Sony looks to change the world of DSLRs - Masashi 'Tiger' Im

[bfitzgerald]

You call it progress yet not everyone would agree with that.
I suspect despite the efforts that 3d will eventually end up seen as more a gimmick than a serious photographic path hats off for trying I just don't think that many people are very interested in it.

The camera industry is very predictable SLT will be a thing of the past in a few years when they crack the AF performance the other makers will bypass the mirror altogether. Then it's back to square one all the makers fighting for "camera" sales.


Here's a Pentax shot for you as you asked

IMGP0443.jpg

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[Birma]

In response to Birma yeah Sony spend a load of cash on stuff in the last 12 months yet was still not able to provide an APS-C DSLR/SLT which could actually display the ISO in the VF full time, nor provide any degree of user customisation, nor allow Auto ISO limits to be set, and you know the story I could go on and on and on...lol

It's always the simple simon stuff that gets Sony they can herald a new generation of technology, I welcome the cheaper lenses (shame about the bad SAM motors and poor build optics look good though) but they can't do the bread and butter basics..just beyond their comprehension.

I would have thought that the bread and butter basics were around providing good lenses and good sensor technology, moving on to DR and ISO ability. (You can probably add in things like MLU.) Surely ISO in the VF, and customisation, are down to personal preference rather than fundamental as they are there to assist you in adjusting settings rather than about the ability of the camera to capture the image. Of course all of the camera manufacturers make cameras that do the basics. You are then down to a plus and minus list on what suits you. It seems a bit harsh to lambast any of them for not doing the basics.

I think High ISO "water colours" and MLU were big concerns. Not 100% sure about EVF yet. Other than that I think the road map looks very promising and I am far more optimistic than I was 12 months ago.

[Birma]

Very nice view Barry. I think Richard and you should be congratulated for having a debate that ends in such a pleasant scene, nicely captured.

[Scooterman]

Barry
I did not say that I agree with all things that are new, what I did say was that the company, Sony feel that it is progress and neither you or me will influence their decision, the sales of their products will do that, and that is what they are in the market place for.
I did say that Nikon are may be bringing out a Mirror-less camera this spring perhaps they think it is the way forward, also Pentax bosses have said they may do this as well so I think you aught to take your crusade over to the Nikon forums and the Pentax as well.
We have an option of CHOICE if you do not want to buy it you are not forced to do so.
Richard

[mike2008]

In germany the tech mag chip.de rated the A55 top for DSLR cameras under 1000 euro, with A33 no.3 and A580 no.4.

http://www.chip.de/bestenlisten/Bestenl ... ex/id/811/

Overall, for most people, the new cameras produced by Sony appear to be pushing the right buttons, and are competitively priced. There are the people here who see the glass half-empty, but they are just biased anti-sony people who will find something to whinge and whine about regardless of what sony do.

As a sony user I am happy to see that cameras I use rate so highly in the various reviews. It means more sales, guaranteeing the value of my a-mount investment, and encourages sony to continue innovating and improving.

We should all be able to have a bit of enjoyment about the fact that sony is doing well, as there have been some big mistakes, and there was no guarantee that they would succeed this well.

Let's ignore the whiners who find everything so awful. It's not. Simple as that. And it's going to get even better, very soon.

[Scooterman]

Hi Again all, I have to agree with many things said on here, yes I would like to see a super A-700 optical view finder and all.
They must keep the full frame going at all cost, to lose that market would be a tragedy.
But I can also see Sony’s logic if you can’t break in to the standard DSLR top end market why not bring out something that will open peoples eyes and will sell.
We will see in the next few years how the Sony strategy performs, so far better than even they thought.
If Sony had continued with bringing out DSLR’s tying to break into the Canikon market it would have been financial suicide, just like other makers that have ceased to exist.
I do hope that once they have proved them selves in the direction they have taken we do see a top competitor in them.
The one thing I feel they have done right is doing the deal with Zeiss, many top writers are saying even better than Canon L series.
Lets face it a camera is only as good as the lens on the front, I remember one of the Russian lenses that came with the Zenit E, it was said "you could get better quality images using the base of a bottle".

Regards
Richard

[Greg Beetham]

Yeah I hope Sony does well with the SLT also, never wanted anything different, what I did want was an updated A700, as well. But now that Sony isn't going to do that 'apparently' I hope they get the new 7 SLT out soon and get it right. If it's good there might be quite a few more Canon and Nikon users who will try one and not wait for their brand SLT version, that will come, sure as the sun comes up in the morning, probably now that Nikon has let slip that they will build one many will most likely wait for it so they can use their lenses.
I hope Sony can manage to do it right this time first time, no fopars, now they have the opportunity to bring out a class leading camera...once again.
Greg

[Scooterman]

The biggest mistake that has been made by other manufacturers with the compact ranges of cameras are the new lens mounts, Samsung for one, if they had stuck with the Pentax “A” mount it may have been better for them but limited lens range and no third party mounts available means sudden death.
Ps Greg I see Australia is now learning how to play cricket.
Regards
Richard

[bfitzgerald]

Well I'd agree with the Samsung comments I expected big things from them but unfortunately they've got a sensor that's outdated and not as good as it should be. They could have moved with a K mount type ILC camera which might have been a more logical move.

