Thom Hogan about Sony’s strategy: Canon and Nikon should be worried!
In his latest article Thom Hogan (Click here) talks about the aggressive and well planed Sony strategy compared to the actual conservative Nikon and Canon approach. It’s worth to read!
Here is an excerpt of the text:
“Sony: most interesting strategies (yes plural) of the bunch. On the Alpha side went for very different technologies (e.g. pellicle mirror), which took awhile to get settled, but has clear benefits long-term. Also has been shoring up and improving dealer network here in the US, giving them a potentially significant advantage over the other players, above. Has been aggressive on price with the Alphas (some of which is happening with the dealer), and appears to be about to get more aggressive. Meanwhile, they’ve made NEX into a potentially serious mount (it currently extends from a low-end mirrorless model to a highly professional video camera). Too bad they don’t have the lenses to back it up yet. Status: making progress on all fronts, and Canon and Nikon need to be especially wary of this competitor. Forecast: one weakness is still not having all the right lenses. This blunted sales of both the full frame Alphas as well as NEX models. Even the Alpha is missing a few key lenses if it wants to tackle the high-end Canons and Nikons well. Rumors show progress on this front, but it needs to happen faster. Other weakness is in marketing. The dual strategy makes a strong cohesive “why Sony cameras matter” message very necessary.
Canon and Nikon have continued to pursue their old strategies: entry to pro DSLR lineups, iterated regularly, moved upscale in features and performance with each generation. Status: Quo. Forecast: declining returns from this strategy. A 24mp A77 at US$999 that performs well threatens the more expensive D7000 and D400 on Nikon’s side, the same-priced 60D and more expensive 7D on the Canon end.”
Read the full text at bythom.com. What do you think about his anlysis? I do agree that Sony needs to extend their lens offering. The problem I see with the NEX roadmap is that Sony doesn’t plan to make any new pancakes. I hope they will change that. The Alpha mount will see 4-5 new Zeiss lenses within 2011 and a couple of new Sony lenses. This should make us go a huge step closer to Canon and Nikon!
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hanugro
2 years ago |I read from some old Sony’s CEO (maker of CDs) that Sony has balls to make something other won’t even consider to look at. Hope it continues.
Pablo
2 years ago |Gosh, let them please put IBIS into the NEX7 !!!O
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |Thom only speak something already happen which we all aware of it.
Seriously, i do not need Thom thought. I just need good & cheap stuff from manufacturer especially Sony in this case
Sony long life!
SonyA77
2 years ago |Indeed, nothing new there. He’s finally woken up to the threat that Sony has suddenly become to canikon. Canikon have no response to NEX and that’ll cost them.
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |C: no EVIL!
N: mirrorless <m4/3
Daemonius
2 years ago |Yea both Canon and Nikon say something like “we dont need it”. I think future will show that “they needed it”.
Ofc personally I dont like either m4/3s (except excelent 4:3 ratio) or any EVIL. But its good for making money.
For me, A900 is everything I want from camera (ok maybe bit cleaner ISO .. yea even that base one).
Vlad
2 years ago |It will cost them if Sony works on their lenses. If Canon introduces a mirrorless today it will drown the NEX in no time.
SonyA77
2 years ago |No it will not, existing Canon and Nikon lenses would not autofocus quickly on whatever they brought out. Existing lenses are not optimized for mirror-less which is why Sony brought a new lens mount out.
Vlad
2 years ago |Let me rephrase this. If Canon introduces a mirrorless with a few lenses today (say, same like the current e-mount offerings), it will drown the NEX in no time. To clarify, Canon (and Nikon to a lesser extent) can allow themselves to be slow. They have huge brand awareness and user base. That is why imho Sony must step it up and build the NEX system quicker. I would put it this way – they created the opportunity to have the advantage. Now they must work to use that advantage.
SonyA77
12 months ago |@Vlad. I see your point, however NEX is not a dSLR. Canikon brand awareness is all about dSLR sales.
