Hi!
Let me begin with a personal note. After posting my direct message to one of my sources on SAR I got few critics from readers and I am here to explain you a couple of things:
1) A critic was that I posted the message to the source to make some sensationalism.
What can I say….most sources uses the anonymous contact form and sometimes the only way to ask them something is to post a message on SAR. That’s it, there is no other way. If you feel like I am not honest than simply ignore this website. But 99% of you know me well for being the first posting correct rumors like for example about the SLT technology. I remember how many attacked me when I insisted for one year that Sony would launch a SLT camera. Same for NEX and same for the FF NEX I am talking about now. Even recently when I said the VG900 with FF sensor would be launched I remember plenty of posts saying I was “sensationalist” because FF NEX is not possible..where are you now? 🙂
2) Another critic said…just post everything you know!
There are two reasons why I dont’ do this:
a) If I would post everything my credibility of this site would be like zero. You are here not because you want to hear all the rumors I get (many of them are simply not correct). You are here to get a possibly reliable idea of what’s coming next. Of course I am not perfect! Sometimes even trusted sources get not so correct information and many sources do not speak English and it’s not easy to translate correctly their message.
b) I have some key info that I do not post yet because I use it to check if rumors I get from other sources are correct or not. In the long term it’s very important for me to have multiple sources rather than be “sensationalist” and post everything I get at the moment I get it. This measure has many benefits a) I can recognize which new source is a “real” source b) In the long term I can count on multiple sources c) I can check if Sony (or someone else) is deliberately spreading out false info.
The current Sony rumor situation:
So please just accept that I need time to give you SR4-5 rumors. Sony indeed completely revolutionized their roadmap. And while I am waiting to get more info all I can tell for now is that it sounds like a very good and clear roadmap made to sincerely compete against the big ones. With the current economic situation Sony simply has to be as honest as possible with what they can or can’t do. As I told you before an SLT camera with the same 36MP sensor used by the Nikon D800 wouldn’t have been the dealbreaker. Simply because it comes long time after the D800 release and it would have been probably be as (or more) expensive as the Nikon. That’s why I can say it with a SR5 reliability that the A1X 36MPX SLT FF camera prototype has not been approved for final market release and mass production. And there is also no plan to introduce a cheaper A95 SLT FF. For the first half of the year you can expect the launch of plenty of A and E mount lenses, certainly an entry level NEX and two (or more) APS-C SLT cameras. The revolutionized roadmap I talked you before will take effect from end 2013 towards. And all I can promise is to post some of that highly sensible info as soon as I have the feeling I am correct about it. Once again, I repeat…there is reason to hope for some very nice surprise! Also Canon and Nikon guys may love what’s coming 🙂
So stay tuned on SAR, you will NOT regret it!
Big hug from Andrea!
—
Join our little new eBay search tool project Slidoo.com . There will be soon an amazon version and a dedicated Sony search page. Thanks 🙂
184 Responses
No cheaper A95?? that is a huge disappointment
Not just that.
I understood it like “There are 2 last APS-C SLT cameras” (A38, A58 ??) and then “completely new wonderful mirror-less roadmap”.
I think there would be the A38, A58, A78 updates with new hot shoe, and probably new lenses introduced with them, that’s it for the 1st half of 2013.
It would be nice to see A78 too… but it looks as a huge challenge for Sony.
You see, D600 sells now just 200 euro less then A77 at launch. Plus, in 1st half 2013 it’s expected a clash of D400(or D8000) vs 7D mark 2. It all means that selling price for A78 should be somewhere around 1000.
It’s impossible for Sony to get profit at this price.
Ummmm, no. D600 is $2K. A77 is $1.1K. Those are TODAY’s prices. You cannot simply compare prices from completely different eras.
truly appreciate your works on SAR.. cheer..
bummer, so no other FF?
No SLT FF yet
any chance of a FF NEX? (sorry to beat the dead horse)
100% chance. But it is certainly not coming within the next 6-8 months. I got some early specs of the camera but I need to confirm it via other sources because I only got the specs from a new source. Hope the specs are correct…
Oh that’s Good to hear!
I’ll still keep my fingers crossed for a FF mirrorless, maybe 2014(?) 😛
If the rumor gets confirmed than it will come a tiny bit earlier. But it’s an unconfirmed rumor yet…
If it is not due for release until late next year, the specs are probably not finalised yet.
Yep, they are not 100% finalized.
Fair enough!
All I want now is some fantastic CZ or G fast glasses.
But, the price should be right!
Hey Ken!
I have a question for you! How do you like the Samyanf lenses so far?
* Samyang!
the Rokinon 24mm f1.4 that was given to me BY Rokinon I LOVE… and that’s the only one I have now… I had to sell the 14mm f2.8 earlier this year to fund something else.
@ Ken
Thanks mate 🙂
Didn’t you have a 85/1.4 one earlier?
I am looking for some used fast lenses. Are you planning to sell any? If so, please pm me at flickr or Dyxum!
Cheers 🙂
I have the Rokinon 8mm f2.8 for the NEX (not the f3.5 version) and can thoroughly recommend it – it’s a lovely little lens and great fun
I DID owned the Rokinon 85mm at one time but sold it along time ago because it was frustrating to focus at any aperture wider than f2 on the a900 (obviously no focus peaking and very shallow DoF). If I known at the time about the focus peaking feature coming, I would have kept it, at least for the a77
I sold it a long time ago because it was rather frustrating to focus on the a900 at any aperture wider than f2 (obviously, without focus peaking and having the shallower DoF of a FF, makes focusing tougher). Had I known at the time about focus peaking I would’ve kept it for my a77. But for the price and IQ that it produces, it’s great bang for the buck (where as the 24mm/35mm f1.4 are price point a lot higher)
It seems that A99 price will not fall but by introducing new APS-C models, the price gap will be filled with these new gadgets. For instance let’s say A78 will be ~$1.600 and A68 will be $1.200 and A58 will be $900.
A77 is $1.1K at B&H right now. It doesn’t seem like an a68 should be more expensive than A77 (even if on sale).
WHERE IS ALL THAT PEOPLE SAYING VG900 FIRST PICTURES WERE ALL PHOTOSHOPPED?
