(SR4) Good news: Sony A77 announcement will NOT be delayed.
A few days ago Sony canceled the new NEX-C3 and SLT A35 product announcements due the energy supply problems in some of their Japanese plants. I am constantly in touch with my sources and they told me that Sony has not yet decided when they will announce the new C-3/A35 cameras. The good news is that Sony will not delay the announcements of the important products. That includes the Sony A77 which should be announced in July. The NEX-C3 and A35 were just minor upgrades of the current NEX-3 and A33 cameras. One source told me that both do not have new features but just bring some “fixes”. The only major change would have been the new design of the NEX-3.
P.S.: I posted the rumor with SR4 value only because I don’t want to bring bad luck 
Both cameras have been discontinued and (in some stores) discounted:
The Sony NEX-3 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
and the Sony A33 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
Larry
3 years ago |Not sure why you keep reporting that the NEX cameras have been discounted. All the sources you link show them selling at the full list price in single-lens or double-lens kits (the double lens kits represent a savings off buying the second lens at full retail price, but that has been true almost since the introduction of the cameras).
I want to buy a NEX double-lens kit this week and would be very, very happy to know where to buy the NEX-5 double-lens kit for less than $799 or the NEX-3 double-lens kit for less than $699.
admin
3 years ago |Hi Larry! The link is dynamic. Germans will see links to amazon.de for example. And in some stores the NEX-3 is discounted in some others not. My fault, I should have explained that. Thanks for correcting me!
Larry
3 years ago |Okay, would be happy to hear about _which_ stores are discounting the camera.
admin
3 years ago |A very fast example: http://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/Meinungen/2223361.html
Scroll at the bottom of the page and it shows the recent price drops in Germany. That is usually the place I do look for discounts. Redcoon and Amazon are under the stores that do have the cheapest price. I also saw price drops on Pixmania Italy and UK. 2-3 weeks ago there was an Instant Rebate action in US (BH and Adorama).
Bye!
Peter Blaise
3 years ago |Argh — it looks like the A77 front control dial is in front of the on-off switch that’s encircling the shutter release button, so as I hunt for the front control dial, I turn the camera off instead.
My original Minolta Dimage 5/7/A-series had the front dial above the shutter release button, and there was never a confusion as to what control my finger was on.
So, the choice is A33/A55 with one dial, or A77 with two dials but not placed well.
How do folks accomplish Program Shift and Exposure Compensation on the A55? (That’s what I used the twin dials for in my Minolta DiMage 5/7/A-series for.)
Click!
Love and hugs,
Peter Blaise
http://www.peterblaisephotography.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterblaise/sets/
http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=728280964
lol
3 years ago |A77 is allready delayed by at least two years. It is said to be in stores late 2011, that means almost 6 months from now…. LOL LOL LOL
How can you say it is not delayed. Sony is pathetic. Epic fail with anything besides dozen entry level crap per year.
admin
3 years ago |Before the desaster I wrote here that the A77 will be announced in mid 2011 (very likely in July). I was referring to that.
Spoon
3 years ago |My A500 has a similar setup of the front dial and on/off switch and I’ve never accidentally turned off my camera. There’s enough space between them and even if you accidentally hit the switch, it takes much more force (but not too much) to switch that than to rotate the wheel, so it more than likely won’t move.
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As for program shift, I’ve never used it, but there is a Manual shift that works similar, with the only difference that you need to keep an eye on your meter and adjust accordingly, rather than having your camera do that as a semi auto mode.
monster
3 years ago |This is off the topic, but since we are discussing the control dial, I will ask here. Does anybody else have problems with the control dial skipping around when you use it to adjust a setting? It is frustrating to try and adjust the aperture from F/4 to F/5.6, but to have it jump to F/16.