The market that NEX is in is not the same market, it is consumer driven and people could not care less about the Canikon vs Sony debate.
In fact in that market electronics giants like Sony and Samsung have an advantage in brand awareness over Canikon. The NEX market is more like the compact market where having an established brand associated with cameras is largely irrelevant.
Vlad
12 months ago |@Sony77 Yes, that certainly makes sense, so I’ll meet you halfway
In any case I think it is too early too claim victory. That’s pretty much it.
Lollo
2 years ago |If my grandmother had wheels, she would be a trolley…. and Canon would release a set of new lenses.lol
Vlad
12 months ago |Your point being?
Quiet Please!
2 years ago |A quiet Sony shutter would blow Nikon and Canon out of the water!
Come on Sony engineers, make that shutter as quiet as you possibly can and provide an additional optional shutter sound that can be switched on through firmware by those who like it.
sonystudio
2 years ago |electronic shutter = silent AND super fast flash sync speed … OH YES!
Edgars
2 years ago |In IR interview one of Sony representatives already told about some new shutter tech – rotating shutter etc. F3 already have electronic shutter, but for consumers it will be after some 2-3 years.
Paul Hedderly
2 years ago |Sony would have me as a customer for life if they released the source of the firmware for the cameras – open-sourced it. Even better if they supplied an SDK for it.
Making their cameras fully hackable would make the market explode – I have _no_ doubt. We all want our purchase to do what _we_ want it to do… not what the manufacture got round to implementing.
Alfonso Cuitiño
2 years ago |That’s a very interesting point of view. It would be totally awesome to write software for our cameras
It would attract the geek sector of the market.
But probably this would also bring security issues and the unlock of features which weren’t supposed to be there… I don’t think Sony wants that
SonyA77
2 years ago |Yup, you’d have a low-end model such as the A35 hacked to give you the same software features as an A77.
Physica
2 years ago |My Point is Sony should release a Fullframe camera asap to have a race with canon and nikon. A55 is a high performance dSLT already , i think A77 will be a camera which able to have a match with 60D & D5100 (even a 7D or D7000…….) , NEX is work fine to fight for the line of consumer market or the user which want to have a more compact camera beside conventional DC or M4/3′s. So the next step they should introduce a FF camera , even a Flagship Class FF camera.
Sony seems did not have a Flagship class dSLR in the pass… (or maybe i didn’t know it?), all i know is the A900 & A850. If Sony introduce a Flagship Class FF dSLT / dSLR , that will be great ( A1T or A1R? lol i’m keep daydreaming)
I think NEX is work fine but only too less lens. introduce more should made it much more useable. but a NEX with FF sensors….. I think the Lens will be too Bulky to fit into Slim body of NEX …….also….a new lens line for the NEX-FF?
** please forgive my poor english , it’s not my mother language.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Sony is 5 years old, no past (was Minolta).
A900 is flagship class FF dSLR.
A5xx = D5100/600D.
A77 = D7000/60D.
Your English is good
Physica
2 years ago |Well . i think A900 ‘s performance is just close to the EOS 5DmII or D700 , so i treat it as a FF class dSLR same as this two. I really hope Sony could build a camera which have a fight with 1Ds or D3. hohoho
i’m still awaiting sony to introduce a new FF camera, the camera announced made me think SONY ALPHA is quite promising.
** Thanks, i’ll happy enough if someone knew what i’m talking about ^^
Daemonius
2 years ago |Aehm..
5DMK2 is quite close to 1DsMK3 (if you dont mind colors) and Sony is on par with 1Ds. At least that IQ part. AF could be better and LiveView isnt bad (though when you see through A900 or 1Ds OVF, you realize you dont need LV that much
).
So, even with few downsides, A900 is flagship.
giomaniac
2 years ago |Oh boy Sony a850 and a900 are in the same level of 5dIII, D700 and D3x…Sony FF are very, very capable cameras! =-)
Daemonius
2 years ago |They are, just users of them sometimes (often) not. Camera is as capable as person who use it.
