Sony and The Future

[stevecim]

Thanks for that clarification David. I am lost for speech. That program shift was essential to increase shutter speed or vise verca depending on need. I just cannot believe that Sony would do this to the A550 when it was in the A350 and naturally A700 with two wheels. I frequently used that function. That omission probably puts me off purchasing the A550. I wonder what goes on in the Alpha department of Sony. Maybe I should purchase another A350.

This is what lots of us are saying, Has Sony release new models, they are adding some new features but leaving off features that the models being replaced used to have! It's like they are trying to remove any features that would allow low end users too make a mistake and come up with a bad photo and then complain that it's the camera's fault or they are trying to hard to put there models in neat little boxes.
i.e A230/A330/A380 low end PnS users no advanced features!! It's main features will be low weight and ease of use. remove all other functions
A500/A550 mid-low users who want a little more than PnS, it's main features will be better high ISO/faster frame rate/Manual focus check/face detect, but remove some features A100/A300/A350 had if users really want those features they need to buy the next model up.

They have this stupid idea that anyone serious about learning to use all the features of a DSLR will jump straight into high end models.
It's like they have a law against having advanced features in low to mid models. They already have enough real features to differentiate between models, things like CDD /CMOS sensor, MP, dust seals, MAg-alloy bodies, frame rate, APS-C/FF, face detect, why use low cost features like MLU/program Shift/iso in OVF/custom settings has well, they should be standard across all models.

[RubberDials]

...The ones who wage negative campaign against Sony's basic cameras for no MLU, etc. are just miserable sociopaths, subhuman beings. We must feel sorry for them. At least one of them should be wearing straitjacket all of the time. ...

Disabling program shift is a disaster. I might soon be joining Barry at the bar at this rate.

What troubles me is this rigid idea at Sony that's starting to form of who should have what. I bought the a350 for the image quality and fluid live view. I've owned two 7 series Minoltas and two 9 series. I buy what I need. No camera is beneath me because it's a 'beginner's model'. I prefer to decide myself what I need and what kind of photographer I am, not leave it to a marketing team.

There have always been morons in camera clubs and on forums who will look down on you because you are using a 'beginner's camera', but now this kind of limited thinking appears to be coming straight from the top.

[Winedarksea]

The a850 is the replacement. Read this:

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/ne ... ml?aff=rss

That interview doesn't come even close to saying that the A850 is the replacement for the A700.

[Winedarksea]

Basically I don't believe in banning - period.

What is frustrating is that Nikon which a lot of people use as a benchmark for cameras start their advanced/ enthusiast range with the D90 ( even if deliberately slightly limited ) and then offer the D300s and the D700. The A550 for whatever the quality of its new sensor, falls short of what many of us expect in an enthusiast camera package.

This is very frustrating for those who aspire in their photography but are limited in what they can spend. With effort a USD 1000 camera may be achievable but USD 1800 to 2000 is not.

What some of us are hoping for is a clear statement of intent at the serious end of the market.

I don't believe in banning, either.

And I too am frustrated.

But I believe that what we have been going through this year has been a one-time adjustment to the Sony line due to market necessities, in order to get the longer-term Alpha line set. I believe that Sony felt like they had sent us all the signals we needed to understand their attitude to competing in the higher-end markets. First, they gave us the A700, then the A900/850. Along with a whole raft of Zeiss & G lenses. Certainly that says to me Sony is very serious about competing with Caniikon--at every level, even though Sony pr says they don't intend to try to compete in the "professional" market.

With the one-time adjustment over (although they will have to adjust the adjustments--lack of mlu and Program Shift, as well as certain grips, perhaps), I think we are in for a great year of real advances in Sony's high-end APSc and FF offerings. I both hope and believe this will be the case. Hang on for the ride.

[David Kilpatrick]

Sony has launched six new DSLR cameras in under six months this year. I don't think even Olympus has ever done that. It is a pace of launches which may actually put the market off - certainly, it's got me worried, as I place myself deliberately in the position of a buyer. Thus, I bought an A380 in July - and an A550 in October, selling the A380. That way like it or not I get to experience what an owner might feel, almost dreading the possibility that an A750 might be unveiled tomorrow with all the functions I have been waiting for which are missing so far.

Introductions can arrive just too fast for the market, especially when some are barely distinguishable from the previous models except by cut corners and missed features.

