Advertisement
SNAPCLOUDBack up every photoUnlimited RAW storage, 30 days freeTry freeSample ad
Advertisement
Advertisement

Nikon announces the A77 with optical viewfinder :)

Nikon just unveiled the new Nikon D3200 which uses the same Sony 24 Megapixel sensor of the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink] sensor. It will be very interesting to see if there is any noticeable difference in terms of RAW image quality due the Sony’s transparent mirror and Nikon own “tweaks”. Price and specs info of the Nikon are up at Amazon (Click here). I guess DxOmark will soon test the camera and speaking of DxOmark they just published the Canon 5DmarkIII test. Why is it interesting? It has exactly the same score of the [shoplink 8454]Sony NEX-7[/shoplink]! CLick here to see the markIII versus NEX-7 comparison.

By the way, the 5DmarkIII shipment will very likely stopped soon (according to CanonWatch).

Share this story
Community

Join the discussion

133 Responses

    1. +1 mate…one of the best headlines ever.

      Worth noting…5D3 same score as NEX7? thats what Canon can give you for $3k.

      Then again, better AF, better high ISO…but not worth x3. I got a 7 and 5n and use them both happily. 5n steps up to the plate for video (better with high iso) and high iso when needed for 3200 and exclusive use of the 35mm nokton 1.2 (better edges than for NEX 7)

      F#’;ng! come on!!!

      1. Ones a pro camera, one is a casual camera.

        One can be used for weddings, catalogs, etc, and uses real lighting equipment, the other is for fun a d recreation. One has an enormous selection of pro lenses, the other has nothing.

        Now go shoot some high ISO pics of your cat.

      1. It’s a fanboy headline. What can we expect when Sony release so little ? Of course, we get Nikon news.

        Come on Sony – give us some news.

  1. Nah, low-level camera with flipping mirror, no MLU and crappy lens – as far as I have seen photos from it – they aren’t sharp even in best lighting conditions.
    Might sell better than Canon in “shops for idiots” but besides that not really tempting. Nikon got better stuff in it’s offer for starting photographers. Better AND cheaper.

      1. A200 and A77. Why?
        It’s not like I forgot what’s in the entry level cameras. Simply: Nikon already have better offers for same or lower price than D3200. Similar situation happen after release of D3000 where D90 was MUCH better for the same money (if I remember well).

    1. I don’t think that Nikon’s JPG engine is worser than Sony’s, but Canon has definitely better JPG engine. I just hope that Sony will deliver an interesting and cheap A37 for beginners because now 1100D, D3100 and D3200 are hard to beat (in performance/price at least) … and 1200D or 650D, D5200 and D7100 still to be announced 😉

      1. Nikon never really had worse JPG engine than Sony 🙂 But yea, the A37 needs to have a really good price, cause I doubt it’ll be able to fight well against very very low priced competition we have currently on a market. Lack of build-in motor sounds good for a price… although first rumors on the cost of A37 aren’t so encouraging.

      2. Hmm, I much prefer the modern Nikon JPEG engine, never been a fan of Canon’s (would never buy Canon because of it… RAW should be used for pushing colours, making up for poor metering et al, not everyday shooting. For me anyway).
        Judging from the A77 you certainly wouldn’t want to shoot JPEG so Sony needs to improve there for sure.

  2. its going to be prime material for the Nikon chimps if the sensor gets higher DX0 marks in an entry level Nikon DSLR than a semi pro Sony SLT…

    1. And the Nikon D3200 will inevitably achieve a higher DX0 score than the Sony Alpha A77 because it does not have a fixed mirror and Nikon have better noise control.

  3. Oh, man, it comes in red as well! Sony really dropped the ball with not having the red option for the A77. Im a pro and my work requires a red camera! I need it for studio work. Or something. Sony, why do you embarrass your loyal users like this?

    My Sony kit is now all listed on eBay. End of line.

