be if they had some video features like balanced audio in,audio monitoring and either in-camera uncompressed video, or at least hdmi out that is clean (so an external recorder can be used). I’d like to see bursts of 72-120fps video in full hd as well.
So if they announce the camera in August, when will it be available? Tired of waiting for replacements on discontinued products. This practice needs to change. I was hoping for announcement early summer with delivery by August. Canon may be getting my money sooner than later.
Can Sony release this earlier….?
this will be make or break decision for me to stay in Sony Camp . *final chance*
But still enjoying snapping photos with cZ135 f1.8 🙂
This camera needs to be $1999 and 36mp to be compelling. If not, I can’t imagine choosing it, or the 5diii, over the D800. Nikon hit a home run with that camera.
Sony has to sell the camera at a price that it makes a profit. The company has lost too much money lately for it to sell the camera at a loss. I do not see how they will make a FF A77 quality camera and be at $2000. A camera with the build and features of the a65 they can do for $2000 maybe. Nikon certainly has a big hit with the features and pricing of the D800, I am not sure Sony could get the volumes to match the price performance ratio with the IQ that the Nikon has. However, they can way under price the Canon 1D X and Nikon D4. I expect to see the August camera be a sports orientated body. High fps, 14 or better, good focusing, 101 points all cross? weather resistant and hopefully a big enough buffer to handle many bursts in a row without camera stoppage. Not just hold the button for 10 seconds, but be able to frame, hit a 1 or 2 second burst, frame the next image burst etc. and never hit the buffer limit. I do not think many need to shoot a 15 second burst but many may want to be able to shoot 10 or 15 1-second burst in a relatively short time. Throw in the 1080p60 video that the Nikons and Canons lack (at least up to the 1D C for $15,000) and it could be a very compelling camera.
This strikes me as the most plausible scenario, but it’s too bad if you’re a Sony user (or Canon user for that matter) who wants something more along the lines of the D800.
Can you please explain me why a camera intended primarily for sports (as the new sony appears to be) is going to be released AFTER the Olympic games?
This is why pros are not serious about Sony: Sony is not serious about pro’s schedules.
And this fps rate aspect is the only one where this camera excels.
Let’s see the video and hi-isos, and hope they are really better that the competition…
R.I.P., Sony A850. You were/are one terrific camera. And going out with a 5-star rating after 59 reviews on B&H is no small feat. I have my doubts that Sony will release anything better in the next 2 years.
… and d700 had how many 5 stars? 5d2 how many 5 stars? what a joke!
In my allround camera, I don´t want 36 Mpix,but stellar 24 Mpix, much better high ISO performance compared with the A900.
When outputting to the same size, you’re not going to loose any high ISO performance. That’s why the D800 competes with the 5diii in high ISO. The only issue with more megapixels is slower data throughput and more storage.
Yes, I´d rather have stellar 24 Mpix as storage and data throughput matter to me. As much as 36 Mpix are tempting, I´m leaning towards sticking with 24.
I want stellar 36 Mpix with much better high ISO performance.
Guess, you will have to wait till next year or go for the D800.
Go for the D800
I did.
1… A99 + 28-75 2.8 SSM @ $3000 USD = Yes/No/May be
2… A99 BODY @ $2500 USD = Yes/No/Maybe
I don’t want a 28-75mm SSM. I’d rather have a 24-100mm f4 SSM or a 24-75mm f2.8 SSM. For video use, it’s more important to get rid of moire and other artifacts (including rolling shutter). Let’s face it. A DLSR is now also a primary means of shooting videos. If Sony does a great job controlling these artifacts, they will do well.
1. No (I have the lenses I need, so I very much doubt ever buying another kit)
2. No. $2500 for a 24mpix camera-body is too much now. The only reason I could possibly entertain that thought is if they blow my mind on video capabilities. (Super slow motion, maybe 120fps in 1080p).
Sony wants $900 for the 28-75 f/2.8 so giving yourself a $100 discount as kit that would imply a body price of $2200. I do not think Sony will go that low but It would be a nice price. I would like to see the Sony make a 24 to 105mm weather protected lens, f/2.8-f/4 would be OK and save a bit of money over a f/2.8 constant.
I don’t see why 24MP is considered, unless Sony needs to use an old fab for some reason. 24 is not marketable and will perform less well than 36. 24 is only doable if very low price – that is under 2k MSRP.
