Industrial Designer Robert Russell designed a possible A7 successor camera with a different and more “rounded” design. This is pure imagination and not based on any real or rumored camera. Here is his text:
Sketches for a new design direction for the SONY A7/A7R (by Robert Russell)
I feel a camera of this importance should reflect that in its physical appearance as well as its revolutionary concept. my primary effort was to eliminate the “boxy” look and feel to the camera. I kept the functions/controls in their existing locations and tried to only effect the styling of the body. I have also improved the grip and finger placement for comfort as well as for access to controls. Also I placed a thumb rest on the left side of the body for additional stability, particularly when using prime lenses.
I have not physically held an A7, but I own and love my NEX-7! The A7 is such an exciting camera I hope some day to own one. I follow all rumor sites (Sony Alpha Rumors) and press releases from SONY and have a great admiration for its products and overall design philosophy.
Please let me know your thoughts on my ideas.
Please do not use/publish these images without the permission from Robert Russell (russell.design@comcast.net).
0 Responses
Have you tried actually holding this design in real life? I don’t think it would work.
But it looks interesting and quite sophisticated.
Yep, the dials seem rather oddly placed.
Looks like a Hassleblad Lunar 🙁
That’s a hassy design not a sony one
Sony A7 is so good to hold in hands, I don’t want it to be changed ever! Only thing – it would be good if paint would hold on body better, as now part of it scratched off :/
look toys
It looks kind of like my A77.
This design makes perfect sense ergonomically on the body. if you take look at the the right hand grip for example, it’s curved along with your palm placement so I imaging this would fit comfortably. The only other thing is the hand grip near the lens is not deep enough for the finger trips, I prefer the currently A7/A7r on that front better.
Really wish those old style strap lugs would be gone. Check Leica S2 or Canon for strap lugs that don’t stick out like little knives poking the hands that hold them. Put a couple on the bottom please, because some of us don’t like strap anywhere near the hands and controls. Hate it actually.
Design looks clever enough though. Drop the 100 year old style strap lugs please.
Sure hope the a9r has a joystick and diagonal scrolling.
And while we’re at it, all new Sony’s should go back to a900/700/and even a200 functionality for magnified playback where zooming lands on the focus point chosen, rather than in the center always like a7/NEX7/a77 make us suffer through. Please fix this back to the way it should be Sony. The current functionality makes editing in camera a real hassle to check off center focus magnified playback.
+1 for zooming on focus point
I think the mid-body is too thick and the grip is too shallow. Also, I don’t see the point of the hooked shape on the left. The hook on the grip side is for the thumb, what’s the other one for?
This is the main problem with designers…Stylish this, stylish that. I think I will stay with what engineers have in mind. A functional body.
For a moment, I thought, “oh no! Another ugly hasslebald.”
Exactly what I thought. Next!
Batarang ……….
we need functional body that looks stylish like the Olympus E-M1, not blabla like this…
my wish… X-T1 body, A7R sensor. Done.
yeah you just missed some feature for having a perfect camera…1/8000, 1/320 flash synchro., IBIS, native /base iso 50, double sd card slots, swivel display (not only tiliting), built in flash and gps, eventually if possible with the design a stronger battery….
Please sony put this in your fe mount mirrorless flagship the A9…..(if you also want A8 just with less features e.g. without IBIS, GPS….
That would be easily a bestseller and a lot of customers would swithcing to sony under the assumption that additionally you have a competitive lens road map and develop some masterpiece lenses for the fe mount….
not mentioned…improved af system like omd em1 / xt1 and that the sd card slots should be the new uhs II standard as the xt1 already has…
It is realistic for the flagship and for 3000 bucks….Touchscreen the last missing feature….like omd em1….
I’m trying to be realistic. To have that long list of tech, in a body as small as the X-T1 and at the same price. Ain’t going to happen so I don’t wish for it. All I want is better ergonomics, the rest I can make up for it in improving own technique.
I like the more modern design. and Finger placement. Curves. Not sure about the “current” button placement and grip. Like the OLY M-1 grip better , and the two(2) by the lens Custom Buttons it gives you. Nice vs Need. I have a NEED for SPEED. 🙂
The front view, side view and top view dun seems to match. Especially the handle part. Beautiful one, well done!
hASSLEBLAD fOR tHE bEEFIER hANDZ! we want fine curves or McD curves? XD
Good effort though.
