I got this info from different sources: The new A99 successor will ship early 2015. The weird thing I heard from one of those sources is that the camera may be announced 2-3 months AFTER Photokina. I don’t know what this means. Maybe Sony is only going to display a prototype of the A99 successor at photokina without releasing specs with full announcement coming 2-3 months after.
Anyway, so far I also don’t have 100% reliable specs. I got some info about the use of the 36MP sensor and a built-in vertical grip But I would rate that SR3 only for now…
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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!
0 Responses
I doubt there will be a built in vertical grip somehow…
I hope you’re right. I’d rather keep it smaller. If people want this, they can but the vertical grip accessory. That seems far more flexible, and I’m thinking more likely.
I hope there won’t be vertical grip built in.
Personally I would prefer that Sony release a double size battery to use in the vertical grip versus two small batteries in an adapter or a larger body.
Well, the built in vertical grip would be a nice add.
Also for a new full frame E mount.
It looks like we just have to wait and see what happens.
Maybe such a grip would allow 4 batteries?!
The Mark 2 will have likely a higher power drain.
Typically the larger cameras use a single larger battery that is greater than two smaller batteries (since less space is wasted on casing).
Less waste on casing, brought me the idea of 4 (actual used in A99) batteries.
I would love to see new batteries of the same form factor but with higher/more output/performance!
Unlikely Canikon introduced new ones with new form factor in the near past!
At least something is moving for A-mount. Slow, but moving. A77II was the latest sign, and it would be rather stupid not to upgrade the A99.. so the line is not healthy, but also not dead.. Thought maybe the e-mount even has the 54mp ff sensor before then..
A88 on Photokina? Possible?
And a big (A-Mount) punch in late 2015 with new sensor tech?
Thats why Sony might be a bit quite about A-Mount so far.
Anything’s possible but nope. Expect no mentions of the a-mount at Photokina. It looks like a rerun on CES except some badly needed new FE lenses will go center stage along with the consumer grade QX and 5100.
E-Mount gets all the attention because a) the ‘entry level’ is moving to E-Mount (which tend to have more models with more releases more often) and b) because E-Mount has had to ‘catch up’ so much with A-Mount in the higher end as well as lenses. At least this way there are lots more regular Sony camera and lens announcements then there used to be. Seems to me A-Mount is ticking along at the same pace (or actually much faster) that it always has. E-Mount is just moving faster than Alpha users are used to…
E-mount will now be more import to Sony as the mount links into their Cine line of cameras as well as their stills camera. So going forward that is where the effort will be put into, as the mount effectively double dips…
Sort of. Their higher end cameras are PL mount, but otherwise this is absolutely correct.
“Built-in vertical grip” sounds like a normal body ala Nikon D4, D3/s/x, D2/x/s, D1, F5 and Canon 1D/s/x, etc…
with a 12/24mp sensor and perhaps another model (A88 with a 36/50mp one?) against the 5D/6D/D800/D810?
I don’t get your drift. I was just commenting on the “built-in grip” which is not really a “thing” as we know since many camera bodies have had this form factor already.
I was also commenting on the built-in grip. The A99 doesn’t have one included.
Perhaps Sony will have the A99II compete against the D4s/1Dx, that’s why I said that 🙂 Just a wish 🙂
but… how is this possible….I thought…. A-mount was dead
A-mount is a concept
You cannot kill a concept. Concepts live forever.
Only material things can break or die.
Socrates?
I don’t think sony would release a $3000 70-200 if a mount was dead.
I might be tempted, but if it does not have electronic first curtain, this is a no thanks for me.
Well the a99 has it so the successor most likely will have it.
You would hope so, but if it is 36MP, then Sony need to have found a way to make it work on that sensor. It was missing on the A7R.
But is present on the D810, which likely uses the same sensor.
Well I guess that’s good news then. I hear it’s a processing issue, so as long as Sony can match Nikon in that regard…
It’s not a processing issue, the sensor does have to support it though. The original series 36MP did not.
does the 800 and 810 use the exact same sensor? Do I se a tiny grain of hope here for the A99mkII? My main use for this camera is birding, so in the end I might be better off with A77mkII anyway …
D800 and D810 use different sensors. D800 doesn’t support EFCS (like A7R) D810 does.
Thank you Admin for the great news! It is better for Sony to take a bit longer to launch a problem-free A99II and not repeating Nikon’s mistakes. I think the built-in vertical grip is for the Pro Sports FF.
what Nikon’s mistakes are you refering to?
D600 & D810, please check internet.
The only mistake here is you. Please check with your mom and dad.
“After a state-run television station in China highlighted the defects of the D600, Nikon Corp. in Japan has agreed to stop selling the D600 in China and offer free repairs to owners, stemming from a request from a Chinese government order.”