I had this problem on my A700 dials, and now, the A580 is doing it. The A580 is four months old. I noticed this problem after I got back from a hike in the mountains. It was snowing, and the camera did get some snow melt on it, but it was never totally wet. I have tried to blow air into the dial crevice, but it does no good. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. This issue happens about 75% of the times that I use the dial.
iota
3 years ago |Yes, I did. I tried blowing air, etc. but that didn’t work. After several weeks like this, I was just about to send it in to Sony for repair when it suddenly started working again. I have no idea why, but it has been fine ever since (this happened last summer). Hope you have the same luck.
Carl
3 years ago |My A900 does that. It’s pretty disheartening to hear they still haven’t fixed the problem in new models.
lol
3 years ago |One more thing… Is there anyone who would like to count for how long we know this mockup and announcments about new A7x class camera? Has Canon or Nikon done something like this in past? My impression is that they announce announcment about upcoming new mockup for longer time that similar cameras from Nikon and Canon exist on the market. Epic fail Sony.
lol
3 years ago |And will hit stores around October/November… LOL.
Paul W
3 years ago |Meanwhile most Alpha users await this launch with considerable interest and pretty high expectations. If it’s as good as some say who seem to know, it should successfully grow Sony’s share of the ICL camera sector still further, largely at Canikon’s expense. Let’s wait and see, eh? Already 15% share of ICLs compared with Minolta’s 3%…so not that big a fail so far since they entered the market with the A100 in June 2006…500% growth in share terms of an enlarging market. LOL Paul
Carl
3 years ago |Minolta’s market share only dropped that low because they completely missed the boat when it came to DSLRs. During the film era they were only slightly behind Nikon, ie. much the same position Sony is now.
SonyA77
3 years ago |Minolta missed the boat due to being sued by Honeywell for infringing Honeywell auto-focus patents. Minolta never recovered from it.
Carl
3 years ago |Canon and Nikon recovered from their initial losses to Minolta in 88-92, Minolta paid Honeywell in 1992, the boss Hideo Tashima got pushed aside by former COO Osamu Kanaya in 93-94, and they started putting their hopes into the Vectis system (and in tern, depreciating the Alpha system) in 95. After the 17-35G in 96, there was only one more new high end lens (200 Macro) before Konica took over in 2003.
While the Honeywell lawsuit didn’t help them (or any of the other camera companies that were also sued by Honeywell for that matter), it was hardly the only problem they had.
The biggest failure of the company during the 90s was Vectis, in my view. If the lenses they made for that system were replaced by more Alpha mount lenses, and the RD3000 was offered as an A mount DSLR, they would have been in a much better position to compete once the digital revolution happened. In the end, Canon capitalised on DSLRs much the same way as Minolta capitalised on autofocus, and were probably quite smug about the poetic justice of that.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |you need wikileaks
Disinto
3 years ago |Andrea, Chinese & Japanese actually believe that number 4 brings bad luck (homophonous words) so you better upgrade your SR to SR5
admin
3 years ago |Damn, not they will hate me!
Maveric19
3 years ago |Some news is better than no news at all. I would think Sony has this camera already built and is simply working out the bugs. That said, I believe the camera is in the box just waithing for the launch date to be released.
I want to be as positive as possible. I just hope Sony doesn’t let us down.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |I am counting until Oct 2011 to get A77. Others not important anymore. But if it doesn’t not turn up on Oct. Then will re-consider other ship.
SonyA77
3 years ago |…and you just know it’ll be released the day after you buy a Canikon LOL!
Camless Photography
3 years ago |LOL, same happened…
lorenzino
3 years ago |As I am now forced to go to Tokyo for working, and as everybody there keeps on telling me there is no risk from air, food, rain, etc., I really hope Sony, Nikon and the others resume full production asap! If I have to works, they do have to work as well.
Bring us the A77 and the Next7!!!!! No excuses!!!
(just joking, huh!)
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |Enjoy with the radioactive air, foods, and many others
Human took shortcut to build Nuklear plant instead of hydro power plant, now is the time to pay back. Japan just a tradegy after Chernolby tradegy. More to come around whole world (india, north korea, china, USA, etc)
Vlad
3 years ago |Very funny.
