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(SR3) Some A-mount camera news in September?

While I am sure about the NEX-5T, DSLR NEX and almost sure about the NEX-FF release I am still struggling to find out if Sony will anticipate the A-mount mirrorless camera announcement. I still cannot give you any SR5 rumor but from the latest tidbits I got I can say the chance increased that Sony will show us some new A-mount cameras in September too!  Fingers crossed!

A couple of weeks ago I posted the possible A79 specs. And if there will be an announcement in September we can expect at least one more new FF camera too. Here are the A79 specs:

– 32mpix exmor hd chip (new generation)
– 4 gb buffer
– full mirrorless focus, 480 focus points
– evf 4mpix
– 8-14 fps/sec
– Magnesium body
– There will be a new vertical grip too (compatible also with current SLT cameras).
– Design similar too [shoplink 19759 ebay]Minolta 700si (you can find them here on eBay)[/shoplink].

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Message to sources: You can send me more info anonymously by using the contact form you see on the very right of your browser. You can also contact me directly at sonyalpharumors@gmail.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!

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76 Responses

  1. Good news… Perhaps Time to replace my a55.

    But still sceptical about:
    4Gb ram: I mean even high end smartphones have Max of 2Gb.
    480 focus point: hope this really works (well)…
    – Are some of them main AF and others assist?
    – How Will be the distributuion?
    Never Sony surprised us in AF world vs Nikon and Canon… So chances to be the case this Time are very weak in m’y opinion.

    1. Buffer is not RAM, Buffer is mutual for how many Pictures you canon take, before the camera has to write them to the card.

      If the 32MP RAWs are araound 30 MB, 4 GB would mean you could take 130 Images before you have to pause your series to write them to card (or even more, if wirting to card is fast with a very fast sd -card)

      1. It’s just a guess, but I’d assume the RAW images are bigger than 30Mb while they’re sat in the buffer. The A900 RAWs were closer to 37Mb each for 24Mb, so 32Mpix might be 50Mb RAWs and could eve be over 100Mb (32bit tiff files are this size) each before they’re compressed into the RAW format and written to the card.

        Even if my guess is true, that still leaves lots of images and a much longer burst which would be very welcome.

      2. Buffer IS ram. Do you really think that a cpu have two different memory access methods?
        I’m sure all cameras are very similar inside. And the change that Pentax have done; processing that raw data before moving it to the buffer tells us that the buffer is not just a fifo outside of the cpu centric memory.

      3. gb could also be gigabit, not gigabyte in which case the buffer would be good for about 16 RAW images in the buffer. A slight improvement over the current cameras but not an order of magnitude as implied by gigabyte. I certainly would hope for GB but would not be surprised by Gb.

  2. 4Gb sounds a lot of buffer, but if it’s even half true that will be quite something.

    The A77 had a wonderfully fast frames/sec but was severely let down by the small buffer which only allowed for a burst of about a second and made the feature a lot less useful than it could have been.

    If the buffer now allows for a burst of several seconds and they get the focus tracking working well, the A79 could become a serious contender as an action camera – an area where I’d currently say Sony has always fallen short.

    1. The A65 and A77 replacements were supposed to be coming at the end of July and the firmware in August. If the camera’s have been moved to September I assume the firmware will be later as well.

      1. The firmware developers will be working on the next big thing, current camera firmware will be sitting forgotten as there is no money to be made from it.

      2. There is currently no plan for additional updates to the Sony A37-A77 firmware, as these products have reached EOL. Sorry.

        Scott
        SEL

        1. I would be happy to see not only the update for the A99, RX1, A77 etc etc etc but also for the LA-EA1 when hooked up to the NEX6: so I’m gonna have the chance to use the AF with that beautiful camera.
          Since I’m shooting IR with a modified NEX6 (the IR/UV blocking filter has been removed and not replaced by anything else), I really don’t care if it’s gonna be sloppy and slow.
          That would be nice… 🙂

  3. ffs …stop making huge mega pixal cameras , current editing softwares / computers for normal people can barely handle a full 1000 album with 16mp pictures that needs to be edited .

    no person want to edit his picture in a “slow motion” mode , just imagining a RAW file of 32mp shot gives me the creeps .

    instead of bigger MP focus on more stops , better firing speed ..etc .