Besides the TriNavi Design, I love the EVF on the left side as the most convenient ergonomic aspects on my NEX7.
I would immediately jump onto the FE train once a FE model looks like it.
So whatever guys are drawing I don’t care much 🙂
Tell me about it. NEX-7 EVF is the most logical and comfortable position. I mean its a camera not a riflle(top and center). I just wish a nice 85f/1.4G came out for apsc, but something tells me it’s going to come out as a FE lens.
I also like the EVF to the left, but purists want it over the lens. It also matters if you are right or left eye prominent.
I use my left eye on my nex 7. I just can’t see that professional if I saw someone using their right eye on the NEX 7. It’s the same thing as taking a portrait shot with the grip downward.
Someone clearly has no life!
You mean the people like us who comment here?
It is true sometimes I feel I have no life!
The a9 is going to have 54MP if I recall from earlier rumors, right? Good thing Sandisk came out with these.>(picture) 20 raw shots and your at a GB+. Good stuff. I hope Sony supports it though. You need a new card reader for those(picture).
The ugliest ever?
Uglyyyyy! Looks like a Hasselblad!
sorry, i like it “boxy” like it is … i could be more “boxy” with an integrated vf on the left. i don’t like the-lutz-colani-design-style very much
The A7(r) is how old now? I hope that it´s successor is 3 years away – if it was a Canon it would be 4 years 😉
Well I love the design for the A7r and A7 as is. They are attractive devices in my eyes. Taste is a strange thing. I do not like this design idea at all. In fact I feel that it’s really ugly. I like Sony’s camera designs.
lol hasselblad. i don’t see how this design improve the usability of the existing body. Neither that it is visually attractive.
KILL IT WITH FIRE!!
Copy paste of Hasselbald design, no more.
Just uglier than Hasselbald.
Looks like the designer forgot to bring his ruler that day and only had french curves.
It’s what certain people refer to as having “lots of design”, does he also design bathroom sinks?
Actually I have never design a sink, and they are ships curves not French curves. Just a design exercise to apply the “feel” I would like.
The designer is a Star Trek fan 🙂 and he likes the Romulan Empire. It looks like a Romulan ship. I like it…
looks very middle of the road, like most other cameras, with those smooth and curved lines, i like the functionalism of the a7/r
+1
To each his or her own, but to me by trying to design a body to emphasize the importance and revolutionary aspects of the A7, the designer managed to end up with exactly the opposite of that goal.
I like it. The one complaint is that the grip is too shallow and it will be tough to use big lenses.
Actually the grip design is the depth as the original, in fact the overall camera shape and body dimensions are identical to the A7.
Thanks Bob! The thing is A7 grip has a surface that is perpendicular to the rest of the body and it acts as a hook i.e. the camera can hang on my front fingers without need for thumb support. This is the reason all DSLR and most NEX grips have the shape they do – you can squeeze hold them with the four fingers holding the front of the camera. The grip should be deep and have a surface that allows you to lock your hold. Prehaps in the current design this can be hidden with the round area around the lens mount i.e. on the right side it can be further away from the mount ad be much deeper thus making the grip very similar to A7 – though bigger would be better
I use my nex-7 grip the same way. The grip needs the ledge feel to allow this. Fun to design and look for improvements.
The Sony BatCamera
This camera would constantly be dropped there is no way to hold it without it slipping from your hands.
The controls are all so low profile as to be unusable..struggling with these hard to use controls would make an already easy to drop camera even more droppable.
Aesthetics is a matter of taste and I dont care what the camera looks like but it must be functional..therefore I rate this design as a total failure.
The existing grip makes it possible to hold the camera with one hand, and still be able to freely move your thumb, this grip requier the thumb to be fixed at the backside of the camera to establish a firm grip. Nice looking design – but nothing you want to use in real life. So I agree: Failed.
Also every surface is curved making it equally difficult to fit compoments INSIDE this camera.
Total failure inside and ouside.