“Nikon has released an official product advisory for the Nikon D810, identifying an issue where some users are seeing large white spots when shooting long exposures or in 1.2x mode. The advisory helps identify the units that are at fault, and will get them fixed as soon as possible.”
Maybe the one where Nikon is having to replace the D600 with the D610 for free to avoid a class action lawsuit? You’d have to be living under a rock not to know about that one!
Or how about the original left focusing issue with the D800. Or how about the over heating / white spot issue with the D810? I know they are being fixed but these were still issues.
Gee really! like this time it’s for real, wow! I’m soooo convinced……
In Sony rumors “early next year” usually translates to “christmas next year” or “never”…
If this is the case with A99II, thats could be too late.
It has to be available before wedding season and spring to matter.
You’re not going to need the A99II tracking improvements for a wedding…
Maybe not tracking but the tiny AF coverage and hunting in low-light of the a99 can adversely affect framing or getting the moment. He never said he needed better tracking but he probably knows what he needs better than you do.
If is struggling to capture a wedding with his current Sony full frame, then the A99II isn’t going to make him a better photographer.
For sure, I wonder how wedding photographers have managed for all these years.
People managed to shoot weddings with no AF at all, what’s your point?
As soon as a convenience becomes availible, we get used to it.
Customers used to pay more for wedding photography and get less. Times change. Are you still predominately shooting and printing from film?
Better photographer – no. Just as the a772 did not make a77 photographers any better.
However, a true full frame AF system that can handle moderate to low light will give him more useable shots for an album/prints – and thus more sales and higher profits.
I used an a99 side by side with a 1 dx to shoot a wedding last weekend. During the reception, I missed photos that the a99 failed to focus on too late or I lost the right expression in my posed group shots after the subjects waited for too long for the a99 to focus. It was smooth sailing for the canon the whole way.
That’s an argument for swapping systems and not waiting for the A99II.
Did I write that I dislike the a99 or We should all switch? No. I’m talking specifically about the deficiency in the AF system (which a77II wrote is not needed for certain photographers).
The a99 does fine in standard to bright light. The a7s focuses better in low light than the 1dx in my testing. The a77-2 has vastly improved AF. Thus it is known that Sony can improve their self-described flagship and these improvements will help photographers attain more useable shots and a greater return on their camera investment.
It would be nice to not have to bring a Canon to certain shoots but for now I must until Sony improves AF and fixes their flash system. So personally, such improvements would keep me shooting alpha without Canon bodies.
I am shooting almost 3-5 times a week using A99s and now an A7 with LAEA-4 and the AF has never really been an issue for me. In low light, the A7 without its AF assist beam is however a pain in the ass and I will resort to using only the A99s- I wouldn’t call the A99 slow (especially too slow for wedding photography, come on guys) but the A900 center point still does feel quicker/more accurate.
I like how when someone brings up legitimate issues that actually effect their own photography, people try and defend it with “they used to be able to shoot without that.”
Autofocus in lenses, fast accurate autofocus system in low light, proper weather sealing, fps and buffer, EVF improvements, ergonomics, start up and button lag, RAW file performance, and many others are all apparently just things that people used to get by without, so we are asking too much.
But when it comes to sensors, it’s never enough. “200 MP, 30 stops DR, ISO 1,000,000 or you’re failing Sony.”
Not really an argument for swapping systems as long as Sony can improve its AF systems. The A77II has an f/2.8 AF sensor, which Sony removed after the A700, so I would hope the the A99II has one too. God knows it needs it. I’ve never been convinced by the AF consistency with fast glass of any A-mount camera after the A700 (A900 excluded). My A700 is far more consistently accurate than my A77.
I would not shoot a wedding with the A77 or A99. Maybe the A77II and A99II will change my opinion.
I agree with A77II here, I used to shot weddings when I was shooting Canon and did them effortlessly with a 5D MKII and 50L and 85L: nor the camera or the lenses are known for their af speed, but I always managed to get great results. Super fast AFis really needed for sports or for animals, that’s it.
It’s not just about speed, but accuracy to.
The question of the built-in battery grip is not essential ..
is fundamental that has characteristics much higher than the competition, at a competitive price.
for example, thanks to the fully electronic curtain have 30 fps.
thanks to an internal memory of 32 Gb SSD to handle many bursts …
Sony can study and optimize the use of slt mirror together with traditional autofocus and autofocus on the sensor,
Developing a predictive algorithms on the size and colors of to have better traking AF ever .
This flagship Sony would much performance of competitors.
The price could be between 2500 and $ 3500
Daniele
For the camera you described, if Sony prices it to be competitive with Nikon or Canon then the cost would be $5500 to $6500.
As for the larger body, the higher powered batteries that are used in a camera such as the 1dx enable the 14fps burst speed (http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/10/what-14-fps-canon-dslr-used-to-look).
any news on a9 or a9r?
E-mount only goes to 7.
