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I am sure that we will soon see a new [shoplink 3617]A55[/shoplink] successor. But today I also got a rumor about a second SLT camera. A new source told me that there is a new [shoplink 7419]A35[/shoplink] successor named “A38”. It has a new sensor and comes with a tilting LCD. That’s all he knows for now. The biggest Japanese photo show starts in 10 days at Yokohama. I guess that this could be the right time to see both new SLT cameras. There will be no new NEX camera or SLT fullframe at the event but of course Sony could decide to display some mockup or prototype. I expect some new (real) NEX cameras and lenses in April.
My two cent:
Don’t you think four SLT cameras priced between $600 and $1400 are too many? Three models are more than enough I think.
A77 and Zeiss 24mm for NEX in Stock:
The A77 with 16-50mm lens is back in Stock at Amazon US (Click here), Amazon DE (Click here) and Amazon FR (Click here).
The Zeiss for NEX will be in Stock on Feb 5th at Amazon (Click here).
88 Responses
I think Sony need a much cheaper model to attract the first time buyer.
Getting people to buy a Sony over the equivalent Canon and Nikon model is pretty tough regardless of how many features the Sony has.
maybe a nikon but sony has not a canon equivalent 😉
True, neither Nikon nor Sony have a crap camera to compare to the crap Canon produce 😉
yeah and the 200 f2 sony is so good that is invisible ahah keep dreaming
sure look this at the exif http://blogs.reuters.com/fullfocus/2011/11/21/best-photos-of-the-year-2011/#a=1… all camera are sonys …. bhuahahah
This actually doesn’t make your point at all.
+1 sony are for amateurs
Not sure what your point is here. It appears that Reuters has standardized on Canon cameras. That way they can “stock” lenses that individual photographers may not carry with them on a regular basis and check out as needed. If they had standardized on Nikon, then all of these photos would have been taken with Nikon. This is the top 100 photos of the year as taken by Reuters, not the top 100 in the world.
A more interesting point I find here is how many of these photographs were taken above ISO 6400. Not that many…
If you’re talking about very low end entry level DSLRs, Canon’s 1100D may feel like crap (way too much plastic), but it does offer a very competitive feature set even when compared to the more expensive Nikon D3100 and Sony a35.
Low price/competitive features + brand name + popularity…IMO that would explain Canon’s dominance.
I can tell you unequivocally that getting a new buyer to purchase a Sony SLT product over a Nikon D3100/D5100 or a Canon Rebel is actually exceedingly simple and is something we do every single day.
Step one: Turn on live view on the Nikon and Canon
Step two: Turn on the Sony SLT product
Step three: Tell them to take a picture.
Sony sold.
If you really think moms and dads care about brands more than they care about the spontaneity and the ability of the camera to take a picture right when they need it, you’re out of your mind. With Nikon and Canon 2.5 to 3x slower WHEN NOT IN LIVE VIEW and up to 10x slower when they are, Sony wins.
Oh and let’s not mention the AF capability in video, the wireless flash (the T3i added it in self defense but the Nikons at this level don’t offer it), the Steadyshot Inside helping lenses cost less down the road… Battery life is no mitigation, people just buy a spare.
Trust me: Canon and Nikon can’t compare at the camera wall. It’s all presentation. And it’s an easy presentation at that.
Low-end DSLRs are a shrinking market. Mirrorless/CSC are a growing market. Sony has a head-start with NEX, so why not push their advantage.
Seems to me that a NEX 6 (priced between 5n and 7) would out-sell the A38. Joining m4/3 or building a Canon PowerShot G1 X clone would make better sense.
An a38! Why??
We need new lenses, not entry level SLTs.
SONY, Make (us) Believe …
Yes they *do* need entry level camera update. I bought into Sony A mount because (a) I had an old Minolta, and (b) the A200 was better than the entry level CaNikons (its also better than current Sony entry level IMO!)
