Is Sony abandoning its high end DSLR ambitions?

[picman]

1. A230, A330 and A380 take over from the former models A200, A300 and A350. A downgrade by all what I have heard so far.
2. An A500/A550 seems to be in the pipeline and no "upgrade" of the A700 is in sight. Is this a similar downgrade of the A700?
3. An A850 is coming which seems to be a downgrade from the A900.
4. There is no news of an A950 or A1000.
5. There are no new CZ lenses for the Alpha line announced so far.
6. Sony has introduced new, seemingly cheaper, APS-C format lenses.
7. Sony seems to be replacing CZ lenses on PS cameras with G lenses.

I am not making any statements and maybe some of 1-7 are misinterpretations on my behalf. But I am genuinely concerned. What do you think?

[David Kilpatrick]

Sony is using G and CZ brands on different cameras for marketing reasons I guess. It is hard to call everything a downgrade. For example, if they had put the A380 interface on an A350 body with only two changes - remote release socket retained, and focus points selection in finder without using the rear screen - I would count that as a an upgrade, it's a better user interface in almost every respect and faster to use.

I would say they are refining the system and stratifying it more clearly. Really, an A200 was a bit like a mini A700 and and A900 is a giant A700. Look at Nikon and Canon, and that does not apply - the D5000 is a totally different sort of camera from a D700, and the D3 is again a different item not just a scaling up and change of materials. Sony is becoming more like that. Canon and Nikon both seem to have five identifiable levels of camera and I am sure Sony will follow.

David

[picman]

Thanks for your somewhat comforting but certainly knowledgeable reply David.

Cheers, Bob.

[Dulaney Ward]

I think DK is right.

As to the 230/330/380, think about the new kit lenses introduced with them--a great step forward. And, aside from the grip--which, by the way, the Pop Photography review never mentioned--the new cameras have gotten pretty good reviews, for what they are--introductory cameras, not cameras trying to cover the whole range from introductory to enthusiast.

We don't know what the 500/550 will be, except that, to some degree, they will replace the 700. In some respects, they may seem like a downgrade, but I think they will introduce technology that moves them beyond the 700. The lead-up to their introduction--first the 200/300 series, then the deliberate leak on the 850--makes me think that Sony is getting the mundane stuff out of the way before introducing some fireworks. And I think those fireworks will continue through next year, with a new super-APS-C. We'll see, by sometime in September.

The 850, of course, is mainly interesting because of the price point that is forecast--the most reliable rumor I have seen has suggested an introductory price of $1900 US--low enough to shake up the market. But I think it will then drop still further. And the 900 will come down too--it already has, apparently, in Europe and Great Britain. I think Sony will sell one hell of a lot of these cameras, creating a substantial demand for quality full frame lenses.

We haven't seen any new Zeiss lenses in a year, but they have always been slow coming out. We have seen a great G, the 70-400, at the beginning of the year. I suspect we'll see high-quality lens introductions in September, and then more in the new year. Remember, Sony and Zeiss have just signed a new five-year contract.

As to the introduction of G lenses in P&S cameras, what a good move! This will famiarize Sony P&S customers with the great Minolta lens tradition (they have long known about Zeiss) helping to get them ready for a DSLR.

Finally, I think we'll se an upgrade for the 900 sometime next year, whatever its name might be. I am confident that Sony intends to compete, and will be able to compete, in the DSLR market at the very highest level.

Dulaney

[stevecim]

Sort of looks like Sony is trying to introduce a whole new range that are Sony from the ground up.
The A100, A200 and A700 seemed more minolta then Sony, the A300/A350 where testing models, i.e testing the water with a different live view system lots of buttons.