The company has high ambitions but I'm convinced they won't be a big player until they sort their act out, some potential though.

Apologies for linking to a cough so called camera site:
http://www.whatdigitalcamera.com/news/5 ... ystem.html

How the market unfolds will be interesting I've no doubts Nikon are on the verge of something and Canon too. I'm still of the view they will not wipe out OVF's for some time though.

[Scooterman]

Time will tell Barry, but if I am right and there is a big market out there for the Sony type of camera then you can be sure the big two will jump on the band wagon or see their market share slip away.
I do believe that much more development has got to be made on the mirrorless/translucent? Systems and the DVF but when I tried one expecting it to be like a Fuji bridge camera I was amazed how good it was as compared with the older versions so give it another six months and we may have something that will please all.
Regards
Richard

[mike2008]

How the market unfolds will be interesting I've no doubts Nikon are on the verge of something and Canon too. I'm still of the view they will not wipe out OVF's for some time though.

Well you've been wrong about virtually everything to do with sony and dslr in general, so I won't put any money on that prediction, certainly not for aps-c.

[alphaomega]

I read the Samsung article Barry referred to. I liked the reference to a 16-80mm here

With the entire range of NX lenses now set to be i-Function capable, the announcement of a ‘Movie Pro' 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS, 16mm f/2.8, 60mm f/2.8 OIS Macro, ‘Portrait' 85mm f/1.4 and ‘Movie Home' 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 OIS all due for release inside 2011 is a firm and ongoing commitment to the NX series

I got the 18-55mm with my NEX-5 kit (also including the 16mm pancake) but really I would have liked a compact 16-80mm with the same IQ as my CZ 16-80mm A mount. Maybe that is asking too much.
Let us see if Samsung can live up to their expectations this time. Interesting that they predict that compact interchangeable lens cameras will overtake DSLRs by 2015. No wonder Pentax and Nikon are contemplating getting in before it is too late. Surely Canon must also be looking at this market now. Frankly, with my as yet limited experience with my NEX-5 I can begin to believe that there might be something in that prediction. Giving a slightly larger NEX (with 16Mp) and an EVF as well and a larger E lens choice and I can see myself mostly carrying NEX stuff about and getting as good images as with my A580. Maybe I can then establish a personal Sony DSLR museum. I like the idea of say half the volume and weight for the same outcomes. Bring it on.

[alphaomega]

I feel privileged to be the first to refer to David Kilpatrick's latest entry on Photoclubalpha

Alpha and NEX overtake Nikon UK DSLR sales

Maybe I spend too much time here. My excuse is I am retired.
So it looks as if Sony A&E (not accidents and emergencies) but mounts have overtaken Nikon here in UK in December last year. That is what the Amateurphotographer piece says

Meanwhile, in the UK, AP understands that Sony overtook Nikon in volume sales of interchangeable lens models for December 2010 - notching up 25% compared to Nikon's 20%.

So the sales of NEX, SLT and A580/560 combined must have moved Sony above Nikon last month. Could be due to the VAT back offer and may not last. Nevertheless it is a significant moment in time and will certainly not make Sony give up on SLT and NEX developments (in my humble opinion).

[Scooterman]

If those figures are correct, I don’t think it was just because of the vat back scheme all the manufactures were doing deals at that time.
I rather think it was the aggressive pricing of Sony products that helped, mind it was nice to get the cheque from Sony for the vat on my 580.
Richard

[pakodominguez]

I feel privileged to be the first to refer to David Kilpatrick's latest entry on Photoclubalpha

Alpha and NEX overtake Nikon UK DSLR sales

Maybe I spend too much time here. My excuse is I am retired.
So it looks as if Sony A&E (not accidents and emergencies) but mounts have overtaken Nikon here in UK in December last year. That is what the Amateurphotographer piece says

Meanwhile, in the UK, AP understands that Sony overtook Nikon in volume sales of interchangeable lens models for December 2010 - notching up 25% compared to Nikon's 20%.

So the sales of NEX, SLT and A580/560 combined must have moved Sony above Nikon last month. Could be due to the VAT back offer and may not last. Nevertheless it is a significant moment in time and will certainly not make Sony give up on SLT and NEX developments (in my humble opinion).

NEX and A55 did really good in Japan in 2010:
http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2011/01 ... gains.html
Another fact: CaNikon UK drop to a 60% of the market share
http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2011/01 ... -2010.html