IMHO Sony should just scrap the SLT kludges and concentrate on the NEX – make a big body NEX for big lenses.
But SLT is exactly that – big body NEX for big lenses 🙂
It’s not. It can not use excellent rangefinder lenses, and it has a light stealing mirror always in front of the sensor.
Maybe the rumored hybrid camera will do this. The NEX lenses are not suitable for full frame but Sony could make a camera with FF sensor that had multiple adaptors. An Alpha adaptor to take the FF lenses that includes a mirror like the current NEX adaptor, an adaptor that does not have the adaptor for manual or contrast detect focus of Alpha lenses, an adaptor for NEX lenses if you want to shoot cropped, DT alpha lenses could also use the crop format. The camera could also accept additional adaptors for third party lenses. So there really is no native format lens, everything uses an adaptor of one type or another.
What about the nikon D3x? Both Nikon and Canon are producing 24mp or less cameras.
Well, I do not expect Nikon to come out now with a NEW FF camera with the D3x sensor, at least not at the price Sony will ask for it.
A Nikon D700x with D3x sensor for 1.999 would be very nice though. If the camera were slightly smaller than the D7000 that would be THE camera for many. Sony has a chance if they do that kind of camera for that price, or lower.
This is the 2012 market, after all, not the 2009 one…
I very much doubt that either the sensor used in the D3s or the even older one used in the D3x are still being manufactured – so the chances of seeing a new camera with either of those sensors is virtually nil.
Are you sure they are not being manufactured anymore? The sensor from D3/D700 cameras, which is older, is still being produced. It could be that those two sensors are now ready for new generations of cameras. Or it could be that the new sony 24 mp sensor will substitute both, who knows.
I just hope this new sensor has the DR an overall IQ of the D3 sensor (or better high iso capacities).
Uh, btw, just read the rumor about a possible Nikon D600 with probably the same sensor of this A99 camera. Hyphothesis on Nikon Rumor were about a 2.000-2.200 dollars tag.
If something remotely similar comes true, this entire thread should be rethought from zero…
D3x is discontinued. The D4 has less than 24mp but it is aimed at a whole different market segment than the people who might buy this Sony camera.
Admin, any hope for Full Frame NEX?
Leica got one.
For the smart ass, with AF and below 10,000 for a lens+camera combo 🙂
For the specs quoted, my personal price point would be around $2000-$2200. I would be torn at $2600. I shoot two very different types of photography: landscape, and events. They have very different demands on cameras. I already own an 850 and still like its quality at low ISO for landscapes, but I also shoot events and a capability for high-ISO images would be welcome. But $2000 would be about my limit of discretionary spending. I wish Sony would make a D800E clone with an OVF, but I guess that’s not going to happen. Failing that, I’d like to see a full-frame mirrorless. I’d love to see a scaled-up FF version of the 5N sensor with ~32 megapixels and high-ISO quality.
That would be the D800 sensor.
Exactly. And if Sony sells a full-frame camera with those specs, that I can mount Alpha lenses on, I’m all over it. Since it’s their sensor, I would be puzzled if they *don’t* introduce such a camera at some point in the future. I hope it’s sooner rather than later…
Why is everybody comparing the (possible) price of FF Sony body with Canikon ?
If you’re into Zeiss glass, it doesn’t matter if the Sony FF is cheaper or more expensive than Canikon.
It’s finally a new generation of FF body that work with your Zeiss glass and other Sony equipment!
To heck with how much the other brand bodies cost…
ditto. IMO the colors out of zeiss still crap all over L and Nikkor, I will pay up to $3000 easy for a new Sony FF, SLT or SLR. So long as its an improvement on my A850 (which is a given) I want it.
How many are that into zeiss glass though? I think many that visit this site currently are hobbyists and have cameras that are NOT full frame, and would like to upgrade if they can fit it into the budget. It is a lot easier to tell the wife you are spending $2K on a camera, than $3K. (a thousand bucks makes a big difference for most of us)
it is my assumption that those who wish to purchase a full frame DSLR, much less one with 24mp, that they would have the sense to invest in quality glass- especially the Zeiss offerings from Sony.