Hi Andrea, ignore all those people that don’t believe in what you do. Many of your followers know about your effort and really appreaciate.
So no SLT-a85 to compete against D600/6D? Too bad… I was waiting for this camera to match it with the SAL50F14Z in spring 2013.(possibly, priced between SAL24F20Z and SAL85F14Z?) This mean one thing then…Sony is going to lower the SLT-a99 price and close the gap between D600/6D probably.
A cheaper A99 = A87/A88, not A95. It is not the way Sony names their cameras.
Keep up the good work Andrea !!! Dont pay much attention to these so called critics.
Thanks Chris!
Andrea, don’t worry about the critics, there will always be people critical of you no matter what you say or do. Frequently they are just ignorant because they don’t know enough about the subject. Like most of the other SAR readers, we truly appreciate all of your hard work and inside info as well as the accuracy of the info you share. My guess is that when you report something “wrong” it’s only because Sony changed their mind and did something different. Happy holidays to you and the best to you and your loved one! 🙂
+1
I bought A99 after following the rumors here for a couple of years. Keep up the great work. And to you people: don’t let too much dreaming take over you. Sony already creates incredible and competitive cameras. Take a look at A99, A77 and RX1.
+1
Andrea, this is a very good Sony rumor website and you hold a very good and serious balance between the quality of the information you share with us and the amount of information you share. I appreciate your high quality of the rumors you share here!
Thanks for your work Andrea!
Do you have any info about the future of APS-C NEX? Is the rumored FF-NEX just a high-end model in the NEX line?
No SR5 info yet about the APS-C NEX. Yep, a high end model in the NEX line.
Thanks Andrea 🙂
Do you have any info how many A-mount lenses we are getting in 2013? Any new lenses rather than CZ 50mm and G70 – 200mm/2.8?
I heard about four new lenses. Thre of them I alreayd mentioned: 50mm Zeiss, 70-200mm G and a 18-250mm DT.
Many thanks 🙂
I wonder what the other lens is!
A 28 – 135/2G sounds good to me!
What about 70-400mm G II SSM? Any new rumors/confirmations?
Yep, got a rumor about that one too. but not confirmed by trusted soruces yet…
I do not understand, previously it was reported that a FF NEX is on the agenda. Then it was said that a FF NEX would not be coming, due to issues with mounts and flange distances and what not. Although we had the video camera vg900 ff nex, is there now a FF NEX still camera upcoming?
Please clarify? Maybe I am getting messed up from reading too much.
First I said FF NEX coming (it was the VG900)
Second I said NEX FF (similar to NEX-7) not coming soon. Certainly not within 8-10months.
Third I said Sony now decided to drop SLT FF plans for early 2013 in favour of NEX FF.
I hope I can give you a final SR5 rumor about the NEX FF soon! That is what I am doing right now.
A nice A-mount 24-105/4 or 24-120/4 would be great! It’s definitely a big gap in the Sony lineup for me.
70-200 or 70-300 f/4 would be great as well. Not everyone need or want large and chunky 70-200 f/2.8.
Ditto.
Ok so a FF NEX still camera COULD be coming. Keep up the good work dude, do not listen to any haters out there.
On a side note, I do have an Alpha 57 right now, but currently confused. Although you have mentioned there will be more A-mount lenses coming next year, do you know what the future plan is for A-mount? Will more lenses be coming in 2014 etc.
1. If the future really is NEX, do I ditch the a-mount and fully invest in e-mount lenses?
2. And when an FF NEX does eventually come out, will the mount be E OR A? I hate using adaptors, so the question of buying a-mount lenses now and using it on a e-mount FF NEX with an adaptor bugs me.
3. Should a FF nex comes out, will Sony be releasing full frame lens actively for the E-mount?
So find out all the answers to the questions above dude. I give you a timeframe of 1 hour.
P.s again keep up the good work. Do no listen to critics.
Quit getting all caught up in the A vs. E mount hype.
An A mount can easily fit on an E. Also, An E mount can easily fit on an A.
All of this can be done without crazy big adapters, too.
There is NO way to put an E-mount on a A-mount camera AFAIK, it would involve running into the DSLT mirror.
A few days ago, I visited one of the major electronic chain store operations I go to regularly in Tokyo. I visit there regularly and this time had an opportunity to talk with a Sony representative in the store. Two items of interest he answered to my inquiry:
1. NEX Full frame. I asked him about when can I expect to see the Sony full frame NEX appear on the market. (I asked in such a way displaying a degree of confidence as if I already had some sort of insight on this happening). He commented that it will still be about a year or two still before that happens. So, it seems that development will still be pretty much ASP-C for the Sony roadmap in 2013 in consistent with what is mentioned in Andrea’s comment here. Perhaps by the end of 2013, we can start seeing things happening in that direction. So, are full frame NEX cameras forthcoming? Probably yes. Are they going to come any time soon? Probably not. So, patient is a virtue. Be content with APS-C for the interim. And besides, APS-C is far better then the little tiny sensor-equipped mom-and-pop type P&S cameras. From those to APS-C is s big jump. From APS-C to full frame, it is not so spectular. Many try to make full frame as some sort of holy grail that you should pay big money for. Well, for now, the APS-C is the best cost performance until full frame becomes more of a common denominator. Then, once that happens, people will be looking forward to medium format as the next holy grail. Fact of the matter is, both of these format sizes easily existed from long time ago in the film era.
2. Tamron and Sony lenses: I was inquiring to him which is the better to go with, Tamron or Sony for the 18-200mm telephoto for the NEX E-mount. He told me that fundamentally all lenses are Tamron. Yes, even the Sony 18-200mm. Fundamentally Tamron OEMs to Sony and of course, sells under their own brand name, Tamron as well. So, in terms of quality, you basically are purchasing Tamron technology regardless which one you buy. Their might be some modifications to accommodate Sony, but, that is what OEMing is all about.
Oh, one more point, the rep hinted to me a new full frame Sony NEX most likely will be pretty much close to the same size we know the current NEX cameras. It may have to be just slightly larger to accommodate mount flange for the FF sensor.
