Amazon (Click here) extended the SLT rebate auction until supplies last. Which means that they are clearing the stocks before the new A-mount camera generation will be announced. And finally we got some specs about one of the new cameras:
What you will read here are the data from a A79 prototype camera. I have been told that at this stage almost 90% of the specs should remain the same of the final production version. This is the A-mount mirrorless cameras that will be in Stock in early 2014 (don’t know when it will be announced). Here are the 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).
I have been told that also the look changed a tiny bit and it somehow reminds of the old [shoplink 19759 ebay]Minolta 700si (you can find them here on eBay)[/shoplink].
[shoplink 19759 ebay]
[/shoplink]
.
The 480 focus points are possible because of a new on sensor phase detection technology. I have been told it’s very fast and reliable. Simething that on paper should put into the shadow the new Canon 70D dual hybrid AF performance.
So how does this sound for you?
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282 Responses
sound good, only the 32 mpx sensor frightens me (aps-c or ff?).
APS-C
Let me guess: Usable ISO ends at 1600?
And I hoped they came back to reason when releasing 20 MPx sensor for A58… would be so happy if A78 used that sensor instead.
+1 Which lens can take advantage of 32MPx on APS-C anyway? Maybe one or two ZA primes stopped down. Using such expensinve lenses on APS-C body is sensless. It is better to go FF for higher resolution.
All the new Sigma Lenses (35mm 1.4, 18-35 1.8). You can expect an improvement with next Lens generation. This comes not only from good engineers but also from good software tools and they will be available for other companies most likely also
Christian, Sigma you mentiones are of high quality but they are extreamly sharp only in the center area. Many highly regarded FF lenses mounted on 24Mpx APS-C body become just average in sharpness. Better lenses can be made for APS-C but they would be big, heavy, expensive like FF lenses. No, thanks.
Marek, as has been shown many times in many forums, most if not all lenses will show improvement with more megapixels in a modern sensor. The issue really isn’t can the lens fully resolve all those megapixels; it is whether the image taken through the lens will benefit. That is not a given, but the answer is likely to be yes.
It isn’t a question of whether the lens is good enough for the sensor, but whether the sensor is good enough for the lens. A sensor needs to have better resolution than the best lens that can be used with it, at its best aperture. It is not important if it is also better than the not-so-good lenses.
One advantage of more pixels is that the Bayer mosaic is finer, so less resolution is lost in the demosaicing process.
Another is that JPGs from a sensor with more pixels can be as sharp as raw files from a lower resolution sensor.
No, not (necessarily) “bigger, heavier” — just more expensive. One can easily design a “standard-sized” APS-C lens to take full advantage of 32 Mp; the elements (and housing components) will have microns-leve tolerances and may have some unique surface figures (e.g., higher-order aspheres.)
But few would pay $3k for an APS-C lens, so, the cost would go even higher. — If you want one I’ll make it for you… $40k ( Cost-Plus contract. :o) Humm… Maybe a marked for the Hassy folks…
Most lenses easily out resolve a 32Mpx bayer sensor because the mosaic means it’s really an 8Mpx sensor with some extra data that can be recovered in extrapolation.
You pixelpeeper and your MP-hate… more MP does not mean worse ISO capability or more noise: http://goo.gl/29c8X 16 MP vs 24 MP APS-C, same noise! http://goo.gl/6em5EF 12 MP vs. 36 MP FF, same noise! If you pixelpeep you will see noise, but if you use the same crop of the image noise is equal!
That’s not entirely true. The notion of pixel per area does not quite work out that way. This is clear with the A65 vs A57 comparisons. The A65 exhibits much more chroma noise that isn’t fixed easily. Colors change on the A65 before they do on the A57. Also, small details are damaged more in ways that are too hard to repair.
Except for ideal lighting conditions, this makes the A57 an all around better camera than the A65, image wise. Also. video stops at ISO 1600 on the A65 because the scaling is taking from single pixels as opposed to averaging out multiple pixels.
A 32mp sensor will exhibit the exact same problems I’m afraid.
That only works if the lens can resolve the detail. Current lenses don’t even resolve 24mp on APSC so the 32mp sensor will be a total waste for resolution why having an negative impact on noise.
It is true that one should always judge noise for a specific size of output, and comparing 1:1 outputs from higher and lower res sensors for noise just doesn’t make sense.
And while the noise increase–measured correctly–is not necessarily that dramatic when going with finer pitch pixels, it isn’t true that the noise is equal. This is due to simple quantization errors. Each pixel cannot measure the light precisely. The smaller the pixel the less precise the measurement. Increasing resolution also increases noise, all other things being equal. (The least amount of noise error you could have for a given sensor would be if it was all just one pixel. It just wouldn’t be a detailed image!)
Pixel binning to 8 MP would be awesome
What Jon said. One RGGB group => one pixel. Course, you can do that post.
Sounds cool, but I’m still waiting for the NEX7 successor :/
Sounds great, obviously this is the way all the companies are going with Phase on sensor.
I think this product will be the deciding factor for people considering changing from DSLR to ILCs. Finally removing the mirror means Sony have greater design parameters to redefine what a DSLR should be.
There are many benefits to ILCs, size in particular, but also the improving full time live view and AF, without the loss of 1/3 an F of light.
DSLRs have the benefit of speed, ergonomics and currently a better range of lenses.
If the A79 offers a slightly smaller body than my A700, but maintains good ergonomics, and has AF at least as good at the current SLTs, I may stick with my alpha system.
But the temptation to move to a smaller ILC is a big draw…
“…and has AF at least as good at the current SLTs”.
AF during tracking with be rubbish compared to SLT/dSLR.
Not just tracking. Take it into any low-light situation. A77 is great – easily better than D7000. Now compare that with NEXes. They’re a joke.
Sky_walker, what NEX camera and lens combo were you using?
All of them, they are all rubbish at it.
Not true. Which NEX body and lens combos have you used? Perhaps you can explain in more detail the issues you faced.
**tumbleweed**
AlphaGuy, it sounds like you have first-hand experience using the prototype A79.
Please, tell us more.
Stop being a knobend.
Classy response.
Until you have first-hand experience of any new focus technology Sony may be implementing, then you’re in no position to speculate on performance. But then negativity is your forte, so you’ll open that gob of yours regardless.
Yeah, this ‘Alphaguy’ is some nincompoop to say the least and that’s being polite. It’s unfortunate that blogs like this need to deal with commentary loaded with emotionalism rather then contribution of real value and substance.
It’s a private blog. The admin can (and I think should) blog AlphaGuy’s IP.
AF is the next technical challenge for Sony. *If* they solve it (and that means fast on-sensor AF and the firmware to drive legacy alpha lenses for presumably a CD/PD-AF hybrid tech) then the A79 may be competitive with the ILCs.
I agree that focus is Sony’s new frontier. Since they are apparently introducing a long series of expensive FF cameras, with, by the way, according to Sony’s CEO, a central emphasis on pro sports photography, they must believe that they have got it right.
I would love to see A mount mirrorless camera with rangefinder body instead of DSLR 🙂
Imagine NEX-7 but bigger with A mount. Would buy it without hesitation 🙂
Hm… I’m not sure how practical would it be.
Besides – it’d need to be a hybrid, not a pure rangefinder, as with a pure rangefinder you essentially kill yourself from macro and close-up photography. (and LV doesn’t help at all with that if you shoot in daylight and all you can see are reflections).
I meant purely liveview camera, just like current DSLT’s.