When I switched from a Canon T2i and L glass to the Sony 850 and Tamron’s 28-75/2.8, it was a bigger jump in quality than when I later switched to the Zeiss 24-70/2.8 — but then, I shoot at f/5.6 to f/11 most of the time, so I might not be the best example.
I shoot with 3 Carl Zeiss lenses on full frame, love it and think 2500 for a new FF is a fare price, but will save up if it is priced higher and delivers the goods!
I shoot with 3 Carl Zeiss lenses on full frame, love it and think $2500 for a new FF is a fare price, but will save up if it is priced higher and delivers the goods!
I shoot with 3 Carl Zeiss lenses on full frame, love it and think $2500 for a new Full Frame body is a fare price, but will save up if it is priced higher and delivers the goods!
The Zeiss lens argument cuts both ways – sure there are a few good Zeiss ZA lenses including zooms and they auto-focus. But if you are really interested in Zeiss glass, there are all those juicy manual focus Zeiss primes available in Canon and Nikon mounts but not in A-mount. And the kind of people that do DSLR video often prefer manual focus lenses and lenses with an aperture ring anyway.
If Sony could get Zeiss to make those Cosina-Zeiss lenses in A-mount as well (and keep releasing more Sony-Zeiss auto focus lenses) then they could really attract those dedicated to Zeiss glass. For a start the lenses would be stabilized on a Sony body – which they are not on Canon or Nikon. And one of the advantages of an EVF is that they could implement focus peaking for manual focus lenses in the viewfinder.
hmmmmm…what the hell happened with the premise about using EVF will reduce production costs? nothing about that will ever show up in the final product price? above 2500 is too much to ask…2000-2200 is more fair for the specs given (and the loss of quality due to Translucent Mirror) compared to D800. 5d3 is out of comparison due to being a bit overpriced. Now, if the specs are good (price wise) they really need to justify their pricing based on competition and the use of EVF/SLT (the EVF on A77 is great but has some cons in low light and a little bit of lag when tracking, these are vital of FF cameras with high prices)
Rooru,
I guess they did not say they would pass that savings on to us, the consumer.
For everyone saying this is not enough of an improvement over the A900, what about focus peaking for manual lenses, video with AF and live view with a tilt screen, or an improved focusing array, etc.? I love my two A850s to death, but these features would be awesome additions, and I would definitely consider buying an A99 (or whatever) given these specs. Not every upgrade needs to be radical.
Look at Canon and Nikon: they are willing to go DOWN in MP count at their top end to make a better camera (1Dx and D4). There’s a lot to be said for incrementally improving a camera and evolving it. It looks like Sony is learning this from the competition, and I think it will make for more solid performing cameras overall.
Canon and Nikon went down in MP because they still had to contend with high FPS and large buffers for their cameras used for sports. Raising the megapixels slows the camera down, but ultimately gives as good or better IQ. You’ll notice that on DXO Mark, when outputting to the same size, the D4, 5diii and D800 are all nearly identical in SNR.
I would have to believe this 24MP sensor would be an improvement over the 850/900 24MP sesnor in both IQ and noise performance. I would also believe that the 99 will have a better performing focus system than the 850/900. These two things alone make this a must buy if I continue to shoot with Sony which I plan to for the forseeable future. When admin says late August is this when it will be announced or released?
How is that price justified?
The A77 costs half of that. Double the price for better AF and a larger sensor? Now way I am gonna buy it because I’d felt ripped off all the time.
At $2500 it would be significantly lower than either the Canon or Nikon full frame bodies, it would also be lower than the price of the A900. The A900 is still selling for $2700 on Amazon. Since the current Sony bodies are not a bargain compared to Sony or Canon I expect the new full frame to be near the same price as the current Canon and Nikon bodies. I would hope for $2500 but would not be surprised by $2899 or even higher. It will depend on the features wether it is a reasonable cost or not. The number of other camera makers that make use of the Sony 15MP and now maybe 24 MP APS-C sensor helps on the price of those. No current user other than Sony is expected for the new 24MP full frame sensor so that will also keep the price up.
Speculation lately is the D400 will now be FX and 24MP
“Significantly lower”?
10% less than a D800, which on paper has better IQ, is “significant”?