“For the first half of the year you can expect the launch of plenty of A and E mount lenses,[…]”
This sounds so good because I recently bought a NEX-6! (And i found a Zeiss 24 mm for 560 € at ebay ^^)
“Also Canon and Nikon guys may love what’s coming”
You’re killing me!!!
And keep up the great work!
E-mount on A makes no sense, unless you want a macro-tube effect.
Long flange lenses can be adapted to shorter flange mounts and still work as designed.
How so, oh wise one, do elaborate on how “an A mount can easily fit on an E. Also, An E mount can easily fit on an A.
All of this can be done without crazy big adapters, too”…
Maybe he is talking about the new hybrid mount!
The killer question to ask him would’ve been “which mount will the FF NEX come in”. XD
why no A95(A97)?
AND WHY NO A1???
I can not unterstand the sony managemend!!!!
Because they are going to dump A-mount.
I kid. Probably.
NEX lenses. We need more NEX lenses. If Sony wants to replace the DSLR-Market with mirrorless cameras, then we also need the lenses to replace the DSLR equipment.
I would love to see a 70-400 and a 85/1.8 for NEX. And no, a 70-400 would not be too large for a NEX, especially not for the NEX-6 and NEX-7. And yes, its definitely possible to build a compact 70-400 that is not much larger than the SEL 18-200. For example take a look at the Canon 70-300 DO, which is shorter than the SEL 55-210
“If Sony wants to replace the DSLR-Market with mirrorless cameras, then we also need the lenses to replace the DSLR equipment.” – But Sony doesn’t want to replace A-mount with E-mount. Thought it was clear. Both by watching the moves Sony makes, and reading rumors (including most recent one where Andrea confirmed again that this re-vamped 2013+ roadmap includes further expansion of the A-mount, not fading it away for NEXes).
Why would Sony want to do it anyway? Retreat from largest and most prestigious market for serious photography? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s much better to keep profits in two bayonets then limiting yourself to NEXes.
Sony has been in the business for dslr/slt for some time now. unless they change strategy, I don’t see them conquering the market.
hell, nikon is also trying to get 1st place ahead of canon and can’t do so! bythom.com has some interesting insights. the market is not for dslr, but for “devices that take the best possible pictures” – especially at the bottom side. if sony makes more money from the nex side, I don’t see why it should invest in the shrinking dslr market.
Sony has been in the market for some time now and they did change their strategy. Hence NEX and SLT.
my guess: SLT was not enough for them to get more market share.
in other words: they are not selling more SLTs than they sold SLRs before.
in other words: the investment in R&D for SLT has not yet paid off
my guess2: NEX has been growing a lot, very high attention to sony following RX100 and RX1. sony may be focusing more and more on these in the future
in other words: investments in R&D in new markets have paid off in terms of money (NEX) and reputation (RX).
in other words: they want to keep it going
keep in mind that resources for R&D are limited. sony has to choose how to balance them among RX/NEX/SLT. which makes more sense from a business perspective given all of the above? my guess: RX until NEX is feasible at low cost, then NEX. certainly not “exclusively A-mount cameras”. SLT hybrid E/A would be nice. (can do: big NEX with dslr form factor and SLT adaptor included in box?)
E-mount to A-mount is in the same relationship relativity theory is to classical mechanics. haha
My take:
from 2006 until 2010, they made DSLRs. The cameras were great, but there wasn’t a consistent strategy – no support for professionals, delays with upgrades (A700), etc. Conclusion, change the strategy. NEX comes on the scene, but trying to target consumers interested in something more than a compact. It becomes a big success though, so they bring more resources and decide to develop it. For the A-mount, it would be a suicide to let it go. This is the market for the pros. Pros attract consumers. The Alpha cameras also sell Alpha lenses and Alpha accessories. The business perspective, limited resources or not is to develop both simultaneously. At least for the foreseeable future. The RX, while great cameras will not be the money makers. I see them as niche cameras, which are at the same time market tests.
While it is previous obvious that one day the Alpha mount will disappear, it is far too early for such a move. Sony needs to have another mature system already in place.
Personally, I don’t believe in building a system from the bottom up and judging by Sony’s latest moves, they also think the same. Which wasn’t the case with all the releases of entry-elevel DSLRs and the first NEXs.
Wrong (regarding the professionals driving the market).
Research and market movement has shown, quite clearly, that it’s geeks like us that drive the market. Enthusiasts are the driving force today, topped only by the sheer number of consumer segment purchases.
In fact, pros fall way below now. Canon and Nikon only spit out their flagships as trophies. Even the pros rarely buy 1Dx’s anymore. Don’t fall for the hype.
If you would like to show me that research, it would be greatly appreciated. Meanwhile, I disagree.
As much as I hate to admit it, the sales volume of the EOS-M proves that Canon can basically take a dump in a box and have it sell like hotcakes.
It’s even more depressing when you consider the state of their sensors and low-mid-range bodies with a named fixed in the public consciousness because of the Andre Agassi ad campaign they rolled out over 20 YEARS ago. A sad testament to the power of advertising.
Nikon has done great stuff tweaking sensors and rolled out some good bodies, and Sony has done great making sensors and innovative bodies, but I just don’t see either of them drawing level with or surpassing Canon in terms of market share any time soon.
I’d sooner use a EOS-M than a Nikon 1.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for updating on “the big rumor issue”. You really got us going with that. It feels a bit like waiting for the Christmas gifts… And it’s good that you keep your policy or otherwise people start believing you’re a storie telling Santa.
For the moment I am most glad about the anouncement of A- and especially E-mount lenses, for you can make as much FF and WIFI or GPS operated gadged camera’s as you want, if your lens programme isn’t top, the serious photographer will keep buying the N- and the C- stuff.
Hope Sony is finally getting that message too!
Keep up the good work, Andrea!
keep it coming andrea.
I’m ready to make people shut up and take my money for a ff nex.
by the way if you can, try to find info on whether or not they are planning to release FF lenses for the FF nex, or not.
in any case, I seriously hope they go through with the ff nex idea, with or without native lenses.
If they use the 36MP FF sensor on a NEX, we could just use the current E-mount lenses in 16mp crop mode (like the D800), but ALL legacy lenses and leica lenses as full frame.
also, if this was the case, ALL legacy lenses would somehow increase their value! I’m eagerly waiting to be able to use my Konica 57/1.2 on a FF body.
same for the voigtlander 35/1.2
seriously though a FF NEX would be worth $3000 body only, probably.
