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I am really not sure if the rumor I got is correct. But if it is this means the A99 will soon be replaced by another model. According to a new source the A99 production will cease on November 30. As you know I got an info from a top source that Sony will launch an ILCE-9 or A9 E-mount Full Frame camera within the next 4-5 months. The big question is, when the A-mount A99 successor will be announced. Note: Sony officially said that the new E-mount DSLR shaped cameras will not replace the A-mount cameras (Source: Amateur Photographer).
Current A99 price check: [shopcountry 14165].
One more thing: Again an A77 Gold Box deal in Germany (more at DealsRunner.com).
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
151 Responses
Just realized there is no FF camera in this world that has a touch screen, wow.
Live View on Canon 5D III is ridiculous. PDAF focus points are insufficient and cumbersome to select.
Sony please give us something finally!!
Betteridge’s law.
doesn’t work in case of rumors
Hmm. I think “Run out of production” is a little misleading (great link bait, but a little misleading) because it implies scarcity. Nikon, and I believe Canon too, have a problem with too much backlogged inventory. Nikon’s best selling models are still cameras it stopped making months and months ago (D90?!). Sony could just be shutting down manufacturing until demand picks up and/or inventory starts flowing.
…or they could be releasing something totally new in the next ~6months. This is a rumor site afterall!
… or the rumor will end up not being true. Plenty of possibilities. 🙂
Don’t you think, however, Vlad, that Sony IS in fact on the verge of introducing still another FF A-mount camera? probably more than one. And, of course, it is true that end of production does not mean an immediate end to availability.
I have no idea. An SR3 rumor about production of the A99 stopping doesn’t tell me much. I do doubt they would replace the A99 that fast.
Sony sacked the entire SLT line for a reason, it’s done and not coming back. The a99 in particular had poor sales numbers, thus the nail in the coffin.
But next year *if* they reveal a replacement, one without a silly (but effective) membrane and 4gb buffer (12fps full rez and no slideshow effect in VF), this should be more appealing.
I say *if* because I’m convinced that if the new e-mount cameras have overwhelming sales numbers, the Sony corporate types will discontinue the a-mount.
pappy, you are equating SLT with A-mount.
pappy – you don’t have a clue obviously. Not so long ago we had a news saying that A99 hit all it’s targets for sales. According to Flickr it outmatched RX1 (closest equivalent in Sony lineup) popularity in 2:1 relation. Get some facts before posting. Yes, it is less popular than consumer-grade gear, but that’s no surprise. Important thing is that for Sony sales went just fine.
Pappy –
I was going to say that the A99 met or exceeded its sales goals, but I see Sky_walker beat me to it. Regardless, I cant imagine Sony ever intended the SLT design to be long term. I’m fully confident it was always intended as a transition technology between DSLR and mirrorless (DSL? ILC? whatever it will finally be called).
The SLT technology was designed to have a limited life from the very beginning. And that is a very good thing – it shows a commitment to innovation.
The sales numbers were ‘on target’ alright… On target for the decision to end the entire SLT line!
Sony haven’t “sacked” anything officially. SLT is merely a technology, so its discontinuation only means that Sony have something better. A-mount is just a bunch of lenses, which will obviously be supported for a long time to come.
What exactly are you worried about?
FYI: Cameras usually go out of production long time before they are discontinued from sales. Manufacturers first make some estimations, than produce predicted amount of cameras. If sales exceeds the estimation by a significant margin – they might (underline `might`) decide for a second production run.
In either case though – none of the cameras are manufactured for the whole period of being sold. Usually the same production line switches from model A to B to C to D and than AmkII, BmkII, so on, so on…
I really hope you don’t think that there are as many factories manufacturing cameras as there are camera models on a market… *eyerolls*
Let the A mount death rumours start. Was a refreshing break for a while.
end of production for a camera barely a year old is quiet telling
What does it tell you, Joe?
Sony, thanks for selling a failed “flagship,” canceling its production after a year and hobbling its video IQ without even acknowledging or addressing the issue! With tactics like that, Canon and Nikon will ALWAYS beat you! You have engendered SO very much ill will in even long-time Sony camera loyalists. How very pathetic.
The A-99 has been a big success, both in sales and in critical acclaim.
Really? I tried one a couple of weeks ago and I handed it back after two minutes. Those acclaiming critics must be very… Very… How can I put it?
…very…?
User Error?
Wait a second, we’re talking about Sony on this site. What are you talking about?
Maybe thats the Big Surprise,
The A-Mounts are Dead, Long live the E-Mount
This is the kind of rumor that makes me want to bail on using Sony.
Same here, but i wonder will the a99 ever get that firmware it needed, if they kill it off
Doubtful. Sony has never been great at firmware updates. Maybe once in a blue moon they will do one and fix a minor problem while leaving other issues unresolved… If you buy Sony you need to make sure the product works out of the box, hoping for a firmware upgrade is foolish at best.
