Last week I posted a Photokina rumor roundup on SAR (article here). After that a very long time trusted source contacted me and said the following:
He knows for sure that Sony developed a sort of Full Frame NEX-7 prototype. While he has not heard anything yet about a real release at Photokina he said I shouldn’t rule out the possibility that Sony may announce this camera in September!
Gosh, I would certainly welcome such a camera!
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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!
0 Responses
FF NEX-7 ? What would be the difference versus, say, a A7r ?
I think this means Full Frame in a NEX 7 body which is quite smaller than A7R
indeed, a FF sensor in a RF-like shaped, little brick, true Nex body – it’d be a welcomed addition to the FF line.
BUT… how about a real N-7 mk-II APS-C one? With a fast and ACCURATE OSPDAF akin to that of the a6k, the 1/8000 sec. min. shutter speed, electronic level gauge, full metal body, top-resolving 2.4 Mpx OLED VF, and some weather sealing?
Just buy the Full Frame and use it in crop mode, until your ready to upgrade to Full Frame. Then it’s just a quick menu option & you’ve got a whole new camera again.
So you advise Sony to build a A7 with a slightly smaller body and compete against its A6000 and A7? That would be bullocks, my friend! Furthermore, bigger sensors need bigger glasses. If you need a smaller camera, go for APS-C (or RX) because you can’t just walk around with a body.
My guess is, this source mixed something up. Maybe he saws a prototype for next year’s A7 successor. Or an entry-level FF A6. Btw: What does it mean “sort of Full Frame NEX-7 prototype”? Is the A7 a sort of FF NEX-7? Or is the A6000 a sort of NEX-7? Was the NEX-6 a sort of NEX-7?
What would make sense is a Nex-5 with a FF sensor.. leave out the viewfinder and just go with the screen to save 200 bugs for someone who likes a really lower entrance fee into the FF world.. Why not. Otherwise the A7 is just fine and another place or form of the viewfinder is just cosmetics.
It won’t be smaller. The shutter is huge…
http://i.imgur.com/JMiFcQY.jpg
Lol, these pics should end the NEX-7 with FF debate once and for all, but I dought it.. : ).
I would like the Fuji X-T1 with new FF sensor from Sony with latest AF tech + 56mm 1.2 + upcoming 90mm F2 from Fuji :D…. Please?
Fuji need to make the lenses FF compatible though :’D… or Sony can give me a good 85mm 1.8/1.4 instead 😀
I’d like it, it’d be a natural fit for the NEX 6/7 users, no relearning the ergonomics or control settings. People like the viewfinder in the corner but I find it awkward for shooting in portrait orientation. I hope it comes out, plus it’ll probably be cheaper. The zoom lenses might be a tad big on the NEX 7 style body but not too uncumbersome. Look at the 18-105 and so forth, it’s already pretty big, bigger than the 24-70 FE I believe.
Add a quieter shutter, the a6000’s af and announce some affordable G primes with oss (I’m not too fussy – would settle for a 50/1.8, 35/2 and a 90 or 100mm 2.8 macro) and I’d be hard pushed to say no…
I hope that Sony will find out some day that they bought Minolta’s glass factory as well and that not all of us want to pay eternally for the expensive blue rectangle. Minolta knew how to make 2.8 glass, and it worked and still works like a dream.
How about a top of the line APS-C e-mount camera (sort of A7000)?
Who would buy it ? I mean what feature would justify a premium price when you already have a A6000 which is already fully packed with great feature at a steal price?
Well I only see a FF sensor that could justify that.
Well, I
have both NEX-7 and A6000 and still would like to believe that the A6000 is not
the last word by Sony in the e-mount APS-C sector.
I have a NEX 7 too and I really like it. But I am really thinking of selling it for an A6000 though I’ll miss my tri navi and NEX 7 viewfinder probably… what do you think ? Which camera do you prefer ?
That would be great!!!! I hate the A7/A7R/A7S – design!!
But please add the fast a6000 AF, silent shutter and video with other than AVCHD codec!
Lars
If this FF NEX 7 alike has the A6000 AF performance it would kill either A7 or A7r depending on its sensor pixel count and its price…
But I dunno why it feels weird… they already have the A7’s fantastic body for full frame…
Or maybe they want FF A7 series and FF NEX alike series to co exist ?
And what would be the name of such camera ? Since they gave up with NEX for some reason…
– A7000 ? -» people will think that is an APS-C but at the same time A6000 has many high feature and releasing a higher end APS-C does not make sense
– A7something ? Like A7m ? Errr feels weird too
– Or something new Again ??? Or NEX-9 lol ?
I love sony product but their naming have always been crappy and complicated, with vaio laptops been the worst.