I know that it’s not going to be device that suits all users but there are some that prefer rangefinder style from DSLR’s.
it would be interesting but i think it might be left up to the E-mounts to be rangefinder styled. since rangefinders are usually more compact and slim in the depth of the body, but then again, im no psychic 😛
My only worry is: will legacy lenses still work as they did with the old PD-AF system.
As long as it looks like the 700si and not the 800si.
Copy that urushi lacquered version of the 700si for maximum effect.
C’mon new cameras!!!
I’m excited, can’t wait for all the full frame specs!!
working on them too 😉
Hi, will this camera be able to AF focus with old screw driven lenses ? Or will it be autofocus-compatible with SAM / SSM lenses only ?
excellent…thank you!
Awesome! Thank you!
Andrea – is it possible there will be more SLTs as you mentioned the other week, or has that rumour been quashed?
I am still not sure. It’s a long story to tell, but in short two sources that I trust much got ctwo completely feedbacks on that. So I guess Sony Japan is hiding the truth.
OK, thanks. Is there a possibility of new SLT and mirrorless bodies co-existing?
Andrea, any rumors about ibis? Will it use 5 axis?
yes and no. sadly it’s only 4.7 axes this time
Everything sounds promising – except for the 32 MP on APS-C. Simply nonsense….
Why ? It is fine to have more Mpx !
Not necessarily – with that pixel density it could have no anti-aliasing filter (or at least a very weak one) so getting a little more resolution out of the lenses
nonsense why? some time ago people said that 24mpx on APS-C was nonsense too, now its standard, the same happened to the 36mpx FF sensor on the D800, and now its the best sensor arround…
one thing will always happen on new sensors: more pixels and better performance
Exactly.
Absolutely right.
36MP on APS-C is too many pixels? I used to agree but since owning an RX100 with 24MP on a 1″ sensor I have changed my opinion. Great resolution and good noise control. Sure, sometimes you need to downsample to get a clean picture above ISO16000, but thats fine.
If 36MP works well at ISO100-800, great. If you need to pixel-bin to 24MP or 18MP above ISO800, so what? Best of both worlds.
My only concern in file size and how Lightroom will grind to a halt processing them!
*1600
:-O
Ummm…The RX100 is not 24MP, it is 20MP.
Yep, and his point would still be valid.
I never implied that it wouldn’t, I am just correcting him on the specifications of the RX100.
Yep, and his point would still be valid.
As good as this looks…..I hope that this is not Sony’s rumour/promise firmware update surprise for the A65/77 we have all been looking forward to. We have had enough of ‘new camera firmware updates’.
Andrea, please tell us, if you can, what the situation is regarding the A65/77 firmware update.
+1
Wouldn’t surprise me if there was one guy locked in a basement developing firmware for all Sony cameras. He’ll be concentrating on getting firmware done for future models, current models will as usual be left to rot.
All very promising except……
Any word on lens compatibility??
That’s my big concern too… Admin – any news on ff pricing? I’d be very tempted to go for a cheaper mirrorless ff rather than an a79.
At least ! Sony is taking seriously photography ! So long we wanted this 32 mpx camera ! 😉 Minolta legacy is back…
What a JOKE.
The photography industry is still laughing at SONY.
Sony has users hostage with Sub-Standard overpriced offerings.
Flash overheating of fundamental
Sony Supposed Flagship HVL-F60 Flash is
still not fixed – How Ridiculous.
SONY only has only 3 On Camera flashes that operation on the new Sony cameras.
All our OLD Sony Flashes fall off the new camera since
Sony refuses to produce Any LOCKING adapter from the
old MINOLTA SONY iISO flash Hot Shoe to
their new Sony MSI flash shoe.
We have been waiting far too long for SONY to issue a firmware update to address this
NO Other Flash maker in the world can work with, provide or want to provide a flash or adapter for the new Sony MSI flash shoe.
Sony has user hostage. Third parties do not even produce a adapter.
We need TTL on Camera Flash lighting –
Daily We are forced to use our other platforms camera products to get work done. The flash overheating forces the SONY products to be unusable. Our investment in Sony camera is worthless.
As we sell it off, Sony camera resale % is terrible.
We need camera product solutions that work.
animalsbybarry must be jumping for joy right now 😀
Doesn’t Barry want 50 something megapixels. He says it everyday. He has had a blow in his hopes for a high megapixel camera though as it turns out the the Canon 75 mpix is a non bayer array sensor, so more like foveon, and produces a 25 mpix image.
still a “step forward without a step backwards”, haha
unless the expectation is now for a 100mpx+ FF sensor now LOL
So Canon stacked sensor is in a new camera and sony stacked sensor is still on the shelf.
I wonder who will sell more
Sony sells more sensors, stop wondering. 😉
This is a very small insgnificant resolution increase but you are correct..it is not a step backwards because the sensor size has not changed.
Only the video guys should get excited about these new specs.
480 focus points and 8-14 fps – I think sports, action & wildlife shooters should be excited. Higher mp sensors aren’t great for video guys because of the downsampling and line skipping to get down to 1920×1080. It is for this reason that the Canon c series cameras have sensors that are “only” 4096 x 2160. They capture a true 4k with no downsampling. The lineskipping / downsampling in the a99 is one of the problems with the video quality it produces.
The resolution change is a SLIGHT improvement snt the increase in light gained by eliminating the mirror will more than compensate for any negligable iso loss.
The tech has ad anced so iso will probably be better.
Based on these factors alome i would call this a slight improvement over the a77.
I have not yet fully considered the other new features so i will comment on those later.
5D2, D800, and sadly A99 do line skipping, whilst the 5D3 do pixel binning.
So there is a choice. And manufacturers have choosen different paths.
Unfortunately, Sony choosed to sacrifise some photo related features on the A99 for the sake of video. And then choosed line skipping …
The sensor could be something like 7400*4320. Then the camera could record 8K (4320p) or 4K (2160p). In both cases pixel binning would be an option and downsampling would be OK.
32mp aps-c. Barry, how about that?! just imagine that pixel density on ff!
I would definitely like that.
Too much MP for a APS-C sensor – still this stupid MP battle 🙁
16MP is enough for a APS-C sensor 😉
My only hope is that the AF will be considerably improved over the A77.
AF-C in A77 is almost useless for me…
32 MP on APS-C ? Guess what… Hope it will be a very good update of the new generation of Sony sensors !
I hope the new AF will be as fast as Canon’s 7D/5DIII or Nikon’s D600/D800 with very good Ai-Servo. If this is the case, may be it will be time to switch from 7D to new Sony products !
Do you mean that you will retire your Canon EOS 7D, or your Konica Minolta Dynax 7D ? 🙂
.
Canon 7D is rubbish against the A77
both A77 and 7D are great cameras
Yep, and the A77 is better.
This is a great rumor, i would buy a new body.
I now own a A330 and it is time to replace this one.
I was considering buying a A77 but now i will wait for this new one 😀
It is always more sensible to buy the current model now (a77). If you have a small budget, a77 successor will be more expensive so buy a77 now. If you have a large budget you can buy a77 now and replace it with successor when it is available. In both cases, you can start making better pictures today… 🙂
He owns A330, so it’s not as if he is not making pictures without buying A77. Besides, A77 prices will drop significantly once the new camera is launched.
I will wait for the new one, because the a77 is already 2 years old.
So the a77 has not the newest features.
The budget is no problem for me.