Sony made an entirely different camera out of the A700 through a FW update, and greatly improved the A900 and other cameras. Will they address some issues in the A99 with FW? I don’t know. But it isn’t as though they haven’t in the past.
Within one year we will probably hear, that the Nex-9 FF mirrorless cam will run out of production. Who will invest in such a brand? Sony is manic-depressive, one year a hype, next year out…. Hope this rumor is not true!
For a long time, the biggest complaint about Sony was that there was too much time between models. Not it’s that they come too quickly?
They probably have enough stock and are planning new models, so this rumour means nothing. Admin, it would be better not to post FUD rumors.
FUD? I post rumors. This isn’t a bad r good news. If you need the A99 buy it! It’s a great camera. Only unrational people can think this is relevant for their photography needs.
You can ignore his comment since it really is none of his/her business what rumors you post. It’s your website, post what you like and if they don’t like it they can go to another site for their rumors.
Hmm. I was rating it FUD because that’s the way some comments were. I agree that the original rumor is OK, but why do people always make FUD out of it (see a few comments here)? It is terrible.
Because most people seem to LOVE drama. Its in their blood.
I on the other hand worry, but I don’t freak out until I see an official press release.
Because they are full of FUD?
Still don’t know what FUD is.
It’s good to be aware of commenters here who are intent on spreading FUD.
Yep, horrible! It is going out of production and Sony will never make another camera again! Drama queens, lol.
…horrible! …Sony will never make another camera again.
Did I read that?
C’etait de l’ironie.
Nom de Dieu!
I was sure that Sony was exiting the camera business, finally realizing that they will never satisfy the reasonable demand of forums writers everywhere for a real Alpha based camera.
a)Less than $300
With a 10 to 400 f1.2 zoom kit lens.
All iron built, wighting less than 500g.
b)Accepting all lenses made since the Petzval without an adapter
c)Same noise regardless of ISO, up to at least 1,024,000 (4 tine Nikon!)
d)JPEG engine providing more control than RAW
e)OVF and EVF, but mirrorless
f)60 gigapixels
g)A full range of Zeiss lens, macro, all at f0:95 as a complete kit for $500. MUST BE MADE IN GERMANY obviously using lunar silicon glass.
h)1200 full frame RAW compressed images on a 8gig card
i)120 burst rate with a 1200 frame buffer
j)Full 8k video
k)Wifi
l)Touchscreen that double as smartphone
m) Minolta, enough said
n)NIkon, must use Nikon viewfinders
o)Olympus, integral microscope
p)Pentax
q)Better IQ than most forums writer and bloggers
r)Ricoh, see p
s)SONY, enough said
t))(A personal beef of mine)GPS that works in a mine, why have a 1,024,000 Iso camera that can take picturs in a dark mine if we don’t have reliable GPS?
u)Ultraviolet photography
v)Video MUST be 8k, top frame rate of 240fps, usuable at all ISO with autofocus (silent)on all lenses.
Thats all for me, W,X,Y,Z are available…
shame on you!
forgot square sensor, infrared, x-rays, and video projector!
w.) Battery rated for 42,650 shots
Hey forgot to add high fall prevention
I got a good laugh out of your post. Thanks. A little bright spot while eating lunch.
I’m still thinking of leaving Sony to Nikon. I want a FF with a fast framerate per second to replace my A900. So please Sony, give me my A1!
Otherwise I’l be selling all my great A-mount lenses I use all the great stuff from Zeiss and Minolta (even the 200mm F\4 Macro from Minolta).
Please don’t let me down. My heart would break if I have to leave the A-mount
+1 No new A-Mount FF -> Nikon D800 is my future
LOL, if the fps is so important then you should move along to Nikon. Sony is never good at making a sport camera, so the high fps is irrelevant in Sony land. People need to prioritize their needs over brand. And by the way, selling that over-rated, over-inflated 200/4 macro would help easing the move.
Well, Rolleiflex, you do realize that attacking the professional sports photography business is the officially-stated policy of the Sony Corporation, in its annual report this past spring, don’t you? And that Sony’s president has also stated that this goal is a major priority?
Btw, achieving this goal is not something that can be accomplished, it would seem, with e-mount. Given the build-up of expensive long lenses for A-mount, I have been expecting to see this goal begin to be realized early in the new year with the introduction of new A-mount cameras, but maybe this is the Big October Surprise?
If you decide to start selling your A-mount gear, let me know.
BTW, I still use the A850, and absolutely love it. I dont shoot high-iso images, so there really isnt a better camera for me.
How much for the 200 mm f4?
But don’t think to get a D600 as it’s almost out of Nikon line-up. It was just removed for their MAP list today. By the way, isn’t D600 and A99 sharing the same sensor??? coincidence for both pahsing out so close to eack other?
MOTHER ****.
SONY. you better have something up your sleeve for the A mount. And it better be good.
