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Michael Bubolo (national DSLR trainer for Sony Alpha) told Amateur Photographer that the A77 would probably be launched this year and that it would definitely use the translucent mirror technology. Michael said the A77 will feature substantially better EVF and ISO will go ‘up into the hundreds of thousands’!!! The body itself is made with magnesium alloy and the price will be in the same area of the [shoplink 5117]Canon 60D ($900-1200. Click here to check price)[/shoplink].
Michael also said that “the specification is not finalised yet and that all details are subject to change, including the shape of the body itself.”
Interesting but also frustrating that they can’t give us any release date. I guess the rumors I received saying that Sony has still some issues in working out problems with the translucent technology are correct….:(
69 Responses
This sounds great. I hope this will be true. But Sony don’t let us wait until the end of the year!!! I would/should have it now!!!
Awesome. I’m waiting for it Sony!!! My A900 is waiting for its friend!!!
The initial impression I have is good but it isn’t finalized and therefore subject to change just like the camera. $1100 sounds very reasonable, especially if the final specs are closer to the Canon 7D rather than to the 60D. If the camera is going to have HDR as I expect, the camera will have to be faster than the 60D.
All this waiting is like Chinese water torture.
smile at headline :] :] hundreds of thousands
224,800?
🙂
High ISO, better EVF than A55 (which is not to bad also), magnesium alloy body and price ( 60D price range) all are great. Combined with the rumored 24 Mpixel sensor also. Add 1080p60 video and the OLED screen from the new compact and you have a winner.
I think the other stuff about specs not finalized is smoke and mirrors for the competition ( or for the reporter not to ask more). The camera may already be in beta testing somwhere.
AF performance is still under question mark
AF is already fast in A55
How about battery life?
Rumored to use the normal Alpha lineup battery instead of the NEX / A33 / A55, so probably can expect ~ 1k shot per charge.
It looks like the camera will take some time to arrive.
The key phrase is this:
“the specification is not finalised yet and that all details are subject to change, including the shape of the body itself.”
Sony is still at the specification stage and I think this will take some time to get to the production stage. I am not familiar with the h/w dev cycle, but that sounds like 6 month or 9 months away, at the earliest.
You are assuming that:
a) this isn’t some marketing scheme or as Adi has mentioned a “smoke and mirrors” for the competition.
b) that some standard engineering process is taking place
c) that these final (to be announced) specs is the upper limit of the technology and not some “code-limited” version of it
By modular design and engineering processes, you can fit the same internal stuff in a different body, and I’d assume that Sony has done many many prototypes of every individual component built for the camera and they are just optimizing for what they think the market will buy at this point, namely, getting feedback from “unknown” beta testers.
It depends.
If all Sony wants is to release a normal A77 with incremental changes, your assumption will likely be the case.
If they want to ‘wow’ the users, it is hard to believe Sony can do that with “the same internal stuff in a different body”, that would take some time.
But I guess time will tell.
“and ISO will go ‘up into the hundreds of thousands’!!!”
Don’t make me laugh, when has a Sony ever had high ISO capability? As much as I love my A700, Sony’s jpegs have always been a joke at high ISO compared to Canikon.
It’s a 24mpix sensor that’ll start getting noisy at 800 and noticeable at 1600. Sony have just released the A580 using the same sensor as the D7000 and the D7000 is FAR better at higher ISO.
Sony marketing talking crap again. 😀
You are like 2 generations behind (take a look at A55/A580). The current 16MP Sony sensor is the best APC-C on the market ( the fact that Nikon, Pentax and Fuji all use derivatives of it on their latest APS-C DSLRs tells you something).
>>You are like 2 generations behind
yes two generations behind and we’re still waiting for a freakin’ replacement for it.
Yeah, i agree. The time that Sony takes to refresh its flagship line, is a disgrace…..do they not think of pros..??!!
For me it was pain seeing the a330 the a230 etc being released with their stupid handycap looking grips.
I can only hope that Sony will do something for the pro users…after making us wait 2+ years now…its a JOKE!!!
p.s.: I’m a sony user btw…
Sony user here as well, but check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Nikon_DSLR_cameras
Nikon – averages at 2 years per update, FF only came in the last 3 years (Sony sensor!), the problem for the “perceived” difference is that they have 2 lines of FF alternating at half-cycles while Sony has 1 line of FF.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Canon_DSLR_cameras
Canon – averages at 3 years per update, FF starting in 2002. However, likewise, 2 lines of Full Frames alternating every half-cycle.
