(SR5) UPDATED: First images of the new Sony SLT-A58! And three new A-mount lens images too!
A couple of days ago SAR (SonyAlphaRumors) leaked the first image of the new NEX-3n (article here). And we told you that a new A58 would come too. And here are the images via Digicaminfo! Both cameras should be announced soon (some say Sony may introduce them the same day of the Playstation presentation next week on Feb 20th). Anyway, what I am 90% sure of are these A58 specs:
- The A58 will have a 20 megapixel sensor capable of shooting at 8fps (frames per second). I have been told that the new sensor has an improved dynamic range over previous generation Sony sensors.
- The body has the same size as the current A57.
- It will have a brand new focusing system that he said is “very cool” (you may tell us more about it?)
- you will be able to control the camera from a computer (like all the Canons) but it wont have Wi-Fi.
- Price for the body is $599.
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UPDATE: And here are the image sof the new Zeiss 50mmf /1.4SSM, the new updated 18-55mm II kit lens and the updated 70-400mm II zoom.
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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!
Mason
4 months ago |Wow thanks for the update. Getting excited for the 20th.
Any more info on A78 or if the A38 will still come?
admin
4 months ago |A77 successor this summer! Don’t worry
Mason
4 months ago |It’s summer in Australia now :p
Ill keep waiting its all good. Can’t wait for some juicy info on it.
admin
4 months ago |Winter in Australia
youngun
4 months ago |Can I expect battery grip this time?
Frank
4 months ago |No chance. Give up waiting for anything less than a 7 series having a VG.
youngun
4 months ago |If I’m not wrong, there was VG for a580 last time.
Frank
4 months ago |…and there was a VG for even the A200, I know because I had it. Sony dropped the VG with anything less than the A77, even the A65 doesn’t have it.
You aren’t going to ever get one on a SLT 5 series.
youngun
4 months ago |Maybe you’re right… Then I guess I’ll just have to wait for a77 successor or simply get a99 instead, since I’ve both a200 and a57 now.
Hubertus Bigend
4 months ago |What’s wrong with existing 3rd party manufacturers’ battery grips for the A57/65?
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |They aren’t smart connections porting through the battery compartment or bottom panel. They plug into the side port with cable kludge that looks messy and feels worse sitting in hand palm. They have all the quality of a beginners electronics kit assembled by children… and they might be.
Frank
4 months ago |^^This^^
Plus I don’t trust the tripod mount in them and the thought of my expensive camera hanging by one of those cheap strap lugs doesn’t help.
Lofote
4 months ago |The reason why they stopped making VGs is probably that VG-B30AM and VG-B50AM did not sell very well.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Actually, as far as I’m aware, VG-B50AM sold very well. Few months after A580 release (which also used VG-B50AM) it couldn’t be found ANYWHERE in Sony warehouses across Europe. This was quite a frustration for a lot of people who bought it for a reason of VG and then couldn’t buy one anywhere.
streetshooter
4 months ago |8fps instead of 12fps shooting?? isnt that slower continuous shoot than the a57??..why did thy do tht.
Aware
4 months ago |I think it’s the raw profile of full frame rate , so don’t worry
streetshooter
4 months ago |Wheelus
4 months ago |Yes, 20 MP vs. 16 MP.
wowolfol
4 months ago |So you are saying you think that it will shoot higher then 8fps in other modes?
Frank
4 months ago |So what’s this new and exciting auto-focus that was rumoured, there is no wheel on the front like the A99.
cc
4 months ago |whats the point of interchanging the zoom and ev button? and that old flip screen structure…
JoeNoName
4 months ago |Same questions I have. What about that Zoom button? Zooming through that button instead using the ring in the lens?
Seeky
4 months ago |Clear Image Zoom: google it. It’s digital zoom combined with interpolation so you still get full resolution images.
Dimitri
4 months ago |Seeky: “you still get full resolution images”? Ha, Ha, Ha.. Are you kidding? Didn’t you read some revew about “clear zoom”? It’s only a cheap trick for beginners! The fact is that in the A58 pictures i didn’t see any control button regarding the “cool, brand new focusing system”!!!
