bfitzgerald wrote:I read the interview on DPR with Kimio Maki
My impression was that he came from the RX division, and so was going to talk that up. Not sure I learned much.
It's a bit of a mixed bag really.
RX100 yes I can see Sony spotted a gap in the premium compact sector, ie bigger 1" sensor and that wasn't a bad move at all
The problem was that Sony, and really all of the manufacturers, abandoned this segment for a long time. I think they figured people would upgrade to DSLRs, but then DSLRs are so large...
QX is a misfire from Sony, I just can't see people wanting to carry a lens around for a smart phone that's a DOA oddball effort
This was a slick idea. I have to admire them for trying. I don't see this as such a crazy idea, depending on price. Why make a camera with an LCD when you already carry a phone with an LCD?
RX10 I think is doomed on price alone, quality is good..but we're in £300 DSLR territory now, £1000 bridge camera just isn't going to work
RX1 - Rich boys toy, not mass appeal product niche, not really that relevant to the market.
A7 I get the thinking, appeal to many mount users sort of a universal camera, that's not a bad take to have and might do ok "if" Canon don't do a budget rebel FF body (which they will because it will sell in crazy numbers)
I wouldn't be so sure. Canikon seem bent on protecting the status quo.
A mount well his comments are too vague to really be of much use. I don't have a problem with the "innovation/try new things" but he never once mentioned the obvious. This is a system (and so is E mount) coming out with "exciting" new and different products does not always mean hitting the mark. Sony seem stuck on trying to appeal to new users (many of whom are heavily invested in Canikon), but not really fleshing out the system, ie flash, lenses and bodies that people will want to buy.
Sony had/has flashes and lenses. What do you mean? There's also a ton of legacy equipment that still works on newer bodies. I can recall shopping for a DSLR and realizing that if I got the Nikon, that would have limited lens choices, as they removed support for screw drive. But if you mean more obscure stuff like T/S lenses, sure - I think Sony can't afford to take on all of the little niches. Best get Canikon to be sure that "everything" is available, just in case.
He seems overly worked up and excited about "new stuff" when all we want is basic simple stuff!
Sony have not been able to attack Canikon effectively because they keep constantly changing, and not concentrating on the "system"
For all I care I'd have a FF sensor shoved into a Dynax 5d and that would be quite nice thanks very much, I don't need all this NFC, sweep pano, smiler shutter gimmicks and technology. Keep it simple, clean and affordable.
The camera is not a lot more expensive due to software "gimmicks". You can always ignore these features.
Meanwhile, it's Sony that comes out with the Nex-7 and the tri-navi control that seems well-suited for manual work!
If Sony wants to compete against Canikon, they need to have interesting and often superior features. I don't think they have been able to make much headway by competing straight on. Making a "simple" DSLR would probably be death, not giving any reason to select them over Canikon.