SonyA77
3 years ago |Chernobyl wasn’t an accident, it was incompetence during a test they carried out. The plant was old with very little safety measures, it was in the Ukraine and I am amazed that they don’t have more problems there!
Japan’s plant is a 40 year old design. Current/future nuclear power plants will use passive cooling to cool the core in the event of power loss.
Nuclear power is getting safer with every new generation of plant.
adam
3 years ago |anyone have info about the new a77 kit lens???
Brett
3 years ago |The problem with the “A77″ People have been waiting for so long, and the rumours are setting the bar so high, I fear it may not live upto hopes and expectations.
I suspect it will either blow the competition away, or it will be a great dissapointment to many.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |+1
gigino
3 years ago |If it just does not have manual video controls, it will be a show stop for many.
And it must have a wide spread AF focusing points for the still photographers. That is a must have, that all the other Sony DSLR do not have.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |All now have high expectation to A77.
if its does not have side rotate LCD screen, many will stop
if its does not have full video control, many will stop
if its does not have 24p, many will stop
if its having over heat filming problem, many will stop
if its does not have 3mb EVF/hybrid EVF, many will stop
Camless Photography
3 years ago |Agree with Brett, I too fear and suspect…
LEdgars
3 years ago |Some people will never be happy… Most of them lumping around forums and whining, because no one camera never meet their expectations.
Mafiosito
3 years ago |Thats good news, can’t wait for the a77
Richard
3 years ago |Will the A77 be less noisy than the A55?
Just bought an A55 after continued disappointment about sharpness with other major brand. Very pleased with picture quality of A55 and just about to make full commitment to Sony system, but I have a problem with the A55′s shooting noise and I understand that 580 is noisy as well.
Other important features:
-battery life
-how will EVF handle during high-burst speed shooting?
cheers!
PhotoNut
3 years ago |Yeah, Yeah, Whatever…. I might be making my switch to Canon 5D MkII sooner than I thought
SONY sucks and is a horrible business partner
Paul W
3 years ago |I don’t see why would this news/rumour make you switch sooner?
But hey the 5d MkII is a very good camera indeed … as are all the current full frame modelsFar too much is made about brand wars…it’s the photographer behind the camera that makes the difference.
Vlad
3 years ago |I don’t understand. Why the A77 announcement is a problem for you if you are buying a full-frame anyway?
PhotoNut
3 years ago |The rumor is not making me switch. It is just the continuous run of negative news about Sony and its inability to deliver products that people are waiting to buy.
They really are just a “walkman” company in that they are simply unable to full understand and appreciate the users of their systems even though posses great manufacturing and engineering expertise. It is a cultural problem that is doing them in.
This all started with their crazy idea of screwing up the designs of the lower-end alphas by changing the batteries to smaller ones, making the grips smaller, using the same old CCD sensors and taking away existing features and then trying to sell the butchered cameras at the same price as the older better ones.
SonyA77
3 years ago |What negative news? Sony haven’t made any official announcement, so how can they be accused of not delivering a product that they haven’t yet announced?
The only news I see is positive. NEX sales are massive, consumers love NEX. The A55/A580 is selling like hot cakes AND has a Canon beating sensor in it. What negative news are you talking about???
PhotoNut
3 years ago |Forgot to add. In my case, there is absolutely no news for new Sony full frame with live-view/video and better sensor. So I could get a Sony A900 without these desired features and keep on moaning or just move to a manufacturer that understands photographers like Canon.
Sony doesn’t see photographers anymore — just people who will gladly hand over money every year for a disposable high-tech camera. That is their business model — DSLR cameras as just another low-cost *electronic* device – a shell to house their good CMOS sensors. That may make more money in the short run but definitely will not build them the reputation that is required to take on Nikon or Canon.
Vlad
3 years ago |Hmm. I see your concern. Definitely understandable.