This would be understandable if it was the sort of thing a schoolboy would sketch in an exercise book when bored, but it is bizarre as a serious exercise by an established designer.
Indeed, it is hard to see any innovation, or especially good design, and some of it even looks impossible! For the left side of the rear to have that shape would need the left side of the screen to curve too, or have some strange protuberance above the top left corner.
If you are going to create something on paper, at least make it feasible and have some reason for it!!
The more concerning issue is… why is SAR running with this low-information-quality post? This doesn’t exactly bolster my trust in the SAR vetting/rating process for rumors.
Yet, here we all are having fun discussing the designs. Don’t like a post? Ignore it.
Gotcha. Ignoring your post. You can stand to take your own advice, self-unaware hypocrit.
By post, I meant SAR blog posts, not comments. So how can I be a hypocrite for merely disagreeing with your comment? Unlike you, I’m not trying to dictate SAR content.
I won’t even bother to ask you why SAR’s post, even if I agree with you is off-topic or too speculative (and I don’t), undermines “trust.” I fear any response. ;^)
At your age you should have learned some better manners. Your attitudes are beneath contempt.
You have done your best to insult another artist who loves Sony cameras as much as you do.
HOORAY for you, Peter Kelly!
Am I not allowed to have an opinion?
Oh, sorry, it is a wonderful design and every camera should be made just like it so we can all see how fantastic it is and go down on our knees to thank the genius who created it for mere mortals like us!
Perhaps my criticism was severe, but it is no less valid. If you are going to take considerable time on such an endeavour and then publish it for all to see and comment, then do it with a purpose, make it feasible, suggest a new approach to how items work. As has been pointed out elsewhere, this is less than the Hasselblad approach of the NEX derivatives and they attracted deafening criticism.
Or should the detractors apologise for that too?
According the Merriam-Webster Dictionary . . . You, Peter Kelly, are a cretin.
2 : a stupid, vulgar, or insensitive person : clod, lout
Just saying. “Stupid, insensitive, clod” . . . Doesn’t say anything about “artist”, “Pro”, or “Photographer”
I think you need to get a greater understanding of language and definitions.
I am not stupid and my comments relating to this matter are entirely accurate, unless you can point out a particularly innovative idea.
Nowhere have I used vulgar or crass expressions; merely explained my opinion in plain English.
As to insensitive, that is entirely relative to the situation. If it had been a scribble by a little child who was immensely proud of the work, it woud be insensitive to call it rubbish. However, this is by someone who presumably earns a living designing items and if he is hurt by my words then he is certainly in the wrong business.
Your post is the very definition of irony, but I think it would take far too long to explain that to you.
Why change, the design is OK at moment -apart from silly movie button, like they don’t ever want you to use it. Continuity is good then you don’t have to learn so much new.
Strap lugs -don’t like these retro strap lugs -they get in way why not recess like DSLR?
YUK!
A7 in Microwave……bing
The existing A7(r) is possibly as small as Sony could manage to make them, the square desing is quite practical and makes it easy to cramp all the needed stuff inside. These curved lines does nothing but create a siginficantly larger camera. If you want a larger camere there is always CaNicon and A-mount. This design study is not verry well thougth through, the scetch does not improve the existing camera in any way, and it does not look like this designstudy is based on any information on what is possible to achieve. Faild and pointless …
Agreed. Personally I like the minimalist, boxy, simple, no fuss designs especially if this leads to a smaller / lighter camera. Contrary to some I feel the NEX and A7(r) camera designs are remarkably inspired, no non-sense and practical.
I guess there are 3 types of bodies:
1. There is the classic SLR design honed over the decades to be comfortable and balanced.
2. There is the Sony mirrorless uninspired rectangles designed to be teensy tiny for those obsessed with small and light. Too bad for that crowd Sony didn’t go M43s because APS-C long-term was the wrong way to go for teensy tiny, IMHO.
3. Robert’s design turning the body into art like Hasselblad does. May be elegant to look at but great ergonomics are built through prototypes and evolution of models.
1. You’re actually calling the Hassel crap “art”.
2. The EM-1 is actually larger than the a7/r. 1/4th the sensor size but a larger body size, laughable.
So I doubt if there’s anybody here that would agree with you.
