Small update about the A77 successor. The camera will sell in JUne for 1.200 Euro body only. And as I told you before there will be no A65 successor. This is likely the only ASP-C A-mount camera coming in 2014.
Still no time table for the Full Frame A-mount. Althaugh Sony already said they will launch a 4K FF camera soon (likely at the NAB show in April).
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Hmmmm.
I raised on eyebrow too. Priced to compete with the a7?! Is that body only or kit?
As long as it isn’t just an a77 with wi-fi, price is not that bad. But then I wonder what they can add to improve it?
However, only a-mount APS-C camera for 2014? That sounds more than weird.
32mp and improved high iso performance I’d guess?
Yep, true. I meant something more radical, but you are correct.
What about a DUAL BIONZ X ?
Similar to what Nik did with the 1 system – extremely fast CDAF – wasn’t there a rumour that the mirror will be dropped?
@Everlast66
nikon 1 certainly have very slow CDAF speed, their PDAF speed is impressive.
However, your point stands correct, faster processor speed will help both CDAF and PDAF.
You’re right, I just remembered there were reports the 1 system cameras had very fast AF and shot-to-shot times and Nikon were claiming thay put 2 Expeed processors in each of them. The cameras ended up being quite expensive as well and I thought about a previous rumour that next Sony A mount body will drop the SLT mirror.
A wireless flash trigger built-in
Support of UHS-II
1 GB Buffer
In Auto-ISO mode having the ability to set desired shutter time
HDR Raw mode
Hdr raw mode is all i ever want
“But then I wonder what they can add to improve it?”
ISO of hundreds of thousands, perhaps?
Sorry, couldn’t resist!
The information is slightly inaccurate the model supposedly being launched is the SLT-A88V (body only) which is not intended to be the successor to the A77, but a to fill the price point between the A77, and A99.
Its a Full Frame camera, but the current specs are unknown.
This model is intended to replace the $1699.99-$1999.99 USD price point previously held by the A850.
A link slide to the presentation is attached below.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/one-a-mount-camera-that-will-replace-both-a77-and-a99/
The SLT-A79V (body only) is replacing the A77, and its being announced in late summer, and released in the fall. Its supposed to cost $1299.99 USD or $999.99 Euro.
If it is an FF a-mount below the A7 in price point, then we are talking something. Interesting. A77 replacement, if they want to charge some serious donut, it must be 36mp or something like that… Otherwise too much other APS-C choices around… So if it is a cheap A88 FF, that would be cool and makes sense.
I can’t imagine what else they could strip from the A99 to make it cheaper. It’s already an entry-level FF camera.
meanwhile the fuji xt1 will break your legs 😉
Yeah, I saw that last night. That thing is sick. Fuji is seriously stepping up it’s game. Fastest AF and zero lag time with the EVF of like .005. Man, that thing is going to be a killer at 1299.00.
Stepping up it’s game? It’s $1700 with lens with a 16MP sensor. And it’s a Nikon DF look alike. What’s so revolutionary when I can buy a Sony A7 with lens and full frame 24 MP sensor for $300 more?
First off the 28-70mm lens that ships with the A7 is a real dog of a lens. Its simply no good on a 24 MP sensor.
Secondly the Fuji results are very close to what a FF lens can give. Thirdly its AF speed is much better than the A7r (should be anyways). Fourthly the Fuji X system has many superb lenses like 35mm f1.4, 23mm f1.4, 58mm f1.2 etc that cost less than FE lenses. The main disadvantage of the Fuji system – AF speed was removed on the XE2 and now this new camera should absolutely destroy the competition in AF speed.
So Fuji’s greatest weakness could now be its greatest strength. More lenses are also coming and Fuji has a great customer track record by releasing Firmware to improve performance of its older cameras.
Honestly if starting from scratch I would seriously consider getting into Fuji now.
There are many reasons it justifies the price. Here are a few:
•World’s fastest AF of 0.08 seconds*5 is achieved with Fujifilm’s proprietary imaging area phase-detection. Startup time of 0.5 seconds*6, shutter time lag of 0.05 seconds and shooting interval of 0.5 seconds*7 have been achieved with the image processing engine EXR Processor II — with more than twice as fast a processing speed as the previous processor.
•Phase detection AF and motion predictive AF for continuous shooting up to 8 frames per second*8.
•World’s first compatibility with Ultra High Speed UHS-II SD memory cards.
To Brendon, if you want AF speed, you buy everything but an A7. If you want to use FF lenses, you buy nothing but an A7.
Hmmm not good enough for your art danny boy?
That’s awesome news. That’s a mighty high MSRP, but It’s street price will no doubt be much lower. They’ll be plenty of sales in the late summer/ fall i’ll pick-it-up during the Christmas sales for much less.
There cameras being launched this year are a FF SLT-A88, and a APS-C SLT-A79. The camera being launched in the spring is the A88V which is not intended to replace the A77.
That would be a big disappointment. Was expecting something much more advanced than the A99, not an even more entry model
What does the V stand for??
models ending with “V” mean they have GPS for geotagging, Like SLT-A77V
This will leave a big gap in the Sony A-mount lineup pricewise. I think there will be A65 successor after this, as A65 was a scale down on a few things over A77; so it would be easier to launch one later
Yep. My first thought is we’re recovering from a world-wide recession, median wages in the critical American market are down significantly since the 2008 bust, and pro photographer makes like a median wage of $14/hour here. So what does Sony do?
Drop out the mid-range a65 (which I bought and I’m doing far financially better than an of the above) and jack up the retail on an a77 from $1,099 to about $1,600 (currency converter came out at $1,638.96) – way over any inflation rate. Last time I saw any sales figures here, the deeply discounted a65 was the only Sony SLT making a mark (the figures were for Japan). Can we connect some dots here?
The source is mixing the A88 up with the A79. The A79 is the A77 replacement, and will be sold for the same price the A77. Its being launched in the summer.
Are they corrected on the sensor size as well?
Yes! The A88 is Full Frame, The A79 is APS-C.
The information is unchanged from May last year the A79 has a improved 24mp APS-C sensor, and the A88’s has a new 32mp FF sensor. Both have new mirrors, and improved ISO performance.
If that is the case I would probably not buy either but rather wait for the 50mp new technology sensor.
If this is all sony comes up with this year it will be a disaster for sony profits and they may be forced to sell the camera division.
That was soposed to be 54mp new technology sensor in late 2015/early 2016
@Barry you’ve got a long weight ahead of you dude.
