The 4K Sony displayed this year at NAB show (Image courtesy: Engadget).
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The swedish site Fotosidan reports the following info they got from Sony (Thanks Dennis for the translation!):
“More cameras on the way On the press meeting Yoshiyuki Nogama told us that a video-targeted system camera with A-mount is on the way/being developed. It shall compete with Canon EOS 5D Mk III and will have Ultra HD video (4K). We guess that this is a continuation of Sony a99. The Sony director also told us that further ahead Sony will launch a really fast full frame camera for action photography,”
This means Sony has not one but two A-mount cameras on roadmap!
211 Responses
It actually doesn’t explicity say A-Mount for the second one…
A competitive sport/action camera without the slt design would be an incredible achievement, to put it mildly…
Well, a regular DSLR is pretty much the only alternative for SLT right now.
(Hasselblad was saying that they’re working on a DSLR, so I wouldn’t eliminate this scenario completely, though I’d say that on 99% Sony will not release any DSLR in predictable future)
Hasselblad’s DSLR is the entry level camera of the sony mount you don’t want to hear about. 🙂 The sports camera must mean that the A mount going mirrorless was a fake rumour.
Rumor about A-mount going mirrorless always said that it might NOT be a complete move of all cameras. Admin always mentioned that high-end bodies might still use SLT.
So this rumor is perfectly in line with the old one.
A mount will become mirrorless. Just a matter of time while they perfected on sensor AF. I also think it will happen in 2015-2016, maybe not a fast-action camera yet.
Actualy it all makes sense
.In the news feed we have one Alpha mount blacked out on the lineup .
and we had roomers of the Hybrid with a moving sensor that would have to be a nex mount for it to work .Adaptors ect ect
Also the LICE or A3000 is confusingly referred to as a Alpha just like the A7r that is what ? well its a E mout .
So I think what were looking at hear is A88 maybe with 36+mp with 4K SLT aimed towards the 5DIII (2014)
A7000 with a duel focus system (Z Shift sensor on chip PD) and the ability to use cannon nikon lenses aimed towards the 7DII make it a APSC with the 12+FPS a desent buffer . (2014)
A5000 Budget spec of above fill out the gaps in the line up .(2015)
A9000 A FF vesrion of the Hybrid to take on the verry top end 1DX .(2016) About this time their glass line up from the NEX FF and updated Alpha mount glass and mounting other glass too will make it a serious system .
Also this Hesbalard partnership ………..Sony will help them make a mirrorless Medium format think of the advantages of takeing that huge Glass prism out it will be so much cheeper too well the black one with sony on it will the Hassy will cost a billion dollers and be encrusted with exotic materials .
@Puretide
Alpha has nothing to do with A-Mount. Alpha has always denoted an ‘interchangeable lens still camera’ range, and the logo was always present on all A-mount and E-mount cameras. Including NEXs. Just take a look at any NEX camera, from the lens mount perspective, in the right top corner you will see Alpha letter.
This point has been made plenty of times, i’m surprised people still get it wrong.
Considering Hasselblad’s latest cameras are current Sony models wearing a posh suit, the chance of a Hasselblad A-mount DSLR appearing is approximately 126% of sod all.
Base on current technology, the AF speed of mirrorless camera is still not fast enough for focusing and tracking moving object.
If the camera is target for sport, I think it will be a SLT.
Shooting sport usually need higher ISO to get faster shutter speed,
however TLM drop certain % of light and cause more noise at high ISO
When shooting with long tele-lens, eg.70-400 G, it hardly to shoot by hand held ,
because 70-400 G has not OS on lens and
IBIS is less effective for tele-lens or when shutter speed is faster than 1/200s.
I hope Sony can come out will some new idea or technology to make it as a good sport camera. 🙂
It’s correct that the article does not explicitly write that the fast camera will be A-mount. I’ve added a question to the comment section of the article about that where I ask if it is the article that is vague or if Sony were vague at the press meeting.
I’ll check later if the article writer sees the comment and answers.
Just my 2 cents’: All Sony Pro optics for action photography are A-mount, also don’t think E-mount focusing speed is up to it yet, so should be A-mount body.
+1
I am A57 user… love my cam… bt AF still not fast as canikon when u capturing bird filghts. & E mount cameras are a way behind this.
Now the A7… has been launched,we are starting to hear of new A mount cameras on the horizon. However, there are still a lot us out there who wish to understand what is going to happen regarding the NEX 7. It has now been on the market for 2 years followed by the NEX 6 a year ago. There was lots of speculation re the NEX 7 back in the summer. What about a road map for the NEX 7 or is it going to die in favour of a modified 6?
It is so frustrating waiting for information that never actually materialises. Do I need to rethink my next new camera strategy in favour of a compact system camera from Nikon or is the some hope for early next year?
Bonkles
Rx1 in the body of an a7. I’ll pay $3000
It seems to me that your wish has been granted just a few days ago and for less money than you were willing to pay! What is it inside the RX1 that you miss in the A7?
I should have said that what I really wanted is an integrated vf, but other than that 35mm f2.0. The lens optimized for that specific sensor (vice versa).
the no.1 lens, no.1 sensor, in flawless lens-sensor combo
Sounds like very expensive professional grade equipment. Hope this doesn’t mean that the a-mount will be dead for ordinary consumers.
How about an a77 aps-c upgrade? Or at least a Nikon d600 consumer level full frame competitor?
Will come, will come 🙂 2014. 🙂
Sounds like A-mount/DSLT will be high-end, semi-pro only. Everything else will be E-mount.
Why would you say that? Sony pumps out plenty of consumer grade alpha line cameras, your consumer hobbyist grade dreams have been fulfilled many times over and will continue to do so. It’s time for a new Pro grade camera.
I was replying to Adam, Documensony what you say makes perfect sense.
I don’t need a really fast full frame, but 4k video would be really nice for filming the kids around the house and other assorted video work. For reasons I’m unclear on, camera makers presume amateurs will want 36MP full frame cameras with Zeiss lenses, but assume only pros will buy sensible video equipment. I’m assuming Sony will follow suit, so price is likely to be prohibitive for me. Oh well.
