(SR5) A37 and NEX-F3 with same 16 Megapixel sensor (and improved image quality).
Image of the current Sony A35
Maybe it’s just me but I am no big fan of the Megapixel race. So it’s good to hear from another of my trusted sources that Sony will use a 16 Megapixel sensor within the upcoming new A37 and NEX-F3. It is the same sensor of the current A35 and NEX-C3 but I have been told that there is anew BIONZ processor that improves the image quality. Let’s hope it’s true! That said the A37 will have a similar A35 design and same price of the current model. The NEX-F3 will be completely new and “innovative“.
Links to the current A35 and NEX-F3:
NEX-C3 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
A35 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay
Vivek
2 years ago |I am delighted to read the number 16MP!
(I have the NEX-7)
SonyA77
2 years ago |I am not for the A37. The 24mp D3200 is going to kill the A37 stone dead. Like it or not, high MP numbers sell cameras to consumers.
Vivek
2 years ago |That is Sony’s worry. It is not enough if they are being innovative and come up with useful cameras with real advances, they also have to make sure that their innovations (whatever little significant detail that may be) is also get to be known. They have to say with conviction that they are a leading manufacturer of digital sensors and it is being reflected in their own products more than anyone else’.
Have you seen the sample pics from the D3200 and the kitzoom?
Steve
2 years ago |+1
Pretend that you are a very average consumer, standing over a glass counter looking down at two cameras; you know nothing about the differences between DSLR and the new SLT and don’t even know if you care.
One is a Nikon, and maybe you have friends and relatives that have Nikons and the other is Sony, and you know about Sony. The Nikon is a d3200 and it has 24MP the Sony is a a37 and has only 16MP, so you think that the Sony must be cheaper……nope it’s not, its hundreds of dollars more. To the consumer more MP means that it’s better.
I think that some people at Nikon smell blood in the water seeing Sony’s losses and the need to raise margins and are going after Sony and its industry leading technology by forcing down margins and possibly even Sony’s overall unit-volume by crushing Sony’s at both the Top professional level pro cameras and now at the bottom consumer product.
Sony needs to compete at the bottom and right now by lowering the price on the a37 closer to that of the d3200 and hopefully all of the wonderful features of the SLT over the DSRL will cover any gap and still convince consumers to buy Sony.
Zstan
2 years ago |Oh wow. You have info about the selling price of a37 already? Please do share!
Steve
2 years ago |Sorry I miss spoke, I was thinking of the a57 when i wrote that part about price. And was wondering if anyone noticed. As I recall, the a35 was priced about the same as the Nikon d3200.
I was trying to make trying to make a point, do you disagree with it and do you think that the a37 will be priced lower?
Gabriel
2 years ago |MP numbers and brand. Sony is well know for it’s phone, Playsation and TV, not really for DSLR. And it’s a good news that they stuck at 16mpx, this means better high iso, less image size (jpeg and raw), less demanding on lenses.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Most people buying the A37 will not care or know about high ISO. All they will care about is price comparison against other brands and that magic MP number.
Maximus
2 years ago |less pixel does not mean less noise for the final result (print, internet presentation etc). Noise per Output size depends just on technology and sensor size.
blabla
2 years ago |2012 will definitely be the Nikon year, beside D3200 a 24MP FF D600 for only €1500 is announced, so who cares for overpriced A77, endless A99 and no new alpha lenses anymore ?
Cyrus
2 years ago |If Nex-F3 is confirmed with a tilt screen…
I hope the A37 will do also…
As we already lost the option in the A-mount world of compact body with tilt screen
(The A5x is now bigger… and the A35 is without…).
Robin Edgar
2 years ago |I went to the Sony store in the Eaton Center in Montreal to show a friend who is planning to buy a DSLR the Sony line-up. The store has (had?) one Sony A57 which is selling for $699 for the body only, but the A65 was on special for $899 instead of $1050. Very tempting at that price, and probably worth $200 more than the A57 for the OLED viewfinder and built-in GPS alone. Canadians may want to snap up the A65 at the $899 price before the sale ends. It is only on for a few days.
@ Cyrus Well there are still plenty of Sony A55s still around even if it is discontinued. . .
In fact the Montreal Sony Store was using several A55 bodies to demonstrate lenses.
Cyrus
2 years ago |Thanks Robin
Actually I own the Nex5 and A55.
Great cameras !