Guboss
4 months ago |What about the EVF?
Frank
4 months ago |Yup, it’ll definitely have one
Sky_walker
4 months ago |No idea what’s up with the zoom button location (seriously… Sony thinks it’s most commonly used feature, or what?) but other than that looks nice, with some tiny improvements to the handling. Wish they would add second wheel or vertical grip option, or at least: OLED viewfinder, but… well… A57 was a very good camera on it’s own to start with, so I doubt they could do much keeping the price where it was.
Hope the new sensor really delivers.
Aware
4 months ago |What’s wrong with the LCD? Different rotation structure?
P.S. Does the 18-55 II have a metal ass?
Robin Edgar
4 months ago |It looks like the LCD screen articulation may have been downgraded to A37 style with far less movement. . .
AG
4 months ago |This looks like a promising model and I will upgrade from the A57.
Are there any changes to the way the LCD articulates?
Aware
4 months ago |Are U kidding? Update from 57 to 58? I think it makes nonsense. Why not A78?
Frank
4 months ago |Some people just have to have the latest version of things, it’s how Apple milks iPhone users lol
Sky_walker
4 months ago |You mean: Samsung milks Galaxy users? Cause Apple still provides support and firmware upgrades for even old iPhone 3GS, while Samsung is the one abandoning smartphones as soon as it gets to milk money from newest version (Galaxy 4 coming in, prepare to drop your G3!)
Frank
4 months ago |Striking similarities between Sony cameras and Samsung phone support then.
Zohee35
4 months ago |Exaggeration galore. My S2 is still supported as well, just received a firmware update as did the older Nexus S from my girlfriend.
The Lotus Eater
4 months ago |If the sensor is as good as rumoured in terms of DR and the focus system is improved, the upgrade might be worth it. No need for the derisory comments.
The 15 point AF in the A580/A55/A57 was never that great. Fast, yes, but very inconsistent with fast lenses.
yo
4 months ago |58′s pict is real? There’s also an ISO shoe then…
Frank
4 months ago |It wouldn’t make sense for there not to be Sony’s multi-interface hotshoe. You’ll see it on the A78 and NEX too.
Nik
4 months ago |Not sure what’s up, but the 18-55 and 50 pictures aren’t displaying for me.
Nik
4 months ago |Never mind there they are!
JC
4 months ago |After sticking new 20MP sensor and new AF system.Sony started to cut the LCD screen cost down.
Robin Edgar
4 months ago |Looks that way. Seems like an A37 style LCD articulation.
Dave Melges
4 months ago |All SLT’s going forward will have the ISO hotshoe.
They swapped the “zoom” and “exposure compensation” buttons probably because the exposure compensation is more important to more people, it’s now in a much better spot.
Personally I’d rather have the ISO button there, on a Live-View camera I use compensation about once every two years.
All in all, glad they didn’t change much, the interface on the a57 is nearly perfect.
Lost Hope
4 months ago |“They swapped the “zoom” and “exposure compensation” buttons probably because the exposure compensation is more important to more people, it’s now in a much better spot.”
The zoom doesn’t work in RAW and Sony’s Jpeg engine sucks (at least in the A65/77) so whats the point in having it at all.
Also, if, as someone else said, the Jpeg engine is improved in the A99, then why will Sony not pass that – or a version of it – down to the A65/77. Do they think we are all mad (or rich) enough to buy every new camera they make just to get some slight improvements in spec but not necessarily in picture quality via firmware. Sony have proved, to me at least, that they have no intention of updating the firmware with anything more than minor changes and lens updates, preferring to spend millions on pushing out new cams for the rich and gullible to upgrade to. I ain’t buying another !
Frank
4 months ago |Since getting the A77 I’ve been using exposure compensation more since you can see the simulated effect in the EVF. I have actually assigned exposure compensation to the front dial and find it more useful than setting ISO.
Cathay
4 months ago |Cant see the Zeiss picture. Not loading for me i guess.
