BHphoto posted two new articles about the Sony camera history:
1) Infographic: Inventive Camera Designs from Sony (Click here).
2) Innovative Journey in Camera Design and Technology (Click here).
Sony has still some things to learn from classic photographer companies (read Fuji) but they certainly are second to none when it comes to innovate and reinvent the wheel!
Sony is the crazy horse of the camera industry. They keep turning things up side down to succeed in the digital camera market. Unlike Nikon and Canon they at least bring to us some excitement at almost every camera release 🙂
A7rII and RX camera preorder list:
In USA:
A7rII at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX10m2 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
RX100m4 at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Uniquephoto.
In Europe at:
A7rII at Sony DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX100m4 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
RX10m2 at DE, FR, IT, ES, NL, BE, CH, AT, SE, FI, NO, PT. Wex UK.
61 Responses
I didn’t know Sony releases a left handed version of A300 series~!?
Lame. And where is the R1, for example? Sony made cameras before 2006.
nikon and canon can learn a LOT from sony if you ask me
Maeda does not agree~!!!
Nobody asked him.
Yes, it’s so exciting for Sony to adopt the A-mount, create an SLT line with a loyal customer base, and then KILL IT OFF! Whee!
The zombie brigade is back.
Why is it killed?
There is a fantastic lens range of ZA and G available, and the just 2,5y old A99 is going to be renewed/enhanced by a new por A mount body this or early next year.
I agree. I’m still killing it with this A7II. Plan on doing the same and picking up the A99. Prices have never been more reasonable. It’s probably a good thing that FE exists. It means A mount users can get service and look forward to better adapting options in the future.
Personally, I still prefer the SLT design over traditional OVF DSLR and the tiny E-mount holiday camera.
this is old news
This is a rumor re-post from 2010.
I guess that no matter of what Sony will invent or improve in the future, there will always be the same guys complaining about this and that.
Looking at the A7 series right now it serves almost all needs of photographers from amateur to professional. From ones who want to own a compact system up to ones who want to use best glass. And lenses that are not available in native mount can be adapted from nearly any other brand.
With the upcoming A7RII that will improve AF range and speed and compatibility with adapted third party, there is almost nothing left to be desired.
Except genuine Amount ergonomics and the refinement that can only be won through native lens mount and three decades of user feedback evolutions.
Simple things man… like can we get a spring lock on the battery door… like most cameras. Its already bad enough that emount batteries can be inserted eight different ways depending on which model. This aint no joystick.
A-mount ergonomics aren’t better, just different. And you can’t just refine the same thing forever, things change.
Vlad Vlad Vlad Vlad Vlad Vlad… you’re funny man.
When Elpha’s give full controls on VG, and stop forcing double duty between AF/MF/AEL button, and produce a battery that only goes in one way, instead of four ways, and puts a spring lock on the battery door, and provides full LCD articulation… THEN and only THEN can you say it’s “different”… But until THEN, it’s LACKING compared to Amount ergonomics… as in Amount has superior handling and is friendlier to the photographer in the field.
Alpha cameras are big and heavy. Those are also considerations of ergonomics. I don’t disagree with your points, but in the end many people would prefer the smaller camera and that decision would be based on ergonomics. So, some aspects are better, others not. Hence, different.
I think you build your idea around needs rather than tech. Tech-wise Sony has problems with still RGB images, which no one can deny. But on the other hand Sony offers great video functions in such low price and it would probably be second to none when you consider cost.
It is all about needs. Not everyone here needs video. A lot of folks are complaining and I noticed they rarely do video. So no, don’t expect them to stop complaining. And if Nikon decides to release a mirrorless FF camera, these guys probably would switch immediately.
What problems do they have with “still RGB images”? Nonsense.
Sony is competing with pretty much everyone and are the only cameras with such a broad feature set (even if some features are a slightly behind). The only valid complaint would be about the overall system, as Sony does tend to be a bit inconsistent.
Admittedly my comment is little bit biased.
However I do not agree to “problems”.
I do not know your skill level but I think you are exaggerating like many others the problems on the stills capability side.
There is no camera existing that serves a 100% the needs of a photographer which is reason why many professionals have multiple bodies of multiple brands.
I build my opinions on the tech objectively. It’s not about my own tolerance. Some can find the faulty area and you can’t change that.
In fact as I won’t pay $2800 USD for an A99 today, I find it difficult for some to pay for A7 series’s compressed RAW. In practice, under certain situations you can’t do HDR but still needs high DR, this is when you are going to need lossless raw.
The most pointless thing is to lecture people that they are totally fine with compressed RAW. I am also a Fuji user and I often hear nonsense about FF cameras have no major advantages over Fuji’s APSC. Both are quite foolish.
