The real cause of the A77/A65 shipping delay is the flood in Thailand.
Pornchai Kittiwongsakul/AFP/Getty Images
As you know Sonystores delayed the shipment of the Sony A77. For example SonyStore.com (Click here) removed the preorder option, Sony Uk (Click here) says the camera is “temporary unavailable” and both Sony Germany (Click here) and Sony France (Click here) say that shipment will start in mid-November.
But there was no official news about the real cause of the delay. I guessed that reason is the current firmware issues. Apparently I was wrong. I got some news from one of our very good top Sony sources. The reason for the delay is the flood emergency in Thailand. According to Bloomberg: “Sony Corp.’s factory in Ayutthaya, which produces digital cameras and lenses, hasn’t suffered major damage from flooding and is operating as normal, Yasuhiro Okada, a Tokyo-based spokesman for the electronics maker, said earlier this week.” But our source told us that while it is true that the factory has not been damaged the transport system of the region is completely stocking and most of the workers can’t even reach the Sony factory.Please share the news to all people that is waiting for the A77 and A65. It’s important that they know that it is not Sony’s fault if they have to wait 2-3 weeks more before to get the camera.
All new Sony cameras and lenses links:
A77 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
A65 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony NEX-7 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony NEX-5n Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Zeiss 24mm f/1.8 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony 50mm f/1.8 Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
Sony 55-210mm Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
NEX-5n viewfinder Amazon, B&H, Adorama, J&R, eBay.
beware
2 years ago |if thats the case it could mean nex 7 will be in januari 2012?
Renato M.
2 years ago |Why?
Disinto
2 years ago |I live in Thailand. What is said is true, the situation in Ayutthaya is critical (there’s an industrial estate there).
Peter
2 years ago |I’ve been told by Jessops UK, that a consignment of preordered NEX-7′s (including mine) has been in the UK for a week or two, and they are going to be sent out by courier on the 11th October all at the same time.
Liam
2 years ago |Same ish iv been told im getting my a77 next week. But Jessops have been liying to me though about it
321
2 years ago |sure….. i bet is more bugs found
Jesse Lim
2 years ago |Sorry for my foolish question, does this delay also implies the pre-order units? Or it is just for the actual release units?
acolyte
2 years ago |Let’s say 1 month ago 20 people pre-ordered. Then 2 weeks ago another 10 pre ordered. The first 20 batch may be shipped, but the next 10 may not have finished production and is strongly affected by Thailand’s condition. If you have pre-ordered, it doesn’t mean your shipping will not be delayed.
For now, the best sympathy we can give is be patient instead of ‘that’s the prob of people who didn’t pre order! I did, so it’s not my problem’, which is how a lot are sounding here.
FK
2 years ago |I think that the actual numbers are way higher then a few hundred units… otherwise I would see Sony’s image division in a critical situation.
Gimp
2 years ago |Are you incapable of understanding what an EXAMPLE is? The “Let’s say” start surely gives it away?
acolyte
2 years ago |Ahaha.. some people are ignorant..
[Oh, and fixed my typo]
Kenneth
2 years ago |Sony Aberdeen just dispatched my A77 (ordered 5 days ago) on friday, and they confirmed it will be running 1.03.
Liam
2 years ago |Nice one Kenneth
Dan
2 years ago |Why would this only affect two cameras? stock? They started shipping the 30 f3.5 and that’s new.
Jonas
2 years ago |The 30M35 has been shipping for weeks now (to Japan) and is manifactured in China, not Thailand. I also live in Thailand (Bangkok) and yesterday I could notleave my home until 4pm because of high waters.
Gimp
2 years ago |Interesting to hear it from a local perspective.
ShamB
2 years ago |Because they have warehouses of the back range to satisfy orders…. there is no warehoused stock of the newest cameras, hence the models affected.
lifeispixels
2 years ago |90% of Ayutthaya is now under water as well as half of Thailand. We’re witnessing a historic flood here. The 2nd horrific disaster of the year to Sony after Tsunami in Japan…
hanugro
2 years ago |Is this anything to do with the two typhoons recently that also strike Philipines badly?
lifeispixels
2 years ago |Partially yes. while we were not hit directly, the typhoons brought a lot of rain to this region. It has been raining almost everyday here non-stop for over 2-3 months now. The amount of rain the soil has absorbed is incredible and thus all rivers and canals can’t drain the flood quickly enough. I have been living here for 30 years and never before that it has been raining everyday like this for several months…
Gimp
2 years ago |…and here was I moaning that it rained a bit today…
hanugro
2 years ago |Jakarta also had a bad flood 10 and 5 years ago. But it is just starting to rain this week here. If only we can control weather. Hope the rain lessen.