You won’t get new adopters without a solid entry level irrespective of lenses, because the first time buyer will not be changing the kit lens on initial purchase. NEX may be bringing in point and shoot converters, but you also need a strong entry level DSLR/DSLT.
Absolutely
I also bought into Sony because the A200 was better featured than the corresponding Canikons. Now my son also has a Sony A200 and I have added an A850, 50mm f1.4, 70-400G, and 28-75 f2.8.
agree 100%.Sony entry level camera felt better compared to others..
my first camera was the A200 too ..and it was the best among other brands, although i was into nikon D40 at first but i made a good choice by getting the A200 🙂
I certainly agree. I just wish they would atleast release one semi pro/pro body a year and new lenses as well.
+ 1
I still have and use my A200 Great camera!!!
The NEX 5n and NEX 7 are also bring-.in people converting from DSLRs. While many people zre moving-up from P&S cameras to camera phones.
My iPod touch 4G serves as my every-day camera. The 960 x 720 still and 720p video cameras are good enough to post to the web or take visual notes. YMMX.
Before the SLT craze there was the A290 and the A390, with the A580,700,850,950. What I am wondering is, if Sony gets to A39, do they start again at A40? What about if they get to A59? Will we see A3, A5, A7, A9?
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Sounds stupid, just like A55 successor! How about getting published models (A77) to stocks before planning new unnecessary models
This potential announcement is already for the Christmas market, because we will not see the cameras earlier 🙂
A37 and A57 are coming in March….
yay! another sony playsta… ehm alpha!
You say Playstation like it’s a bad thing.
it shots photo like a playstation do
And u spellz like a retard dos.
Go away.
sure Lotus Elise
LOL.
You weren’t educated as a child, were you?
Yet there are only 3 Playstations so far and I don’t think there’ll be a PS4 so soon.
And we’re talking about a business where Sony’s been since 1995.
Meanwhile, in ‘entry-level’ camera world Sony has already made one bazillion cameras.
Isn’t it funny that for entry level cameras Sony gives users lots of options (usually releasing two similar cameras), while for advanced users there are only one option?
Hhmmm….
Hmm, I do have fun with my camera, maybe it is a playstation for me! However, I still didn’t figure out how to play games with it, those old fashioned discs don’t fit in the card slot!
No kidding, New SLTs are OK, unless that means less lens development.
this time the new alpha will come with this http://www.thocp.net/software/games/consoles/sony/pictures/playstation_original_controller_large.jpg
**tumble weed**
I can’t understand sony. Why need so many different crop models? Much better will be to see FullFrame solution.
Because full frame is a loss leader, just like Haute couture is a loss leader for branded designer jeans and sunglasses. Gautier make more on jeans than 10k suits and dresses. Camera makers make more on APS-C then they do on anything else.
There. Someone had to say it.
I find it hard to believe that the 1DX or the D4 are following the loss-leader model. The loss leader model would suggest the money is being made with lenses, batteries, or anything else you would have to purchase to make the setup complete. Sony’s answer may be a loss leader, but then they are gambling on the lenses.
Nah, its the fact that people buy into entry level Canikon because they see the pros using the 1DX or D4.
The Nikon D40 was inferior to the Sony A200 which is why I bought the A200. I think I’m in a minority though, because many more got the D40 because of the kudos of the D4 (and would ignore important comparison features such as lack of even an in camera lens motor in the Nikon D40!).
Canon and Nikon get lots of free advertising at sporting events. All those White Jenses along the sidelines at NFL games sold a lot of Rebels.
Canon pays damn good money to be the official sponsor of the NFL. just ask anyone who’s been asked to swap their gear at the press table to ensure that there would be more Canon glass on the field than any other.
Canon also use 1D images in their Rebel advertising. That’s always been my favorite.
J1/V1 if you want to think about extortion.
APS-C is where the volumes sales are.