You build your opinions objectively? Like, finding it difficult to understand why someone would buy a specific camera? That is quite the nonsense there.
Nobody is lecturing people, it is just ridiculous how overblown the raw issue is.
Today, nobody as would be be prepared to buy an A99 for $2800, as it is listed at $1999.
I know. But the whole point is I won’t pay that much today just because it still takes good picture.
Oh I see, you “build your opinion objectively”. As opposed to the rest of us.
Of course we need uncompressed raw for certain demanding applications, but that still leaves many many different valid opinions. All of them as subjective as yours.
You found this subjective? Or you find everything going against you subjective?
Tech-wise Sony has problems with still RGB images, which no one can
deny. But on the other hand Sony offers great video functions in such
low price and it would probably be second to none when you consider
cost.
http://diglloyd.com/blog/2014/20140212_2-SonyA7-RawDigger-posterization.html
I read quite a few of your other posts here, no need to repeat. Doesn’t make it any more “objective.”
Compressed raw is worse than uncompressed. That’s clear. I agree. But is it “a problem”? That’s less clear and depends on the specific use.
Don’t care about video.
That’s your tolerance. A little off the topic to help you think a bit.
Which of the following is more acceptable, nuclear power station 10 miles from your home, or drinking 2 bottles of beer everyday.
I personally think neither would eventually has any health effect. But this is very clear that one of the 2 options is not going to be welcomed regardless how safe it is. Also, a distinct difference between these 2 options is whether you could choose it based on your own will.
I’ll take the nuclear beer option please.
Near my hometown a nuclear power station is completed 2 years ago, but it’s still not in operation. Locals forcefully protest and the company could do nothing but let the plant sitting idle.
I think nuclear power will go down in the annals of history as one of the greatest sins of mankind. We still have not agreed upon a geological repository for all the spend fuel we have in the states. Yet, it keeps piling up at facilities with nowhere to go. Last I checked, you could fill a football field 6 feet deep with what we have. That was 15 years ago. The other greatest “sin” of mankind will be the corporation as an institution. I’ll save that for another day.
But yeah, 2 bottle per day no thanks.
Well this is really off topic but ash pile and emission from coal fire plant aren’t pleasant things to have either.
Yeah, 4 years ago I said on one of the forums, that I could live with the sh..y AF and ergonomics. NEX bodies produce decent pictures and are small – I could use something like that IF IT HAD WEATHER SEALING.
Time goes by. Sony makes even better sensors, AF became acceptable and they add dozens of features I’ll possibly never use. There even are some decent lenses (still not great and not everything I need, but whatever).
And in spite of all these improvements I still complain about the same thing – you’re absolutely right. No sealing => no buy. Simple as that.
Everything?! You clearly don’t shoot sports/press/reportage.
I mentioned “almost”.
The fact that speed still can be a bottleneck for the area(s) you mentioned is known.
In a below psot I mentioned that I would choose multiple brands based on needs if I would be a commercial photographer.
And to answer your question – I am mainly focussed on shooting landscapes.
Admittedly there are regularly situations where I curse the slowish AF. But isn’t it skill to circle around difficulties and problems?
Well Dirk, saying “it serves almost all needs” while everyone knows full well it doesn’t support the needs of sports/press/reportage (which means most professional photographers) is just silly. It’s an amazing camera for landscape and studio photography though!
Maybe the words were not the best choice. However it is not all that black and white like you are arguing.
Don’t call me silly saying “almost all” while it is maybe just half, where you are saying in the very same post that it doesn’t support (indicating not all all) needs of such photographers.
And by the way – we both are not considering the reportage/press pros which are using manual focus only. That’s not just few. 🙂
I’ve been shooting professionally for more than 8 years and never seen a single pro at a stadium sports event or any press photographer shooting with manual focus lenses. I’m sure someone does somewhere, but they are a obviously small minority. Shooting press/sports/reportage fast & accurate AF is essential or you miss the shot and you’re out of business.
I excluded sports from my previous comment on purpose by the way…
Again, you are boring with your black and white arguing.
“Never seen a single pro”? So Leica users and CaNikon users with Zeiss lenses are just at maximum enthusiasts according your explanation.
Give it a bone.
Taking my quotes out of context now? If you’re going to quote me, quote me properly and/or learn to read!
Dito, Mr. Delphi.
It all depends on what customers want. Sony has some very interesting insight into how to make a great camera. But not everyone share their vision. A7 series are great budget bodies for recording video. But when comes to still shoots Nikon still wins. Unfortunately a lot of complaints are from those still image shooters.
A7 is just budget? That’s just kidding, isn’t it?
Nikon wins in certain areas, so does Canon, so does Sony.
