According to one source Sony will unveil a “new special entry camera” on August 27. It’s my guess that he is talking about the new DSLR shaped E-mount camera named “ILC-3000”. Am I right?
This camera will compete against the Canon REBEL series and this is also the first E-mount camera that will get rid of the “NEX” brand name.
I know it’s hard to get used to the new definition, the “ILC-3000“! It quite remembers me the “HAL 9000” computer from Stanley Kubrick’s movie “2001: A Space Odyssey“. I do hope the ILC-3000 E-mount camera will not be as unkind to human being as the crazy gone HAL 9000 🙂
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101 Responses
nex-5t and 16-70 announcement on the same day?
If this one actually has the 5-axis IBIS, then it could be game over for A-mount within a few years.
Does it matter if it’s game over for A-mount? I’d say No IF
1. The AF has full compatibility with all present and legacy Minolta A-mount lenses.
2. The AF is as fast and accurate as on native A-mount cameras.
ELSE
it matters big time and Sony managers can go somewhere hot…
If people get this camera as they entry cam, they don’t want to switch mount when it’s time for them to upgrade.
All this is not relevant for entry level camera. It will come with OIS lens and that’s about the only lens entry level users will buy. AF experience of Nex is amazing compared to old minolta lens.
All this is not relevant for entry level camera?!
People upgrading from a camera phone or a point-and shoot to DSRL are going to look at lenses see that the E-mount lenses are relatively more expensive than the A-mount lenses.
Even if they are not actually going to do it, most people initially plan to buy more lenses. That’s usually the whole point of going with a DSLR. That makes them think twice before going with an E-mount camera.
No, number 1 sellingpoint of DSLR is bigger sensor. Same sensor is in NEX camera (except the camera is less bulky). Sales figures prove you are wrong :).
Not going into an argument with you (don’t feed the trolls).
Peter, Amen!
Number one selling point of DSLR is the false security feeling of getting the right stuff. Gotta be big, right? Would you shoot for Rolling Stones with a bunch of Nex-7? I’d say you could, but would you? And even if you don’t care about such thing… what would you look like with your NEX-7?
Perso note: this does not apply to me, I couldn’t care less about what I look like. But I travel light, always 😉
This^
No.1 selling point of DSLR is not a bigger sensor, it is noobs wanting a camera that the pros use. They wouldn’t have a clue what the sensor is, never mind the size of it.
The vast majority of dSLR users never buy more than the kit lens, they find out that the camera doesn’t instantly make them a photographer and then it sits gathering dust.
Sony releasing an E-mount dSLR style camera is the next obvious step to get some sales from the noobs.
It also brings on-board the people that would have a NEX but don’t like the size.
Depends on the market. In emerging markets where you have aspirational buyers, people will buy a Nikon DSLR to show (aspiration to) social status: the bigger the camera the better (they will be seen!!!). And they couldn’t care less about sensor. Thailand where I lived for 3 years is a good example: it’s bulky DSLR or die. You never see them use it though: they wear it like a necklace 😉
Then you have to imagine how much they’re willing to change mount when they’ve already invested with satisfaction in A-mount..
HAL-9000 was in fact IBM-9000 computer
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
H -> I
A -> B
L -> M
is SONY close to IBM ?
The ES9000 that I used never talked or tried to kill us.
Yes, and they conspire with the freemasons and the Bilderberg group to overtake the world.
Please…
I already said that ILC 3000 is coming to kill you.
Actually, had you read the book, you would know that the Clarke (who obviously chose the name) touches on the in-universe popular misconception that the “HAL” part of the “HAL-9000” moniker was a jab at IBM, for being one-step-ahead.
SLT-A99V
SAL5014
etc…
I think we are already used to those naming schemes and we also know that the products won’t be marketed as such. For lenses that’d be particularly hilarious since ‘sal’ would mean ‘monkey’ in Japanese.
“Saru” would mean monkey in Japanese.
‘saru’ is just the Western transcription. As regards pronunciation ‘sal’ is actually closer as Japanese can’t pronounce any kind of Western ‘r’.