But in any case I’d love to see such a camera but I’ll switch to FF with the first one that matches the A6000 AF performance weither it is an A7 body or NEX body.
My guess would be A6 or A8
makes sense
I care nuts how they call it, I just hope they will make it.
Why bother? Are they going to compete with each other? wth?
While it is clear (and very reasonable) that Sony pushes for higher margins and therefore produces more and more high-end models I wonder if that prototype was converted to the A7. The additional benefit of a NEX 7-style camera would be fairly limited (quite a few users would say that the A7 has a cleaner / better user interface).
So, you really think that if a FF NEX-7 would become reality, Sony would use the NEX-7 interface in it? What a stupid idea only to think that narrow. Even A-6000 has the A-7 style interface now. I just wait for a NEX-7 replacement, in FF or better APS-C technology. A 20 mpix FF would fit me, or a reworked 24 mpix.
I don’t believe Nex7 FF is going to happen, that’s just another version of A7 or A7 in a different body, and if Sony i launching another A7 model, it is likely to be called … A7(x). However, a new apsC Nex7 might happen, and it will be verry welcome.
Four bodies, five lenses. Good job Sony.
Count again at the end of 2015.
And more bodies -> more buyers -> more lenses, so it is win – win….
Let me guess by the end of 2015 there will be 15 lenses and 12 bodies?
😉
If all 12 bodies can use the same series of lenses then what difference does it make? Should there be a different series of lenses for each body? How stupid is that.
Imagine now an e-mount 1 incher, there is would become exciting. Smaller lenses for that format, crop factor on apsc and larger crop factor on FF. If that was the case, I would buy the 3 format bodies, it would satisfy my needs for close and wide DOF ranges.
Not worthy of imagining in the age when Sony has made m43 obsolete. Welcome to the present.
Hmm, right now I see only one e-mount FF body, available with three different sensors only. The only difference in usage seems to be the r or s on the front.. To me this makes sense and I don’t see an inflation of FF bodies from Sony so far. Just about.. perfect ; ).
I actually agree there – the a7r is generating a lot of interest from pros, whereas the a900 and a99 didn’t… My guess is we’re going to see big things in 2015. Assuming they expand the lens lineup and release a 24 or 36mp body with a quieter shutter, even I’d be interested!
Now im convinced andrea either hires or impersonates fanboys as well as antifanboys to pick fights here randomly to spice things up. I am actually one of andreas avatars.
This coming from a jackas* that uses an IPhone for a camera.
I use and love the a7r and have never owned an iphone. Chill out brother.
Still better than any mirror-less system 9 months after its release.
Oh i love my a7r and use only leica r lenses. No problem. Still good job sony. Balls!
get out of hibernation butthead.
Uh…
That would be a big middle finger from Sony to everyone who bought the A6000 if they would announce a FF in NEX body this September in my opinion. Buying the best Sony APS-C camera ever, getting no new lenses or anything to further mature the APS-C line and then within a year release a FF version which instantly makes the A6000 obsolete. I would not be surprised if Sony did something that stupid.
FF making APS-C obsolete?
you walk beside your shoes, don’t you?
Do I? What makes you say that?
APS-C is ideal for those of use macro, and large telephoto zooms, or primes. Most of us working in semi-pro/pro environments normally have both.
I’d like to see APS-C A6 to use alongside my A7.
I’m stunned every time when someone thinks that everybody wants to go full-frame. I centainly don’t.
Exactly the same comments were made when flatscreens, smartphones, digital camera’s, broadband internet, etc. came along. Yes, not everybody upgraded their CRT, dumbphone, analoge camera or slower internet connection, but they are in the minority. APS-C will go the same way if Sony keeps pushing their FF line like they seem to be doing.
You make zero sense.
You can still take them decent pictures with yer A6000, I’d say.
Absolutely true, but Sony is not really showing any interest in taking the APS-C line to a higher level. I mean, they do release a terrific camera with the A6000, but besides that? Nothing. It gives customers the feeling that the productline they bought into is not being taken seriously if Sony jumps onto the next big thing so easily.
Well the A6000 costs (body only) about $700, the FF camera will cost about $1200 (my guess) so the difference is $500! I think the only people who may not be happy are those who bought the A7, but did not like the place of the EVF and see now that the camera they realy wants comes out now…
And about the lenses: All the FE lenses work on the A6000 and all the other APS e-mount cameras. The FF gives us more options and there was here a post about new APS lenses….
I know FE lenses work on the A6000, but the zoom lenses all have a range with is far from ideal on crop, because you will be missing a lot on the wide end. So I do not think the FE range is really a good alternative to native APS-C E-mount lenses at the moment.
I know it’s early but this will likely win the award for dumbest comment of the week.