I hoped an update of my A55 with :
Problem resolution (electronic video stab to avoid overheating, more video control as50p …)
Slight improvement (mainly EVF… Especially after testing A77 evf in a store, better battery life…)
But honnestly…. Nothing really mandatory
still enjoying my 2 cameras every day…
So no hurry in an update….
Perhaps next generation
Sky_walker
2 years ago |Cool
16MPx sounds perfect, especially if it gonna perform as good as A57. High hopes for tiltable screen though, cause this might be a nice selling point for Sony against competition (only lowest-entry level camera offering the feature on a market?).
Steve
2 years ago |Admln,
Any word if the a37 will still have a lens motor?
blabla
2 years ago |from 1st gen. A580, A35, A55 to 2nd gen. A37, A57… all @ 16MP…. who will upgrade and what for ?
Denis
2 years ago |Those, who understand that MP is not the most important thing
blabla
2 years ago |strange that sony now makes an 18MP 1/2.3″ but no 18-20MP APS-C or FF chip, or is sony just not ready yet and therefore brings one 16MP model after the other with the old chip?
passer-by
2 years ago |The small sensor with 18MP uses BSI tech… better for low light. APS-C doesn’t need BSI yet.
Don Cox
2 years ago |The most important thing is to get rid of the Bayer mosaic and use a multi-layer sensor, as shown in Sony patents but not yet in production.
After that, an increase to about 36 Mpix would be useful for serious work. 16 Mpix multi-layer is enough for all normal shooting, but a higher number will for example resolve details of textiles better in studio fashion work.
16 Mpix with Bayer is enough for viewing on screens and for prints up to around A4.
Sky_walker
2 years ago |for “viewing on screen” even 8 MPx is more than enough.
And for A4 prints the 10 MPx sensor will do just fine.
hanugro
2 years ago |Hm, wonder if the bionz is the same with A57?
Zstan
2 years ago |Is the a35 cheaper than the d3200? Otherwise people will likely to cause a furore again.
Sky_walker
2 years ago |Right now it’s little bit more expensive than A57, so I don’t see A37 matching the price of D3200.
A35 is much cheaper than D3200, but that’s quite obvious even for a sole reason of camera age.
zstan
2 years ago |then i guess a37 will be cheaper than the d3200 then.
rascal
2 years ago |“innovative”… from Sony ?… a little bit scary… ^^
Almazar80
2 years ago |Why scary? Sony has always been one of the more innovative companies around. The ability to turn the innovation to best selling products have been a hit or miss, however. Look at Xerox, for example. The Xerox star was a great computer that was a decade ahead of everything else available at the time. Had they reduced the price and made it widely available, the world may be talking about Xerox computers. For competitions’ sake, I hope Sony is able to leverage its considerable technological prowess into great and great selling products (cameras and other things).
rascal
2 years ago |I added ^^ (smiley) in my post.
But, seriously, some innovative choice are not praised by everyone… and I don’t believe to an important useful innovation in an entry level nex.
Vivek
2 years ago |“… and I don’t believe to an important useful innovation in an entry level nex.”
That mirrors what the usual suspects parrot (“Testers” aka “reviewers”) all the time. LOL!
Almazar80
2 years ago |If the sell a lot of NEX-F3 cameras, then the number of third party products will probably explode. Besides, a small, hiqh quality, inexpensive camera is always welcome.
repo
2 years ago |So the A37 is going to be the same price as the Nikon d3200?Good luck with that Sony.
Matt
2 years ago |Why because Sony was smashing Nikon in sales because they had a 24MP A65 and A77 when Nikon ‘only’ had 16MP? This logic is seriously flawed.
If Nikon has something everyone says its great and will run Sony out of business. If Sony have that same thing, when Nikon don’t, Sony are going under because nobody wants it.
Make up your minds.
Spoon
2 years ago |+1
Atlasman
2 years ago |According to Sony’s product line, the 16MP sensor is for their entry-level systems.
Sony: give us a pro-level in the 16MP sensor.
Mike
2 years ago |Sony has not a single “pro-level” SLR/SLT. Not even the A900 is declared as such.
klw10
2 years ago |Yes, the a900 was referred to as Pro level on Sonystyle’s website in the US before it was discontinued.
SonyA77
2 years ago |The A900 was NEVER designated a pro camera by Sony. It was for “serious photo enthusiasts”. The websites aren’t run by Sony Imaging and get plenty of stuff wrong.