Linh
2 years ago |Wow, yet another natural disaster. Hope nobody’s hurt.
stefan
2 years ago |+1
Helena
2 years ago |Something big is happening in this world, and increasingly will be more.
Steve Jones
2 years ago |I think that we ought to be giving some thoughts to the people of Thailand here. Far more important than having to wait a couple more months for our new photographic toys. I’ve a friend out there at the moment working with refugees on the Burmese border. I hope she’s OK.
admin
2 years ago |Of course Steve! Let’s hope the flood can be over soon and that it will not cause any victims anymore.
acolyte
2 years ago |I hope people are reading your post. People can be ignorant, but at least they can fake sympathy instead of being a.. pain in the backside [substitute for bad word if you prefer]
reinz
2 years ago |agree, while that sony can make upgrade for firmware, so be patient for a while. i hope condition in thailand will be ok
Terryfried
2 years ago |will the delay effect the release info for alpha lenses ?
acolyte
2 years ago |“Sony Corp.’s factory in Ayutthaya, which produces digital cameras and _lenses_”
Bill G
2 years ago |It’s a good thing the A77 is weather sealed!
Roy
2 years ago |Bill G…shame on you
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |weather seal is different with moisture seal
Gimp
2 years ago |I lol’ed, I am going to hell…
321
2 years ago |just wait for the solar flares…..and no more electricity
acolyte
2 years ago |You westerners seems to be safe from natural disasters, except hurricanes on the east coast. We from South east & east asian countries faces more natural disasters – volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods. Please be more understanding.
We have a really bad image of westerners and it would do all us a favor if you can sound more rational. Or would you like to trade geographical locations?
321
2 years ago |2012 is very close so we all are going to be in the same situation very soon
acolyte
2 years ago |You left me speechless.
Jonas
2 years ago |Don’t think so. Thailand is swimming in the results of it’s greedy deforestation and political incompetence.
lorenzino
2 years ago |I do not see why “us westwners” would like to trade locations, or why “you easteners” would like to do it.
If people do not like the natural environment they can always move away.
Or otherwise they elaborate means and ways to overcome those problems. Sometimes that is not enough, like in Japan, and now in Thailand, but the resulting natural disasters should not be used as a way to accuse other people not to understand the tragedy going on.
When an earthwake devastated the city of L’Aquila, in Italy, a couple of years ago, and many died, no photo site wrote anything about it. Disasters happen also in America and Europe. And why should people be more concerned about natural disasters going on in Asia than in America or Europe? Why countries hosting industrial facilities where cameras are produced are more entitled than other countries to receive the public sorrow?
I am very sorry for all victims of this flood. At the same time I am also sorry for all victims of all natural and human cathastrophies of the world. But if I want to read and discuss about this, I will go to the appropriate sites, not Sonyalpharumors. Here I discuss about cameras. Here, in this site, the flood (or previously the tsunamy etc.) is mainly a camera issue. In other sites it is a very important geo-humanitarian issue.
This is the way I see it.
Linh
2 years ago |+1.
Gimp
2 years ago |+2
acolyte
2 years ago |If people do not like the natural environment they can always move away. -> Nice for you to be understanding. Not a choice for most though..
And this is a camera _rumors_ site, to discuss rumors, not ‘Andrea, tell Sony that I want my camera now!’ site. Not that most of the trolls even thinks if getting an alpha.
I don’t want to offend people – just.. For trolls to be more rational. To troll in some other post. Some people waste their brain juice for annoying things sometimes, so before it spread like a virus..
lorenzino
2 years ago |Yes, I can understand your point. It does not make much sense to write here or elsewhere that we are disappointed because Sony will not deliver as expected while natural (or human) phenomena are hitting the life of thousands of people.
OTOH, I wanted to stress the fact that this is not a news or humanitarian site either. So it is natural that, after paying respect to the victims of the events, eventually people go back to talking about cameras.
About moving away from the country, or region, etc: yes, I was being sarcastic, as no population in the world really wants to move away from its homeland. And after all: why would they? Humankind settled almost everywhere in the world, from deserts to the artic regions, because human culture helps in reducing natural problems. It is a matter of “getting adapted” to the environment. And this is valid for all world, not only for Asian countries (if Finland or Iceland are inhabited…). And many European and American countries are problematic as well (Italy for earthwakes, the USA for tornados, etc.)