Whether you like Robert’s design or not he clearly states one purpose of his design study was to make the Sony’s body to be less boxy. Hence, he’s working partially on aesthetics, not function. Since his design reminds me so much of Hasselblad’s I’d suggest more form than function. Yes, Hasselblads pick premium materials and tweak styling to bump up aesthetics. Any ergonomic improvements are incidental.
I read a review where M43s smaller than Sony’s lineup were mentioned. If Sony were to go M43s no doubt they’d chuck everything like IBIS and create more unimpressive rectangular bodies with even poorer ergonomics to be as compact as possible. Certainly Sony could make even teenier bodies to impress those obsessed with size and weight if they went to smaller M43s. As processor/sensor tech advances there will be no advantage in APS-C’s larger size, if much practical advantage exists even today. No?
First of all, I never mentioned Robert’s design to you so I don’t know why you’re picking it up. But for the record, I don’t like it, like most other people here. Even though I don’t like the a7/r’s design, I’d take it over his exotic mod. He’s making it less boxy just for the sake of it. The abundance of curves deduct from the aesthetic value of the design, instead of add to it. Especially the curve beside the screen, it looks plain cheapish.
Secondly, if you’re keen on pounding on boxy designs, why not go to Fujirumors? The Fujis are certainly more boxy than the Sonys, which still have curved grips. The old xs are essentially boxes, thick cumbersome boxes for that matter. The new xt1 is about as ugly as it gets, with only models like the k01 rivaling it. Its fake pentaprism has these deliberately added unnecessary corners and…is just the ugliest beast I’ve ever seen. I actually feel slightly nauseated whenever I see a picture of it.
On the other hand, Sony does design the best non-boxes, the a99 is the most balanced and aesthetically pleasing DSLR( ok it’s non R-able but the design goes in the same category) I’ve ever seen and one of the best camera designs I’ve ever seen. Maybe if they let the same team do the next E-mount body…
I use the NEX-7 just fine, even with an adapted telephoto zoom, the grip is deep enough for an effective cling, the size of your hand is your problem. What I don’t like about it is the response of the tri-navi interface, good thing I have aperture control on my lens and not the body.The ergonomics on Sony bodies are much better than many m43 bodies, like the gf, gx, ep series. Considering the sensor size, most current m43 bodies aren’t even small enough to interest me, since you get FF for a tad bigger a body, the only exception is the…was it gm1, that one should be useful for mounting c- mount lenses. All m43 bodies should be around that size.
No practical advantage? The most obvious should be bokeh, followed by dynamic range, then it’s high ISO, which isn’t so apparent. And the m43 players are ripping people off with lenses 1/4th the imaging circle but often not even half the price, and the ridiculously priced Leica branded ones. Oh boy.
We’re beating a dead horse but that appears to be a popular SAR comment theme. ;^) You wrote so much I feel I owe you a response.
My point with Robert and Hasselblad is I linked both together as emphasizing aesthetics. That’s why I brought up art in my original comment. Not wholly fair since my generalization ignores Robert’s attempt at comfort and Hasselblad, for example, claims better materials are more durable but I don’t think it’s the main focus of their designs, maybe even excuses.
I personally think the NEX body ergonomics suck worse than any camera I’ve ever held. That’s not fanboy talk because I really wanted to like them. I fully get people have different preferences and I’m glad Sony offers product diversity. What frustrates me is the number of e-mount fanboys in the kill the a-mount chorus because they can’t possibly comprehend anyone not thinking like them. I’m not suggesting you’re one, just letting you know where my ‘teensy tiny’ snark comes from.
I’m only half kidding when I suggest to those worshipping from the alter of teensy tiny it is a doubled-edged sword because as sensors evolve to pack more smaller pixels and processors/algorithms evolve to efficiently and effectively push out high IQ pics at high ISO with them, sensors and mounts can further shrink. That’d lead to the irony of a kill the ‘bulky’ e-mounts. ;^)
You can’t argue Sony couldn’t build a smaller M43 body than an APS-C one. The little bit of pixel peeping I’ve done gives the edge to Sony over M43s but how much of that is practical and noticeable? And I keep pointing out tech marches on potentially narrowing the gap with each iteration.