Yep, working on “surprising” NEX-FF lens rumors too (if they are correct than yes it is a suprise!!!).
“surprising,” you say.
I just hope they won’t release a 54mp FF sensor with the same faults as the NEX7 one (54 = 24*2.25). that would be a serious deal braker. the 24mp one in the nexvg900 apparently does just fine with leica wide angle lenses, and I want to assume the 36mp one will do the same. I see no point in increasing resolution beyond 36mp, given the added risks of magenta casts.
if the surprise is not resolution, how about android as OS? samsung seems to be going that direction with upcoming nx cameras.
or maybe native support for nikon and canon glass with sony adapters?
given the price point of the canon 1dc I seriously hope they don’t put 4K video on it.
IBIS could be killer too.
or maybe they found a way to reduce the size of a translucent mirror and they can put it on E-mount. super fast phase AF.
even better, what if they found a way to have dslr-like phase detect af on the sensor?
ok enough with the daydreams, but I don’t see what else the surprise could be.
Andrea, why are some of my comments not appearing. Is it a problem or just a long delay?
I have to manually approve them. There is an automatic plugin named Aksimet chekcing for spams. And some comments written from IP addresses used by spam may be blocked 🙁
Understood, thanks.
I get that exact same experience. It becomes meaningless then to spend time to think through and prepare a post only to never have it show up after submission. Sort of a waste of time
Regarding the VG900, it does great with color!. But it has an AA filter over the sensor, and the corners are smeared (lose detail) on <35mm Leica/Zeiss/Voigtlander lenses.
Test posting.
mkln, I also own a Konica 57mm 1.2 lens and fully understand how baddy you want to use it in a FF mode. I’m holding buying a new Sony until they make one that will let me use that lens at FF. I’m delighted to see that Andrea is holding out hope for a A-E Hybrid in our future. This would be a dream come true, especially if we could use old 35mm film era lenses on it, at full frame!
I appreciate your work on this site. Keep up the good work.
For me that post was right on track and in fact useful. I believe that the SLTs will vanish. In the next 6 months we can see an inventory clearance of all of them.
When a properly designed (there is every chance that Sony will screw them up) FF NEX hits the markets, it will be fun.
I would like to see indications of separate still only and hybrid camera lines though. As they stand, everything is a compromise.
bummer… I’m waiting for a faster FF DSLT than the A99. A shame it doesn’t come. 🙁
I have been saying this for years… if sony wants to have an impact in the photography world, they need to release a product that centers upon photography offering what is important to photographers. Yes the slt and evf did help in terms of usability. However they have their faults. If sony threw the 36mp sensor that performs better than the d800… that would have been a statement.
It would still have a Sony badge and it would still be ignored by CaNikon users. A 36mp sensor will have ZERO impact on CaNikon sales.
“36mp sensor that performs better than the d800”
Well I would have bought one… nuff said!
Now I am sticking with the good old A77.
If Sony wants e real piece of the DSLR/DSLT market, they need better camera’s than the competition. Not equal or less, but BETTER!
RX-1 = best camera of the year 2013
a99 = yet to beat in regards to functions, ie, dr, color
NEX-7, a77 = CaniKons got no clue how to compete againt
RX-100 = best compact digital camera ever made to date
Not enough?!!! 🙂
the RX-1 is niche at the best, given its price point. yes, it’s cool, but its lifetime is limited. besides, if extreme size reduction is not your top priority, 24/1.4 on APS-C would give similar results to the 35/2 in the RX-1. maybe not the same pixel-level sharpness, maybe not the same dynamic range, maybe a lot of maybes, but close. The issue would be much different if the Rx-1 had a faster lens, like a 35/1.4 (because there’s no way you can beat that with APS-C)
the A99 is great, but competes with 5d3/D800 and does so too late. it also got announced at the same time nikon outed the d600 and canon the 6d, so all attention went to the market leaders. then, most canon people will look at iso performance and will blindly say the A99 sucks. most nikon people will realize they have a better tweaked sensor and much cheaper lenses to work with (cheap f/1.8 FF primes!)
nex7 and nex in general: here’s the thing. we all know they are great in terms of value and flexibility, but the general public may still mistake them for compacts and think they have lower image quality. then, sony does not market them enough in my opinion. canon is now going with a marketing campaign for their sucky eos M. where I live (milan) they have 2-3 people working 24/7 at the central station with a huge billboard and sample cameras.
Rx100 seems to be a success story. but still, I get the impression that just a few people from the general public bought it.
the feeling I get is that sony manages to sell to the informed consumers (the ones who learn and look at reviews) more than it sells to the general public. which would be perfectly fine, if sony itself didn’t aim for world domination.
“but its lifetime is limited.”
Yup! Those bloggers hailing the RX1 would have completely forgotten. It will also vanish from the product line more quickly.
the RX1 is a very nice, very expensive toy. that is not to say that it does not take good pictures. and as the reviewers often said, the RX1 is somewhat of a proof of concept. sony showed its muscles with the RX1. it will certainly not sell in huge absolute numbers if the price stays that high. sony is probably interested in the informed consumers’ perspective, in how well it is perceived, in how well it sells relative to their expectations. testing the ground for a ff nex.
Market testing with real products and real people? Proof in concept?
Sony just needs to take the “Sony” name out of the camera and start marketing the NEX as a stand-alone brand.
Market testing with real products and real people? Proof in concept?
Sony just needs to take the “Sony” name out of the camera and start marketing the NEX as a stand-alone brand?
Let’s just come up with all kinds of crazy stuff and post it randomly, everywhere?
I agree… facepalm.
Who said anything about marketing nex brand alone?
and market testing is always there, with or without it being intentional. just see how a product sells compared to expectations. I don’t think sony had a real clue about how consumers would react to the RX1. it may be a long shot, but the very different pricing for US / EU may also work as a tool to test demand at different price points.
My opinion is that they probably thought the RX1 would not produce a loss in terms of reputation and/or monetary profits. so they marketed it.
Or do you think sony and manufacturing companies always have 100% certainty on how much they will sell their products?