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |This was NOT something the Sony stores got wrong; it represented a change in corporate policy to acknowledge that the A900 was de facto a professional camera, and used as such by professional photographers, AND to signal that Sony is now prepared to enter the professional market. I think we’ll see some seriously professional Sony FF cameras in the next year. Otherwise, what sense does the new 500 mm lens make at its astronomical price?
GH
2 years ago |Worryin about megapixels and IQ is an outdatted issue. There seems to be a disconnect between output size and megapixel number with a lot of readers of this blog (and the admin.) For any given output size, there isn’t an IQ disadvantage to having more megapixels, assuming the sensor technologies are the same. In fact, the higher megapixel camera will be as good or better in every instance, depending on the output size. The disadvantage to having more megapixels comes in the form of needing more storage and more power to push higher fps, which is why the pro sports cameras are still under 20mp.
This is a relatively known concept, and we’re even seeing several review sites compare images at like sizes these days, too. I’m beginning to wonder how many readers of this blog print at all. If you’re not printing, there isn’t much reason to worry about IQ, as any camera over the last decade should work fine.
Granted, there were some sensor edge issues to deal with in the Sony 24mp NEX sensor using some manual lenses, but Sony could just solve that problem in the higher megapixel sensors, rather than us all running backwards and wanting the older 16mp sensor.
Jay
2 years ago |I really want A37 to have the same video specs as other current DSLTs. Built in motor and tilting screen would be bonus. I also hope they update the body style to make it slightly taller. That bothered me a little with A35.
Danillo
2 years ago |I’ve been looking at some tests for my own sake on the megapixel issue. I used to shoot with a Olympus E-600 and their 12-60mm lens. I then switched to the a77 and 16-50. The largest size I ever print is either 16×24″ or 18×24″. On screen, the Sony is clearly capturing more detail (though I do miss that Olympus 12-60… what a lens). I need to print crops form both at the scale they’d be for a 16×24, as my suspicion is that the difference in resolution is quite small form any sort of normal viewing distance.
I’ve also just recently purchased an a35 as a lightweight backup to my a77. I’ll have to run a test between that and the a77 to see how much of a difference the extra 8mp seems to make. Based on my experience with the 12mp Olympus, my guess is not too much. I’d bet the difference between the 18-55 and the 16-50 has a greater impact.
That said, unless storage is an issue, the extra megapixels are never worse!
theZAE
2 years ago |I’m incredibly excited to see Sony focus more or maintaining image quality throughout the ISO range versus simply make it’s MP count higher and higher. (I feel like Sony started this MP race and now I feel it’s time to stop.)
As both a photojournalist and wedding photographer, I want a Sony competitor to D3s/D4 so badly that I cant stand it. If the first steps to this are making a 16MP A37 and another 24MP FF cam; then my lucky day has come…
THANK YOU SONY!!!
SonyA77
2 years ago |Don’t credit Sony with any intelligence here, the A37 doesn’t have 24mp because they see the 24mp as a premium sensor. They think that the 16mp is good enough for lower-end beginners and intermediate users.
Vivek
2 years ago |Why should anyone care what Sony think who should be using which of their products? It is not as if they have a top notch pro service for their “premium” products and no service for the rest.
Once bought, it is my camera or lens and what I do with it is none of the manufacturer’s business.
GH
2 years ago |I think he right in terms of cost. The 16mp sensor is at the entry level price point, now. Unless you’re shooting some Leica wides or something, the 24mp sensor is as good or better than the 16mp in just about every aspect.
Erational
2 years ago |I think the point that the guys are trying to make is that 24MPx is now the new entry-level point given the existence of the entry-level Nikon 3200. I am agreement with others that removing the AA filter would be an improvement, but again we are talking about entry-level cameras here- megapixels sell. Given the competition from Samsung and Canon, 18MPx would have been the minimum acceptable. We want Sony to remain a viable company, they are loosing huge sums of money with stupid mistakes and obviously have not been listening to their customers. If they had been listening to their customers, there would be a great deal more E & A-mount lenses, now.
Spoon
2 years ago |Removing the AA filter at this point leads to more problems than that it solves. Unless youre only going to shoot in limited conditions (no human made patterns) and don’t mind the extra processing (in camera or on a computer) to get rid of false detail, jaggies, moire etc.
theZAE
2 years ago |I agree that Sony needs to stay on par with their entry level cameras so they don’t look like an under-performer in the megapixel department, but allow professionals to choose a high ISO performer if they need one. See my comment below for a further explanation.