    /sarcasm off

  4. I don’t think the d 3200 is a serious competitor to the 77. Just a marketing ploy to beat the 18 mp canons. Sony needs to do a lot better with marketing in the states. I work for an extemely large camera firm in the Mid atlantic and we do not carry any sony cameras in the stores. The sony slt’s and ilc’s are only at stores like bestbuy and Ritz and the Sony stores. First time ilc and slt buyers come into our store all the time and by not having sony on the shelf the customer preceives it as an an inferior brand.

  5. fuck it if this beats the a77! efff it if it happens! ive been shitting my nikon friends because of the great specs and performance of the a77. efff it if this would beat the a77!

  6. Why are people so concerned with competing with other cameras/brands? I hope most of you bought your cameras in order to take photos and not just hang them around your neck to show off.

  7. You can already eff it now.

    Nikon will make a better entry-level cam out of that “higher level” camera from SONY sensor.

    They had time to upgrade it and I believe they will make it a better performing camera than that SLT-light-blocked 77 SONY.

  8. “Nikon A77” seems to costs only half the price of Sony A77 ?

    I think this Nikon camera would be more like a A37 camera, but with 24 MP.

  9. Can the price at Amazon be right? $699,00. Incl lens!

    => Nikon D3200 24.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black).

    Can’t believe it . . . . . . . .

    @ Rurik, I meant the price.
    How can this camera with reflex mirror and penta-mirror (no prism for this price) be so cheap, much cheaper than the A77 with fixed mirror.

    1. Why not?
      Nikon already commented that D3100 will stay as entry level and D3200 will be an “advance beginner” camera.

      Or do you mean that price is low?

  10. how the heck its only $700 include lens meanwhile A77 go over a thousand only for body if both of em have the same specs except the viewfinder???

        1. Same sensor, but lesser specs otherwise. Like the A65 has the same sensor as the A77 but cost a lot less because it also has less features, or like the A57 cost more than the A35.

    1. So D3200 has 12fps, weather sealing, tilting display, 1080@60p-video, dual dials, phase detection autofocus in video, SteadyShot, af micro adjust etc?

      There’s more to a camera than the sensor and a megapixel count.

      1. Actually that’s exactly how miserably Nikon treats Sony…

        Sony puts the best APC sensor of their line on their pro 7-series cam… So, Nikon reacts by slapping the sensor onto an entry level cam.

        Now, all comparisons of features aside… it would be fun to see if the $699.95 Nikon camera beats the $1499.99 (body-only) Sony camera in terms of image quality…. I’m kinda feeling sorry for the A77 owners already.

        It doesn’t matter if Nikon won with this anouncement or not….

        What really does matter here is that Sony lost again… big time.

        1. You’re assuming it’s the Sony sensor, when it looks like a different design(er) based on the released sensor picture.

        2. Lost how? Last time I checked, Sony is picking up quick groung on Nikon and Canon. Let’s not forget that Sony is choosing to sell it’s sensors to Nikon.

    2. Chris. . . the A77 is magnesium alloy, has far superior AF and shooting capabilities, superior HD video capabilities with PDAF during video, a higher quality tilt screen, IBIS, if you really think the Nikon D3200 is “the same as the a77 for half the price” then you really need to do some more research on camera equipment.

      1. Nobody thinks that, atleast not anyone with half a brain but I am afraid that category doesn’t include the general consumer or the Nikon fanboy troll. Plus, having the first consumer camera with a 24mpix sensor was a HUGE marketing point for Sony which was the easiest thing to justify the A77’s existence, this has been lost. The whole thing was inevitable and we are sure to see 24mpix + cameras in everything within a few years but for now, the D3100 has to take some sort of toll on Sony, especially as their lower end cameras also sport lower resolution sensors.
        Although it pains me to say it, its probably logical from a marketing point to put 24mpix in every camera they sell, which would lead nikon to do the same and increase sales either way. Personally I’d love to see 16mpix across the board.

  11. Canon 5D m3 sucks so hard…
    81 vs 95(Nikon D800)
    ISO 2293(with 22MP) vs 2853(with 36MP)

    Even vs 5D m2 it doesn’t look much better.

    Once more, canceling A950 and giving it’s sensor to Nikon was a major mistake for Sony. Sony could really rule the FF image quality.