If you are referring to your own comment which adds nothing at all to the discussion, then yes, it is the dumbest comment of the week. Either come up with reasons why you think differently or don’t comment.
why should they not do that, not everyone wants a FF camera, the apsc format does huge pictures and the lenses are much smaller. Then for alround family and tourist shooting, do you really think that the DOF of a FF body is what just anyone seeks for. If Sony was clever, they would do there ILS mirorless cameras in 3 formats, FF, APSC and 1 inch.
If Sony manages to put an FF sensor into the same size body as their APS-C camera’s and the price of the FF camera is just a little bit higher than their best APS-C camera, then I do not think people will care much about lenses being a little bit bigger. I think it will be the same as not everyone wanting a flatscreen TV because their CRT was great, or not everyone wanting a smartphone because their Nokia 3210 was doing everything they wanted. Flatscreens were more expensive and bigger, smartphones the same, still the majority of people adopted them pretty quickly.
I don’t think it would make it obsolete. To go full frame you still need to buy new lenses if you are invested in Emount already as I am. It would however probably give me a fresh case of the new gear envy. But there is always a great new piece of gear coming down the pipe. The af performance is why I bought the a6000 and I am sure it will give me years of as good of photos as I have ever had (not to mention I will actually take it with me). A newer piece of kit does not make my decision any less correct.
It’ll be a different version of the A7S sensor only the new one will be built for speed before sensitivity. so it’ll be a low MP count. And maybe Sony grows a pair gives us A6000 AF that will work even in the dark.
12-16MP is my guess.
And for F*#!< sakes, allow the use of a timer or remote to take 1-9 bracketed shots. from 0.1 – +3 EV. Have normal shooting modes like Nikon and Canon .. stop gimping the camera for no reason on trivial software features no less.
Full weather sealing like Nikon/Canon pro bodies.
It'll have to be a NEX7 style body but physically larger all around because the original NEX7 cant stay cool at all. It overheats in +5 C with the screen pulled out and the cool wind blowing.
In the tropical heat it overheats in video recording after just 1 minute, sometimes less.
to me it seems a FF nex wouldnt properly utilize the existing lens line up. i dont like it that my a7r drops to 12mp in crop mode..because i like the resolution and and zooooom pixel peep quality of the photos..(ok and rich detail).., so i dont really use crop mode..so it is my opinion as a consumer of both lines and lenses, that with as inexpensive as the a6000 was, it would make sense and follow suite for them to release an apsc tri-nav 36mp, maybe touch screen you can turn on and off, 12+fps, 4k, a7s-like low light ability a7000 at the $1000-1200 range which further utilizes their inve$ted tech point they are currently at.
As gruesome as your flowers are, I fully back your wish. The A6000 EVF can easily be bettered, and I’m fine with 3K
it makes sense..the top apsc has been sitting at 24mp for how many years now? personally, id love an e-mount camera that can record “high-speed” or close to it..for slow motion fun. not much thats affordable in that department for consumers..
Ah! I forgot the high speed feature, which I really would welcome. And it’s better to incorporate on a APS-C compared to an FF. So one more for A7000 and up
I would like a 120fps 3k at the moment or 90fps at the least. But if I can get 3K at 240 in a higher model like A8000, that would be even better.
a7r drops to 16mp and not 12mp in crop mode. That is just about what the Nex-5 offers and is plenty to work with!
Is it A9 or A8?
maybe a7000
With 3 full frame E-mounts announced in the last year, already reasonably priced, what could a full frame NEX-7 bring to the table outside of a slightly different camera body? After consolidating the a-mount line from 5 cameras down to 3, consolidating the E-mount APS-C lineup, how is there room for more than 3 full frame E-mounts?
Seriously, other than some minor body differences, how could a NEX7FF be distinguishable from the A7?
Just a view thoughts on the lets call it A6:
1. Many people don’t like the hump, so it could apeal to those people.
2. The body is smaller and so maybe not as heavy
3. can have a better grip
4. It can be cheaper (lets say $1200 at launch)
5. It look more modern, not more old school (nothing wrong with old school) like A7x
So in the end it can be a good choice to give people more options and see what sells best.
And about the A-mount: DSLRs will slowly fade away into a niche market, like some film cameras are still be sold, so will DSLRs, but mirrorless will take over. It may take an other 5 years before you will see it happen, but in the end it will…
Sony may discontinue dslrs sooner rather than later, but they will stick around with Canon and Nikon. They may eventually do a mirrorless in a dSLR body, but they will keep their mounts.
But in terms of a Nex7, who would buy the a7, if the Nex7 was basically just a different body and cheaper?
Plus, Sony already has the cheapest full frames on the market.