So I guess we are all in the same boat, after all…
acolyte
2 years ago |Apologies then if I came by to strong – yeah talking about cameras and what can A77 improve on is good, but complaining about delivery dates in this kind of thread? Ugh yeah those hit my nerves.. Back to A77 bashing then! XD
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |suggest they swim to work
thanks admin for the update!
malaysia here a77 is confirmed with v1.03. Preorder folk have received the body and started share on the photo
Kenneth
2 years ago |I have to buy it in the UK and claim VAT refund. I’m gonna miss the RM300 rebate, free 16GB SDcard and other goodies… Sony UK is so stingy! oh well.. going home to Malaysia next month. lol
Snapperbox
2 years ago |Thats life isnt it or rather thats how the world is now.
People here are whinning about the delays of their latest toy while the ones who worked hard to produce your toys are now probably without food, water and shelter.
Gimp
2 years ago |“while the ones who worked hard to produce your toys are now probably without food, water and shelter”
A bit like if you are an Apple customer.
Vinci
2 years ago |On a lighter note, people will start saying that the A77 is a jinxed camera. Wherever it is produced it will bring destruction around it
Snapperbox
2 years ago |Probably the jinx culprit is new 24mp sensor since a77, a65 and nex7 are all havin it built from the same factory.
Gimp
2 years ago |That’s what you get for upsetting the ISO God.
acolyte
2 years ago |Well then sony’s gonna be screwed for a while. Hope A99 appease iso god
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |Thai, Laos, Vitenam and Cambodia having same crisis
http://www.kwongwah.com.my/news/2011/10/07/89.html
Nikita
2 years ago |.
kybel
2 years ago |Andrea, do you have any info about new 50mm A-mount lens?
Terryfried
2 years ago |I would like news on any new A-mount especially tele zoom partner for 1650. I am sorry for going on about it but cant afford to wast savings and am about to buy second hand lens so I have something to play with when I get A77. I am not asking for the lens JUST the info so I can avoid wasting money and wait for correct lens or buy alternative.
Ken
2 years ago |I got my long waited A77 with firmware version 1.03 yesterday from Sony store Malaysia.
Billy bob
2 years ago |Don’t believe this article, it makes no sense. It’s delayed because of a flood and not the dozens of people around the world who tested a camera riddled with bugs and almost broken? You mean if there was no flood, the camera who be released into market when the focus points disappear, the dials are broke, the camera can’t accept 3rd party lenses, etc, etc,etc??? That’s complete bull! The camera is delayed because Sony can’t release a completely broken camera, people would not but it. This is their chance to compete in the high end enthusiast market, their not going to take a chance and screw themselves. Nikon & Canon own the mode range market, Sony must release a winner for people to even consider it, not broken high spec sheet of a camera.
Linh
2 years ago |And yet the camera got great REVIEWS so far?
321
2 years ago |+1 i completely agree with you most of sony cameras have some serious problems
Gimp
2 years ago |It isn’t broken with firmware 1.03 you pillock! The ones that are shipping now are pre-flood units still in the supply chain.
acolyte
2 years ago |‘Do not feed trolls’
Almazar80
2 years ago |The A77 with the 1.03 firmware is reportedly a VERY NICE camera. And for you, who have never been affected by typhoons, monsoons, etc., you can get off your high horse and maybe just think about the lives being lost and disrupted in these countries. People are losing propery, the livelihoods, and even their lives and here you are with your fanboyism bashing Sony, nary a care in the world for the disconfiture of a significant amount of the world’s population.
tamrong
2 years ago |look at these pictures,
and you will understand what happened to Sony Factory in Ayutthaya, Thailand
water everywhere, the Highway underwater, broken bridge, horrible traffic, people live on the road because their house are also gone under water
this is highway A1 , the same road is just in front the Sony’s industrial complex
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/300113_10150316584125723_344197095722_8526874_1183682264_n.jpg
http://www.posttoday.com/media/content/2011/10/07/00000B02317005AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.jpg
and this is the factory in the other industrial complex nearby
http://www.bangkokpost.com/media/content/20111006/316420.jpg
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/259907/more-flood-mayhem-on-the-way
honda automobile factory in rojana complex , same complex with Nikon now gone under water
http://www.krobkruakao.com/store/news/45640/1.jpg
the firmware cause delay,
then the flood also cause delay
321
2 years ago |i guess this camera is doom to failure
sora3
2 years ago |And why do you say that? Because of all the delays? Because of the firmware issue? Because of this?