What a pitiful system… It should go to 11!
Hahaha
I thought there was going to be a FF a-mount announcement before or at Photokina. Is this still going to happen?
I too had the same understanding but now this news have disappointed me :(. Can’t wait more to see A99II. 🙁
Re: The 36mp sensor. When is the A7R II with EFCS coming?
and the A58II?
A large body, high speed / high fps camera is inconsistent with the 36mp sensor. Such high resolution eats into the processing and is unnecessary for action/sports/press photographers for whom such a camera is generally targeted. I would find the rumor to be more believable if the sensor is rumored to be in the 12 to 24 mp range.
If they are going for a “speed-beast”, than I’d need an A7RII with EFC 🙂
As an additional, complementary body?
Yes. I love the high res. Unfortunately the A7r has problems with focal lengths above 100mm when shutter time is between 1/50 and 1/250. It got a little bit better with using the VG, but still problematic. As of using filters I am often coming into that range.
If Sony follow their recent pattern (I hope they do in some respects) they might actually surprise us with this one by serving up a couple of models: perhaps one a resolution beast and another a speed/low light king! Or maybe the equivalent of the Nikon 800 and 800E.
It would be a tricky balancing act, with the new A7 range, but it could help them really start to motor in the professional arena.
If they fully roll out the support system at the same time (and it’s seen to be good) then they will be genuine rivals to Canon and Nikon. Here’s hoping…
Some years ago on a local product presentation I got a flyer of “Sony pro care”. As far as I remember it was possible to upgrade your standard warranty for a certain percentage of the buying price. At that time I thought “Yes – Sony is going the right way”.
Don’t know how this is at current days – my premium reseller has an own warranty upgrade system and mentioned that there is nothing available from Sony except for the second year warranty when registering directly after purchase.
Coming from a technic manufacturer responsible for support processing I know how hard it is to establish such a system without having a reasonable customer base.
If it is not possible to use the videography pro service infrastructure I am afraid that it will remain being just hoping…
Also think, at least partly, Sony are holding back sensor tech for their own uses first. Look at 1″ sensor of RX100, 12MP sensor of A7S, PDAF sensor of A6000…
They may well have released an updated 36MP for Nikon, but just as likely to roll out a 50MP+ for themselves as an R and 36MP as a midrange, 24MP sports…
Maybe.
Hasn’t Sony followed a pattern of 1st introducing new sensor tech in e-mounts then coming out with the tweaks needed to transfer it to DSLRs? This is where their behavior becomes ambiguous because in ASP-Cs like the a77II this new transferred tech seems to show up in Sonys before the competition. However, Sony is foot-dragging in SLT FFs letting Nikon have their best sensor tech first.
Ironically, this leaves Nikon with the outstanding Sony-based D810 that many have proclaimed the best all-around camera you can buy. Meanwhile, the Sony FF line-up flounders competing pretty much with Nikon’s entry-level D610. When Nikon comes out with the D750 they will have 2 FFs that trounce the A99. Sony’s response? Pretty much a blank stare and some vague plans to roll out a replacement nearly a year after the D810 which we assume will based on the same 36MP sensor.
An A99II with built-in VG would be highly appreciated. Eversince I am on the A mount train I am using the VG for my cameras as I personally feel it more ergonomical with the heavy Zeiss’ and G’s.
As of being mostly the landscape guy I’d prefer 36MP or even the rumored 50M.
However I can understand the demand for a full 10fps camera that would need to be max. 24MP as of what we know.
But maybe Sony has brings a new processor with it.
Guessing, guessing, guessing.
But this is what we are for on this forum, aren’t we? 🙂
Still believe A99 successor should stick with 24MP and focus on decreasing start up time, implementing their focusing speed/tracking ala A6000/A77II, increasing frames per second to at least 10 and buffer rate of at least 3 seconds. And if they could get a little more from ISO like really clean to 6400 it would be a monster of a camera. Sony should release another camera with 36MP (A99r).
+1
Buffer isn’t really an issue any more. I think it would require a new sensor design to get 10fps though, but it might happen, there is supposedly a D750 24MP coming which might give an indication of what speed a ‘new’ 24MP sensor can do.
I think Sony should learn from the A7 series and at least release two different A99 II’s.
Even better, stick with 12Mp for the [S]ensitive version, and as-many-as-they-can-fit-in-there Mp for the [R]esolution version
Aren’t you describing an a88? Sony could market it like Nikon plans to do the D750 as an action camera.
Problem is, with their crazy slow foot-dragging on the a99II we won’t see it until Spring 2015. Bodes poorly for the a88 which is even further over the horizon. By the time Sony gets around to releasing a-mount versions of Nikon FFs they’ve long been producing it’s going to be far too little, far too late. Sony will be choking on Nikon’s dust. When you’re a distant 3rd you can’t keep squandering opportunities and letting the competition beat you like a red-headed stepchild with no response but a dumb stare.