To me, the only gap in the lineup- a9 territory– is a ff sports shooter. Fast AF, deep buffer, fast frame rate. A6000 in full frame.
As a proud caucasian, my nose is quite tall. For me, a viewfinder to the extreme left allows me to take a photo without having to destroy my nose on the back of the camera. It’s an huge improvement in comfort and one of the strong points of mirroless.
Exactly! Finally somebody who understands my frustration with the “viewfinder in the middle” design.
Not interested in tiny EVFs… bring on the A9!
I am interested in FF lens rumors, especially those manual ones from Zeiss AG. I don’t know if to invest in current available lenses or to wait for new one…
Do you need the lenses now?
No. I don’t need them now, but those which I consider to buy are in good offers now (due to summer holidays’ time). If I don’t buy them now, I will pay more for those 🙂 It applies to eg. Distagon 2.8/21. If I would know there is a plan for releasing about 21mm prime to A7/R/S (similar to Touit 12mm), then I would wait. If not, I will go after Distagon 2.8/21mm, which is massive lens but it delivers unmatched performance.
What if the new 21mm would be f4 instead of 2.8? what if there won’t be a 21mm yet but a 25mm, 35mm, 45mm and 85mm?
I am sure there are many plans, but what are the characteristics, price and performance of the things we will see in the future are big unknowns.
Normal Rangefinder design lenses that keep a compact size and a fast aperture have proven to be problematic with digital sensors so it remains to be seen whether the MF Zeiss lenses for FE mount will be fast, small, or be great performers…
If you buy your 21mm now, at a discount, you may be able to resell it later for the same price you purchased or a bit less and still be able to enjoy 21mm in case there is a more compelling choice down the road no?
I would love if new Distagon would be f/4 instead of f/2.8. For me it could be even f/4.5 cause for Distagon 2.8/21mm best corner performance on A7/R is achieved between f/8 and f/11. Distagon 21mm at f/5.6 is little blurred at edge but sometimes it is still practically usable. I could image that f/2.8 could be usable only at night 🙂
I am already have my 15mm/18mm/24mm/28mm/35mm/45mm/50mm/55mm/58mm/80mm/85mm/etc. I miss only some certain focal length like 21mm (or eg. 250mm). I am waiting for updated FF E-mount roadmap from Sony and unrelieved Zeiss FF E-mount roadmap. Zeiss promised to speak about it at Photokina 2014.
I don’t like to resell my lenses. All of them are very precious to me 🙂
OK, so you got the lenses and you don’t need anything new now.
Then wait and buy when you know what you want.
There is no need to try and find out in advance what you are going to have. You can already work with what you have and I think you would be a fool to sell your stuff in advance to buy anything you don’t know how it performs to begin with. So, even if its announced…why sell before?
lol…
Excuse me ?
You’re excused.
This rumor brought to you by the year 2013. Ta-Da! The A7 appears.
roll the Chuck Berry guitar solo.
According to the rumor NEX 7 FF is already in existence. The rating 3 is about the timing of it’s release, if i read it correctly.?
Well, it is known that one was built as a prototype. But that doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re actually going to release a camera based on that prototype.
I’d prefer a rangefinder-style body with a larger magnification viewfinder so I can shoot with both eyes open when on my 50. There is no need for the current faux-slr anachronisms of the A7.
It’s not “faux-slr anachronisms”, it’s your ignorance. Viewfinder it’s not just a screen.
http://img1.lesnumeriques.com/news/31/31362/SonyA7_A7R_eclate_1_.jpg
His supposed ignorance trumps your knowledge. What he wants essentially is a larger magnification viewfinder so he can shoot with both eyes open when on a 50. You totally missed an important point. How are you doing in life?
You missed my point. EVF hump on a7 is not faux. It’s not a decoration, it’s full of glass.
This is lost on many people who think the EVF can simply be cut from and then pasted on the back corner of an a7 body. There would be a significant degradation in the quality of the viewfinder if it were prematurely miniaturized purely for camera body aesthetics. The “hump” serves its purpose well.
Of course. But then, they can make the body somewhat bigger and still have the EVF in the left corner, which is what Jon wants. The NEX-7 is a rather small camera to begin with.
As a matter of fact the shape and style is nice. I love the style. Only problem is the guts and the way it was put together.
The tripod mount for example, is a screw mount attached to a thin mental plate that is screwed into place on the base of the camera.
Overheating sensor and body that isn’t well designed to deal with it.
Can’t record for more than a few minutes before overheating.
I’m sorry letting the camera cool for 3-4hrs before using it again is not a proper answer to a very serious question.
I am aware that a viewfinder is more than just a screen (hence my note about magnification). The NEX-7 had a nice viewfinder, I don’t see why it can’t be done. Why can’t it? Perhaps a larger, higher mag viewfinder will just always be thicker than the body at this point.
