Will there really be an A99ii

Specifically for the discussion of the A-mount DSLR range
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Dusty
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by Dusty »

GPS is the one feature I wished I'd had in a camera since I started shooting, back in my roll film days!

If only they had put it in the 580! I used to try to take pictures of something at the location I was at that had the name of the location on it. Back in the film days, that cost me a little bit of money, but was worth it whe I'm looking at the photos years later and trying to remember where it was.

Of course, today we can just tag the photo, but that means an extra step in PP, and what if you're just doing straight from the camera jpegs? That's where GPS would be handy.

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Birma
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

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If you want a steady upgrade path; few pixels here, few more focus points there, then Canon and Nikon are the way to go. I have loved Sony cameras from the start, but it is one hell of a ride trying to second guess where they go next. I suspect this is the difference between a technology company, and a market leading camera manufacturer. I think Sony will continue to throw new tech at us, and then try to capitalize on what it perceives works. In my imagination the Canon engineers are sitting around trying to work out what the 850D will have, then the 900D, and then ... Round at Sony they are trying to shoe horn the latest thing from the R&D boys into what ever the engineers can make fit.
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the_hefay
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by the_hefay »

Well put Andy. That's kind of the way I see it too.
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bfitzgerald
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by bfitzgerald »

A58 isn't the problem it's the lack of "something in the middle" many will find the A58 too basic some might not want to spend the cash on the A77II I think Sony are missing out there hugely very important to have a mid or upper entry model.

A99 could find life for a good while yet but only at the right price point that means closer to the £1000 mark knowing Sony they will probably discontinue it before a new model is released their usual stunt which causes panic among A mount users. I'd rather Sony did a Nikon and keep models around for a good time after the update comes out. It might make sense for Canon to have a big mp model or 2, it could for Sony but not the "only model" Canon have and Nikon have multiple FF bodies, Sony have one. Pentax will bring one out shortly.

I can see nothing wrong with 3 APS-C bodies (add a mid point one) and 2 FF ones no shortage of E mount bodies around
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by classiccameras »

We need or at least I need a mid level enthusiasts camera, may be a higher spec including build spec version of the A58 or a 65 replacement, those will be in my price range, So far, my 37 and 57 are producing excellent IQ and are nice to use and operate and I would be hard pushed to justify a new body unless I sold one. My Canon 550D is sitting in the cupboard waiting for me to build a kit round it from the vast used market, but I have to make a decision soon. Remember the more pixels the more lenses struggle to justify them and still give good edge to edge performance and that is very evident on FF with high pixel count, lens prices could become prohibitive to the average photographer.
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bfitzgerald
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by bfitzgerald »

Some said the A57 was "too good" though it didn't have the GPS or dual dials it does have a decent overall feel and spec. It would make sense to have an updated A57/65 model without question. I would add a grip option (not a stupid priced grip either) possibly dual dials it would be easy to make an A77 "lite" type model offering a step up but not interfering with the A77II. According to SAR nothing on the horizon don't hold your breath. Maybe a FF will turn up no doubt with a £2500 price tag tons of pixels and a massive gap between the A77II and a new FF body.
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ValeryD
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by ValeryD »

I don't think new a99-II will be so expensive like ~ $4000. Sony probably realise by so high price they going to "kill" last consumer who use Sony FF A format cameras. At beginning it should be same price as a99. For a58 - it's update and replacement a37, a57 and a77II for some advanced user who going to use old A format. I can't see any update for this levels cameras . Basically Sony lost the money on APS-C A format cameras as the annual report say.
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bfitzgerald
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by bfitzgerald »

If they lost money it was due to lack of effort there is no reason to look at the A58 v other DSLR's there at least was one with the A57 the large buffer and high fps.

No pain no gain get lazy and you lose the race simple as that really. Sony put 0 effort into the entry to upper entry models in the last few years, why is anyone surprised they didn't do that well? If you don't have new users coming in who is going to buy the A77II and A99 models later on? A very simple point but it seems to have baffled Sony for some odd reason.
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by Heidfirst »

Sony are selling E-mount cameras at lower price levels instead of SLT. A-mount for now will be for those who need faster AF & larger bodies to balance larger, heavier lenses like 300/2.8.
Canon & Nikon are both seeing large declines in DSLR sales & are also concentrating on higher models where that decline is less.
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by classiccameras »

Good point of view, Heidfirst, Barry makes a valid point as well. One article I read confirms that DSLR sales are in decline, but Canon still remains fairly buoyant in the DSLR sales compared to the others. I wouldn't think Sony even feature in these figures as their share of the DSLR market is tiny by comparison. I think I prefer the A57 over the A-58, but as I said on another thread, My old Canon 550D exhibits better IQ in my opinion than my Sony cameras, although I think my little A37 challenges that. Where is Sony going, they seem rudderless and undecided as to where their future lies, plus they seem to be bringing out A mount cameras few people will be interested in.
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by Heidfirst »

classiccameras wrote: as I said on another thread, My old Canon 550D exhibits better IQ in my opinion than my Sony cameras, although I think my little A37 challenges that.
are you shooting jpeg or at default settings? Canon's default jpegs are very punchy (not necessarily very true to real life though).
Where is Sony going, they seem rudderless and undecided as to where their future lies, plus they seem to be bringing out A mount cameras few people will be interested in.
Sony will have a plan - they have access to lots of info that you & I don't.
What A-mount have they brought out that few people would be interested in? The only recent ones is the A77 II which imo lots of people (predominantly existing A-mount users) are interested in.
Unfortunately I've lost track of the article where Thom Hogan estimated how much Nikon had lost by not having a replacement for the D300/300s but it was significant (even before considering that some of those lost sales probably switched systems).
by contrast Canon has brought out the 750D & 760D which imo is a bit similar to the A65/A77 where you wonder why you wouldn't buy the better body for the little extra involved.
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bfitzgerald
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by bfitzgerald »