I don’t know if I would want a built in vertical grip. I know for weather sealing it would be preferred. I know I pick up my 99 for general shooting over the 1dx because of the size difference. The 99 seems like a feather compared to the 1dx. I am a little shocked this camera won’t show up until 2015. We have seen a 36mp FF sensor in two Nikon bodies and zero Sony A-mount bodies. It’s worse when you consider they are Sony sensors. I also thought 2015 was going to bring a revolution in sensor technology. That would not bode well for 99II sales.
The VG is already dust and moisture resistant.
If the weather sealing is just as effective from an add on device versus a unibody design, I would rather have the former. Put on the grip when I want and remove when I want the smaller camera. Once built in these cameras are rather large.
But built in provides extra room in body for things like battery packs, extra storage, extra processors, and room for heat dissipation gadgets. A camera with the new sensors may require more room, and it’s better to prepare for that than try to work around an existing design which doesn’t quite fit everything you need.
“prepare for”? Didn’t they plan this camera from scrach, or do you think the basic requierments for this camera suddenly might change two weeks befor launching and therefor they must leave room for extra space? “Lets leave out the battery compartment, no room for it anymore because of the new sensor” … Right, even though this is Sony, Im shure their engineers have some kind of education …
I’m going off of an assumption that they’ll tier the system like they did with the A7 series. In which case, it makes sense to provide a system with the space available for upgrades.
I think Sony wanted both EFCS and on sensor PDAF for the original A99, this why it didn’t have the 36MP (as it has neither). It was a good choice (IMO) at the time, shutter shock may have been an even bigger issue with IBIS as well – there are usually good reasons that manufacturers do certain things. With EFCS on the new sensor and better AF sensors in the works I think they can safely go with 36MP.
I am sorry if I misunderstood you, but the 99 has both EFC and PDAF. I think they did not put the 36 in the 99 was due to their lackluster processing speed, overheating issues, poor battery performance and concerns about noise at iso above 3200. Until the 7s, Sony never performed on par with Nikon or Canon in that regard. I hope Barry is correct and expects the 99II to leap frog over the 36. If Sony wants to capture market share from Nikon or canon they have to be better than they are. Even then it will be difficult because of name recognition. I don’t know many photographers who take Sony seriously. I do think that will change but that puts pressure on Sony to make sure that their flagship cameras are top notch. They are not there yet.
Yes it did, but had they gone with the 36MP sensor they woukd have had neither, just a woefully inadequate A77 AF and shutter shock problems. Lots complain about the lack of 36MP sensor in the original A99 but it was probably logical. Moving forward those hurdles are no longer really an issue, so they can quite easily drop the latest gen AF sensor and D810 sensor into a ‘base spec’ A99 II. Leaving room for a higher resolution model above it. Noise isn’t really an issue from the 36MP sensor, SLT is more of a problem as well as early gen on sensor PDAF, the A7R and A7S prove this like you mention. Changes to colour filter arrays would soak up any further difference.
good boy ! now go “work” on something else ! maybe the new iWatch (by Apple) ? will it have the sony’s medium format sensor or not ? 🙂
Stupid is as stupid does.
Sony can’t even get consumer cameras right why even come out with a prosumer camera? They should stick to what they do best and bow down to Canikon as well as continue ripping people off who are stupid enough to buy their loser cameras and lenses.
Put down the camera and pursue a career in comedy, you might actually make a living going that route.
A precursor to being a comedian is actually being funny. ProfessionalPhotowoam is merely an angry troll.
Have a better idea, how about I bow down and you kiss my as*.
Their APS-C line-up is perfect and leaps ahead of Canikon. A77 was great, A77-II is even better, all lenses are in place.
Now they need to replicate that in A-Mount Full Frame.
If I take an optimistic stand and ask why would sony delay the introduction of the a99II yet again heres what I would come up with.
Since Canon is likely to introduce a high resolution next generation sensor at photokina…sony will need to match them.
36mp is old news…its been around for years….a 36mp A99II is already old even before it is introduced.
Sony may be planning to introduce the long rumored 54mp new tech sensor next…and might actually skip the production of a 36mp A99II entirely.
If the rumor of a built in verticle grip is true it would increase the size of the camera…althogh most of us do not particularly want the camera to be larger this extra volume may allow better cooling for the new higher res sensor.
2 years ago a 36mp camera would be something new and revelutionary..in fact it was..but not for A mount users.
My hope is that all our waiting will be for something and we might actually get something big first.
This is the only logic I can think of to explain why Sony keeps TELLING us how they will support and develope A mount but SHOWS US next to nothing.
Only innovation from Canon coming is a mediacore APS-C Sensor – 7DII. that´s it.
That is not for thier flagship camera.