David

[bfitzgerald]

What is this "one time adjustment due to market needs"??

Not sure I grasp that concept, or why it has happened, other than to enhance the appeal of higher models, which is a flawed strategy, as other makers offer models too! As well as this, models by their very nature get "dated", without the need to make them worse on purpose, 18 months in DSLR land is a long time..things move on

IMO Sony is clearly stating that anyone below A700 level is not interested in useful photography features, and not deserving of them. That, is a very obvious and clear mistake. Your average cybershot buyer might not care, just press the big button and off you go, the DSLR market is entirely different. And they most def did hear the requests from A200-350 users about MLU and a few other bits, but ignored them.

[Birma]

I think the many models in a short time is a "feature" of many Sony product lines. I find it mildly annoying; as a buyer you feel you have out of date technology very quickly, as DK says. I guess it is about attracting new customers (i.e. sales) rather than worrying about people who have already handed over their money. Their TV, DVD player, VAIO, Cybershot ranges all suffer this to name but a few. I'm not sure this "feature" transfers well to the DSLR "system camera" arena.

[alphaomega]

David Kilpatrick wrote:

Sony has launched six new DSLR cameras in under six months this year.

and I would like to add and not one single one to fit my requirements. I really thought that the A550 would be the successor to my A350. I am really put off by the omission of Program Shift. I just cannot believe it. I could live without MLU and DOF preview as I have a new A700. I am not sure now if I wish to purchase an A550. I could revert to my standard setting on the old X700 of Aperture Priority and adjust aperture to get the correct combination of aperture and shutter speed for the occasion. At least that is still possible (I hope). The other alternative is to wait for an opgrade to the A700, but that may not have LV and I do wish to have LV and a movable screen on my second DSLR. I am still in a state of shock and disbelief over this omission.

[David Kilpatrick]

I am not over-worried by the program shift, as I work in Aperture Priority mode nearly all of the time. My reason for doing so is that most of my lenses have a need to be stopped down a certain amount, and Program consistently ignores this. I will set f/7.1 to f/9 on the CZ 16-80mm and only open up more if it is absolutely vital, same for stopping down - only if I need the depth of field.

But the omission makes Program useless for me, as if it decides the lens should be wide open you can't change that.

David

[Dusty]

I'm also an Aperture Priority guy. I always thought DOF was the most important part of a photo, after composition. It's also the way my X-GM worked. So, count me in on the "I won't miss Program Shift" crew. I don't, however, like the inability to limit the Auto ISO. Of course, since I'm used to film and switching bodies to switch film speeds, Pushing a easily reachable button to up my ISO isn't a big deal either.

Sometimes I think we get so used to features in cameras that we forget how we ever lived without them.

Dusty

[peterottaway]

I do agree with you Dusty that the lack of proper Program mode and the Auto ISO wouldn't worry me should I have use an A500/A550. As like you I set the camera to Aperture and adjust my ISO according to need and an assessment of the lighting conditions.

But for what appears to be the intended audience for these cameras I think Sony is making a mistake. With cameras with decent controls and menu I can set up the camera for a novice or a shooter who isn't interested in " the fancy stuff " in a couple of minutes. And be confident that they can concentrate on their photography with a good chance of getting decent quality.

[Dusty]

Perhaps they SHOULD have put the features in, but made them default to "dumbed down" for the novices, but available for the advanced shutterbug.

They may even be able to do this via firmware if they get enough push-back from enthusiasts who say they won't buy them as is.

Dusty

[Greg Beetham]

Hmmm maybe Sony's ultimate goal is to see if they can make a DSLR with only one button on it....ha ha!
Greg

[Dr. Harout]

Hmmm maybe Sony's ultimate goal is to see if they can make a DSLR with only one button on it....ha ha!
Greg

yeah, and with voice activation...

[bfitzgerald]

I don't use P shift a lot, but it's a useful feature esp for less experienced users. And I did assume, these models were aimed at that market..It's a good way of getting people to have some manual control (as and when needed), whilst still giving them the comfort of automation. Seems P is the same as Auto now.
On it's own it's not a huge deal, but when you add the rather long list of potential could/should have stuff as well..then it just sums up what's going on down at Alpha design HQ..

If I were Sony I would scrub the A330 and A380, and use these models for that market area, they seem much better suited to it features wise. Leaving the door open for a real mid level body, and of course the new A7xx one too. 5 models is a waste..at the low end