bfitzgerald wrote:I've been fairly harsh on Sony for some time now, I won't deny that. But I've also seen some fairly obvious mistakes in the past from them that's made me question their ability to tune into different types of users.
I don't doubt for one moment Sony are quite capable of making decent cameras, and good lenses.
But you don't think they have? Not sure what you're getting at here. Or, do you feel that they fail to make complete systems, just decent cameras and good lenses? If it's the latter, then I think that's a fair enough observation, but there's more to it than just wishing for more lenses, etc.
Reading the IR interview didn't really shed much light bar the push on NEX seemingly as a response to the increasing use of smart phones by many users. But I've long held the view average DSLR user or photo enthusiast isn't going to use a smart phone for much of their shooting (bar the odd shots here and there and the convenience aspect) I never really saw smarthphones as a threat to some types of cameras, bar mostly the compact sector.
It sounds like you're saying that Sony wants to replace DSLRs with QX smartphone lenses. I don't think that's the target market.
It's pretty clear that smartphones are killing the low-end camera market... and why not?
Sony are basically saying NEX is a sort of make it smaller option for people who are more serious or want better phone beating IQ.
You mean, DSLR-equalling IQ.
The problem is smart phones have that instant connectivity wifi, though the network etc that people like. They are basically small computers/tablets with a camera. And for some people average Joe etc their images and videos are just fine for facebook or whatever they do with them. That's the "good enough" aspect coming into play.
This is true. People get to choose their level of quality. Do they want cellphone quality or DSLR quality?
Meanwhile, at least Sony recognizes the advantages of Wifi and being able to instantly upload. I've already used the Wifi upload on my Nex-6 on a couple of occasions. The only thing I'm missing is uploading from the camera over the phone network... except that I can kind of do that too, using Sony's iPhone app., but with an extra step in the workflow.
I don't think Sony have really understood the needs of the hard core of photographers who are quite serious about their shooting, either as a hobby, doing some work or even full on pro level shooters. There is quite a range of users there, but they are basically the same people who were using "more serious" stuff back in 35mm days. Biggest problem for me is Sony seem very narrow minded about what xyz users want. I think they class almost everyone as a consumer type photographer, and don't seem to quite understand what users like myself are looking for. They seem somewhat obsessed with "doing something different/unique"
I have news, cameras are boring..they just take pictures. I don't really need unique, I'm looking for reliable, well designed, with good logical handling and not lots of gimmicks or flaws that should be ironed out before a product hits the shelves. I'm not going to just buy something because it's different, that's not enough no party tricks impress me, but being consistent does longer term.
Some of those that just want boring old-school 35mm cameras will enjoy putting manual lenses on the A7. But, if the Sony doesn't do anything for you, I would say, don't buy it. That's the ultimate choice -- how you spend your money.
I don't want to say that I don't care what pros want, but I read a lot about large cameras and huge f2.8 zooms, and I'm not interested. I want a compact camera that produces high-quality photos. Sony made that, not the other brands. The other brands have smaller sensors or other limitations and are fine cameras in many ways, but in the case of Canikon, they seem careful not to compete with their DSLR line.
I also strongly disagree with the idea that Sony should not try to compete with the top 2, products like the A7 despite being different cannot avoid a clash with Canikon in FF, it's down to the users to decide what they are looking for. After reading the interview I'm still of the view Sony are not tuned into non consumer shooters very well, and they don't appear to be willing to take on board what many users are saying.
Sony has tried to compete head-on with the A-mount, and Minolta before it. It just costs too much money to build a "complete" system with T/S lenses and everything, and pros will continue to complain unless every obscure lens and accessory is available. So, maybe the bottom line is, Sony just doesn't have the money or infrastructure to compete at that level. Canikon can do it because they have a huge installed base and cash cows.
What Sony can do is approach the situation using the business tactic of "disruption", perhaps even discovering new markets. I appreciate some of the interesting, innovative things they've been trying.
As for the A7, it's a body only solution to some people. If you have xyz no. of A mount or other mount lenses there is little point investing in FE mount lenses that cannot be used on your other bodies, either you just use the body with adaptors (and I suspect most will do that) or you dump your DSLR stuff and move 100% to E mount, and currently I can't see that as a viable option at the moment due to so few lenses. I'm not actually against the idea of other concepts and cameras, but I do think Sony have not inspired confidence in how they have handled A mount over the years, some good moments, but probably more bad ones. I wouldn't be very confident in how Sony handle E mount based on that. I still think to this day it's few small people driving this direction from Sony, and they have the blinkers on and can't see the views of many of their users.
If you want security and a DSLR, go with Canikon. Seems pretty straightforward. Although, I'm not sure I would trust them with mirrorless. My problem is that Canikon consistently won't make the camera I would prefer.
Even with DSLRs, Sony would give more bang-for-the-buck, as far as I could tell, particularly when I could buy used Minolta lenses. Really, Sony made very little money from me on the DSLR sale! I didn't buy any Sony-branded lenses. For the Nex, I've bought a couple. Which one was a smarter business move for them? I guess that depends on who their customers are.
As long as they can make money off of these niche markets, then they'll keep making cameras.