He didn’t say it was – but there is no indication that anything significant is coming from Canon in terms of either a flagship or a next gen sensor.
Unless you can somehow show otherwise, I will assume it is just another one of your fantasies.
Clearlry every word I say is so important that it is essential for someone like you to find or invent something to critisize about it….have you noticed that although your comments are far more worthy of criticism than mine nobody bothers…no-one cares.
No Barry, it’s because I don’t spout relentless amounts of bullshit.
Barry definitely needs to be institutionalized. I think spending a little time medicated (Thorazine) in a rubber room would do him a world of good. Perhaps the Sony Exec in his head would stop talking to him.
The big Cannon news is the contest!
According to Canon Rumors Canon is not only coming out with a new 7D replacement which will push closer towards pro quality, the latest rumor hot off the press is Canon will announce a new 400mm f/4 IS lens. This has the potential of being a potent combination Sony can’t match. Sure, Sony has the fine a77II that likely will be able to take it on toe-to-toe but it’s another example of Canon trouncing Sony in lens support. Sony simply has no response. While the 400mm f/4 won’t come cheap, per say, their 400mm f/5.6 is ~$1,300 so the new lens might be approachable even by an amateur like me.
Canon has 2 patents for a 200-400mm f4 with built in1.4x miniaturized teleconverter..internal to the lens so it can be positioned between the appropriate elements.
They also have a 300-600mm f5.6 with built in teleconverter but I am unsure if this is a differrent lens or the same lens with the teleconverter inserted.
Perhaps…again being overly optomistc….Sony will introduce this sensor in an a7 type body to get something out there fast…and also announce development of an A mount version for early 2015 intrduction.
No I don’t think so. Alpha mount is still their flagship, just that they are on different update cycles (I know you are ‘bitter’ about A7R getting 36MP before Alpha mount).
Yeah, the Sony ‘flagship’ gets released close to 18 months after the a7R and probably close to a year after the Nikon D810 whose sensor it borrows.
If they do, I’m sure you will be the first to know.
Barry the A99II is most definitely an 36mp camera. It will likely sell for more than a thousand dollars less than Nikon’s 36mp camera.
You should change your nickname to “wishful”.
Or do you really think, Sony would introduce a what-ever-speced A99II for 2.3k€ (D810 is 3.3k€ here).
Maybe they will not put a 3 as first number, but I am sure it will be around 2.799 to 2.999 €
Sony are being pretty aggressive with pricing so I wouldn’t put it past them. More than an A7R but less than an A99 at launch I suspect.
Sony is always fleecing its early adopters.
Example of GER
I bought my A7r in May 14 – starting price was 2.399, I bought for 1.749
The 35FE starting price was 799, I bought for 679
I would wonder if Sony is starting to stop this cash cows named “early adopters”…
Price skimming is a standard practice – not just with Sony.
As is every manufacture no matter what the product, early adopters pay the long dollar for the exclusivity of having it first. Nothing new here.
why 1000€ more than a7r?
So why bother with a brand new 36mp a99II when you can just buy a 2 year old used Nikon instead.
Maybe so that you can use your existing A-mount lenses – just a wacky idea I had.
Lotus is right. Most of us own plenty of G-Series, and Sony/Zeiss ZA series lenses. So while the new Nikon is nice, and the new Canon will likely be nifty, I’ll probably be sticking with FF Alphas (A-Mounts), because they are simply the best overall camera/lens combo IMO.
if thats your only reason for choosing a camera youre right but you know there are plenty of others too.
Bingo….no reason at all. You still have people holding onto the A900 who refuse to utilize the A99. What’s compelling about the alpha mount right now? Not much…not much at all.
I’m happy with my kit. Maybe you should start looking at upgrading some glass while you’re waiting for the A99II, which is the camera that we all want.
I wouldn’t say all of the A900 users held on to their cameras. I owned a A900, and an A850. I sold the A900 in order to upgrade to the A99, and kept the A850 for those occasions I need a OVF. Those occasions are now few and far between.
The A99 is an outstanding camera, and those disparaging it on this forum have never laid hands on it, probably can’t afford it, and are likely speaking out of sheer ignorance.
I want the A99 but can’t get myself to part with the cash. I sold my A900 because it just didn’t do it for me. IQ was fine but I want the features of my previous A77. I’m hoping I can grab an A99 at some point cheaper but I’m also keeping my eye open for the A99II. As far as glass goes I think I have to much as it is. I just need a solid camera and I figure it’ll probably be the A99 in the near future. As of now I’m FF’less.
Do you own the A77 best friend yet (24mm Zeiss)? If you own a A77 its a must own. Its a great investment and it’ll keep you occupied until the A99II arrives.
I don’t. I own the 135mm 1.8 and the 50mm 1.4 Zeiss. I do own the minolta 24mm 2.8 and it flares like crazy, but stopped down it’s a decent performer. It’s on my list as well as the 85mm 1.4 once it gets SSM…until then it’s a skip.