Carl
2 years ago |At a sensor level, the 850/900 are more or less the same as the D3X. Sony’s noise canceling isn’t quite as good as Nikon’s with the same sensor (or at least, wasn’t in 2008), and they optimised more for colour performance than Canon and Nikon did so lost a bit of high-ISO there, but overall the difference isn’t great between any of the full frame DSLRs, despite what internet exaggerations might lead one to believe.
It’s in AF performance that the full frame Sonys lag the 1Ds/1D/D3X/D3S class. Although the centre double cross sensor is pretty much just as good, the peripheral sensors and tracking logic aren’t in the same class. Partly this is because Minolta was behind the 8 ball in DSLR design and never adequately adapted their autofocus and flash systems for the digital age before throwing in the towel, and part is because Sony have failed to regard it as something that was a priority to fix after buying the Alpha system. The problems are completely fixable, though, so I see no reason Sony can’t deliver a true pro body in the future.
I’d say the 5D2/D700/A850 price-class would be far more profitable for all concerned than the 1DsIII/D3X class is, though. Even among professionals there’s a limit to the number of people willing to shell out seven grand for a DSLR body. I’d expect that even if Sony did make a flagship class body they’d price it thousands lower than Canikon does.
Lollo
2 years ago |A900 is already competing with 1DS3 and DX3 and is a valid substitute for both especially the Canon.
I had sold my 1DS mark 2 bought a pair of A900 and never looked back.
Compared to the 1DS mark 3 I got: better image quality in 95% of circumstances, better ergonomic, larger and faster buffer, more fps, more reliable af though a little slower, all lenses are stabilized and for my kind of work I prefer the Sony lenses to the Canon ,better reliability, since I have two bodies for the price of one…
Sahaja
12 months ago |The current top priced Nikon Camera (D3x) has a Sony sensor and already Sony produce cameras with the same sensor at a D700 price – so they are competing, though as Thom remarks they badly need more lenses. Lets see what Sony does when Nikon and Canon actually refresh their full-frame lineups.
I hope Sony don’t totally abandon OVF at least in an A900 successor. Make a cheaper DSLT model as well
Steve
2 years ago |“The Alpha mount will see 4-5 new Zeiss lenses within 2011 and a couple of new Sony lenses”
The thought of this just brings tears to my eyes and a funny sense of emptiness to my wallet. I’m excited to hear more, so I can start planning my purchase strategy for the next year, and time before Sony gives me the opportunity upgrade my Alpha A850 cameras to an even better photographic platform.
Wow, with only seven more months left in 2011 and no rumors as to the new optical offerings?
If something is realy going to happen this year its needs to happen fast!
Pete
2 years ago |Marketing is what Sony needs above ALL THINGS. A big section of Canon’s market is just from name recognition- all the soccer moms automatically by a Canon, and likely haven’t even heard about Sony. They need to shake the market’s feeling that Canikon are the only real brands.
If they started a really good marketing campaign, they wouldn’t have even needed SLT. Look at Canikons’s entry level. Until recently it was the Canon XS and Nikon d3000. My 3 year old A200 beats both of those.
Physica
2 years ago |That’s true , the one who didn’t know any about the dSLR only know about canon & Nikon , Sony…… they just think about the PS3 , PSP or Mobile Phone…..
Yoshio
2 years ago |Sony have to release Fullframe and publish many lens to Alpha,NEX-system.
I really want NEX with Fullframe sensor with EVF and Hot shoe that’ll be the perfect Mirrorloess.
(I’ll call it Little Leica-M)
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |Sony push hard for emount lenses, gives them time. that is the same reason they open the spec for other lens manufacturer make e mount lenses
In contrast, i am looking for a camera have really fast AF, just need a camera better than Gh2 in IQ but i like that AF speed. but really, such simple AF 0.1 sec focus, do we see Canikon deliver it? I laugh when see 550D vs A33 or the D7000 full time AF
geez… last generation AF system lol …
Daemonius
2 years ago |I actually like that voice of reason between ppl that says “we want OVF”.
damiga
2 years ago |get over it. I believe that ship has sailed.
