Our very reliable sources just confirmed that a new Sony A35 translucent camera will be announced in April! And voilà, even Sonystyle confirmed that the [shoplink 3620]Sony A3[/shoplink]3 sales are ended! Check out Sonystyle Japan: http://www1.jp.sonystyle.com/Qnavi/Main/dslr_000019/
Our sources told us the new A35 will bring some minor improvements and fixes. And what is going to happen with the A55?
UPDATE: The A77 is not the successor of the A55, the A55 will be replaced by another model sometimes within 2011! P.S.: The A77 will be announced in a few months!
Sony is going to announce a huge ammount of new products on early April. Don’t miss any rumor! Join us at Facebook, Twitter and follow our RSS-feed!
Sony A55 at [shopcountry 3617].
Sony A33 at [shopcountry 3620].
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
85 Responses
I have sony a55, so if sony replace… FUCK YOU SONY ! OHM DAMN!!!!!!!! =/ plzzzzz don`t replace sony a55 =/ it`s a new camera =/
very selfish thoughts.. your camera will anyway not start to produce worse images by this.
You have something new and already became outdated, is not a good deal! Will completely devalue the camera …
lol
I have a a700 and it devalues yours 😉 and is discontinued for long now
OMG…. it’s silly how ppl react to such announcements….
did you buy the camera to take photos, or with the express purpose to resell it? O_O with the a55 you won’t outgrow it soo far, just be glad than when you do sony will have a new model already for you to buy 😉
I want firmware updates… if camera is outdated, it will have firmware updates? so, it is a bad point!
Well, good point, though both A33 and A55 share very similar FW so if they’ll update the latter you can expect Your update too 🙂
its call stupid 😀 any company wait for user request only make new camera is a death company. and user always have option to sell and buy new 😀
Were you planning to sell it so soon after buying it? It will carry on taking pictures, just like my discontinued A700 does.
I think a700 is a case apart ! A700 is a success in alpha series… but its ok, i will no cry uahuahuaihuaia sony a55 is a recent camera and for me its not time to be outdated… =/
Hmm, 3-4 Months for the A77? Sounds good, if they’re able to keep that schedule. I fail to see why they’d replace the A55 with the A77, seeing as they’re designed for different markets, prosumer vs. semi-pro.
Anyway, I’m looking forward ’till the 4th of April, seems like there’s going to be a LOT of stuff happening then.
When the Sony rep said that the A77 was going to have a street price of a 60D that didn’t make sense as it would be too close to the A55 price in the UK. Maybe there is going to be a A3 series and A7 series and that’s it?
Damn, bought an A33 2 months ago, love it but was hoping for a firmware update to add some features. Guessing that will not happen now
Yeah no doubt. How about a firmware update before a whole new camera. Hopefully one will come out on the release of the a35.
It’s a very clever tactics to update products faster than rivals.
I appreciate it but I hope it’s not just a change of a name.
Oh boy if the a33 drops 50% in price I might be tempted. 😀
Sony is consistent in that they update their lower priced models regularly, and higher priced/technology models more slowly. If you buy a lower priced model, you shouldn’t complain because you should know this was going to happen. On the other hand, the lower priced models take very good pictures, and nowadays have class-leading features that other brands won’t have for years, if at all. Those features are being tested and improved in the lower models so that they’ll be great when added to higher cost models. Anyhow, that’s the way it seems to be going – what do you think Andrea? Finally, I don’t think swearing should be allowed in the forum – those posts containing swearing should be erased.
No mention of what is going to happen to the A560/580…
They will just fade away quietly..
It’s time to move on.
Just for the sake of moving on? Kills me how some people think because something is new that it’s automatically better LOL. A580 IQ IS better than SLT. That may change in the future, but not now.
Move on for the sake of progress. The A580 has no future and neither has SLT in the long run.
