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how’s your d600?

+1

The T Dimension price is ex-GST [in Aus] which you would have to pay ontop of the $2330

Go buy a disposable camera or use film, they are battery-free. Lol.

It’s all about making money in the end.

I don’t see how Nikon wins. Look at Dpreview.
D600 is not par plus many dirt/oil problem, and A99 definitely beat D800 at high ISO. Let alone the PDAF and video functions. No other brand camera can match A99 videos now. And also ppl keep talking about 36mp of D800 and I really don’t know why? Sony for this idea because of the high Iso noise. It is true that for 36 mp, IQ is better at controlled light condition, but is it 50% better in IQ compare to pixel count? I don’t think so. I think Sony is in right direction because slt that in favor to video is more useful than higher IQ IMHO nowadays. At least in real life print quality. Remember the days that ppl are using 16 mp for pro equipment? I believe you can’t really tell the differences by eyes when you print a 8×10 between 16 mp and 36 mp.

It is supposed to be No Touch Screen for those camera with viewfinder. I prefer to use the EVF most of the time if there is one offer on the camera like Nex-6. So, in that case, the Touch screen is no use at all, in fact it may interfere if your nose/face touched the screen when using the EVF.
Anyways, touch screen is not vital for me. I don’t care if the camera don’t have it. I buy the camera mostly for quality pictures and/or video. Touch screen is just a gadget for convenience. (For camera)
If I like to be lazy, I would use my iPhone.

Yes, who wouldn’t want a Sony a99 with EVF battery drain when you can look through the Vf of the d600 all dsy and night for free? Who wants that? Good point, I shall buy an a99 because I have alot of money to burn on the camera and batteries, seeing as how energy is free these days.

Is not the price that is equal to a D800E here in Canada that bothers me so much, as the fact that 24MP, 6 FPS and other specs are not so spectacular as to justify $3000. The current specs do not warrant an upgrade; not for the price asked. I agree is grossly overpriced, particularly for a camera system that might die next year (in three short days). Nikon offers affordable and plenty of alternatives now. Canon is overpriced as well.

Frank, why? I am using an RX1 and I miss the touchscreen that I get with my NEX 5N. I can tap on the 5N screen and have it focus where I tap. When shooting at f/2, for example, focusing and recomposing is not always effective . . . but touch to set the focus point is effective (and much faster than flexible spot focus on many FF cameras). I’d prefer to have Sony lead the pack on FF cameras in this regard. I realize you want to live in a snobbish world where the most effective way to shoot photography isn’t necessarily what you prefer (probably because the tools you use require you to be more cumbersome), but displaying your ignorance publicly here does not make your opinion any more compelling. Cheers!

LMFAO, nice come back.

Their goal is to meet their INTERNAL UNPUBLISHED SALES TARGET.

People can p1ss and moan all they like about web sales rankings, but if the A99 meets the Sony internal sales target, then it has been a success. It is THAT simple.

Ignore the idiots who insist on comparing the A99 to the D600. They are clueless newbies.

e,
That DxO score is not poor. You look a bit illogical with that statement putting less credence to your other statements. The DxO scores put the 99 in the top 10 of cameras. It will place it ahead of any canon model. Even their $6k model by your view would be considered crap. According to you you would prefer the 600 over the 4D. That is the camera I want despite according to you having a terrible DxO score. If one thinks it is too expensive for them then just don’t buy it and just walk away. Unless the 600 has fixed its dusting and oil issue I wouldn’t buy it for any amount if I am cleaning the sensor every 2 weeks. Despite its terrible DxO score I like the MK3. However, I want the immensely, ridiculously overpriced terrible DxO scored Nikon D4. Until then I will use my 850 and 99. I love them both but the 850 only gets used as a 2nd body.

So let me sum it up for you in simple terms… why the hell would anyone pay 3 grand for a Sony when they can get the same thing for 2 grand? Sony is still playing Minoltas game, which is to release similar equipment to Canikon and charge more. It worked so well they where bought out by sony. Ah,Minolta…only from the mind of Minolta. Still interloping over at Sony.