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |And not only Sony’s OVF ship–all OVF ships have sailed.
Daemonius
2 years ago |I dont think so, not for a while. It will take ages until Canikon will stop using OVF. Sony maybe, but time will show.
patrick
2 years ago |I went for an Olympus instead because it has in body image stabilization. This is a must for those who want to reuse old but great manual lenses.
If a NEX would have IBIS and good manual focus support, that would be a killer feature set for me.
gamagama
2 years ago |I am not sure the situation in US, but in HK, the marketing of Canon is obviously much better, and stronger, than that of Sony.. talking about the advertising creatives, media coverage, sales network, promotion tactics, etc.. Indeed I found Sony made many good cameras like recently A55/A33/A580, as well as old models like A560/A280, but there are not much marketing efforts have been put to make some noises! that’s a pity..
Robin W.
2 years ago |If the proposed a77 price is correct ($1,000), Canon and Nikon might be forced to change thier pricing as well in the future.
It’s all good for us (customers)
Zycamaniac
2 years ago |I’m a former Canon 5D MarkII user, I sold my 5D2 last year just before the price drop, and decided to explore Sony’s Alpha 55 for a change…
Well, all is well except a few points…
#1 Sony RAW processing software is driving me nuts, sorry to say this, but Canon’s DPP is amazing in this regard, it is fast, bristle with feature and free. (Usually you get to pick one or two of those points, but for some reason Canon went nuts, and dare I say it actually work better than Bibble Pro which I actually paid for and never really used)
#2 Lack of custom mode is kinda driving me nuts, I was used to custom mode setting, which I can have a “snap shot” setting on one, “studio/product shooting mode” on the other. I know this is a entry level camera, but could Sony please at least give us ONE custom mode, this will make my life a whole lot easier…
Ah well, I guess when A77 and 5D3 is out, it would be time for me to think if I should go with Sony or go back with Canon…
Dude
2 years ago |Sry but there is something big missing in your logic.
The A55 is en entry level DSLR not an enthusiast.
It is far from what one should expect an EOS 5D is.
That you have switched means you felt you miss stuff in the 5D.
Well the only fields the A55 can exceed are probably AF and FPS.
Else would be absolutely no big reason to switch downwards.
(even lenses speak more for the Canon land in most cases)
And guess what?
The EOS D mkIII will likely continue what the 5D mkII does: highres FF sensor, slow FPS, midclass AF, good ergonomic (for a canon^^), high price/but cheap for FF…
And the A77 will be a higher grade A55: fast FPS, better AF, better ergonomics (upto a 5D), but still with APS-C limitations, and without feature richness of EOS 7D
I actually wonder what your decision making was.
You really should not compare two cameras with price factor of like 1/4.
If you missed features in the 5D but loved the ones it had, you should have upgraded (what is pricey) and not downgraded in class.
And that has nothing to do with the manufacturer.
PS: yes the Sony suite is a bit strange, but it’s fully feature packed.
Still a 3rd party like DxO, Aperture or Lightroom will be way better than any free Software from the DSLR makers…
Zycamaniac
2 years ago |Perhaps you haven’t read my message fully for what wasn’t said? I know the “class” difference of the two camera, if I didn’t, then I’d have something like 30 points that I’d bicker about.
I didn’t mention the color quality (I don’t know about you, but 5D2′s color quality, overall results is so good that my girlfriend stopped bickering about the cost the instant she saw the result. And yes, she did saw quite a few different pictures from DSLR, non shocked her so much), nor did I mention lens line up, in camera lens correction, and so on so forth. Why bother mention that? There’s no point, as the camera is using different mount and of different class. That’s already known before the switch, which is why you didn’t see me mentioning it in the original post.
DPP is available to all Canon users, even the lowly “prosumer” digicam can use it, so that’s not exclusive to 5D2 or higher. As for custom mode, it is really just bickering about ALL camera companies, it is a nearly no-cost feature, just one more stop on the mode dial (or just lose one of the useless scene mode and have a custom mode), and that would make a lot of people happy.