I can make pictures now, take a look at my website 😉
http://www.roelof-joldersma.nl
The most are taken with the a330.
I said better pictures. No offense. A330 is really old camera tech. If you are looking for A77 type of camera your image quality will improve and handling will be a lot better. So I still suggest buying A77 now. I think wanting the latest features no matter what they are (that will be true only at the moment you buy it) is for dreamers not photographers.
how about the NEX-5T?
Mirrorless A mount is a stupid idea
why not E mount + PDAF adaptor for Alpha lens ?
Why keep the mirror if the need is gone?
And in what way is mirrorless A-mount in contradiction to an mirrorless e-mount?
it has been previously said before, A-mount and E-mount will co-exist at least for a while longer, DSLR styled a-mount will have more room for technology, better grip and more pro plus it keeps existing users with A-mount lenses happy. E-mount is usually for bit less pro since theres less lenses, and kept for compact size. as much as i’d like for a all e-mount sony, the advancements in A-mount isnt too bad
32mp aps-c sounds terrible. I am still using A700 and don’t see nothing (body) from Sony that I like to buy ! Sorry – I need low noise – I not need trillions mp in aps-c – just because it’s sound good ! More is better – This is not true. This is idiocy.
I need camera for macro and I like optical viewfinder. I want to bay some lenses – but still waiting, because no longer trust sonys ideology. It’s future not for me. Goodbye Sony.
You are contradicting yourself.
If you shoot macro increased pixel density is exactly what you DO want.
Depth of field is shallow in macro.
This is a direct function of the magnification ratio to the f#.
Its actually several factors but they cancel each other out.
A smaller image at the sensor level yields greater depth of field.
If your primary interest is macro then higher pixel density is definitely to your advantage.
For you a higher mp c size srnser is a better choice than full frame.
P.S.
I recommend Tamron 60mm f2 macro specifically for c sensors.
EVF is great for macro work. I use reversed lenses, and if I had used optical viewer it would be black. With EVF I can see what’s in the image, and with a little added light or outside in good sun light I even get focus peeking! I’ve made a 12V halogen ligth that I mount in front of the lens (with fans at 45 degrees blowing air past the bulb without disturbing what is in front of the lens), and with that it is even possible to do macro video and see what is in front of the lens 🙂 Then add the tilting screen which can give you a more comfortable viewing angle in some occasions… There might not be a great many macro lenses for alpha, but the camera bodies are superb for macro!
Have you tried an led light instead?
Less heat easier to use plenty of light
I use Bescor led-180.
I was in exactly the Same situation (a700, wanted better noise performance) … Now I have a Fuji X pro 1 … and I am totally happy ….
Mirror slap vibration is bad for macro.
APS-C + 32 million photosites = bad idea. Everything else seems fine.
Not only will you not get “real” 32mp images from it…..but you will reduce low light potential at the same time!
Cant Sony just put a 24mp or even 20mp inside the body and place a 32mp sticker on the side? Nobody would even notice the difference!!
CT
Yes, agree – 32mp aps-c sounds terrible. I am still using A700 and don’t see nothing (body) from Sony that I like to buy ! Sorry – I need low noise – I not need trillions mp in aps-c – just because it’s sound good ! More is better – This is not true.
I need camera for macro and I like optical viewfinder. I want to bay some lenses – but still waiting, because no longer trust sonys ideology. It’s future not for me. Goodbye Sony.
I use an A700 as well. I love it. However, it has a great deal of noise–more than the A77 with twice as many pixels. It also has far inferior AF–and its optical viewfinder, although serviceable, is no great shakes. I’d far rather have the viewfinder on the A79.
+1. Sometimes I feel it’s more like a placebo effect. 🙂 We can still take nice photos with our little old cameras.
No significant change.
This is a very small difference and will only effect video.
THE SKY IS NOT FALLING.
Probably Sony should fire all their engineers and hire SAR reader Cliff.
Seriously folks,
Can anyone raise their hand (with a straight face) and say: “Yeah, my 32mp image looks like a higher resolution than the other guys 24?”
95% of all the lenses on the market will not resolve 32 million pixels….period.
So why 32 mp?
Maybe,…just “maybe”. Sony needs the extra pixels, not for image but for phase cancellation. My wild guess is this:
Instead of the typical “RGGB” Bayer pattern, this new sensor would use an “RGGB-X” pattern. The “X” could be a black & white (grayscale) pixel. This “X” pixel will be read with the other color ones but the data collected from these special pixels would be assembled as an “inverted” black and white image and used solely for the focus circuits. It will then be applied (virtually) to the “real” (20+MP) image for FOCUS ONLY and comparison processing.
So it creates TWO images at the same time from the same cycle read. One high resolution color and one low resolution “inverted and pixel-shifted” B&W.
Maybe that’s how it’s done or maybe not….lol 😉
I’ll I’m saying is that 32mp is worthless with the vast majority of lenses out there today.
CT
Seriously, Cliff, a sensor SHOULD be able to resolve better than the best lens out there–and EVERY lens should be improved by higher resolution, other factors being equal.
I mean, of course, that the performance of every lens should be improved by a higher resolution sensor.
The value of additional resolution may end around 200Mpx in bayer sensors or 50Mpx in Favon sensors.
The reason you cant see a difference is that like a growing number of people you view your pictures on tv screens an rarely ever see a high quality large print of your work.
Too many people are forgetting what photography is.
To them pictures are just images on a screen.
+1000
it’s just still the same moaning. Don’t you remember? There were exactly the same arguments about 24MP on rumored A77: noise, 95% lenses can not resolve, MP-race, PS/LR too slow and so on and bla-bla… don’t you remember? And now it seems to be everything quite pretty and ok with 24MP, isn’t it?
Nice route Sony!
My big fear:
The On-Sensor PDAF.
I hope Sony did not release a product with less capabilities than previous models (typically AF compared to A77 AF).
480 AF points… OK…
But I remember very well rumors about the 102 points of the A99, and the ” AF speed is amazingly fast and very accurate”.
Really hope that the actual approach is a step forward. With especially better coverage and disposition, and at least same performances as actual Sony SLT PDAF.
Big advantage: No more AF micro adjustment for lenses.
Hope: Compatible with legacy lenses
> no more AF adj for lenses.
I disagree. Micro AF adjust is to nudge the focus intentionally up or down a bit. And as for the AF mechanism currently, it’s a closed loop. The AF is driven until the camera sees a proper picture.
The whole AF system and focus adj is so grossly misunderstood.
>> The whole AF system and focus adj is so grossly misunderstood.
Especially by you 🙁
CDAF is not a closed loop and should be considered current AF on a77.
PDAF is what the a77 successor will probably have and it’s “closed loop”. So PDAF does not require AF micro adjustment.
Wrong!!
A77 and A99 have NO CDAF ! They use PDAF ! Canon & Nikon use CDAF on Sensor ! Sony is useing PDAF on sensor with current A99, NEX5R and NEX6 . A77 has AF separate from the sensor only.
Sorry, I mixed up the CDAF and PDAF abbreviation.
So it should say:
PDAF (phase detect) is not a closed loop and should be considered current AF on a77.
CDAF (contrast detect) is what the a77 successor will probably have and it’s “closed loop”. So CDAF does not require AF micro adjustment.
^haha, good thing you corrected yourself, before a bunch of other people started correcting you
ops, wrong reply spot
> no more AF adj for lenses.
I disagree. Micro AF adjust is to nudge the focus intentionally up or down a bit. And as for the AF mechanism currently, it’s a closed loop. The AF is driven until the camera sees a proper picture.