    1. What is a “computer for normal people”? Current computers will go through 16MP files without any slow down.

    2. ” Normal people” if there is such a thing dont need to buy the highest mp version. There are plenty of lesser mp cameras coming out.
      That is not a reason to stop making higher res cameras for those that do need them.
      So you can continue to look at your pictures on your tv screen and never make a real picture like “Normal people “do

    3. Well, just use the half res, functionality, just like with the NEX-7 you can choose take 12Mpix pictures (half. res.), then with a 32Mpix, you’d be able to take 16Mpix pictures when choosing this half res. option….there problem solved!

      The rest of us would like crop ability and crazy res. when needing og just to have for the future when we get crasy res electronic screens, better printers and what have you.

    4. Here’s the solution to one of your problems:
      Menu
      Resolution
      Choose one thats low enough for you.
      That solves one of your problems. For the others you are on your own.

    5. Unfortunately, recording more visual information requires larger file sizes. While some might lament this fact, time marches on, and people will either adjust by buying a computer capable of handling large file sizes, with all the attendant peripheral backup storage, or they’ll shoot in more compressed jpegs until their budget allows. As a quick fix though, I recommend upgrading the RAM on your computer. It works wonders for handling the large image files.

    6. Here we go, the same tired argument every time a new sensor is mentioned. I guessed you missed the comments from years ago when people were saying 6mpix was enough and nobody would ever really need more than that.

      The World isn’t going to stop just because you don’t want to upgrade your ten year old steam driven PC. My PC eats 24mpix RAW files in seconds.

      1. Alpha guy..
        You critisize the guy that wants low resolution AND you critisize the guy that wants high resolution.
        Is there anyone you agree with.

        1. I didn’t criticise you for wanting more mpix, I merely pointed out that you sound mentally ill for repeating the same thing on an almost daily basis here.

    7. Nokia Pureview 808 uses downsampling technique to produce very nice 5mp picture, out of its 41mp sensor. If Sony can bin pixels at hardware level, like 8mp for video and high fps mode, that would be something.

      1. Yea… with huge clipping issues. Pixel binning isn’t a perfect technology that solves everything. If you want low-resolution photos a low-resolution sensor would do much better. If you want high-ISOs the low-res sensor is also an answer. High-res sensors are good only if you really an make a use of additional resolution.
        (ps. “high” and “low” resolutions of course depend on a current technological progress. Years ago 14 MPx was considered very high. 😉 )

      2. A 5Mp sensor would probably produce even better ones. The reason for the high MP count on the Nokia is to do without all the optical zooming and instead simply crop. Keeps thing smaller.

  4. These specs indicate that this camera have modest performance enhancements across the board compared to the a77.
    A good A77 replacement but certainly not a MAJOR GAME CHANGING IMPROVEMENT
    As such i would consider purchasing one if the price is low enough.
    I would still want a ff or square sensor with a lot more megapixels but of the same resolution as the a77. Thats 56mp for full frame or 88mp for 36mm square. This benchmark requires no increase in resolution and no new technology. Just scale up what we are already using. With new technolgy we can do even better. The exmor-r scaled to 36x36mmthe would yield 400mp. Current top lenses at 340lp/mm will resolve that and current master lenses used in labs exceed 600lp/ mm.
    I am not suggesting that big a jump in resolution but certainly my earlier benchmark is reasonable.

    We are so used to seeing crappy pictures we think they are good.
    Todays cameras can shoot a bird or a feather but not both. I can see both but no camera today a can.
    Look at the best pictures by the dest pros and unless they are medium format, stitched or computer generated you will not see together in a single shot:
    Trees and leaves
    Flowers and pollen
    Butterflies and scales
    People and hairs
    Buildings and bricks.
    Each of these require substantially more resolution than ourwill current cameras provide.
    Each of these things can be seen without a camera.