Not sure it’s any closer. You do need to pronounce the u.
Gee freddy, having spent a number of years in Kyushu Japan, I really never hever heard that. The correct syntax is saru, and I have heard several japanese say the word for monkey pronounced “saroo”, with heavy rolling of the “r”.
ILC Interchangeable Lens Camera. Maby it wil be named the Sony E-3000. I think that would makea lot of sence.
Could this be the hybrid camera? Personally I’ve yet to be convinced that the e-mount former factor can natively compete with high end a-mount glass. There’s some perfectly respectable options now, but nothing in the same league as the Zeiss 50/1.4, 70-400G or Sigma 35/1.4.
What does form factor have to do with anything?
You mean, the 77x94mm 665gr Sigma, the the 81x71mm 518gr Zeiss and the 1.5kg G? Maybe there is a reason?
To launch such a camera implies that Sony has found a fast mirrorless auto-focus solution. Because otherwise, why would they think that only changing the shape of the camera would automatically “compete” with the Canon DSLR, while the NEX does not compete ? The NEX as it is would compete with DSLR cameras if they had a fast auto-focus, but they don’t.
Erm… No? I find it perfectly reasonable to just release DSLR-shaped NEX and that’s all. Even without any AF improvements. It’s a win-win in terms of usability. I doubt Sony does it because they improved AF, more likely they do it because competition does the same (eg. GH4, OM-D).
I agree. Just putting a NEX-3 in a “camera-shaped” body will give additional sales. Beginners (and salesmen) will see it sitting on the shelf and perceive it as a “real” camera.
All the guts of the beast can be identical to a NEX 3.
And the more E-mount cameras are sold the better, in my opinion. It is the best lens mount yet designed by anybody.
Don’t know about the GH3, but the OMD has a brilliant autofocus system. Or am I confusing that model with another Olympus camera that claims to have the world’s fastest autofocus? (not being sarcastic here) Anyways, I would assume as well that Sony has indeed improved their autofocus system or is at least confident enough, to be able to go up against a dslr’s autofocus. Perhaps they’ve finally made the NEX5r/6 on-sensor phase detection AF truly effective versus something that only marginally improves the speed as it stands now. I actually don’t have a problem with the speed, but I think it would be amazing if an ILC could finally compare to some degree, on their ability to track a moving object. Right now I could only track a snail.
I’m getting ahead of myself here with excitement, but perhaps if that is the case, then that could also be a reason for the NEX5t?? I know the admin said it won’t be a major update but when I think about the 5 series, I personally don’t see what else I would add except for improvements on the features it already has. It’s really the perfect camera for its intended market and price point IMO. If they’re updating the 5, I’d assume they’d slightly update the 6 as well, and with a touchscreen. Why market a camera with apps when you can’t use a touchscreen?! Oh, and please allow both command wheels on those models to be fully functional in modes other than just M Sony, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity with enthusiasts looking for that 7 series-like control.
Sorry I got off track there, ADD can be amusing at times. But ya, I’d assume they at least improved their implementation of the on sensor phase detection rather than doing nothing internally and just changing the body.
So people will think, D3000 vs ILC3000… hmmm APS-C vs FF… ok more expensive but I am going Full frame !
I wonder if the ILC-3000 will be the camera for MILF-2014?
You know what MILF stands for? 🙂
Yesssss.
I would presume he just totally chose those letters randomly. Only one out of 26^4 chances, right? So lucky.
Let’s hope so! It will be interesting to see what the new camera looks like…
Please not a Canon 100D Crap copy…
Sony dreams of Canon 100D sales figures. 😀
Yes, always wondered why those sell so well.
Polish a turd and stick Canon on it and Nikon users would still swap systems for it.
Small, light, cheap and make excellent photos. Very surprising story, isn’t it? (:-)).
Plenty of other small, light, cheap and making excellent photos cameras out there. Many of them better featured. So, yes, very surprising.
But it looks “professional” and a NEX / Fuji X20 / Sony RX100 doesn’t, so they must obviously be rubbish compacts. 😀
Generally the people who buy low-end CaNikons haven’t a clue what they are buying, they just what the “professional” results. LOL.