The RX1 is already a success at least in terms of reputation for sony. if it sells more than expected, it will show sony people like the idea. the next logical step for sony is to build on that idea and go further. i.e. full frame nex.
mkln – after reading your post there’s just one thing I want to do: facepalm.
Care to explain why?
I am with Sky Walker here – facepalm.
Sure, the A99 is nice, but not better than the 5mk3 or D800. It needs to be better for photos! Video is nice Extra), but I want a topfhotocamera.
It’s not better, it’s not even equal, but it is (much) more expensive.
I like the way Sony is going (innovative and all), but boy, give us some real good FF camera’s (DSLT/DSLR; I don’t care for Nex or RX) so there are more and more shooters who are going to use Sony. We need more FF models, not just one.
I don’t care for it’s price. I just want the best tools around (and I don’t want to switch to Nikon or canon)
Seriously, what are you talking about? How is the A99 much more expensive when it is actually cheaper? You like how Sony is innovating, but the camera is not better or even equal to the 5d3 or d800? What is it bad at exactly? It has plenty of features the others do not have and apparently, judging by the D600, a great sensor…
a camera+lens ecosystem is like a standard, quality alone is not enough to make you switch.
sony will never win by making “everything better” (assuming they can – and they haven’t yet been able to). they need a HUGE boom.
OR a new market in which THEY can be the standard. (nex!)
You lose 25% of the incoming light to the pellicle mirror. That is a big problem.
The A99 is NOT a flagship camera. It is a mid level camera (check SOny’s sites). Comparing the prices of a similar camera (Nikon D600), the A99 is quite expensive in Europe while delivering only ~75% of what the Sony sensor can deliver.
I am not sure if you (mkln) are replying to me. If yes, then you are arguing a different point.
@Vivek I don’t see how loosing these 25% of light is a big problem. Seen plenty of files, tests, comparisons and whatnot, and it is marginal.
Whether the A99 is a “flagship” camera has only to see with semantics. I do not see how it is “similar” to a D600? It would be interesting if you can develop on that. I mean, the D800 looks similar to the D600 to me too.
“the A99 is quite expensive in Europe while delivering only ~75% of what the Sony sensor can deliver.”
Now, that was some funny calculations, I really wonder how you came up with it? What, you get 75% DR?
The A99 in Japan and the US is cheaper than both 5d3 and d800, has plenty of features those two do not have (and also is missing some) and I don’t see why it wouldn’t deliver amazing IQ, same like as the two others. Not that anybody will base their decision to buy one of these cameras on IQ only.
Agree!
“Simply because it comes long time after the D800 release and it would have been probably be as (or more) expensive as the Nikon.”
In germany, D800 costs 2,300 EURO, the D600 cost 1,700 EURO and the A99 costs 2,800 EURO (all prices for body only).
I think SONY already has a much more expensive FF than the D800 …
Truth be told, I did not know these prices until a minute ago, so this came sort of as a shock …
Who in their right mind would right now freshly invest into a SONY FF system with all its outdated lenses and extreme lack of accessories?
I don’t think the ZA lenses outweigh such a price difference …
mind = blown
Same situation in the UK, A99 already more expensive than D800 by over £400!
I love my A900, but if you don’t own lots of Sony/Minolta lenses and aren’t interested in video, I don’t see why you’d pick the A99
In whole Europe A99 is at least 500E more than D800. And no matter how hard I try I find A99 to be lower specs camera. In USA A99 is 200$ LESS than D800. So arguments about TAXes etc. fail here. I think no one in Europe should buy A99 with those crazy prices. This camera should be prices 2100E today and slowly fall price into D600/6D level.
I have NEX and Alpha lenses. Waited for A99 to buy it, but now I think I will keep NEX, dump Alpha lenses and get D800.
Keep in mind that D800 has build in flash and superior flash system. Sony has only one expensive flash with new hotshoe. I add this flash issue to whole system prices.
Pricing is even more painful when you realize that Nikon buys A99 sensor from Sony and sells quite competitive camera with it for 1700E (including build in flash). Yeah I know there is dirt issue, but it will be resolved sooner or later. And at least Nikon and Canon users have cheaper options available. How is that possible that A850 that was much better build and included OVF started from 2000$ (about 1800E iirc) and later fallen in prices to 1100E in some shops. A99 is based on Sony sensor, EVF that is cheaper than OVF, doesn’t have flash and is mainly A77 with FF sensor. This pricing is ridiculous.
So bugger off and buy a Nikon then, who cares. Please send your Alpha lenses to me forthwith!
Apparently, you should, especially if you are begging for A mount lenses. LOL.
It’s sad that someone can’t post a negative comment about a Sony product even it its true on this site without someone basically tell him to F#ck off.
If you don’t agree, just state YOUR case and the facts that support them or just ignore what has been written.
“You are allowed have your own opinion but not your own facts”
Cant believe Europe prices. In Australia a99 is advertised around $2900. 5d3 and d800 around $3400. I picked up an a99 for $2750. Hasn’t arrived yet, can’t wait though.
I just checked the internet page of a popular Italian store. Apparently Sony A99 and Nikon D800 (body only) have the same price:
http://www.ilfotoamatore.it/listaprodotti.asp?P=2&R=3&F=3&M=00&Mode=esteso&Prezzo1=&Prezzo2=&Pixel=&Zoom=&Tecnologia=&Tec_Ob=&Ord=Pdes&RP=
Well, I thought, and I think, that the A99 should have been introduced with a far lower price…
Maybe the situation in Aus is just particularly favourable?
For what it’s worth, in NZ the D800 and 5DIII are about NZ$4100, the A99 about NZ$3800 and the D600 about NZ$2700.
Btw, what happen to the Hybid A-E mount camera? Also got cancelled along with the A1x?
or would it simply become FF NEX + LA-EA3 / LA-EA4?
I have something about that one too…coming soon.
Hybrid FF camera = VG900
Andrea, it is possible Sony may completely surprise us with a RX1-like announcement, which was kept hidden until the very end 😉
No. I know now what’s coming (or at least I hope to know).
Hi,
I like your work as is
Please tell us more about next aps-c: can I use it at ISO 3200 in lowlight concert/club?