When you consider that all traditional flippy mirror Sony DSLRs have disappeared…
Sony: A35/38?, A55/A58?, A65, A77
Canon: 1100D, 600D, 60D, 7D
Nikon: D3100, D5100, D7000, D300s/D400
Sony have no more APS-C models than the competition.
It’s about time that the Zeiss lenses get dust and water sealed and that the range is expanded with a fullframe 35 1,4
They should all get SSM too IMHO.
+1000! Full quiver of Zeiss at 1.4 from 24 – 85mm the 35mm is urgent as is SSM on the 85mm mine moves like an airpump! Also Sony, Update the worlds best 135mm with SSM and sealing!!
Entry level SLT should have lower price (like old A200), better EVF (like A65) and no studio light problem (ability to turn efect preview off)
I don’t agree with Andrea’s two cents about the line up.
We now have: A35, A55, A65 and A77 (4 SLTs)
The latter two, A65 an A77 are no entry SLT models, only the A35 and A55. That the “A38” is a successor of the A35 means that it will replace the A35, so the line-up still contains 4 SLTs. Same goes for the A55 successor. It’s about time sony introduces a cheaper model, or lower the price of the A35. Price matters, I can buy an 1100D kit for € 360, whereas the A35 costs € 500. So it would be a good move to get a low priced model, to compete in the entry-level segment. (I know the A35 is better, but I’m talking price wise). And it might help to get more attention from buyers, when they see more Sony cameras in store.
Why new bodies? I think because that’s where the money comes from. Bodies must be replaced in a few years due to advancing technology, whereas lenses stay almost forever, unless they are misused
If the A200 hadn’t been significantly cheaper than the 1000D, I’d be a Canon user right now. In fact if I was starting out without the product knowledge I have now, the 1100D would be my choice, it’s a safe brand and cheaper.
Sony need a model that competes on price with the cheapest Canon and Nikon, the A3x isn’t cheap enough to get over the massive brand advantage that Canon and Nikon enjoy. EVF was meant to reduce cost, not increase it!
It doesn’t help that Sony don’t advertise either, Nikon is all over the place in the press and television! Nikon have marketing nailed.
Well, I thought differently than you (SonyA77), considering entry level dslr choice. I hold the 3 options I had left (D3100, 1100D, A33) and threw the 1100D out of the shortlist immediately since it felt like a cheap plasticier-than-plasticy toy to me. The D3100 felt 100 times nicer, but the A33 convinced me with build quality (on par with D3100), articulating high-res lcd, and EVF. The price difference wasn’t very important to me. But me is maybe not an average customer…
You are comparing apples and oranges, back a few years the build quality of the A200 was just “okay” compared to the 1000D.
Not sure about that.
When I got my A300, the build quality was superior to the 450D and 1000D, both of which were made of cheap, smooth plastic. The A200/3xx had a much more durable finish.
I don’t know if the passage of time has been kind to the 1000D and 450D, but the 1100D plastic seems even worse. It’s almost shiny and there isn’t any rubber in sight.
I think something like A35 with tilting lcd should be a goood thing. No real need for a new sensor, the current 16Mpx is good enough for an entry level Dslr. And correction for “studio bug” and overheating.
If there is really a new sensor, please no more than 16Mpx …. but better high iso if possible.
Same thing for a potential A58 …. same sensor than A38, but better buffer, FPS, gps …
A38 is one too many, especially as A35 is less than 1 yr old. But perhaps Sony prepare to go mirror-less with A38? I think Sony wants to test the water with CDAF SLR and A38 as the lowest end is a good bet to experiment. I think FF is still dSLT model but I would welcome it if Sony can provide a choice of having faster PDAF AF with translucent mirror and slower CDAF AF without translucent. Off course waiting until CDAF can be as fast as PDAF or PDAF directly on sensor is ready before A-mount officially go mirror-less on all model.
The A38 will replace the A35. Not many new features, so those who have bought the A35 don’t need to replace it. But the A38 might slightly be more attractive to potential buyers in the shops than the A35.
Nothing to worry about.