I’m holding out for Sony’s next camera with good support for my a-mount lenses, IBIS, and a substantial upgrade over the a77. a7 came very close, but on-sensor PDAF needs to work with A-mount, adapter needs screw drive (but no mirror), and it needs IBIS.
>4k video would be really nice for filming the kids around the house and other assorted video work. For reasons I’m unclear on, camera makers presume amateurs will want 36MP full frame cameras with Zeiss lenses, but assume only pros will buy sensible video equipment. I’m assuming Sony will follow suit, so price is likely to be prohibitive for me. Oh well.
Agreed about how useful 4K will be. But I think companies are only waiting for the write speeds of memory cards to be fast enough to store the 4K video, and in another year or two 4K aquisition will become the norm in any more high-end enthusiast cameras.
Everybody wants to be able to crop, straighten, lens-correct, and stabilize in post — we want that kind of creative freedom for video as much as we want it for stills. And when we shoot video, we want the video clips to double as a “burst mode” we can pull stills from, so every moment is captured at a resolution high enough to print. Even consumer-level stuff is getting 4K (Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 phone/tablet things, GoPro action cams…) and within 2 years it’ll be the norm. 4K video is becoming one of those features like wifi in that I wouldn’t buy another camera that doesn’t have it.
NEX-7 successor?
Wrong topic.
Am asking if there is any news regarding NEX 7 successor, or any APS-C news. Or is it everybody shooting FF now?
+1
Use E-mount topics for asking about E-mount stuff? Why wherever I look there’s someone whining for a new things on E-mount? eh….
thanks for making the rules for this page… NOT!
And why is there always someone whining in comments to prevents others from commenting?! We can ask anything anywhere, you can simply ignore what you have no idea about or not interested in. Huh!!
He has every right to point out that you’re asking in the wrong topic, just as you have every right to to ask in the first place. That doesn’t mean you should! You may be interested in the future of NEX, and that’s perfectly fine, but there’s absolutely no reason to ask in this particular post since it has nothing to do with the future of NEX at all. Some of us are tired of all the E mount hype and want to enjoy their A mount news in peace. Thanks for your understanding.
+1
+1
There are plenty of reasons for Full-Frame
1. Better Sharpness (less resolution claim on the lense)
1.1 an 24MP FF Sensor needs a lense which can resolve ~85lp/mm
1.2 An 36MP FF Sensor needs a lense which can deliver ~100lp/mm
1.3 An 24MP APS-C Sensor needs a lense which can deliver ~130lp/mm
1.4 So a lense which can deliver 90lp/mm will give an 100% excellent Image on a 24MP FF, a very very good on 36MP FF and only an medium on APS-C with 24MP)
2. More Low-Light Performance
3. More Dynamic Range
Im dreaming of a future where everyone is shooting with Full-Frame and where APS-C died! We already had this in the analog era and i hope it will come back soon.
2 hotshoe? nice….
3200 ISO without noise will be nice…..
I really like the idea of the old and new hotshoe!!!!!! 🙂
It is 2x new on the one on the pic from what I can see
One is just a shoe. No hot bit.
Good news! Seems like Sony wants to compete with Canon C300.
And possibly with D4? Oh… I surely hope so. Just to remind you – roughly a year ago we got rumors about Sony developing high-speed A-mount camera which was suppose to be released in 2013 – that was in one of the rumors that got 3 A-mount cameras in development: one for video, one for sports and one cheap FF.
Presentation with slide about cheap FF popped just recently. Now the other 2 get mentioned. Well done Andrea – seems like another cameras that you rumored way over a year before the release!
What I am worried of is A77 successor. My A77 is starting to show it’s age bit by bit… So A77 successor is vital for me. Of course I can take A99, yet still I;d better take a new hi-end APS-C camera…
Thats exactly my thought. I sure hope Sony does not want to abandon APS-C for A-mount. But given the fact that the successor of the A77 is still quite far away, how about some new Firmware which would update the features like Canon did with the 7D?
Well, if Sony will release an update after as much time as it took Canon to release FW update for 7D – than you have roughly one and a half a year to wait for it!
You can actually support that by the fact that there were 4 years between the A700 and A77.
Just give me Quick Navi on my A77. That’s all I’d like.
I think APS-C A-mount cameras have been much more successful commercially than the FF A-mount cameras. So why would they stop this now? However, FF E-mount looks like it is going to be a big hit and the Nex line was also not so bad. So for now I think Sony still needs the huge A-mount line up so new people who are going to invest into E-mount don’t feel like investing into a fringe player at this moment. However, why would anyone invest newly into the a-mount. I guess most a-mount users have come into the system via Minolta/Konica, not?
Not knowing anything about DSLRs or cameras in general, except for megapixels, I came into an A-Mount system roughly 2 years ago due to liking the EVF on my ‘then’ A55, low light dynamic range performance during in-store testing against Canon and Nikon at the same price range. I suspect those were Nikon D5100 and Canon T3(maybe i). Live View usability, IBIS, menu system and egronomics. Yes, in the store, A55 actually performed much better at high ISO than competition.
I had an option to buy NEX 5 at the time, but was turned off by the price of a few lenses, don’t remember which, as well as egronomics, compared to A55.
Since then, I upgraded to A65.
Not everyone likes ridiculously small cameras. I, just like many others, enjoy my A65 with 16-50 F2.8. Any current E-Mount camera would feel badly unballanced with an adapter and that lens, while on A65 and on A77 it feels perfect.
I’m in 2 minds about an a77 replacement… If it’s 36mp, that’s a big ask for a lot of glass (the a77 isn’t exactly undemanding, as I’ve found with a lot of lower end glass). Personally I’m leaning towards ff for my next upgrade, even though I’d be gutted to lose my 16-50.
Agreed… My 16-50 is a compelling reason to stay with Aps-c!
I do have some glass that would be ok on a fullframe… But nothing great. (Mostly Minolta glass). Don’t feel like having to spend big on a camera body, that ends up being a downgrade if I don’t also re-invest in new glass.
If the new FF camera come with a 36Mp sensor,
I may put the 16-50 on it and shoot in crop mode, when I do not need full resolution.