Under US pricing, if it weren’t for the 6D and D600, the A99 would be seen as reasonably priced. Just because the D600 uses the same sensor doesn’t make it the same “quality” to justify its price point. The Nikon D3x is a similar 24.5 vs 24.3mp. How overpriced compared to their lowly D800. Let’s not even talk about the paltry 16mp of the D4. The talk of comparing the A99′s one processor vs. A900′s 2 makes little difference to me. It looks like the 5Diii and D800 are single as well. So what gives? $200 under a D800 and $700 under the 5Diii seemed like appropriate initial pricing. Now Canon sees that they are overpriced a bit, and the sensor dust issue combined with a near worthless slow 24-85mm lens made for a really slow selling kit. They had to slash prices to clear the shelves, and I have no proof but believe it has to do with finances. New car dealerships have floorplan financing where they don’t pay interest for 90 days. Guess what. The D600 has just been out for 90 days, and the sellers just might be trying to clear out the bulk of old age units before they pay monthly interest on a big stash. If you want a smokin deal, get a D600.

Are you using infrared or radio?
I’m willing to try thea99 if I can use it with the studio lighting systems I’m a partner in that uses radio triggers.

“their goal is not to sell a million, just to get Sony users an excellent FF camera.”

Nope, their goal it to sell as many as possible. This is a business not a friendship.

funny!, sad also

+1

The problem is:

Canon takes the two year old 60D, puts a larger sensor, larger mirrorbox, larger viewfinder, wireless capability and sadly throws away the wonderfully hinged LCD Screen and the pop-up flash. The CPU is the same, AF is not that different, build quality is similar etc. They jack the price from 1000$(800$ with rebate at the moment) to 2100$.

Nikon takes the two year old D7000, puts a larger sensor, larger mirrorbox, larger viewfinder and calls it a day. The CPU is the same, AF is the same, build quality is the same. They jack the price from 1200$(900$ with rebate at the moment) to 2100$. I’m not counting the stupidly logical bundle pack with the 24-85 lens in.

Sony takes the one year old A77, puts a larger sensor(with PDAF on chip) and a new silent controller. Throws away the pop-up flash and upgrades the firmware. The CPU is the same, AF is the same apart from the one which came with the sensor, build quality is the same. They jack the price from 1400$(1100$ with rebate at the moment) to 2800$

To sum up:

Nikon asks for 1200$ extra for a larger sensor+mirror+viewfinder.
Canon asks for 1300$ extra for a larger sensor+mirror+viewfinder.
Sony asks for 1700$ extra for a larger sensor and a firmware upgrade.

And they’ve said that EVFs help them manage to keep the costs down

Being a Sony user… It’s extremely sad for me to see wins after wins for Nikons using Sony sensors.

No wonder that the ridiculous A99 price is coming down.

I took the opportunity from a EU sony store feedback request to give one suggestion:

SLASH the PRICES

I understand A99 pricing over Europe is way off and need some price drop for sure, but here in Australia it is actually very well price comparing to D800 and 5 D Mk 3 and worth the extra for over D600.

For genuine stock( not including online or grey) A99 is selling as low as $2549 body only at the moment in one of the major camera shops in Australia, and that is the cheapest price for any Australian Local shops, cheapest D800 is $3146 and cheapest 5D MK 3 is selling for $3416. If you want to compare to the pricing of D800 and 5D MK 3, A99 is a great price.

The cheapest D 600 is selling at $2246 cheapest at the moment in any Austrian major shops, I think for this $300 pice, it is well worth the price and here is I think why:

1. The D600 has this dusty sensor issue which as far as I know Nikon haven’t said any thing yet and you might end up paying more more to fix or you need to spend more time to clean it your self. Until Nikon official offer a saying and fix this issue, doesn’t matter how good this camera may be it is a critical issue to their produce and ignorance is unacceptable for a reputable manufacture like Nikon. In my opinion, I will pay $1000 more for A99 if this is the case just because it does not have this issue.

2. The know green colour issue in the Nikon cameras, correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think Nikon said much on this either.

3. A99 has faster live view + focus peaking + better DOF preview + zoom in mode in EVF for precise MF ( well EVF vs OVF is matter of taste and personal preference, I don’t mind either) and a tilt screen, 1/8000 max shutter, more video features, and the SLT nature makes it easier to get the exposure right when shooting compare to DSLRs and you can see the “after” results in the camera before you shoot…. etc

4.Since when DXO score indicate whether a camera is a good one of bad one? I don’t see my Canon friends yelling and say they have a bad camera when they see the low DXO score and jump ship? Talking about 5 D Mk 3 vs D800 real life low light performance here, that does not reflect DXO score at all. And to be honest I do no see DXO mark is really reflecting real life results any way, other wise how can A55 has a better ISO DXO score has worse real life performance than A57? And so as A77 has a same sensor yet higher score than A65 and better yet than A57 but both does worse in low light? And don’t forget the instrumental/measuring error range. We need to look at A99 vs D600 in real life here, and considering A99 has a semi-transluscent mirror in front of the sensor and on sensor second AF system the touch lower IQ comparing to D600 is actually quiet impressive, indicating Sony’s image processing technology is pretty par with Nikon now.

