(SR5) Fullframe Translucent camera coming in 2012 only (A77 info soon!!!)
I am now 99% sure there will be no new Fullframe camera from Sony this year. That is was my trusted sources told to me. And honestly they were never wrong. But they also told me the FF camera will be amazing and a “perfect tool for Photographers“. I know those are “just words” but my sources are not fan-boys and when they say that I have to believe them 
It’s very likely that the prototype will be shown at the Cliq show in September (Las Vegas).
But this is pretty much the last bad news I will give you. So don’t get frustrated! The A77 is coming soon (I will write more about that tomorrow!), new NEX camera and lenses too. I am veeeery busy working on rumors. If you have some to share contact me at sonyalpharumors@gmail.com or use the anonymous contact form on the right sidebar.
So please stay tuned on SAR!
If you are satisfied with my work and want to help me to cover server costs and the beer I need while working feel free to purchase products through those links Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay. it doesn’t matter what you buy once you click on that link (cameras or books or whatever). I will get a small commission for everything you buy and you don’ pay any penny more! I really appreciate your help Thanks!
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!
Edgars
3 years ago |OK, mockup is rumoured for September, nice!
Are you sure Sony decided exact specs for FF A9x? I’m sure they are not, however already A900 is perfect tool for some kind of photography.
John Sison
3 years ago |im fine with full frame coming next year.. as long as a77 comes out real soon
acolyte
3 years ago |+1. If the FF is an SLT, people will be even more doubtful with it before A77 shows itself.
Maveric19
3 years ago |I second that.
Maveric19
3 years ago |I would’ve hoped they first come out with a77 or whatever it will be called before they star announcing a FF for next year. This is plain torture of the masses.
someone
3 years ago |so it’s definitely gonna be a translucent model?
i didn’t want to believe it yet…
even though this will mean a significant financial loss to me, i will probably say goodbye to sony then…
i wish i would have known that a couple of thousand euros earlier!
admin
3 years ago |100% sure. But I think you will like THAT new electornic Viewfinder
john
3 years ago |I would wait to see what the A77 has to offer before passing judgement on what the A99 MIGHT be.
ieR
3 years ago |bye…
feedmatekill
3 years ago |sorry but I just can’t be excited after sooo many disappointments
Nobodi
3 years ago |I think ＳＲ５ should only apply to “no fullframe camera in 2011″, not to “fullframe camera in 2012″, which is still a speculation. I even doubt if Sony itself knows that for sure this early.
admin
3 years ago |No Nobodi! That rumor is FT6
JB
3 years ago |RIP, A950.
Mike/Canada
3 years ago |I can’t wait for the A77 already have a buyer for my A550. I wish when offering kit lens the buyer could chose from either the kit lens or a vertical grip. Just a thought ! Thanks for keeping us informed.
mwl
3 years ago |Full frame NEX camera? Would be nice to have an affordable alternative to the M9.
James
3 years ago |Admin, the problem is some people, myself included like OVFs. It provides a different aesthetic to an LCD screen EVF. Even if Sony use OLED and increase the resolution it still will not have the same aesthetic or clarity as an OVF. The OVF in the A900 is great and provides an extremely clear view of the scene to be captured. The EVF in the A99 will NOT have the same asthetic, dynamic range or clarity. One looks like a window to the actual image the other an electronic screen because that is exactly what they both are.
Almond
3 years ago |The image recorded by the camera sensor does not have the same “aesthetic, dynamic range or clarity” as what you see in the OVF before the shot is taken. How does the OVF help you capture the image then?
RB
3 years ago |Very simple: Imagination.
In the moment, when I’m out with my camera and am about to press the shutter, all what counts is the frame, the angle of view, focus and the depth of field. The rest is processing at home. And I can clearly imagine in the moment of capturing how the final photo will look like, with all the saturation, contrast, and gradation options I have available in my digital dark room — how lively or dull the colors shall be, how hard the contrast will pop up, how the color response in a B&W image will be… An EVF however shows me an already processed photo, which is not necessarily appropriate to that image. It might show my a “vivid” processed image, where I want to have a delicate low-saturated image…
So, why shall the in-camera processing for the EVF interfere with my imagination…?
Moreover: The OVF shows me the full dynamic range of the scene, much larger than the dynamic range of the paper or the screen — or the EVF. Again, processing allows me to adjust the dynamic range so that the final image will look natural.
john
3 years ago |“The OVF in the A900 is great and provides an extremely clear view of the scene to be captured.”
What kind of OVF do you use to view the images AFTER an exposure is made?
Hawk
3 years ago |“How does the OVF help you capture the image then?”