In some case, 16Mp is more than enough.
It still have better ISO than A77, larger area cover by AF sensor, use less memory space and faster shooting rate, processing time, etc.
Also, 24-70 28 ZA, may be too heavy and expensive for some,
and in some situation the DOF may be too narrow when shooting at F2.8 wide open.
But in crop mode, it will have wider DOF.
The most likely quess is one will be 36mp and the other will be 24mp.
This way sony can reporpose the same 2 sensors just released.
By slightly changing the manufacturing temperature of the 36mp microlens they can optimize the viewing distance for a mount lenses and advertise is as another totally redesighned sensor.
Yes.
There are many semi-pro people who have a lot of APS-C lenses, and simply don’t need to move to full frame, not least because they have no commercial imperative to do so. This is perhaps the silent majority of users.
It doesn’t even matter how cheap FF gets for us, as its the lenses that will be the expensive part. Bigger as well: weight is an issue if like me you take out a 5 lens set!
Personally, I’m not taking the A77 out as much as I used to and using an advanced compact instead (Panny LX7), so bulky FF kit would simply gather dust on the shelf!
I’d be interested to know how many people only use apsc on the a77. The only apsc glass I have left is the 16-50. I dumped the sigma 30/1.4 in favour of the 35/1.4 (different league if you can live with the weight) and likewise switched my 60/2.0 for the 75/2.8. I had the 55-300 but wasn’t that impressed with it.
Andrew, my SAL1680Z lives on my a77. The only other lenses I have are a Sigma 10-20DC and a Sigma 70DG macro. I’m not a pro, but these work for me.
Well, to kill my own argument, I have the Minolta 50/f1.4 the Minolta 70-210/f4, and the Tamron 90/f2.8 macro, all of which are FF. I also have the Sony 16-50/f2.8, Tokina 11-16/f2.8 and Sony 50/f1.8, all APS-C. Also 6 other misc lenses that I rarely use (2 of which are FF). Would not want to part with the 16-50 and 11-16 though, as that covers my most common shooting range.
However, comparing the size of the 16-50/f2.8 to a Sigma FF f2.8 equivalent that I own is a pretty big eye opener on the weight difference between an APS-C and FF lens!
I’ll take them both!
4K and 8 bit .. No thanks.. 10 bit 4:2:2. SHUT UP nad TAKE my MONEY!!!
+1
+1. 10bit, and I’d prefer good looking 1080p at 120hz or 2 k over 4k. It seems they’re incapable of scaling down images from these large sensors.
4k capture = less downscaling/line skipping
When they say 5d iii competitor, do they mean spec wise or just the same price point?
I’m really hoping for a 6d competitor (priced mid way between the a77 and a99), potentially with a more limited feature set (eg 1080 video etc). Andrea – have you had any hints from your sources on this? The a7 would suggest that Sony is alive to the ‘budget’ ff market…
Seems like Sony is working on the A-mount competitor to 6D: http://photorumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/New-Sony-A-mount-camera-in-2014.jpg
Thanks for that – definitely looks promising!
how will thet do that without the SLT mirror/SLR mirror is the big question
And where in this rumor did they mention that this camera won’t have any mirror?
A previous announcement/rumor stated that they will no longer use SLT technology and will make all cameras mirrorless.
How about that one: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-still-some-slt-camera-to-come-before-the-full-a-mount-mirrorless-transition/ ? Confirmed by 4 different sources.
Judging by the a7 af performance, I doubt the next a-mount generation will be mirrorless. Sony won’t make the move until they eliminate the performance hit…
Just a flip-up mode will instantly solve a lot of problems, not sure why Sony is not doing it.
Nice. Now give us 200mm f/2.0 lens to photograph that sports.
yeah, make it pancake please!
+1. Would love a 200mm f2, especially as it would be a totally new design, not just a warmed up Minolta.
Not sure I’d bet the under / over on a Sony price of 10k for such a lens.
Exactly, the sad thing is it might not be as sharp as the Canon 200/2 and Nikon 200/2.
Sony owes it to its consumers and users to release the major A77 firmware they promised months ago. They should in turn release a major firmware update for the A99 as well. This will keep its current owners and customers happy.
When did they promise a firmware update? Link, please.
at least 10bit for external record please. The best is built in ssd.
Looks like camcorder specs to me.
This is quite good. While I have no interest in Ultra-HD video, this should push the price of the A77 down which means I can hold off on getting one for a while yet.
OK. Sony is the only company right now doing a big push for 4K.
Their relatively affordable 4K video camera just launched (I don’t know how the codecs are) and the 4K TVs and service is something worth noting.
Also, the RX10 can, apparently, globally read the whole 20mp sensor at 60fps. Which means that camera can potentially do 4K.
Now, an A mount SLR with 4K is serious and thanks to Retina displays and now the competition (Lenovo and Dell) catching up with their own high res screens, it seems the lateral industries are also preparing for 4K.
What I really don’t get, though, is how much beneficial is a 15″ laptop with 4K res?
Cannon has 4k in the 1dc, but it sells for $12,000. Not surprising Sony is looking at this, can’t let canon have a segment, no matter how small, all to itself.
I would still wonder if the BMPCC would yield better overall video quality at 1080 than the compressed 4K these cams do.
The build quality of black magic cameras is inconsistent and poor. Sony builds video products that one can trust on an important shoot or serious production.
Personally, I do not want(need) a 4K video.
I don’t have 4k TV and not planning to get one in near future.
I have a new built computer recently, but I don’t think it is good enough for editing 4K video.
IMHO, Sony should focus more on making a better camera to shoot better photo.
There are still lots of basic issue need to improve.
Include, High ISO performance, Noise reduction, JPG engine, white balance, metering, AF tracking ability, Wider spread AF focus point, much better IBIS, especially when shooting with long tele-lens, etc.
I Agree 200%
guys i am a bit curious , the 4k camera, as far as i understand it will work perfectly with the full-frame lenses that i have such as the 24-70, 70-200 because technically the lens has to cover the same full frame sensor, no matter 4k video or full hd video .
am i correct ?