@Barry and @BRWAT Technically, Sony did just come out with a new 50MP sensor.
“The information is unchanged from May last year the A79 has a improved 24mp APS-C sensor, and the A88′s has a new 32mp FF sensor. Both have new mirrors, and improved ISO performance.”
I certainly hope you’re right. I won’t make bold pronouncements based on still sketchy rumors but at that price a refined 32mp FF with solid ISO probably would be a quick sale to me. My needs are pretty modest so feature and performance-wise that’s about it over my mid-range a65 which I’d keep for shooting long. Anything else for me is gravy. 😉
^^ +1. $500 from the A58 to $1300 is a HUGE price gap. Maybe they will just drop the A77 body only price to $800 and keep selling it.
One thing I never liked about the 24 MP sensor of Sony was the colour. Its just no match to the colours the A55 produced. Even my Canon/Nikon peers digged the colours from the A55. Hopefully Sony can reproduce those colours with the updated sensor.
I am assuming (hoping) that you are referring to jpeg output.
^^ Nope. RAW output only. I use two Sony cameras – A37 and A55 and no matter what I do I can’t get the same colors that the A55 produces from the A37 even if I try and keep WB the same. I used a friends A65 and I had no luck even there.
Blame your converter then, since colour output from RAW is all about converters.
^^ I disagree with you. Every camera has its own colour characteristics based on the sensor and processor. I have shot extensively with 5 Sony cameras and have used Canon and Nikon cameras. Each camera had their own distinct rendering. The A700 and A55 had the best rendering so far while the A37 is pretty low on the list. I have tried different RAW convertors to get the skin tones and output to match the A55 with little success.
All a matter of profiling. I can make my camera look like any of the ones you mentioned, if I bothered to profile them like that. For example, I built a profile for Lightroom that makes my A500 (RAW) output match the jpegs colours of my H2….
Hence also why colors (including skintones) wildly differ, depending on which RAW converter you use. There are more than 8 converters that support your camera, none of which look like the other.
I get what you are trying to say – every RAW convertor is different but my A55 results look better on all the 4 RAW convertors I tried while the A37 results are not as good on the same RAW convertors.
These are more to do with high ISO shots though but its very much there. I shoot 1000s of photos for weddings and I almost always prefer the photos taken with the A55 than with the A37. Not all of course as they do give similar results most of the time but on many an occasion the A55 performed better in the same conditions.
You may be right. I always thought my A700 raw files looked more pleasing than any other raw files from my sony cameras but I thought it was just in my head because I had the camera for a long time and used it a lot until the mirror frame opened and the mirror fell out.
So it looks like a-mount will still be supported but only for an existing user base willing to upgrade or update their existing bodies. New users shall go directly to e-mount.
And to be honest, why not? E-mount Is the future and A-mount users shouldn’t complain about that but be happy with the nice bodies they have. An update cycle of two years should be fine for everyone.
New users that need the ultimate speed for sports or fast zoom lenses could still buy into A-mount if it fulfills the needs better than the mirrorless offerings.
And the A77 and A99 are still one of the best offerings out there, or aren’t they? Don’t come with the 3rd stop of light loss due to the mirror now, it’s negligible in real world use.
Distant future for me – at least until I see fast FE primes with oss and a 100mm oss macro…
Yes, too much A-Mount news here, since FE-Mount Lenses are especially what’s missing 😀
Mirror-less sales are collapsing. No-one wants them. They’re like the mini disc, great concept but $hit sales.
Wrong, both DSLR and mirrorless sales are aout 18% down in 2013, but the surge of mirrorless is stronger in the last months.
That’s because the new of DSLRs are only hitting the market now. I’m pretty sure the D3300 is trouncing every mirror-less camera being sold today.
Then Canon will launch a new Rebel that will do the same. Sony will then launch the A88 and A79 which will drive Alpha sales for the rest of the year.
Cause the public perceives mirror-less cameras as consumer electronics, and not professional imagery equipment. They’re soccer Mom cameras.
Mirrorless sales as a group have fallen 17.8% {2013] compared to 2012 DSLR sales are down 14.8%. The problem is that mirrorless percentage of interchangeable lens camera sales is also falling.The latest CIPA data has DSLRs at 81.3% for 2013.So the reality is that mirrorless as a group have lost market share compared to DSLR sales.
If you breakdown the 18% mirrorless further it is shared between , Olympus,Sony, Panasonic , Fuji , Nikon, Pentax and Canon.Looking at the share of the mirrorless market in Japan { the best market for mirrorless sales} though mirrorless sales are up DSLR sales are up even more.
The share of the Japanese mirrorless market as posted here { link below}if reflected worldwide.Would result in the following worldwide share of the interchangeable lens market { DSLR+mirrorless} would give Olympus just 5.3% of the market { significantly lower than their DSLR peak}, Sony would be next with 4.9% and Panasonic at just 2.6%
There has been no surge in mirrorless sales which is not surprisingly reflected in the poor finical results of the major mirrorless players. Though the DSLR market also shrank though not as much as mirrorless. Canon and Nikon now have over 90% of the DSLR market between them. The low end Canon models will sell more than all of mFT or Nex sales together
Amongst a number of mirrorless fans there is an almost religious denial of the truth.
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/japan-2013-overall-sales-numbers-sony-dslrslt-presence-shrinks-mirrorless-share-increases/
Ok, I take back my percentages since those were outdated, but mirrorless marketshare in numbers remains at 19%, similar to last year as did their marketshare in represented value (around 15%). Yes, their unit numbers fell by a slightly larger percentage, but on the other hand, DSLR shipments value fell by 14% vs 11% for mirrorless.
Plus the surge of mirrorless relative to DSLR shipments at the end of the year is a fact, reflected by more than 18% increase month over month in shipments of units for mirrorless in the last month available, vs 15% drop in DSLR shipments. And in value the difference is even stronger: over 59% increase in mirrorless shipments value vs 9% drop in DSLR shipments month over month.
In other words, the “truth” is not as clearcut as some seem to want it to be. Especially because all these statistics are also heavily influenced by release of specific models and just as important, the time of release.
Haha, logical error here. Sales may decline, still more and more people are shooting mirrorless!
But who are taking the pictures Enthusiast, Semi-Pro, Professionals or Soccer Moms. Mirror-less sales are useless if the margins continue to remain low, and the attachment rate also remains low. There profitability is questionable because users tend not to buy additional lenses.