    1. well if Canon couldn’t beat the 800, then what chances does the A99 have?

      Sony is not famous for high Iso.

      1. Why do you care if it beats the D800? I only care if it beats the A900, the camera I will be upgrading from! I’d like to make my A850/900 my backup bodies to a new, faster A99 SLT. I love the IQ of the A850/900 so even if the quality is marginally superior, I’m happy.

    1. hehe, this would be good 🙂
      Or even better:
      During each negotiations about sensors Sony should negotiate also a rights for producing re-branded Nikon lens, if the Nikon is one getting sensor first. 😉 😛

      1. We don’t want that. At least based off Nikon’s shoddy samples, it’s not exactly the prettiest rendering lens out there. Sony’s designers should be able to do much better, assuming the money men let them try.

    2. Nice……..I read that Nikon and Canon release on average about five new/updated lenses each year.
      Sony, not as many……………maybe one full-frame every 3 years or so.

      Thank god for my 25 year old Minolta glass, but that is showing its limitations as the MP’s grow higher and higher.

  12. Looks like it going to be both a megapixel and an old fashion price war…

    Nikon has finely woken up with its fabulous a800 and a800e using a Sony as it sensor(s) and now its marketing a high megapixel lower priced body in its D3200 using what is reported to be the same sensor in Sony’s current flagship the a77 that costs much more and has the pros/cons of the SLT architecture and Sony’s outdated lens catalog and poor third-party support by companies that supply professional accessories as its burden.

    it will be very interesting to see how well it performs in head to head testing; not that that important to everyone.

    Yesterday’s announcement that our much anticipated a99 sounds to be closer to an a78 with a full-frame sensor or a a88 than a true 9-series Alpha camera like we have seen in the past and not a serious attempt to compete with the Canon and Nikon pro-line offerings.

    So, maybe laterfor a real 9-series, as I still some hope left.

    The idea of a low entry priced full-frame is a great idea and something I strongly support, but Sony should not label it as a 9-series body.

    And don’t forget, that full-frame cameras require full-frame lenses so don’t plan on using many of the old lenses that worked so well on your crop sensor camera of old.

    1. huh? some of the old minolta full frame lenses work beautifully on the a900 and I would expect them to work fine on the a99 in the future.

    1. But that Nikon wi-fi module that sticks out the side of the camera with the flap open is not a win. Sony should build GPS & wi-fi into their cameras – not have them as awkward add-ons like Nikon. The chips for GPS & wi-fi are very small and dirt cheap these days.

  13. I love the way Nikon’s site calls this a “Nikon-developed” sensor – not “Nikon designed” or “Nikon made”.

    http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3200/

    http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d3200/features01.htm#a1

    Is this just like the drug store used to “develop” Kodak or Fuji film?

    I guess adding their own AA filter and stuff to Sony’s sensor is “developing” it.

    And Steve you’re right – since Sony is making so many sensors for Nikon, maybe Sony should get Nikon to make them some good prime lenses for the NEX. Then we can have “Sony developed” lenses made by Nikon. 🙂

    1. “since Sony is making so many sensors for Nikon, maybe Sony should get Nikon to make them some good prime lenses for the NEX. Then we can have “Sony developed” lenses made by Nikon.”

      That is a really good idea!

  14. D3000 was 10.2MP.
    D3100 was 14.2MP.
    D3200 jumps to 24MP !
    An odd choice for an entry-level DSLR.
    16MP would have been a better compromise.

    Still waiting for A37 to be released.

  15. Nikon D3200 is 4 fps burst, 1080p 25 fps only, no EVF, no autofocus speed like A77, no magnesium body… is not an A77 😉

    1. Its also listed at B&H for only $699.00 USD with a 18-55mm kit Nikon DX lens.
      the price is the same as the Sony a35 with a lens.

      What sensor will the new a37 have?

      The a77 having the same sensor as the new Nikon sells for $1,399.00 USD body only.

      My point is that Sony’s a37 looks to be over priced and maybe not a good value and the a57 is also in question……..right?