4k video is still just 8mp, it’s not dependent on sensor size, your lenses will be fine. I’m betting Panasonic will have a m43 camera that shoots 4k video soon, a successor to the AF100.
yes that is what i thought , but still wanted to be sure HEHE coz if i had to get new lens just for 4 k i would pull my hair out HAHA
No offence but it should compete with Canon 5D MkIV, not MkIII… so what, A99 was supposed to compete with MkII?…
Using different stabilizing technology is Sony’s greatest fault. IBIS for SLT and OSS for A/NEX…Why not IBIS for every camera? If you use A-mount lenses on A7 you won’t have any form of stabilization and that’s really crap considering we’re in 2013!
that i totally agree 😛 coz i have the a99 and nex vg30, and actually i prefer the video of vg30, but then i get no stabilization , but since i use jib/dolly/fly cam etc, so i dont miss it much, but when i don’t have the other equipment then i miss the stabilization. and specially since i only have 2 e-mount lens and 5 a-mount lens
Probably because they can’t do it for the time being.
I believe they made that decision due to the size. that IBIS requires larger physical size, and the point of NEX was to keep the size minimal. But yes, by now, that’s a total mess. Hopefully they can still introduce IBIS (hopefully Olys 5axis) into E-mount cameras.
One option would be to make a microIBIS*, which doesn’t move, let’s say, 5mm up/down/left/right but only 2mm.
It wouldn’t prevent blur with shaky hands, but it would achieve much better results.
(*) microIBIS name has been already patented by me 😛
Plus the stabilization on a99 for video is done via the camera software not the shifting sensor – making the video really mushy – so it’s not worth using. I do it in post. It would be hot to have the same hardware-based video stabilization for video that the stills benefit from – or some lenses with IS that can be used for video.
I forgot to add that for stabilization while shooting video the e-mount is currently superior precisely because the OSS is on the lens.
So no high res A mount cmaera for the landscape and studio work which I’m sure would sell in greater quantity than a sports camera!
Unfortunetly nothing over 36mp till 2015
Producing high quality camera is contrary to using a high mp sensor. Many of the a99 video problems come from the down sampling / line skipping from 24mp down to 2mp of 1080p.
If this is a serious video camera for a serious price, than it shouldn’t down sample at all. Thus a 16×9 edge to edge cross section of the 3×2 sensor should only be about 8.8 mp. Accounting for the additional vertical resolution of the top and bottom of the sensor for stills it would probably only be around 10 or 12 mp (guesstimating here) but the horizontal resolution of 4096 px should remain the same.
Canon used only a super 35mm sized sensor of about 8.8 mp in their cinema line cameras (1d-c, c300, et al.) for this reason.
Correction: Producing a high quality VIDEO camera …
Thanx for correcting that.
I would not have expected that post as originally writtten from you.
I typed it on my phone and immediately realized the error. Comment editing would be nice.
Anyway, as much as I would like to have a high resolution stills camera (over 36mp) and one that can capture sharp, high quality video – for the time being its one or the other.
admin, could it be that the a7 is the real source of the mirrorless a-mount rumor? think about it, it’s an alpha, it’s the a7 (not the e7). could it be that this has been misinterpreted as the new a-mount camera on it’s way to SAR?
I am working to clarify this.
Admin, has any information regarding the giant metal mount on the prototype 4k alpha body in the photo ever come your way? It it the rumored hybrid AE mount or perhaps a hybrid PL / A-mount or something else entirely?
It would be weird. Even more so, as according to earlier rumors Sony cancelled SLT version of A77 successor to build a mirrorless version of it, and A9 clearly got nothing to deal with A77.
But other than that? Everything you said makes perfect sense.
I don’t understand why not a semi-pro aps-c A mount camera for sports and wildlife
I think because of the details full frame camera can get. Its same as of 120 roll film camera Hassleblad vs other 35mm film cameras. If somebody can correct me please…
The difference between APS-C and FF is too small. Beside, to get better detail, you need higher pixel pitch. Current APS-C already has higher pixel pitch than the FF one. It’s more likely the ISO performance since sport and wild life do need the fast shutter under various lighting condition.
People are talking about “Competing”. Please force Sony to just like inventing new ideas and implemnting so it can enjoy world best seller as Minolta did after releasing body integrated AF and predictive AF in Dynax/Maxxum series. If really brand loyalty brought you here then never talk about “Competing”. Thanks Dears…
I think that if Sony would learn a lesson from Minolta it would know that innovation alone isn’t good enough. Minolta was one of most innovative companies on the market – yet nearly always lagged behind Canon and Nikon, to the point where eventually they were bought by Konica, and than Sony.
this is very disappointing for me. sony is leaving the serious camera market with the rise of their evf clicksy clacksies. ok – the a7 looks nice but it’s a toy. it hurts, but i will have to sell all my minolta lenses and shit before its too late, fuck
FUD at work
Hey!
What lenses do you have and how much?
Lets make a deal and good bye.
Andrea~ Please read this important rumor. The link:
http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=254&t=3603598&last=46777416
It says:
AXXX 系列消失
//AXXX series will disappear.
AXX 系列停產
//AXX series will stop producing.
AX 系列皆為全片幅
//AX series are all full fram.
ILCE 等級順序 3 < 5 < 7 < 9
//ILCE level order
ILCE 出場順序 7 , 5 / 3 , 9
//ILCE show time order
A7, A7R 使用E接環
A5, A5N 使用E接環
A3 使用E接環, 平價全片幅
A9, A9r 使用A接環與E接環, 混合卡口, 機身厚度與dslr相當
//A9, A9r uses hybrid with A-mount and E-mount. The machine thick is the same with dslr.
A9既有A接環大三元F2.8變焦, F1.4定焦, 也有E接環輕便小三元F4.0變焦
//A9 can use A-mount f2.8 zooms, f1.4 prime, and E-mount f4.0 zooms.
為了A接環的那些長焦還有新合作的400mm
2014年會有一台A79作為SLT閉幕之作
//2014 will announce A79 for the end of SLT.