I think it will compete with Olympus OM-D E-M1, NOT the Rebel series.
You’re hoping, more like.
I agree it will compete with the Olympus OM-shaped models. That doesn’t mean it will sell more, but it only has to sell enough to justify the tooling costs.
The autofocus speed is obviously what Sony have to work hard on.
Given that it will be an entry-level camera, I seriously doubt that.
DSLR shape o_O ? Like the ugly OM-D E-1 ? A fake pentaprism for retro-looking hardcore lovers ? But i know that majority of people are dumb 🙂 “if it look like a dslr, it will take wonderfull pictures, if it looks like a compact, it’s a piece of crap” 😉
One reason Sony is introducing this camera is because most people with little knowledge of cameras associate SLRs with better quality. People walking into BestBuy without doing research first are more likely to buy a camera that looks like a SLR.
OT:
Radio triggers for NEX
http://www.lightingrumours.com/nex-big-thing-sony-fit-radio-triggers-and-hotshoe-adapters-announced-4480
http://www.amazon.com/NEEWER%C2%AE-Hotshoe-Adapter-Wireless-Speedlight/dp/B00CQHJHNG/
Indeed, unless it has DSLR like AF performance, this form factor with E mount makes zero sense at all. I mean, it’s the worst of all worlds. Puny E mount lenses selection, slow AF, and not even the great rangerfinder form factor and compactness to compensate. That would be a totally dumb and useless concept. But God only knows what Sony is capable of these days…
Perhaps it’ll have IBIS, since it’ll be bigger. Then, THAT would be its biggest selling point.
What make me affraid, though, is that Sony only uses IBIS for this new ILC series and leaves the current NEX without.
I want my future FF NEX with its current form-factor AND IBIS!
😀
I think it’s steadyshot from software and its coming in firmware for older models as well. Also it doesn’t work with some lenses like the E24 for some reason.
I believe for SSS to work it needs to communicate with the lens so it has the focal length. No communication, no SSS. Could be wrong and I can’t be bothered to look it up!
Yes, it does need communication with the lens, AFAIK. But then, there are chipped adaptors out there, so older lenses work with IBIS.
Sony releasing a firmware to improve older models? Yeah! Keep dreaming.
I probably have gotten something wrong but Sony are saying here http://www.sony.co.uk/support/en/product/NEX-7/compatibility that some lenses on the NEX 7 won’t support steadyshot.
It was more the Steadyshot active mode I thought was interesting.
Doesn’t the A-mount compete with the Rebel series?
How does Sony think this camera will be differentiated from the A-mount?
I’m guessing… The next 2 years or so will be a bit of an experiment. They won’t sell A-mount and E-mount “dslrs” side by side forever. They will test the success of both products and then choose.
Just doesnt make sense to support 2 competing systems that are identical outside of lens compatibility.
If people keep buying products of both types, they will support them no doubt. Ofcourse they will continue to produce all products that are profitable. There is no need for them to choose.
Mirror lenses (A-mount) still has future.
For me:
A-mount Lenses are universal mounts that can ben mounted on any mirrorless.
E-mount FF is a universal body.
A-mount body is not universal.
E-mount lenses are not universal.
–> That’s why metabones rock
It won’t be two competing “systems”, just bodies. And it does make sense, if you are making money off them.
But when you compete with yourself, you lose money.
Let’s say Sony could sell 100 ILCs at a profit of $100 each… And 100 A-mounts also with a profit of $100 each…
But producing 2 different lines has increased marketing and production costs. And as the cameras are so similar except for the lens mount, they are taking sales from each other. So instead of selling 100 of each…
Sony picks 1 of the mounts, and sells 200 cameras at $150 profit (greater profit from lower production and marketing cost, economy of scale).
And to me, that’s what it looks like is happening. Sony is testing out a few options… And 2-3 years down the road, they will simply go with whichever mount is more profitable.
“But when you compete with yourself, you lose money.” Not necessarily. It is a bit more complicated than that.