Carl
2 years ago |Higher end Sony models have custom presets, so it’s simply a problem of you buying a consumer model rather than something in the 5DII class.
Canon’s DPP is one of the only manufacturer designed RAW converters that isn’t complete rubbish. Sony is hardly the only one to get it wrong there.
Zycamaniac
12 months ago |Tell me, which other Sony Alphas is interesting enough at the time when I got A55?
For A850/A900, it would be completely uninteresting to 5D2 users, yes, it got 3MP more than 5D2, but that’s really not all that noticeable when you are comparing 21 and 24MP. Not to mention it is released roughly the same time as 5D2, so if I switch, the only really big change would be losing the ability to use DPP and gaining the use of Zeiss glass, and be holding on to a camera that would be replaced in the near future. (if those high end Zeiss glass is put together like the 16-80za, then it would be really sad. I had that Zeiss lens for a while and sold it, the manual focus on that lens is absolutely crap, Sony kit lens have better manual focus feel than that, so did my old Minolta 50mm f/1.7.)
I sold my 5D2 because I don’t want to hold on to the short end of a stick when the newer camera is released, while it wasn’t as early as I had expected, but at least I beat the price drop. Since a mid/high end camera will have price gone though the floor when it is replaced, the price slump would have more than make up for the cost of A55. Which is why I decided to give A55 a try. (5D’s price were basically chopped down to 1/3~1/4 the original when 5D2 was released, I’m expecting 5D2 to retain no more than 3/5 the original price when 5D3 is released, which would easily pay a large portion of A55′s purchase price.)
Hey, I’m not saying A55 is bad or anything, I’m saying…
#1 Damn I want custom mode…
#2 Damp I want better RAW processing software…
I guess I could also add…
#3 Damn I want that 16-80za to be made like a Zeiss, I’ve never used a lens with such loose focus ring (huge play), not Canon, not Nikon, not Sigma, not Sony (kit), and not Minolta (50mm f/1.7).
Carl
12 months ago |I’m not sure repeatedly buying and selling things to avoid loosing resale value when a successor model comes along makes any sense. Certainly not when it involves buying models without features you desire and immediately wanting to change again.
If you want a recent model that can work with DPP, why not a 60D/7D/1DmkIV? It doesn’t sound like you have any problems with Canon from your comments above.
Zycamaniac
12 months ago |Simple, by selling early, I would lose 15~20% instead of 50% when 5D3 is released. And since I need a in-between camera, it would be a good chance to try out other cameras that I would not really consider when I had 5D2 in my possession.
Tell me, what would be more interesting than the Alpha 33/55 at the same price point if you are looking for dSLR? Canon 550D? 600D? Nah, more of the same, and it didn’t have custom mode either. Nikon? Nah, not interested. Pentax? Even less interested…
Who else could offer the same feature as A55 for similar price? I couldn’t find one, especially if you count GPS as one of the interesting feature (tho kinda slow in fixing position).
As for 60D, why? It costs more, it have one custom mode and the flip out screen is positioned better, but the body cost almost 2x what A55 costs. Why would I do that? (at the time I figured Bibble Pro would make RAW processing easier for me, big mistake, the color is completely wrong when processing A55′s photo. Everything goes bloody red) Knowing what I know now, I might just still pick A55 again and suffer the lousy RAW software, just to try out different camera system.
For 7D, well, there’s absolutely no point, a camera that’s only about 1 year younger than 5D2, it might be the best APS-C from Canon, but the replacement date is still looming close, no point getting something that’s going onto the chopping block soon.
For 1D-IV, well, let me put it this way, I can explain the reason for not getting it in one word… “Budget” I’m not a reporter or someone making a lot of money off the camera, I’m only a casual shooter that sometimes shoot my own product photo so that I don’t have to pay and tell someone to do it. That saved me a few bucks here and there, but I don’t think it is quite right to go for the 1 series body just yet.