But really, it’s not the hump that bothers me, it’s the central placement of the viewfinder. It’s all about getting my nose out of the way of the screen and being able to open both eyes at once.
Exactly. That is part of the reason I bought an A6000 rather than an RX10. Why they were so rude to you is a mystery, Who wants a smashed nose & greasy viewfinder? Very imature imho they should apologize. What is this middle school?
In order to shoot with both eyes, you must first pull your head out of your as*.
But not everyone regards 50 as normal. For me its 35. Wonder if magnification could be adjusted.
Just because it’s your favorite lens, or your standard lens, doesn’t make it not a wide angle lens.
I mean if the evf is normalized for 50, it will look wrong with another fl.
It won’t look wrong. It will just be what is natural of cameras. A 100% mag viewfinder on a DSLR with a 50mm lens will allow roughly the same image as what a human sees naturally. That’s just the way things work. A 50 is normal. You’re not going to be able to shoot a 35 with both eyes open unless you’re shooting a Leica M3 or another 1.00x optical rangefinder.
35 may be your favorite length, and it may be how you “see,” but it will never offer the same spatial rendering properties that your eye actually sees (that would be a 50, and i’m not talking field of view).
U r right. Thanks for explaining.
actually what i meant was if an evf is normalized so that u can shoot both eyes open comfortaably with a 50, then obviously you cant also shoot with both eyes open with another fl. Id love to shoot with eyes open with both 35 and 50 and other fls too. And diopter for farsighted people also change the magnification a bit so it wont be normalized exactly. Itd be great if the evf magnification could somehow be adjusted to account for all the above. Is this possible?
Or is it as you say, that shooting w both eyes open is only optically possible with a 50ish lenss?
Never mind , makes little sense what i said
I understand what you mean, but I don’t know how it would work exactly. I’ve only ever experienced high-mag rangefinders and SLRs.
The main reason for shooting with both eyes open is for being able to lead and time subjects entering from outside your frame. At least for me.
The question is whether or not you could have it make sense to your brain. I’d imagine you’d need such a large viewfinder image that your eye would need to seek around the 35mm frame (you wouldn’t be able to see the entire frame).
The auto focusing isn’t that bad on the a7S. But everyone wants that a6000 autofocus in a more pro body. That Tri Navi is still king though.
Nex-7 with A7S sensor. Now!!!!!
but i don’t like the nex-7 which have evf….
NEX-7 styled FF
+ Silent Shutter
+ Fast (A6000-like) AF
+ Small, fast MF lenses
= Perfection!
Yes, I know in one spot I’m asking for fast AF, and in the next MF lenses (options are good)
Yes…. maybe they call the a99 successor NEX7. So you have a FF Nex7. Sense in naming is out of stock at sony.
But i know why. YOU ARE THE REASON ANDREA!!!!
if you wouldn’t post all the rumors (between 95% offers for 10$ less in Timbuktu) sony wouldn’t do that. Its just for confusing you.
Does anybody here think, like I do, that Sony will have to either cannibalize its A7x sales or cripple this new NEX body in order to prevent the former from happening? If the goal of these FF mirrorless bodies is to move away from bulky DSLRs, I’d have a hard time seeing the purpose of an A7 when there’s a FF NEX selling for $200 or so less — unless they’d cripple AEB, AF, sync speed, maximum shutter speed, etc.
A serious question from a newbie SAR reader, not sarcasm…
It depends on how they launch it. Generally, crippling is the norm in the photography industry, some of it cost-based, some of it just marketing. Unless they launch it as a successor to the a7x line, in which case the cannibalization is almost inevitable.
Thanks for the replies, all! Vlad, I think we’d agree that Sony would be stupid to market it that way.
From the other replies it’s clear there are different preferences related to the viewfinder, which kind of bolsters the case for a FF NEX. I’m personally primarily a landscape shooter, so sensor, AEB, etc. are the most important to me, not necessarily speed and VF location. I do know that the Sony bodies are getting attractive to the point where I may sell my Nikon gear in the near future… 🙂
Simply discussing possibilities. It won’t be stupid, if it sells.
As to the different preferences it is entirely true. I own a NEX-7 and, while I enjoy the nose comfort and low profile of the camera, the EVF on the a77 (same tech) feels much better to the eye and stuffing my nose in the screen gives me more balance. The question is, can Sony satisfy every preference?
Exactly. I think they can. There’s more innovation to be found in the Sony camp at the moment than at Canon and Nikon…
Do it sooner before the Nikon gear loses it worth in the market.
A lot of photographers just prefer having the viewfinder up top, and would probably be willing to pay a bit more for it.