You could say the same of any camera with a mechanical shutter and mirror.
so surprise a35
In your humble opinion, right? Bells, whistles and gadgets in a camera are fine, as long as nothing diminishes the IQ compared to predecessors. That is the whole point of a quality camera, to take quality pictures. If “moving on” takes away from that, then there’s no point and it’s not moving on. Current SLT is not an advancement is the primary purpose of a camera (the pictures). The next SLT may improve that, or maybe mirrorless will. But until IQ doesn’t go backward, then it’s only “moving on” to Sony and their fans. That being said, I love my A700, but I’m loyal to NO company. I really hope their new stuff is better.
In your humble opinion, right? Bells, whistles and gadgets in a camera are fine, as long as nothing diminishes the IQ compared to predecessors. That is the whole point of a quality camera, to take quality pictures. If “moving on” takes away from that, then there’s no point and it’s not moving on. Current SLT is not an advancement is the primary purpose of a camera (the pictures). The next SLT may improve that, or maybe mirrorless will. But until IQ doesn’t go backward, then it’s only “moving on” to Sony and their fans. That being said, I love my A700, but I’m loyal to NO company. I really hope their new stuff is better.
What the hell? This was supposed to post under “Almond”. Posted twice here. I give up.
The A77 would only replace A55 if the price point is close. Might have been a little bold to say that it would replace it… (not that it isn’t better, but it is a whole new series)
Having the A33 and A55 always struck me as kind of silly (same with the NEX 3 and NEX 5). So I think it’s reasonable for Sony to reconfigure their line with one camera in the A33/A55 space (the A35 replacing BOTH the A33 and A55) and one camera in the A77 space.
They may do the same thing in the NEX line, one camera in the NEX 3/5 space (the new NEX 3C?) and a new, higher-spec model as the NEX 7.
That would give each line an about-16 mpx lower-end camera and a 24 mpix higher-end model.
I agree. If Sony would have been release A33/A55/A77 at the same time ( with A77 beiing $200-300 more than A55), A55 would not sell. Most people go either for the lowes priced camera (from a series) or the highest end model, as long as the price difference is reasonable.( not double or more than the other model).A55 sold good just because it was the best from the 2 offerings for SLTs. Most likely 80 % from A55 buyers would go for A77 if it was available at the same time. I’m sure Sony as any other company has marketing specialists which may have come to the same conclusion. I suspect it will be the same with NEX, the “3” and “5” series may be replaced by one model only and the higher end will be the “7” series.
I suspect NEX7 will come a few months after A77.
“Most people go either for the lowes priced camera (from a series) or the highest end model, as long as the price difference is reasonable.”
Where do these assumption comes from?
The marketing “specialists” from Sony put A290/A390 in the lineup.
It gets money. The A33/A55 models are almost the same. The A55 is touted as a better model and is sold for 150US more while probably costing 20US more to produce.
If they fix the studio problem, i’m sold 🙂
We are waiting 🙂
Maybe there will be a A58 or something, with the Body-size of the 580 and Batterygrip, wit Alpha 77 above and 35 below
The a700 replacement will come out soon.
Got a gut felling it will be called somthg weird a62 a57 a69 and not a77…
However it’s called let’s hope it is a worthy a700 replacement I have been waiting for all these years…
69 dude! My favourite number!
sony a69 lol Epic camera name
Perhaps the a35 replaces both the a33 and a55 and corrects the video overheating issue.
I believe Sony is fixing some problems in the SLT cameras to further reasure everyone of their potential just before the A77 launches.
This will ensure better sales for each model. If you add better battery life, fix the overheating during video, boost the EVF refresh rate so it will keep up with shooting at max FPS(not showing the previous frame as it does right know, this is a problem when tracking fast moving action) and show less noise in the EVF in low light, well..I think it will be ok. If there was one thing I would insist on with the A35 to be launched, is to upgrade its predecesors battery life, which is ridiculously short right now. Even if this means that it will get a bit heavier it should be done in my opinion.
I’m not going to buy the A35, but I do care… I patiently wait for the A77 for action shooting and mostly low light situations, to couple it with the a850, to give me better control over noise at 1600 ISO and above and faster autofocus too.
I will have to learn to live with the EVF after all, at least untill I see what the future FF brings.
I see the A35 as a smart move, reasuring everyone of the SLT’s capabilities, even if i must admit that it will upset those who bought the A33 at least, if not those who bought an A55 too. It might happen to them also.