Why wouldn’t it be ?
This could mean simply the end of the CURRENT production run. Of which there will be many.
I wonder if you can use A mount APS-C lenses on a FF E-Mount camera? The glass is bigger on A mount….
Only in crop mode, image circle is not big enough for FF (physical size of the glass is irrelevant, only thing that matters is the image circle it covers).
If a99 is replaced by a competent ILCE-9, will people here also want an A-mount version? I’m curious.
I’m also curious as to why Sony only has had 1 full-frame model at a time in the SLT line. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but it’s a different strategy from how Sony’s other divisions work, and certainly different from Canikon.
I can only speak for myself, but I’d definitely want an a99 replacement, even if the ilc-9 pulls a blinder and includes ibis. Big reason is glass – the ff e-mount lineup isn’t exactly mind blowing yet and I’m not happy about gambling on glass I want being added to it (not trying to reopen the f2.8 debate but there’s a reason why fast primes sell). I can’t see any point in adapting glass I’ve already got (any of the Sony adapters on the ilc-3000 will kill the ergonomics assuming they can cope with heavy glass for sustained periods) and life’s too short for dealing with the lottery of adapted vintage glass.
Calm down kids. The A99 mirrorless replacement is coming.
At E-mount…
One more time: A-mount.
I am a huge Sony fan.. After using some of their video cameras extensively for work in harsh condition they were the only piece of gear I was able to rely on 100%.
Now I own a BMCC and need a new set of lenses of my own, I wanted to invest in Sony lenses to support the company (why choose Canon or Nikon when Sony have been so reliable for me?) but as a BMCC owner I only have the option of adapted A-mount lenses which would be fine but I’d love to get a much higher end Sony down the track and I don’t want to start buying alpha lenses if Sony is going to drop the A-mount and push the E-mount.
What do? Guess I’ll just wait till the end of October and hopefully something is released that indicated what direction they’re going to go in.
By the higher end Sony, you meant the lens or the camera? For a video production, the A-mount lenses are plenty good and A-mount will be here for a long time since it has a much more mature ecosystem than the E-mount. And don’t worry about the direction of Sony. A few months back, people were complaining that Sony only has one current FF. Now this is a sign for more FF to come and people are going back to the doom and gloom talk. Just get what works for you. It’s not like if there is the slightest chance that Sony would drop the A-mount system, your lenses would stop working.
I would be fine with this, if this means the A99 will get cheaper (and then I can pick it up).
+1 me too…
Death of A mount? Looks like all cameras are getting axed.
Just read this on NBC World News:
“Sony Imaging Department of Sony Japan Press Release: Due to market pressure and dramatically changing demand for digital imaging products, effective immediately Sony Imaging department is ceasing new development on all lines of consumer digital cameras, including all CyberShot, Alpha A and E mount interchangeable lens SLT and Mirrorless cameras. Continuing reserve stocks will remain for sale at discount until they are exhausted. Support will continue for the duration of warranty and extended warranty periods. Moving forward, Sony Imaging will focus on industrial, and professional motion picture products.”
Oh wait. I just made that up.
Seriously people…don’t go into freak out mode! Sony’s not killing off anything yet.
WTF!? Why would they stop production? I thought NEX and RX were doing well? Sony is such a disappointment, I am switching.
Oh wait. I should try to read things properly.
+1 to Kevin Kukla. Got me there for a second, haha.
LOL. I think if we ever see a press release like that from Sony, it will mean that the world is engaged in thermonuclear war, or something equally devastating.
I agree. Nice satire, Kevin.
E mount is a joke we’re interested only in A mount. E mount= soccer moms, A mount is where the action is. If not we’ll buy Canikon products
I don’t care if sony release 5 ILC E mount products they suck putting it bluntly bad menus, poor handling you can buy this junk if you want to, look at the A3000 what a joke that is.
Enthusiasts are who Sony caters to. This applies to E mount and A mount. Whichever mount will bring in more business is the way it’s going to go. They’ve tried A mount for years…it hasn’t worked too well so E-mount (smaller cameras with big sensors) their attempt to switch gears and attract new customers.
That being said…
If you’re making a living off your camera, you are making a questionable business decision buying Sony in the first place. The photo you take brings in the $$, not the camera you use. In that regard, any high end camera will give you the ability to take quality pictures.
But your biggest capital cost is going to be camera and lens. Why wouldn’t you go with Canon or Nikon right off the bat? The resale value of your camera when you upgrade will be considerably more. Same goes for lens. The used market is considerably larger which will reduce the cost to buy additional lens. The support network is also better.
People can make the argument that the sensor technology might be better or something about how a zeiss lens might render to their taste. But ultimately, is that going to bring a sale over a picture taken by a canikon?
All too true and yet it is not the whole truth.