高畫素(3600),高速連拍(12/16),混合對焦(19+102),BIONZ X 影像處理器
Chinese rumor from random forum called “mobile” ? Certainly not an important rumor to any degree. We got at least one of these popping every several weeks.
Mobile01 is one of the largest camera forums in Taiwan. It’s not just some random forum.
That’s not a rumor 🙂
Andrea, thanks for your replying. 😀
not a rumor then it mean fake and incorrect information? saying there will be a last A79 in 2014 to end the SLT and A9, A9R is hybird with dslr body size.
That would mean a5 and a3 will come next and be lower end than a7
A9 will come later and be dslr style hybrid mount and higher end than a7
All will be ff.
All c size would now be ilc names….if i am interpreting this news correctly?
Admin
Not a rumer because its fact?
Or not a rumor because its not true?
Admin
Also. Any c cameras with 32 or 36mp?
not ture. I mean it’s a guess and some things will be oviously correct because they are logic.
Thanks for the info. No rumor but fact…but…maybe…admin already knew 😉
2014: last only A-mount.
@Johnny Hsu keep sending these links!
What a waste an such a wrong move.
Sony should stop A-mount and put the whole effort and development resource on FE mount, which is the actual future. FE is superior to A-mount in every aspect, easier to build, smaller, possibly higher quality lens lineup.
Ridiculous. Sony isn’t comprised of a few guys in a room, it’s a massive company. They can handle supporting various lens lines. Should they also stop building PL mount lenses because you prefer to buy lenses with an E?
Buy your e-mount gear and don’t worry about what other products they make, Sony will make whatever they choose for e-mount that is technically feasible and they feel is a market for – lack of resources won’t stop them.
+1
Sheesh, why do people keep wanting the a-mount line to die? Answer: so they can feel good about buying into e-mount and not feel inferior about the big boy cameras. Both lines are fine and serve different purposes. Deal with it and accept your purchase.
If A-mount dies, all those f4 lenses will magically become f2.8.
We have lots of A-mount lens, definitely we do not want A-mount to die.
However, A mount is design for camera with mirror, while E mount design for mirrorless camera.
If there is no more SLT camera, all the future camera will be mirrorless.
So it is more logical that new camera will use E-mount.
Also, obviously the number of Cankon users is significantly more than current A-mount users.
If Sony want current Cankon to buy their camera and increase their share,
the camera has to be E-mount, so it can attach Cankon’s lens by a adapter.
Also, in the roadmap, there will be more than 10 new full frame E-mount lens within next 2 years.
I wonder if Sony still have any resource to make new A-mount lens.
Could one or both of these cameras possibly use the rumored sensor-shifting auto-focus?
I hope we could get the A7 in A mount version… I’d buy it if the price is the same as the A7 (less than 1400 euros)
I’d love to use my zeiss 16-80 in crop mode and my other full frame lenses in FF mode..
I guess many customers are pissed at the moment..2 years ago u got an A77 for less than 1300 euros and now u add 100 euros and u can get a FF camera…
Nikon is working on A7 in F-mount (though hopefully not as ugly as A7 is).
See: http://nikonrumors.com/2013/10/20/breaking-new-nikon-full-frame-hybrid-mirrorless-camera-coming-soon.aspx/
Really hope that Sony pays attention!
“Update – few additional specifications that will clarify some of the questions in this post:
•Standard F-mount
•Pentaprism viewfinder (meaning the camera will not be mirrorless)”
LOL
+1 Might end up being an interesting camera, but with these specs it isn’t anything comparable to the A7.
Seems heavy (nearly 800 grams)… and I am not willing to switch to Nikon… I’d rather switch to Fuji…I am just sad to have to say that..I’ve been loyal to Minolta/Sony for 15 years but Sony doesn’t really know the meaning of customer service and that E-mount strategy (killing the Amount) is forcing me to consider to switch..
“willing to switch..” Not only you in particular but most of the preordering Amazon crowd is the reason for demise of system cameras or FW updates. Would they buy a single extra flash for their camera? Forget about lenses other than the kitzoom.
I would kill for a competitor to that! compact, a-mount, full frame. something like the a7r with la-ea4 built in (and please! better af coverage). but it needs to be lighter than that Nikon.
Well, Nikon is heavy because they went for full metal body. IMHO: That’s not necessary, not when so many of their cameras got plastic body, and in small camera weight savings are considered important (Canon got it right with 100D IMHO, though the price of that was way off).
Big question though is a price. If it will be more expensive than A7r than most certainly they’ll kill a lot of momentum even before the camera hits stores. But… yea – I would be delighted seeing Sony with a competitor for that.
Why are we talking about this camera since it’s a plain vanilla F-mount with mirrorbox? People got all worked up about any retro looking camera even though it offers nothing to the way of getting a picture. This is a poor attempt from Nikon to stall the sale of the A7/R. It’s the same thing with the FF Fuji a few days ago.
FM-1 very ugly for me.
An A7-style A-mount camera, interesting idea! 🙂
It is not possible to have a A-mount camera in A7 size. -_-”
The flange distance is not long enough.
It is not possible to attach a A-mount lens to A7 without increase the thickness of the camera or length the lens.
somehow the A9000 from 1985 is basically the same size as the A7 so I’d say it’s quite doable. some thickness would be added for a swivelling screen of course and maybe slightly more space is needed for the sensor compared to film and pressure plate but it’s not impossible.
I love SONY I’m a complete fanboy (since working with their cameras that ended up being the only piece of gear I could rely on 100%) I am REALLY hoping they pull the video spec’d camera off , I can’t wait to get one in my hands and compare it to my BMCC.
Very excited, love that mount too.. Kind of looks a little like SONY’s FZ mount with A mount adapter.. That would be awesome.
FZ mount… hmmm… I thought it looked like a PL mount with an A-mount inside it.
But on the other hand, I have seen neither FZ nor PL mounts in the real world.
Now we’re talking ! …
What’s the deal with 4k for masses?
People are already perfectly happy watching crappy compressed videos on Youtube or whatever all day long. A lot of media is consumed on small devices like tablets and smart phones which are currently still stuck way below 4k.