The new 70-400 is white? Oh..no longer in sliver?
streetshooter
4 months ago |thr is a new 18-55 type 2 lens:)
whistler
4 months ago |So the 70-400mm is f4-5,6 and not as per previous rumor f4.5-5.6. Makes sense. Admin, any idea what makes Sony believe that its worth a 50% price increase if its the same optical formula? I guess its not the white paing which makes it so expensive.
jim
4 months ago |The 70-400G SSM2 is the same as before f4-f5.6
Lofote
4 months ago |Are you sure its the same optical formula? Even if, there is still other things that can be improved: like a much faster AF, weather sealing… both very useful things for the areas where such a tele is used.
Rooru S.
4 months ago |Oh..so now it’s white… I’m sure it will be harder to see who is using a Sony or a Canon
Sky_walker
4 months ago |FYI the history of making tele lenses white is quite long and Canon isn’t really the only one making them. Sony, Pentax, Zeiss, even: Samyang made white tele lenses. It’s nothing new nor extraordinary nor have anything in common with Canon besides the fact that it’s one of several manufacturers making white lenses.
Robin Edgar
4 months ago |It looks like the updated 18-55mm II kit lens may have been redesigned to have a non-rotating front element, thus allowing for a petal type lens hood. Cpnsidering how badly the current lens flares this could be helpful. . . It would be nice if they did something about the lens flaring with better coating or something.
sleekdraft
4 months ago |hasn’t anyone noticed that it now looks more like canon’s dslr? and why make the alpha logo white??
Sky_walker
4 months ago |It looks more like old Minolta cameras. Back from the time where Canon got everything carved in wood… or at least: it looked like that. And as for the color… well.. no idea.
Andrew Lynch
4 months ago |Pictures of the lenses are gone !!!
Simon T
4 months ago |LCD can’t swivel is a step back from the A57
Not much of an update in fact a downgrade in some areas
Bet it won’t take a VG either, and the new shoe won’t fit your flashes without an adaptor A57 users need not lose any sleep on this offering. Sony really need to try harder lame effort
jim
4 months ago |Can’t see the pictures of the lenses.
Frank
4 months ago |Hopefully going to see some price drops for the current 70-400mm
emopunk
4 months ago |Wow finally 70-400 is white and CZ 50mm is actually there. Can’t wait to hear more about these two lenses!
Abit77
4 months ago |F@ck!!! 70-200ssm2???
ArtoS
4 months ago |Waiting that lens too, but according to earlier rumors, it is coming in summer, perhaps with A78…
Abit77
4 months ago |nooooooooooo
Frank
4 months ago |If Sony were really committed to A-mount they would have been here for the A99.
ageha
4 months ago |+1
jim
4 months ago |They better update the optics of the Sony 70-200 since its lagging behind others and is not worth the price especially with the arrival of the new tamron 70-200 USD
Sky_walker
4 months ago |+1
zed
4 months ago |WOW (keanu reeves style)
Linh
4 months ago |I would find it extremely odd for Sony to make several huge announcements on the same day.but i guess a58 isnt that big of a deal, not flagship.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |Man… I really liked the silver G color. The 500/4 G was supposed to be silver too. They looked great with the cinnabar. Now everything Canon white.
Even the cameras are looking like Canons. I’m convinced more than ever that Sony is going after the Canon market hard, and not concerned about competing with their good sensor customer Nikon.
Frank
4 months ago |“Now everything Canon white.”
If you can’t beat them, join them.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |Or bust out the Krylon!
Matthias
4 months ago |A camera or a lens is not a fashion item, but a tool for a purpose. They do not need to look good, they need to work great. If you shoot wildlife or people, you absolutely do not want to draw unnecessary attention to yourself or your equipment. A shiny metallic finish is a no-go for these purposes, as it draws attention to the lens even over a distance.
Over the years I have met dozens of photographers who were interested in the SAL-70400G, but rigorously refused to buy it because of the impractical color. They did not want to buy an expensive new lens and loose the warranty by applying the necessary paint job before even starting to use the lens.
Judging from lots of similar complaints in forums world-wide, Sony possibly lost about half of the potential sales of this lens for this single reason alone.