The whole AF system and focus adj is so grossly misunderstood.
Great news !
But I’m afraid about 32 Mpix on APS-C, I hope so it does not make too much trouble …
24 MPix enough for me. I would especially like more sensitivity & better dynamic range.
If it’s rain & dust-proof with removable screen (like A77, A99) and especially with a Big Evolution for video (better codec, bitrate, 10bits, marker Cinemascope – 2.35:1 …)
I buy!
32mp will make very little difference in image quality or resolution.
Based on these specifications if you shoot still pictures this camera has only monor improvements.
Any concerns about this minor increase in resolution hurting anything sre totally unfounded.
Where 32mp will make a big difference is in video.
4k video is 8mp.
If you downsample 32mp 2x you get 8mp.
32mp will downsample smoother and quicker than 24mp. That was probable and not surprisingly the reason for the change in resolution.
This camera seems to be just a small improvement over the previous camera.
So far since sony promised nothing but significant improvements they continue to do just the opposite.
Yesterday admin hinted about an AMAZING NEX STORY.
I would like to believe but so many of sonys AMAZING STORIES seem more like a tv show than reality
(Didnt Steven Spielberg already do that tv show).
I think you forgot to about that video susually recorded with 16:9 ratio not 3:2 so if this camera capable of recording 4k raw and use 4 pixle to create one then the camera still nedd to be more than 39MP NOT 32MP.
you have a dream and you want Sony make your dream come true. here is an idea: Pay $500000 to a company or one of the University that works in sensor development and tell them about your dream and you want them to make your dream come true.
I am sure everyone on this forum will give you a good luck and a tab on your back.
32mp aps-c sounds terrible. I am still using A700 and don’t see nothing (body) from Sony that I like to buy ! Sorry – I need low noise – I not need trillions mp in aps-c – just because it’s sound good ! More is better – This is not true. This is idiocy.
I need camera for macro and I like optical viewfinder. I want to bay some lenses – but still waiting, because no longer trust sonys ideology. It’s future not for me. Goodbye Sony.
Need less? Nikon D40 for your services. Reducing MP count won’t make “high ISO performance”
When there are no more optical view finders how on Earth are you going to cope? EVF is PERFECT for macro photography!
Yoda
I responded to your comment above but i just want to assure you i know macro photography and if you try ehat i say you will thank me.
High resolution c sensor is your best choice.
Longer focal lengths allow more working distance so I would use at least 60mm which is equivalent to 90mm on a full frame. This lens is inexpenive and as good as any macro at any price.
For c the tamron 60mm f2 macro i suggested is a great first macro.
Stop down your f stop as much as light will allow for best results.
If you choose to manual focos (not always necessary but many prefer it) the easiest method is to prefocus to the magnification ratio you want then move the camera in and out to focus.
If you move to full frame you will spend a lot more money and your results will not be as good.
I hope this advice is helpfull.
Another tip
I handhold a powerfull battery oprated lcd light of the type for on camera use. Ouse a bescor but the brand does not matter.
I hold this as close to the subject as coverage will allow.
This is much better than a flash because i can actually see what the light does to the subject and surprisingly many animals tolerate it.
I can then stop down to at least f8 even indoors.
Camera set at A(aperture priority automatic)
I shoot handheld at 1/125 or faster as setting up a tripod for live animals is not very productive.
The light held in one hand is moved around till the picture looks best. The camera held in the orher hand.
I always shoot at least a three picture burst as the first and last usually have the most camera movement.
Sony abandoned OVF over a year and a half ago. If you want OVF alpha cameras are not for you, the rest is moot.
I don’t do any macro work, though I imagine the focus assist feature on EVF would be very helpful for macro shooters.
True, EVF is perfect for macro work. Not only EVF, also rear screen works fine (even better would be a bigger external HDMI display). Advantages:
– focus check live view
– allways shows image using working aperture
– allways DOF preview
– no darker viewfinder when using DOF preview
– magnification for manual focusing
– EVF and rear screen can be tilted, seen from any angle for comfortable working
– motion blur can be asily avoided by judging from the magnification display (expose when subject and camera are absolutely steady)
– 100% viewfinder so no cropping in postprocessing neccessary
Also silent operation before and during exposure so no interference with subject.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Sony AF compares to the new Canon AF system!
Since Canon have retained the mirror the Sony will suck at AF compared to even the most basic and cheapest CaNikon dSLR.
It’ll be yet another reason reviewers will use to tell people not to buy a Sony over the brand leading models.
Sony are clueless.
I don’t think so. You seem very dissapointed in life.
Alphaguy, don’t you get tired of complaining in this website all day long? This is getting really annoying now.
The ‘thought’ is that Canaon will implement the new ‘duel pixel’ AF system into their next (mirrorless) EOS-M camera… but of course that’s just rumour at the moment. 🙂
wouldn’t be surprised, Canon’s LV AF from 500d onwards is rubbish, it is outdated and the only reason why they didn’t improve it was because no one complained about it till the EOS-M came out and they had no PDAF on it… dual pixel phase detect is okay… but its not that new, on sensor PDAF has been around on the market for a year or so now, the dual pixel phase detect still isn’t as fast on the 70d compared to real PDAF via mirror (traditional Canon PDAF), so i’m hoping this on sensor sony one would be good, only time will tell
Sony sure is number 1 in one area: rumors! No other company leaks so much information and releases so few products! You’re doing a great job, Andrea, making so much of so little. Thank you for your enthusiasm and hard work!
Apparently, you are visiting only SonyAlphaRumors.
“So how does this sound for you?”
This sounds for me like stuff that should be in the A99 already.
For admin – Ok – undestand – only comments like “Sony is great allowed”. Thanks !
Admin,
Will legacy glass be adaptable?
No doubt Minolta AF screw driven glass will still work, but the AF will be terrible on mirrorless unless they get supported, which they won’t.
Same goes for third-party glass, unless you are going to buy all Sony glass then you’d be better off sticking to SLT where every lens will work at full AF speed.
what about the high end screwdrive primes from Zeiss?
What about the Touch Focus option? great feature what Canon offer on the cameras.
olympus and sony mirrorless cameras had touch screen before it was on a canon DSLR 😛
32 Mpixels on an APS-C sensor seems to be an awful lot of pixels, nevertheless the corresponding pixel density is half that of the RX100:
20.2 Mpixels on a 1″ sensor 64 Mpixels on an APS-C sensor.
maybe the same EXMOR R tech? used to get high pixel densities and achieve a high megapixel count
My a77 gives ugly images at anything above 1000 ISO, I’m curious to see if Sony has improved on this. I’ve planning on moving to nikon…
Megapixels will always increase…I remember years ago people blogging about how 7 or 8 megapixels was “not necessary” because 6 mp was already 35mm film resolution…
+1 Totally Agree.!
A77 get noisy at above ISO800,
Personally, ISO1600 is almost useless.
More Pixels =/= better image quality
But,
More Pixels => more noise, larger file size, longer processing time,
Aggressive noise reduction -> lack of detail,
I will never buy a high pixels APSC camera anymore,
unless, there is some great improvement in sensor technology,
not just using more aggressive noise reduction algorithm.
Every new sensor desighn incorporates new technology that improves over the old.
Each one has improvements across the board including the mp count.
The ides that more pixels mesns lower quality has never been true in fact just the opposite is true because each represents the next generation of sensor.
Would happily accept all those changes.