Barry take you meds your sounding like a nutt job.
We need more of that around here. Reason and logic are futile, the future of photography is in the cosmic dude.
How do we know that it has been delayed at all? We only have rumors to go by, and they aren’t always correct. A 2015 release might have been the plan all along.
Barry: Why will Sony need to match Canon??? Nobody leaves Canon for Sony anyway. A-mount fans will always wait and hope. Always………
There also serious A Mount “Users” who are always waiting and hoping, because they spent many thousands of dollars on lenses (I own all ZA and G), and don’t want to kill value by selling them.
For me there is little that Canikon are offering more than Sony.
On the same boat. Agree 200%. Waiting for a mirrorless A mount.
This goes beyond the best camera…Sony’s core business is sensors..not cameras….Sony MUST be the industry leader in sensors as their future depends on it.
Sony cannot afford to let anyone make a better sensor than they do.
“Sony CEO Says Entertainment Is Core of Business”
Sony is a rookie in cameras but makes good sensors. But it’s NOT their core business.
I would not put my money on A mount. If you already have invested heavy in A lenses I do understand you hope and pray for A99II. It is most likely a nice camera!
Take this statement to the bank…
SONY WILL NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO MAKE A BETTER SENSOR THAN THEM.
Well…. The big bucks in sensors are for iPhones and the rest of the gang except Samsung! The bank wount be very happy for sensors to cameras?
But OK they make good sensors! I have two Sonys but not A mount.
“Sony is a rookie in cameras but makes good sensors. But it’s NOT their core business.”
Um…tell that to their pro video customers who have relied on Sony to shoot budget television to high end cinema (Star Wars, et al.) and everything in between. Sony is a large, multifaceted company. The Playstation is their single, biggest revenue-generator but they most definitely have been a camera company for decades. With the advent of SLT/EVF and now the a7s, we are finally seeing some of this expertise creep into their still cameras.
Alpha Users aren’t going anywhere.
I’d put tonnes of money on the A-Mount, because it’s a bigger money maker than the mirror-less division. Its revenue stream is also growing faster than the e-mount.
Its the only real money maker in Sony’s camera division.
Agree, the DSLR segment is biggest (a little to my surprise), however the growth in the last five years has clearly been with mirrorless segment (no surprise IMHO).
I’m a Canon user, and I own a Sony A99 as well. So STFU, you don’t speak for all of us.
>Nobody leaves Canon for Sony anyway.
I sold my Canon 7D and bought A65 and couldn’t be happier at that moment.
The advantages of SLT are more than enough to lure people away from Canikon.
Sony just needs to make everything else on par – lenses, service etc.
Well you know their not waiting to steal users away from Nikon. I mean, your giving the already stellar D810 even more of a lead by waiting until next year. Second generation, refined and well established in the market. What can Sony showcase that Canikon doesn’t already have? Not SLT- no one really cares. Not AF speed and accuracy- although Sony is getting there. No, delays for any of these reasons make zero sense. Either it’s more resolution or a marketing strategy- maybe they plan on proping up their camera sales next year with alpha mount releases. I mean, how much more E mount stuff can they push into the market at this point. We already have 3 freaking cameras!
A while back when I was forecasting against the conventional wisdom to predict Sony would stiff-arm the a99II at Photokina I also predicted a flood of wishful thinking it’s an indication Sony has something special in store for the a99II, a high-tech treat.
No offense to any and all who think that way but I think it is utter bull$hit based on every action by Sony dictates the a-mount is 2nd fiddle, derivative technology, an afterthought. Sony thinks so little of the current a99 they let Nikon have their best FF sensor while putting a budget 24MP (same as the low-end Nikon 6xx?) in the a99. Don’t expect the a99II to be the 1st Sony to get internal 4k or some exotic cool sensor or whatever cool tech you fantasize over. No, ‘innovation’ appears to be to abandon the boast of being one of the smallest and cheapest DSLR FFs and bloating out the body and likely the price to match.
Sorry guys for ranting but I’m so torqued at Sony right now I’m headed for a brew or two to relax.
I would like to dissagree with your statement but can’t because you are probably right.
I’m sorry, but why is this optimistic? I don’t want to “upgrade” to a 56MP sensor. I’d rather stick with a much smaller sensor in an older camera. And so many people have all this talk about A-Mount bodies but the only reason to use an A-Mount camera is for AF Zeiss lenses because nothing else they offer is worth it. I would never switch for Canikon for a Sony body, but I would for Zeiss lenses.
If you want a smaller sensor in an older camera then why would you even care what new camera Sony comes out with?