Looks like the ship dates for the Nex-7 changed from 4/3 to 2/20 for the body and 3/26 for the kit on Sony’s website.
Translation:
From 3rd of April to the 20th of February for the body and 26th of March for the kit.
Why exactly did that need translating?
In Europe, they often have 12 days in a month and 31 months in a year. To avoid confusion, SonyA77 decided to translate metric calendar to imperial calendar for us Americans.
Because it is ignorant to assume that the rest of the World follows a particular date format. Using words also prevents any confusion.
A similar thing occurs when yanks post prices in dollars as if they are the only ones using dollar as a term for currency.
This news is hard to believe. A35 has just been introduced not long ago. I believe still less than half a year and a successor is coming? This suggests either the rumor is false or A35 sale is pretty bad. Or Sony has some new features under their sleeves that they want to try on the cheapest SLT model to see market response.
It’ll be a year for release if the rumour is true. That’s about right for a low end Sony.
Yes, I thinks so too!
And it’s SR3 anyway!~
A35 has been out of production for over a month now. A new model (I was told it was named A37) is coming for sure.
A37 will have an A55 bodystyle; the new A57 will have the A65 bodystyle.
when sony will do some serious FF? aps-c is so crappy in dof i need a real FF camera! my a900 is going to crash in the mountains with -30°
If the A35 sucessor gets the articulated screen, and there will be successors to both A35 and A55, then what is differentiating them ?
Fixed vs articulated screen was one the few differences between A35 and A55.
When the a33 and a55 arrived the difference was sensor (newer 16MP vs old 14MP) fps (10 vs 7) and GPS. The a35 gained the newer sensor so something had to give (articulated screen). I suspect that the a35 came about at the end of fabrication of the older 14MP sensor (around the same time as C3 was introduced) with NEX-5 simply winding up stocks before 5n was brought out.
a56 and a38 will be different on features in one way or other, like all Sony’s a56 will have a baby brother (cut down version) in the a38. My guess will be GPS, possibly sensor, fps and/or EVF. My guess is both will have the a77 EVF though, or possibly (but doubtful) an EVF between a55 and a77. Maybe that 16:9 version shown a little while ago.
a38 compact entry, 57 compact premium, a65 enthusiast entry (could be considered midrange), a77 enthusiast premium, a850 professional entry, a900 professional premium.
There is room in there for an entry entry model. The 3’s and 5’s are now sold on their speed vs size (fast but small). 6’s are the replacement of the older 5’s and are a cut down cheaper more traditional sized SLR/SLT. The a77 is enthusiast. The 3 and 5 series at present are the only ones actually capitalizing on their size advantage with SLT and EVF. I don’t believe they are the bottom models, I think we have yet to see a proper bargain basement version. Maybe a35 will stick around for a price drop?
the canon and nikon entry level cameras a re perfect for some one who is starting studying photography the reason is the flexibility you can use them outside and in the studio with no problems or work-around sony needs a camera that can work that way
Guys, Sony has something new to test out. A sensor, an OLED finder or some other fearure, I don’t know. All the cameras you named in this pre 7 series line up had something new and eventually all that tech found its place in a 65/77. Now we get complaints from non users:), Sony brings out new stuff. Enjoy:)))
I think the main issue that the new entry level that wi be fixed is the auto gain under studio conditions. And the tilt screen is a great welcome.
Then again, this is only SR3. But it seemsike everything admin posts people takes it like ST5 😀
I agree that all EVF cameras should work in a studio, it’s only a firmware thing I would have thought.
It’s something that the Sony marketing idiots will have insisted on removing because it isn’t a “professional” camera…
Yeah great move Sony, give the anti-EVF lot one more thing to criticise you over!
sony… so bad -_- switch soon to fuji the real deal maker
Sony needs something to compete with the Canon T3, which can be had for under $500.
you can use the canon T3 for studio work, something that you can’t with the sony a35 or a55 unless you go with the work around which is very unpractical. if they fix that on this new camera for sure i will be buying one
…and you can tether a Canon, even the A77 doesn’t have tethering, my old A700 does!!