In our forum surveys in 2008/2009/2010, a tiny 1.27% fraction of the people opted for silver metallic, 11.11% for matte white, and 83.17% for black.
It is a pity that it took Sony four long years to react. Even though the SAL-70400G is a good lens optically, they lost alot of money and reputation this way.
Nevertheless, it’s good that they finally gave in with the last minute color change of the SAL-500F40G in 2012, and now also correct their mistake with the SAL-70400G2. Black or anthrazite would have been even better from the practical point of view, but white will help to keep the temperature inside the lens somewhat lower and still blend in much better with nature and urban landscapes than the metallic surface, so much fewer people will need to paint the lens.
Frank
4 months ago |The reason they didn’t buy it was because they couldn’t afford it, it’ll have bugger all to do with it being silver.
whistler
4 months ago |Yup, so are phones – they are tools to make phone calls. So iPhone must be much better at making calls than anyone else in the world. Not.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |No, the phones are not tools. Failed comparison.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |“They did not want to buy an expensive new lens and loose the warranty by applying the necessary paint job before even starting to use the lens.”
Funny.
customercopy
4 months ago |Canon lenses are NOT WHITE, they’re a sort of very pale milky brown colour. We used to call it ‘mushroom’ back in the film days. Minolta is the only company to market high-performance lenses in white paint, so Sony is following logically on.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Actually: VALID POINT.
OneTrackMind
4 months ago |Funny I don’t think I’d ever really noticed before that that strap mounts on the A57 and also this new A58 are different than the A77 and A99. The A77/A99 have those triangle pivoting pieces that sometimes I find can get a little jangly (especially when shooting video – the mic will pickup the noise)
Overall this A58 is a very clean design. I’ve been a big fan of Sony’s ergonomics. This looks to continue that same legacy.
Frank
4 months ago |The A700 had them.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |It’s been a huge complaint of mine over the years… those antiquated strap lugs used on upper end Alphas… literally a carry over from the early 1900′s. I’d prefer just a strap bar recessed into the camera body. This a58 has gone back to the Maxxum 9000 and 9xi designs, much better than the little silver lugs and cumbersome clanky strap rings.
But really, these strap bars should be at bottom and left of camera. I hate any strap that competes with hands to control camera. I use a tripod mounted tripod plate that allows for strap connection, so strap runs from bottom away from hands. Now the little silver strap lugs act like knives to poke my palms, especially in vertical shooting. Should really file them off.
Maxxum 9000 and 9xi allowed for both strap mounts far left, so nothing on right hand to interfere.
Matthias
4 months ago |Those strap eyelets with triangular rings, stoppers and leatherette are much superior in usabilty to simple strap lugs made out of punched sheet metal, but also more expensive. You can find them in the higher models only because they require (at least) a (partial) metal chassis, whereas punched sheet metal strap lugs can be used in fully plastics bodies as well.
So, those eyelets with triangular rings are not in any way “outdated” at all, they are a sign of a higher build quality of the body. As the SLT-A58 is a fully plastics body, it would be impossible to use them here.
I partially agree with your assertion, that there should be more than the two top strap lugs at least in the higher end models:
In order to mount a hand strap independent of a vertical grip or tripod mount, a camera body needs a third strap lug just below the grip piece (as found there on the Minolta Dynax 9).
And in order to mount a shoulder strap diagonally (which can be quite handy, I agree), another strap mount near the bottom of the left side would be useful as well (as found there on the Minolta 9000 AF).
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |The old silver lugs have nothing to do with “upper end” cameras. Canon 1D doesn’t use them and neither does Leica S2. They wisely blend the strap bars into the body, so no uncomfortable protrusions fight the hands from controlling camera.
I hate the old style strap lugs.
Matthias
4 months ago |Please read my post again, the logic is the other way around.
Regarding protrusions, do you use your camera without any strap mounted? I’m asking because in all those years I’ve never heard of someone having problems with those protrusions.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |I guess I’m confused as to your preference. I’ve seen both style strap holders on upper, middle, and lower end cameras, both large and small. I don’t think one is any better than the other in terms of durability or security. It’s just a design choice. One based in dogma, and the other based in aesthetics.