SonyA77
3 years ago |Unfortunate that you posted this just before the latest rumour about two FF SLT cameras in 2012
I fail to understand why people think that a camera is anything more than disposable. It is snobbery, not realising their precious dSLR is now a consumer item.
The dSLR world is changing and Sony know it. With the A77 I will be on my third dSLR/SLT in three years, I kept my 35mm SLR for TEN years.
Expect to see models change as frequently as compacts. If you want to be stuck with a dinosaur like Canon or Nikon, jump ship.
acolyte
3 years ago |yawn. Here we continue the waiting.
Getta2
3 years ago |Sony needs 7-10 years to mature, that means a complete lineup of entry/medium/premium cameras and lenses. I really love the creative idea Sony shows and their strong mechanical ability, but I guess I’ll go for Canon/Nikon now and wait.
Long live Sony!
Vlad
3 years ago |7-10 years to mature?? I am the first to say Sony’s marketing during the last 4 years was very nonsensical, but what exactly do you miss in the system?
Full-frame and entry-level are covered. The only thing lacking is the APS-C pro body. And about the lenses:
http://static.photo.net/attachments/bboard/00Y/00Y6IL-325235584.pdf
Getta2
3 years ago |1. Minolta lenses are not sold/branded by Sony. (in other words, not shown on Sony website) And most importantly, they are all discontinued.
2. THREE Zeiss fix-focal lens in a completed lineup? You must be kidding me…
3. THREE lens for e-mount? Oh, I guess you’ll claim that I can use Alpha adapter to use the Sony/Minolta lens out there.
4. A850/900 is the same thing, where is the Sony professional FF body like D3s/1D4?
Carl
3 years ago |The 1D Mark IV isn’t full frame. It has a 1.3x crop.
As it stands currently, the Minolta/Sony AF system isn’t good enough for high speed autofocus tracking to warrant them making a high speed/low resolution camera in the same vein as the D3S and 1DIV. I assume once/if they catch up, they’ll bring out a SLT camera using the same sensor as the current Nikon DxS model with some ridiculous one-upmanship in terms of frames per second.
If so, that would be fine by me, as it might make them more likely to offer an optical viewfinder for it’s high resolution/low speed counterpart.
Vlad
3 years ago |1. Yes, I know. I am certainly not saying the system doesn’t have some catching up to do, but 7-10 years seems over-exaggerated.
2. True. Yet everybody speaks about lens range, but how many do we end up buying?
3. Gee, why would that be? What do you expect from a mount that is 10 months old?
4. Check Carl’s answer.
zeissgit
3 years ago |Sony is a frontrunner in my opinion, 21st century auto-focus zeiss lenses (!!!) AND supplying the other big players with its sensors?? the minolta lens legacy is a godsend (i.e shift lenses etc), as is the cutting edge sweep panoramic technology etc. i’m waiting for the next high MP full-frame sensor and viewfinder but anyone not wanting those things as well as unreal ISO, should consider these Sony DSLRs as crackling with value and quality.
hansen
3 years ago |The successor of the A700 is delayed for years!!!
Camless Photography
3 years ago |announcement and availability, just keeping peoples busy waiting and look around at the time of announcement features are included one by one in other companies launch. check carefully. Sony just announce something with unique features first but others find another way to that feature and produce first. LOL
Camless Photography
3 years ago |This thing will throw far back then expectations…
lucas
3 years ago |can anyone answer me?
what will be a77 price range?
thank you
albin
3 years ago |google is your friend
Bob
3 years ago |1. Yes.
2. More than a55 and less than a99.
Q
3 years ago |lucas, the cost of the A77 should be between an A580 and an A850.
Otherwise, google is your friend.
SonyA77
3 years ago |A bit more than the Canon 60D was the rumour.
lucas
3 years ago |i found around 1200 dollars…
zen
3 years ago |re: ‘The NEX-C3 and A35 were just minor upgrades of the current NEX-3 and A33 cameras. One source told me that both do not have new features but just bring some “fixes”. ‘
This still strike me as odd. What is so significant in terms of fixes that would warrant a new A3x model yet still be considered minor?