What’s the point in getting 4k footage if the majority of devices will not even support it? And even if they did, what’s the point when you cannot stream it online which is crucial these days?
can be crop 1080 inside 4k easily. For most of the ppl is about stabilisation done in post, with 4k we can get extra space to stabilise it for full 1080p HD. But if we shoot 1080 only, we don’t have that extra space for crop and stabilisation
Isn’t more always better? I get your point though.
Isn’t more always better? I get your point though.
and what about the new jpeg engine for NEX series ?
A fast sports camera – so, at last an SLT with a true high-grade AF? Hope it’s in the 5D3 price bracket.
A99 was supposed to compete with those, but turned out to be more of a 6D kind of thing.
Can’t wait to hear more about the sports action one.
What for to create new camera if the existing one does not support((
Hi Folks,
I wonder how many enthusiasts like myself are thinking something along the lines of “…Fed up waiting on Sony to release a really good A-Mount enthusiast Camera… I’m getting close to a ‘Stick or Switch’ decision” …
I own an A-580 with some nice lenses (Some FF and some APS-C). In my case, the sensor picture quality of the A-580 exceeds that of the A-900 and the A-77 (according to DxO). The cost jump from the A-580 to the A-99 is HUGE. So much so that I am seriously thinking that if I upgrade to that level of cost then my cash may serve me better by switching altogether to CaNikon… Personally, I love the huge and impressive viewfinder of the A-900 and I am really NOT INTERESTED in the video capabilities of these cameras. (I have a good Video Camera for that!) All I want (for Christmas, as the song goes 🙂 ) Is
– A great sensor (better than the A-580),
– A great Viewfinder View (I prefer OVF but wouldn’t mind SLT except that current
SLT Views don’t cut it for me),
– A-Mount for my current lenses.
I am SURE there is a market for a more ‘Simple’, but ‘Great’, A-Mount FF camera that (like the A-900 at the time of release) concentrates on taking great pictures and a great picture-taking experience. Let’s face it, most ‘enthusiasts’ now rarely use their jpeg’s straight out the camera and process RAW files to get the most out of the sensor’s capabilities. I feel that in the current (not future) market my limited Alpha-Mount-User consumer choices are:
1) Stick with Sony A-Mount and buy an A-900 for its full frame capability and great user-experience. (Even though the sensor is similar or not quite as good as the A-580).
2) Push the boat out for an A-99 despite its EVF and because of its superior sensor, but wondering if this is really the best use of my cash?
3) Just accept that Sony are crap at supporting their user-base medium to long-term (Firmware Upgrades and retail network anyone?) and switch to CaNikon? I can get an improved FF Sensor (New or S/H,) a 100% OVF and a great picture-taking experience for a reasonable upgrade cost. The only downside I can see is losing the in-body-stabilisation.
Decisions, Decisions, …
I would be interested to hear people’s reasonable thoughts… (If they are of the “Eff-Off” variety, then, pre-emptively, you can too! 🙂 )
Best Regards,
Malinki_Malinki
Which quality of the A580 you think would be better than both the A900 and A99? I’m seriously curious since I don’t think of any possibility for such thing (FF vs. APS-C with a new sensor tech in the case of A99). If it’s the ISO performance that you care about, then going to Canikon would be best (even though the difference is much less than 1-stop). Most of Sony cameras so far focus on getting the best possible picture at base ISO (DR, color accuracy, tonality). Knowing that Sony is lacking in the firmware release side would help you right there. If you care about constant firmware release, Sony would not do for you. Get the brand that fulfills your need, much less headache down the road. That’s why I said there is no point to whine. If you deem Sony is too lacking for you, just switch brand and be happy. It helps with your photography as well. I hate the constant feeling of “what if…” while going out for a shoot.
Hi Rolleiflex, Hi Charlie,
Thank you both for your 2 great reply posts; I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to me with good sensible feedback. Having only ever handled an A-900 but never shot with one (other than in the shop), and never having even seen an A-99 (no shops near me sell them), I am at a disadvantage to compare these with the A-580 other than my reliance on the web, and DxO in particular. (Note; I never said or implied the A-580 was in any way better than the A-99 (other tnan OVF Vs EVF).
My ‘frustration’ stems from wanting to do more (especially Full-Frame) with my camera and lenses. Speaking from good experience you are telling me that the A900 is WAY Better than the A-580 and that the A-99 is way better than the A-900. Given this, I think it would make sense for me to upgrade to a second-hand A-900. (I think there may still be the odd ‘new’ one still out there too.) Even though I do the odd low-light shot, I have never gone above ISO1600, but wherever possible I try to keep the ISO setting at ISO100. Also, as I said before, I’m not interested in DSLR video. If I get an A-900 then from what you say I will get a great upgrade, and I can hang fire from upgrading further to see if Sony will really deliver with a new A-Mount FF Camera. This last part I think reflects my current frustrations; I have been smitten with the A-900 OVF and handling/user=experience, and I have also been so far dissapointed with the SLT EVF’s.
OK, you have both sold me! I think I will upgrade to an A-900 and then see whether Sony continue to move forward with the A-Mount. (I’ll see if the shop will let me try it out first though.) Meantime, I can start putting some cash aside to wait for that next upgrade. (No point going to an A-99 just now when there could be a replacement within a year.
I still think Sony are missing a trick with Firmware upgrades though. Whilst one can argue that the current firmware works, and I agree that upgrades needn’t be too often, I don’t believe for a minute that any of the A-580, A-77 or A-900 couldn’t be enhanced by a Firmware upgrade.
Thanks Guys and Best Regards,
Malinki_Malinki.
Enjoy the a900 – it’s a lovely camera! 🙂
I used to have an a580, I now have an a900 and a99. The a900 is WAY better than the a580! No competition! I don’t understand some of the DXO ratings, and this is a prime example. the 900 is pretty terrible at any iso above 1600, and even 1600 is not great, but 100-400 it is excellent. For all those who say the a99 is not a big upgrade, well try shooting a wedding with both, and then you will see how much better the a99 is over the 900. I would upgrade the 900 to a 99, but with something new on the horizon I’d rather wait.