I see the same that is in plan with the NEXes, the smaller one first and the bigger sibling after a short while.
Maybe while developing and testing the A77 they decided to make similar changes to the smaller SLTs to squeeze in some increase in performance.
Anywhay, the answer is just around the corner, we will know in a couple of weeks, maybe before april 4th…the specs will come out way sooner.
To me this is a further clarification for Sony’s future. I’m not thrilled about it, but i have the patience to see where this goes.
I’m sorry for the A33 users, another sick joke from Sony, a camera with a career of less than a year!?
A700 users should be proud!!! :))
Almond
1 hr, 28 mins ago
They will just fade away quietly..
It’s time to move on.
Almond
3 mins ago
Move on for the sake of progress. The A580 has no future and neither has SLT in the long run.
Hey Almond bye bye Move on, don’t look back, don’t come back nobody misses you…
Sadly it looks like every major campany will be using sony sensors and will end up using their own versions of STL … not a fan of e-viewfinder but I keep an open mind… I’ll get used to it on my a77
omg, i have already waited for 4 months since dec2010. upon that time i am so tempting gh2 n lately 60d. however the poison resisted after sony rumor call out june will have a77 n nex7. although bit sad when known april no a77 nex7.
expected continue wait until sept. sense that even launch at june/july the stock will still behind 2-3months. wow… almost 1 year waited 😀 lol …
well sony will kill out the DSLR and only focus on SLT+NEX which is more their speed, i don’t really mind that, cause a Nex is far better for situations when you just need something portable with good amount of controls and they will probably add a EVF for people who like their camera next to the eye(future nex will have more controls, this current p&s version does not have nearly enough controls) and the SLT will remain for people who want fast autofocus and something better to grip when using bigger lenses…
Dear readers, this is my opinion.
Introducing new products means “innovation” and it’s (quite) always a good thing. But older/inferior/similar products should be maintained for a longer time … NOT immediately removed/dismissed from the market!
Having both older and new products on the market for longer time can have drawbacks for producers (e.g. production/distribution costs) but for the final users there are 2 big benefits:
1) New potential buyers would have more choice and they can decide which model to buy depending on wanted features and available budget.
2) Owners of the “old” (less recent) product would be more happy and pleased to see they have not spent time/money for a product that would be “obsolete” just after 4-5 months the purchase.
Introducing new products does not automatically mean innovation. In the case of what Sony is doing it means coming out with new products that are cheaper for them to build first and foremost. In the case of SLT it also means wholesale compromise to make the primary drive in the camera video as well. And when the new cameras come out in April it will mostly still be more and more emphasis on video. And that is not innovation.
With Sony the new cameras most certainly means less choice and catering to a narrower and narrower customer base.
You are right Walt…your observation about emphasis on video is true. And i also see your second point about a narrower customer base…SLT is not that appealing to everyone, most certainly the EVF isn’t. Just that they haven’t reached the limits of their intended customer category, they are in fact far from that.
We can only make suppositions on how large this market that Sony is reaching out to and providing for, really is(SLT).
I believe it is mostly targeted towards the young less experimented user with a passion for new technology rather than the old school photographers.
We have yet to see how this pays off as a long term strategy. Right now I wouldn’t just put my money on it. 🙂
The DSLT’s have real-world advantages for macro shooting, as well as other still shooting thanks to the ability to zoom in with the EVF, low vibrations and fast, accurate AF.
Anyone who actually new anything at all about true innovation would see this. The fact you cannot explains a lot.
The A580 has the same zoom ability on the LCD, MLU and fast and accurate AF too.
To be fair there a lot of difference between zooming in the EVF and the LCD. The EVF brings a lot of advantages in the information it displays too, all without removing your eye from the VF.
Yes, but then you can’t use the viewfinder, and you’re limited to single shots. What do you do if it’s sunny day and you can’t see the LCD clearly? Zooming with the EVF is one of the several unique advantages of the DSLT design. I wouldn’t say it was always overall technically better than DSLR, but in some applications it can be, and it will always offer more for lower price than standard OVF-based DSLR.