I’ve used strap both on and off. The protrusions of a900/a700/a99/a77 strap lugs bite into the hands, or put a strap in the way.
99% of my work is vertical portraits. Hold any of those cameras left flip, and the left strap lug bites into left palm, even with vertical grip. Hold them the other way, and the right strap lug bites into right center palm. It makes a difference during group portrait days, 1000+ images. Perhaps not to the occasional vertical flipper.
They should be filed away, and strap lug placed at bottom, where no hand touches.
OneTrackMind
4 months ago |@CTPhotographX
It’s also interesting that the vertical grips for both the A77 and A99 have inset bars (like the A58) for attaching the straps. I would change my strap to these locations but I do find myself removing the grips when I want to go ‘lite’ and ‘compact’, which would mean re-tethering the straps which isn’t the easiest.
Unfortunately moving the strap to the grip does leave the triangular lugs free hanging, and (to your point) even if removed you have Frankenstein bolts protruding from the camera’s ‘temples’.
I did get the Custom SLR C-Loop back when it was a kickstarter project, but I found it kinda squeaky when it pivoted. You mentioned having a tripod plate with the straps attached. Is that like the M-Plate from Custom SLR?
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |It’s an old Manfrotto (or Slick?) tripod plate that doesn’t fit anything I typically use for Arca Swiss. But the nice thing about it is that no tools are required to screw it into tripod socket. It has a large folding ring loop on the screw head, and that’s where I attach both strap ends. Have them on all my cameras and it removes quickly if needed.
I don’t like the plates that require a tool to mount. So the RRS L-Plate sits in bag with tool, and only gets mounted when actually needed for a series.
ArtoS
4 months ago |I use Optech loops (F/M) both in camera and in VG. Easy and fast to change or remove straps.
I have those Optech loops also in one arca-swiss plate (normally in bag) and two of them (M/F) in long arca-swiss plate, which is attached to my long tele lens. By those i can attach my camera or long tele very fast Optech Sling trap too. When using those loops in plate I use camera loops+ small optech strap for securing the system hanging in Sling!
/ArtoS
Andrew Lynch
4 months ago |Jim the 70-200mm is an amazing lens. Lacking is never a word I would associate with it.
jim
4 months ago |Its indeed a good lens but the canon lens like the newer USM2 is much better as per reviews and the tamron new lens should also be better since the old tamron as per kurmunger reviews is quite good for the price and in some cases better then the Sony.
I just hope they update the optics and jacking up the price is certainly not going to help.
WilliamLeong
4 months ago |Absolutely with you on this..
WilliamLeong
4 months ago |.. with Andrew, that is
hsmadi
4 months ago |Is that a hot shoe flash mount or what!
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |No, it’s a microphone port.
MdB
4 months ago |New screen is a big improvement, old screen is useless on a tripod as in order to turn it around so that it can lay flat against the body ‘normal position’ from being articulated out so you can look down requires flipping the screen around, which is blocked by the tripod. This design means you can pull it out and put it in ‘rest position without taking it off the tripod/baseplate.
Also can’t wait for Sony to release a CLM-V55 replacement that uses the new hotshoe – that would be awesome!
Liking the idea of improved AF with the A58, just hoping for micro AF adjust OR a system that doesn’t require it (like CDAF / PDAF dual mode AF-D). I don’t need a million points, just a couple of really accurate ones.
Looks nice, if IQ is up there will definitely grab one as spare body.
MdB
4 months ago |Exp comp is also in a far more logical position now – never understood it being on the top making it rather clunky to press it and adjust the dial, now you can press it with your thumb and adjust it with your index finger.
Simon T
4 months ago |Sure, but now they’ve put the hopeless zoom button in a place which is too useful for it to be assigned to that dumb button feature.
Get rid of image zoom it’s a cybershot feature not a DSLR one.
Nothing to see here just a warmed over A57 with a downgraded less swivel LCD
Yawn…
DiBok
4 months ago |I don’t understand this white or silver crap anyway. Looks awful for my taste.
