All our most important sources confirmed that there will be no A77 announcement at Photokina. Maybe Sony will show a A77 prototype but they will definitely NOT launch the camera now. Anyway you don’t have to wait years to get the new semi-professional camera. The A77 is scheduled to be announced in January/February 2011. The sources told me that Sony needs that time to analyze the impact of the new translucent technology on the market. They are currently reviewing the press and pros reaction. They will certainly fix some of the A55/A33 limits. As you have seen with the MLU petition Sony is listening you.
The [shoplink 3228]Sony A700[/shoplink] successor will be a translucent model. The current prototype name is A77 (we don’t know if that will be the final name of the camera). The sensor is also new (the prototype has a 18Megapixels sensor).
One of my sources told me that Sony also has a A7xx with optical viewfinder. He doesn’t know if that model will be released.
Let Sony know what you want! Feel free to suggest me some more poll options. I will add them quickly!
[poll id=”16″]
134 Responses
I would really like to see weather sealing on future Sony cameras and lenses, this is a weak point for Sony from a professional standpoint. Their gear is already very durable, but weather sealing would make them several notches better. I will know for sure whether I want a translucent mirror a77 after I receive me a55, for now I cant say I want it until I’ve done my own testing. I did not vote for RAW HDR, what I would like to see is for the camera to do a burst exposure bracketed images and save them all as separate RAW/JPG images.
Greg
Agreed, give us a real pro body, weather sealed and designed to last. Ergonomic and rugged. Give us exceptional basic functions, reliable and fast AF and purposeful functional buttons. We all want all the fancy bells and whistles too, but not at the expense of what real photographers need, a real camera.
Sony, i’ve got my money ready, give me this camera that ive been waiting for.
Lens Micro Adjustment is obligatory too.
For A77:
The possibility to take photos without the mirror will be great.
I’d like to have a regular A7xx. I mean, a regular DSLR with regular mirror and optical viewfinder.
I hope Sony releases a regular version and a translucent version of the camera with pro features, build quality and very good performance.
I think they should focus more on releasing the normal OVF A7xx than the EVF A77. A77 can wait, people have been asking for the OVF A7xx for ages.
Depressing. The most depressing rumor or news I have heard about Alpha since Minolta folded.
Depressing, because Sony would think about delaying an introduction to analyze market reaction. Sony needs to jump on the market & drive it, not react to it.
Even more depressing that Sony would think for a second–for a second!–about abandoning the optical viewfinder & traditional slr structure at the A700 level at this time. The A55 is a great camera, but it is much too deeply flawed to serve as the model for the 7-level camera, to say nothing of the 9-level camera. Perhaps–just perhaps–there could be a hybrid camera, with the best of both worlds, and none of the negatives of either format–but that would take a lot of doing.
I have been always and consistently extremely optimisic about the future of Alpha. This single rumor post has almost completely converted me to doom & gloom.
Please Sony do not go in this direction. I am excited about the innovation–but for now, until many issues are solved, only as an option, as with the 5-level cameras.
Main-sensor PDAF is probably the future of system cameras in any case, not SLT-style PDAF.
And btw any 7-level camera from Sony should have video with at least 35 Mbits/s. The 5DMk II has about 39/40, which is adequate for a small portion of TV broadcasr productions–though not most. Anything under 35 is not adequate.
I suppose there is several reasons to not introduce A77 before next year. NEX-7 obviously should be before it, manly because GH2 is coming.
As mentioned, several flaws in A55 must be fixed for advanced level camera. A55 is not bad at all, but for it Sony obviously things make as cheep as possible.
For example, full time EVF without blackouts during fast fps could be possible with second sensor. Improvements in EVF, esp. for low light and reaction time, are welcome. CF is a must, otherwise 15 fps stills is useless. More powerful sensor, larger buffer for fast HD video and stills. Of course more x-type AF sensors. Most of other things is rather software than hardware. At least mentioned improvements Sony couldn’t do in one week.
Other question is why to not introduce just A7xx with OVF?
1080p24, wide aperture issue, rolling shutter, manual controls
A good poll question…
How fast will you leave the Alpha line if they don’t release a true DSLR update to the A700 instead of a SLT?
These SLT are nice, but they’re not pro level equipment and many of us use the a700 on a pro level, if Sony doesn’t release a proper replacement I think the writing is on the wall. Get with the program Sony and support us semi-pro and pro users. That would be a change. :/
I just Need Movie record in manual Control!!
I’d love to see an option to have a reflex translucent mirror for when in low light situations. Give me that in a weather sealed bigger body A55, 18MP, CF slot and 24p recording and it’ll be a day one purchase.
I don’t like the limitations on the evf. I hope they can give us the pellicle mirror with an OVF. I really thought thats what sony was going to do… but it didnt. That was the original purpose of the pellicle design anyway was so that there was no viewfinder blackout + the fps. Which leads me to hope sony seperates a camera like that into a sport category. I wish the a7* does not turn into the sports series and stays as a semipro cam.
from a marketing stand point, RAW video/ 60 frames a sec/ 40Mbits a sec/ more AF points/ manual controls on video
from a photographers stand point, ISO/ ISO/ ISO and more ISO
I like the tech from the a55 and would like to see it in the new a77. Just finished a wedding where the noise from the shutter made me wish for the quite of an a77!