That I don’t know yet 🙁
Andrea – we’d really appreciate if you could figure out what are these APS-C SLTs Sony plans to release. If they are just replacements for A37 and A77 with new hotshoe, or something different?
I hope the FF NEX will have IBIS to be backward compatible with the A-mount lenses via adaptor. 🙂
That is very important feature.
I had Nex-7 with LA-AE2 adapter for SA lenses but was not happy .-( Sold them and bought A99 because of SS, and also because of bigger body with better AF.
IBIS is dead – sorry, dude. Image stabilized lenses are the way to go… not just technically, but marketwise, too.
Where are all those people saying the early NEX-VG900 posted here were fake back then? 😀
Btw admin, ignore those people that don’t believe in you and don’t want to admit sometimes working with rumors can be so complicated and not 100% reliable. Not an easy task but you’re doing great.
Too bad there will be no SLT-a85. So that means either, Sony will lower SLT-a99 price and introduce an even higher spec FF model or a better spec SLT-a77 will come this year (what about a 16.1MP with Vertical Grip and 14fps and the best performance ever on Sony APS-C lineup???). But I was really expecting a SLT-a85 to be the best match for the “affordable” SAL50F14Z Carl Zeiss next year.
Thank you Admin ! Every time I read your good work I get more confidence in waiting for the A77/A57 successor ! It may sound so ridiculous as people still remember how long it took from A700 to A77. This time, having facing the incoming D7200/7D MK II and a very aggressive D5200! They have to move faster as more people are still waiting for a much improved APS-C system(still much lower entry requirement for people move to APS-C than FF, as FF lens cost even more than a cheap FF body will save for people!)
FF is the ultimate way to go, I totally agree on this. However, the recent FF beauty, Sony A99 still leaves something to be desired(wider AF point coverage, better FPS and buffer depth etc). As we can guess Sony now is working harder on better AF even possible removal of the SLT mirrow, what they can actually bring now for FF is to renew their current lens lineup for FF(all constant F2.8 zeiss and ultra zoom G lens should be Weather-sealed, at least). In the difficult time of economic recession, you still need to get more people on board of aps-c first and they can later move to your FF when they like your camera and cannot leave your mount !!!
I am pretty confident that Sony will bring about an A79 and A59 which shares many from A99(new hot shoe along with a more affordable F43 flash successor, on sensor PDAF assist, AF-range function,removal of Video crop factor when SSS is disabled for better Video, recording sound volume adjustment, and NR OFF !!! Most of them are just software support so easy to do and raise litte production cost, but the positive impact will be phenomenal !!!)
Sony, you cannot release any cheaper FF by ripping off the current A99 by any means ! Instead, modernize your FF lenses to keep the A99 user-base in hope and strike with more afforable and more refined aps-c A/E camera(especially for the semi-pro model and mainstream consumer model, the A79 and A59! They will buy your stuff twice if you make them happy first!) By the time they get more money and more fun by using your aps-c, you should be able to buy sufficient time and resource for better FF A body and FF NEX along with native FF E lens, and a sizeble future upgraders !!!)
Come on, work on and release A79, A59, modern A/E lens now and buy your some time and money for your better FF A/E system, and fanbase for their sale ! If you release FF Nex now, people will only adapt vintage lens and..even worse, they will adapt canon/nikon lens and your ground will be all lost to the big boys !!!
“Also Canon and Nikon guys may love what’s coming”
interchangeable mounts? pleeeeeeease 🙂
I also never understood why sigma is not making their cameras in different mounts. but interchangeable mounts would be even cooler.
and of course a tilt shift adapter for medium and large format lenses 🙂
a very high quality sensor shouldn’t be a problem for sony 🙂
no competition for sports but for fashion, landscape, products, architecture, portrait that would be huge 🙂
“interchangeable mounts? pleeeeeeease” – I’d love this. Actually: I’d love this 10 times more then simple E-mount camera and Sony suggesting everyone to use adaptors.
That’s basically six of one and half a dozen of the other, unless it done properly.
Interchangeable mounts was something I thought of when I read this rumour, but could it happen in reality? Wouldn’t Sony have to licence the mount technology to be able to use the mounts and their lens communication protocols? It would have to be done properly with full AF and aperture adjustments, or you may as well just buy a standard NEX with a cheap ebay adapter.
Yep, Much better to have the open spec’ed E-mount, and leave it to Chinese to make the adaptors. There are now three AF and aperture controlled Canon EF adaptors. This allows SONY to avoid depending and paying licensing to access to other systems.
E with it’s short flange is the universal system mount. Things like tilt-shift adaptors for regular 35mm SLR lenses already being produced, because there’s room without the mirror.
Sony, in a time of economic recession(for you and your potential buyers, most of them are still not prepared to go get an entire FF system) and incoming APS-C offence from Canon/Nikon, your best feasible move should be release A79, A59 with technologies used on A99(AF-range, NR-OFF, no video crop factor penalty are all software/electronic stuff therefore cost you little if anything more by adding them !!!)and more pocket-friendly F43 flash successor to offer an afforable solution for new comers into your system and buy you some time and resource for the development of FF body for A/E, refresh your FF lens ling up by weather-sealing and better coating them to keep your A99 userbase from fleeing and give your APS-C users confidence in future upgrading !!!
Do prepare everything for better FF A/E system but DO NOT release FF NEX without competitive native E lens system, otherwise people will be busy adapting their lecia and, even worse, their canon/nikon lens and you will lose everything else (body, lens, accessory)to the big boys !!!
Firstly just to echo what a lot of others have already said,we do appreciate all your hard work,without you we wouldn’t have a clue what was happening to the system that we have so far invested a lot of money into.
Next,i own a A900, so for the last 3-4 years ,its been great, but ive watching Canon ,Nikon, hoping that Sony will give me tools equal the these brands. I watched rumors for months about A99, im a photographer not a film maker, not at all bothered with video,take it off my camera and spend the money on improving the camera quality and spec. My hopes were again raised with word of a 36 meg photo based camera coming next year, a year later than other manufactures that use Sony sensors ,but, i just want the best tool for me to improve the quality of my photos.