They’ll likely end up like the point and shoot cameras, and overtaken by iPhones.
The vast majority of Canon Rebels I see in public have the 18-55mm kit lens attached. Logic and evaluation of the evidence isn’t your strong point, is it?
What’s in their camera bags genius. I only carry a single lens most of the time as well, but I own probably more than most people. The attachment rates are posted on the Quarterly report, and they’re 1/4 that of DSLR.
As I said:
http://petapixel.com/2013/12/30/report-claims-nikon-canon-sony-will-survive-smartphone-revolution/
Shipment value of DSLR’s is dropping faster than mirrorless shipment value, according to CIPA. That hints at margins of DSLR’s being under pressure too. Possibly even more so.
Probably the reason Sony didn’t produce a A38
Nothing is in their camera bag. The same lens stays on the camera all day, regardless of shooting requirements and light levels. This is the kind of consumer I am talking about – the type that buys an interchangeable lens camera but never changes the lens – they are everywhere.
You’re kidding, right?
E-Mount is tiny cameras with no good AF , uncomfortable with big lenses and flashes etc. etc.
It is in no way a replacement for the SLT system. Why on Earth would new users choose E-Mount over Canon/Nikon’s DSLRs?
Or does Sony from now on only compete with Olympus and Fuji?
New users will not choose compact E-mounts because they don’t look “professional”. It’s why NEX sales are poor outside of Asia, soccer moms want a dSLR like their friends.
Sony doesn’t understand the dSLR market outside of Asia, Canon and Nikon certainly do though!
It’s not just looks – A3000 got a looks of DSLR yet it sold horribly comparing to A-mount. People want DSLR system, not just DSLR ergonomics or DSLR looks.
E-mount currently doesn’t offer any of these three. It’s not an option for anyone serious about photography.
Having briefly played with an a3000, I can see why it’s not selling. As photographic tools go it really is god awful…
Overlooking the superficial soccer mom stuff, I agree with you.
Sony has completely muffed DSLR marketing here in America. The DSLR form factor is still heavily favored here. Every amateur I know here has bought into Canikon if they want a body that’ll take interchangeable lenses. Sony DSLRs have no store or marketing presence here and I’ve met few who even knew Sony had the SLTs. I personally don’t know anyone who bought a NEX and I’ve only seen one NEX in any of my wanderings (and he owned an a77 too). Lots of traditional Canikon DSLRs around people’s necks around here.
I’m sure NEXs must sell some because Best Buy cares some but mass market discounters like Target only sell Canikon DSRLs and lenses.
“New users will not choose compact E-mounts because they don’t look “professional”. It’s why NEX sales are poor outside of Asia, soccer moms want a dSLR like their friends.
Sony doesn’t understand the dSLR market outside of Asia, Canon and Nikon certainly do though!”
Well, if that actually is true, I think they have chosen wisely.
I’d take asia over US as a market any day of the week.
E-Mount is the most flexible system on earth, since you can adapt nearly everything – including A-Mount. OnSensor PhaseDetection-AF is improving IBIS probably coming, so who needs a translucent mirror then, while some purists will always praise the flip mirrors anyway?
If I was an A-Mount user I would feel very comfortable about E-Mount, because it’s selling well and therefore assures Sony’s not giving up on photography and since four LA-EAx adapters are available A-Mount lenses will definetly stay usable in the future. That’s much more than Canon FD users got when they switchted to EF-Mount (which looking from behind fortunately kept me from these early ugly AutoFocus). Managers like Steve Jobs would have cut off A-Mount cameras already with α7 & α7R (+ Battery Grip for those preferring bulkier cameras). Compared to that Sony is treating their A-Mount customers extremely well.
Adapters are not an option.
Switching systems is a huge investment – and investment in a system with very doubtful future (mirrorless sales are going down the drain, and Sony keeps on jumping systems like crazy) is rather stupid thing to do.
Steve Jobs made gadgets – brilliant gadgets, but just gadgets. Yes – seems like Sony is very much driven into gadget production as well, but that’s not what people want from a serious camera. (see dPreview interview with Sony manager and his infamous `pursuit for “wow”` statement).
“If I was an A-Mount user”
That explains why you have no understanding of A-mount bodies.
Possibly, but after having used several camera systems already I’m beyond brand addiction anyway and personally started to dislike bulky DSLR. I really prefer the NEX/RX1 form factor and especially the FE/E-Mount adaptability and would even consider medium format before DSLR. There’s a big change going on and DSLR is surely becoming a niche product and never ever will become even partially as dominant again like SLR has been while the era of 35mm film.
Your statements are devoid of any facts or figures but mere wishful thinking.
Mirror-less sales are a fraction of DSLR sales. So your statement that DSLRs are niche is very very wrong. Adapters are not a solution for many people which is why mirrorless sales are not competing with DSLRs right now.
And lastly revenues from DSLRs far exceed revenues from mirrorless cameras which means people are buying the cheapest mirrorless cameras only.
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/ive-got-good-news-ive-got.html
Well, Brendon, I did NOT write DSLR IS a niche product, I wrote DSLR is BECOMING a niche product and your statistics indicates exactly that too. The actually leading by units Compact Cameras will completely disappear soon to end up in smart phones and mirrorless, while DSLR is mostly used because of SLR tradition especially by professional photographers. But also this market will diversify dramatically. Recently Andrea posted a link to a wedding photographer using his RX1, which is an excellent choice for this use, but usually causes embarrassment by the couple at first about such a small unprofessional looking camera. It was funny to read, but that’s definetely the way forward, while bulky DSLR will become history for very many uses.
DSLR market is just two companies. Technically speaking, Sony is not producing any DSLRs anymore. Who else, Pentax? (ROFL…)
Canon and Nikon are dominating because of brand, and yes, they have the lenses. The mirror is not the reason.
Otherwise, Canon is riding on what sensor tech? Nikon, producing any sensors themselves? It is Sony, Fuji, and Samsung when it comes to sensor tech. Not unimportant. Lens wise, m43, Fuji, and even Sony (via Zeiss) are slowly increasing the offering. Slowly, but they can only win. Oh, and you know, CaNikon lenses (at least the wide angle lenses) are also a dream on an A7r.
Final question is only, will Nikon and or Canon play a role in the final mirrorless world? Maybe. Depends when and how seriously they will provide an offering.
Remember the TLS? Dunno if Rollei played even a marginal role in the SLR world later on.