If the cameras are so similar, they won’t require entire separate production lines.
If the new product eats more of another’s company’s sales than your own, you will be making money. (if, for example, it eats from Canon’s Rebels)
If the new product helps sell another product, you will be making money. (from what I see NEX sales are good for Sony, but it might not be helping A sales; making an in-between camera might help that)
If the new product is selling better than the old one, you will be making money.
Also, in your example, the buyers don’t see a difference between the products. Which is perfectly possible, but not necessarily true (and imho not true at all).
Let’s say Sony could sell 100 ILCs at a profit of $100 each… And 100 A-mounts also with a profit of $100 each…
But producing 2 different lines has increased marketing and production costs. And as the cameras are so similar except for the lens mount, they are taking sales from each other. So instead of selling 100 of each…
Sony picks 1 of the mounts, and sells 200 cameras at $150 profit (greater profit from lower production and marketing cost, economy of scale).
And to me, that’s what it looks like is happening. Sony is testing out a few options… And 2-3 years down the road, they will simply go with whichever mount is more profitable.
Won’t know till we see the product, but as you said–
To keep production costs down, you keep the products similar.
If they put image stabilization in this ILC camera, then it is hard to see any difference between A-mount mirrorless and ILC. Sure, they may be different in the eyes of the very tiny proportion of advanced users. But to typical consumers, looks like the models would be indistinguishable.
If this camera is competing with Canon Rebel, then we know it is also competing with A-mount, as the A-mount has always competed with the Rebel.
That’s the thing. I believe users will see a difference, just because of the size of the thing. Same as someone commented above – it looks more pro. Perception is a weird thing.
I’m assuming the body will be similar — I shoot with the a55. It’s already about the same size as the Rebel sl1.
It is little disappointing that they are going to release very low end version first. (“3” probably means it is in NEX-3 and A-37 area). Maybe it will have fast AF but some other features maybe cut: 50/60p video, high frames per second, EVF quality. I am more interested in something like ILC-5000 or even better ILC-7000.
It makE sense to start with the very entry level and test the water with the 3000 series . the 5000 and 7000 will follow within 6-12 months with better built specs ( remember displacing the video button on nex7 ) viewers opinions count with Sony engineers , many thing will improve with the ilc-5000 and ilc-7000.
Maybe Sony just want to get an E mount DSLR size body out there so that they can start making longer E lenses which will balance better on a larger body. Lets face it, the NEX bodies really don’t suit long and large lenses.
Yes, but they do have A-munt for that.
Actually, an E-mount body to balance with the existing E-mount lenses seems tantalizingly attractive; the NEX bodies are too small.
Looking forward to longer telephoto E-mount lenses, 60% the size/weight of an A-mount equivalent.
If naming is the most important thing to dicsuss, the rest must be marvelous 🙂 !
This camera doesn’t seem to compete to Rebels as much as it will be compared to EOS-M. Let’s hope it compares well!
(And also, thanks Sony viral marketing dept. for providing this vague info and keeping the pot boiling!)
Everything compares well to an EOS-M.
But its price is super-cheap now. You can get a body + 2 lenses + a flash for around USD500. I’m kinda tempted to buy 1.
Are they really going to release a mirrorless A mount camera AND an nex mount camera in an A mount style body? That seems crazy to me, and not branding it as an NEX camera when it is an NEX camera doesn’t sound like a good idea!
I’m wondering if one rumour has somehow been split in two or something?
It’s the Sony way. Throw a load of sh1t around to see what sticks.
I think the camera makers should read Steve Jobs’ biography.
Mr Jobs believed in simplicity, e.g., iPhone, iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPad…
ILC-3000? No wonder the industry is in a slump.
Yes of course everyone knows that the reason apple products have sold well is because of the magical “i” in the product names.
Sony must release an iCamera and the world will be theirs.