Although black is not my favorite colour, I like it for my equipment, and I would love it if my 70200G would be black too.
If it is really true, that the 70400G2 is just a new housing for the glass, and maybe or for sure is weather sealed, I’d find it nasty to put an 800,-€ tag on it compared to the old one. Same for the 70200G.
Instead of renewing these two (in my opinion) nearly flawless lenses, they should have spent their efforts on putting SSM drive to the mighty Zeisses 85 and 135 and on the 100 macro.
Wheelus
4 months ago |My understanding has always been that the longer more complex lenses are white because they reflect heat whereas black lenses absorb heat. By absorbing heat and getting “hot” all of those elements could heat up and affect the sharpness of an image. Don’t know if that is a myth but that is what I have heard.
Le Star
4 months ago |Not necessarily so.
MATT black will reflect less heat that MATT white.
SHINY black with reflect just as much heat as SHINY white.
anyone
4 months ago |put a shiny black and a shiny white car side by side into the sun, and wait for one hour. They don not have the same temperatur inside then
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Le Star – lol… FAIL. Ever been in the physics class? Or even: Ever owned a black or white car?!
UG
4 months ago |Any chance the a58 will have improved low light sensitivity over my a57? I’m thinking if this new sensor is the same design/material as the rx100′s, this could be a worthy upgrade!
Z
4 months ago |I have only one question/concern: will this camera be able to shoot with MLU, or a NEX like mode? If it can’t beat the lowlight ISO performance of my A580, it isn’t a viable replacement to people who depend on available light shooting.
Frank
4 months ago |Yeah because there is a huge difference between the A580 and A57 ISO….
chlamchowder
4 months ago |The a57 is only slightly worse than the a580 in low light, but lower performance (even if it’s only a little worse) reduces the incentive to upgrade. After all, upgrades cost money, so why pay more if low light performance is important to you and it’s not better with the new model?
Frank
4 months ago |Because there is more to the A57/A58 than ISO.
Z
4 months ago |I shoot a lot of concert photography, some with other A55/A57 users – they have to push ISO a lot higher than me with my A580 to get shots that don’t have motion blur due to the slower shutter speed. Higher ISO also means less dynamic range, less color/tonal depth, and pictures that need more NR to smooth out noise – all of which results in a bad picture that can’t be sold for publication. So, save your sarcastic response, Frank. The better ISO performance of the A580 is worth thousands of dollars in publishable prints to people like me.
The Lotus Eater
4 months ago |Z, that simply isn’t true. The shutter speed at any given ISO will be the same or very similar on Sony DSLR and DSLT. The gain of the sensor is increased on DSLT to compensate for light loss, so the shutter speed is not affected. I doubt your story.
Frank
4 months ago |Z, you are talking bollocks.
jim
4 months ago |So now i can’t differentiate a canon user from a Sony user.
With the older silver 70-400G i could spot a Sony Alpha at a sporting event like F1 from my Television,the silver color lens can only mean one thing the 70-400G.
Frank
4 months ago |Well in the future the Sony user will be the one with their 70-400mm mounted on a NEX.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |You mean NEX mounted on 70-400? That’s not gonna happen, we both know it. Toy cameras are not to be used with pro tele lenses.
Frank
4 months ago |Tell that to Canon users.
Wheelus
4 months ago |It should be required that every photographer wear a T-shirt and a hat with their camera system of choice. Maybe a tattoo also so that there is no switching back and forth changing brand loyalty.
ffvifffe
4 months ago |Related to the new “very cool” focusing system , maybe will see mirror flip up…
http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-next-generation-slt-cameras-coming-with-mirror-flip-up-mode-with-patent/
Austin
4 months ago |Curious about what changes the 18-55 has. It has the new plastic and probably updated Sam 2 motor which is nice, but it should be IF and have a metal mount like the nex kit lens.
I wonder if they will redo other Sam primes to match this new look, I wouldn’t mind an updated 35mm, 50mm and 85mm
chlamchowder
4 months ago |I’m also curious about the new 18-55. My guess is a quieter focusing motor for video autofocus (since that’s Sony’s strength right now).