Heidfirst wrote:Sony are selling E-mount cameras at lower price levels instead of SLT. A-mount for now will be for those who need faster AF & larger bodies to balance larger, heavier lenses like 300/2.8.
Canon & Nikon are both seeing large declines in DSLR sales & are also concentrating on higher models where that decline is less.

E mount entry models that don't have viewfinders, not particularly useful for many buyers.
The entire market is in decline across the board no massive ILC growth either it's too crowded

Canikon have not slowed the entry models still out there, Sony has one entry, one semi pro APS-C and one FF they're one short of a half decent line up. There is a market for a D400 but a limited one (sports/action) I think they should have a body that covers that, but I'd wager most people would spend the cash on a FF body. I like APS-C but not at daft prices (ie over £1000) Canon got away with it on the 7dII they have the glass and users out there to buy the body, more so than Nikon I would think

Sony probably need 2 FF bodies they do honestly need something a bit better than the A58 or a step up on that model unless they plan to price crash the A77II it's probably cheaper to make than the first a77 it only has one mag alloy panel not 2 like the first model
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by Heidfirst »

Basically what you have is a mature market largely comprised of older users. Many of what new ILC users there are are so used to using a rear screen (compact/phone) that even if their new ILC has a viewfinder they don't use it. An A6000 with a viewfinder is not expensive & is a very capable camera.

There is definitely a market for a pro APS-C high fps Nikon & they do have the glass to use it but Nikon may have already bled many of those people who really need/can justify it to Canon.

I still think that Sony's focus now is E-mount for most with A-mount hanging on for fast AF/specialist use until E-mount AF & lens range overtake where A-mount already is. We all expect the SLT mirror to disappear once on-sensor AF is at that level but really, once it is & the glass is there, there is nothing to stop them building an A77/99 body with an E-mount rather than A if they feel that the market is there to make it worthwhile.
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by classiccameras »

Heidfirst, I do use Jpeg occasionally on the Canon, but customised not at default. I also shoot RAW when I can spare the time to process the images. If Canon have punchy colours Sony are pretty much in your face as well in Jpeg, they are grossly over saturated at default probably for the point and shoot market, well they all do it don't they, I use Standard setting to tone it down a bit and adjusted the colour temp slightly which is again is a customised setting. I also use RAW but again the same time factor criterion applies.

If anything, I think my days with A mount are coming to an end, mainly for two reasons, weight, size and no promised new mid range bodies. Its pretty obvious that E mount is taking over and A mount days are numbered as we know it but I agree with you re the pro end of the range.
I have a short list of things to jump ship for, stay with Canon mainly because of the vast used market and that has to be an incentive, I'm impressed with the new Pentax K50 and the 30 before it, even though they were not perfect, but what really has caught my attention is the Samsung NX20 and 30, Small and light, superb build quality, EVF better than most and ASPS-C sensor, along with probably the best kit lenses on the market, of course its not perfect like most cameras but it ticks a lot of boxes for me. Yes, the lens range so far is small, but for my type of work they are perfectly adequate. I'm not the least bit attracted to M4/3.
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bfitzgerald
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Re: Will there really be an A99ii

Unread post by bfitzgerald »

Nikon might have market for high end crop shooters but they have left it far too long, even on the DPR interview they don't even know themselves what to do I suspect that bird has flown it's the one obvious blunder they made but it's too late now.

E mount like other ILC models appeals to a certain buyer and not to others, I'm not seeing a huge no. of CSC models out there I've doubted the CSC v DSLR internet talk since day one and continue to do so, some users just are not interested in small body system cameras. The problem is most people are not interested in "any cameras" they use their phones. Enthusiasts buy DSLR's, some buy CSC's some premium compacts or bridge models

I expect eventually some makers will quit the market entirely has to happen it's been on the cards for a long time
Sony are pushing E mount, but that doesn't mean it makes it any more interesting for buyers like me in fact the reverse I find very little appealing about the system bar the ability to use other lenses via an adapter many of the native lenses are horribly priced, don't really like the ergonomics either. People used to praise Minolta/Sony for mega buttons grips with tons of controls, E mount bodies have super simple ones, to me CSC's feel like a time warp back in camera design much like the Fuji ones.

I expect Sony will do another overpriced FF A mount body end of this year, they will probably leave the A58 until next year they have to have some update there at some point, obviously A77II is going to run for a few years. It's not much of a system being honest. Sony seem to be trying their "flood the market with tons of bodies" strategy on E mount, it didn't work that well on A mount :mrgreen:
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