Cheers, Josh
I really, really hope this rumour turns out to be wrong. Just when all the features they added back to the A5xx series seemed to show that Sony’s now ‘getting it’ in terms of what advanced amateurs want – reinstating DOF preview, MLU, manual lenses in A-mode – they go and start talking about dropping the OVF completely from their flagship advanced amateur model? I’ve been thinking of picking up one of the new bodies to replace my A300 as my second body, but I’m now going to hold off investing in A-mount until Sony make their intentions clear.
Very depressing. Please, Sony, prove this rumour wrong at Photokina. Don’t blow all the goodwill you’ve built up with the community.
Weather-sealed (WS) body is moot if you don’t have WS lens to go with it. As for the optical vs. EVF, personally, I prefer OVF. However, if it means that Sony will improve the EVF with the next generation, I would welcome it. OVF at this level is likely to be less than 100% FOV, which is quite important in some cases. What I’ve seen from the new translucent camera is that Sony has improved the ISO performance quite significantly compared to the A900. The tracking AF is very competitive now (though only at wide open). I don’t care much for video stuff. I’m looking to add the A99 or NEX-9 as a second body.
I want a DSLR with OVF as successor of A700. I like the idea of DSLT A33/A55, but in the same price range I would buy A580 and not A55… A580/560 are much more real cameras!
I dream of a A780… 😀 with all quality of Exmor-R (16 or 18 Mpixel, Video Full HD, plenty of focus points cross-type, High Speed Sync flash, Sealed body, metal/alloy body…)…
Sony, I’m a fan of your brand… please please please… A66 and A780… 😀
Sort those features by cost.
There are almost NO COST features such as 720/60p, 1080p, 30mb/s bitrate since I believe that hardware is already capable enough/GH1 is perfect example/and maybe even RAW video is no problem.
On the other hand I think weather sealing is most expensive, because each camera is unique design and they cannot reuse it in other models as easily as new sensor. It also not automated but requires human hands imho and servicing/repairing is difficult.
Need higher x-sync speed. All speed sync with an electronic shutter would be perfect.
SLT is cool but A77? Well unless they make something new and unique again with all the complaints solves if not this is just another screw up camera like A230/A330/A380/A290/A390
Please point me to all of the links where Sony camera lenses leak water into the camera. Calling a lens “weather sealed” is an unstandardized, nebulous claim. I’d rather have the A900+Sony 70-200 in bad weather versus the 5Dii+70-200L.
January !!! jeeesh more waiting !.. i like what i`m seeing with the A55 & if thats the way theyre going then it`l be a tough call for me when the A7* is released. if the A7* is non-translucent i cant imagine how it could do 15pics per sec. The mirror would be going nuts.!
ive love to see HDR Panoramic. hmm
Please add in better battery life than a55 and a33… Preferably better than a700!
Two critical omissions in the featureset for the A700 are missing above. First, we don’t need to have our investments in compact flash lost because Sony decides to use SDHC or Memory Stick. We know what that does the action is fast. When the memory buffer fills, it takes about 50 seconds to clear the buffer and during that time, the camera is essentially a doorstop.
Secondly, I’ll bet a lot of people bought extra batteries for the A700 and I would like to see that investment protected as well. We don’t need to buy yet another new battery type.
true
Keep Batteries and CF cards compatibility!
For the 7x or 7xx we always have to wait. Nothing for christmas.
thanks Sony
Sony do have so much low level dslrs. Why not two Semi Pro’s (A77 and A7xx) than people can choose if they want to have Electronic View finder or an optical one.
Hope we will see also some new FF cams.
A litte be angry that we have to wait so long for this cams ;-(
A7xx should be release this year .. and it suppose to be! Maybe they suddenly make a big U-Turn decision? and this will only let people who waiting it go else where
Nex3
Nex5 Mirrorless
Nex7
A33
A55 DSLT
A77
A2xx
A3xx
A4XX
A5xx Traditional DSLR with OVF
A7XX
A8XX
A9XX
A77 cannot = A7xx
For Sony to remove the 7 series from traditional DSLR and replace it with a DSLT would in my opinion mean suicide in the AA segment.
I feel there should be a 7 series in all 3 segments and even 9 series in the DSLT and DSLR segment.
That being said i think they should offer 2 models in the A7xx series.
1 pure stills model with sensor upgrade and 100% optical viewfinder etc etc and
1 with video/live view even if the compromise optical viewfinder
This probably won’t happen as I’m sure ALL DSLR from Sony will now have video included.
I hope this rumor is false as well.
Maybe Walt Knapp was right after all.:-(
It is possible to have both A7X and A7XX.
But even if A7XX is there, it is impossible to have 100% OVF.
Look at A850. 100% is left for A9XX
Almost none of the options in your poll are definitive characteristics of the a700 or what the a700 successor should be. I chose “Optical Viewfinder” and nothing else.
Other options I would have chosen were:
Shutter speed ≥ 1/8000
Flash Sync speed ≥ 1/250
Dedicated AF assist lamp
Front and rear command wheels
Optical pentaprism viewfinder
I couldn’t say it any better.