Well, then Sony should do just like Sigma: why don’t they price the new camera at… emh… 7.990 dollars, and see who buys it? Sure someone will anyhow…
(and, uh, there are still Canon mk II for less than 2000 around, and, huh Nikon D700 for around 2000, but wait, the last one is only 12 mp so now it is not enough anymore but wait it is true that the sony will have 24 but nikon has 50% more mp for just 300-400 dollars more aaahhhgghh!)
“10% less than a D800, which on paper has better IQ, is “significant”?”
Uh, not sure how well your math is, but $2500 would be 17% lower than $3000. And the use of “significant” was in reference to the mentioned $2500.
well, I was thinking about 2.600 vs. 3.000. However, 17% is not “significant enough” either.
I cannot imagine a person who comes from outside the Sony and the Nikon worlds, willing to spend several thousands for a new camera plus decent lenses, opt for the Sony just because he/she can save 15% or so on a camera body that (on paper, I repeat) appears to deliver less than the other. It is not 500 dollars vs. 1000 dollars. We are talking 2.500 (maybe) vs. 3.000. It is a difference far too close to what any rebate or discount may easily cover, even if temporarily.
Heck, why spending so much if I can have something better for just a bit more?
He clearly wrote $2500 when he said significant. Plus, even in the case of $2600, the math still doesn’t say 10%, but 13%.
And I already posted a list of reasons why someone might chose the Sony, so “more” is very subjective, depending on what you’re after.
– much faster fps
– FF IBIS
– fulltime LV
– fulltime “MLU” effect
– Sony trademark CFA’s (better color separation)
– always low volume/noise shutter sound
– no need to look away from the viewfinder, ever (to change settings or review)
– fast (continuous) LV AF, regardless of light levels
– usable AF for movies
– most likely the only FF with articulating screen
– most likely the only FF DSLR <$12k with 1080p60
etc
Compared to the even more expensive Canon, add much better DR at low ISO, much less pattern noise (banding).
2.500 (even if!!!) vs. 3.000 IS NOT a significant difference. This is what I wrote.
The list of differences you wrote is interesting, but some of them require a preference for LV that many don’t have, or a preference for Sony colors that many don’t have, or a specialization in some kind of pictures (i.e. sports).
The camera as a whole does not look better than the equivalent cameras from the big two. Ok, maybe it looks better than Canon’s. But now Canon’s Mk III is loosing appeal vs the D800. The D800 is the camera to beat, for Sony. And 500 dollars less is NOT ENOUGH as a difference for persons not already invested in Sony’s lenses to chose Sony’s offering.
Heck, it may not be enough even for those who already have an A900, which is several years old!!!
No, you keep throwing around percentages too, without doing the simple elementary school calculations.
And ofcourse I mentioned points that may not appeal to everyone. Just like high ISO isn’t important to everyone. That’s the whole point here, personal preferences and yours do not reflect everyone’s.
But let’s be clear here, you were still the one suggesting there wouldn’t be a market for it, because it wouldn’t excel anywhere othere than fps. Not just overlooking the points already mentioned, but also Simply bypassing the fact that these are niche markets to begin with. All of them.
What your personal interests are on which you value these cameras, I could care less.
I am suggesting that the Sony is overpriced. The market may be there, if they lower the price. Otherwise it will appeal only to people interested in fps, which are the minority. EVF vs. OVS counts only if you are already in.
I wonder, is any Sony alpha camera selling better than the D7000?
The story will repeat with FF, if this is the price. You don’t care less? Well, Sony will care. Hopefully sooner than after. If they want to steal the market from the winners, they have to create something better with a SIGNIFICANTLY better price. Not 16.75198374% or whatever less (and this calculations are completely ridiculous, giving the fact that the price is not known, and speculations were about 2.500-2.600).
Again: Sony does not have a lens-accessory system as strong as the current leader (Nikon). The camera offered here does not appear as interesting as the Nikon. The price is almost the same, considering the amount of money you have to spend for the system.
At this price, they will fail, big way. You are interested? Good, buy it. I am sure it will take great pictures. But we are not discussing about actual pics, here, we are discussing about the question implicitly posed by Admin, wether it will be or not a success. No, it will not.
If I had the 77 I probably would not buy the 99. However, after using the 850, I definately prefer a FF to a APS sensor. I may be getting ripped off, but I truly love the FF sesnor. The images I shoot FF seem to pop more than the images when I use APS-C. The fact that the 77 was APS was the reason I did not get that camera and decided to get a 5n for a 2nd smaller body and video capabilities. I am ready to replace/add to my 850 and the 99 will be it.