Nah, I just replied specifically to each point.
But I don’t think we’re mostly on the same page here, so I’ll just leave it as it is…
EarlFargis, I don’t agree. You’re saying that this design is elegant because it is less boxy and has more curves.
1) I know there are individual tastes involved but normally people think that something is elegant when it has less curves and is simpler. The general principles of aesthatics are simplicity, simmetry, balance and certain proportions. Curves are incredibly difficult to get right because of their complexity and good designers rarely use curves in more than one direction and spend literally weeks and months to get them right. e.g. Leicas, iPhones, Macbooks are percieved elegant by most people. I actually think aesthetics is the bigger problem of this design and I think most negative comments here are in this area.
2) You’re saying that this design concentrstes on aesthetics over ergonomics. I can’t agree that a camera’s design can concentrate on looks at expense of making it useless due to poor ergonomics. You buy a camera to use as a tool and then enjoy its looks. If you want to enjoy the looks why pay for the premium for the expensive electronics and optics inside.
Creative, but irrelevant.
Thanks, but no thanks.
Interesting (Robert is obviously very talented!)
Though I think I prefer the more angular, slightly-vintage/classic look of the current A7/7r.
Ideally my next Sony FF body would be a more range-finder like design, accompanied by a pancake or two.
Next Hasselbald?
reminds me of another hasselblad.
stop the funny hasselblad design please
This shows clearly why Sony use their inhouse professional designers with EXCELLENT results.
I would say no to new hasselblad remakes or Mark Newson experiments (see Pentax K01).
Everybody‘s saying this looks like another Hasselblad experiment…including me by the way.LOL
I think the rounded frame with the square screen (unavoidable) reminds me of some not-so-classical designs from the 90’s.
Apologies to the designer but I can’t help but to think that the need to publish this design so early in the life of the A7/r cameras either implies great dissatisfaction or desperation for new models. I don’t understand when people see a camera, especially when its so young like the discussed here, and are already thinking of the next camera. Have people stopped using their cameras or are they just treated as things to have?
What is the real raison d’être of these sketches? What can we truly gain from them NOW?
Enjoy what you have and stop looking at the fictional neighbors grass.
I’d guess that the raison d’etre for these sketches is a graphics design student doing their homework. They get a grade and credit for completing a course. Oh, and advertisement for anyone who happens to see their work.
I agree, and while I like SAR and Andrea’s work a lot, I am somewhat doubtful if this is something that adds much to this site.
Who is the student here?
The person who drew the pictures. I believe that these images arose from a design exercise, namely “take an existing item and re-conceive it using a different style.” I don’t think these images arose from someone thinking, “the A7 design is poor and I think I can do better.” Just my humble opinion. 🙂
Actually you are right, just felt the A7 was boxy and unfriendly to hold. Thought that maybe the next gen could be a little softer like our body parts that come into contact with it.
Well, the a7/r’s got their problems, and some people are waiting for them to be fixed before emptying their wallets, and the problems won’t be addressed on the current model, so you need a new design for a new model anyway.
My A7 has no problems
Yes, you could live with the slow r/w, the slow burst, the AA filter, the short battery life, that’s fine.
Read and write is great with my 95mb/sec card, the burst is 5fps, only 1 slower than the much bigger and more expensive Nikon D610, Canon 5d Mark 3 etc. AA filter – who cares this is plenty sharp. The battery lasts for hours when the camera is on all the time in the studio with wifi enabled, why people complain makes no sense when they are getting the worlds smallest full frame. The batteries are so small just buy extra if you find it a problem. I have never needed more than 3 in a full days shoot. Have you actually used this camera?
I personally don’t own this camera but my roommate has an a7r, I’ve seen it in action. The response time for in camera preview is plenty slow, the burst is plenty slow and who cares about crappy DSLRs, it’s a mirrorless and it has no reason not to do 10fps like my nex7. 10fps is very useful.
And FE is a different system from the original E, they have every reason to use a new larger battery on it, like sigma’s done with its new dpq. Using the old one is just plain wrong, and you’d have to remember to have your spare charged every time.