      Nikon has several other bodies that are due for replacement, so what next and is Sony going to step-up and play in the same league or not.

  16. As we have discovered, Nikon apparently has first rights on Sony sensors so we should expect that Nikon will update its d5100 to the same sensor as the planned for the new a99?
    There is something happening with Nikon right now and Sony is part of the story as it continues to basically sabotage the alpha SLT/DSLR and supply Nikon with Canon killing sensors.
    You think its negative here? Take a look at the Canon fanboy blogs as many posters are crapping in their pants over the mark III.

    The last few weeks have been really something!

      1. John, I agree that the d5100 is not likely to go full-frame, but point I wanted to make is there is a big shake up in the Nikon product lineup and there are several cameras in between the entry level d3200 body that is getting the same sensor as Sony’s current top camera and the d800 family.
        So having said this what about the d5100, d7000 and the d300?
        We know what the top looks like and the bottom so what’s planned for the rest of the lineup?

        I bet that Nikon will be announcing soon other body replacements with other sensors.

        1. Who really knows what NikYawn have planed.
          Many from NikYawn rumors say the D400 will be FX not DX and use Sony’s new 24MP FF sensor.
          But probably just wishful thinking.
          Many are still crying for true D700 replacement.
          😉

    1. Could be that Sony is trying to remove one player and then move into the #2 spot. Once there, they just might pull the plug on the sensors supplied to Nikon. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Sony were to indeed stop supplying Nikon. Would they be able to compete then? All speculation mind you but Canon is really floundering with the new Mark 3 it would appear. The only thing that makes it look better than the crop sensor NEX 7 is the high ISO numbers. Sad for Canon fans.

    2. This is still an assumption based on an assumption. There isn’t even proof that Nikon had first right to the 36 MP sensor. All we know is that they used it first, but maybe that’s because for example Sony wasn’t ready yet. We certainly don’t know if the former assumption, if true, will be repeated.

      1. I’m sure Sony have a lot of improvements to be made to their STL design before the first FF version is produced.
        EVF improvement over already great one in A77 and first FF SLT mirror with less light loss, and MLU for single shot would require a complete mirror box redesign.
        Without these improvements Sony risk being laughed off the stage.
        😉

  17. D3200 is a low level dslr for beginners.

    BUT…………………… REMEMBER!!!

    This means that soon they will launch a Nikon D7000 equivalent (eq. also to A77) with the same 24Mpx sensor!!!

    Then we will see!!!

  18. Interesting… So is the current Nikon kit lens able to resolve the 24MP? Sony had to release the 16-50mm f/2.8 as an optimal pairing kit lens to show off that sensor.

    Seems like if they dump in a cheap kit lens on a 24MP sensor, the camera won’t be any better than D3100. If they include better kit lens, then the cost of the entry level just went up.

    1. Yeah, but with the inexpensive 35mm f/1.8G this wouldn’t be bad. With today’s high resolution sensors perhaps camera makers should go back to offering a decent standard prime as a kit lens option.

  19. I really do not understand how “new Nikon D3200 which uses the same Sony 24 Megapixel sensor of the Sony A77 sensor”? Size is quite different:

    Sony A77 sensor size is : 23.5 X 15.6mm

    Nikon D3200 sensor size is : 23.2 X 15.4mm

  20. Sony A77 sensor size is : 23.5 X 15.6mm

    Nikon D3200 sensor size is : 23.2 X 15.4mm

    Can someone help me understand how the A77 & D3200 has same sensor?

  21. Well, comparing aples to apples:

    Sony A57 should be 799 USD including kit lens?
    A3200 should be 699 USD including kit lens.

    So 100 USD for Nikon, despite of the story that the SLT design is cheaper to manufacture. Nikon apparently is able to make profits of these cameras while its doubtfull Sony is.

    Sony A57 is 16mpx , A3200 is 24mpx. Nikon wins despite the lower price. Nikon has a better JPEG engine, high ISO performance. Nikon wins.

    Nikon has a better brand image, lens lineup etc. Again Nikon wins.