Happy shooting!
independently from the price i would rather opt for a used A900 then for an A99 with an mirror and possibly worse iso performace paired with an evf.
I’ve also noticed that the a700 Af starts to struggle at lowlight when the Assistlight is disabled so i don’t want to know how that should work out well with one third of the light available for the AF-System.
It won’t have worse high ISO performance. Sony’s current sensor technology is a lot better than it was back in 2007.
Well the A77 can barely beat the A700. ( Dxo Mark 801 vs 581, which is not that much of a difference compared to the 1016 the NEX-7 reaches with the same Sensor)
And a I mentioned before even if the performance is better the EVF is still a downside, especially if my doubts referring to the AF-Systems behavior in lowlight should be true.
(The Good thing about the A99 would be that they haven’t increased the Resolution, probably leaving more room for High-ISO performance improvements.
FK,
I am not sure what you mean about the AF system. Are you concerned about the AF in the SLT’s vs the 850/900/700. I can tell you first hand the SLT’s are way better than my 850 in any light condition especially in lower light for AF. The SLT’s are faster and more accurate at focusing. I have missed shots because my 850 will not lock on the subject when I needed. However, when using my 5n with LE-EA2 adapter I never missed the shot. I shoot al lot of sports and theatrical events and I cannot wait for this new 24mp sensor. I am hoping for great all around performance and cannot wait to here reports from photographers who get to use this camera before its released. Keep the info coming Andrea.
I have a feeling the new 24MP FF will be on par with the 1DX and D4, not the 5d3 and the D800. The 36MP FF will be the 5d3 and D800 competitor. Thinking out loud about a FF SLT, I wonder if the “light loss” is central to the sensor or distributed throughout OR if that is a function of the lens. I’d think a long-barreled lens like the Minolta Beercan or Big Beercan would contribute to more light loss than something like the 24mm f/2 and the larger SLT mirror may actually reduce the amount of lost light. Hell if I know, I am not a physicist, it could make it worse. If it doesn’t, I’d expect the 24MP body to be a wholesale improvement over the A900 with a negligible loss of light, with a huge buffer, weather sealed, allowing a raid array of memory cards, WIFI, GPS, soft chiming bells and calming whistles. Otherwise, we’re looking at a minor A850 upgrade that has a clear FPS improvement, an articulating LCD and using faster memory cards. Basically a Full-Frame sensor in the A77 body. I can see both potentially happening. Regardless, they need to announce both so we know where they stand.
Please forget about the ridiculous high ISO wars! Improve the DR and noise levels from 100 to 6400.
If it is a 24mp camera, it needs to be priced better than the 5d2 and outperform it to get anyone (a900 users or Canikon switchers) interested. To make inroads on the big two, a 24mp body around $2200 and a 36mp body under $3000 would be just the ticket.
Give it class leading video, mic and headphone jacks, clean HDMI out for external recorders and cut the jello. Make the 24mp model shoot ~10fps for the sports/action/wedding shooters and the 36 can be just as slow as the Nikon since it’ll be more of a studio/landscape camera.
If Sony decided to price in line with Canon and Nikon at around $3500 this camera will be D.O.A. Sell them at cost and make money with lenses.
I don’t want a 24mp sensor, I already have two of them 5DMK2 amd NEX-7. What Sony needs to do is come out with a premium 36mp+ sensor.Maybe the square format that has been rumored would be interesting. The camera also has to have Pro level controls like tethering to be considered by most photographers. What we don’t need is another incremental upgrade like Canon did to the 5DMK3. Three or four of the Zeiss lenses could be great!
Sony does not need to produce a 36 MP camera (instead of 24 MP) because YOU already have 2 bodies with 24 MP sensors.
But you’re right it should be pro-oriented and include pro features currently missing on A77, like tethering.
I don´t think that Sony´s target group is full-time pros. They will go for the amateur market, margins will be lower, but volume will be higher. Nikon raised the bar, Sony will have to struggle to survive, unless they find a niche. I think, they will go for the FX-beginner on a budget.
The price needs to be A LOT lower than Canon and Nikon.
The price should be between $1500-$1700 USD.