The other way to look at it is that people like me who are not purchasing the A7 because I don’t like the faux-pentaprism position of the EVF and waiting for a corner mounted EVF FF solution will finally buy their camera.
Likely by the time the FF NEX hits the market, A7 sales will have gone stale.
Once the FF NEX sales go flat, Sony will introduce an A7 replacement with IBIS?
Ergonomically NEX-7 is much better than A7-series. So I would definitely buy a FF NEX-7 if the price was right.
Allelujiah someone finally noticed this !
And left side EVF is easier to use with two open eyes and provides nose clearance! 😉
the NEX 7 like FF camera with pop up view finder will be a hit for street photographers and travelers. Do you guys see how small the EVF from RX100iii? just slap that thing on A7 body and kaboom..you’ll have the most compact FF mirroless camera ever made.
For street and travel you don’t need FF. APS-C is pretty enough. But for street, you need a large viewfinder, not pop up one. No time to pop stuff.
This is just something that people with small sensors say to themselves. It’s not true but it makes them feel better.
Who are these people with small sensors? Are these people born with small sensors? Or, do you mean, people who can afford only small sensors? Do you understand the size and volume difference between an APS-C system and an FF system? It’s critical when you are doing street, unless the FF system is small enough to start with, which is not the case at the moment.
Any news about an A9?
A8000 (marketed as upscale from NEX7 and even A7 models), mic input, headphone output, A7s sensor, improved EVF, global shutter (reduced high ISO performance keeping the A7 lineup highly relevant), in-body 1080p, 2k, 4k recording, price it premium if needed – take my money.
Per Sony’s naming strategy,the A7s’s full frame sensor would make it an A8, not A8000.
Yep, A8000 is APS-C line. A8 will be FF
And of course weather-sealing.
If they add lasers on it and sell it for less than 500$, I want one too. 😀 (Seriously, with all these features it’s not going to be cheap. But weather sealing would be great.)
I love this form factor. A full frame A6000 style camera could be very appealing. But it needs more than just a bigger sensor to be a great camera. Sony needs to find the right combination of direct access controls, a GREAT, not just improved menu system, and then stick to it across the entire product line.
I purchased an NEX7 based on feature set, IQ and size, but sold it due to a horrid UI and controls. The A7 cameras, by most reviews, are a substantial user experience improvement. But I’d like to see Sony actually do something that LEADS in that area, does just reach “competence.” Fuji’s direct access controls are one example, but Leica’s T system touch UI and minimalist controls are another.
Nobody is innovating around hardware more aggressively than Sony. They need to put that same passion into the user experience.
Don’t get me wrong – I love my A7.
But I also love the innovative design and tri-navi controls of the NEX-7.
I think many people do and there’s a bit of an ‘underground’ support of the NEX-7 design.
However… the Leica T’s touch UI does look very interesting…
When it became obvious that I could not buy another NEX body with the Tri-Navi system and that newer cameras moved away from it, it was a last straw. I did not love the Tri-Navi, but I knew that I’d want additional bodies, and it seemed that every NEX had different controls. There would be no muscle memory benefit of sticking with the brand. You can pickup any Canon, Nikon, or Olympus and have basically the same controls. Don’t get me wrong. Sony’s radical experimentation and innovation is great. But once they get it right, I hope they stick to something and build up a consistent user experience across the line. That’s going to annoy early adopters, but eventually, it will be worth it.
What a crock, those other companies move buttons around as well.
No crock. It is annoying when other companies are inconstant with their UIs and controls too. 🙂
Minor tweaks are bound to happen when new features arrive, or a year of customer feedback is available, so is understandable. But the Tri Nav is a completely different approach, not some minor tweaking, and it didn’t appear on another camera. One would think that the “top of the line” model would have been an indicator of the best, most stable thinking.
Sony seems to be willing to RADICALLY test and discard approaches very quickly in an attempt to de-throne Canon. That’s bold. Once they get it all aligned in one camera, I hope they think more holistically across the entire line. Ditching the NEX Ui for the Alpha was a good move. But all of this instability is enough to keep many people from buying.
To each his own, but the Tri-Navi was the single biggest thing that detracted from the NEX-7 for me, otherwise a decent camera at the time. I’m glad they went towards the Alpha UI and would be even happier if future cameras took the Fuji X-T1 approach with more dedicated tactile controls.
Me too. Many link Fuji’s retro inspired design with their classic, direct access, physical controls (which originated in film cameras, but remain a fantastic, intuitive way to control any camera). Sony could adapt the classic controls while maintaining their clean, modern aesthetic, and have a real winner. I love Fuji’s vintage style, but Sony’s technology and aggressive pricing in a camera with classic controls would be hard to resist.
so again:
am i the only one who would buy only A-Whatever if it wont have:
sensor flare (a7, rarely a7r)
shutter vibration (a7r)
rolling shutter (a7s)
Yes
I have none of those issues with my A7.