    OK, so what please should make anyone buy the A57 over the D3200? I do agree that the AF during video makes it look nice for the amateurs, but I doubt its worth the extra 100 USD.

    And if anyone comes by and tells me that the A37 is supposed to compete with the D3200 on price think again. Nikon said they will keep the D3100 in their lineup as the low priced entry level camera, the D3200 is a step up.

    So can anyone explain to me how Sony wants to compete?

  22. One of the main points Sony listed as the reason to move from the old DSLR technology to the new electronic based STL is that the costs to make DSLR is way too expensive.
    So Sony, explain to us, the consumer how Nikon can sell old-school and expensive DSLR bodies for so much less that Sony does with its cheaper to make SLT?

    a37 = d3200?
    a57 = d5100?
    a77 = d7000?

    1. Good point !

      – Old and so-called expensive technology
      – Top Sony sensor in entry-level bodies

      at very attractive price ?

  23. When Sony released the 24mp asp-c sensor, Nikon fans cried that 16mp was enough and better at high ISO. Now they crow that the d3200 has more pixels than the a57.

    Times change eh?

  24. There’s nothing about this camera that would make someone who already has an investment in A-mount gear want to switch to Nikon.

      1. Nothing about *this* camera. But the D90 is long in the tooth, and needing an update. Put the same sensor into it and where is Sony going to compete?

        Sony is S-L-O-W to put out new models, has ticked off a lot of us with no OVF, and left us wanting more where Canonikonax are producing.

        If they don’t get serious about their camera line, they might as well sell it off.

        1. Sony slow to release new cameras because we just saw a Nikon entry level camera for the first time in two years and a three and four year old FF body replaced. How many cameras has Sony released just the past twelfth months? Already four A mount bodies. Now if you were talking about lenses, you’d have a point.

  25. Well the announced D3200 with its 24Mpix Sony sensor is not a competitor the the A77 or A57, it is a compatitior to the A65 with close specs but 30% cheaper.

    A rumord D400 will have the same sensor, but will be more closer to the A77.

    And sorry to say here but A77 is still a shame for Sony, even FW 1.05 has improved a bit, but it is far away what A700/A850/A900 offers in stability, consistancy and precision. So far the flagship A77 has a long way to is flagship position. 🙁

    So I am hoping for FW 2.0 .

    1. Let me re-phrase that, then. Slow to put out replacement models. Except for the replacements for the 33 & 55 which were sorely needed because they showed the frailties of their EVF.

      The a700 replacement? Never came out. Same for the a850 and a900. The 77 is NOT a 700 replacement, it’s a leap into a new genre that’s yet to be taken up by any other major player. There will be no replacement for the others, either.

      Sony could have slapped a 16MP sensor and LV tilting rear screen on the old 700 body and come out with the 750 2 years ago, but didn’t. Update the 900 a bit w/ a better sensor – not even needing more MPs, and had a 950.

      Instead they played with new tech that some like and some hate and some are ambivalent to and then staked their whole DSLR division on it. Not too smart.

      Lenses are another area, but Sony has shown us they don’t want to be a Minolta in that field, and don’t seem to get the idea of “system” cameras. To them they’re all just electronic gadgets, and should be sold as such.

      Dusty

      1. You may not feel like it’s an A700 replacement, but that’s an opinion, not a fact. Sony placed it as and calls it the A700 replacement. A good part of the market perceives it as such aswell. Going by your opinion, there most likely won’t be any future “replacements” for past OVF models either, regardless of class (FF included).
        A bit of a dead horse if you ask me. I knew you didn’t. 😉

  26. This d3200 model in no more usable than the previous and doesn’t even come close to what a77 allows you to do effortlessly:)

  27. I don’t know about you guys…but the announcement of the D3200 pretty much puts every camera in the entry lineup in doubt (A35, A57, A65), price wise even in the more advanced lineup (A77 and if you want to add, NEX-7)

    To the typical random consumer eyes, the D3200 is the best deal compared to the entry cameras from Sony because of the high pixel count sensor. Even if SLT cameras has better specs (higher fps, PDAF on videos, etc), I think Sony shoot themselves by allowing to sell the 24MP sensor unless they don’t care anymore about their own selling numbers. Ohh God, I can’t even imagine people saying stuff like my D3200 renders better pictures than your A77…. u_u

    1. It’s not that those interested in the D300s were flocking to the A35 and C3 last year, because the latter two had a much better sensor with more resolution at less than half or a third of the price.