I bought my Alpha 77 because it represented at that price point an excellent buy with a feature set not available elsewhere then (late 2011). With the Tamron 18-270 (a perfect match) I have an very good setup, the 50mm 1.4 almost never taken out of the bag. The flash drives me mad like a lot of people. As for the lack of software update, the less said the better.
But while I’m taking pictures and publishing them weekly in my newspaper and others, I’m NOT MAKING my living taking pictures.
Since I tag along photogs who are only doing this for a living, I’m well aware of the limitation of the Sony’s as a whole. They envy my A77 capability, it’s noise (decibel) level, the viewfinder, the excellent video if you agree to some limitation and yet I’m unable to recommend that they buy one. It’s ideal for me, but I’m afraid that 80% of what a pro camera is at a third of the price doesn’t make it a pro camera. It has the look of one, the feel of one but I’ve not taken this into a riot yet (and don’t intent, age related thing).
And I admit, having been in the pro video business once that I expected a tad more service from SONY. In the hardwired old days, they would actually offer you to change chips or boards if something came in… Sony Broadcast still do this and quietly offers new firmware a couple of times a year if my friends are telling me the truth.
I know what service means, needed a drum assembly for your BVU10 at 3 o’clock in the morning on Friday night, call your Sony sales rep… Stuck with two drowned Canon in a war zone, call Canon. This happened to a journalist sent by a friend of mine to cover Irak, took the Canon’s (one Mark III I guess, this was 2006) and both get soaked real bad. Replacements available the next day. Press pass from a small newspaper enough to warrant that type of service.
Unless Sony sees the value of a SONY strap, as they do for the Sony logo on their pro and broadcast cameras, sorry but they won’t make it.
And I don’t care about the ‘investment’ value of what we buy. Like all assets they depreciate, if they can function after, much the better.
I think you misspelled right there. It should have been “I” instead of “we.” For certain type of photography, the NEX system is as ideal as it gets. You just raged over nothing. Move right along to the Canikon side. It’s not like anyone is going to miss your whining.
A mount is not a lens. An identical Sony Zeiss 24-70 could be put out in e-mount and any e-mount lens could be made with an a-mount. Currently, there the a-mount lens library is far superior to the e-mount lens library. However, e-mount camera owners can use all a-mount lenses (and Canon, Nikon, Leica, et al.).
If Sony can make a hybrid mount camera (without having to use the bulky la-e3 adapter)), this would be the best of both worlds for users of either line.
Um. You know its just a mount, right? There are e-mount cameras with an entirely different menu system. Take the FS100 for example. A camera with its own ergonomic issues but a completely different menu system. If you have an issue with menus complain about menus. If you have an issue with a mount then talk about the mount.
So edgy!
Right, soccer moms use $10,000+ NEX-FS700 4K E mount cameras with mickymouse Zeiss cine lenses and real men use A mount cameras for their Minolta SLR lenses.
“Zeiss has released a new cine zoom lens, the CZ.2 15-30/T2.9, which complements the existing CZ.2 70-200mm T2.9 and CZ.2 28-80mm T2.9 lenses.
As with other Zeiss CZ.2 lenses, the new 15-30mm T2.9 has an interchangeable mount system for compatibility with PL, EF, F, MFT and E mounts. The lens is compatible with full frame (e.g., 5D Mark III) and APS-C (e.g., EOS C300) cameras.”
http://www.photographybay.com/2013/09/10/zeiss-15-30mm-t2-9-compact-zoom-cine-lens-unveiled/
Nobody really cares much about the A99 anyway, overpriced and about 3 people bought one. Next time Sony try to wake up and actually look at what other makers are doing and their prices. A99 was doomed to fail from day one.
Oh wait someone will come along and tell us a partial mag alloy body, with an EVF, and scene modes and using SD cards is a “pro camera” yeah right..cough
Actually, only 2 people bought one – the third is the one this rumor is about – they’ll finish it up in production later this year.
It takes about 8 months to build one of these machines!
Ah, Simon, with his weird notions for a pro camera.
Well read it and weep!
A99 is basically an A77 with a FF sensor partial mag alloy body, same AF system (important to note the 5dMkIII’s vastly superior AF system)
Pro cameras don’t have scene modes, they don’t have SD card slots either, and they have full mag alloy bodies with advanced top range AF systems, not the A77’s AF shoved into a FF body with poor frame coverage.
Nice as the A99 was, it was released at an unrealistic price and didn’t do half as well s it could have if it were more in line with the D600/6d price points. There is no way in hell you can call it a pro camera
I read it. And I weep for your arguments.
Uh oh! If the A99 is not up to the challenge and not a professional camera, who’s going to break it to all the professionals out there using it?!
I personally know 5 people; colleagues, and friends who are using the A99 to make a living. I’m sure as heck am not going to tell them! I would be using it too, but my three A850s are still going strong and are more than enough to bring in the money to live on. I plan on replacing them with the new mirrorless cameras when necessary.