Another idiot in Sony making a decision about something they know nothing about…
Well the a33 is discontinued… the a35 stopped production so I guess Sony need a new low-end camera to test new features in… hence the a38.
I think the a55 has also stopped production so we’ll probably see a new a58 or something…
It may be confusing but in many ways it is understandable. Sony have been doing a lot of work on SLT and they are probably testing all sort of new technology and features in the lower end SLT’s to see what can be incorporated in the new FF a9x camera…
I’d rather see them come out with a bunch of mid-range cameras and test stuff so when the FF a9x comes out it will be better than the a77 that I bought and owned for a month before it crashed!!!… Sony repair has had the camera longer than I had it!!!… still waiting for a circuit board to be replaced and shipped back to me… Sony has had it 6 weeks now!
In Japan Sony never offered the A35 and the A33 and A55 are out of production. Sony definitely needs more models than the A65 and A77 in Japan!!
I wish they’d just fix up the problems with the A55 first.
1. The incredibly slow delay with flashes?
2. The lack of an option to let the live-view auto adjust for visibility when using off-camera flashes?
3.and a HUGE thing for me, bring back the “Release w/o focus” option. it just kills me when I’m trying to take a picture, and the goddamn thing is IN focus, the camera just hasn’t confirmed it, and won’t let me take the goddamn picture until it’s TOO LATE.
+1 that’s why i never got a A35 or A55 I’m still waiting to see if they fix the problems that you mention on the new cameras. unfortunately Sony hardly ever release a firmware update for the entry level cameras Sony has one of the worst customer support ever
That just kills me. 🙁 Over all, I’ve enjoyed using Sony gear over everything else, they bring so much to the table in terms of extras and features that REALLY do help out, but they occasionally forget some VERY important things, like what I mentioned above. Over all, I get everything done faster with sony than I do with my canon or Nikon gear, but then I find myself limited with goofy shit like flash delays or whatever. And minimal support and customer service just.. arg. between these problems, and the seemingly epic new gear on the horizon, I’m kinda torn. 🙁
I looked at the A55 when I had the A700, in the end it was too small and lacked the controls I wanted, but I would never have bought it anyway when I found out about the studio/EVF blackout thing.
I simply don’t understand why Sony wanted to cripple their new EVF when what they should be doing is encouraging people to accept it.
The A77 is fine in the studio, I can live without tethering, but it was useful a couple of times on the A700.
Enough of APS-C models. Please show us some full frames. Make us believe that its worth staying on board.
As someone else pointed out above… the APS-C cameras are the money makers for Sony/Canon/Nikon in the SLR/SLT market. There is always going to be a lot of them…
Hopefully Sony will fix all the problems with the a55/a77 cameras and release a GREAT FF a9x camera later in the year…
Please please let this be true! A9x has to be awesome…at least ISO 2000 Dxo mark score if it’s 36MP 2900 if it’s 24MP! and Color depth/Dynamic range on a par or better than the A77/A900!
Would you prefer a crappy A99 now or a great A99 in 12-18 months?
@ people who think we don’t need an entry-level SLT or SLR: remember where you once were. Many, like myself, will work their way up to a more powerful model. My evolution went something like this: A100>A350>A550>A33>A65 and my wife started out with a Fuji Bridge camera, then Sony A330, then A500 and she is now thinking about taking over my old A33. Again we find ourselves studying and experimenting with the new possibilities and it’s a lot of fun.
Had there been no entry-level DSLR, I doubt that we’d have gone for Sony. My current A65 (which is awesome, by the way – the EVF is a dream!) would have felt like “too much camera for me”, just as the A700 did at the time.
Hey Sony, Give me an A35 firmware update to fix the flash delay bug!! Then you make new models and list A35 as outdated! *frustrated*
I still love my A200 more than A35.