It would also be nice to have better build quality, since the wobbly barrel of the current 18-55 SAM makes it a nightmare to accurately manually focus. You think you have it focused perfectly, but then you let go of the ring, the barrel wobbles, and throws everything off.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |Same hopes here. Coatings could also be improved a bit (without increasing lens price significantly). With a bit of luck Sony might have second best kit lens on a market.
jim
4 months ago |Who has the best kit lens then?
Frozen
4 months ago |Why can’t they use the same flipping lcd screen like on the a77 on all new slt camera
Frank
4 months ago |Because they want you to spend more on the A77.
Wheelus
4 months ago |No, because it is more expensive to manufacture.
Frank
4 months ago |No it isn’t. There will be bugger-all difference in manufacturing cost, in fact making more of them REDUCES the unit price and making one instead of two reduces the tooling costs at the factory further REDUCING manufacturing cost.
The reason Sony offer different flip out screens is because they want you to buy a more expensive camera. It’s that simple.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |The ZA 50/1.4 front element is so small it can’t even be seen at angle shown here. Looks more like a macro lens. Does this monster really need to be that large? Or is it made intentionally large just to look “pro-sy” next to the big Siggy and Canon 50/1.2 L…
Show a little class and make this thing small. Hope this isn’t just another poser lens.
Peter
4 months ago |It has similar stylings and flange to the 16-50SSM, which is a gorgeous lens. Big is nice, but I get your point.
However, I can also imagine people being a bit peeved if they spent that kind of money on Zeiss glass and it was the size and weight of a nifty fifty.
Sky_walker
4 months ago |It’s made this way to increase contrast and thermal insulation. By the way it also helps in the way you are not forced to remember about sunshade all the time.
Design like that makes perfect sense from functional point of view.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |“It will have a brand new focusing system that he said is “very cool””
I remember the a99 hot shoe adapter was referred to as “very cool”, or “pretty cool” or “coolio” or something in the “coolness” family of adjectives.
Turned out to be “very lame”, or “pretty lame”, or “lameo”, closer to the “lameness” family of adjectives.
I once used a mechanic that used the tag line “Finally, An honest mechanic”. He turned out to be the biggest thief in the world.
“very cool” is the new “very lame”… like auto portrait mode is “very cool” sort of way.
ArtoS
4 months ago |You made it now clear, very cool
MrLee
4 months ago |Sony doing a good job at remixing cameras again… Higher MP, But lower quality in other areas… Maybe they will do a little better on the a78… I wish they would have made it a little better and charged a $100.00 more because a good 20MP camera as a carry around camera would have been nice with a few better options…
Almazar80
4 months ago |We don’t really have the specs for the camera, or tests to show how well the camera performs, and already people are claiming that quality has decreased in this model. Can we at least wait for the announcement and some tests before making any judgments on this camera?
wowolfol
4 months ago |I think MrLee was referring to the screen movement going from articulating to what ‘appears’ to be one that does not. Also the fps may be down from the A57.
MrLee, what features were you after?
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |When will Sony allow EVF to become all it can? Seriously, the eye relief of EVF cameras should be so deep that even Pinocchio’s nose wouldn’t need to touch back of camera. It would be such an easy thing for Sony to distinguish their EVF advantage.
The viewfinders should be as large as Medium Format cameras, with extra depth for nose relief and eyeglass wearers, and huge optical systems with fat round eyecups to view it all with.
John Maverick
4 months ago |NEX provide EVF nose relief in the same way that a rangefinder does by shifting it over to one side of the camera. It’s one of the best features of the camera imho.
I fully agree that it would be great if the sensor view could be made as large as possible.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |Yes that was one of the things I liked about the NEX-7. However, it didn’t provide the same for vertical shooting, camera flip right. Nose went right on the screen. Camera flip left is uncomfortable.