Pricing at $2500-$2600 will put the A99 in close competition with the Nikon D800 and Canon 5D MKIII but also the D700 and 5DMKII, both new and used. Sony needs to woo photographers to the Alpha mount, not price them away.
I’m interested in the A99 but I already own a Nikon D700. If the Sony A99 is priced at $2500-$2600, I’d just spend a little extra and buy a new Nikon D800.
One advantage of FF SLT cameras is that they can have a much wider PD-AF point coverage because they are no longer limited by the size of the AF-submirror.
I already have an A77 with 24-70CZ so I would not be at all tempted to go to another 24MP camera even if it is FF…
The A77 Body is $1400… the A8/9x 24MP FF Body would be good at $1999. Any higher it won’t sell!!!
An A9x 36MP FF Body would be very good at $2500 and could really compete with the D800… any higher and it will fail too. If you add a new high quality kit lens (like the 16-50 with the a77) to the new 36MP FF a9x then you would be looking at $3100-3500 which could really show up the D800!
I’ll wait until 2013 to upgrade my a77… if the a9x is a 36MP FF BODY for around $2500 I will buy it!!!… I’ve already invested in Zeiss lenses… 2470, 85f14, and 70400G… Actually I just sold the 70400G on eBay and will buy the upgraded 70400G when it comes out!!!… Hopefully in 2013.
If the new 36MP FF is what I hope it will be I will buy 1635CZ and hopefully a new Zeiss 50f12…
Interesting to note that both Canon and Nikon have 50mm f1.2 lenses but Sony only has a 50f14 which isn’t even a G lens.
I already have a NEX-7 with Zeiss 24f18 as a 2nd camera to my a77… (upgraded from a55/NEX-5 combo which I sold on eBay).
I am still committed to Sony and will be until they close down their camera division!!!…
My thoughts and speculations:
1. Sony because of change of technology from mirror to SLT and being new in the DSLR camera market, possibly with strained resources for development, have yet no ready successor to A900/850 as they need to construct a completely new body. Therefore they could let Nikon make use of the 36 MP sensor (assuning it comes from Sony) first during this year.
It would anyway not be smart to present a new camera in same class at same time as the much bigger “elephants”. Better wait until all the craze about the new Canikon Pro and Semi-Pro cameras cool down and they can be ordered for direct deliverance.
2. Constructing a full frame body would be much easier if an already exsisting body from beginning designed for use with both APS-C and full frame sensors could be used.
I think A77 is that body, and only had to be made slightly larger because of bigger sensor and viewfinder, just as was written in the introduction to this post about A99.
3. As A77 is more in the same class as Canon D60 and Nikon D7000 the Sony A99 will be a full frame body for the enthusiasts and budget minded. I don’t know about price in USA, but in Europe the price should be under € 2000,-. Clearly cheaper than both D800 and 5DIII, but of course also in a less well built body than those as well as Sony’s A900/850.
4. Presented in August/September Sony will propably get about a half year head start before Canon (rumored presentation late 2012, but delivery?) and Nikon (Usually have to wait half a year for sensors Sony use in their own cameras) present their budget full frame cameras. In fact this rumor about A99 in A77 type body make a strong case for my belief Nikon already constructed the D7000 replacement (Propably D7100 presented just before Photokina in September) for use with both APS-C and full frame sensors.
5. Therefore next year we will see Sony’s 36 MP answer to 5DIII and D800 while both Canon and Nikon will present their budget full frame cameras. In Nikons case a “D7100” (Maybe named D400 if D7100 will replace both D7000 and D300s, or it could get a name like D9000) with mirror casing for a full frame prism finder using the same sensor as in A99!
Again smart marketing from Sony differenting their presentations from Canikon to avoid drowning in the publicity fight versus the bigger (in full frame cameras) boys.
I have an A850 and can’t wait for a new sony ff. I hope sony has learned from nikon and canon and releases the 24mp as the flagship sports-lowlight shooter. Why couldn’t sony have better ISO performance than the d800? I have faith. If not I am buying a D800 when the price drops.
I already have an a900, so why would I want one with a translucent mirror in front of its sensor? Yes we want better image quality but you’re not going to get it with that mirror.
Faster FPS, moving object tracking.. sports stuff.