And now your telling us that,this wont be coming,no new FF this year? I need new lenses,i have stalled from buying them because i don’t know if im staying with Sony or migrating to another manufacturer.
Nikon and Canon users ,can buy quality wide angel Carl Ziess prime lenses,there are none for A mounts, although they work together,madness.
I hope your right and the road map change is for the better ,but better for NEX (which i dont care about) or better for A mount? how many more years should i wait?
I hope Sony read your site,because i cant be the only very pissed off photographer currently using their equipment.
just out of curiosity: what do you think is missing on the a99? apart from the 12 mp difference? I have no plan to upgrade, but I think I would choose Sony again for iss, swiveling screen and great liveview mode. and live histogram in viewfinder.
apart from that, it sounds like it’s time for you to change systems anyway. I guess Sony have given up on photographers with your needs, most of them are already with canikon and will never leave
not iss! of course, IBIS! IN BODY IMAGE STABILIZATION.
I think, your right the A99 is a good camera,just not “better enough to warrent a £2,000 upgrade. Not sure about EVF ,it maybe that using it is much better ,a great improvement, i dont know as the few shops ive been to have not had one in stock and “focus on imaging ” exhibition,Sony decided not to show.
Your right Sony’s (Minolta’s) in camera stabilizing system is a much better feature than the competitors.
I need a 70-200mm,and a 150 macro lens ,which is going to cost ,i just want to know if Sony are commited.
Why do u sound like a kid man? Stop whining about needing a new camera to improve your photos. That sounds so amateur.
Well,mayve you are,but listen,improving your photos doesnt necessarily depend on the camera. Read books,see more photos from other photographers,keep shooting and spend times to improve your post processing will get u to the level u want yourself to be
Why do i sound like a kid? i dont NEED a new camera, i agree with everything you say,we can always improve and i hope i will. As i said i need a couple of lenses ,which means further commitment to the Sony Alpha system,i hope Sony are as committed as some of us are.Please take a look at some of my images mostly taken with the brilliant A900.Thanks http://500px.com/nwmphotography
Nice!
I wouldn’t be surprised if ihur even has a quality camera and if he does he has only had it for a year and his previous camera was likley a cellphone.
This happens all of the time, some airhead that doesn’t know what he doesn’t know, snaps a pictures of his cat and is told by his sister that he is a great photographer. He then opens his big mouth on this site and posts trash and gets his clock cleaned by someone that can demonstrate real talent.
Good job!
Cheers Steve
I think you were too kind to spend time answering his message, but thanks for the pics…
A mirrorless SLT-type body of a APS-C camera based on an interchangable (adapter) lens bayonet mount, making it possible to choose whether to shoot with Sony, Nikon or Canon lens systems!
It would be a real surprise, and expand their market opportunities a great deal! 🙂
That would be a future possiblity if the worsening economic landscape make the major photographic gear manufactors face even difficulties in attracting people to jump ship(at a point when people simply cannot afford an entire system), but for now, they will not do it as they still want users to fully heartedly stay in their particular system.
That’s a dream, but I don’t see canon or nikon licensing their mounts to such a competitor as sony
Good morning from Coruna, Spain …… Andrea.
I see that this is a rumor website.
People who do not like the rumors that will be Sony’s official website.
Keep working and do not be afraid to post rumors, this website we like, should be fun.
Greetings to all.
one of the new slt will be my replacement for a55.
yep 😉
Hi Andrea, any info about the revolutionary tech on SLT?
Will the main innovation be on mirror design? Will the EVF-structure be kept?
Andrea – Any more information on the Firmware Update for the a77? I want Sony to support current users – not come out with a new camera every 15 minutes only to abandon it it 3 months later!!!!!
No info yet. One new source said IQ is a bit improved but I really don’t know anything reliable yet.
Is there a problem with comments not loading onto the site?
Very exciting! Thanks for posting!
I hope they come out with a reasonably priced FF NEX in the next year – it would def be amazing if they could price it the same as the RX1, assuming the zeiss lens on the RX1 would sell for ~$1200-$1500, the FF body should be around $1200-$1500. That would be a dealMAKER for me!
A man can dream!
Andrea, you have identified a “99%”. I am part of that “99%”. You have my support!
Thanks!!! 🙂
OK, new SLT cameras. Is one of them an A77 replacement?
The coming first 100% sure not. I am investigating on the other 1 or 2 SLT.
plenty of E mount lenses is just perfect! both “very high quality lenses” and “compact with acceptable quality lenses” please, to match the expectations of all kind of NEX users.
Reading through all the comments, it seems like I am the only one who don’t own a NEX but A-Mount system. What I hope for is lenses to have SSM on it and weather seal. Price should be decent and that’s all. I am not a pro and I am not rich. A high end aps-c or a cheep full frame will do the job.
You don’t have to be a pro or rich to enjoy photography. The APS C sensors and cheap FF’s you refer to are really no better than the top of the line sensors. Most of what you buy today (on the cheap low end) was top of the line just 2 years ago.
Proof: The Rebel T4i is spitting out the same quality now that the 1DIII was just a couple years ago. The d3200, same. The NEX 6, same.
Well, that’s true for sensor IQ, but not for the overall camera / system.
In fact the importance of the sensor is far overestimated.
If in your photography you need features like speed, wather sealing, fast lenses or more in general high quality glass, etc., then you are going to spend big time for those.
He said something about weather sealed lenses, which are quite useless if the body is not sealed as well…
Hey Andrea, there are plenty of us that appreciate the work you put into getting the best information you can. And we realize that everything is not going to be 100% accurate for a variety of reasons not under your control.
So keep on going… You are doing the right thing in my book
This site and Andreas does well. Nice work.
Sadly, we just have Sony floundering and I am sure they’ll promise revolution in the digital world, challenging Canikon and all that. I shoot a-mount (not so sunny as e-mount), but I won’t much longer. I’ve had enough of being a guine pig for Sony ‘s floundering a-mount.
Thanks for good work Andrea and keep up!
Andrea. I can’t understand why you would want to apologize if any rumor you posted did not pan out. I think you provide a wonderful and interesting service.
The term rumor loosely defined is “a story or statement without confirmation or certainty as to facts” [sic]- (dictionary.com) As the title of your webpage URL reveals the general content that can be expected, viewers of your webpage should then expect this level of fact.