But I would like improved ISO usability. If ISO 6400 could be good (not perfect), I would be a happy man.
And of course, focus would need to be at least as good as current models.
4 GB buffer sound very nice.
until you calculate the size of a 32Mp cRAW file ( about 35mb) which means about 11 frames before the buffer chokes, with todays UHS-1 cards you get about 12 frames on a77, with the same card a79 will get you about 8 – 9 frames. Cool indeed:))) in practice SD cards turn out to be much slower to operate than CF and that reflects on camera performance as well. Don’t get your hopes up too much
My mistake – about 100 raw files in buffer. Sorry. I take my comment back
it turns out an edit.button is even more sought after than any camera gear on sar.
Have to be careful about what gb really means. If it is 4 gigabits, then you have about 12 RAW files per buffer, if GigaBytes then about 60. I expect it is gigabits.
So in your opinion, the EVF is 4 millipixel? 🙂
maria: 🙂
The display is probably roughly 4 million pixels, which i expect really means about 4 million dots (or sub pixels).
What is Pos 23 on the diagram?
480 focus points WOW enough said, take my money
Wait… 32 megapixels. Canon 70D is 20mp, but has to have 40mp in order for that focusing mechanism to work. Is Sony’s 64mp, really, or is the end result a 16mp image…?
thats why canon say the 70D has 20mpx and not 40mpx, because when taking an image they still only have 20mpx.
sony uses different tech (should be same as from A99 but just more onsensor AF) which uses some photosites as PDAF and these photosites do not capture light. I’m not 100% sure on that though, it was a while ago when i had a look at the patent
4 gb of buffer… hum its look amazing if the a77 have just around 300mo
480 focus point in all screen i hope not only in center like a99.
hope no pb with wireless flash…
evf should be terrific with 4 millions of pixels but does its mean need more energy for this ?? because on a77 and a99 battery is less because evf.
Hope they have more better dynamic range that is the principal keypoint for kill other company.
Sony has been on the cutting edge of dynamic range for some time now.
Admin, do you know if it is 8fps at full raw – unlike the marketing of the a99 (10 fps…reduced jpegs). The 4gb buffer sounds very promising. The buffer in the a99 is pathetic. With 4gb buffer, it could allow for pre-recording (for instance, if video mode has been on and you hit the record button you could save the 5 to 10+ seconds before you hit the record button).
This is what become Sony after SAR publish:
– 32mpix exmor hd chip (but image is very noiser at ISO 1600)
– 4 gb buffer (for jpegs and music slideshows)
– full mirrorless focus, 480 focus points (alls together in the same small area)
– evf 4mpix (in a smaller screen you can imagine and awfull at borders)
– 8-14 fps/sec (again in jpeg just the first one in focus)
– Magnesium body (we already have that)
– a new vertical grip too (the same of the A77 but lighter)
Ok, guys just playing jokes here!
*a dubious opinion based on no facts and an pessimistic attitude 😀
Seems like a lot of people are needlessly fearful of 32Mp on an APS-C sensor. Why be so concerned when you haven’t a clue as to how it will perform? After all don’t you trust the engineers who produced the excellent sensors for the Nikon D7000 or Nex-6 or A57?
I suspect they might be using BSI on the sensor, seeing that it’s been used on the latest one used in the RX100 II.
All this “I fear 32Mp….” is just so silly. If you don’t like it, go buy another system or make do with what you have until technology improves to the point that you like. You can still take pictures until that happens.
We already know that existing Sony/Minolta lenses won’t be able to resolve 32mp on APS-C since they struggle with 24mp. So why bother going above 24mp?
This is a fallacious argument, Steve. The sensor needs greater resolution than any lens used on it, and a higher resolution sensor will make the performance of any lens better.
Not sure how any of this will play out for Sony. It will be really interesting, but it will take a second iteration of this technology to work out all the issues, so effectively there is no Sony body until 2015.
Meanwhile the D7100 and 70D will eat up the APS-C market share because there was no A78.
Thanks Sony /s
still, its great innovation from Sony though, Canon and Nikon has been making only small progress on their DSLRs over the generations… thats one of the main reasons i switched to mirrorless, compact size and same/similar functionality. not “same old s*** but now focuses better in video”
If the specs are correct and the camera is without normal SONY hiccups I will buy it as soon as it is in stores.
So if and if… 😉
But this could be the camera I have been waiting for, currently using Alpha 550.
Let’s see the way this will handle. Pushing so much data around requires quite a bit of processing power and card write speed. Something tells me it may be as slow as a99. Sony, either improve your processing or stop utilizing high power sensors you can’t quite handle. 24MP is plenty enough, improve the camera performance!!!!
It probably uses the fastest card on the planet, the XQD.
AND the speed of SD cards has just been dramatically increased.
i wouldn’t mind seeing a dual processor like canon has, yes it will eat more power, no i won’t buy it unless its NEX, and yes i will complain about the bad battery life 😀 still waiting on the next evolution of battery tech here
32 mpix at 14 fps… sounds impossibly power-hungry.
Sensor will be, thats pretty sure. FPS doesnt matter much, dSLTs or mirrorless move just shutter.
I dont see mirror, even translucent..
Mirrorless?
yes.. the new a mount cameras will be mirrorless.
where have you been? mirrorless talks of all sony cameras is the new talk of the town
Mam nadzieje że czujnik będzie miał tylko 24mpix bo jak nie to będzie tak jak z A77 szumne zapowiedzi o jakości obrazka a jak przyszło co do czego to ISO 1000 i koniec . i pokażcie mi obiektyw który to wyciągnie w normalnej cenie !!!! . Nie się panowie z sony opanują , bo tym razem będzie klapa
Half a year away… at least.
I am amazed at how empty the body looks without a mirror and optical finder. While I like the idea here I am even more interested in what they will do with the NEX platform. I hope for a sensor and A-mount adapter that take advantage of this technology.
I am very surprised to see 32MP on APS. Sounds great to me, though I wonder if they are also counting autofocus sensors in that. And wonder what this means for FF in a year or so, given that FF is roughly twice the area of APS. 64MP?
Yes, and it would be nice if the empty space is used for a hermetic sealed dust protection for the image sensor!
Or a place for a in-body filter thread,great for superwide lens that has no front filter thread.
why not back of the lens? it’ll be easier to access since the lens protrudes rather than the recess of the body which should be easier to access
Sounds great. I’ll stick with Sony as long as they have aps-c cameras. I don’t need a FF camera and I can’t justify the costs of having to rebuy most of my lenses.
+1
Good news for all of you worried about 36MP being too many!
The sensor actually has just 24MP for gathering light and 12 million phase-detect AF pixels! Yey!
LOL that made me laugh more than it should 😀
I’m interested in this camera for sure. Was considering getting back to DSLR with Canon 70D, but this might be my better choice. Will be watching for it.
I wished they would got rid of the entire SLR form fsctor. Without mirror what’s really the point. A rangefinder form factor is simple, compact and elegant. They don’t have to struggle to make it as small as possible(too small); a mute effort which can hurt the camera usefulness (like when they removed the flash hot-shoe and in-body stabilization in Nex 5 series).
On another point, I really don’t see the point of cramping 32mp in an APS-C sensor.
so…. basically you’re saying you want to buy a NEX 6….. 16mpx, on sensor phase detection (though its not THAT great), rangefinder style, flash in built….