Hi Charlie, see comment above…
Hi, yes, I saw that, I was really just disputing what you were saying about the a580 sensor out performing the a900 one. Also, the EVF on the a99 is actually very helpful. Well, helpful for me shooting weddings, and being able to use manual instead of aperture priority and getting the correct exposure almost all the time!
Thanks Charlie. 🙂
Please keep these A rumors rolling, and thanks
Great news! I’m thrilled!!!!
That is exactly what SONY Customer service said to me recently to me in a email that was published on this web site. The A-Mount will continue to be their professional line of cameras. However the future A-Mount cameras with APS-C sensors is likely numbered.
Interesting Guys! Though not appropriate for this forum but found something fishy on dpreview and left comments there: please visit. http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4109350402/welcome-to-our-studio-test-scene
The comments of me are:
Quote:
This can never be unbiased until you people also put the compareable lenses. E.g. you have put Sony A57 with 50 mm lense and when comparing with Canon EOS 5D Mark III it uses 85 mm lense. It is not compareable and sure people will think about good photo and better lines and sharpness from 85 mm big picture or zoomed in photo of Canon Mark III. Its showing less color abbrations in black and white lines in the corners of the main photo. But when you go with Canon 100D with same 50 mm even 1.4 lense it shows the true bad position of Canon at all points of black and white lines and circles with color abbrations everywhere as compared to Sony 50 mm and 1.8 lens . I think no journalist in the world may go for unbiased comparisons. That’s true….
Unquote…
the canon 50/1.4 is pretty old though so that comparison is still lacking. unless you’re comparing specific lenses of course. You’d still need to use a reference lens though or you’d be comparing the result of a system rather than comparing lenses or comparing body performance. And of course you’d have to compare both raw and jpeg or you might end up comparing an in-camera corrected image to one that’s not. On top of this you would have to consider the sensor size versus the image circle.
It’s about time Sony made an attempt at a sports camera. A thought the 99 was going to be a good sports camera but it’s focusing while good is a bit sluggish and it’s processing speeds and power plain sucks. It is good in poor light but you don’t want to shoot over 3200 or 6400 at most. I couldn’t wait so I got a used dx1. The camera is incredible and I hope Sony shoots for this type of performance. But they would have to give their Bionz processor a serious shot in the arm. Their focusing also needs an upgrade.
Does anybody know whats happening with the NEX 7?
I’m hoping for a 36MP full frame A-mount which has Olympus’s 5-axis stabilization and includes a flip up SLT, so I can make the most of Sony’s great sensor technology for night landscape stuff, where I don’t need the super fast focusing speed. If they could also build in on-sensor phase detection that could be fairly good in mirror-up mode in reasonable light, I’d be super happy. This seems to me to be the logical progression from the A7/A77/A99 learnings.
Admin – any idea when in 2014 the A-mount stuff may be coming? Could it be early, or are we talking a year from now? Thanks.
Although I understand the logic behind an engineering decision to use an SLT, I don’t need its benefits for my photography.
Having said that, I think that a flip-up pellicle mirror would be great, as long as it had a bulb mode with OSPDAF, which would only have to be semi-decent for my purposes.
I don’t shoot sports, but it would be amusing to have fast-focusing capability should the need ever arise.
+1 on the previous comment–make it user-defeatable SLT, A-mount, 5-axis IBIS.
What were our expectations after getting A99? Better video capability? Nope!
+1
I don’t think Hasselbald would last any longer and only a fool would buy it. They don’t make any lens and they don’t have any update technology .They only know hiw to ask an outrage expensive price.i just feel sorry for people correct their products.
I hope Sony is going to make a 72 MP soon.
The A99 would have been sweet if it had 2 x BIONZ processor and better memory handling (bigger buffer). Processing power would have been beefed up. Also, the AF points should have been across the entire screen. Better software, firmware and hardware would help on faster FPS, better ISO and buffer issues. I hope the next A99 replacement would house these improvements. A hybrid A & E mount feature would be killer.
The a99 definitely deserved better processing power (and buffer size) for it’s price bracket. Although cramming in two processors is unnecessary with modern multicore processors so readily available.
Double Bionz X!
Don’t forget XQDs. dual slot please! 😀
You are absolutely correct. While the next camera should have your mentioned items, Sony missed the boat because the 99 should have had every item on your list. The processing is below average. The focusing system is average to good for a system designed to provide great focusing at the expense of light.
The expectations around A99 successor (or even A99, before it was introduced) were;
– A better jpg engine
– Uncompressed RAW format
– Focus points to be wide spread around the sensor, NOT in the center
– Tethering (and I mean real tethering)
Now Sony is telling us they developed video capabilities even further. Wow… I’m impressed!
Does anyone think there is a future for A-mount APS-C crop camera body and DT lenses ?
I definetly think so. Crop cameras are cheap to make now. No reason Sony wouldn’t want to pump out a few for that market. There simply is no reason not to continue on the APS-C line.
Obviously yes, don’t need any rumors to confirm that.
Just last week everyone was crying about the death of alpha- from from it. No doubt these camera’s will have faster buffer speeds for the EVF.
And what about OVF? Does anyone think we could be suprised by an OVF entry? Why can’t Sony offer the option for it’s flagship? Many people refuse to use the EVF despite its major advantages. Sony must realize this by now. I can’t wait to see what will be offered. For now though, I’m content with my A77 and A900 combo.
So if the upcoming camera shall compete with the 5D Mark III, what is the A99 then? I always thought it already is a competitor of the 5D Mark III. Or is it just an overpriced competition for the 6D?
The A99 sadly was and still is a camera for nobody. They compromised the sensor to fill a video spec (didn’t use there own 36 mp sensor but rather gave it to nikon to make amazing sales and reputation with) . And nobody bought the a99 for video because why not just get a 5D mk3 with all those cheap lenses? makes no sense.
So Not attractive from a Photo upgrade standpoint and not attractive from a Video standpoint = fail and no sales. Surprised? I called it long long ago. It’s a good camera yes, no doubt, but nothing special compared to the competition at the same price point.
Someone ask how letting out the the best and highest mega pixel full frame DSLR sensor to the competition for over a year worked out for them? Heads should have rolled over that blunder.