5. Honestly does really matter that much if A99 is a touch worse than D600 in high ISO and when DXO says it is a touch worse in DR and colour depth? I don’t think when we zoom in 100% and look at the photos we took and it comes out a touch worse than D600 make A99 a crap camera, either does that make A99 a camera with bad performance. Yes I understand Sony should lower the price coz of lower IQ than D600, but should Canon lower the price of 5 D Mk 3 when the 6 D is a touch better in high ISO performance? Or Should Sony sell A65 lower than A57 of the same reason? Manufacture sell camera because of its whole package not just IQ, different camera are aimed at different users and for difference use and of course the demand and well. A99 sells more because it has more the features and I think Sony intend to aim it against the 5D MK 3 and D800.

6. How much will you spend if you jump to a different system doesn’t matter you have FF or APSC cameras,and is it worth it? Yes Sony’s lenses are not as many and may not be cheaper ( but for those lens Sony have at the moment does that mean they are worse, I don’t think so, but yes many does need the up grade and renew for sure) but honestly is that really necessary? Is A99 or any Sony cameras don’t fit any of our requirements? For me jump ship is always more troublesome, unless if one day Sony ditch A mount completely or really doesn’t care about us photographers.

I guess it is good to see Sony lower than price for any of their cameras especially for regions that clearly has the higher price than the competition, in the end, a camera is tool for us photographers to take pictures, if it does the job well, then goes for it, doesn’t matter what brand it is. What does matter is whether the camera can help us to achieve the result we want or not, and for that reason, I don’t hear my Canon Nikon friends complaining to me when they upgraded their D7000/ D5100, 60D, 550D etc to 5 D Mk3 , D800, because when you find something works and does better job for what you require, you will get it, because it is need.

100-200 above the d600 market price. I’m waiting.

Sergei,
I also purchased an A99 with high hopes – I am a current A900 user – and sent it back within a week. The camera is, as you say, not ready for prime time.

The shutter is a mess, there is a lag between the AF confirm beep and the visual confirm box (unacceptable) and I had a couple of random lock-ups. I thought maybe the A99 just performs similar to the A77 so I gave the A77 a spin and felt it was much more responsive – still not as fast as an A900 but much better.

IMHO – this camera needs a major firmware update before I will even look at it again. Good luck with yours.

Chad

I have both the 5d3 and the a99 and I can say that the Sony looks better than it noise wise. The canon just looks weird. Take it from me, someone who owns both. The Sony kicks its butt. I think most of the reviews that put the a99 lower than canikon are bias. Use both then talk. I dont care about wierd scores and reviews by nutt jobs, the a99 is one of the best ff cameras out there. When you look through the viewfinder you know exactly what your going to get in the photo.

$2330 AUD from T-Dimension.

Any favorable review implies that the price is justified, unless specified otherwise. I could point you to DPR (I’d say they are reputable) whose overall score includes the metric Value. The A99 is right up there with the best. Even if you look at the Value metric separately, then it is better rated than both the D800 and 5D3. That says it all.

I am also not sure which performance or sensor issues you are referring to.

How much was A900 at Sony store when it was released?

I can accept what you’re saying, but I still have trouble with nearly equal image quality cameras being priced so far apart. I’d plan to get the Sigma 35/1.4 and a fast 50 and that’s it for quite a while. I don’t think in body stabilization does much at 35 and 50 it might help some. Another person might gain much benefit from having that feature, no doubt. I would prefer the A99 for the articulating LCD but I just can’t justify spending SO much more to get it. Dang!