@StPauli, I’m damn sure Sony’s Translucent Mirror in nearly every statistics counts as DSLR – you’ve got to think from the market share as a target customer group and not from Sony Marketing’s praising of their Translucent Mirror technology.
New customers don’t need to adopt anything, because they don’t have any lenses yet
But they do need a fast AF, a comfortable grip, an ability to comfortably use flashes, an IBIS etc. etc. None of the things current E-Mount cameras provide
Nop, look at the sony nex Better Iq\low light then the others apcs slt cameras, and its small so you can put it in your jacket pocket, while with a dlsr\slt you look like a paparazzi. But the main difference for me is that with a small camera you carry it everywhere while with a bigger camera it stays at home most of the times. And I do like sony slts btw.
replied to the wrong post lolz.
You can’t really put a NEX in a pocket, only with a 16mm pancake maybe. Any standard Zeiss zoom makes it not really pocketable, you must carry a bag, and if you have a bag anyways – you can as well put an SLT in there.
RX1 is pocketable, but that’s not an ILC
I’m happy for you that you’re a e-mount fan. Enjoy yours. Personally, I think e-mount bodies suck. I much, much, much prefer the ergonomics of the traditional DLSRs.
New users want DSLRs in every territory but ASIA. The e-mount is designed for mirror-less, and it’s sales are poor. New users don’t buy mirror-less they buy Canon Rebels. DSLR will remains the dominant form factor now, and in the future.
You’re deluded.
I couldn’t hear what your saying yeahbutnobrains the kids are playing soccer, and my NEX shutter is too loud.
Could you say it again is something that doesn’t sound $tupid!!!
If the management at Canonikon think like you, they will be gone in 10-15 years, maybe less.
Its the companies selling mirror-less that are struggling. I can back-up my statements with facts. Attached is a recent article detailing the struggling mirror-less.
“Japan mid-tier camera makers face shakeout as smartphones shatter mirror-less hopes”
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/12/29/us-japan-cameras-idUSBRE9BS0CC20131229
http://petapixel.com/2013/12/30/report-claims-nikon-canon-sony-will-survive-smartphone-revolution/
http://www.abqjournal.com/331097/news/smartphones-changing-picture-for-camera-sales.html
Cause in the end only Canon, Nikon, and the A-Mount will survive.
A-mount is far less likely to survive than e-mount. I hope both mounts survive, but you only have to observe Sony’s recent behaviour to realise native A-mount cameras might disappear.
Dude I really don’y know why you keep banging on about poor mirror less sales?
Mirror less sales are poor and DSLR sales are poor…Not much difference.
I just get really annoyed by the Anti A-Mount crowd ripping on Alpha users any time good news is posted.
If you have this mirrorless sales are going down numbers, what about your a-mount numbers? Where are they? Only what I have are the Flickr daily user numbers, and they are silly for a-mount, compared to CaNikon. Like the A77 is today on spot two for Sony on daily flickr users, with 326. I mean, come on, the Nikon D200 has more daily users with 515. The D200!!! So you are telling me the A-Mount will stay??? Laughable. Sorry. They might as well stay, just as a legacy system. Many fine lenses out there, no need to kill the program. Once you have a lens, it will keep working. Cameras changing all the time. So who cares for the mount so much.. But future for a-mount.. can understand you are annoyed.
Mirror-less represents only 18% of the interchangeable lens camera market.
Sonys Global mirror-less market share is less than 25% so overall share of interchangeable lens market for NEX cameras is 4.0%
Sony’s Global DSLR market share is 10% of 82% so overall share of interchangeable lens market for Alpha cameras 8.2%.
Sony earns more from each Alpha sale. So which one do you think is in danger.
The answer is obviously neither. Sony sold Betas 10 years after they were obsolete.
And only a complete F+N idi@t would use Flickr as a sales tool.
I agree that this is the likely outcome.
Sony will continue to support A mount with new, evolutionary bodies for a long time to come. There will be fewer models, and less frequent updates. Sony has no reason to abandon what is likely a very predictable level of sales to an existing user base (requiring less marketing etc).
So, a new SLT body, but what else…
Based on all the info we have at this point I think they will also release a mirrorless A mount model, or a mirrorless A/E mount model with a more graceful E to A mount adapter (better integrated into the body) with larger body profile. Almost a slam dunk actually.
So much for 2014 being the year of the A-mount…
I guess it will be the year of the FF A-mount then. With the A7X at 1200, I see room for an FF camera at 1500 since the A7X will quickly drop to let’s say 1000. Then there is still room for the A99R and the 4K FF although it would be wiser to put that in an E-mount FF body.
I am thinking it’s really not a-mount vs e-mount for Sony, but rather APS-C vs FF. They are ditching the former slowly.
… on A-mount maybe, but still offering a new body every 2 years for existing users shouldn’t be a problem
Absolutely. But they will just relegate APS-C to entry-level and limited options and concentrate on FF and even MF, apparently. Or I am completely wrong and they make a flying toaster.
Maybe for beginniers, as it would make more sense to start with e-mount going into a system camera. But for APS-C top notch, I guess a high end A77 like camera makes sense. Competing with the Nex-7 successor, and then we will see. But I assume the high end Sony APS-C sales will be reduced due to better FF offerings like the A7 and also the coming A88… If you want digital FF but couldn’t afford before, there is no reason to hold back anymore. So remaining will just some hard core APS-C freaks… and we will see what they choose. Many used Nex-6 showed up in my town in the shops… I guess many happy new A7(r) users around here.
Exactly. APS-C A-mount is dead after 2014. I think this is the last APS-C A-mount from Sony.
Stop saying that Pentax is dead. We all know that won’t happen, yet people keep on repeating that every year during last 10 years or so.
😉
APS-C ain’t going anywhere. Fact that FF went 500$ down the price doesn’t mean APS-C suddenly become obsolete. It still got advantages over FF.
I think there’s a misunderstanding. I agree that APS-C won’t necessarily become obsolete. It’s just that Sony’s strategy specifically seems to be geared towards moving to FF cameras.
If you wipe the froth away from your mouth for a moment and re-read what I said, I was referring specifically to “APS-C A-mount” as in what SONY are going to do, not Pentax, not Canon, not Nikon.
For high end, yes, most users will transition to FF, except some hard core APS-C freaks. But for the masses, lower level APS-C Nex cameras will just happily deliver the goods… No reason to stop the entry and mid level Nex style cameras (ala Nex-5).