Trying to say that the DSLT still photography capability is compromised by video is a long standing mantra for Walt, and also utterly false.
@SonyA77 @mike_2008 Agreed. I just don’t see it as a major advantage, that’s all.
“Trying to say that the DSLT still photography capability is compromised by video is (…) utterly false.” – well, mr. Mike, you ain’t telling the true. The whole purpose of SLT camera was to deliver best video of all DSLR-class cameras – Sony has promised it, Sony has delivered it by change in design. So the SLT can be named as a design made for video. Compromise of it is 1/3 EV of light taken from sensor to AF sensor. So I feel free to tell that the Video compromised 1/3 EV light quality in still photography quality. Whatever it’s a lot or not a difference – doesn’t matter. But you can’t tell that the statement is utterly false for sure.
What about the other advantages that the SLT design brings to the table ? Smaller lighter cameras, 10 fps in a $749 camera, lesser vibration due to absence of mirror slap etc.
There is limited customization at 10 fps speed but at least the option is available. How many of the competitors in the A55 segment can do even 5 fps ?
Time to move Walt. Sony is not made for you. You should try Nikon or Canon. And yes it is innovation. Luckily for the world you do not decide what is innovation and what is not.
Walt, the customer base isn’t narrow, it is huge. It’s just that you aren’t in it! Sony aren’t interested in existing dSLR users, they are going for the new dSLR user who comes from the LCD using, video shooting, compact camera market.
The existing dSLR market is tiny compared to the potential future buyers market. New users don’t have any hang-ups about using electronic viewfinders and the like, indeed whenever I hand my A700 to a compact user, they find it weird that you have to look through the OVF to take a picture!
I couldn’t agree more with the previous comment. The idea that existing traditional users of DSLRs are the only users wanting this type of camera is very narrow.
In the same way, the idea that OVF is better than EVF is a very narrow view formed by preferece rather than any empirical evidence.
Most OVFs on low end DSLRs are heavily cropped and rather dim. In low light they are almost useless. A good EVF will gain up (decreasing quality) and slow frame rate (not ideal) to produce an image. I’d rather have a bad image than no image any day.
A lot of my photography is done at “strange angles” with the camera held close to the ground, held above my head, macro photography and such like. An OVF is useless so the phase detection on the A55 in “live view” mode is awsome. I’ll take the compromise for this feature any day of the week.
The moral of this rant is, each to their own. If you like OVF then buy an OVF and enjoy the OVF and the crappy contrast detection in “live view”. Otherwise buy an A33 or A55.
Marco – I don’t know if you do know this, but DSLR with OVF can have PDAF in Live View too. 🙂 😉
I stand corrected, you are quite right that phase can be used on some DSLRs when taking a photo in live view. I think that translucent has the advantage over mirror in that you can prefocus using phase which I don’t think that you can do without flipping the mirror down (losing live view) with a DSLR.
The only narrow base is Walt’s own base. Sony will make more money with other people than with Walt.
“In the same way, the idea that OVF is better than EVF is a very narrow view formed by preferece rather than any empirical evidence.”
I think there is plenty of empirical evidence that for some things OVF is better and for others – the EVF. And while I firmly believe that EVF is the future, it clearly can’t cover all the uses of an OVF. That is where the problem stems form imho. It is not like when AF arrived. It didn’t matter if it was mature or not, because we weren’t losing MF.
I think that we are violently agreeing here, but there is no empirical evidence. There is opinion and in some cases agreement and in other cases disagreement.
My opinion is, that there are advantages and disadvantage to both systems. I’m not right or wrong because this is an opinion.
It’s dangerous and misleading to confuse opinion (even when there is a consensus of opinion) with evidence. This is dogma.
I beg to differ.
The EVF uses battery like crazy.
No live view at 10fps.
Needs workarounds for studio use.
OVF gives less info.
OVF worse in low-light.
OVF is not WYSIWYG.
Etc.
These are all facts. Empirical evidence. The opinion comes when you decide which of those points are relevant to your usage.