GH
2 years ago |If you’re a wedding photographer, I’d imagine that you print a lot. I’m curious at which print size you’d find the 16mp sensor to be better than the 24mp sensor?
Zony
2 years ago |It doesn’t matter what you or i know is reasonable for printing. Megapixels sell, megapixels is what the masses want. I seriously doubt a wedding photographer is going to buy an entry-level camera. Sony can loose millions of dollars for only so many years, they have to give the masses what they want or they will perish. The goal post have moved, but Sony kept its head buried in the sand. We can talk about if 24 MPx or 20MPx is needed or not until we are blue in the face, thats not the point here.
theZAE
2 years ago |Surprised what an uproar my little comment has created. Obviously more MP are welcome, but when you are being paid to shoot in a horribly lit church and flashguns aren’t permitted during the ceremony, then I’d love be able to shoot in 6400 or higher and not cringe at the results.
No, I’m not afraid of complex lighting: I have 3 radio flashes and thousands of watts of continuous light, but in the ‘real’ world these things aren’t feasible and in the case of journalism, (I spent my morning in a 100 year old courthouse) simply not allowed.
Yes, megapixels sell (primarily to uninformed consumers) and the occasional studio photographer… but I am going on a limb here to assume that the average SONY buyer is neither. The uninformed usually choose a canikon (not bashing here) simply because of brand recognition. I use my beloved Sony cameras as self-owned workplace tools, not simply a hobby, and maybe that has made my perception a little different than most.
(Though I think the the average person shooting on AUTO, who doesn’t own a nice flashgun, would do well with a camera that could choose from a wide gamut of ISOs to crutch their lack of lighting knowledge.)
I think that breaking up product lines into two categories, much like Nikon has done with the D800/D4 was a brilliant move to please both ends of the market. I’ll take my “low-MP” high-ISO performer and you can have your low-ISO high-MP cam and we’ll all be happy.
Zony
2 years ago |Gosh if your hurting for light like that, I would reach for a 12MPx D700. The newer D800 has a 16MPx setting for high-ISO work that some pros say beats the D4. I’m sure someone could also make a case for the X Pro 1 having a high-ISO clean output also, (but your limited on auto lenses).
I’m a Sony, booster, but I think the only thing the A-line can offer a wedding photographer is SPEED. Shooting with the translucent-lensed cameras can be addicting insofar as keeping the image in focus as you fire-away. The discontinued A900/A850 were not world-beaters when it came to low-light work.
tojefajne
2 years ago |firmware is not enough? aa filter which deteriorates resolution is only a mirror still.
Rooru S.
2 years ago |Weeeeell…By having the A37 with 16MP means at least Sony is making the best out of the 16MP sensor production to share it among the greatest number of models ever. But I’m wondering…now that they’re offering an Entry model with 16MP, compared to D3200, if they want to stay on market, it needs to be 100USD lower with kit lens included, offer 12fps tele, 10 fps normal, tilt screen at least (tilt-swivel would be great) and make emphasis AGAIN on smaller body compared to traditional SLR.
But then..once again, you see A57 body ONLY for 699, and D3200 for 699 WITH lens…If Sony wants to be reaaaaally competitive you need to offer at least A37 with almost SAME specs as A57 for 599 WITH lens. Unless they think they will not be affected at all by the D3200 release.
Really interested on NEX-F3 though…
Sky_walker
2 years ago |Do you? Here in UK the A57 with kit lens is cheaper than D3200 body only.
Zaph
2 years ago |Focus peaking?
passer-by
2 years ago |That’s a standard feature in every Sony DSLT I guess.
Zaph
2 years ago |Unfortunately, the A35 doesn’t have it, so wondering if the A37 will.
bibogue
2 years ago |Sony Nex-F3
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibogue/6971202948/sizes/z/in/photostream/
Spoon
2 years ago |A “sneak peek” picture of the F3:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1042&message=41343695
Zony
2 years ago |Thanks for that hyperlink, Spoon. Usually Andrea has more info on an upcoming model much further in advance to the cameras bowing, but he seems to have dropped the ball on the F3. It does look like there will be an integrated pop-up flash from the pic at dpr.
BTW, I think the Fuji X Pro 1 conclusively shows that a AA filter is not unnecessary. Of the thousands of pictures shot with the camera, I have yet to see moire.