Well, it’s not my fault but the fact is that redundancy is inevitable when Sony has produced two lines of DLI (digital lens interchangeable) cameras and intends to produce both APS-C and FF cameras in both lines which IMHO, is a marketing mistake and waste of R&D resources. They could for example dedicate E-mount solely to APS-C sensor size and A-mount solely to FF sensor size (in a gradual process).
I believe Sony would be better concentrating on improving the current camera and overcoming the shortcomings (for example in AF department) instead of releasing two many models all sharing the same level of technology and shortcomings). However, people in Sony Corp. apparently don’t share the same point of view. In any case, one could also say the difference between E and A mount system would ultimately be in the size of the cameras.
noted, however I do personally like the NEX series and see it as more of a “this is what is achievable as technology advances” camera, its super compact, and same sensor size as DSLRs, if a FF NEX comes out, that’d be pretty amazing, so i’m all for full e-mount and as much as I would like to see them go fully e-mount (as Olympus and Panasonic did with micro4/3s and completely ended 4/3s cameras) there will be a ton of people who will complain at that, so i guess to keep everyone happy, they are slowly taking away what makes A-mount cameras unique (SLT) and keep on developing tech for both camera lines
I guess its not really supporting 2 different lines of cameras, as most of the technology is transferable so you don’t exactly start from scratch when developing a new camera between the 2 different mounts as theres so much overlap
Wow, 32 Mpix…I was first shocked (noise!!!), but it schould be better than my current A55 if you take the SLT-removal into account (+30-40% light and a bit more optical resolution) and the 5-axis Olympus-made stabilisation (I am counting on that), which hopefully yields maybe a one-stop increasement. This already overcompensates the light loss due to 16 Mpix -> 32 Mpix jump. Furthermore I am expecting at least a half stop less noise due to general technology advancement since 2010.
I am just a bit scared by the burdens of these large files on my Lightroom system (just upgraded to 16 GB RAM and newest Intel CPU with 4,5 GHz).
This is the news (well, rumor) that I’ve been waiting for! I’m very excited and am planning on purchasing this. (Of course, I’ll keep checking out the new rumors as they come.) I’m glad that so far, things seem to be turning out well.
What I like about on-sensor AF – if it will work with A-mount lens with same speed as old SLT tech it means it will be incredibly fast on NEX – faster than M43 or anything in the world!!
If there is no mirror, there’s more light on the sensor. Tests have shown, that the mirror in the a77 takes 1/3 F-Stop.
With 32 MP instead of 24 MP the Pixel will be 25 % smaller, so there will be (a little bit) more light per Pixel, instead of less.
If Sony increased the Low-Light-Pefomance in general, we don’t have to fear noisey Low-Light-Pics.
But: The disscussion about the need for more Pixel on a apc-Sonsor is still there. Is it better, if the lens outperforms the sensor, or it is better, if the sensor outperforms the lens?
How big should the picture be (printed and framed on the wall)?
How much money do you like to invest in lenses?
In my opinon, its nice to have a sensor with some back-up-pixel, if it contrast, colors, noise etc. make no problems.
@Andrea: Could we have an idea about the AF system?
Are the AF pseudo-pixels also light non-sensitive as in other OSPDAF systems (do not participate to the image…i.e Dead pèixels)
Or something similar to latest Canon techno?
Put that sensor and viewfinder in a NEX-7 body an I’ll gladly spend my money. Man, 32 MP photo and 4 MP EVF resolution sounds almost too good to be true …
I think it really boils down to the speed of the AF system. That, and noise performance are what make the A99 worth using for me. If it’s slower, or looks worse, it would just be too frustrating to use. I really hope that the burst rate means they’ve also found a way to improve processor performance, because I’d hate to see the camera lock up for minutes after filling the buffer.
@Andrea: the new grip sounds interesting (because of course it would be improved..); do you expect it to be compatible with SLT-A99V too?
I don’t believe of that rumors at all.
And why is that, Max?
its okay, its a rumour… this is not SonyAlphaFacts.com 😀
Stop whining about the 32mp! It’s time you guys get a grip with new developments!
It actually is a human habit most of the time to not be able to see what’s new, even when it’s right under our noses. We are in a time of transition in which some of the tech that was done by other parts of a camera are moving into the sensor. For example the af function of the mirror moving in pdaf pixels on sensor. This means that not all pixels necessarily have one strict function. Some time ago I read of a new sensor tech in which some pixels would only work to gather light, and share their info with the ‘real’ pixels that will create the picture. Also, one could even think of special pixels for stabilisation.
So, what would you rather have, 24mp of which every pixel does 2 or 3 or x number of tasks or 72mp or which only 24mp creates the image and the other 48mp performing other functions. As far as I’m concerned, now that the sensor tech is taking a flight, the more pixels the better, as long as we understand that not all pixels are working to create the actual image.
Get it now?
The point is that the vast majority of users absolutely don’t need that many mp. All other factors being equal, nobody can see the difference between two images one coming from a 16mp sensor and the other one coming from a 32mp sensor on a typical monitor (not even on a high resolution 30″ Dell U3014) unless they pixel peep. Pixel peepers may get a psychological satisfaction from pixel peeping but the vast majority of users just want to enjoy watching the image in its entirety and not worry about being able to see some more details if the image is enlarged %100 or %200.
However, most people notice the difference in low light performance of cameras and cramping too many pixels into a sensor does certainly hurt in this department and even if it is just a half stop more noise, it can make a difference.
Your photo’s must be very mediocre, because you are only looking at them today, and not going to watch them anymore in the future? Future displays will be a lot better (prints as well). In fact 8k displays have been available for some time. And don’t forget that 16 megapixel really is only 4 megapixel (bayer). Guess what? 32 megapixel photo is 8k. Now where is my credit card? 🙂
I Think 32MP is too much on APS-C. On FF it’s another story. Anyways, admin, what about lenses and accessories?
I was worried too about the increase of megapixels but some good points are made here about the loss of the pellicle mirror and the advance of technology balancing things out. Personally, looking at samples, I think the old APS-C 24mpx sensor was a bit too noisy in low-light and high ISOs but it wasn’t bad.
I also wonder if some of those “pixels” are more about making AF work. With 480focus points it would seem they are not doing AF on every photosite like the 70D and instead are using dedicated photo sites. Again, maybe this is a RGGBW array with only White pixels (or more likely a subset) handling the AF.
Can someone explain to me how more focus points are more advantageous on the Nex, where you can’t actually select which one to use?
Good question!
Almost all seems to think that more is better, but the trick soon becomes to know which sensor is tracking the correct subject and be able to instntly and always pick the correct one.
you can select an area with an array of PDAF pixels which should be more reliable than just the 1 PDAF pixel?
What makes you think you cannot select where to focus on a Nex?
I share the opinion that the sensor should outresolve the lens.
I should mean that there is no need for AA filter, i.e a tiny bit more light for the sensor. Also, if the sensor outresolves the lens, the need for sharpening goes away, except for pixel peepers, which also should mean lower visible noise.
But again, technology means nothing, result is everything.
4MP evf, fine, but please some fps rates. A fast (hi fps, lo-lag) lo-rez mode would find its users.
cheers to some common sense 😀
i think that already exists, my NEX EVF and RX1 screen has the ability to display at a higher refresh rate, i choose not to use it for the larger amount of power consumed though, but the option is nice
It all looks as I expected on this “A79”, but unless Sony has developed an effective way to use an Exmor “R” type sensor for the APS-C size, I’m afraid that 32MP may be too risky ( the A77/65 are already borderline in noise with 24MP ).