  28. French magazine chasseur d’images just s’aidant on théier web site that is is not the Sony exmor of the A77. Less pixels and only 12 bits compare to thé 14 bits of thé exmor

  29. rofl, that’s a hilarious headline

    I’m still amazed that Nikon only thought the flagship camera sensor was only good enough for their entry level though :-/

  30. Wow, 5d III dxo is underwhelming…
    I’m more surprised that it has less than 12 stops of dynamic range. ISO is disappointing as well. Glad I switched to Sony. Just need to hurry and release the a99.

  31. There’s more to cameras than sensors. Suddenly every camera appears to be ranked by just DXO scores. By that logic, those buying the D300s or 7D must have felt awful when realizing the C3 and A35 were the better tools at a fraction of the cost…
    Not.

  32. C’mon, people, that title was clearly a joke.
    Don’t take any of this thing seriously.

    Nikon used a ‘top’ sensor on an entry-level dSLR, so what?
    Nikon used the same 10.2 MP sensor it was used on their top camera at the time (D200) on the entry level D40x.

    Sensor technology evolves. Why not use a perfectly good sensor for an entry level camera, then?
    (specially when you consider that entry-level users are still more prone to be sold by the ‘moar megapixelz!!11!!’ thing)

  33. I think Sony was desperate for the cash and Nikon got a good deal. Nikon has the better jpeg engine in Expeed3. I’m still surprised that this sensor made it to the entry level.

    Sony has a marketing problem now with the Nikon name and pricing.
    I’m still happy with my A65 purchase.

    1. sure it’s not, keep saying this to yourself. lol
      Definitely Nikon designed it in and than produced in it’s massive semiconductors division. *eyeroll*

  34. Ummm I really want to see the result from the integration between this 24MP sensor and Nikon’s latest EXPEED 3.

  35. It’s a brilliant marketing move by Nikon, to put Sony’s best sensor in one of their cheapest cameras; By doing so they are effectively reducing the perceived value of the A65/A77 (not so much the NEX-7). It would serve Nikon even better if they went out and actually said it was a Sony sensor.

  36. Sony people are enigma to me they don’t learn from the past they are making the same mistakes they lost already the tv market to Samsung and the music to apple, and now the are going to lose the dslr market . if I was new in photography and I have to choose between the Nikon 3200 and the a 57 ,I’ll buy the Nikon ,it means that the a57 will not sell well ,the joke is that Sony had the information that Nikon is getting out with the 3200,big mistake.
    Sony must decide if they are with their loyal photographers or they think only about money ,they are shooting their legs ,the story that everything is late because of the disaster in Japan it’s nice story ,Nikon faced the same problems and the got out with 3 new dslrs,

    So I fill that Sony photographer are with Sony and Sony is with Nikon

    Sorry for my English

    Mel Hagai

    1. Of which two models were supposed to be released last year. Maybe not much of an excuse afterall?
      Plus, where is the proof this is a Sony sensor? The D3100 didn’t use the Sony 14 MP sensor either.

  37. Could it be possible, that Sony might have produced a cheaper version of their 24MP sensor, aimed for entry-level camera’s ?

    1. Bottom line, it will be available day one with an enormous selection of top Nikon lenses, unlike the A77 no one could find in stock with its buggy performance and last luster lens selection.

      Stupid title, only causes more negative posts like mine. But someone has to bring reality back to the meatheads here.

      Sony users, unite and show is your cat pics, bahahaha

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Search
Advertisement
SNAPCLOUDBack up everyphotoTry freeSample ad

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

*Please also check your spam folder if you don't get the confirmation mail. And mark the mail as "non-spam" to see the future newsletter.

Advertisement
SNAPCLOUDBack up everyphotoTry freeSample ad
Advertisement
Advertisement