Non-the-less, this site provides tons of information that I find extremely useful and the level of rumors are anticipated like a lotto player playing a weekly ticket, either you win (SR5) or you don’t (SR1)
So thanks for the service you provide, keep up the good work.
Dear Admin, thanks so much for your effort informing us. You website is among my daily must reads ! Sorry, but is there any news on the rumoured RX10 (APS-C sensor), sitting between the great RX100 and awesome RX 1. Seems all the action sis going towards NEX FF. Hope I did not miss anything among the many comments. Thanks and keep up your good work. John.
“Also Canon and Nikon guys may love what’s coming”
I take this to mean more emphasis on NEX, which can only be good. While Canikon waffles around about going full mirrorless, many of us want a solution now. For Sony, I only have two recommendations. Make it very high quality. None of the plastic crap that you and m43 foist onto the consumers. Focus on lens. We don’t need an interchangeable camera system. We need an interchangeable lens system. If this means pulling lens making resources off that flailing Alpha line, then do it. You have no chance in that declining market. Focus on the future. I don’t really care which brands does it, but it pent up demand has been building for years for a future thinking camera that solves the problem of weight and size and quality. m43 isn’t going to deliver it. Canikon are deploying delay tactics. Leica is completely lost in the woods. It leaves the door wide open to you, Sony. Get Zeiss and Sigma on board big time. You don’t have the lens design capacity!
I am going to cease all lens buying till I see this high end NEX. Well, maybe I’ll pick up a 24/1.4 or 28/1.8 for my D800E but will definitely stop buying APS-C lenses for my NEX-7.
Exciting news coming out of Sony, for sure… if it’s what I am assuming.
you are unbelievable thank you for what you do.
Hi ANDREA,Thanks for the site, your time , and quality info u give us 🙂
can u tell me what E mount lenses are coming out in 2013 and a time frame please ???
Have no exact info yet! Will give it to you as soon as I have something. But I think you don’t have to wait a lot of time to see the next bunch of new NEX lenses…
Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera
Full Frame (24 or 30-32 Megapixels)
On-Sensor Phase Detect Autofocus
A & E mount compatible (without adapter)
2013 Release
All I wish for is very simple, an A77 upgrade with the new hot shoe.
Sony’s every changing roadmap looks like a lack of confidence to me, and make me lack confidence in their lineup. In order to build my studio and equipment, I need a camera line that’ll stay true over the next decade. No more “We’re going to do this, we’re going to do that, we did this which is completely different than that.” As a professional photographer that uses Sony equipment, I have one request to Sony. Stop trying to revolutionize the industry before you get a solid foothold. Give us a good camera that just works without the bells and whistle. THEN you can work on changing the camera industry as we know it. And guess what, if then those other attempts fail, you still have your long lasting body that wont quit. That body would be the a850/a900 with a proper standard hot-shoe.
+1
@Matthew
I think you switch to CaNikon.
They are bound to give you the “same old same old” system with modest improvements and hype that entices you to purchase at every iteration.
🙂
I think Sony’s problem is that they don’t “entice you to purchase at every iteration”. If the A99 was a giant leap above the A900/850 I think they’d be selling more.
Thanks for the hard work Andrea! Any idea will there be any long range lenses for Nex? 300mm or above? I believe long range may have some AF problems via the mirrorless sensor directly…
Matthew: Could not agree more with your statement. Long term foundations are built on quality, not flash in the pan technologies. The a900 got me into sony for it’s simplicity and quality. Where is the follow up?
It seems like the sony development team just reads forum posts all day and has lost touch with the reality of what really drives the pro photo market. See 5D and D800?
For casual NEX shooters or enthusiasts, yes sony is doing wonders, but for full time pros trying to invest in a full system, Sony just keeps on dissapointing. I’m looking for a cost effective way out of the system.
Tom-Tom,
Another clear and concise post like Matthew that expresses exactly how I feel and how I see my personal situation with my investment.
Thanks!!!
+1
I’m a bit confused. Does it still make sense to buy SLT bodies and lenses today? Will Sony continue to innovate SLT, or move their focus on NEX and RX1/100?
There will be new SLT cameras soon (entry level SLT).
all right admin, you shouldn’t listen to criticism
only the one that try will enventualy make mistake
(and even when you don’t make mistakes, some will bark anyway)
you’re doing a great job i’m pleased to follow it several times a week
So does the revolutionizing of Sony’s roadmap still include the successor to the Nex-7 you announced in November? Or have high-end APS-sized sensor cameras fallen off the map in the single-minded pursuit of a FF Leica-killer?
Andrea
thanks for your great work! Don’t pay attention to ignoramuses and so called anoraks. This is a very good and unique rumor site. Your serious, substantiated rumor-politic is just right and in long term it will pay off… it pays off already now – You are aleready now the unique, reliable specialist in the environment of sony-rumors with the solid sources-net and the big true fan-community! So keep it up and we stay thankful tuned on SAR 🙂
Cheers!
VT
Andrea, you´re doing a very nice job. I´m reading here once or twice a day the last year or so.
A newer A77? NO WAY! It has less than 2 years old, it’s like Sony is only making “disposable” cameras (2 years? They should last more).
Sony has to design a so much better FF, honestly, the A99 is not at the level of a 5D Mark III.
I love my Sony camera, but they need to do a lot of things, like “ultrasonic” lenses, more high quality lenses (like a 28mm f/1.8, a better macro, etc etc).
That’s my thought :).
Best regards Andrea, keep going!
How much does all this tie in with the fact they already announced that they’d be launching new cameras at CES and the announcement about the 2K/4K 240fps capable sensor http://news.doddleme.com/equipment/sony-introduces-consumer-4k-camera-sensors
Surely they’re not going to sit on that till late 2013 when it pushes them massively ahead of the curve (well, in the consumer/prosumer video capable cameras stakes anyway).
And surely that sensor’s designed for the NEX range, there must be an NEX 8 or 9 with it’s name on it somewhere on the horizon.
May I simply just say what a relief to uncover someone that really knows what they’re discussing on the web. You actually realize how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people really need to check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s
surprising you are not more popular since you definitely possess
the gift.