What the f*ck is Sony doing? No A7xx this year? I thought Sony promised in PMA that A700 replacement will be introduced in 2010 Photokina if not sooner.
A77 is not A700 replacement. I think that translucent and traditional mirror cameras are different thing and can’t replace each other.
It didn’t. Where did you heard this anyway?! LOL
Sony didn’t promise any camera ever, with the exception of making a DSLR with video of handycam quality – and here we got it – A55.
One feature i would love for the A7xx to have is built in ratio flash control via popup flash, ideally complete remote manual flash control (as you have with the higher end Nikons). It’s insane you have to use a 58am flashgun just as a flash commander
oh, btw the poll should have these options:
*More accurate and faster AF (than in current A700)
*Live View
a77 should clear out most problems the current a55 and a33 have and thus making it a king of video in the dslr world, but we have to see if sony truly learned their lesson.
i have full faith in sony, that someday they can control the dslr market but for that to happen they have to pe patient and always keep developing to the point they are in front of canikon, so far sony are lagging behind in terms of cameras, good thing some of the lenses are truly class leading.
“1 pure stills model with sensor upgrade and 100% optical viewfinder etc etc and
1 with video/live view even if the compromise optical viewfinder
This probably won’t happen as I’m sure ALL DSLR from Sony will now have video included.”
i would love that also…there are some purist photographers out there who would appreciate that, but given the fact the a900/850(which are no nonsense cameras) sold badly, sony will probably try to introduce video/live view and a lot of useless gimmicks in all their cameras 🙁 i hope they won’t cripple the viewfinder in the a7xx with their live view implementation( which should be at least a pentaprism with 95% coverage and magnification)
“making it a king of video in the dslr world” – erm… you know – last time I checked I was a photographer so TBH: I don’t care of video more than “it is there”/”It’s not”, maybe also the A55 AF makes added difference to the maths, but peeps… I don’t need a Camcoder King – I need DSLR King!
“I don’t need a Camcoder King – I need DSLR King!”
and here we got it – A55. LOL
We have a lot if information on the spec of the A55 which for many potential buyers will be very encouraging but any decisions are a bit previous (for me at least) until a few questions are answered.
1. How robust is the transluscent mirror. Will it sustain camera knocks and bumps?
2. Is there a simple, cheap and effective cleaning method for the stransluscent mirror? If there isn’t then this camera is a non starter for me. Sony are worryingly quiet about this.
3. How good is the raw output?
4. How does still quality compare with the A580? We will then be able to evaluate the cost of light loss to the main sensor.
These things apart, it seems we understand what can and can’t be done with this camera and indivduals can decide if it suited to their needs.
Bye Bye Sony.
no more…
and even if I wait I have to fight with SONY’s
silly stubbornness (eg not giving us 24p and so on..)
Oh no…
I should’ve bought that 35mm1.4L in the first place…
My life is shot and I am not going to waste it with SONY…..
Bye Bye….
For how many times do people have to ask, 24p is not going to be happened in A3X~A5X, not even A7X maybe. 24p means pro to SONY, for the first day you get know of SONY you should have been told that. Remember now.
Go stick with that “C” guy, and you will regret soon.
For still picture quality, maybe SONY is still lagging.
But it can’t be clearer that who is the video king.
A700 successor will be announced in February 2011 at CP+2011 in Japan.
http://www.cpplus.jp/en/index.html
Fumi, where’s the source of this rumor?
I’d like to estimate my wait time T_T
*I phrased my question wrong o.o Is there a source that say they’re going to announce it at that conference?
>>fumi
That’s great but for all these time I thought the wait
will be worth it
but judging from the game SONY wants to play with us
I hardly think so
That’s great they are releasing it in FEB 2011
but not interested anymore….
well, some things should be absolutely manditory…two wheels, larger grip compared to a55, CF card, and large (normal) batteries.
I think, perhaps contrary to many people here, that the OVF is nothing sacred. If that means less noise, less weight, higher lifetime for the camera, liveview!!, non blacked VF during video, no mirror slap, higher FPS, etc.
Sure a choice would be optimal, but I dont know, if I had to choose, I’d go with just making the SLT. I mean, for sony to try to get market share, they have to be different than the competition. With this technology they have a strong selling point and are not just another camera which is virtually identical as C & N in the eyes of the consumer.
Of course, a choice would be best.
I voted for:
-Weather sealed body (and lenses)
-More Autofocus points than the current A55
-OVF (100% coverage, big, bright pentaprism)
-Compact flash instead of SDHC (after outrageous wait time on A55 I demand return of CF – best: 2 cards in RAID 0 for even faster operations)
and because of no better options:
-RAW HDR
What I’d really want to see though, aside from 2 wheels, top LCD, Lens Micro Adjustment, and other obvious stuff for this kind of equipment, is:
-14 bit RAW files. Real 14 bit.
-Ratio flash groups control from the Body level. Like that in HVL-F58AM, though without the need of having flash unit on the camera.