My only serious issue with my a99 is the AF system being too limited to less than 1/3 the frame. Beyond that, I find it superior to the Canon 5d2 that it replaced. I’ve used it side by side to the Canon 1d-x and the 5d3 while shooting. Again the autofocus system is poor compared to those two cameras (which are probably number 1 and number 2, respectively, in terms of AF systems amongst all SLRs). Beyond that, the image quality is on par with those cameras. The high iso performance was about a half stop behind in my estimation, almost certainly because of the translucent mirror.
There are room for menu system options / firmware improvements – but that isn’t isolated to the a99 but rather the alpha system in general (things like the inability to choose which card to save video files to when shooting jpeg/raw sort or not having a continuous timer mode, etc.).
All in all, I got my moneys worth, particularly since I bought it with the flash/grip bundle (I was buying it anyway, so thankfully SAR convinced me to delay my purchase by a couple of days since the bundle was rumored).
The way choosed by Olympus is a logical one. On sensor PDAF solve the AF problems. It’s better to sell/or bundle an adapter that let’s owners of the old lenses use them on new cameras. It they remove the mirror there is no need for the long flange distance.
Dpreview reports the AF speed is not the same even with the adapter on the E-M1: Their words: ‘if you’re a Four Thirds lens owner and hoping for contemporary DSLR performance, you’re going to be disappointed”
Reading the comments in response to this rumor can be very depressing when one sees how many people don’t understand the camera industry or how manufacturers generally operate. They then go into all sorts of palpitations about what a coming end to production of the A99 means. It’s ridiculous and absurd.
All cameras go out of production at some point, but they continue to be sold because manufacturers build in batches, to a number of items they think they can or will sell. This is not unique to Sony. Nikon is still selling D3100 cameras even though it went out of production a long time ago and was replaced by the D3200, which is the “current” model. Ending production of a particular camera just means the manufacturer is turning that production line over to make something else (including potentially a replacement/upgrade of what it was making).
Ending production of the A99 also says absolutely nothing about the future of the A-mount. Sony likely has or will have built enough A99 bodies to keep it on shelves for some period of time going forward, probably until a replacement or successor comes along in at least another year or two (full frame cameras tend to get upgraded/replaced on a slower cycle than APS-C cameras, at least at the entry/consumer level).
It is absurd to think that Sony will abandon the A-mount to focus exclusively on the E-mount. The mirrorless camera segment, which includes the E-mount, worldwide is far smaller than the DSLR market, which includes the A-mount. Even though Sony has a decent share of the mirrorless market, and a much smaller share of the DSLR market, it makes no economic sense for Sony to get out of the far larger DSLR market by ending the A-mount cameras (which also have far more lenses, flashes, and other accessories available). It may be that Sony will look to the A-mount for making higher end products and the E-mount for more entry/consumer level cameras, but that remains to be seen given that the NEX 6 and 7 are not entry/consumer level cameras, but higher end. None of us knows what Sony’s longer term plans are for the E-mount and A-mount, but there is nothing in a potential end of production of the A99 that likely has any bearing on that question.
Careful, you are making too much sense. Some people here might choke.
🙂
+1
See George’s comment below:
“A Mount Not Over says Sony” in AP.
In this weeks Amateur Photographer Sony’s UK head Frederik Lange while discussing the new A3000 E mount camera states that it doesn’t signal the end of A mount cameras. There will always be a market for A mount he said.
Cheers, George!
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/539967/sony-a3000-launch-does-not-spell-end-of-a-mount
Sony finally spoke out about their plans for A-mount! And all the doomsday people will be really disappointed they’re really wrong!
A-mount will continue to live a long and healthy life!
Then again, the brains of tinfoil hat thinkers works in mysterious ways.
Selective quoting of unknown sources can be done all day long to “prove” their theories, but Sony is obviously lying and deceiving when it claims or does anything contradicting their doomsday scenarios.
Of course it’s true we’ll never know until we know, but it’s nice to at least hear this from someone at Sony who’s in a position to know the truth, and understand the enormous consequences for such a powerful statement, if later proven to be a lie. Sony has always been tight lipped about these sorts of things, so this is somewhat significant.
I think we can all relax a bit.
Right after they say the A-Mount is not dead they say that A-Mount lenses can be attached to A3000 using adaptor. So maybe they are just saying A-mount lenses will always be supported. Not so sure about the future of A-mount bodies. Just look at the direction that Olympus has taken and at some point Sony will have to make the same decision.
“There will always be a market for A-mount,’ he told Amateur Photographer.
Photographers can attach A-mount lenses to the A3000 using an optional adapter.”
“Though designed to work with E-mount lenses, Sony UK’s head of digital imaging, Frederik Lange, stressed that the A3000 launch does not signal the end of A-mount cameras. ‘There will always be a market for A-mount,’ he told Amateur Photographer. Photographers can attach A-mount lenses to the A3000 using an optional adapter.”