Not at all. And as a former Sony NEX7 owner with an overheating sensor that was never addressed, I’d say that Sony seems to have a track record of not addressing issues like this. Fuji cameras are legendary for bugs and flaws at launch, but just as legendary for acknowledging and fixing them, even after a product has long since been replaced. Even Olympus addressed the shutter shock issue with a firmware update. Sony should step up.
Well if they do, I hope they find a way to allow you to shoot long video shots without overheating shut downs… they happened too often with the current Nex-7 so god only knows how much more heat you would have to deal with if it were full frame.
They never even acknowledge that issue, did they? That was one of a thousand cuts that caused me to sell my Sony NEX7. Shameful company policy
This one will be a total shake up! Canon/Nikon will get into mirrorless right the way. They have to cannibalize themselves or Sony will? I only hope Sony got the guts to do it?
Eventually, Sony may be the one to force Canikon to innovate beyond the DSLR. They’ve got the resources, if not the focus or customer centric approach (yet). Or maybe it will be the mythical Fuji-Panasonic “organic” sensor. But everyone has a whole lot of market share to make up before Canon even notices they exist. Slipping DSLR sales will help. CanoNikon may simply be too big to change at this point. The EOSM is prime example. The Nikon 1 v3 pricing is another. CanoNikon doesn’t want things to change.
The Nikon 1 body prices at launch were too high but it is in fact an excellent performer regarding AF, FPS, with a decent choice of native glass along with a huge amount of choice using the Nikon AF lens adapter. I think looking at what Sony has also done with the 1″ sensor makes it a real contender in the future . Even now for a low ISO shooter the Sony 1″ sensor is competitive with the best mFT models up to around 800ISO.
The smaller sensor size allows for a lot of potential in high end compacts and gives the potential for truly small lenses
I’m with you — I love the idea of a high end compact with interchangeable lenses.
From what I’ve seen, the performance of the 1 v3 is absolutely stellar. It seems like the perfect outdoor camera for shooting fast action and the lens line is coming along. But I can’t help but think that the pricing is a little bit defensive to “protect” their DSLR sales. If the body could come in a little under Olympus EM10 or Sony A6000 prices, I think it would be a hit. As it stands, I don’t think they’re selling and have been savaged in the media. The Wall Street Journal, in particular, blamed their mirrorless strategy for the massive layoffs and restructuring the company is facing. The quality of the camera doesn’t seem to merit that. It is positioning. Sensors keep getting better. The one inch could be a sweet spot. Nikon could be well positioned if they get serious about trying to sell the system.
When you can buy two A6000 bodies for the cost of one Nikon 1 v3, it is a hard sell.
A7 is a mirrorless full frame. Where is the difference to a full frame NEX7 type camera – smaller and less convenient to handle, or what? What is the fuss about? Both are not pocketable, so why is size difference so important in this case?
As someone who is only vaguely familiar with Sony NEX, I would also like to know the answer to this. I’m on the verge of getting an A7r, how would this differ?
One part of the answer is that these cams represent different target groups, NEX started as a lifestyle camera for former compact cam users (particularly females). Then after first success they broadened the features, and out came the NEX 7 which targeted enthusiasts, but still with the stylish aspect. But with full frame I don t get it. It s going to be pricier, and again a new set of lenses are required.
Well, for those who already use or plan to get a full frame mirrorless, a full frame NEX 7 would have the advantage of coming in a range finder format. I’m planning to stay with APS-C (in 10 years, APS-C sensors will probably come close in performance to the current 35mm sensors), but I do like the range finder format a lot.
Some people prefer the rangefinder form factor. If designed properly it need not be any less ergonomically sound than a DSLR-like body.
Braaaahahahahahahaha! Good luck with that!
Thus far, Sony has failed in every attempt of compact ergonomics. There’s a fundamental design contradiction of great handling and a teensy tiny body like a cellphone you can put in your jeans pocket.
If the weight savings is important to you then mirrorless are successful. If you like cool adapters like the Metabones ones then mirrorless are successful. If you want a pocketable ILC then mirrorless are an epic failure. If you want something that feels great in your hands and balances well with most lenses then mirrorless is an epic fail.
I’d like to see Sony slim down their SLTs, particularly the a99 replacement, but not so small to be like the a33/a35 which got a bit too small.
Can we get this 36mp sensor in a big boy camera with big boy batteries and system accessories please? Nikon has had three different versions of Sony 36mp sensor for years now. Sony give your pros something to work production grade shoots with please.
