(SR1) Some Sony roadmap speculation

A new forum poster inside photoalphaclub wrote following”prediction” about Sony’s next stuff:

“Most future video cameras will be 3D. Still cameras will follow.

DSLR’s have 2 major problems: 1. Mirror that slows down the frame rate. 2. Mirror that causes long “lens to sensor plane” distance.

So APSC DSLR’s will be replaced by EVIL cameras in the future – with electronic shutter and high frame rates. Sony new prototype 3D video camera uses frame rate 240 fps at 2×2 MP.”
and
“Sony knows that by eliminating the mirror, a superior system could be developed. Sony is in the forefront of display technology, unlike Conikon, so it can produce better EVF than the competition – a VF that will not go dark with the push of DOF preview button, or when it’s dark outside. It will also zoom and allow for easier manual focusing. Add OLCD’s. The OVF suddenly loses its strength. If Panasonic, Olympus, and Samsung are working on EVIL, so is Sony. Look at their past and you will understand. Also this is the only explanation for the gap between the 300 and the 900 series, as the 500 series is only an extension of the 300 series. The 850 is only an extension of the 900 series.

It is my belief that Sony will fill the gap between A550 and A850 with a superior EVIL system, maybe with 14 and 18 MP bodies, which will be, with an adapter, usable with A-mount lenses .

APSC will be phased out in time. Current FF will be expanded up and down.

If Sony planned to bring out A700 replacement, it would be here by now. The hole in product offering between FF and APSC has existed in Japan now for some time. This is not normal. Sony is dumping A700 even in India, where it has otherwise hardly any presence.

Sony created, from their A200-350 line, the two new lines, one is the 500 line. There is no 700 camera (line) replacement. The APSC lens offering is weak, although APSC is the Sony’s bread and butter.

Few FF’s are sold, but all new serious lens offerings are FF.

EVIL camera can have same or better resolution as FF, because of less diffraction. The lenses will be smaller. The cameras will be lighter and can be smaller.

EVIL will make APSC redundant. FF will still have an advantage in DOF control and sensitivity. You need to have it to demonstrate that you play with the big boys.

I see it as follows:

Now 2 lines:
230-550
850-900

later 3 lines:
100-550 (the 100 series will have no OVF)
EVIL 14 and 18 MP models to fill the gap between FF and APSC
800 – 1000

later 3 lines:
100-550
EVIL (2 series, 4 models)
800 – 1000

later 3 lines:
EVIL basic to full pro lines
EVIL 3D
FF “

(SR2) Sony EVIL cameras?

Just found this inside the Dyxum forum:

“I have some inside info.

Sony is preparing to introduce EVIL cameras. They will have 3 lines.

A230-550 – low end – eventually will be phased out – within a decade – Sony considers this to be an interim format.
EVIL LINE – full line eventually – basically 35 mm replacement
A800-1000 – pro – basically MF format replacement

The effort goes now to the EVIL models, with new Zeiss and Sony lenses. They will have superior video with high performance contrast focusing.

The evil cameras will be small, high performance; you’ll be able to use older lenses with an adopter. The cameras will be “APSC CMOS size” based. Because of close flange distance, therefore smaller diffraction, lens design will be simpler, smaller, and resolution will be on par with FF. With checkerboard pixel pattern, similar to their ClearVid CMOS pattern, expect 25 MP cameras with 50 MP performance soon, but not initially.

Don’t expect A700 replacement. A new EVIL camera will be a replacement – with two models – one will be 14 MP, another one will be 18 MP.

is a real bargain. Get it when you can. The EVIL model will cost a lot more, but will be superior.

Sony will come out with less and more expensive FF bodies.

Future concentration will be EVIL and FF.

Sony just introduced two HD camcorders. Their XDCAM PMW-350 and EX1R. The #350 has better performance than Sony’s HDCAM 900, which used to cost $150K with a lens. The new model is about $22K with lens.

Technology is marching on. Sony is in the forefront of this technology. Just as they lead the worldwide broadcast field, with convergence of video and still photography, they aim at being the world still camera leader. Don’t think that the convergence happened already. The future cameras will be quite different, and so will be the way photographs are taken and displayed. Think 3D and ability to select picture from before to after you push the trigger.

Don’t think that Sony is lagging in introducing new APSC technology. They will be introducing superior technology.”

source: Dyxum

(SR3) Popular Photography Hint at A700 Replacement


In the new edition of Popular Photography, they say a new replacement is coming out soon:

“…(the A700) may be an oldie, but it’s still a goodie for its rugged build, fine imaging, and thoughtful design. We strongly suspect Sony will bring out a replacement soon.”

via: alphamountworld

The alphamountadministrators explains very well why this is more than a simple rumor:”For Popular Photography to make such a strong suggestion tells me quite a bit. It’s highly doubtful they would make such a strong statement such as that without some sort of inside knowledge, of which they could not of course confirm nor deny.”

So finally the Sony Alpha 730 is coming soon?

(SR4) Sony major announcement to new product line will be made in 3 months.

Just received this:

“I was just at the Henry’s photographic show in Toronto today. I also spoke with someone at the Sony booth and they said that a major announcement to the product line will be made in 3 months. They would not confirm or deny if it would be a mirrorless, interchangable lens camera.”

I bet Sony will soon announce their new APS-C mirrorless compact camera system!

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