I agree that these are facts, but it’s still not evidence that one is “better” that the other.
The EVF uses battery like crazy. – This will be a problem for a heavy user, but not for someone that uses the camera for short periods
No live view at 10fps. – True, but find any camera for double the prices that gets even close to 10fps. Guess what, there aren’t any. Also this isn’t a problem if you don’t use burst mode.
Needs workarounds for studio use. – Don’t even know what you mean by this. I’ve never found a camera or indeed any piece of electrical equipment that doesn’t have compromises. Plus I don’t have access to a studio so for me and many others, this is irrelevant.
OVF gives less info. – True, but some users may not care
OVF worse in low-light. – True for all but very expensive cameras, many users may not care
OVF is not WYSIWYG. – True, but neither is an EVF. I don’t remember that my eyes have a fixed and limited resolution. Once again many users will not care.
Once again we are agreeing on most things, but you have completely missed my point. The idea that DSLT is better than DSLR or vice versa only carries for each individual and how they want to use the camera. For me personally, the compromises inherent in DSLT are worth it. For others they will prefer the compromises of DSLR cameras. The idea that one is better than the other is ridiculous and assumes that one has faults when the other has none. It’s like saying that a DSLR is better than a compact camera. The DSLR will take “better” pictures (if used properly), but my compact camera fits in my pocket and I take it with me everywhere. In some cases my compact camera is “better” than my DSLT because my compact is with me and my much larger DSLT is at home in a cupboard!!!
@Marco I think we are not understanding each other somewhere, because form what I see we are supposed to agree. Let me try to rephrase.
I never said one is better. I merely pointed out that each technology has its issues and advantages.*My point is that I don’t believe in replacing a technology by a newer one when the newer one can’t cover all the advantages of the older one.* EVF just isn’t mature enough to replace OVF. Although, granted, I am speaking for all uses and users, thus including pros. For consumers it’s ok, imho.
I also disagree with some of your points.
“The EVF uses battery like crazy. – This will be a problem for a heavy user, but not for someone that uses the camera for short periods”
I was speaking generally. And generally better battery life is better for everyone.
“No live view at 10fps. – True, but find any camera for double the prices that gets even close to 10fps. Guess what, there aren’t any. Also this isn’t a problem if you don’t use burst mode.”
True about the price. But how useful is that 10fps when you have difficulty following the subject? Here we see the tradeoff of the non-mature technology.
“Needs workarounds for studio use. – Don’t even know what you mean by this.”
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1037&message=36514234
I think that this is the reason why we disagree. I speak EVF vs OVF for all users. For pros this is unacceptable.
“OVF is not WYSIWYG. – True, but neither is an EVF. I don’t remember that my eyes have a fixed and limited resolution.”
It is not about your eyes. The final result of your shot will be the same image as on the LCD with fixed and limited resolution. But what I meant is that you see the effect of your exposure. Many people like that.
So, I think here’s where we don’t manage to meet. I am talking overall all users usage EVF vs OVF and including the statement from Sony that they want to go all SLT. Unless they had improved the technology for introduction in pro models like the upcoming A77, I think that switch would be an error.
But if we stay in the range of the A33/A55, I think they are perfectly ok. Maybe just one more dial and a few more buttons 🙂
I still stand by what I said.
“In the same way, the idea that OVF is better than EVF is a very narrow view formed by preference rather than any empirical evidence.”
You are talking about some very specific limitations about one make and (2) models. I agree that there are limitations imposed by the technology on those specific cameras. For me and probably many others, these limitations are either not relevant or of little concern. That makes the broad statement that one is better than the other nothing but a statement of preference. I’m convinced that EVF is the future (for me anyway), but I’m sure that others will always hate it.
EVFs will only every get better as technology and implementations improve. OVFs have probably reached there apex in terms of development, if they’ve not cracked it in 150 years then it’s probably not going to get much better any time soon.
@Marco I stand by what I say too.
I still stand by what I said.
“You are talking about some very specific limitations about one make and (2) models.”
Of course. That’s the only thing we have. Another 10fps camera with EVF? No, so I base my opinion on existing tech. But:
– the fact that EVF drains battery is not model-specific.