The article indicates Lange stated that it will not signal the end of A-mount cameras. Not just support. So while I see what you’re saying, I think they’re just trying to reach the largest audience they can with E-mount as well.
Well. A-mount is lenses after all, so if they are properly supported, I don’t see much of an issue.
Very true. While I have a sentimental attachment to the idea of the A-mount camera, in reality I suppose it doesnt really matter. With all the talk about ‘dual mount’ and adapters, I wonder if a better solution would be a user interchangeable mount. Seems like it could be a pretty sleek, solid part.
And what’s more, he states Sony sees a market for A mount cameras. That’s all one needs to know really.
Zohee35, read the quote again. he said there would always be a market for Amount. He didnt mention cameras.
I’m not even referring to the 1 quote, I’m referring to what AP heard in the interview and summarized. See also the title.
“Right after they say the A-Mount is not dead they say that A-Mount lenses can be attached to A3000 using adaptor” – Thing you missed here is that “they” is an AP, not Sony representative like you suggest in remaining part of your post.
That makes a huge difference in perception of the whole news.
Make me happy Kevin! I hope you are right!
Huh? What’s “E-mount”?
Oh, you mean those flat little things shaped like a Hershey bar?
I guess you can also say “Death of the pickup truck! Long live the hybrid!”
Good one. C’mon everyone, lets all do a golf clap for this guy!
A-mount is dead??? Please use your brain to think, not your heart.
Sony says a lot of things, of course they say it won’t replace A-mount.. “so please buy our remaining inventory”
I really hope that Sony is done with SLT!
That may be the case; certainly it is the rumor. But Sony is NOT done with A-mount.
Some interesting, positive perspective on Sony here:
http://www.photographybay.com/2013/09/17/camera-makers-need-to-stop-whining-about-smartphones-and-start-innovating-again/
……I’m one of those mentioned in the article who is still using his XSi.
And here’s another one:
http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2013/09/open-mike-simple-cameras.html
Thanks for the post.
Oh boy great deals soon to come on everything Alpha! This news will affect new and vintage lens prices, camera prices, peripherals… Soon to be a great time to buy into the system cheap.
For those with existing investment… just hang on. You know your kit and glass will skyrocket in used value again, as it always does, upon the release of new A mount full frame next year.
Sony is obsesive compulsive to release cameras, if the PlayStation branch did the same, they’d have about 10 games but would be releaseing the PlayStation2087.
How to invest in equipment from a company without knowing what expect for the future?
How to set up a studio without a roadmap?
How to invest $4000 in lenses that will become obsolete in a short time?
Sony this is serious and not a game of hide and seek.
They are just easing the A mount slowly down.
I dont see any reason that they wouldn’t release the new body with an E mount and give you a free smart adapter to use A lenses.
Its just that A mount user base would still feel they were abandoned
Thats why they need to do it in stages.
Maybe Sony plans on treating the FF Alpha series like the Canon Rebel series and start dropping a new one every year like they’ve been doing with the Nex 5 series.
Interesting…, that’s exactly when my A99 will have its first anniversary! I’m sure it will be serving me well for the following two years of its ( extended ) 3-year warranty! After that I hope it’ll keep going, going…!
I’d love if Sony made a small APS-C camera with a fixed zoom lens ( 24-135/f 2.8-4 equiv. ), in-between the RX100 and RX1! IMHO it would be a perfect back-up for my A99.
Any news about Sony A77 firmware?
Yes, any updates of A77 firmware will likely be in the form of new hardware.
I guess the big news in relation to A99 face out is that Canon bought the Sony digital camera division integrate EVF and SLT mirror into their top DSLR line. they just fails till now . ;))
I just bought the @99 and if this rumor is true,,,i will never ever buy anything fron Sony again !!!!
why? Because your camera will die on November 30? No really, every camera runs out of production sooner or later.
The only reason for a reaction like this is that you bought the A99 as a status symbol and your ‘king’ is about to be dethroned.
If you’re using it for it’s intended purpose, this story shouldn’t invoke that kind of reaction. My advice is to use the A99 until it no longer meets your needs.
Oftentimes people reveal much more about themselves in what they post than they intend.
Maybe the reason for stopping the production is that they have a upgrade that is much better. So why wait until the new technology is to old before releasing it
Part of me really doubts this truth of this rumor. But if true, it really is potentially bad for the future of the A-mount, and Sony’s plans for the A-mount. Feels like they are winding down production of all their SLTs…. but without a clear roadmap to introduce replacements.
As if, come the holiday season — They want to just sell E-mounts. They don’t want there to be any A-mount cameras competing with the E-mounts.
They want to focus on the A3000, A7, the A9, the NEX FF, as their big holiday offerings. So they don’t even plan to necessarily have A-mounts in production. The A99 is practically a new camera!
The A99 must have taken lots of research and development, and lots of investment, and to drop it after just more than a year on the market….
It really feels like Sony saying, “we just don’t care about A-mount right now..”