For APS-C a-mount, I see not much reason to keep the entry and mid level cameras around. If you are not an a-mout user by now…
AlphaGuy wrote:
“Exactly. APS-C A-mount is dead after 2014. …”
You know this EXACTLY? To say this, you need to have a very strong foundation for your claims. Have you?
It seems to me that your claim is based of little more then NOTHING (like imagination).
.
I guess you missed the memo, this is a RUMOUR site. There are no facts here.
Exactly in the meaning “så menar jag också”, not in the meaning “det är exakt så det är”
Doubtful. The A77 APS-C sensor is an excellent when paired up with my 70300G, 70400G, and 500F80. It gives me a massive equivalent focal length of 105mm to 600mm, and 750mm for the reflex.
So I don’t get eaten when taking photographs of wildlife in BC. That’s why I have both a full frame, and APS-C in the Pelican Case.
APS-C is well suited for wildlife photography/sports – Full Frame every thing else
Yeah, well the fact that Sony is pushing e-mounts out before the a-mounts in 2014, dribbles out far more rumors on e-mounts, dodges/changes the subject on a-mounts in a 2014 CES interview, is offering no mid-range body (unlike e-mounts), and probably is over-pricing the a79 (or whatever) so it’s unlikely to be the sales hit they desperately need does add up to 2014 being the Year of the A-mount Fail.
However, I’m sure a-mount fans like myself will be told to quit our “whining” and to keep grasping at the very thin rumors giving us hope of big things coming in FF (yeah, stifle the laughter).
As I pointed out, I believe, even before all the bond downgrading stuff was posted here, Sony is financially struggling and their rumors to merge a-mounts into e-mounts made the most sense. Even e-mount bodies are seeing some consolidation thus far in the NEX replacements.
Trimming makes some sense and it appears Sony’s done a decent job with the old NEXs. Dropping the price in a recession on the NEX-7 replacement is smart. Unfortunately, I don’t see the a-mount line-up shaping up as a winner. Is it more pitiful marketing vision on Sony’s part or a continuing lack of commitment? Adds up to the same thing: the Year of the A-mount Fail.
Not that whatever I buy makes or breaks Sony but I’m obviously pretty high on the brand and I don’t see them getting a dime from me in 2014 unless they really surprise me – and I think this is highly unlikely – on the a-mount FF front with an affordable enthusiast body (I’d rate any chance of that under 10%).
I may have been the first one to come up with Year of the A-mount Fail but I give Sony my permission to use it in their marketing. 🙂
I remember than in December, you wrote (SR5) that there would be two new A-mount camera within January and April. Is this still true ?
A77 successor (APS-C) in June, and a 4K FF model (possibly) announced in April ?
I think we also had the NEX-7 successor as well as new FF E-mount bodies coming in the next few weeks, but aside from the half-frame body, that’s all crap now isn’t it.
What happened to year of the a-mount….
It appears that by A-mount they meant full frame. If they only launch two A-mount cameras it’s still not exactly year of the A-mount!
I think SAR got confused by the rumors circulating… Heard that A7, A5000, A7000 were all in the works… “Year of the A-mount” rumor came flying.
Looks like Sony will be competing on price to get volume on a single model that replaces and consolidates a lot of the old models (and is hopefully better in key areas than the competition). Sure there will be the usual SAR ‘why dont they add all the features in this wish list’, but the truth is that the A77 is a good camera, it just didn’t sell, and the successor needs to undercut on price to get sales – thats the market we are in.
Again, I will not be selling until I see the A77 successor’s successor, as the a77 is a very good camera, and its failings are fixed by my second camera (Panny GH).
Is it an SLT?
CV
Won’t be a success. At all.
Just like your whole life?
Just as successful as you are smart.
In that price tag? I would say you are right. IMHO 1000$ is maximum they can charge.
No need for a new version of the A65. By the time they update the A58, it will pass the A65 specs.
It almost does now.
You are of course assuming that the A58 will get updated. I am more inclined to think that the A7x will be the only APS-C A-mount.
Ditto.
There were rumors about it. But if anything – upgrade will be out very late this year, or (more likely) early next year.
it’s a big price, now curious about the specs and see if it’s all worth it
It sounds intresting. I assume they will make the upgrade worthwhile!
4k ff is must buy for my if and only if it is free from aliasing and morrie (clean video ),
i have sony a65 and i want to make the jump for ff , i like the video of canon 5d m3 with magic lantern and the picture of nikon d800 with fast focus
sony had both technology in the higher end camera
so why sony is not doing it i don’t know
for me sony must do it in 2014 or i don’t want to make the switch to nikon or canon
please sony ff with resnable price for mass market is that hard !!
The year of A-Mount my ass.
Only 1 APS-C camera and maybe an FF, don’t know when.
How are new customers supposed to invest into the system , choosing Sony SLT over Canon/Nikon’s DSLRs??
SLT A-Mount cameras are the best thing in modern photography, and now Sony seems to be slowly killing it off…
Let’s be fair. The MARKET is killing it off. It’s not popular. People don’t buy into the A Mount.
A small, enthusiastic base and a largely indifferent public are a recipe for frequent lukewarm “upgrades” and refreshes and increasing prices on old technology. At some point they give up on evangelization and just keep preaching to the choir.
People don’t buy E-mount either. Sales are going down – heck: they can’t even win in people’s voting for mirrorless of the year (yep – even such a narrow category).
Seems like Sony is in a huge trouble. Thankfully they got brilliant RX series and QX sells very well, cause otherwise their imaging division would be completely screwed.
Yes, RX100 seems to be most popular on Flickr. But if you add together the various Nex 5 models, that would be the most popular one. Assuming usage is a reflection of sales, alas, the A77 is also in the top, but to me relatively speaking, the e-mount doesn’t fare to bad compared to the Sony inhouse competition… Not in relation to CaNikon… OMG.. Anyway, with A-mount alone, Sony would be screwed. Long term, E-mount is the future of A-mount, via adapter. If Sony is able to turn anything around, it will be on the mirrorless front (e-mount). A-mount is just a Minolta legacy on Sony life support. Be happy it still moves. If A-mount were destined to be a success, it should have done so a long time already.
Aeh, Flickr Sony statistic of the day: http://www.flickr.com/cameras/sony/?s=users#models
If people are reluctant to learn anythinng new beyond the Canikon world, it’s MORE reason to invest heavily into A-Mount and PR and awareness to make it more pupular, not LESS!