I see reality not an electronic preview of how it may look when processed.
“What kind of OVF do you use to view the images AFTER an exposure is made?”
My eyes and at least A4 size prints.
I shoot RAW only and files recorded by camera are merely digital version of film which must be processed and printed. Computer and LCD display are just digital darkroom which allows me to get my prints as close as possible to what I saw with my eyes.
I’m not against EVF. I’m fine with them as long as:
1. I’ll be able to switch off all processing to see what I really see not what camera sees.
2. It will be fast enough so I won’t notice lagging in low light.
3. With point 1 and 2 being true I won’t be able to tell aparat if VF is electronic or optical which also means that my eyeballs won’t hurt after using VF for few hours a day.
But I guess that won’t be possible anytime soon.
SonyA77
3 years ago |You miss the point, what YOU see with YOUR eyes in an OVF is not the end result! The end result is what the SENSOR captures, which you then view on a tiny LCD, then an LCD monitor. You then process it in software, it then goes through a printer driver, it then is printed onto paper using ink and paper that can vary slightly depending on brand, batch number and the light that you view it under.
Still think you need an OVF to capture the image the way you see it?
Hawk
3 years ago |“You miss the point, what YOU see with YOUR eyes in an OVF is not the end result!”
Thats right. What I see wtih my eyes in an OVF is what I want end result (print) to look like. Of course I can simply look at the scene with my eyes directly, but then whats the point of having VF at all except it helps on sunny day?
Going that way is what future may bring us – a700/a900 sized advanced body, mirrorless, no VF at all just big, bright, hi res LCD.
“The point is that CAN NOT switch off ANY processing”
Why not? As you wrote, processing converts signals from sensor to actual image that is displayed in EVF. Obviously there is some piece of software/hardware doing that processing and obviously Sony may or may not ie. process signals the way that will result in WB preview, DRO preview etc, etc.
RB
3 years ago |“1. I’ll be able to switch off all processing to see what I really see not what camera sees.”
The point is that CAN NOT switch off ANY processing. What the sensor “sees” is NOT an image, its an array of recorded photo-electrons, which has a priori nothing do to with a photo. Only processing converts these physical data into a photo — and if it’s only for the EVF: In any case the intensities have to be weighted to match the response of your eye, the recorded charges have to be assigned to a color information, the dynamic range have to be adapted to the one of the EVF (“DRO” in Sony speak).
gigino
3 years ago |Aesthetics…. sure.
99% of the OVF moaners take pictures of bugs in their backyard….
aesthetics….
ND
3 years ago |Well looks like Nikon is also getting on the band wagon to use Hybrid view finder… below is the link from their rumor site…Not sure how this is going to help… but looking at the drawing it looks like D4 series…
http://nikonrumors.com/2011/03/17/nikon-files-patents-for-hybrid-viewfinder.aspx
Hmm… is EVF the furture… we will have to wait and see…..
Hawk
3 years ago |“How does the OVF help you capture the image then?”
I see reality not an electronic preview of what it may look like. Data recorded by camera (I assume shooting RAW only) is merely digital version of film which needs to be processed and printed.
“What kind of OVF do you use to view the images AFTER an exposure is made?”
My eyes and at least A4 size prints. Computer and LCD display is merely digital darkroom that allows me to get printed image as close to reality as possible.
Carl
3 years ago |Hybrid is probably the best route as it allows people to work both ways without having to make multiple models.
Sony Is Blowing It
3 years ago |Sony had previously stated that the next FF camera would not have EVF. What is the source of your assertion that this has changed?
I guess that if this is true then Sony is determined to offer nothing but low-end garbage. Time to sell my Zeiss lenses while they still have value.
ieR
3 years ago |its an SLT< but never they mention its EVF
Spoon
3 years ago |“Sony had previously stated that the next FF camera would not have EVF.”
You might want to reread what they said exactly because the above doesn’t cover it.
ieR
3 years ago |they said SLT, they never mention EVF, its the 2nd, 3rd, 4th listener assumed its EVF
Dulaney Ward
3 years ago |I don’t believe Sony ever said that their next FF camera would not have an evf. Instead, they said something like: right now it is not possible to build an evf that would match the A900 ovf. Maybe that has changed.
G
3 years ago |Can I be so narrow minded as to judge something I’ve not even seen yet? Please?
This does seem to be the theme of a number of comments so far!
For those of us genuinely interested in what Sony might produce in the next 12 months or so: Keep the info coming Andrea.
UP Fan
3 years ago |This is the second use of the word “amazing” I have seen including a reference to the a77.