-Flash Sync speed ≥ 1/250
And finally: The body should be big, have as much controls via buttons/switches as possible, and both: optional grip and remote controller. If you’ll give me A700 successor in the size of A55 I’m gonna slap you with a big trout!
I’m waiting for these a77 and a7xx….if they aren’t all I expect and more I’m switching to Nikon because just like Mackie said I’m not going to be played by SONY’s games and inconsiderence. I really had patience with them, I own a900 and a700, also a bunch of CZ and minolta G lenses but this neglect towards customers is really annoying and i really miss better AF and most of all better ISO performance. All this time I expected they will beat nikon in ISO segment because they matufacture these sensors for god sakes….i really don’t get sony….it seems to me they’re aiming at the entry and lower middle class of cameras but I for one am not interested. my point – sony has one more chance with a7xx to knock me off my feet or I’m going with the nikon d700+d300 combination.
“making it a king of video in the dslr world” – erm… you know – last time I checked I was a photographer so TBH: I don’t care of video more than “it is there”/”It’s not”, maybe also the A55 AF makes added difference to the maths, but peeps… I don’t need a Camcoder King – I need DSLR King!
newsflash
there are fewer and fewer people who don’t care about video in their dslr, most consumers are not hard core photographers, they want to have everything in a camera.
Sony got blasted for not including video in their cameras and sales suffered,
i don’t give a damn about video either but it’s the way to gain market share and if sony has more market share they will be keen to get out more lenses and faster life cycle for cameras, which will benefit us all.
the only thing i would like is a live view system like canon implemented mainly for macro shots where you can’t really look trough the viewfinder.
axx line will be video optimized.
and the axxx line will be photography optimized which is a very good move for sony because the mount will be the same.
“-OVF (100% coverage, big, bright pentaprism)”
it can be big but it won’t be bright because the mirror redirects the light it receives that’s why canon atempt at a pellix camera failed. EVF is the only solution
“-Weather sealed body (and lenses”
won’t happen, the body is weather sealed but there is always the cahance of something happening, i’ve heard of weather sealed bodies fail in the past so they are not perfect i’ve taken my camera is very harsh conditions and it survived, i am sure all the cameras are weather sealed to some degree but sony probably want to avoid problems thus they don’t market their items as weather sealed. you can always buy a cover for the camera and lens.
-RAW HDR i don’t this happening also because raw files are unaltered, though it would be nice if the camera saved the raw files which it used to combine in the hdr photo, same for twilight mode and same for sweep panorama, that alone should be reason enough to like the camera especially for purists, less time away from the computer editing stuff.
“it can be big but it won’t be bright because the mirror redirects the light it receives that’s why canon atempt at a pellix camera failed. EVF is the only solution”
– Yes, it will be bright cause I don’t want the transculent mirror in A700 successor!
“Weather sealed body (and lenses) won’t happen”
– Yes, it might happen, cause it nearly did with A900!
“RAW HDR i don’t this happening also because raw files are unaltered, though it would be nice if the camera saved the raw files which it used to combine in the hdr photo”
– It’s a common myth. There’s no such thing as unaltered RAW. Unaltered informations from the sensor is analog signal. Whole the rest is already altered to some degree. What I mean by RAW HDR is photo where you have like in RAWs – all 3 channels separately, save with higher bits, though merged to the HDR. Easy thing to do, only needs more CPU power to compute this with higher precision.
It’s not hard to have the resulting HDR image in linear 16 bit, but after image registration the Bayer pattern is messed up.
With all these pessimism I’ll just say YAY – I don’t have to upgrade my camera by getting a SLT and a7xx – I can have a mix of both 😀
Yeah, regardless of possible A77 plans for next year, which I am interested in, Sony needs to go ahead and release the A7xx replacement before Christmas. The A700 has been way too long overdue for it’s replacement. The A7xx will have a given market just on the needs for current A700 users for a back-up/replacement for their current system. My A700 is still going strong, but if it were to go down tomorrow, not sure what the my upgrade path would be. There currently is no logical path. Especially with stocks of the A850 and A900 models dwindling. (According to reports.)
Really? So sad.. The problem is Sony’s too scared. Even to me SLT sounds like a toy. I have to say the concept of having SLT as the planned a7xx successor greatly excites me. Sol I have the same exact opinion as you. However, the a7xx is sturdy isn’t it? 😉
I don’t think they’re going to release it before Christmas either. I can bet they’ve made several prototypes and just polishing on it to ‘shape the best’ out of what they can spit out.
I think they took chances with NEX and A33/A55. I don’t blame them for getting paranoid.
Time to pressure Sony again!
SLT ain’t a toy. Go to the shop and see it yourself when it’ll be out there 🙂 In some specs it’s even better than the A700 (most notably: resolution, noise, details, continuous shooting)
What about the NEX7 rumors? I haven’t got any new updates? Will we see a NEX7 on photokina or a at least a NEX mockup or an anouncement. Sony need to make a point.
Can you add FLIP SCREEN in the poll please?
I wish a 7.7cm (3.0”) vari-angle wide LCD (or OLED) monitor featuring a 3:2 aspect ratio and at least a 1,040k dot resolution.
Thx
The users want a PHOTOGRAPHY CAMERA instead a video camera… good sign!!!