If they want to be in this market at all and not just make compacts, this is…
Leica Boss you are right on spot.
By the way what are you A-mount people gonna do with your glass in the end? The only camera left where to use the lenses will be E-mount. Will you try them on Canon, Nikon or Leica? SONY is your brand. Be proud of it and stop whining.
Finally something real to bitch about… Where are all the chicken littles???
Anyway it makes sense, I don’t think there is much room in the market for the lower end SLT crop bodies.
^ oh there he is.
Thanks daenur, I was worried you guys had stopped trolling us.
“I don’t think there is much room in the market for the lower end SLT crop bodies.”
Nonsense. An effectively marketed, priced and supported SLT would knock the D3300 into the dust. Sony have simply never done marketing of their products over the years and then scratch their arses wondering why their A-mount cameras don’t sell so well compared to established dSLR brands.
Sony’s problems are nothing to do with the technology and everything to do with craptastic management.
Yes, because a marketing campaign that would overshadow Nikon’s entry level would almost cost nothing to pull off.
Frankly, why should they even bother when the same money is obviously spent better for E-mount marketing.
E-mount isn’t selling well outside of Asia, so market what people WANT to buy, dSLR/SLT.
If the mass public knew that mirrorless/e-mount is capable of taking photos at the same quality as DSLRs, you might find that people no longer want DSLRs.
If they do WANT DSLRs, then it’s because they still believe bigger is better. That idea is clearly outdated.
People don’t want to buy any random DSLRs. They want CaNikon DSLRs. There is no such thing as a “general SLR market”. Having mildly better bodies than other manufacturers means nothing. Look at Pentax. Really good bodies but still no profit.
I know it’s hard for you to believe but ‘outside of Asia’ does not equal USA. There are other countries you know.
@gintony, rather presumptuous of you to think that I am from the USofA. I am not.
People want a CaNikon because that’s all they SEE. That’s what marketing is and you don’t appear to understand the simple concept of marketing products.
You’re frequently repeating this as if “not well” means “bad”, but checking Amazon Best Sellers in the US and Europe you can see the NEX-3 to 7 series does have a solid share plus the actually unavailable and comparatively expensive α5000 gets orders. Your usual soccer-mom example might be true concerning a more conservative attitude outside of Asia when it comes to modern camera design, but that’s excactly the sort of people I like to ignore me, since retro design does not get me a tall. Beside this FE-Mount just started with no competitor at all, usually excellent photography reviews and therefore tempting many professional photographers to try this small cameras it with their existing glass, which is an extremely interesting target group as long as there’s a complete FE-Mount lens range missing. IBIS or simply an improved video codec would take another important customer group by storm. So while A-Mount is competing on an decreasing market against strong shares by Canon and Nikon, E-Mount is going for new and developing markets.
If you make such blatantly wrong assertions, then people may make assumptions about you. If you feel offended by being mistaken for an USAmerican (which would be quite an absurd thing in its own way), then I’ll apologize.
If you read carefully you’ll realize that I never wrote that marketing A mount stuff would have no effect. Of course people buy stuff if it’s placed in front of their face. However, people at Sony must have decided that a serious marketing campaign would not be worth the cost, esp. with such strong brands already established. No one starts a marketing campaign against established brands without anything decisive (key technology, price, etc.) and there is probably a reason for it. Probably.
@gintony, +1.
Marketing is not the same as brand recognition. Nikon and Canon are brands that have been synonymous with photography for the better part of half a century. Sony is a brand that not only has no historical association with photography, but the photographic brand it acquired (read:Minolta) was badly mismanaged and had little value on its own.
You don’t fix that by throwing money at the problem.
Nope, it does not make any sense. Especially if you’ll check A7 price tag.
Both with IBIS like olympus ? Anything about video abilities, better than poor A7R codec ?
FF 4k camera at NAB 2014? That sounds wierd. Are you sure its not a super 35 sensor?
How would Sony Pro fit a FF 4k camera in their lineup? Its dominated by Super35. Today. Fs700, F5, F55 and F65.
I dunno…if this were a 4k Alpha branded body, I could understand, but a FF NXCAM or XDCAM?
You NEED an entry level to build a base.
So, Sony execs think that the A3000 is the “entry into the system”? What – Just because some idiot in a back room killed the NEX name and everything is “Alpha” now, a fake e-level DSLR is a path to the A Mount?
They (A Mount) are not positioned or perceived as up-market in any way. Quite the opposite. So, what’s the impact of having no entry level? Smaller base.
The sky isn’t falling, but it might be logical to conclude that Sony is milking the cash cow at this point, rather than growing the farm.
^ Everything he says.
Well said. Most consumers stick within their system. And most advanced users were originally entry level users. If you don’t sell entry level dslrs, you won’t have a market for semi pro dslrs 5-10 years later.
I agree here. Sony seems to think E mount is their future for volume sales.
The good news is that Sony is not abandoning anything. A mount will have a good to great camera and will be well supported, but with fewer models to choose from.
The bad news is that Sony’s future intentions for A mount are murky at best.
Still starved for specs ….especially resolution …. but hope this will be a general across the board step up
Meanng
Faster, better IQ, AND higher resolution
If this is just another 24mp c I will be dissapointed.
At this price and mayby 36mp C I am a sure buyer.
I’d be uber-happy if they keep it at 24 MPx while significantly increasing high ISO performance.
What you ask for is next failure of 24 MPx sensor that got used on A77/NEX7 and was criticised from all fronts. The weakest link in A77 was it’s sensor – last thing I’d like to see is the same issue repeating.
An increase in resolution will also include an increase in iso as it always has in the past.
That is what will sell..something fo everyone.
A7r sales greatly exceed A7 sales.
A 24mp new camera…even a 24mp C will not be exciting and will not sell.
Few people will upgrade a 24mp A 77 to another 24mp C camera.
Of course it will.
Why have an 36Mp camera to make 1280×1024 photos or something?
+1
Personally I’m probably going to pass on the A77 replacement for a year or two, and buy some really kick-a$$ lenses this year. A fish-eye, STF.
After the herd of early adopters buy the new model, I’ll ebay the A77 and buy the A79 for maybe a couple of hundred bucks more.
Rokinon 8mm fishy…sweet lens.
“The weakest link in A77 was it’s sensor ”
My A77 sensor is awesome at ISO50 and you are clueless.