+1
But it does leave room for the 1000, 2000, 4000, 5000 etc. ranges (though exactly how many versions of each one are they envisaging we wonder, one every six months will soon mount up):-)
Seriously though, if that is really going to be it’s name then I really do wonder what Sony are thinking of. NEX is catchy, ‘A’ is obviously self explanatory as is the CaNikon ‘D’. They need a catchy, but not twee, name, something which photographers will not feel daft saying, and for goodness, get that numbers down from ‘3000’ to ’30’ at the most – how big is the badge going to be?
“They need a catchy, but not twee, name, something which photographers will not feel daft saying, and for goodness, get that numbers down from ’3000′ to ’30′ at the most – how big is the badge going to be?”
The number of digits in the name is a consequence of the naming scheme that Sony has adopted. They use single digit names for the NEX series (eg. NEX-6), double digit names for the SLTs (SLT-A77) and triple digit names for the DSLRs (DSLR-A580). That means that a new series will have to adopt quadruple digit names (ILC-3000).
But why not just calling it NEX, when it uses the E-mount? It seems that Sony doesn’t want to use the NEX designation for DSLR-shaped cameras, instead preferring to introduce a new line of cameras.
But the name must match the content, right?
And I guess noone here wants a camera with only one big green P button and a shutter release button.
Should Sony name it iLC-3000 instead?
😛
Just joking!
Based on the description of the ILC-3000, it sounds like the still camera equivalent of the VG-9000.
Wow, there are so many known specs about all the imminent releases.
SONY sure doesn’t know how to keep the secrets anymore.
/sarc off
Or you know, nothing will happen.
Looks like pocket lint liked the story…
http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/122963-sony-ilc-3000-rumoured-for-launch-new-system-cameras-inbound
it might be a Hybrid mount
A mount style body
E-mount with phase detect on sensor
so it can work with both E-mount and A-mount with full capacity
For some reason this circus feels very gadget-oriented than anything else… I very much hope this ILL-3000 is an internal name at least
Gadget is good! 🙂
Why would they make a new entry level mirrorless?
It may be a step up alternative for NEX 3/5 users. Allowing them to protect their hefty investment in superior lenses.
So is this the new Nex-7 or something completely different?
8 days from now? And there’s no images leaked yet?!?
I’m so curious about how this camera looks 😛
Its because it’s too small to actually photograph with traditional equipment. ILC stands for Infinitesimally Little Camera. It is just 3,000 microns across.
It’s just a rumor… Let’s wait and see.
Sony keeping tight lipped. There does not appear to be any specific specs of any of these cameras, nex or a-mounts floating around.
So close to announcements and yet no specific specs. Sony is keeping tight lip on the new cameras. I will be waiting more intently for the ff nex and a-mount cameras. I am impatiently waiting for news. I would love a second body. I am down to 4. Nex ff, a-mount mirrorless, one of the fuji’s or the new Olympus 4/3. I want good low light performance and a quick autofocus. Sony’s mirrorless has yet to impress me on the autofocus front. I hope they improve it so it can be used for sports, dance etc.
The ilc-3000 should be the alternative to the Nex series and a REPLACMENT to the RX1-RX2 series be it in aps-c and the higher ff just as the canikon dslrs, with better professional hardware ,slim mirrorless dslr like ( size of the Samsung nx11) 5 axis stabilizer , more advanced built in flash and hot shoe, advanced fast AF , manual peaking,advanced modular EVF ( by placing modular sony can earn nore in selling future built in evf’s as accesories) ,tilted screen. high speed wireless .
Doesn’t make any sense.
Ok. Except the “RX1-RX2 series” replacement and the modular EVF this all makes sense. Remember it has been stated many times that the ILC-3000 will be a replacement for the low-end NEX/A-mount line. The RX series are a totally different animal. The RX1 even more so. An SLR shaped mirrorless is a completely parallel product to a compact, fixed-lens, full-frame point and shoot. Also, the EVF can’t me modular and keep the SLR shape. Otherwise you get something like the NEX-5 series.
The ILC-3000 will be a low-end camera. It should have most of the features you mentioned and it may be paving the way for the high-end model you seem to covet with the RX1’s image quality (although it won’t be in the same market segment as the RX1).
ILC = Irresistible Little Camera ?