# More Autofocus points than the current A55 (51%, 819 Votes)
# Eliminate the issues of the A55/A33 video mode (Example: AF working only with aperture wide open, Rolling shutter, No option for manual control during video recording…) (39%, 632 Votes)
# High-resolution Electronic View Finder (more dots than the A55/A33) (18%, 291 Votes)
# At least a 24Mbit/s compression (A55 has 17Mbit/s) (15%, 241 Votes)
# record 24p and record 720 60/50p (15%, 234 Votes)
I voted for these because the camera side of the A55 is basically good enough for me. I’d like a faster flash sync speed (up to around 1/1000s would be nice) but that’s about it. I voted for the higher EVF not seeing the current one and probably I’d rather just have a faster refresh/frame rate over higher res. Dunno.
Oh, and as for the 60 fps, I don’t really care what the resolution is… I just want it to knock down the rolling shutter.
Sony Alpha continues its steady decline in mediocrity (even more so). 🙁
Wireless File Transmitter Wifi ??? Vote
can we not just have all the comments on one long page ??????
@sgts But if you look for the last comment you have to scroll alllll the way down
And also, if you use ‘End’, there’s the right sidebar going all the way down so it’s more annoying to scroll up..
Ahaha
sgts +1 for u.
@acolyte
Maybe we can add both a “Comment Top” and “Comment Bottom”?
It is really not smooth to turn over the pages.
@ABB Sounds nice. Maybe admin should try to copy youtube’s style as much as possible ;p
You need to add GPS in the poll as well as DoF preview and MLU.
Unless we’re saying they’re a given 🙂
DoF and MLU are “obvious things” for such a camera.
GPS? Would be a nice addition for sure 🙂 but only if combined with compass. Other than this – I don’t really care.
GPS might be a life saver for those times when shooting in a new/foreign location, and after taking 100+ shots you realize you’re lost.
You should add more cross sensors. I would like more precise focusing for action shots (galloping horses towards and away from camera) better tracking.
Yes. Preferably: All cross sensors.
I will echo the general theme. I’m not liking what I am reading. if Sony wants to introduce a more advanced translucent (A77), fine; however,we need the traditional advanced/pro DSLR’s as well. And the A700 has been gone for quite some time now, so to introduce an A77 when we do not have a replacement for the A700 doesn’t make much sense. Sony seems to be caught up in the “I won’t buy now, because the new (better) model will be out soon” trap. They seem to be paralyzed by their own technology.
We still don’t know whether there would be an OVF version of A77, there is still a chance. Not to mention the A900’s successor would probably be with an OVF.
May be sony could add two shoot modes for the new semi-pro SLT camera.
mode 1: like the current A33/A55 model, the translucent mirror DOES NOT flip up when shooting still photographs.
mode 2: like the conventional DSLR, the mirror flips up when shooting still images, so that the influence of the translucent mirror could be eliminated
Not sure if it’s a bold move or not… I don’t believe the EVF will be dramatically improved compared to the one we’re seeing now (probably same generation) and it may be a show stopper for me… We’ve been requesting the A750 for 2 years already… 🙁
* Top LCD
* Flip screen
more wide angle lens please.
i known tokina made 11-16 for SOny but whatabout 10-22 from SOny itself?
If Sony can combine ovf + translucent, then there might not be a need for both A7xx and A77. Although, as the A700 replacement, Sony should prioritize photography as number 1, and video as bonus.
Then NEX-7 is the photo/video camera with better manual controls.
And how about moving the A7xx up to a single Bionz FF?
hybird +1
One day when they get tired of making all of these plastic body entry level cameras and decide to make something substantial again my wallet will be waiting. Who knows, I may end up with an a900/850… Can’t go wrong there.
The problem with any 7xx replacement is it is not competing against the Canon 7D or Nikon D300s but the future Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D400 which are both due next year.
How would an a7xx replacement compete with Canon 7D Mark or Nikon D400? Wouldn’t it be asking for too much for the price?
One thing I’m interested in the midrange models is remote viewing/control software. I think this is available for the A900 (??) but it would be nice to have tethered shooting on cameras I can afford (A5xx/A55 & A7xx/A77).
In my case, I’m interested for astrophotography where I’d like to view the image on a PC and control the exposure from it as well. Canon has had this ability on their consumer grade models for a while. Doesn’t seem it would be too hard to offer on the Alpha platform. (I’d even write a package if they had a developer kit for the cameras…)
The problem with any 7xx replacement is it is not competing against the Canon 7D or Nikon D300s but the future Canon 7D Mark II and Nikon D400 which are both due next year.
short answer is: it will be well under those cameras in sore regards, but above in a few, and probably it would be cheaper, like the a700 was at it’s time.
Why all the fuss about video on a slr camera, I want the camera to take still pictures so image quality matters most to me.
If I were looking to take moving images then I would be looking to buy a camcorder like the rumored sony hybrid that takes the alpha mount lenses.
How many people will buy a slr/slt to take video.
The video DSLR king is the Canon 5D2. 1080P, 24P, 25P, 29.97P, 50mbps bitrate, manual control. That is the standard now. For Sony to only add autofocus albeit only with the aperture wide open but only provide 29.97P, 17mbps, and no manual controls is unforgivable.