And then per the other rumors around, maybe come early 2014… Sony will say.. “oh ok.. for our loyal A-mount customers…. we’ll produce a few A7/A9s with an A-mount attached”
Nice story.
Read this: http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-a99-will-run-out-of-production-in-late-november/comment-page-1/#comment-259822
Did you read any of the comments here? I don’t feel there’s any reason to worry.
You stated that Sony has invested lots of money and time into the A99, which is true…and it’s concerning that the may be dropping it after just a year on the market.
Think of it this way; its more likely that Sony is dropping it for a good reason – they’ve been building on the technology from the A99 and are so confident in the replacement that it makes sense to bring it to market ASAP. In order to keep gaining on the two big camera companies, this is what Sony needs to do.
Will that instantly make the A99 worthless? No. Just like when the A99 was released the A900 didn’t become worthless.
I can agree with all that… and *hope* that they are ceasing the production of the A99, in order to gear up for the *next* A-mount. And since it may use some of the same parts, that would make a lot of sense. So maybe this is really great news. Maybe it’s evidence that the “New” A-mount is starting production.
Or maybe it’s really bad news for A-mount users — And that those production lines will be used for NEX FF.
So really… it’s an unknown with a big question.. “Why is production being stopped, and what will that production capacity be used for now?”
It’s not about the camera being worthless, and it’s not about the immediate end of A mount for me. It’s a question of corporate focus, and support. While rumors of new E mount cameras are plentiful, rumors of new A mount cameras are absent while the end of production appears to be happening. With the exception of the flash system, video, and little autofocus issues, I’m generally happy with the A99. (I’m even happier with the A57 for the money) Those three reasons are still potentially enough for me to upgrade my main camera. I also would like the images to look better at ISO 3200, but I wouldn’t say that’s a deficiency of the A99, merely room for improvement.
Now, selling all of my glass, and losing the EVF aren’t palatable to me, but If I can get better results, better support, and better community help from using another brand, then it’s an option worth considering. Also, I think the wording of this rumor was edited from the original post, which left more to question of whether there would be a new FF A mount. Then again, I don’t know what FUD is.
What I’m talking about is that supposedly engineers were pulled of new firmware for A mount cameras, and new A mount cameras for the development of these new E mount cameras. Now the new E mount cameras will be released with bugs, and instead of fixing them, Sony will develop new A mount cameras, and the cycle of crap will continue. I think it may make sense to get off that ride.
“While rumors of new E mount cameras are plentiful, rumors of new A mount cameras are absent while the end of production appears to be happening.”
By “plentiful” you mean the two NEX FF cameras? You are relying on two rumors, one of which is rated SR3.
“What I’m talking about is that supposedly engineers were pulled of new firmware for A mount cameras, and new A mount cameras for the development of these new E mount cameras.”
Where does that come from?
I think Sony’s focus is clear. They will push for diferentiation through innovative features. This won’t align with many users’ needs for quite some time and when you add to that their “support”, as you mentioned, it is not a pretty picture. But this drama about A-mount seems preposterous to me.
Many rumors covering 2 Nex FF, and over the past month; ILC 3000, 5000, (FF ILC?) Nex 5T, a new Nex 7. I mean really, a whole new class of camera that has the SLR form factor with a NEX mount? How does this not begin to cover A mount territory?
Sony’s focus is clear on innovative features? Yeah, that is pretty vague. I’ll take working features, and innovative features instead. One of the innovative features of the SLT tech was full time auto focus during video, except video looks bad on the A99, and auto focus required program mode, which makes that feature generally not useful. Another “innovative feature,” the MI shoe… yeah… These are the main two problems with the A99, so if that’s what they’re focusing on, we have problems.
Sony’s focus is clear on innovative features, yes. It is vague indeed. As vague as Canon and Nikon’s future I’d say. Are they going to make DSLRs forever? As to which features you need, I can’t really argue that, it’s your needs after all. Don’t get me wrong, I am not really trying to defend Sony here, your point about support and focus is actually very good, but I don’t see A-mount lenses suddenly becoming unusable. The ILC3000 is proof that they haven’t given up on the form factor. Would it be that horrible to use A lenses on DSLR-shaped body with an adapter? Because that would be the worst case scenario. Unless you believe that Sony won’t make an adapter?
The SLT isn’t there only for video. It’s there for PDAF, so A-mount lenses can work properly.
Also what Sky_walker said above.
Reading comments from gearheads gets old quickly. I only care about one opinion about camera equipment. My own. I love the state of photography at the present time. We have so many choices. I choose to shoot with the Sony EVF based camera. I do not care if future of Sony cameras are mirrorless. I am very happy with the a99 and CZ glass. I love its handling with a grip. The IQ is excellent. I talked to a new client last night on the phone to set up her engagement shoot and talk about her wedding. She stated, “I love the pictures you post and I understand that you have wonderful lenses. I want you to do mine.” How about that she did not ask about a camera or a camera brand. She just wants her pictures to be beautiful too. And they will be.
