Rumours ramping up.

[Javelin]

16.2MP full frame sensor exmor R (new technology)
100-25600 ISO
8 frame/sec
SSI, same a900 OVF, new AF system,
GPS and WiFi built-in
3.5 in. LCD display
Pop-up flash
Flash sync (1/500)
Camera level
23 AF sensors
Quick Live View
Video Full HD
Dust/splashes sealed
Aluminum-magnesium alloy body
Released early September, 2009


http://photorumors.com/2009/05/31/sony-alpha-800-dslr/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[KevinBarrett]

Just saw that over at DPReview. It looks exactly like a wish list.

[Javelin]

I have a hard time beleiving all that will be in one body 8fps FF ? borrowed tec from Nikon maybe ? or reading multiple frames per mirror flip? like they read multiple frames per shutter release on the hX1

[KevinBarrett]

Sonolta, keep the lounger, you'll need a comfy chair waiting for that camera to come around. Also, relevant auction posts go here.

[Heidfirst]

on another UK forum there is a chap who certainly seems to be in Sony's good books & he says that there will be an A800 (no spec. details divulged by him though) this year.
he also says that according to Paul Genge Sony are working on an A900 firmware update.

[peterottaway]

Famous last words coming up.

I think any Sony 16 MP sensor will be APS-C not FF so if the rumour has any basis it relates to A700 replacement and as such a model will be expensive there could be two varients so that Sony can cover a couple of price points but using the same body.

A730 with 16MP,5FPS, 14 bit processor with Live View and Video. Also with lens focus adjustment.

A750 at a price of A730 plus $250. The same 16MP with 8FPS, 14 bit processor, Live View, Video and focus adjustment. Plus interchangeable screens, GPS and WiFi built in.

You would use the same basic family of parts with those that don't make full spec being used with 12 MP A500 model(s). Only a moulding for the screen plus higher spec memory for 8 FPS would be different with the GPS being a plugin on the motherboard.

[Dr. Harout]

You're not taking those rumors seriously, are you?
Don't tell me you believe that Sony will give up his MP race?

[David Kilpatrick]

For what it is worth, having got a successful sale on eBay (bids still to come in) for my Kodak DCS based infra-red specialist kit - which I put together with this sale in mind - I have just ordered a Nikon D5000 with 18-55mm VR for £629. I spent an hour, and even phoned Canon first (they offered me journo discount on the 5D MkII but it was still £1800 for a body and I can not afford that just to experiment with video). My hour was mainly puzzling over a Canon 500D with 18-55mm at the only £30 more, when the camera is actually £150 more expensive and shoots 1080p, and I have a nice 75-300mm IS USM lens in my cupboard which would round off the outfit. I have no such Nikon lens.

Here is why I went for Nikon - I compared the videos size for size. I looked at Canon 720p and Nikon 720p first. The Nikon videos have double the level of fine detail, it's amazing. They are sharp enough to be still JPEGs if you freeze frame. The Canon were really soft - less noise admittedly in low light, by a long way, but no detail at all, just smooth blur over all textures. And the shutter speeds were consistently long so any freeze frame, of any movement, was never sharp.

Then I sized the Nikon 720p up to 1080p size by just dragging the QuickTime window out to fill the screen. I was really surprised. The Nikon videos, including still frames, had much more detail than the Canon native 1080p which was every bit as soft as the 720p - in fact, it almost looked as if Canon was taken half resolution and enlarging it, where Nikon used a resolution just exactly the same as we expect from a fine JPEG. I know the Nikon does 1080i output as well. Also, the colours and sharpness overall of the Nikon were amazing compared to the Canon.

Why post this here?

Because it looks as if 15.2 megapixels really means NOTHING in the video domain and the Nikon 12.1 megapixels produces a far better video image. Fortunately I tested each camera in its own right without making this comparison in my BJP articles, or Canon would never speak to me again. So Sony making whatever 16.x or similar sensor in APS-C, or full frame, or whatever may have no bearing on how their video (if they get it) works out.

If they do a video based on the Sony chip used in the D5000 - they could have a winner.

David

[Winston]

Why post this here?

Because it looks as if 15.2 megapixels really means NOTHING in the video domain and the Nikon 12.1 megapixels produces a far better video image. Fortunately I tested each camera in its own right without making this comparison in my BJP articles, or Canon would never speak to me again. So Sony making whatever 16.x or similar sensor in APS-C, or full frame, or whatever may have no bearing on how their video (if they get it) works out.

If they do a video based on the Sony chip used in the D5000 - they could have a winner.
David

Why would the pixel density matter at all? What am I missing? 1080P is only two megapixels.

[stevecim]

That's what I thought

[David Kilpatrick]

It doesn't matter, but with the Pentax K7 and Canon 500D, people are tending to associate the video function with a higher res CMOS sensor.

All I am saying is that we might get a higher res CMOS, we might get video, but the two could be in different cameras. The Nikon 12.1 megapixel D5000 CMOS with video is, as far as I can tell, the best frame per frame video image so far.

I believe that there are different methods for getting video from larger sensors, and too large a sensor may cause problems.

Here are some examples - visit this pBase sequence of images, shows fairly clearly how the Canon softens images in the extreme compared to the Nikon - for whatever reason:

http://www.pbase.com/davidkilpatrick/dmovie_stills

David

[Winston]

Thanks David.

[Javelin]

Hi David. it may be time for you to get an electric train set. to test the DSLR video on. constant speed, constant light and the same subject for each camera with long segments of uniform lines so we can see any jello and sharpness of the frames. of course we can poke fun at you with your new toys too

[alphaPDX]

Casio can't have bought every hi-fps circuit Sony has available; could we not see a new camera with 6mpxl, 50fps stills in place of true video? Someone could make a converter to stitch and compress later. The sweep-pano shows they have new uses for such circuits, and maybe that's the interim solution to video lust. Just (barely) a thought..

[alexramos7]

Casio can't have bought every hi-fps circuit Sony has available; could we not see a new camera with 6mpxl, 50fps stills in place of true video? Someone could make a converter to stitch and compress later. The sweep-pano shows they have new uses for such circuits, and maybe that's the interim solution to video lust. Just (barely) a thought..

Why doesn´t Sony use this CMOS like 2nd sensor on a new serie LV/Video cameras??
This sensor is a 1/1.8" and also Sony has a 9MPx CMOS HS of 1/2.33"...