– the fact that LV can’t be sustained during 10fps also isn’t model-specific. It is the EVF itself that can’t handle it.
“For me and probably many others, these limitations are either not relevant or of little concern.”
For me this is not an argument as to whether one technology should replace another, but merely a personal preference based on your own usage.
“That makes the broad statement that one is better than the other nothing but a statement of preference.”
In the end, yes. But that wasn’t my point.
“EVFs will only every get better as technology and implementations improve.”
Agreed.
“EVFs will only every get better as technology and implementations improve.”
Agreed.
I’m glad that we finally agree on something 🙂
I’m not sure that EVF will every replace OVF, but the market share will increase significantly and I expect it to overtake OVF as some point in the future (possibly distant future).
Ah! Andrea has updated the rumor to say that the A55 will NOT be replaced by the A77. Instead, the A55 will be replaced by a new camera, not the A77, this year, and the A77 will also be introduced. Makes MUCH more sense!
I hope that the same thing will happen with the NEX 5: a new NEX 5 AND a NEX 7.
I currently expect the A77, btw, in mid-July.
Just what i said earlier, it makes sense…They are upgrading the SLTs to be in line with the A77. I have no idea about how it will perform(the A77) but this is a sign that the smaller SLTs need some upgrade to keep in line and keep the customers interest awake.
As i said, I’m no fan of the EVF, but I’m very interested in the overall package…
Even if Sony’s strategy will not make all of us happy, it seems to have a clear direction for the next models that are scheduled to be launched in the near future…SLT, emphasis on video and focusing mainly.
And apparently on high-resolution, high-ISO, low-noise performance.
Mid-July announcement or release, Dulaney?
Announcement does not excite me much anymore :\ Wayyy too many rumors leading to it.
The reports I am getting privately are converging on a mid-July announcement, but my sources disagree about the release date. One says the camera will be on the shelves a month after the announcement, which would mean August; another says it won’t be in the stores until late September. In any case, that seems to be the range of possibilities.
Of course, the worsening catastrophe in Japan could easily delay the camera’s release, in one way or another.
Hi Dulaney!
yes my sources contacted me to say that we will have three translucent cameras in 2011. The A35, the A66(?) and the A77.
“EVFs will only every get better as technology and implementations improve.”
Agreed.
I’m glad that we finally agree on something 🙂
I’m not sure that EVF will every replace OVF, but the market share will increase significantly and I expect it to overtake OVF as some point in the future (possibly distant future).
Ooops, replied in the wrong place. Sorry
I hate sony marketing!!! I wait new firmware on my a33, but instead to make new firmware thy are make new hardware.
Admin, are there any new rumors about the A77?? I really concern about the release date of this amazing camera!
There will be soon SR5 rumors. I only need some time to check soem things. The recent earthquake could have changed the release data!
Sorry to hear that, but it’s not surpising either. We’ve waited already a long time and there are other, much more important priorities to attend to now in Japan.
Any details on what areas will be changed most in the updated A33 and A55 would be greatly appreciated, Andrea.
I’d be happy to just have the official name and specs of the A77 along with some images of the camera.
We can all wait for Japan to get over the crisis.
lol… “just” – hahaha
admin: Your sources are telling only about DSLT cameras this year? No mention of DSLR cameras? Huum very strange!
^^^ PAY ATTENTION:
Pay attention to his guy. He commented on an earlier thread/topic saying he is currently testing the DSLR version of the A77, A750/780. But the comment went unnoticed.
That’s funny… You sound like a Walt stalker on a different forum… Three character name too. I see fanboy mike is here, too. Jeez. Now where’s that damn ignore button on THIS forum?
I’m waiting for A77 but I’d like it before my baby comes to our family in August, after reading this, I believe I have to go for A55 or its successor…and upgrade next year when the price drops after new release.
I did have stuggle about EVF and small body size (I’m kind of a “oldschool” person who only shoots film and have no digital camera so far), however, video shooting and fast AF are exactly what I need for capturing my baby. Sony has brought us new stuff, you can have it as long as you accept to change.