I have to say you’re just trolling for the rage. You failed and GTFO. You wasted enough of my internet to give a damn.
Almazar80
2 years ago |When you look in the mirror, do you see one of this: Equus africanus asinus?
t2iToa77
2 years ago |I know there’s lots of A77 on ebay but thanks to you guys here found out there’s two version PAl and NTSC. Ebay has mostly PAl version. only a couple sellers posted theirs are the UK version. with the exception of one seller who said his was NTSC in Taiwan. i would be very upset to have ordered one just to find out it was pal. I am located i am Toronto and was hoping to get one before my sisters bday. Ah well, really hope the situation improves in Thailand.
Terryfried
2 years ago |you seem a little confused. the Pal version is the UK version, and most I have seen have been USA version(NTSC)
t2iToa77
2 years ago |yeah i know. my point is out of the bunch of sellers on ebay only two noted theirs as (PAl)UK version. i would think the rest would of at lease have mentioned what version their selling. where did u see the NTSC selling?
Terryfried
2 years ago |ironically the ones I have seen as US versions (presumably NTSC) are on ebay.co.uk
Liam
2 years ago |What are the diffrences?
acolyte
2 years ago |Playback on devices (and the 60p vs 50p)
Liam
2 years ago |Does that even affect the normal user?
t2iToa77
2 years ago |I just find it amazing from the negative info on the net about its firmware and delayed date etc it seems to be selling like hot cakes. I am curious now how many units of the a77 do you think Sony have sold?
Terryfried
2 years ago |A77 buyers are mostly not newbys. They are used to false starts in the Camera industry. Whether it be Sony A700 Nikon D7000 Or Canon Eos 1/7
Terryfried
2 years ago |I am one of the exceptions. I intend to get a A77 in Nov. but it will be my 1st DSLT/R. however I did start photography at collage in 1978. My last SLR was/is a Minolta 9000. after playing with a Lumix FZ-8 I am now ready to start serious digital photography. And am really looking forward to getting my kit in November(I have been saving for 2 or 3 years.
acolyte
2 years ago |Doesn’t matter. You may be a DSL* newbie but you’re not a camera newbie then. ^^
Gimp
2 years ago |There are an awful lot of A700 users out there wanting their A77.
acolyte
2 years ago |*Hands up* One here
THE BIG QUESTION
2 years ago |HERE IS THE BIG QUESTION?
DOES FIRMWARE 1.02 DAMAGE THE a77 HARDWARE?
SEVERAL PEOPLE HAS POSTED THAT THE FREEZING ISSUES ARE GETTING MORE FREQUENT.
acolyte
2 years ago |I would assume those doesn’t damage. But you won’t realize it unless continuous use for 6 months or so.
this is not IRC^^
I assume that those who spend their fortune on an A77 would not want to leave theirs in v1.02 for more than 6 months.
Oh, we’ll read your question w/o caps too
And 1.03 is out. It’s just how to get it.
beware
2 years ago |question is how to find out what range of serial numbers is affected so you won’t buy wrong 2nd and camera.
beware
2 years ago |no need to rush better wait for stable firmware with all options included.
after all you won’t buy a new car either that might fail on brakes
acolyte
2 years ago |Prius hybrid much?
Harri
2 years ago |A relative of mine works in Ayutthaya, at Pioneer plant, and she was just given 1 week holiday with the rest of the staff, as the flood has effectively closed down the factory.
So the situation is critical indeed.
Roy
2 years ago |I see most of the sony sites in EU changed their shipping date to mid November
KJW
2 years ago |I’ve just had an email from Sony saying my pre-ordered A65 has been dispatched (I ordered it on 1st Sept).
Strangely, this email was send 1/2 hour after I spoke to my local Sony Centre. I was enquiring whether any a65s had made it into the UK (prior to floods). They said they were unsure and I’d just have to wait.
Rick
2 years ago |Keep whining about not having your camera’s yet and then watch the video. The folks living on overpasses that put you Electronics together have some other stuff to do right now!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkjlu9SviaY
ABETTERDJANDPHOTOGRAPHER
2 years ago |We have 2 A77s… 1 came with 1.02 (I updated myself) and the other 1.03
These are great cameras and we’ve had zero issues with over 5,000 excellent photos taken. The new color processing in the bionz is amazing… best color out of any camera!
My source emailed me that their last shipment all of the boxes had water spots on them and they are returning them with no promise from SONY on replacement date. I also received a photo of 1 of SONY’s Thai factories 50% under water