And the AA, if I still get the AA with no improvement in pixel count, it wouldn’t be a logical upgrade, while the really loud and sluggish sounding shutter with no EFC on the a7r turns me off, so I’m not getting either.
Henrick . . . . Designers, by nature and by training, design things. There is nothing set in stone about any design. Camera designs change constantly. Throughout the industrial world the concept of “Continuous Improvement” has been hammered into designers. That is the way of the entire world now. Get used to it.
Is everyone who redesigns anything some sort of heretic in your thinking?
I am willing to wager that Sony will alter the cosmetic design of the A7 at their EARLIEST opportunity. I will go further and wager that when Sony does that cosmetic re-design of the A7, it will look smoother, more curvaceous, more ergonomic, and less jutting and angular.
When Sony does it’s cosmetic make-over of the A7 will you be first to challenge their motives and loyalty? Can Sony become a heretic by re-considering ergonomics and cosmetic styling of their existing cameras?
If you had even a speck of artistry in you, your mind would not be so entrenched.
If there is one thing about SONY a7/a7r that I dislike, it is their design. The ugly hump on the top, the rough look, and the “mini-DSLR” feel of the camera stopped me from buying it. I’ll be so happy about a more range-finder like design. So far, I am not buying the A7… Despite its qualities, it is just an ugly camera in my opinion.
Strange, to me all DSLR are ugly as well as the OMD, Samsung and Panasonic Models. Only the Fuji design can compete, but it’s more retro and not as modern as Sony’s
That Design looks like it was beat by the fugly stick
Actually I beat it with a fhideous stick.
Can’t find my comment from before but whatever. This camera looks great. I’m just suprised how many people here don’t like it. A bit to much creative flair on the sides and back, but beefier grip and simplistic upper deck look great. I’d by this.
Excellent modeling work, Sir! Thank you for your efforts and for an interesting concept!
PS – Don’t let the pinheads diminish your enthusiasm, ( most of them have never designed or built anything ).
Thank-you for the kind words, as a gray haired designer with a mountain of experience, I have noticed that if a design can evoke emotions, it has accomplished something.
You can evoke emotions by putting a swastika in the design too. Does it mean it’s any noteworthy?
You are the one who brought your swastika with you.
Strange . . . your every post puts me in mind of brown shirts and swastikas.
Yes, it has evoked me to throw up
If I was in charge @ Sony Corp. and saw the hideous, ill-mannered ingratitude displayed against a fellow artist and Sony Fan, ( like that which fills this thread – I would give up in disgust ).
Why should Sony spend 10’s of millions of dollars developing advanced products for knuckle-dragging ingrates?
GROW UP. After you people destroy Sony, don’t move to micro 4/3.
Mr SadMan – a great name for a troll.
Well this is… well drawed, but I don’t like it at all… it would be ugly imo.
But I’m not worry sony always had fantastic design for their top products.
For the “artists” who have publicly trashed a fellow artist, Designer Robert Russell for his sincere efforts to share his conceptual vision with his fellow Sony “artists”.
Consider these suggestions from SnapChick.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adoq52pr1m8
It loks like you were just looking for an opportunity to advertise SnapChick’s erotic/pseudo camera expertise videos here.
The only common thing actually seems to be the fake enthusiasm from, both, her videos and your opinion for the A9 cancept design.
Struck a nerve, eh? You must be the “sort” that SnapChick referred to in this video.
No, I just can’t stand fake people and spam!
As for the concept design, I applaud everyones attempts and have not critisized the actual making and publishing of the concept, but gave my honest opinion for the result which I (like most people here) think is not good.
It looks like the Hassy version
Dont like it. I prefer the oposite to rounded corners. (cant find a good word for it with my poor english)
If this would see the day, i would run far away from it. Let a camera be a camera, rectangular for a mirrorless, in the good old Leica style, Out the buttons on the right places, foresee those we need, and do not make a camera an aerodynamic object like a racing car. All you need now is to join Luigi Colani to the discussion, get some Hasselblad ideas on the wood to select for the grip, and we go for glory.
Please don’t. We don’t do this kind of postmodern nonsense anymore.
Keep it straight and simple.