This is my made up roadmap for Sony:
A99 IIS – 24MP high speed (for a mid level FF DSLR ~8-9fps)
A99 II – 36MP updated D810 (not D800 / A7R sensor) standard model
A99 IIR – 54MP resolution model
Then later:
A7 II – 24MP from A99 IIS bit capped for speed and on sensor PDAF
A7 IIR – 36MP A99 II sensor with EFCS
A9 – 36MP sensor again
A9R – 54MP A99 IIR sensor
Hope that’s not true.
Really would love to see A99IIS with the A7S’s amazing 12Mp sensor.
So, if we’re making things up:
A99IIS – 12Mp super-sensitive camera
A99II – 24Mp
A99IIR – 36Mp
(Can’t really imagine why anybody would need 36Mp, let alone 54… but that’s just me)
I left the A7S sensor out as I think it is a bit oddball, but could definitely pop up in other models. Love my A7S, best camera I have ever used.
How do you imagine A99 “s” with SLT?
a99S will have same crazy 400k ISO 12MP sensor
I pray for A7x is a real camera 🙂
Dear Sony: Take your time releasing an A99II. By the time you release it, I’m sure the holiday season will have given plenty other A mount users opportunity to completely switch platforms. Don’t worry about production either, your dwindling fanbase will take care of that for you.
Canon released the 5d2 and the 5d3 in March of their respective years. The 5d4 is rumored to come out around March of next year.
There’s no huge uncertainty surrounding EF mount. Canon can afford to release cameras whenever they want. Sony has created a big problem for themselves that they need to rectify ASAP.
The 5d is basically the Ford Transit of pro cameras. Other options out there, but guess what the pro you hired owns…
It’s not exciting but it just works and gets the job done.
What is the problem? For the most part, Sony has kept to a consistent release schedule for the a700/a77/a77-2 and the a900/a99. If the a99 successor ships somewhere from the spring to the fall of 2015 it will be right on schedule. The body that was missing from the lineup has been an a88, but it seems this may have been cannibalized by the a7 series.
If they announce (and shortly release thereafter) a few a-mount lens updates this year that would dispel a lot of the endless a-mount death calls. A proper (functional) flagship flash this year is also sorely needed but I could see that being released along with the a99-2 unfortunately.
A thread on a local forum on the prospects of A-Mount is already >400 pages long. So Sony, don’t bother releasing a roadmap either, the uncertainty is working great for you.
I don’t see any point in releasing the A99II until significant upgrades are incorporated, including sensor, FPS, focusing system and buffer size.
a99iiS with 12mp high iso sensor for sports or low light. the buffer can remain the same and take many more shots. a99ii with the 24mp sensor, but updated focus, buffer, ergos, evf, etc…. a99iiR with 36mp sensor. yay!
Exactly! The Sony marketing morons will announce a high-priced camera around the Christmas holidays for availability in February or March when former a-mount owners are still paying down their credit card balance from purchasing a Nikon D810.
I knew Sony was going to pi$$ in the faces of a-mount owners for Photokina but gave them enough credit for a November 2014 release. You’ll never lose a best overestimating the sheer incompetence of Sony marketing. Heck, want to vote on the date slipping past 1st quarter of 2015?
That’s what I was thinking- they’ll push it back even further. By then we’ll have another FE camera for sure. Nikon D810 is looking better and better and I don’t think I’ll wait past the end of this year.
After a week travelling with my A77ii, 35/1.4 and 24/2, I’m starting to see the attractions of an a7…
Really? I loved the A77 and didn’t find it heavy. Although, I took it to Scotland once and with a bag of primes the whole pack was pretty heavy. If your talking the sigma 35…that lens is pretty big.
Yeah, chuck on the Sigma 35 and it’s a bit of a beast… Unfortunately the 30/1.4 is a bit of a dog and the 35/1.8 is Sam. On the other hand an a7 and a 55/1.8 would be a much lighter package.
I thought the same thing, and bought an A7 last year, and have been regretting that decision ever since. The A77II is the more responsive, fastest shooting camera in Sony’s entire line up. I’d be like trading a Porsche for a Kia.
I’d buy a RX100 instead.
That’s helpful to know – in that case I’ll hold off until the a7ii
Looks like Nikon D750 will take on the current A99. I wonder what price for the D750.
Make.Reality
Still can’t get that flash to work properly eh?
use Canon… they have flashes, lenses, bodies, etc. or simply: they have all.
Everything but a sensor.
They’ll release an E-Mount 9 series before an A-Mount 9 successor.
Punks.
Meanwhile, Sony will release the new 4th FE body SAR has mentioned plus refresh the entire line of FEs. Maybe that’s the Sony game plan for the a99II. Build it from leftover FE parts when the old FEs go out of production.
I’d be amazed if they don’t. An a7 without
They have to, because the harder Sony pushes the E or FE Mount the more people buy A-Mounts. The vast majority of Interchangeable Lens Camera Users want DSLR styled cameras. Sony doesn’t want its newest mount out done by a 30year old film mount. Which is what is currently happening.