My A77 is awesome at ISO 50 too, but that doesn’t detract from the fact that high ISO capability is lacking – THAT is the weak link.
I was merely making the point that people go on about high ISO like it is some holy grail, yet the vast majority of shots they take are at LOW ISO.
If you want better high ISO results then either down-sample the image to get similar results to the A55/A580 or do what you should have done in the first place, get a Nikon dSLR.
Why would I need a Nikon DSLR? My NEX-6 works well for higher ISO requirements, and the A7 will be even better.
Wow another NEX user talking out of his A$$.
I do 13″ x 19″ prints with the A77 daily at ISO 3200 in RAW with no issues what-so-ever. I’m thinking someone needs to either seriously upgrade their lenses or stop taking JPEGS with an A77.
JPEGS are for Soccer Moms. and NEX users (consumers).
“My A77 sensor is awesome at ISO50” … mine also, but I can’t use it such 99% of the time because I shoot subjects that move. High ISO shooting is this cameras weak spot, since you need to use 33% higher ISO to get the same EV as in other cameras with the same shutter speed and f-stop.
Do you know the base ISO of the A77? I thought it was 100 and that ISO50 was a “pull” ISO
“High ISO shooting is this cameras weak spot, since you need to use 33% higher ISO to get the same EV as in other cameras with the same shutter speed and f-stop.”
Not quite, the sensor gain is boosted to compensate for the mirror. That is essentially the same as increasing ISO, but your exposure settings will be the same as other cameras.
I think Base ISO is 100, but if you believe DXOMark (plenty don’t), SNR and dynamic range is best at ISO 50.
I doubt Sony has really even decided on the price 5 months before the supposed product release.
That sounds more like a ballpark number matching the release prices of the Nikon d7100 and Canon 70d.
I seem to remember that SAR was reporting that the A7/7r were going to be ultra expensive.
In the end, Sony may very well start with such a price. But just like the 70d and D7100, I’d expect heavy discounting quickly.
Admin, do you think the 4k FF a-mount camera will be release prior to the a79 then?
The local lottery offers better odds. 🙂
I watched the unveiling of the Fuji XT1 last night. That thing is a monster- some the the X mount glass is simply superb. Add to the competition Olympus seductive small form factor lens options and the market is split. It’s going to be really hard for Sony to attract non-alpha mount users with pretty much anything. At over 1300 dollars you’ve got serious options right now. Not just serious options, but some of these other mirrorless cameras are blindingly fast and offer features not even seen on FF cameras.
I plan on keeping my A77 for the time being. However, I eventually see myself just keeping all of my FF alpha stuff and buying into another system. Maybe that will be the A7 when the quality of the AF increases. For now though, what and see approach it is.
I definitely agree. I still use my ir converted A200 and A580. I have plenty of legacy Minolta glass and I thought the A7 would be my holy grail but it just falls short. Maybe the A8/A9 will fulfill that wish. In the mean time, Fuji’s offerings are looking more promising with every generation, especially the xt1.
I’ve been a Sony A-mount user for five years and before that was a Minolta SLR-user. I now have an A77 and love it. Great results for me and I hope that Sony continue to invest in A-mount as by now I’ve collected a few nice lenses.
However I’m also ready to admit that were I starting from scratch today, moving up from a P&S, I don’t think there’s any way I would choose any DSLR or DSLT from any brand. Mirrorless has come on so much in the past few years and although the AF might still be an issue the small size is a big bonus, especially for those that are used to smartphones and compact cameras. So I can understand why Sony is putting the focus on mirrorless. Maybe the A77 will be the last DSLR DSLT I will buy…
This sounds _VERY_ different now than the rumours you shared before. Maybe review your SAR rating system….
Right…and the admin promised some sort of a “Christmas gift” a while ago but then nothing about it followed up, and of course we can’t still be expecting it to show up now that Christmas is one month behind us.
The admin also said something about 2014 being an “exciting” year, “much more exciting than 2013”, but right now rumors all the way into June show nothing exciting, nothing at all. So all those cool gear, more than the whole of 2013 combined, are supposed to be released in the latter half of the year?
Is it too early to write off 2014 and start rumors 2015 will be year of the a-mount? 🙂
I’m afraid 2015 will be the year of “What a-mount?”
There’s still eleven month to go. Sony’s pushing out their junk first (NEX/A5000). Then the real cameras will come.
I wish sony had something comparable to the Fuji xt1 in full frame. I have been a Sony/Minolta user for years but I think the grass may be greener (with water color foliage) on the other side. I will wait until Feb before I jump the fence.
+1
I more than understand how you feel about the system. This fall I really wanted to upgrade from my old A700 and found no other possibility than going for the A99. Much too expensive, but the only choice if it shall be an upgrade without backdraws. So I’m fine for the next few years, I will keep using my Minolta, Tamron and Sigma lens collection. I never owned any Sony lens and probably never will 😉
After that years let’s see what path this A-mount might go. Who knows, maybe it makes its way with another brand again…
I bet there are lot of users in our predicament. Users waiting for firmware updates instead of new bodies and for features that are worthy of an upgrade. I saw the price of A99 and it was well out of reach for me. Then the A7 comes at a more palatable price point but is lacking in some features. Then you have a company like Fuji that listens to its users and applies the recommended changes to cameras as firmware updates instead of new bodies every quarter. I love competition because it give consumers the best options. As of now Sony, is not offering anything (besides the A7/R) for advance amateurs and professional group….
Back to sitting on the fence and watching both sides again.
Go out and take photos instead.
I take pictures everyday. 🙂
Why doesn’t Sony simply release the BEST camera it can with the LOWEST price it can? Just like Ricoh/Pentax.
You may argue whether their cameras are good or not, but feature wise, within their categories (K3 and K50, currently) they owe nothing against competition and are very reasonably priced.
+1
I would say improve upon the A77, give it the new phase detection sensor and the translucent mirror with 80% light passing through it. Improve the jpeg engine, and name it a67. I am game for tht
People complained about the NEX7 successor as being priced too low. Now people are complaining that the A77 successor is priced too high. This camera is at the same price range as the 70D at introduction. The NEX7 was always priced lower than the A77, until recently. I just want a great performing camera. Hopefully this camera is one such beast.
lol just a few weeks ago, it was all
“year of the a mount”
and now?
For this price i hope to see a new 24 mpx with no high iso problems Af- range and Af-d as A99 an improved af system (actually af is strong but not clever)
Sony 4k Full frame, if its done nicely, it will attract a lot of videographers that currently shoot 5dIII and others.