If sports photography would be my bread and butter I’d go for a D4S, if reportage would be my main focus I’d go for a 1DX. For landscape I love my A7R/A7RII with an adapted Canon TS-E 24. As of not having a cash cow in my house I am sticking to my Sony equipment only. 🙂
A little story of what happened to a friend who is a pro Canon photographer – photography is his regular occupation, and he is earning a lot with it.
He was asked to quote for a professional fashion shooting in Italy. His skills and his portfolio has not been questioned. But he was finally rejected because his available equipment was rated being mediocre.
1D MKIV, 1DX, 5DMK3, most fast L lenses and a set of Zeiss lenses, as lighting equipment a complete set of Hensel studio flashes and softboxes/reflectors, etc.
MF was required, because Canon or Nikon would deliver to poor IQ for the required style.
So there is always a situation where your equipment may not suit the requirements…
I am not kidding. How much does GH4 and 5D3 cost if you want to buy a complete set to record RAW video over HDMI? How much would you spend if you buy a top-tier professional camcorder? How much does the A7s setup cost? The comparison is easy. Oh, I am very clearly setting my scheme to suit studio needs.
He should have shown up anyhow with a minolta digimax.
Sony makes wonderful bodies for capturing videos. Nikon makes wonderful bodies for capturing still RGB shots. They have something to learn from each other if they want to make all-purpose bodies. Canon is not in my scope.
It was just a joke.
And I don’t see how Nikon is better for capturing stills.
The man has his own problem too ya know~=D
I agree that especially weight balancing is better on amount bodies (I used A mount for a couple of years). Ask heavy A99 users regarding the card slot cover…
The MK1 of the A7/R/S is also for me not that perfect – partly due to my big hands. But with the A7II it is great for me.
From that perspective it is with every camera something to complain about.
Batterielife is poor, but why is it such a big topic for many users? Is it somehow deathly to insert a spare battery? Is everybody purely doing photography in harsh environments where it is nearly impossible to open a camera slot without getting kilos of dirt into the slot?
You might see for yourself. This is some flaws I can see. Not something I imagined. http://diglloyd.com/blog/2014/20140212_2-SonyA7-RawDigger-posterization.html
I already said, I am pleased with what Sony offers as a video camera. Unfortunately I don’t need video.
Overblown or not, it is there and you cant change it. The only issue is whether you can accept it or not.
Although scientists claim nuclear power stations are quite safe, people still go against building any, while a lot of these folks wont worry about drinking too much alcohol.
PS. I think I separate my comments into several paragraphs so you don’t mix one thing with another.
You are changing the thesis and still overblowing it. First, nobody is saying that the issue isn’t there and second, you just compared it to a nuclear accident.
The file you linked to below has been overused as an example and there are very few examples of the issue. All of them are barely visible on an untouched file cropped to 100% (already an unrealistic representation of a print or screen display). That is why we see 200-300% crops on files pushed around several stops and some totally irrelevant data, such as from rawdigger.
So, if there is an issue that appears extremely rarely, is mostly problematic after heavy PP and is pretty much invisible in the final presentation, yet people compare it to a nuclear disaster, I’d call it overblown and ridiculous.
Sony- I got just one word for the future. One word and that’s it: Foveon.
Why foveon ?
EIGHT different ways? How do you do that?
Try it. The Emount battery will fit in slot four different ways. Only one works. Some Emount cameras have pins on right side of grip. Some on left side towards body. That makes eight different ways an Emount battery can be inserted.
Amount batteries go in one way and one way only.
You don’t shoot star tracks. That’s all i see.
The whole point of that example is to show people’s tolerance is different. Why does it have to involve an accident. Your daily driving could kill you faster, yet people still drive and many rarely complain.
Just as you can’t accept the possibility of nuclear accident. I just can’t accept the possibility of compressed raw ruining my pictures. If I don’t care I’d grab an APSC instead of FF
Missed my point and even made one for me. When you show me this issue being visible and ruining a photo in a print or on a web displayed photo, I might agree. Meanwhile, the fact that a few people’s tolerance is very low and that they equate photography with pixel peeping zoomed crops doesn’t mean the issue isn’t overblown.
As an example, I also tend to pixel peep and some of my wide angle lenses do have weaker corners (a much more visible issue than the compression artifacts), but that simply rarely matters unless printed huge and inspected closely, which nobody interested in the actual photo subject would do.
Isn’t that blue camera the Samsung NX1?
2 beers or the nuclear station? lossy compression or lossless compression?
https://photographylife.com/reviews/sony-a7-ii/3
Yes, So exciting that Sony cares more about new customers instead of existing customer. Sony current marketing strategy is to kill off DSLRs. They want everyone to jump to mirrorless even if their mirrorless can’t do everything at the same level as DSLRs.
Many legacy customers are left using outdated equipment (a99) that can’t even compete against the D750, and Sony still can’t deliver a D4S/1DX competitor.