My work is vertical portraits, vertical ads, vertical magazine layout, vertical catalogue, vertical wedding albums…
Wish someone made a vertical camera… Like the Rollieflex 6008 with rotating 645 film back, or Olympus Pen FT (shot vertical in the horizontal position) had to flip the camera vertical for horizontal shooting.
John Maverick
4 months ago |Yeah, I fully recognize that NEX or RX1 are not for professional studio environment or portrait use.
So far as MF is concerned, I recently learned that the RB in the RB67 means ‘rotating back’!
If SONY could produce a 35mm square sensor would help a lot. With the caveats that it would likely to be expensive and mess with petal-type lens hoods.
Carl
4 months ago |Buying some aftermarket hoods off ebay would be a small price to pay for such a camera.
My Minolta hoods are woefully inadequate anyway (ie. the circular hood for my 50/1.4 causes no vignetting on my 35/1.4 even wide open and even my 100mm circular hood is still pretty usable).
Sky_walker
4 months ago |oh, I’d love to see this 35mm square camera. Especially with an EVF where you’d always see correct picture… brilliant. It’s a great shame that Sony delays (or even abandons it completely as it was reported) – camera like that could really make a breakthrough.
CTPhotographX.com
4 months ago |Yes the metal Silvia’s are nice. Replaced all my Mino Max hoods with round metal Silvia’s for better coverage and to protect the condition of the vintage Max. Don’t feel so guilty now if the lens shade knocks a block.
Harbinger
4 months ago |Yeah, and money grows on trees. You sound like to do all those things its free and sony will do it out of the kindness of their heart. look around, sony the company is losing money since 2008, and they aint going to do anything for you or its users. get off the boat dude, its sinking and youre still on it. ill write back a few years to say i told you so.
aaron
4 months ago |cant beat the price!!
David
4 months ago |Can’t wait to find out more info about this camera and any other new/improved features. My one concern is whether the low-light performance is better or worse than the A57. New kit lens is nice too, even if the only change is the SAM2.
Or, if the changes are very few and the low light performance is down, then at least the price on A57′s should drop
Anfernee Cheang
4 months ago |I can share the spec of a59 then!!
- 20MP APS-C CMOS
- FULLY ARTICULATED 3″ LCD
LOL, what a marketing plan! I can keep my a57 now, or buy an extra if its price drops a lot.
Oh, btw, did anyone hear about the rumor that translucent mirror in a58 can be lifted up? If so then that’s a real improvement. At least that can shut some mouths up
Jesse Lim
4 months ago |Hi Admin,
No news regarding the new 70-200G F2.8? Coz I really hope Sony improves the white powder coat paint since me & my friend’s 70-200G scratches easily~
Sky_walker
4 months ago |I for one hope they’ll use the rubber grips from 16-50 f/2.8, as the old once couldn’t really stand a test of time even half as well as 16-50 did.
Manfred
4 months ago |You write that the alpha 58 can be remote controlled from an computer.
Does this function will also be working with alpha 65?
admin
4 months ago |so you ask me if there is an A65
Manfred
4 months ago |The question is.
Are there plans for the actual A65 to enable the remote control from a computer?
Frank
4 months ago |I doubt that the A65 or A77 will ever get tethering. I guess the A78 will have it.
spada
4 months ago |Why is the a white now, instead of orange?
Why is there an AF/MF switch on the Zeiss? Is this redundant with the body’s af/mf switch? Will the AF toggle on the back of the a700/a77/a900/a99 still work correctly when the lens is in AF mode? Does the lens have full time DMF? If so, why have the switch???? It’s just another thing to break like on the 24-70. The focus hold button is always a good idea though.
spada
4 months ago |And kudos! to the guy that convinced everyone to move the useless “ZOOM” button to the top of the camera. Having it at the back of the camera, closest to the thumb was not a good idea on the a57. Now exposure compensation is back to a reasonable location. I miss the a200, I think I’m going to buy one for old time’s sake.
ArtoS
4 months ago |+1
I have customized expose compensation in A99 to back wheel, which is in same place as +- button in new A58. Works fine for me1
Simon T
4 months ago |Problem is the annoying zoom button has now been moved to another prime location! Just get rid of it useless button