Just when Nikon users were feeling a little bit ripped off, overpriced in a corner with their lenses systems (circa 2011) along comes Sony to save nikons day!!! Here is a gift of a sensor: now go get back all your deserters. (faceplam)
+1
If Sony puts their XAVC codec in the Video DSLR, and it’s around 9k-10k, I can imagine people lining up to buy that camera. It would be perfect with 10 Bit 4:2:2 HD and 4k (24p-60p), but especially since they would more than likely implement the very nice video features in the a7/a7r/QX10 that aren’t really talked about (Zebras and the electronic ND filters). Sony just can’t put A-mount on it; professionals videographers hate A-mount because they usually have Canon glass on hand.
E-mount would be preferable, but that would mean the camera is aimed at a lower end of the market compared to the F5 and F55. If they put the same mounting system as the F5 and F55 on the camera you can put PL, FZ, and Nikon lenses on it, but it would also give Sony an excuse jack up the price of the camera above the current cost of the 1DC.
I have a feeling the camera would be a flop if it’s anymore than the 1DC, which itself is massively overpriced solely because of the additional 4K function. Actually, now that I think about it, the camera can’t be more than the 1DC since it won’t be able to take as good of stills as the 1DC! I guess we will see!
Whoops, I meant to say RX10. I definitely didn’t mean the QX10!
Now that I’ve had the EVF and have a traditional A900 OVF I’m a bit torn. I love the EVF no doubt, but man- a solid OVF really is attractive. I like the bright and more realistic view. To be honest, most of the EVF features aren’t all that necessary. It’s great you don’t have to move your eye to check certain things, but I don’t really find myself benefiting from it that much. The best feature is the instant exposure and peaking.
I can live without it though for a bright OVF. Sony should create a hybrid type OVF that can project EVF readings onto it. Come on, it’s not that hard. Give people the option or create a no compromise hybrid. Some Canon and Nikon shooters just refuse to use an EVF period.
The EVF and mirror just splits the market. They have so many good features, but the slight upset to high ISO and buffer speed to clear the EVF hurts it. I can see the EVF easily fixed with faster buffer speeds. Sony CAN NOT have these types of set backs. You have to implement this future technologies with zero drawbacks. High end class leading ISO BEFORE af speed and video features. That’s how you win the competition.
I own an a900 and a65 and I can honestly say I’m ready for EVF for normal pro shooting. As long as the viewfinders get better and more features to control the viewfinder (customizing the exposure in viewfinder for strobe studio work) I’m all in. I have become addicted to the focus zoom checking to ensure tack sharp images wide open and also I like what you see through the viewfinder actually a bit closer to what the final image will be (with dynamic range limitations).
The OVF is more comfortable yes indeed but I am starting to think that EVF actually gives better results in the final image. Of course not that same for everyone but I’m all in and thats coming form a long time a900 shooter.
Just want to say, I also really like the look of the camera pictured in this thread. More angular than the A99. Very nice and gives it some much needed character.
This new camera body is with a huge adapter, either for A mount and E mount lens, and the huge opening itself might use for future Medium format sensor,so the future Sony MF lens can be used on this body too, The huge opening is open for other lens adapter as well, and it will bring Nikon or Canon user to buy the Sony bodies.
And the future MF body won’t be bigger than this one. It is bigger bigger enough to house the MF sensor.
So the transition of from FE mount, A mount.to MF mount will be smooth for Sony users.
And just when Sony is improving video, nikonrumors reports that “The upcoming Nikon retro full frame camera will not have video”
Just a rumor on a rumor site, but then again, so is this one about the 4k A-mount.
I must say, it has been this site that has caused me to get very interested in the D800, which I am about to start seriously researching…also, you have gotten me interested in Leica digital, as the next logical step to my Leica film.
Seriously, thanks for the helpful discussions and arguments on here.
Oh, also it is reported as having MANUAL CONTROLS and EXCELLENT BUILD QUALITY.
Now THAT is a company that is moving in a direction that I like.
Hi Not an everyman,
See my post(s) above. Now you have got me thinking again. Blast! 🙂 I too think that sounds not only like a great rumour, but also one that is very plausible; I think there is very definitely a market for such a camera. I don’t think there is anyone daring enough in Sony to go ‘Retro’.
Best Regards,
Malinki_Malinki.
It seems Sony is afraid to make the great ILC. The 7r sounds great but why not an electronic first curtain. It like if we make this camera too good, no one will buy the 7. Why doesn’t the 7 have the offset chip something or other and sync speed of 1/250th like the 7r? Then maybe no one will buy the 7r. I guess I was looking for Sony to produce a great sports and action events camera and have gotten tired of waiting.
D4 killer with an EVF. Does the Nikon D4 use a Sony 16FF Sensor? not sure.
If Sony does come out with a “Sports” Pro camera I don’t see how it could be 24MP.
To slow, high iso will be an issue especially since it will probably still be SLT design. Yes 3200 ISO useable would be great.
We will have to wait and see.
New FF A-mount should have: 36.4 Mpx sensor without AA filter, EVF 4 million dot in 3:2 format, IBIS 5 axis, no SLT mirror, 3.5″ display in 3:2 format,
Gianluca, would you have any objection to a translucent mirror that was able to be flipped out of the optical path if the user didn’t want to use it?
Yeaah, at least a good news for A-mount users ! I’m very happy, but also angry that people still wine about Sony.
Come on, we all hoped for A-mount news. Now that we got it, it still doesn’t suit some guys. Just let Sony make the products, we will then make good or bad comments about it later.
Maybe I’m dreaming but that body looks like it conspicuously houses a pentaprism.
I would LOVE a hybrid of a camera that allows you to change out the mirrors from translucent to standard and that allows you to choose between EVF and OVF. I’m certain it’s doable and it would definitely be worth the cost to serious shooters.
Disregard previous comment. I’m obviously dreaming – or drugged.
But I’d still like to see the hybrid!
Well the first part of this rumor has been confirmed, with the A7s filling the ‘video-targetted 4k’ role.. I’m looking forward to the second camera also being the real deal.