What none of the Canikon FF provides and Sony clearly has in the specs:
– articulated screen: taken from A77, so fully articulated and no need to swivel out left as on Canon 7D or Nikon D5100, so you can adjust screen position with thumb of right hand and leave left hand on lens for zoom and manual focus
– PDAF in LiveView: means usable autofocus in video mode (if you want that) and fast FPS for taking pictures in both, EVF and LiveView.
– Focus Peaking: for manual focusing in LiveView and EVF.
For a Pro shooting tethered in studio or HD filmer using a rig that probably doesn’t compell much, but I think for enthusiasts that’s way more convenience in handling the camera than anything that Canikon has announced for FF so far.
D800 has 4 FPS for FX, 6 FPS for DX; 5dIII has 6FPS with 22 MP – this camera can be expected to deliver >= 10 FPS… that’s much more usable outside the studio and the fastest camera with more than 20 MP. From a feature view, it will provide basically the mix between the speed of a D4/1dX and a resolution closer or above 5dIII – all with convenient handling.
That sounds very appealing to hobbyist willing to spend quite some money, but not willing so much having to choose between excellent resolution or excellent speed and having to give up convenience when stepping up APS-C to FF for better image quality. I think there’s a market … and Pros who have heavily invested in Zeiss glass may probably simply have to wait until mid of next year for the 36 MP beast that will take D800 image resolution out of the studio…
I don’t want this FF. I want Sony 36MP FF(A950?)!!!!!!!!!
+1
Comes out around my birthday, maybe I’ll even get it before I leave for PAX, that would be the shit.
Given the number of cross type sensors and the frame rate, it’ll likely be a pretty kick-ass press/sports/wild-life body. I’m a Nikon shooter and most likely wont be looking at switching systems, but bring it on! I’m happy to see Sony raising the bar in terms of price and tech, pushing the other two to continually innovate.
I wish Sony’s presence in the camera field was having the same effect as it did in the video game field but sadly, I feel Nikon and Canon pretty much ignore their existence, in the SLR market at least.
C&N are in a great position where they have so much of the market and are so known for quality that to some extent they can sit back and watch Sony stumble out of the blocks with SLT and simply pick it up when (and if) they feel the time is right. If they ever did start using SLT tech, they could also comfortably support OVF at the same time, which I dont think Sony has the resources, or the motivation to do so.
I am a Nikonian, and completely agree with you.
Heck, Nikon is keeping on improving the same-old kind of camera, without experimenting anything new. What they do is absolutely wonderful, but I would be veeery glad to see an fm-like (or sized) FF camera. The old D3x sensor would be more than enough (well, actually, way more than enough). But Nikon does not appear to be willing to do it… Always big expensive cameras…
If Sony costed a bit less (and had in its line the 14-28 2.8 zoom, which is THE reason why I want a D800…) (ok, the sensor of the D800 could be another very good reason…)
I think whatever the price of next SLT FF will be, it will drop to 2,000 in 6 months and furthermore will drop to 1,500-1,700 in 1 year
EVF, no thanks. I will wait to see if they ever release an OVF version and if not, will cash out and buy Nikon D4 and lenses.
i guess its personal taste or have you really had a pleasure of looking through the new A77 evf? oh man!!! its the bomb!!! everybody will be bandwagon betties after they really get to use the sony EVF…
I voted yes to buy the new A99, however, it is still dependant on the noise levels and overall responsiveness of the camera. It should act like an extension of your hands and fingers. It therefore needs to be a step up from my A77 in responsiveness and a few steps up in terms of noise – at least equal to the Nikon D800.
Nikon rumored to launch a 24mp FF for 1500$ this summer…
Read more: http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/26/more-nikon-d600-rumors.aspx/#more-38954 and http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/25/another-full-frame-dslr-on-the-horizont-nikon-d600.aspx/
That Nikon full frame camera (at a rumored $1,500) is probably going to take away a large part of the market for the A99, even if the A99 has features the Nikon lacks.
At least Sony will still make some money from sensor sales to Nikon.
I better stay at my A77. There is nothing much intresting in this pseudo-a99 review.
What strategy? Sony made dslrs, a full frame dslr, then they made slt cameras instead, then they made nex cameras, then theyre rumored to a have a ff nex, and now a ff slt. I would say Sony’s strategy is pretty much a spray and pray one.
Will the new camera have a socket for headphones? All that work on the video side of things on the a77, but no way of monitoring sound really lets it down….