Canon users have been waiting for a 1DsMK4 for 3.5 years and counting. We are on the better end of this bat compared to Canon, and trailing Nikon compared to releases. There is yet the view of how much technology do you update to call it an update? I’d still give Sony the time if it means they will come out with something better. I don’t enjoy that trading-selling game on good cameras. No point to loose 300-800 bucks every 2 years just cus of minor technology creep.
Thanks Ezio for the analysis! If you hadn’t told us we wouldn’t have realized.
No, the A580 is worse than the D7000 with the SAME SENSOR. That’s all down to Sony being poor at high ISO (again).
You think that a 24mpix sensor is going to be great at high ISO, erm yeah ok… 😀
It’s a marketing gimmick, nothing more.
The A580 spanks every APS-C camera but the D7000 and K-5 at high ISO when shooting Jpegs. And is no worse than the D7000 in RAW. If that’s poor in your book, I wonder how you manage with the A700.
Oh and why would a 24MP sensor not be great at high ISO? Pixel density would still be a factor 7.6 lower than that in current compacts, which in turn are no worse than their those with less MP before. Are you saying you still believe myth that pixel density is important for image noise (especially now that read noise is really no longer a factor worth mentioning)?
PS – D7000 is using the 16 MP Sony sensor ( the same used in A580), slightly tweeked by Nikon, so no, it’s not “far better”, if you check the tests.
PPS – If you read any Nikon forums you will see that everybody there is waiting for the next (rumored) 24 MPixel sensor (guess what it’s again, a tweeked version of the next A77 Sony sensor).
Haha, it is absolutely hilarious that Nikon users don’t know where their cameras come from. They keep touting how good their Sony sensors are without ever giving credit to the proper company. At least official Nikon reps aren’t afraid to admit to it.
Without Sony’s sensors, Nikon would not have entered the digital SLR market at all.
No one cares where the sensor comes from, it’s how you use it and all about the camera it’s in. Sony lacks the cameras and everyone elses uses the sensors better.
Exactly. They may have produced as good results with Sony cameras, but they’re too afraid to leave their systems.
They still would enter the market, only Nikon would work basically as Pentax before getting Sony sensors, and Canon would rule the photography world alone.
and the nikon d7000 uses a sony sensor… not even mentioning that you are comparing 2 cameras that are meant for different classes of buyers and the a580 falls about a half a stop behind the d7000, but using multi frame noise reduction thinghy it’s a bit better than d7000.
Don’t expect the new sony to go over 25.600 but it can do wonders if the improve the algorithm of multi frame noise reduction (or whatever it’s called), that is probably why they said hundreds of thousands.
Not sure what you’ve been looking at but at high ISO (ISO 3200-6400), even the Jpegs from the A580 are only marginally worse than those from the D7000. Worse being partially subjective to some extent too, as one will show more noise, the other more detail. And at ultra high ISO (above ISO 6400), they’re both about as bad still.
sounds great!! Im really lusting for one of those now! Hey Admin (Andrea), whats the deal, is this thing going to be released in april or in sept?!?!?!? Come on, tell us what you know!!
I would not call half a stop a “major” ISO difference.For half a stop , you also pay about half the price comparing with D7000. Sadly, A700, IT IS 2 sensor generations behind for Sony and other manufacturer offerings.
I also expect that “hundreds of thousands” reffer to a multishot exposure like the handheld twilight mode (which is great anyway at least in JPEG mode.Sony has pattents related to it). If the real ISO is one stop better than the current 16 MP at 24 MP is a great achievment also, with or without multishot exposure.
And good high ISO is a must ( or you have to buy a $2000 fast lens).
High ISO does not replace a fast lens – I prefer a low base ISO and high aperture lenses to get a shallow DOF.
Likewise, fast lens wouldn’t replace high iso. Half of the time, I wish I have more DOF with manageable iso noise. Nonetheless, I still shoot at ISO 1600 to 3200 with my A900 from time to time. ISO noise is highly over-rated for the majority of professional use, let alone amateur use.
I am really sick and tired of waiting
can’t decide if I buy an a580 or wait for the a77
so pls post a release date as soon as possible
and maybe somebody can help me to make a good decision 😀
I would say if you’re desperate for a NEW system, a580 will be good. There’s been good reviews about it.
If you’re not desperate, and want a major technological breakthrough, wait for the a77.
Before, I always try to get the newest technologies. Now I just wait for breakthroughs.
ISO up into the hundreds of thousands?
um… what is really the point in that? If you need an ISO that high, maybe you just shouldn’t be taking a picture (or use some freakin’ lights). Please show me a camera that can take a picture at ISO 100,000 and still be able to look good when printed out large.