      1. Improvement yes…game changer no.
        Sony continues thier UNWAVERING POLICY.
        Promise only significant improvements.
        Deliver only minor improvements.
        People believe the overstated claims and sony can sell 3to 4 camerasinstead with minor improvementsbefore adding up to one major improvement.
        This is still the same old Cmos sensor in a new wrapper. We make fun of Hasselblad for rewrapping cameras while sony keeps rewrapping the Cmos.
        Meanwhile the real improvements are sitting on sonys shelf just out of our reach.
        If you wanted to buy a bird picture would you buy the bird with feathers or the bird without feathers.

        1. one thing doesn’t make a game-changer. Let’s just wait and see how everything looks like when mixed together 🙂
          (I still have no plans to buy it though. Especially when everything seems to point at a downgrade in AF performance from A77.)

      2. For A-mount this will change very little. Only back/front focus issue. But for E-mount on-sensor PDAF will make big change in AF speed. I think E-mount will focus faster than A-mount.

        1. Depends with which lenses and on what sensor size. I still see no reason why E-mount would be faster. Especially comparing to SSM lenses. I can find out quite a few reasons though for it to be other way around – with A-mount being faster than E-mount. Quite easily in fact. Even mirrorless.

    1. Barry, just out of interest, do you have a diagnosed mental issue? OCD or similar? Your almost daily ramblings regarding huge mpix requirements suggest you have some sort of compulsive issue.

      1. I am sure it disturbs you greatly to hear over and over again that your pictures and those around you that you think are good are crap because they have no detail.
        But they are crap and when cameras start taking good pictures the difference will be crystal clear.
        The truth is uncomfortable but will not go away.

        1. He is probably disturbed by your daily, redundant regurgitations, not the truth according to Barry.

          If some users would like higher resolution, that’s understandable. Some users want to be able to frame their shot in post or print large with minimal up converting. If some users are satisfied with current resolutions that is also understandable. Many people don’t print or crop and current resolution is fine for web use. Very few users want to shoot super high resolution macro shots so they can paint over the photos but that sounds cool and interesting and respectable because that is your highly specific need and is no less or more noble than everyone else’s.

          The thing is – you repeat yourself on here daily and plead your case but this site is for Sony enthusiasts & consumers – not Sony employees and engineers.

    2. Hello Barry,

      There is currently no plan for greater than 36 megapixel production SLT or NEX cameras in the foreseeable future at Sony. Market studies indicate there is not a sufficient demand for such cameras.

      Thank you,

      Scott

  5. I’m very much interested in the latter part where it says a new vertical grip compatible with current SLTs, please define current SLTs as I would consider every designated model between a33 and the a99 are current.

    1. Well you would consider wrong then. Current models will differ by region but generally I would say A58, A65, A77 and A99. Oddly the A57 also still shows as being a current model in my region.

      Since the A58 and A65 were not designed to have a grip I don’t see how they could be retrofitted to take one. The compatibility statement probably only applies to the A77 and A99 which currently have a grip available.

  6. Gotta wait Six months after first shipment for

    The Real GA Firmware

    SONY does not get it Right on first ship ever.

    Not to mention Sony overpricing

    We are still waiting for firmware fixes on the A77s

    1. So, which camera would you prefer?
      May I humbly suggest that your reward yourself with that camera?
      You need to listen to your endless talk about Sonys failure and take note and advice from it. It isn’t good for you to a camera you don’t like.
      All the best!
      E

    2. Just leave man. You obviously feel like Sony owes you something.

      Well, it doesn’t.

      Now go and make love to that camera you so much like…

  7. The SAR Moderation Censoring is extraordinary

    The SAR Blog post messages of
    “Your comment is awaiting moderation”.
    Messages are amazing.

    1. This is a wordpress antispam plugin. It’s automatic and it’s not me censoring. If you are a first time writer, if you inlcude links, if you write badwords comments will automatically go into moderation. And please show some respect next time. Just ask if you don’t know what this is instead of insuining wrong things.

      1. In the Text we posted above

        based on the rules you just outlined,

        What could possibly be the objection??

        What could be the BAD word

        FIRMWARE?? A request for updated firmware??

      1. ^_^ good news!
        As far as I remember last time you weren’t sure for 100% – glad to hear it changed! Can’t wait to hear about a price of this lens!

        Any ideas when we might know more about it?