With such high expectations you are bound to get dissatisfied. Get real, it’s Exmor, there’s no room for interpretation.
This fear of pixels is redicoulous
The average photographer does not need more megapixels. WE DO!
There will always be plenty of lower resolution chioces strong in whatever features ade important to you.
Havingg a high mp choice available is a good thing.
Barry you are certifiable.
EVERYONE, what do you think? I’ll make a website where we can donate money to Barry to pay him to fully switch brands so he doesnt annoy the hell out of us anymore.
Sound good? If so I’ll call it http://www.antibarry.org.
Except we don’t have the lenses to resolve 32mp APS-C. It could be years before we can take advantage of it so may as well wait for lenses to get caught up to the 24mp sensor first and focus instead on improving DR, high iso and faster processing of fewer MP.
If you think that no lens can resolve the higher megapixels because of dxomark, you must remember their value is a theoretical value not an absolute value. I haver seen anything from a lens maker that says their lens has a megapixel limit.
In the company i work, we buy lenses for specific application. when we buy them we ask the comoany which produce these special leanses to tell us the resolution of the lens. and yes they tell us the not the exact but close enough. and i tell you what the bigger the sensor the more difficult is to produce a leanse to have very high resultion resolving power. so some may say RX100 has 20mp but things doesnt work that way. if that was the case. we would have FF camera with 200mp by now if you apply the same logic as point shoot. so yes 32mp is too much for APSC at this moment. and the cosumer are not ready for it. in the future might be.
OVERALL EVALUATION +30% OVER A77
Based on these preliminary specs here is my perfofmance GUEStimate compared to the a77.
15% average improvement in all performances across the board.
+15% better
Resolution
Sharpness(no aa filter)
Iso
Noise
Focus speed
Burst rate (fewer fps but better buffer)
Image stabilzation
Jpg quality
Lighter
Since multiple factors go into image quality and they enhance each other i expexct an overall improvement in quality of about 30%the over the a77. I can see NO AREA OF POORER PERFORMANCE.
Sony has apparently made balanced improvements acroos the board on this camera.
This camera is a particularly good choice for macro where the smaller sensor size and higher resolution will be particlarly beneficial.
It will also be usefull for long telephoto shooting because the crop factor means smaller lighter lenses.
General shooting will see fewer advantages and may be be better off with full frame.
This is based on specification assesment and is subjective so may not be completely accurate.
Numerous posts here predict the sky is falling and pixels are your enemy.
This is not true the small 15% increase in resolution of this sensor should have no noticeable negative effects and in fact i believe all performance factors will actually improve.
The resolution increase from 24 to 32 is a 33% increase. How did you get a 15% increase?
I want over 50 mpx in APS-C Sensor. If Lumia 1020 with tiny sensor can give you excellent 41mpx images why not aps-c sized sensor give you just 32mpx? I also expect 4K video in A79
32% incre in pixels yes
Resolution is measured in pixels/mm or lines /mm
Both ar widthxhieght
Therfore 32% pixels is a out 15% resolution.
In response to wheelus i clearly stated “my performane guesstimate”
And based this on evaluation of the prelimiinary specs and sceculation on how much improvement each new feature will yield.
Since each new improvement that i can evaluate came out to about 15%a improvement and sony has clearly made what appear to be improvements to virtually all features i predicted a balenced approach therefore arbitrarilly projected the same level of improvement for each feature that i can determine has been improved but cannot establish how much.
30% overall is based on my opinion that each of these seperate smaller improvements enhance each other resulting in a higher overall inprovement in performance.
Every review is someones opinion.
I accurately stated that this was mine based on the information presented by SAR.
What you said is true: “This is based on specification assessment and is subjective so may not be completely accurate.” Basically what you are saying is that you have no idea what you are talking about are trying to pass yourself off as je ne sais quoi.
Farewell f/8. Those sensors pass the diffraction limit.
Why would you want f/8? It’s APS-c. Everything from 1m to infinity is sharp at f/5,6. Lenses are also at its best at f/5.6.
SOME lenses are sharper at f8 though
Petra
My technique describes MACRO technique.
Take for example a butterfly filling the image on apsc at say 1/1.5 magnification.
At f5.6 only a perfectly flat wing will be sharp. The body and antenae would ne out if focus ecxept for a narrow band.
At f8 the body can be kept in focus except for extremities.
At f12 the entire butterfly can be in focus but only when positioned an focused precisely.
If you want to see every scale hair and eye facet this is necessary. The more you stop down the better the picture. This is more criticle than any resolution that may or may not be lost at minimum apperture.
My described technique is specific to macro
Incedently butterflies do not mind the led light and it is very usefull even in bright sunlight.
No and no.
The diffraction limit is a misnomer in this context, since it’s not a hard limit in practise. Rather one with a slope, which means that returns slowly diminish, which is not the same as zero returns or even negative returns in terms of resolution, which is often suggested with higher pixel densities. Ceteris paribus, results will be the same or better. The latter will most often be the case.
You guys have an endless supply of reasons why more pixels are impossible.
Let me answer them all at once.
They ar all nonsense no matter how many new ones you invent.
Everything is possible including higher resolution pictured even if you dont need or want it.
We can minimize the diffraction with deconvolution…
Try:
Photoshop CC new Shake Reduction/Smart Sharpen
http://intelligentimagingsolutions.com/index.php/en/product-eng
http://www.adptools.com/en/deblurmyimage-description.html
http://www.topazlabs.com/infocus/
http://www.focusmagic.com
I am holding out for the 64mp sensor. Oh well maybe next time.
Those are the 1600 USD full-frame Zeiss lenses, designed for FF camera’s. Is it wrong that truck tires do not fit well on a toyota camry?
true, i guess i had more in mind the memories of the Canon lenses and Voigtlanders, had another look and it does seem that center sharpness does peak at 5.6 on pretty much all of the alpha lenses 😀
With 32 Megapixel on an APS-C sensor, Sony puts the focus on the wrong issue.
Better noise handling would be better. Hopefully they will manage this via the
new mirrorless design.
To me, two things are much more important:
– When will Sony provide the fw-update for the A77 (will they ever?)?
– When will the new 70-200 tele be announced?
Best regards
Jens
Jens, I have been waiting for these details as well
With this camera sony is not emphasizing the wrong thing they are improving everything equally across the board.
A balenced approach.
See my review above for details.
Improved everything? Then where are the macro flashes? With the increased resolution macro shooters will need them more than ever.
Wk
I use a Bescor led-180 handheld in one hand and the camera in the other
I can hold it close to my subject and i actuall see the lighting effect before i shoot.
This adds a LOT of light and surprisingly many subjects will tolerate the light.
Dont know if this meets your needs or not but i find it both simple and effective.
The A79 is the firmware update for the A77, business as usual…
If the specs are correct, that is some firmware upgrade.
I fully agree with Jens at this point.
I am disappointed about the firmware situation. The fw does not really do anything remarkable. My A77 is still slow and laggy, the noise preformence is not good and the yeah, it just feels like a weak competitor to the canon 7d for example.
Is it even possible to increase the raw file Iso handling with a firmware update?
WHy dont they just fix the bugs and make it worth the amount of money i spend. seriously !
Looks like my prediction is correct…
NEX7 replacement – 24MP
A77 replacement (A79) – 32MP
A99 replacement (A??) – 36MP
🙂
Any word about the video capabilities? I’m hoping for XAVC-S codec rather than AVCHD, possibly at 4K.