As for getting rid of A55 and losing some of the original purchase price, well, that’s about another 20%~30% off the camera’s purchase price, which is like 5% of 5D2′s price. So if you add it up, by switching around, I lost 20~25% of 5D2′s original price by selling out early, try out different camera (and possible suffer the problem that I mentioned that I have with A55), and sell it again to get something that I was waiting for.
And by getting 16-80za second hand and taking good care of it, I also didn’t lose a single penny when I sold it second hand. (I did make sure the loose focus ring is not a defect on my lens, but seems to be a common design/manufacturing defect on all of them)
patrick
2 years ago |agree. back in the days, there was a debate which has better quality. Film SLR or digital SLR, in the end dSLR was accepted for its clear advantages.
Mirror, SLT or mirrorless. I’m pretty sure that mirror will not be the future.
Carl
2 years ago |My film SLR still makes damn good pictures, though. It’s not like image quality has improved exponentially.
Dirk
2 years ago |It is nice that Sony is inventing so many interesting things, but as long they don’t listen to their customers they will never be more than number 3 in the business…
there is a problem with the cam? well… why should we do a firmware-fix, we just sell a updated cam instead!
c.d.embrey
2 years ago |The E mount cameras are a good idea. A Pro E mount still camera (maybe NEX 7) and a NEX-FS100 video camera would be a great combination for me. BUT I need high quality lenses, not 16mm 2.8 quality. And I need pro quality, not consumer quality, support. One of the reasons that CaNikon does well with the pros is that camera and lens rental are readily available.
Come on Sony, make me switch!
c.d.embrey
2 years ago |BTW in Southern California neither Calumet or Samys Camera (the two pro stores/rental) sell/rent Sony Alpha. But Samys does sell NEX. If Sony wants to dominate still photography like they do video, this has to change.
Sensel
2 years ago |I knew the “make more lenses” would be in the top three so I did not pick that one. But three of mine did make the top 4: “Improve key aspects like focusing, etc. + new fullframe cameras as soon as possible + more firmware updates (and listen to customers requests)”
When you add up “keeping full frame” with “Sony should keep making cameras with optical viewfinder”, this is nice to see as, I prefer the optical with FF.
It is proven technology.
The low low “Sony should get rid of optical viewfinders (5%, 58 Votes)” is also very encouraging.
Hopefully Sony sees this and is getting similar answers from all it talks with!
Dude
2 years ago |I think a lot of Enthusiasts and pros (that waste time in the internet^^) would like to see more stability in the decision making.
Something like a red line guiding to a future roadmap.
We seen it in the “A700 follow-up EVF/OVF?”, “A-Mount fading out? for E-Mount”, and now in “FF is SLT?” topics.
Many people will just keep shooting and rest on their investment.
But as buying decisions come up (because a A700 or a Minolta pro lens dies for example) they start to question the route of Alpha division.
No Canon or Nikon shooter has this problem, probably even Pentax users feel more comfortable.
Helena
2 years ago |Sony, be aware of Samsung NX. NX are toys compared to NEX, but its lenses roadmap is amusing. I like mag-alloy NEX lenses, but there is only one pancake in the shop, and it is not fast (16mm 2.8). You sell the smallest APSC cam in the market, you should made some pancakes ¡it’s logic!
kmfan
2 years ago |I agree. More pancake/compact lenses and softer shutter sound are points that Sony have to address for the NEX line.
HD
2 years ago |A77 I can’t wait for this camera! I wish there was more news about alpha lenses. I and everyone else needs to know!
yurilee
2 years ago |If the liquid lens works…it would be truly “Aggressive”…
Imagine a liquid-zooming(Use deformable lenses to construct the zooming afocal element, counteracting the optical defects caused by zooming) and liquid-focusing super telephoto-zoom!!