No sign of discounted prices in Canada.
SonyA77
3 years ago |Sony refreshed the A2xx and A3xx line without changing the internals much, if at all. A refresh of the A33 is no surprise at all.
David
3 years ago |All this complaining is ridiculous
What is so wrong and limiting about your current camera that makes everybody NEED the a77, or jumping to canon/Nikon RIGHT NOW?
Be honest, it’s just petty impatient and gear-whoring. Very few people would *actually* be limited by the a580, a700 or a850/900.
Vlad
3 years ago |You just can’t buy an A700.
Audiotic
2 years ago |… My trusted old Dynax 7 is dying. Indeed, it does everything I need to. But soon I will need a new camera body. And it should be at least as good as the D7. Even if I could buy an A700, the D7 is better. I think the A77 will be the one to go for for me.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |Just fast releaseeeeeeee A77, i am almost fainted
Snowbird_UT
3 years ago |So does this mean the Nex-7 will be delayed or won’t be delayed, since it was rumored to come out roughly at the same time?
admin
3 years ago |Don’t believe it will be delayed…
Mafiosito
3 years ago |My a700 has served me well, but I need faster focusing, better iso performance … not ready to go to FF even if all my lenses are FF ready. Thats why I can’t wait to have the a77.
Jump ships is not an option since I love the performance, look and feel of the Sony/zeiss lenses. It’s the lenses… nikon and canon have not given me the same feel
It has nothing to do tech whoring, being impatient, photography skills … I need a step up and I have been waiting for the a7xx / a77 for 2 years now
Dave
3 years ago |I am so sick of waiting for SONY to quit farting around with this high tech garbage they are forcing everyone into buying. I was hoping to upgrade my MAXXUM 7D with a DSLR of about 12 – 16 mps FF sensor, so that I could continue to use my MINOLTA glass. I am not interested in video, or EVF’s, as I have used them before in my FUJI FinePix S9100. At least the S9100 has a PC socket for studio or external flash, and syncs at speeds up to 1/1000 of a second with my METZ flashes. If Fuji can have those very useful features in a fixed lens bridge camera, what the Heck is wrong with SONY? They don’t seem to be too interested in the needs of PHOTOGRAPHERS. It is obvious that SONY is capable of many techno wonders, but is it really necessary to pile it all into one camera body? You would never need or use all of these features. It looks like the only camera that seems to be a sensible upgrade to the 7D at this point, is the PENTAX K5. My guess is that SONY will be losing a lot of serious photographers, and the delays in providing a decent DSLR, not DSLT, is not due to the earthquake in Japan. It is due to Sony’s mindless marketing to serious photographers. Just build a sturdy DSLR like the Maxxum 7D without all of the extra junk that we will never use. Just one body for us old guys would be nice! Humor us a little SONY. You would get the surprise of a lifetime…
David
3 years ago |Actually I agree with Dave, I already have an HD videocamera and hardly use it, i like pictures! I´m a macro enthusiast and all I care about the A77 is if Sony is gonna keep its A mount (I hope so…) and if they are able to make an EVF with no delay and a good manual focus, specially in lowlight conditions. All the rest are useless gadgets for me if they can not do that. I don´t want to talk any more about waiting….I get too angry.
revdocjim
3 years ago |Ya, I know what you mean. I was looking for a new car the other day and all I want is something that just drives down the road. But can you believe it… every car I look at is loaded with all this extra high-tech junk that I don’t need. Windshield wipers with time delay, power windows and door locks, reclining seats… I don’t need any of that stuff. Why can’t they quit farting around and make a car for serious drivers??? Can you believe it?… every maker out there is forcing me to give them my hard earned money to pay for a radio in my car! I don’t even like radio! And even if I did, why would I listen to it in my car. I’m a driver, not some artsy fartsy musician! Come on Detroit, just humor us a little! (big wink!)