Exactly that’s what I’m hoping for 🙂
Is it possible that Sony could sell off the a-mount line? If so, who would actually buy it? Either it survives under Sony or it dies IMO.
Although I sold all of my Minolta and Sony/Zeiss lenses and both of my a850 last year to help pay for my move to a Nikon d800e system my heart is still with Minolta and Sony. I know that someday I may move back, but Sony’s commitment to its A-Mount and quality full-frame optics is still very questionable.
I just don’t think that Sony is going to get the return on investment with the A-Mount as a competitor to Nikon and Canon in the same space it needs. Sony is throwing ideas out right and left hoping for a big win and not looking for a long-term project right now. Maybe the E-Mount will make it for Sony, the problem is that when most people by a smaller camera they are also looking for a smaller lens but quality lens with few exceptions continue to be big.
was hopping for a 65 replacment. the A3000 kind of looked lime a maybe option (so long as i kept my DSLR) but the option list on the A3000 sucked. i want closer to a real A6x (not the 58)
just cant see getting an A7x for my uses
Love me a good A-mount vs E-mount brawl!
A few thoughts from an industry analyst…me.
Here’s the problem:
Classical Photography is dying. As a whole.
Largely, this doesnt fit everyone, but largely, the younger generation doesnt have the same appreciation or patience for taking photos. The new world, the new tech-engaged culture is fast paced. Thinking for the ‘now’. Smartphone pictures – blurry, grainy, low dynamic range, infinite depth of field, etc. are all ‘normal’ and ‘totally acceptable.’ Meanwhile us older people are slowly going away either through natural causes or a slow and tentative migration to Smartphones. The global financial crisis doesnt help things.
It’s clear that Sony wants to do lots of things. They just dont have the financial resources. And they WILL have to make a dramatic cut at some point. It’s becoming clear to me it will be the A-mount. This is starting to become apparent to even the naysayers. Even so, this doesnt automatically mean that the E-mount will survive, either.
Here’s the UGLY truth; over the next 5 years, ALL systems, ALL brands, are going to atrophy. First, already in progress, will be Point and Shoots. Followed by Olympus, Fuji, Ricoh, Samsung. Yes, Sony will be next. First A-mount, then E-mount. Mirrorless will be a passing fad – interest is already showing signs of waning. It wont go away, but will become a niche within a niche. Nikon and Canon’s DSLR sales will dwindle.
10 Years from now, DSLRs will be VERY expensive, and exist ONLY for remaining professionals (a very niche profession – nothing as diverse as today) and for very rich collectors. Mirrorless (probably only Sony here) will also be a very niche product, expensive, which amateur, dedicated photography enthusiasts enjoy. They will be seen as the ‘weirdos’ that carry the big clunky cameras around…’so 20th century.’ All other cameras will be high performance mobile all-in-one smartphone like devices.
It hurts to think this way…trust me I DONT want to see this happen. But ALL the writing is on the wall.
Brandon
Please include primary resource material for such assumptions. I could tell you the world will end and due to peak oil those of us who remain may be walking and living in caves. Cold….hard….data please.
Also, its intersectional ideas such as the mirrorless camera that create new markets. Essentially, we do not know what new technology might due to the realm of photography or those you supply such instruments. My biggest fear is the reliance on gadgetry in cameras today essentially making them disposable in the future. I don’t see DSLR’s clicking away like todays retro Rollieflex’s that still can take a serious workout from an enthusiast. We shall see.
Alpha users are an entirely different culture. Its like comparing Mac and PC users.
The decline in sales isn’t affecting the A-Mount what-so-ever. The sharp decline is from consumers who bought the cheap Canon, or Nikon DSLR cameras between 2004, and 2013.
The market is now contracting to pre-2004 levels, and Sony still remains at between 10-12%. They’ll likely gain market share as Nikon, and Canon sales evaporate, and not through actual sales.
Why because Canon Rebels, and Nikon DXXXX cameras have’t really changed much in the last ten years as they (Canon/Nikon) flooded the market with cheap low quality DSLRs. So people who bought the cheap DSLRs feel no real need to buy a new camera, because the only thing that has really changed is the last ten years is MP count.
Alpha users are an entirely different demographic who are comprised of former Minolta users, or very creative people who want to try something new or different, and Sony is the only one of the Big Three that manufactures actually innovates (A7r, SLT, Live View, Steady Shot, etc). The A-Mount sales are small but consistent, as they have been since 1985.
So Canon, Nikon, and the Alpha DSLRs will continue to be sold as they have for the last couple of decades.
Which was more innovative upon release, the a900 or the 5D2? The latter was game-changing.
Sony didn’t start innovating until the aXX SLT cameras, starting with the a77 announced at the end of 2011. Prior to that, the aXXX cameras were fairly standard and an extension of Minolta’s camera line.
I am happy with my a900 a77 and a99 and all of my sony lenses and ziess lenses. im picking up a few sigma prime lenses this next week.
there will always be bodies for these lenses. and ive said it before and ill say it again. i dont care what quality comes out of these gimmick dinky cameras you will never see any photographer taken seriously by any client seeking big investment services like wedding rocking nex cameras and lenses.
its nice that they fit in purses tho.
I’m reading a lot SAR and i’m quite desperate with that E-mount vs A-mount fights.
Anyway, i’m thinking right now Sony can’t let away A-Mout or kill it whatsoever. Why ? This is juuuuuuuust simple in my opinion, and i’m sure most of managers at Sony understand this elementary economical concept : BUZZ.
Yes, buzz can make thing sells. You make some advertisements or create something hilarious, catchy, or anything, and people talk about it. BUT, you can create the opposite effect too. Let me explain.
Everybody knows Sony is not really appreciate in the camera market. Come on, don’t tell me it’s not true. Some communities like the brand, but anyone trying to enter camera business is hearing “go Nikon or Canon !”. You hardly heard “yaya Sony is magic !”. So the 1st thing is : Sony don’t have a good reputation.
If tomorrow, Sony, for economical reasons (or business strategy) decides to kill A-Mount, you will have millions of users really, REALLY angry.
New potential users were already kept away from Sony by Nikon and Canon enthousiastics, kill A-Mount and your own customers will denigrate the brand too. THAT will definitely kill Sony as a real potential opponent in the camera market. This makes me thing Sony will keep A-Mount, maybe with only a few products, just to avoid this probability.