Alfonso Cuitiño
2 years ago |That would be really interesting! Even if liquid lenses weren’t so good, they would be an extremely useful item for marketing
kmfan
2 years ago |I think Sony can gain more than Canon/Nikon with the right marketing. Show off advantages of SLT over mirror boxes, advantages of EVF over OVF, don’t just show how ‘cool’ and ‘new’ the tech is. Show off the fact that your cameras are the only bodies that have Zeiss lenses WITH AF! There’s many people who’ll chose Sony for this fact alone. IF they knew/heard about it.
There’s still a lot of room for improvement on NEX bodies. Softer shutter noise and button/dial placement comes to mind.
A33/55 bodies are very ergonomic, especially for those with smaller hands. I hope A77 and future A-mount cameras will have similar attention to ergonomics.
Sahaja
12 months ago |I wish the Zeiss manual focus lenses without AF were available in A mount as well. It would mean a much more rounded system. And unlike on Nikion or Canon the lenses would be stabilized.
Perhaps they could get Zeiss / Cosina to produce their M-mount lenses in E-mount as well (no need of an adapter).
Carl
12 months ago |You can always use a Leitax mount conversion, or one of the M42 mount ZS lenses.
Sahaja
12 months ago |If I put chipped Zeiss ZF2 lenses on my Nikon DSLR I can use it in all exposure modes, no need to stop down, and get proper EXIF data.
Using an adapter or Leitax mount conversion on an A-mount camera you most of this functionality and have to manually stop down the lens.
If their were proper ZA manual focus lenses this wouldn’t be a problem.
Sahaja
12 months ago |“Sony should release many new Alpha and NEX lenses” is right at the top.
In this regard Samsung seem to have the right idea with their NX lens roadmap. Sony just need to get much more ambitious in the lens department.
Gabriel
12 months ago |Change it’s name back to “Minolta” is the only option
candy
12 months ago |Here’s an option that wasn’t available for voting.
Make your camereas available in Canada!
Why does USA get the A580 and Canada does not?
tom
12 months ago |Yes, corporations like Canon and Nikon should be worried that Sony will be cutting in to the soccer mom camera market.
Sony is not now and will never even be on the radar of Professional photographers.
Carl
12 months ago |I can remember the last statement being directed at Minolta too back in the day.
SonyA77
12 months ago |Tom. Plenty of people are making money using Sony dSLRs, so even now, your statement is completely wrong. A pro is somebody that receives payment for their work, simple as that.
Just because the forums are full of canikon users saying that pros don’t use Sony, doesn’t make is so. Hell, pros make plenty of money using even APS-C camera bodies of all brands.
Carl
12 months ago |I remember meeting a guy once who was selling prints made with a Canonet. My mouth nearly hit the floor, “you’re taking the photographs with a WHAT?”
Technological developments and pro support are great and should be encouraged, but ultimately photography rests on skill and talent, something no bit of technology can replace.
Helena
12 months ago |With SLTs and NEXs (and some time) they are going to storm Canikon and m4/3 kingdoms. And this is good for users.
I love NEX system, no matter what pros take or say, anyway. ¡Sony: just make pancakes!
Joopey
2 weeks ago |I think Sony has made serious blunders in the last few years that has raised some serious doubts about its place in the DSLR market. They pulled the A700 before thay had its replacement ready to go. Then they shifted their focus on lower-end cameras. Now they have pulled both the A850 and A900 from the market without having a replacement camera ready. And still, they have no true replacement for the A700? They need to plug these serious gaps in their line up this year! I say release three FF cameras and one high-end APS-C camera this year.
As for lenses, I think everyone knows that has long been a major stumbling block as well. I love Zeiss lenses but I long for a more fuller line up to choose from.
As for the NEX line, I think great, keep building it out, but don’t forget the Alpha line!
Speaking very personally, I would love to invest more heavily in Sony but I’m scared that it may not be a wise investment. Mentally Nikon makes more sense to me, but my heart and soul is stuck on Sony. I love my A700 and 85CZ, but long term I need to make wise investments with camera purchases. Money is just not as free flowing as it use to be.