I think it’s a joke that you’re comparing the a55 to the 5D2.
If that feature set is ‘standard now’ as you put it, then every single camera on the market would be equipped as above, but that is not that case is it?
Lets look at this from a different angle, the sort of person that would want full manual controls, plus great flexibility in editing with all the extra perks all in a DSLR is probably not going to be a low/mid level still shooter – which amazingly is what the a55 is, a low/mid spec camera body.
It’s naive to think Sony would put all those features listed above in this low level camera, when clearly there are people like you, who value video mode in SLR’s, are willing to pay 4 times as much for a body WITH those features.
What about the Canon 550D? It has the same manual video controls and multiple frame rates of the Canon 5D2, albeit without the 35mm sensor, and it is a similar price to the Sony A55. Sony really has no excuse, their groundbreaking video implementation is pathetic. Wow, it autofocuses, but only with the aperture wide open. The rest of the video specifications are lame, 29.97P only, 17mbps maximum bitrate, no manual controls. Yeah real groundbreaking.
Actually, you’re wrong in one part. Sony still has an excuse. They can’t steal Canon’s technology, and they have their own technology that they’d like to fight Canon with 🙂 If you think they’re not satisfactory, you can’t say they have no excuse.
Except if the whole DSLR market has the same developers, then they have no excuse 🙂
Or would you like to send spies between companies? 🙂
James, i’m sorry but you sound like an wounded canon fanboy who is vigorously defending his purchases with canon.
I’m glad you admire the EOS550 as well, from my experiences with EOS 350/400/450/500/550 users I have not come across one person who would know the first thing about manual video shooting, most of the time they struggle with finding the live view button, but hey its all about that features you don’t use right, kind of like a fast car you don’t know how to drive.
It’s inexcusable for a large company like canon not to offer phase detect autofocus on their cameras bodies, such as their king 5D2, it’s a fundamental flaw in their hardware that can’t be solved or adjusted easily like adding manual control over rides or aperture adjustment, lol
Taking a big step back here, the Axx camera’s are the first SLR styled bodies from sony to offer video ever, and we already have guys getting all uptight and worked up over this, people get defensive when they know a strong offence is approaching, and this is no different.
There possible isnt enough hiding spots for all the fanboys out there..
Tell that to reviewer. They always say Sony’s dSLR without video as bad.
I know it’s almost impossible.. But I really think the biggest shock to the market would be if Sony would come with a 18mpx FF sensor in the A77.. Oh, if it would rock the world.. 😀
You probably wanted to say “Compact flash instead of SDXC” since the A55 already offers a slot for the next generation SD card format.
What about the A7xx having a full-frame sensor? I would love to see that. If not, then I hope they update the A8xx with a flash. Sounds silly, but for casual shooting, I don’t always need the big flash. Remember the Dynax 9 Film camera? It had a flash too…
shaky, I think the A7xx is reserved for the bridge between entry level and pro 🙂 And I think they have a good reason for not putting flash on A8xx. You could also use the F20AM they have. I can’t vouch for them though.
On a side note, I’m still confused why people still try to attack Sony and compare it to other cameras. When will they understand that Sony is trying to attach niche markets and not trying to compete?
For one’s sake, Canon get their money from imaging products. Sony get their money from evrywhur.
I can’t spell. Attack.
A full frame A7xx?
That’s the last thing we need. Not when a lot of us have several APS-C format lenses. I’ve got five and see no reason to switch to full frame when I already get excellent quality from even the current APS-C sensors. I believe technology advancements will make the full-frame camera advantage less and less obvious.
Save full-frame for the A8xx and A9xx OR do as Nikon does and let us use both formats as they do with the D3X.
Houckster,
I agree, with the ‘Bridge’ and APS-C, but I disagree with Acolyte, in a gentlemanly way. I think the F20AM defeats the point of a built in flash. A “built in” has utility as a wireless controller, and for use in less serious photos for everyday, like vacation pics. Do you really want to tote your “only” camera around with a big flash on it for vacation shooting at Disney? I want the “option” to forgo it to reduce drawing attention to my gear, yet I want an awesome camera. It is why I think the A700 is so fantastic, as a terrific bridge, and a balance of advanced amateur needs. If the flash isn’t useful, then why did Minolta always make sure that had one on every Dynax SLR camera. They knew it mattered.
I should probably take my argument to the a8XX discussions, but I also argue that it is time to break the APS-C market open with a more affordable Full-Frame. The A850, is really a pro camera. Why can’t the A7XX be like the D3X and pull double duty as a Full-frame or APS-C. It is one way to push the market, and give more value for your dollar like Sony does.
Here is a quote “*3 Up to 7 fps with DX format (10.5 MP).” DX is Nikon’s term for APS-C.
Quote pasted from this page: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3x/
I kind of like the thought of challenging Nikon with D3X vs. A900 and D3 with A8XX. That is a horse of a different color. But since Sony makes the sensors for all four, why not pull the D3X maneuver and have the A8xx or A7xx do both at the A7XX price? The competitors would have a fit! Consumers would be drooling. Your APS-C lenses would still be worth every penny.