    1. Waiting for that too. Would be a bit strange if the specs would not be leaked before the presentation. I need to know if I have to wait for the 5T or if I can go ahead and buy the really cheap 5R now 🙂

  8. Andrea, you said ‘Nope’ when someone asked about new firmware for the NEX but someone also referred to the A65/77 in the same thread so your ‘Nope’ could have referred to either.

    Could you please let us know if there is any word regarding the (promised?) firmware update for the A65/77.

    Thanks

  9. Damn only 32mp I was hoping we’d get at least 50mp on APS-C after all I’d love to crop a 500mm FOV from a wide angle lens 😉

    Two serious points, one is performance Sony had better nail that AF and really good at that or it’s a dead duck (and that included tracking AF) speed and accuracy need to be very very good. Second is price, all this super heavy spec stuff screams £1300-£1500 camera, and I think we’ve long past the time where you can charge that for a crop sensor body. In fact the days of £1000 for a crop body are mostly over.

    If Sony try to pull the pay more than Canikon stunt again they’ll be wiped out by Canikon.

    1. Well, it really looks as if nobody wants lenses. As a solution we could crop 500mm from a pinhole and let some software do the rest

    2. “In fact the days of £1000 for a crop body are mostly over.” – oh really? And why is that? Because there’s plastic D600 and 6D nearly 50% more expensive at the release?

  10. If there’s no PDAF, and no pentaprism, what’s the hump on the top of the camera for? Surely they can/have made a built in flash that doesn’t extend that far. I’m not complaining, just wondering.

    1. Illustration is a generic illustration from a patent, I think it was for the new Sony PDF sensor, might have been for something else. Not related to any specific camera model.

      The hump is a handy spot to stick the pop up flash, hot shoe and the EVF. They may be able to reduce the size some but the EVF still has to be above the LCD in a SLR style camera. If for nothing else just to make it look different than the NEX line which will end up with very similar insides.

  11. If true, this is fantastic news. My trusty old A850 is due for a replacement. And can’t wait to see how my Zeiss A-mount glass performs with a state–of-the-art sensor.

  12. When the new mirrorless A-Mount cameras hit the market, let’s say A79. Will the current model, A77, still be available?
    I don’t know if I should wait and buy the A79, or just buy an A77 because the price is really nice now…

  13. YES,as a user, We do advocate for

    Quality, VALUE and Support in all the products we purchase from any vendor.

    We have invested in this Sony platform and glass.
    We will continue for support from Sony.

    Our customers want value for every budget dollar they spend with us.
    We need that also in the platform we invest in.

    Especially since the Quality, Value and Support is
    currently not up to par, in comparison to photography
    solutions Sony competitors are offering. – CaNikon

    We have work to do and products have to work.
    As we move forward, Sony is forcing us diversify.
    It’s very disappointing the new Sony hardware is not stable.

    Sony a99 same price as the D800 Highest Rated FF with 50% more MPs
    A Sony HVL-F60M flash that overheats on every job, its a Joke
    Sony only giving 1 year warranty on Glass – Nikon Five
    3000%+ more TTL flash options on either Canon or Nikon
    Yes that is Three Thousand.
    No Sony Flash Hot Shoe Adapters No Radio Triggers

    SONY products are so unreliable by comparison CaNikons
    We can’t take it on jobs. We only allow the intern
    assistants to play with the stuff.

    We do protect our investment of every dollar we spend on equipment.

    1. “Especially since the Quality, Value and Support is
      currently not up to par, in comparison to photography
      solutions Sony competitors are offering. – CaNikon”

      Nikon:
      Quality?
      Oil on sensor.
      Left AF issue? and Nikons denial?

      Support?
      Probably true. NPS (Nikon Professional Services) gives some benefits.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFxDnoWXwXs

      BUT, you need to buy 2 Pro bodies and 3 new lenses in the country.
      And a portfolio showing that you are a working professional.
      Cool that they have it, but for most here, it doesn’t really do anything.
      – Except allow Nikon to say “We have Pro services”
      and then again, if Nikon refuses to recognize the left AF sensor issue on D800 (or was it 600), then what is the value of their support?

      Value?
      I guess this is simply up to each and everyone. But I disagree. 🙂

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