I sure hope that it lives up to word or else Sony will suffer greatly
Carl
3 years ago |To be fair, I’m more interested in lens rumours than when the next 9 series is coming out. It’s not like I feel any great sense of lacking or disappointment when I use my A900. I’d be perfectly happy to wait until hybrid viewfinders become realistic technology.
On the other hand there remains some glaring holes in the Alpha mount lens line that neither Minolta or Sony have felt any urgency to fill.
spriggers
3 years ago |Looking forward to the news of the A77 and the NEX though.
Steve
3 years ago |Yes, I agree
There are enough quality lenses to get the job done but you wonder what Sony is thinking….
I’m looking forward to the April anouncement for some good news that include some serious full-frame glass.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |I believe Andrea already go have the full complete spec for A77 at current moment. nice to see the SR5 on tomorrow
Clivengu
3 years ago |I’ll be waiting for tomorrow sr5 on a77… I hope is not another ” a source says that a77 is under heavy testing… And is coming real Soooooon…… Sr5!! ” ;p give us something new pls hehe.
SforSorry
3 years ago |I am also looking forward to the new SR5 rumor for A77!! Admim, give us the real specs of A77 please……….
David
3 years ago |loving the ‘fanboy’ bit creeping into these posts! Cant help but wonder if these translucent mirror/EVF detracters have spent time with the A55 – be a few less when they do!
EE
3 years ago |can we hear some leica rumors? Admin has connections at leica….so, since Leica is rumored to be using Sony sensors now, I’d like to know, is the “M10″ due in 2012 also?
mrfanboy
3 years ago |mmmm the current SLT has made a big tsunami
(i mean market flow), the trend of photography had changed, it seem many A33/55 user are VERY happy with their camera. i have many canon fans switched to sony and now, canon and nikon secretly has redesign their system too! mirrorless or SLT-like. and nikon is trying to implement ‘QLV like’(2nd sensor for EVF!) architecture into their system too. instead of nikon or canon is leading the photography market, it seem like sony is leading these two into technology market. i still wonder who are the “KIDS” shouting around saying SLT suck, bye bye sony etc, GROW UP AND SEE THE BIG PICTURE KIDS! but if u are still threating to jump, do pls jump and 1 year later “oh i regretted it”. so many advantage of EVF outweigh OVF! SLT outweigh flapping mirror.
now i sound like fanboy 
Zstan
3 years ago |You guys have not even seen the a77 and already harping about the full frame model. Sheesh.
gigino
3 years ago |Good that the new FF does not shows up in 2011. So I can use those 3 grands to extend this year holidays.
a900 still going strong though.
Gunnar
3 years ago |i dont get all this OVF moaning. to be honest, why are you shooting digital then?! just go back to fully analogue and you should be perfectly happy
i`m looking forward to the A77, allready liked the EVF of the A55 and if those of the A77 are even better its perfectly fine for me. Sony allways used EVF`s so its only logical that it was time for them to introduce them into their Konica/Minolta Alpha line.. my first digital SLR-like was the Sony DSC-D700 and that allready had a nice EVF in the previous millenium
Hawk
3 years ago |“i dont get all this OVF moaning. to be honest, why are you shooting digital then?! just go back to fully analogue and you should be perfectly happy”
Who said that we (persons who prefer OVF) are shooting only digital?
Lets say that you got all windows in your car replaced with LCDs which automagically process image for you so you see good no matter what conditions are outside. There are however some drawbacks – other cars look like bunch of pixels when they’re far enough and image is lagging in low light. Would you like your regular windows back?
Sorry, couldn’t resist to post this little joke 
Gunnar
3 years ago |i would generally not replace car windows by screens as you look through car windows with both your eyes which is the mayor security advantage.. (3d vision) apart from that the screen resolution should not be VGA!
furthermore i guess the current and next gen EVFs should have a high enough res so you dont see pixels.. and also help with night vision when an OVF would just show you black. i think ISO up in the houndreds of thousands should be good enough for a EVF
Gunnar
3 years ago |but i have to admit that when your a mixed shooter,(analogue and digi) it might be strange to switch between OVF and EVF .. i`d also prefer to stick to one of those
ieR
3 years ago |the reason human is superior being because we ADAPT for millions of years.
adapting is the key. sticking to one concept cause many to extinct… 
feedmatekill
3 years ago |i don’t have an opinion on EVF, i even haven’t seen one yet. but if made correctly i don’t see a problem….a700 OVF isn’t excellent to be honest, I still miss my OVF from analog nikon FE
ISO-FPS-AF-exposure measurement-correct WB measurment ….those are things I care about
someone
3 years ago |Sorry but I don’t care about an A77, that’s APSC and I don’t have any use for that.