That’s the point! It’s not for studio use! It’s for everyday use! Ones that you may print out on an A4 but not blow up to hang on your wall 😀
Now I am really interested. I have been leaning towards FF but at that price I can spend on great wide angle and get all the benefits of a aps-c.
Yeah now whether the wait is worth it.
Not like I’m in a rush though.
Let them go as high as they want with iso, as long as base iso stays true to form it doesn’t really matter.
I really Really REALLY hope that sony is currently focusing on developing this so called A77, and not spending resources/time on any more entry level camera. It will not be surprising if the A77 only to be announced early next year and available mid 2012!
When the rumours A700 replacement 2 years back… I have already been wanting for an upgrade from my A100… but turns out they release the A550. So decided not to wait and get the “discontinued” A700… And after using a700 for 1 and half year …the replacement still = no news..
good move, clivengu. I’m hoping Sony will put more resources for A77 too. Actually it’s like cars o.o Sometimes model’s gotta change, but sometimes, model’s MUST change immediately. Hope that’s their line of thought for A700.
Maybe they should aim for a maximum ISO level of several ten thousand and release the cam some months earlier…
I applaud Sony’s drive to push technology forward but it’s a huge risk to bet all its chips on a technology not fully controlled yet and discarding what has worked for over 50 years.
The problem is that the A77 is gathering a lot of hype to live up to and if it doesn’t meet that hype, it will be a colossal failure to Sony’s reputation which may critically wound their operations in DSLR business.
Sony should play it safe before going SLT 100% and keep SLT at 50% and OVF at 50%.
But that’s just me.
The problem is that Sony has been vacant from the 7 series for SOOOOOOOOO LOOOOOOOONG that when they finally do introduce the A77 ….
It had BETTER be a game changer!
🙂
I think time will tell. Maybe that’s what their bosses are thinking too. Where do you put the dice.
It seems Sony plays the same game as people who only waiting for new cameras. Sony engineers also waiting for new and even more advanced technologies, but didn’t implement already developed features in long awaited cameras…
May be Sony force A700 users to buy A850.
The more likely decision would be to go to Canon or Nikon. FF is a different animal.
Hmm, to think that way, lets answer the questions: Why do APS-C Professional Bodies exist? Why do they still exist?
Cost.
FF will never be an upgrade to APS-C for me
🙂
lmao.. Sony is waiting until their fabrication facilities can produce better and smaller sensors..
Hundreds of Thousands!! Wow, means I’ll be able to take pictures of bats without a flash!! Holy shit!
I think ISO of hundred of thousand only useful for taking picture of static object (multi exposure noise reduction). But, feel free to surprise me Sony.
If the new A77 cost $999 body only then I might squeeze it with my budget.
Can’t find this rumors on AP’s website?
Still no d300s competitor? Sony can suck it! 😛
I have recently bought a850 for shallower depth of field, fasted flash synch speed and low base iso. I shoot Raw exclusively and have used a550 before for 9 months on weddings and portrait work outdoors and in studio. FF is way different, I love it, raws are fabulous, the noise is very pleasant, is barely there on properly exposed shots at 1600 and up. 77 will be a stunning camera, get your best lenses ready to resolve that 24mp beast
Any word no whether A77 is going to be Full Frame? I thought I read it was going to be FF, but when I read rumors about it again, I can’t find the info.
I am thinking, 24 MP and ISO 100,000+ must be somewhat difficult and not going up in size to FF.
A77 will be 24 Mp in Full Frame sensor. A killer… 😀
A77 – is an update to A700 line, so APS-C sensor (rumored to be 24 MP ). If you want FF wait for the A900 update , most likely in about one year after A77 release.
I think A900 might be released quicker than that – maybe Q4 2011/Q1 2012. Pure guess.
Hence the newer sensors. New technology.
Leaving Sony for Canon can’t wait any longer!
Bye! lol
Can’t say I blame you. I am happy enough with my A700, but understand why some will now move to Canon and Nikon.
Price like a 60D? at the beginning, it was price similar to a D7000, now, its price just a bit more than the T2i.
so if the A77 is just a bit more expensive than the T2i, it will sell like hot cakes!! woohooo….
but my wish list would be full manual control on video, bigger battery, smarter not faster AF, better EVF, true black LCD, and bring some more lens with it!!!
If the A77 and Nex 7 use the rumoured 24mp APS-C sensor http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Sony_shows_Alpha_700_replacement_at_CES__more_information_news_304848.html
then they will need some very good A-Mount and E-mount lenses for that format.
More so than the specs, I find it hard to believe it will be priced to compete with the 60D. But props to Sony if they can pull it off, they’re surely whip the big two in terms of semi-pro sales if that were the case.