I can only agree with your opinion on photography, but why read through comments, if you only care about your opinion?
Excuse me. I love reading the comments related to photography and other photographers experiences in using different equipment. I do want to learn. I am not an authority. I only meant that when it comes to what camera equipment I use I make my own decision related to what I like. I do not give any attention to someone telling me that I should buy a Canon or Nikon. They do not offer what I want. for example I live just east of a very large lake with a mountain range just beyond it As a result we have wonderful sunsets I love shooting them and can look directly at the sun in the eve and compose in get the exposure I want without any concerns of damaging my eyes. So using a ovef camera or its LiveView just doesn’t cut it for me.
Don’t take it badly, it was an honest question. And I can only agree here. We certainly need more of the types of articles and comments, that you mentioned.
Btw, funny you mentioned the sunsets, I have the same experience. OVF just doesn’t cut it. Same in winter, when the lakes are entirely frozen and covered in snow, resulting in too much light.
My hope is (i don’t know if this technically is possible) is a hybrid A/E mount on a dslr shaped camera with ibis and in body AF engine.
The short flange distance opens so many doors for using a lot other lenses(with adapter) Then you have an unlimited choise between A and E lenses.
The question is whether such a camera would be the best of both worlds..
Or making sacrifices to get both systems together, leading to the worst of both worlds. Increased size and bulk in order to accommodate both flange distances and mounts in 1 device, leading to awkward ergonomics… An autofocus system that isn’t really designed for phase-detection designed lenses (A-mount) or contrast detection designed lenses (E-mount), so it focuses both types of lenses imperfectly…
That’s something that often gets missed in the A-mount versus E-mount discussions. The lenses are partially designed with different AF systems in mind. There is an open question of how well A-mount lenses will ever even work in a mirrorless model. (Remember… the current A-E mount adapter, uses translucent mirror AF!).
I’m still saving for an A99, and now it’s discontinued? wtf?! :)) But actually, I will buy it anyway, discontinued or not, I like the OLED EVF, I like how camera works, maybe the some old CZ lenses without SSM are not nice, maybe there is some gaps in A-mount, but anyway, the feel, that you’re using something different, not a CaNikon, makes you somehow special :)) What can be better, when customer says- look, his pictures are better… better than those with Canon :)) Everything I wanted to say- camera is just a tool, Sony has everything you need to make stunning pictures already, A99, even if it will be discontinued, it will produce top of the range images for at least few years, yes, the lack of built in Wi-Fi is a “pain in ass” for me, but anyway, it’s not a dealbraker 🙂
…the A99 is killer IMO. I just can’t decide if I should pick it up now or wait till the Big S drops a 36MP monster. They should drop a 48MP monster and go for the throat of medium format. Make it a low noise beast that shoots up to 12000 ISO with perfect clarity. Make the camera out of gold….ok, I’m dreaming.
Should I buy this now or anticipate a price drop for christmas? Wait for,the net big gun? I want it full frame now!!!!
This folks is my biggest problem. Sony shouldn’t stay silent for too long. Those of us still waiting to grab an A99 will wait if we can’t at least peak behind the curtain of whats to come. I don’t want to buy an A99 if the price takes a dive in the next four months.
The A99 is a cassette Walkman in an iPhone world.
Just give us the goddamned firmware and fix the video.
Sony is actually pulling the A mount band-aid off slowy. They dont want to upset their loyal customers. A mount users will be able to use a new LAE adapter.
The A mount made a small amount of money but the mirrorless cameras really helped the company. At the end of the day its a business and Sony stands to make more customers than they would lose by getting rid of the A-mount.
The Interchangeable lens RX series will be amazingly high end with each lens having a leaf shutter. Think of a camera thats a combinations of a hasselblad, leica and cybershot………..Amazing.
The Full frame nex and ILC cameras will also be great.
I love my a99 and zeiss glass but it might be most wise to sell it now while it still has decent re-sale.
Sony needs to make the best DSLRcamera around. One that shakes the competition like they do with the RX1. I’m sure they can do that. Not equal to other systems, but the best!
And please let it be with Amount. If they do, I’ll stay with Sony (for sure). If else, I’m moving to Nikon.
[Edit] Sony needs to make the best DSLRcamera (or DSLT; I don’t mind EVF) around. One that shakes the competition like they do with the RX1. I’m sure they can do that. Not equal best to other systems, but the best!
And please let it be with Amount. If they do, I’ll stay with Sony (for sure). If else, I’m moving to Nikon.
confuse mode on,,,which one better?@99,5dm3 or d800e?thank you bro
I have a large number of superb Sony lenses such as Sony G and Carl Zeiss etc. What is the best way to sell these on the second hand market? I’d prefer to sell all my equipment as one lot, however that would be worth a few thousand pounds!!
Any advice pls?