There is an almost impossible rumor posted by Photorumors. According to one of their sources Sony will announce a new Fullframe camera in August with 32 Megapixel sensor, 7fps and and Dual Bionz processor. There are no more info than what I posted here. Why do I say that this is an almost impossible rumor? I heard from my sources that Sony will release the translucent Fullframe camera in 2012 only. The [shoplink 3028]Sony A850[/shoplink] has been discontinued and the [shoplink 3032]A900[/shoplink] should see some price drops soon. Of course it would make a lot of sense for Sony to release a new FF camera soon. But you know, Sony product strategy and development doesn’t necessary follow our “common sense”. Otherwise the A77 would be here since almost a year, the NEX lens roadmap would contain a couple of awesome pancakes and so on 🙂
Anyway, I don’t want to destroy your hopes. Let’s assume the A920 rumor is real, than I can imagine that this is just an updated version of the current [shoplink 3032]A900[/shoplink]. Same body, no translucent technology (yes OVF) and basic video quality. It would give Sony some time for the development of the fullframe cameras. Let’s see…
Links to current Sony fullframe cameras:
Sony A850 at [shopcountry 3028]
Sony A900 at [shopcountry 3032]
31 Responses
Hm… that would be great, because not everybody likes the translucent technology stuff. Let’s keep the fingers crossed, that this will come true.
I think Sony will made at least 40Mpix sensor, because difference in resolution between 24 and 32 Mpix sensor is to small.
As I wrote before it is hard to believe that Sony will release FF camera without at least one mock-up.
Well I think this is a pretty plausible rumour.
The 32Mpix sensor makes sense. It’s a double size 16Mpix, just like the 24 Mpix in the A900 is double the 12 Mpix in the A700 (I know, it’s not quite exactly like this, but I’m guessing it at least used the same manufacturing process.
Just imagine, if they got the 16 Mpix sensor to produce a lot less heat (supposedly the A35 can record videos much much longer without overheating), that means that if they produce a FF sensor with the same manufacturing process, they can easily just squeeze it into the current A900 body, which, to be honest, needs almost no changes. Then the A900 would be lower end FF and this new A9X0 would be the new top end.
I can see this happen so that the pressure will be on to Canon and Nikon again to develop new things.
Just my 2c
Sony has historically been conservative when increasing pixel densities; 10-12-14-16 MP. There was a little shock when the 24 MP a900 was added to a line-up of 10 and 12 MP DSLRs, but it had photo sites only slightly smaller than those of the 10 MP sensors. A 32 MP replacement for the a900 is pretty reasonable in light of these trends, if not a bit ambitious.
A920 doesn’t sound right. It should be called A950…
I hope its true but doesn’t seem plausible.
But “A920” leave more numbers for incrimental advancements! Don’t we all like incremental advancements? 🙂
Strange
Seems strange to see sub 36mp full frame. Added Sony officialy declared end of ovf
Remember that there’s a big difference between announcing and releasing.
As someone that has two a850’s and use them everyday I like the idea of one more full frame product while the new technologies continue to advance. The future is mirror less or something like it that has much fewer mechanical parts than the current DSLR design.
We all agree with what needs improvement; better ISO, faster focusing, a little weather sealing,and we may be seeing much of it with the new a77 and with 32MP plus I’ll buy one!
PS
Please update the stable of old Minolta lenses and make them the equal the products from Canon and Nikon.
I’d probably buy one.
As I’ve said in the past, the SLT tech is all fine and dandy but ditching the OVF completely, especially with FF cameras, is a terrible idea and I would not buy one.
On a cropped sensor the SLT is okay but the degradation in IQ is too high.
No pro I know would run with SLTs on their FF.
Maybe they need to figure out how to devise a translucent sensor instead.
How about, SLT Fullframe with Mirror lock-up option?
to have the photos without any reflections?
I’d buy one.
As for a900 pricedrops, in the UK, the price has been steadily on he rise since last year September. I bought mine in Oct. 2008, it now costs £360.00 more (in the same place where I bought mine).
Anyhow, an a920 would be a welcome addition to Sony’s lineup.
I think the release of such a camera would be great. If Sony launched a camera like the A900 but with better AF and lower high ISO noise, this would be all I ever wished for.
I would definitely upgrade my A900 to this A920.
That’d be surprising to see that if it’s a derivative of the A900. It’s an old Minolta design and I don’t see video being added to it without major engineering changes, which would be equivalent to creating a new camera.
What I need in life. a77 and the a900 replacement.
I can’t say I find this rumour even slightly plausable, but it would be nice if true. One more OVF based full-frame that addresses the shortcomings of the A900 (live-view, AF performance, high ISO, lack of built-in flash) would be a nice way for Sony to end the chapter of optical viewfinders.
36 Mpixel is thought to be more reasonable if using A77 sensor (24Mpixel x 1.5).
It looks like Nikon rumors is a lost talking about it as well.
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/06/19/nikon-d4-with-32mp-d400-with-24mp-sensors-from-sony.aspx/
Also not a lost
andrean,
can post major rumor of up coming a77/nex7? thanks in advanced!
Probably not going to happen…
Bit of a shame really. An A900 with some sort of live view & articulated screen would be right at the top of my future purchase list.
Oh well
Andrea, most of us risk a heart attack when we read this! It would be enough if this camera would have better AF, ISO and liveview than 5D Mark II. If it also has better video then it would be a great seller.
Em sounds interesting as someone told me that the Nikon d700 replacement will have a 3o (plus) mpix chip. So maybe not so silly ..maybe
I don’t know if someone just decided to play with our nerves or if Sony is testing the idea – but an updated A900 could give some if us another 3-4 years with a Sony camera instead of switching by the end of the year…
No, maybe a920 would be the correct name for a “upgrade” replacement for the a900.
Look, the basic a850/a900 still camera is as good as, if not better than the current Canon 5 or Nikon 700 and with a technology upgrade that incorporates many of the features designed for the a77 and with this new sensor, Sony could get another year out of this really wonderful body.
With the bright viewfinder, and its solid construction why not squeeze another year out of it while Japan recovers and the a77 can turn into a a99 that professionals could embrace.
Personally, I don’t need video!
An A900 with an updated sensor and image processor would be great.
The rumour makes sense if their good customer Nikon want such a sensor sooner rather than later ~ and Sony don’t have an A99 or whatever of their own ready to put the same sensor in.
Sony may have also learned something from having taken so long to produce an A700 replacement – when an A720 in the meantime would have kept many people very happy.
Also how many photographers that really need 32mp would actually be happy with any EVF that is available now or in the next year or so? I expect that making an EVF that even comes close to the OVF in the A900 (which is what any full frame EVF in a Sony camera will be compared to) is going to be very difficult.
Admin:
Are we going to read that “Wow” rumour or it will be published tomorrow?
i hope that they will change the design of the battery grip and make new lenses
I am going to buy one with higher price than C a little bit, if it is OVF and feature set better than 5D3.