But its inevitable the A99II will likely outsell all of the A7 Series like the A99 has already done, because bigger is better.
I own both the A7, and A99, and I still prefer my DSLR style camera over the CSC. It has better ergonomics, a faster AF system, and I can use my SAL2470Z, and SAL70200G2 without any adapters.
The A99 is what I take to work daily, and the A7 is what I use take family photos.
The A99II has two clear computers the 5D MKIV, and the D810, and it’s going to give a both models a run for their money. I doubt it’s going to win in every category, but I doubt it’s going to lose many.
It’s likely going to be twice as fast as its competitors, and its 12fps speed will definitely get more media attention than the D810’s rather boring ISO performance.
Because speed trumps ISO, in the DSLR market.
I’d much rather a better ISO than a 12fps camera but that maybe just the style I shoot. I like Landscape and Night scenes and quite frankly the A77 I have is crap at high ISO. Need something like the A7s performance or even half as good but in a-mount.
i own A850 and i still think that it is one of the best cameras ever made by sony. It has the most colorful sensor and noise doesnt bother me at all.
Hope they will do someday a classic dslr with big bright viewfinder with similar sensor but with smaller size and weight of camera. Anyway i admire my A850 especially along with ZA135/1.8
Any numbers to back this up? I’d like to see what the sales are for Sony’s DSLR’s verses their mirrorless cameras.
Just stepping in the area of video recording, I have too many problems with the video conversion, such as how to convert AVCHD to MP4.
Luckily I encountered Aunsoft MTS/M2TS Converter .
It really did a great convenience to me.
You guys may have a try. It’s a free and all-in-one converter.
What wasn’t mentioned was the A88 launch date. While the A99II will likely be a superb camera, it’s the A88 that most of us will likely buy.
I fail to see how Sony can just stick a 2 year old hand me down 36mp sensor in a camera and call it thier flagship camera.
However Sony A mount cameras are very environmentally friendly…they are made of 100% RECYCLED COMPONENTS.
1) This 36 MP sensor isn’t the same as that 36 MP sensor. Unless you’re an engineer on Sony’s development team, don’t say it’s the same sensor.
2) This “old hand me down” sensor is at the top of it’s class, by a far margin. Period.
3) Sensor performance is only part of what makes a camera a “flagship.” i.e. 1DX or D4S
4) Photographer’s needs and abilities vary greatly. There will never be one camera that does everything the best.
Thing is: Nikon and Canon system cameras have lost technology leadership in the 90s. Nowadays they are positioned like younger sisters of the Leica brand: Full of reputation and brand awareness, but nothing behind it to back up that aspiration. Example? Both makers are not able to produce a body with built-in image stabilization, an essential benefit and technical achievement which is offered by other makers since a decade. That is ridiculous. To be honest, there is nothing in a Nikon or Canon body that hasn’t been there 20 years ago as well. On the other side there is a bunch of camera makers that offer everything that a Nikon/Canon has PLUS a highly appreciated set of technology and functionality that Nikon/Canon don’t offer.
Especially Sony is more of a photography company than any of the beforementioned. It develops, produces and sells sensors, which is the heart of digital photography. Nikon eg is just building a body around a Sony sensor (as do many others).
Sony shall be proud of its rich Alpha heritage with its impressive line of pro level bodies that culminate in todays A99. That professional line shall be pushed onward, because it is needed! The making of miniscule a7 somethings is nice and might pay off one day for less demanding amateur photograpers. But it never shall draw attention from the real kings of photograpic tools: The full size, fully equipped system body.
Problem with Sony is their price fixing of repairs and availability of parts to other repair folks. Sony essentially gives you an outrageous cost to repair a perfectly good product in need of a repair in an attempt to get you to upgrade.
Sony has always floated info about their new stuff then launched later down the road. Sony’s video format is a pain! Sony’s exposure system is bad, wish they would fix that!
If you can’t properly expose a photograph on any digital camera released in the last 10 years, it’s because you don’t know how to operate your camera.
Your funny!
Especially when you can see what you’re gonna get before you click the shutter…
There is nothing wrong with the Sony Exposure system. I’ve been shooting with Sony DSLRs professionally for 3 years without a single problem with exposure or the quality of the cameras or having any equipment failures or need of repair. There’s no problem with the Exposure system. Regarding getting cameras repaired—ALL manufacturers charge high rates to repair camera—this is standard across the industry. Nothing has changed in 30 years in that regards.
You have the only Sony known camera that handles exposure 100 percent perfect, known to man kind!
As far as the repairs, does Nikon or canon charge you double the purchase price to repair a lens?
Sorry have been with this since 05 when Minolta introduced and Sony bought from them.
If the flash system is so perfect, why do folks go with the Metz setup?