And the point is, that when I switch the system now, I will lose a lot of money but when I switch the system in 2 years it will even be much more.
It’s not that I need a new fullframe model right now, I’m pretty happy with my two A900…
Awhatsoever
3 years ago |2012 ? isn’t too late ?
Geez. why do i have to wait that long.
pancanikonpus
3 years ago |just don’t understand why people still keep get into “EVF OVF” squarrel.
it is very simple thought to solve this:
If you like EVF, then buy it
If you don’t like EVF, then don’t buy it,
If you like OVF, then buy it
If you don’t like OVF, then don’t buy it,
If Sony don’t have product you need, then buy other brands product;
Always buy the product you like it. Never force yourself to buy product you hate it.
Remember, love thing you bought 100%. otherwise, dont buy it. what so difficult
RB
3 years ago |It’s that simple if you’ve spend a modest amount in your camera gear. Then it’s as simple as you said. Then you might simply change the system.
But if you bought Sony because you liked the OVF of the a900 and spend more in glass and accessories than you’ve spend for your (brand new) car and Sony forces you then to buy EVF, then you don’t have the choice. In this case it’s sink or swim, my way or the highway. Some may call it coercion…
Remember: we are not talking about a550 or a55, we talking about a900 or D3X when following your logic….
Gunnar
3 years ago |i`m sorry for people who buy gear worth more then a brand new car because of a nice OVF ..or better, i envy them
Clyde
3 years ago |What about the other features that I’d have to give up by shooting different system?
My beautifully neutral vintage Minolta primes…
Locking spot meter…
Wide angle IS…
AF/MF button…
And yes, I do use the Intelligent Preview.
______
I’ve used them all for years. But always come back to Minolta/Sony because my entire shooting style depends upon a permanently locking spot meter. I lock it on the face with 1 stop over exposure in A-mode, and I’m good to go with dozens of perfectly consistent shots that are metered much faster than manual. Spinning a dial keeps the EV value locked for creative control with depth of field or shutter speed. Can’t do that with the others. But some at least had Spot Lock.
Contax had it, but they don’t do digital.
Olympus OM had it, but not on current digital.
Leica R8 had it, but only on flash and not on current models.
Canon NOPE! Nikon NOPE! Their spot meters lock only for as long as you hold the shutter button half way down. You know how easy it is to slip a finger during a 100 shot session.
Not with Sony/Minolta… just set it and go. Can’t live without it and have been shooting that way since the early 90′s with Maxxum 9xi.
I just wish Sony would gimme back my EYESTART on a900. Fear to be lost on new EVF cameras.
zstan
3 years ago |@RB
“An EVF however shows me an already processed photo, which is not necessarily appropriate to that image. It might show my a “vivid” processed image, where I want to have a delicate low-saturated image…”
why not trying to down tune your saturation via in-camera settings then………?
David
3 years ago |Think about it… an EVF will ALWAYS need to show a processed image. By it’s very definition of having a light sensitive sensor, all it can detect is the wavelength of light. That’s why we need white balance corrections. If you turned off al processing you’d see green under fluorescent and orange under tungsten light. It would be a mess.
Walt
3 years ago |Actually the EVF shows only a partially processed version of what might resemble the final image. If you use your lenses only wide open, never shoot flash, don’t care it’s not the current image from the lens, and so on this might be ok. But I prefer to know what’s coming in the front of the lens right now to make my decisions as to settings, not a partial image.
As for those saying one can just choose between EVF or OVF A mount cameras, the point is you will not be allowed to choose. It will be EVF only.
ieR
3 years ago |evf, ovf… i dont care, i shoot with LCD… lmao!
Clyde
3 years ago |EVF is like typing on a computer.
OVF is like writing with a pencil.
I get it done faster on a computer.
But when I want the deepest thoughts to flow from my mind down my arm and vibrating the wood, infusing the lead with my spirit as I scratch it upon the paper with all tactile vibrancy my heart and soul can offer, I’ll always use a pencil.
I want as few barriers between me and my subject as possible. OVF is still giving me the direct light that’s bounced off of my subject, rather than a computer emulated version of it.
Having said that, I’m ready to embrace EVF and give it a shot, so to speak.
Clyde
3 years ago |Hope Sony has a good plan to easily replace burned out pixels on EVF’s. I’m telling you right now, I wouldn’t put up with a single burned pixel any more than I would put up with dust in my viewfinder. I can take care of the dust myself. Maybe they’ll send me a replacement EVF that I can install myself.
Right…
fred
2 years ago |its a HYBRID view finder you should get best of the 2 worlds!! its no a evf