Now that I have one, I too believe a99 is overpriced. To sell more of this camera Sony MUST fix shutter lag, get a decent flash adapter that LOCKS on the camera body, fix the sync speed with wireless transmitters from 1/160th to the advertised 1/250th and get it to work a little more responsive. A850/900 feels like a rocket in comparison. Double Bionz processor wouldn’t hurt for the 3K Sony wants for a99. AF area coverage is a joke. I can work with it, but make no mistake it’s not there with the big boys. The price should be lower.

anybody can tell me?
from the digitalcamera review, it says ” Many photographers still like using the center focusing point and recomposing; and this camera seems to have been designed to do that partially with AF-D. ”

Does it mean, he set the camera to spot, enable Object Tracking w/ shutter, set to AF-D ?
Does this really help in the “recomposing” method?

$1998.00 it is for me.

Price drop? Why would you even thin about buying something this expensive from a seller has 9% negative feedback in the last 30 days???!!! Go with Amazon, B&H, Adoroma and some other big shops when you buy expensive cameras.

I believe you are using DXOmark scores for your claim. While normally I would even argue the questionable ISO score, I’ll leave it aside. Are you seriously saying that 0.2 stops of dynamic range are a “clear advantage”? You can’t even see that! The AF of the 5D3 is apparently great, but then back to your DXO, but then the A99 actually has a clear advantage in DR.
You compare different functions of the same camera, to the same functions in different cameras. Doesn’t make much sense. Also, what is the goal of your comparison? Higher score at DXOmark?

SLT cheaper than mirror box OVF… and they gets sensors cheaper too. Only reason Nikon cheaper is because of back door deal selling them sensors.

Nikon: “We’ll purchase 50,000 sensors every month. But you gotta keep prices and noise levels higher than ours. And you can’t use your best sensor in your own cameras”.

Sony: “M’kay deal!”

Actually, you are quite wrong. I can show you other reviews, which say that the A99 is great for its price. (there admittedly is some problem with the European pricing though, it is even worse with the RX1)
Also, price is not defined by production costs, but by demand. If the A99 is 3 times the price of the A77, it just shows how great of a bargain the A77 is. Same goes for the D7000, by the way, which is also 1/3 of the price of the D800.

How to you know Sony begged? You work for Sony? Or you are just speaking for it? As I read the comment, many ppl are, like, complaining DxO test is inaccurate. One comment said DxO is accusing the sensor causing CA. I didn’t read the full article, but if they really say so, their creditibility is highly in doubt.

People are commending @ bigvalueinc is corrected and I am betting on Sony A99 for $1995 in a year ahead within US Retail not for Grey Market… :-d

Heh, I have a touch screen on my NEX 5N and I think I must have assumed that Sony got it right on the A99, but I am not seeing that the A99 has a touch screen. So, that’s another knock against it. Though, the LCD does articulate very well. No touch, dang.

Touchscreen? Is that so? I did not know?

My reply was supposed to be to Dave Melges.

You are so wrong here I guess you have bought this overpriced cameras and now you try to protect your wrong decision. Have you seen David Kilpatrick review? He owns this camera and few more FF. He says A99 should be 30-50% less. In Europe it is 700$ more than D800, almost 2x D600 and 3x A77 price. LOL. I can’t stop laughing thinking about this pricing. I have heard (online) about one person in my country that have bought this camera LOL. I’m serious now, one person in one quite big (but poor) European country.

Have you seen all Cons from DK review? It is nice camera with LV but it doesn’t have anything special from pro or semi pro DSLR camera class. While I would enjoy A99 more than D800 I fell D800 is real bargain if it is 700$ less than A99. I would buy A99 if it was 700$ less than D800. It is not and I give Sony month, maybe two before jumping to Nikon FF system.

I’m ready to place an order at $2,298. Just waiting it out.

Amen! It is still far from D800 price in Europe! And it should be close to D600. It costs Sony less to make this camera than Nikon has to spend on making D600.

Don’t forget new flash price, and at least two additional batteries you have to buy to get same number of shots like with normal DSLR. And if you would like charge those batteris as fast as one from Nikon or Canon than two additional charges LOL. Then you have to carry all those things, but yes you have save 100grams from camera weight

Of Course – More Sony Price Drops to Follow We’re sure.

I can’t imagine how many sales SONY lost due to their ridulous over pricing.

Sony’s problem is the Arrogance.
They are over valuing themselves.
SONY poor judgement is out of control.

The Only A99s that have been sold are to ALREADY
Sony FF users who were force to upgrade.

What a Shame. If they only had the
36mp sensor in a99
Higher Continuous Frames per second

They could justify the pricing and may have converted Canikon FF users to become

New – FF Sony platform users