Enjoy
Shakyone
I have aways loved Sony Products (Alpha, Bravia, Vaio, Handycam, Etc).
Looking at the SLT-A55 and other camera units of the Photo Enthusiast Level I say Sony played a very good ball.
As was aforementioned in previous posts, Sony don’t compete but offer a combination of features not marketed by other manufacturers.
The model above this SLT-A55 should improve on
Autofocus availability in video capture;
Exposure Compensation;
Wireless File Transfer;
Remote Control;
Vertical Grip;
and Weatherproofing/Ruggedness.
But for its class the SLT-A55 is a splendid mix of good stuff!
I can’t help but agree also with a concern that has been addressed here:
Why can’t Sony have a better body quality – especially the above addressed by Sxe – Weatherproofing/Ruggedness?
I’m not saying my A700 doesn’t seem sturdy enough, but this will be a feature that will be endlessly compared to other bodies..
Even though you’ve seen how Sony A700++ appears under rain and snow..
Acolyte,
I was actually impressed with the A700 body. I think it met all the features desired by Sxe, save the wireless transfer and video stuff. I think Sxe is saying the A77 should improve on the A55 by all his listed features. If it holds tight with the A700’s relative feature set over the A5xx series, it will again be another 7 series home run.
I too will be excited to see this SLT-A77 or a7xx arrive. My Lenses are shopping for a new home. My MasterCard is at the ready. Based on the A55/A33 release, I’m confident Sony will produce something compelling. I’m really looking forward to it too.
Ah, I sidetracked a bit. I meant to say Sony’s bodies in general. I haven’t gotten a lot to play with, but what I heard is a850/a900, while quite a few in the Alpha series feels plastic.
I’m also excited for the SLT-A77. I don’t mind bits of teasers of the specs..
The current SLT’s flaws are beside the point. Sony finally burst the “DSLR” perception bubble. On film, to get what you saw in the ovf was with reflex mirror. Not the case with digital. But somehow we kept being pushed to, and create more demand for, more digital sensors in 90’s inspired SLR bodies.
Sony succeeded in combining some great ideas together, and broke the pattern. Now let’s see what develops.
“Not the case ” should be ‘Not the only way ‘. Move. Zig.
For all video “experts”.
Sony pro camcorder (price is several thousands) highest bitrate is 24Mbit/s. Second highest is 17Mbit/s. Overall Canon bitrate is higher because it is less compressed. It does not mean it contains twice as much information and therefore is twice better.
Sorry to be blunt – but in the first place, in a sony rumors site, why are people hailing Canon and Nikon? Bored Canikon users who don’t know what to do with their camera so passing by to troll?
Those who asks why Sony doesn’t have some features they want is one thing. Those who say Canon/Nikon is the best doesn’t sound like they actually follow the imaging market, just copy-pasting from forums instead.
Just noted that argos are now selling the a700 for £730.99 pounds so it could be suggested that are sony not bothering with an a700 replament are are remaking the originala700 hummmm
in all electronic product, sony is premium brand. except in digital camera, sony camera is like a joke..
Because we think they’re a joke, they do whatever they want XD If we take them seriously, they’ll be more scared of testing the market, just like Canikon’s position now. Isn’t it fun?:D
I surely hope they improve the video ALOT in the new Alphas – it’s a shame that they can’t keep up with the Canikon offerings, or Panasonic’s. As a sony fan, I really hope the rumors are false and they blast Photokina with a77 or a7xx goodness… or maybe even better, a6xx info!
Nooo don’t add weird numbers o_O They’ve got to provide more in A7xx and I know quite a few who want one or two more on the a8xx+ range o.o A video-equipped A900? (A99? LOL SLT full frame?)
Hi,
Knowing and acknowleding that peolpe that have Startes using DSLRs in the early days are probably used to the smaller sensor sizes and hence more depth of field, however what still prevents me from going digital with my DSLR is that I am still waiting for a full frame sensor in the consumer area.
Maybe that should be added to the poll as well.
Just release both A77 and A7xx and make every people happy. I think it is too early for Sony to gamble on dSLT only APS-C camera.
VERY IMPORTANT FOR MANY Potential A77 USERS:
1) Program Shift with front and rear Command Dials. We have it on A700, why is it missing from A55 and A550. It definitely needs to be a feature on A77
2) Adjustable Auto ISO where I can set the minimum and maximum ISO for the Auto Range. The Pentax K-7 does this feature better than anybody right now.
Weatherproofing/Ruggedness and bigger battery will be nice
Like Parcae, I don’t see the fuzz about video on a DSLR either. Why do a lot of people think it is that much of important? It is a photo camera (which means; it takes pictures , stills) not a video camera. That’s a complete different world.
For me the same goes for LiveView. I don’t need it. I love to look in the view finder. That’s good old photography.
If I could decide, then I left out video and LiveView and put the amphasis on (auto focus) speed, very good results in the high ISO range, and wheater proof ergonomic bodies. Those are the areas that a photographer always wants to see improved.