So I guess the right thing to do is start at the bottom, setup your base line and introduce models from there, I don't think you can get any "lower" than the A230/A330/A380. and maybe any new models are just that, new models in the new Sony range, not upgrades to A100, A200,A300,A350 and A700. It's clear that Sony have decided that the A100, A200,A300,A350 where too feature rich for starting models, Low end Nik/Can have about the same features has the A230/A330/A380. If we asume Sony are setting up new base line for low, mid, high, pro ranges then over the next 12-18 months Sony will introduce bodies to setup these base lines. just maybe we need to stop comparing new Sony models to past Sony/Minolta models. From now on we will see Sony's range of cameras not upgrades to Minolta bodys or upgrades to Sony/Minolta designed bodies. Sony is introducing a new range starting with the A230

I could be 100% wrong If I'm right, then I think Sony stuffed up in model names and pricing, the A350 was a top buy when I paid AU$850.00 for a new body only, AU$1800.00 for the A380 twin lens is way over the top.
having said that, It is quite normal to pay more for Sony products then other brands, Maybe the DSLR group are coming in line with the rest of Sony products with regards to pricing. I sure in Sony eyes they have the best featured low end DSLR so you should pay more for it

[peterottaway]

I'm assuming that both Sony and Nikon want to maintain USD 1500 APS-C and USD 3000 FF ( or more ) price points as they have been largely sharing sensors and this is a potentially safer business practice. To do this both companies need to not only carefully hone the feature lists of the cameras that they intend to introduce at these points, but also the cameras that are immediately below these new models. I expect that any A5xx models and even if Nikon refreshes the D90 later in the year to be commercially valid but safe models with no real technological leaps.

The next A7xx and D400 may very well have a 14 MP Ex-R sensors if they can be produced efficiently at a reasonable price. After all being able to advertise that you can produce an A3+ print at ISO 1600 with the same quality as former models did at A3 and ISO 800 is a tangable sales point. This is easier for salesmen/ PR agencies to get across than 5% better greens and 2% sharper blues ! Although I'm equally the PR people will state a " similar " A2 to A3 print.

The same would apply with any A9xx or D4 models produced because even a 1.5 stop improved 28 MP FF could be sold to replace the D3/ D3x with the current 24 MP sensor going into a D800 as well as an A850.

[bfitzgerald]

I think DK is right.
We don't know what the 500/550 will be, except that, to some degree, they will replace the 700. In some respects, they may seem like a downgrade, but I think they will introduce technology that moves them beyond the 700.
Dulaney

I'll put a big wad of cash down right now, that says these new A500 cameras, are enhanced machines for "A200-350" users to upgrade to. And A700 users won't even look twice at them, they probably won't even be near the A700 in spec.
Of course all of this is just gut feelings etc, I have no hard info..no idea on specs either, just have a feeling about how sony work.

The "sony look" for DSLR's is something that will change over time, so these new models might be different again. The A230-380 don't look so good to me, in fact I would add..Sony have made some downright ugly cameras over the years (R1!)
Not that looks just count, but look at Canikon, the look is very much along more traditional SLR designs, Sony would be most unwise to dump everything Minolta about their DSLR's

[KevinBarrett]

I'll put a big wad of cash down right now, that says these new A500 cameras, are enhanced machines for "A200-350" users to upgrade to. And A700 users won't even look twice at them, they probably won't even be near the A700 in spec.

This from the a700 holdout!

[bfitzgerald]

Well there is only one reason I didn't get an A700, the tonality never grabbed me.
Back on topic, Sony have not been consistent with design..they keep changing it every model, and no doubt will do so in the future. Cameras are boring things style wise, they are designed to be used, and operated. Different companies have ideas on that, and are consistent with designs. Even if that is boring, mild body re-styles..you can only "funk up" a camera so much.
Anyone that remembers the E300 from Olympus, odd looking camera (well built though), but quickly dropped for a more traditional SLR style afterwards.
Sony need to find their own design/style..and stick with it.

[Dusty]

I can't speak to their high end - I hope they reinforce it and add new models, but there's an interesting article over at amateur photographer.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/ne ... 87255.html

Sony has tripled DSLR sales in one year. Interesting note is that it's P&S sales are flat, so maybe their new models are making people step up.

All this is good news for anyone on an Alpha mount system. More sale means you need to provide more models to step up to, more glass and more accessories.

Dusty