Also, I LOVE that this is being styled like the 700si
Or better yet, remove the ugly region specific frame rates. That will also allow for higher frame rates (at lower resolutions) like 240 fps or more.
(Technically no problem today, but hard to explain when the reason for different fps rates is there “to not confuse the users”.)
And for Petes sake, start doing pixel binning instead of line skipping!
Some people have a mortal fear of small things like spiders and pixels.
Let me assure you they will not hurt you.
In fact spiders are very usefull they eat other insects.
Pixels are very usefull too they make pictures.
Hope is dwindling but with Canon rumored to be releasing a FF layed 24mpx sensor might Sony be planning to beat them to the punch? The SD1 is really decent up to 1600. The larger pixel size and superior EXMOR tech makes me thing a Sony version could get maybe two more stops out. For 6400+ binning (which is much easier on a layer sensor) could be used to out put lower res but lower noise high-ISO images. A 6mpx image from a layered sensor would resolve like a 12mpx bayer sensor. That would be the heart of MY dream camera. Massive files though. . .
Well, this camera must not be so expensive, because the price of the Canon 6D Full Frame camera is near the $1,600 out there… And it is a full frame camera, not an APS-C camera.
This seems to be an a77 replacement.
If that is the case and it is priced like the a77 or a65 i think it will do ok.
Barry, how did you get your figure for a 15% increase in resolution? Going up from 24mp to 32mp is a 33% increase in resolution.
Sorry C but I am a german..
but my wording would be pixel-count which increase by 33% not resolution
Pixel count is the total pixe #.
Resolution is the pixels per mm.(width/hieght)
To double the RESOLUTION requires FOUR TIMES the nunber if pixels.
Thats why it is about a 15% increase in RESOLUTION.
Thanks for clearing that up for me.
no need for 32 mp，16mp is enough. I want low noise and high ISO
They are not exclusive! Sensor size and tech determine noise.
Image noise that is,not pixel noise.
still too bulky!!!…no more bulk..leave that to the hulk. :}
Play with your NEX than, and leave big cameras to big boys. 😉
That is some inferiority complex you have Sky_walker. I’m glad that a big camera compensates for that by making you feel manly.
lol. Amazing how you assume that those with big things got inferiority complex. 😉
Well I have big things too. 😉
The more megapixels the better, BUT SONY PLEASE MAKE OPTION TO CHOOSE SMALLER SIZE IN RAW!!! (like Canon 🙂 )
Why do everyone here seem to forget that you on a high resolution camera always can step down the resolution if you prefer smaller pictures and better “high ISO performance”?… When you compare the noise to other cameras, do it at the same resolution or have identical framing when you compare and not at each cameras 100% output because it results in different framings (yeah this is how DPR compares it and I think it’s BS).
How many here use less than the full resolution on the a77? I know I do that VERY rarely and when I do it it’s for the file size. In fact I’ve been extremely happy with the a77s high resolution because of the cropping possibilities when shooting stuff like birds.
Admin: do you know if it will have 5 axis IBIS?
Why do everyone here seem to forget that you on a high resolution camera always can step down the resolution if you prefer smaller pictures and better “high ISO performance”?… When you compare the noise to other cameras, do it at the same resolution or have identical framing when you compare and not at each cameras 100% output because it results in different framings (yeah this is how DPR compares it and I think it’s BS).
How many here use less than the full resolution on the a77? I know I do that VERY rarely and when I do it it’s for the file size. In fact I’ve been extremely happy with the a77s high resolution because of the cropping possibilities when shooting stuff like birds.
Admin: do you know if it will have 5 axis IBIS?
Witaj Emir
Tak masz racje można zejść z rozdzielczości ale powiedz mi po co na APS-C 32mipx ??? Pokaż mi obiektyw obojętnie jaki który to wyciągnie ja sprawdzałem najlepsze kończą się na 16mpix . A 79 jest tak naprawdę dla ambitnych amatorów ewentualnie dla ludzi którzy będą chcieli kręcić filmy np. na ślubach itp.
W jakich zastosowaniach taka rozdzielczość będzie przydatna w krajobrazie , modzie ,reklamie , tylko kto używa APS-C w tych dziedzinach po za amatorami nikt !!! . Jak amator dostanie 24mpix też będzie ok!!.
A ja oczekuję aparatu z matrycą góra 24mpix którą zabiorę do lasu i ustawie ISO 3200 albo 6400 na ogniskowej 400 mm i bez obaw będę pstrykał fotki ptaszkom i innym zwierzętom ,oraz to że AF będzie naprawdę sprawny w śledzeniu obiektu , a dwa stabilizacja będzie wydajna . Nie potrzebuje aparatu który od ISO 100-do ISO 400 daje super obrazek a później jest źle . Tak mogę obniżyć rozdzielczość tylko wtedy oczekuje 12800 że będzie igła do wydruku co najmniej na A3 zobacz co się dzieje na 77 po obniżeniu rozdzielczości jakoś obrazka na wysokim ISO nie skacze radykalnie . A tu znowu się szykuje aparat który będzie miał super ergonomię co też jest ważne !!! ale np jego cudowny AF będzie działał z 4 obiektywami i to najnowszymi , a co z Sigmą i Tamronem i starszą minoltą ??? A obrazek będzie super ale do ISO 1000 a później nawet 7D go pobije .
Wiec mam nadzieje że Sony się opanuje i da super matryce ale tak do 24mpix
Pozdrawiam Hej
how about we stick to use of English language here, not many people understand Polish.
translation in english :
Hello Emir
Yes you are right you can leave the resolution, but tell me why the APS-C 32mipx? Show me no matter what lens you will extract the best finish I checked on 16Mpix. A 79 is really for the ambitious amateur or for people who want to make films such as at weddings, etc.
In what applications such resolution will be useful in the landscape, fashion, advertising, just who uses an APS-C in these areas after the one for amateurs! . As an amateur gets 24mpix also be ok!.
And I look forward camera with a mountain 24mpix you take to the woods and act ISO 3200 or 6400 on a 400 mm focal length and do not worry I’ll be snapping photos of the birds and other animals, and that the AF is really efficient in tracking an object, and the two stabilization is effective. I do not need that camera from ISO 100 to ISO 400 gives you great picture and then it is wrong. So I can only lower the resolution is expected that 12,800 will needle to print on A3 at least see what’s going on 77 after lowering the resolution somehow the picture at high ISO does not jump dramatically. And here again is afoot camera that will have great ergonomics what is important, too! but the example of his wonderful AF will work with four lenses and the latest, what about the Sigma and Tamron and older Minolta? A picture would be great but for ISO 1000 and even then it will beat the 7D.
So I hope that Sony is mastered and will give great dies but the 24mpix
Hey Yours
32mp is too much just making big mp cameras has not worked for Sony in the past, there is no reason to assume it will in the future. 12-16mp would be suitable for more than most photographers, 24mp is probably overkill. But overall it’s the actual camera in every respect and not just a big number.
Pixel race has to end some time, and Sony will probably overprice this new model so it will fade away into obscurity. We need something much closer to Canikon offerings, EVF isn’t wanted by most so it fails on that aspect alone.
Of course dropping the TM from the light path will be the most significant improvement to IQ. Time will tell if that is to the detriment of performance, but there is no doubt that a 4GB buffer is very nice.
THAT SUCKS SONY! EVF? Yuck!
I hope they don’t bring back the Creative Expansion Cards. That “feature” was such a gimmick.