Why video…don’t need TWO Freakin cameras…HD Camcorders are way overpriced and have no range typical 10x Duh…300mm plus range duh…some folks here are just enthusiast pic takers. I need the versatility for sports and other stuff…Sony makin it more affordable and in reach now on the High End. Yes, they will make a Full Frame Trans… and Standard Camera too for you Old-Timers …lol. 18 range then the 35 Plus range silly…and affordable…Sony is Minolta…they know what they doin…let the competition go first. Trans…is not for everyone with bad eyesight, but they always come out sharp anyway…Grow up to the Digital World whether you like it or not. Stay with your old 10 years old camera analog or film. or people who say I cant tell the difference cause I’m blind.
Some of us have families and have had the burden of carrying two devices. When your trying to get the moment in video and photo, you can’t with two seperate devices.
On top of that that depth of field quality is so much better on larger sensors then smaller ones. More quality and faster transition means more convenience. This is what we family people want. So deal with the demands of the masses and just not use the extra movie mode if you don’t want it. It’s about the demands of mass and not about the demands of the few. LONG LIVE THE HYBRID!!
You forget about how Minolta dug their own graves. Sony is Minolta and that’s what worries people.That’s why Sony doesn’t have timely releases.That’s why Sony likes to changes things that work one year only to change them the next. That’s why Sony will never compete with Canon or Nikon in the pro market.And that’s why they will always fall behind 3rd or 4th or last place..just like Minolta.
I really do not get peoples obsession with optical view finders. They make it sound like a dealbreaker when they in fact haven’t looked through the digital one and seen if its any good or not. It like the time digital came out and people said that analog film quality was much better and “That’s good old photography”..
The obvious advantages of having a digital viewfinder in which you can have displayed all the information right there in the picture that will actually make you pictures better like a working histogram like in live view. A feature like that is absolutely awesome.
I dont see how an optical viewfinder will be possible with the current SLT technology and the demands listed above are actually in many cases contradictory. Having an optical viewfinder with at most 30% of the light from the mirror actually makes absolutely no sense. You will not be able to use it in any way shape or form. And when Sony is working on a mirror that reflects even less light so to make more light light to directly to the censor that makes the available light for the OVF even smaller. So if you want better ISO performance and higher IQ you cant wish for an OVF. Thats like having your light and eating it at the same time. It dosnt make any sense and it proves that you really just dont understand how the SLT technology works.
And why the need for both an OVF and a digital one? I dont get that. How many viewfinders do you wont? eight..?
And I really do not get the need for compact flash cards. The move to SD cards is absolutely awesome just because they cost way less are just as fast and reliable as CF and have more than one application. You just want the CF cards back because you have a bunch of old card lying around but they are just really useless because their bittrates are not high enough to work with the high demands of HD video and fast continuous shooting. Yeah you can use your old CF card but do you really want to wait 45 seconds for the buffer the clear or do you want to spend 80 bucks on a screaming fast SD card?
Some people (like me) are buying a dslr for video. There are reasons and video makers know them. So I’m gonna wait for an improvement in video mode in the new a77. Hope it comes! 24 p, 50/60 p. Manual controls. If not, then I will buy a canon t2i.
need A700 (means do not take-off anything good on it, just add or replace something else with a better one) with ccd (yeah, I know) sensor better noise handling on hi-ISO..
plus a tilt live view..
that’s all..
Sony is a company with decent imaging technologies. I’m really extremely surprised at Sony’s dilemma at producing something if not better, as good as canon 5DM2. They entered the Video HDSLR market quite late and seemingly reluctantly. But once they are here, I would have thought, they should demonstrate their technological muscles to some success. Why can’t they bring out a full frame camera with some decent video capability. Are there any problems of conflicting interests within the company? Or do Sony realise they are late into this convergence trend? Surely Sony is in a position of producing a Red scarlet type camera. But do they want to? I’m not sure. If they did, they would be pleasantly surprised.
Please we need more information about the transparent mirror technology in new Alpha **
Thanks a lot
No video, weather sealed body etc. is the old good A700.
I still use the Minolta 7D and decided to skip one model (the 700). Now THAT is a long wait. I have looked through the a55 viewfinder in a shop, and I don’t like the rainbowing as it is clearly visible to me. The resolution is ok and also the light amplification is great (and impossible with optical vf).
I hope the new model will be a weather sealed, solid (big) body with no nonsense controls but with the latest tech. Video would also be great, I would love to test that on my old Minolta motorized zoom lenses (IX series) smooth zooming 🙂
Microphone: I don’t bother it will be fitted with a good Sennheiser anyway.. Even better if Sony would create extra pins for audio on the flash socket and a good directional mic. accessoire.
Sony should produced bigger camera, bigger lens diameter, better body build & design. Fast AF, Low Noise is a must.
My suggestions are:
– eliminate the movie and high speed heating problems
– unlimited video length
– hdr time laps movie or just frames (or bracketing + interval)
– less than a minute interval
– multi-expo mod (not only flat, but like 7xi multi-expo card modes from 1992: in, normal, out)
Thanks
I owned an a550 and really rated the camera (same about the fragile plastic body). I just hope the a77 will be built from metal, and not having a optical viewfinder doesn’t bother me in the slightest.
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