– And a wifi/network transmitter plus software that supports FTP and single button transfer
“I want a new lens”, “I want a new camera” – so many ppl shouting.
I am asking, when Sony/Andrea/whoever finally address my poor shooting skills issues. My lack of patience to look at other job and learn, my laziness to wake up early and search for good light, my lack of courage to shoot ppl on streets, to ask models to pose, lack of patience to sort, tag and work with the pictures in Lightroom, PS, my lack of good eye for picture composing…
People, any current camera, lenses system in the market is much much better then the equipment used 10 years ago. Look at the mirror, Check what is really the weakest point in the system. Check if it is not YOU. And go and fix it yourself!!
Cheers for everybody
romantic troll.
anyway i only have a200 but with cz, so not the newest tech.
Sony behavior about the issues (ignore everything) and the almost leica pricing force me to buy leica.
They didn’t ignore my clicking on my 5n. It was — like my A6000 the best value/image quality/feature set available at the price bar none. Forced you to buy Lecia lol.
some likes sony aps-c others have leica t
😉
Hahaha! Love it.
Of course the up shot is that a Leica holds its value better than a Sony. Hang onto the Leica long enough and it will be worth more than you paid because of nutty collectors… Not sure that will ever happen with a Sony.
May be. But I don’t buy cameras I have no use for. As an investment, I can think of a thousand better ways.
you dont wanna say that leica cannot be used, do you?
Should i pay $1000 more for less tech than A6000?
you shouldnt. more theoretically tech written on a paper makes the owner more confident. That was my first comment, i mean nice products on spec. datasheet, nice commercials, but when it comes to real use and you find out all the issues it has, you might get dissapointed. as i sad if A-Whatever will work smoothly without all the issues that a7/7r/7s has then it will be interesting.
quality lenses is another topic.
143 comments on this thread and climbing! It is quite common to find dozens and dozens of comments on FujiRumors.com posts. And you’ll almost always find big discussion threads on 43rumors.com posts. Then you look at what people are talking about over on the Canon sites, like CanonWatch.com. Single digit comment counts. Or no comments at all. That is odd, given their market share. It isn’t hard to see where the “heat” is…
Because they are busy taking pictures and making money and partying when not working.
Seriously, I am worried that Sony folks have too much time on their hands. i hope they get a paying job once in a while to pay for their buggy cameras
How many comments are people – as always – screeching for more lenses or flashes that aren’t buggy? These aren’t issues with Canikon. Not saying Canikon doesn’t have some issues.
people goes to canonrumours instead of canonwatch, and cr required register to post comments.
If you are looking at nikonrumors, there are hundreds of comments for each rumor. Sadly, not many rumors now at nr, average one rumor per month.
If Sony needs on the Photokina more place for the many new cameras, they can rent it from the Canon area, then it does not look so empty there ;-/)
I remember some trolls saying that the next nex7 would never be a FF.
I never was of that school but there seems to me a fundamental feature disconnect of replacing an APS-C with a FF.
We don’t want FF, we want APS-C with TRINAVI!
EFCS or go to hell Sony.
that’s stupid. how would a FF nex work with aps-c lenses? duh.
YAWN. Don’t believe the hype.
I have an NEX7 and an A7r and each fulfil different needs. The A7r is the image quality king with the FE 55 and 35 and my Minolta 85mm 1.4. I have the Metabones adaptor and use my Canon 17 and 24 TS-E for landscapes and interiors. However, the controls on the A7r are not nearly as nice as the Tri Navi on the NEX7 for faster work and inexplicably the zoom to 100% in review mode is different (on the NEX7 you simply hit the centre button of the control wheel to enter and exit 100% while on the A7R, you must use a separate button in an awkward spot near the viewfinder that is recessed for some reason but then use the same button at the NEX7 to exit 100% – go figure). I much prefer the controls of the NEX7 but the menu system of the A7r. I would like to have an updated NEX7 with the same 24mp but better low light capability, a video button that doesn’t get accidentally pressed every 5 shots, the same menu system as the A7r, a brighter and a fix for the high contrast viewfinder which inexplicably shows normal contrast during image review, the fast autofocus of the A6000, a normal flash shoe and a built in flash that can trigger a remote flash for easy off camera lighting. I love the size of the NEX7 and especially the size and quality of the good lenses – 16-70, 10-18, 35 F2 all of which are image stabilized. I would like a compact telephoto like the 55-200 but with much better image quality. With this setup I have the perfect travel system. The 16-70, the 10-18 and the 35 have excellent image quality. While the A7R is compact, the lenses are not so it’s best as a landscape system where light weight and high image quality are paramount.
Make it weather sealed, AF like A6000 in 24mp FF, add your better EVF and you have a winner!
Price properly and make available before christmas