New Sony Alpha's being launched next Weds....

[Diego Garcia]

To wet your appetites, just got wind of the new Sony's are being launched next week (Weds)

A new A850 and a new A950 I think with the new exmor processor for great low light performance. Look out for the announcement......:thumbs:

Pete.

[JPS]

Sounds interesting....

[puddleduck]

I was very impressed with the Sony A900, so will be looking out for the A950 with interest :)

[Diego Garcia]

I was very impressed with the Sony A900, so will be looking out for the A950 with interest :)

Superb camera with some clever features. The new 'beast' could be up there with current classics I think, from what I have been told.

[DigitalDepot]

We have been invited to Sony head office on Wednesday so it will definitely be happening.

I should get a hands on so I will let you know what I think.

Stuart

[puddleduck]

We have been invited to Sony head office on Wednesday so it will definitely be happening.

I should get a hands on so I will let you know what I think.

Stuart

Let me know if you are taking pre-orders on this. I can't guarantee I will be 100% committed, as the D700x should be out soon, but I imagine Nikon will mug us on price and it'll be twice the price of the A950 I reckon..!

[Diego Garcia]

Let me know if you are taking pre-orders on this. I can't guarantee I will be 100% committed, as the D700x should be out soon, but I imagine Nikon will mug us on price and it'll be twice the price of the A950 I reckon..!

Well, Nikon have said to start lowering the price of the D3 to clear the decks, so I would assume a D4 / D800 'could' be looming.....:thinking: but it seems to soon, though I supppose consumer demand for MP has changed the average 22 month turnaround on a camera's shelf life....

[Diego Garcia]

We have been invited to Sony head office on Wednesday so it will definitely be happening.

I should get a hands on so I will let you know what I think.

Stuart

Snap.:)

[puddleduck]

Well, Nikon have said to start lowering the price of the D3 to clear the decks, so I would assume a D4 / D800 'could' be looming.....:thinking: but it seems to soon, though I supppose consumer demand for MP has changed the average 22 month turnaround on a camera's shelf life....


The D3 price cut is more likely to be due to a D3s than a D4.

Buffer upgrade as standard, and the silly video feature I'd guess?

[Diego Garcia]

The D3 price cut is more likely to be due to a D3s than a D4.

Buffer upgrade as standard, and the silly video feature I'd guess?

I am totally stumped on this one and will wait and see.....

[cloudhunter]

If it is true and the low light will be much improved i can see this really upsetting the applecart in canon and nikon land

[puddleduck]

If it is true and the low light will be much improved i can see this really upsetting the applecart in canon and nikon land

Actually the low light problem of the A900 is over-hyped. While there is noise encroaching much past 800, printing is excellent, and an A3 print contains more detail than an D700 when both are at ISO1600.

The danger of pixel peeping on a monitor vs. real life use.

[cloudhunter]

You sound like you like the A900 , but you shoot Nikon? Was that a decision based on lens choice or similar?

[TheBionicDan]

Be interesting to see if Sony try to have a go at the sports market. It's traditionally a shopwindow for the two big boys so can see the attraction for someone trying to break the duopoly.

[sdb123]

You sound like you like the A900 , but you shoot Nikon? Was that a decision based on lens choice or similar?

Come on Andy....twenty words or less - I challenge you! :D

[puddleduck]

You sound like you like the A900 , but you shoot Nikon? Was that a decision based on lens choice or similar?

The body is amazing. Lovely files, lovely viewfinder. Lens choice (or price!) of the CZ optics I wanted was the main problem. Given my (excellent) Nikon glass, justifying another £2.5k for the CZ 16-35 / 24-70 was a call I decided not to make.

[cloudhunter]

Thats more than 20 words , lol.

Would sigma 24-70 not have been as good as the zeiss?

[heidfirst]

wonder if the 500/4 is being launched at the same time (although I heard a rumour that it had been delayed yet again)?
also the 28-75mm SAM.

[puddleduck]

also the 28-75mm SAM.

Thats just going to be a re-badged Tamron 28-75mm?

Didn't KM do that already?

[heidfirst]

Thats just going to be a re-badged Tamron 28-75mm?

Didn't KM do that already?
supposedly but it will have an internal motor (probably micro) for AF rather than screw drive.
The KM of course was screw drive but iirc it wasn't a straight badge - there were some improvements (as there is in e.g. the Sony 18-250mm compared to the Tamron 18-250).

Fills a gap for a mid-price, mid-range FF zoom in the Sony range - suggestion is that it may well be the kit lens for the A850?

[puddleduck]

I'd have no problem with the 28-75 if it came with Tamron genetics.

The Tammy 28-75 is an awesome optic.

[photon]

I'd have no problem with the 28-75 if it came with Tamron genetics.

Sony is a major shareholder in Tamron http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/investors/ir/index.html

[cloudhunter]

I'd have no problem with the 28-75 if it came with Tamron genetics.

The Tammy 28-75 is an awesome optic.

Just read a review of it and it does seem to be a very very good lens , fixed F2.8 and its only just over £300 , whats tha catch?

P.S This lens can be used with a full frame camera cant it?

[sdb123]

P.S This lens can be used with a full frame camera cant it?

Yes.

[cloudhunter]

This lens must be the bargain of the century then surely. Why would someone want to pay £1000+ for a branded 24-70 when for less thasn half that they can have this (and the review said sharpness was better than the canon 50mm)

[sdb123]

This lens must be the bargain of the century then surely. Why would someone want to pay £1000+ for a branded 24-70 when for less thasn half that they can have this (and the review said sharpness was better than the canon 50mm)

If you get a nice sharp copy of a Tamron 28-75mm you do wonder sometimes. ;)

[heidfirst]

This lens must be the bargain of the century then surely. Why would someone want to pay £1000+ for a branded 24-70 when for less thasn half that they can have this (and the review said sharpness was better than the canon 50mm)
it's the usual law of diminishing returns - yes, the Zeiss 24-70mm is better (& heavier) but no, it's not 3-4x as good.
Some people though either need or simply want the best.

Similarly the Tamron 55-200mm has no right being as good as it is for the price that it often goes for.

[DigitalDepot]

Let me know if you are taking pre-orders on this. I can't guarantee I will be 100% committed, as the D700x should be out soon, but I imagine Nikon will mug us on price and it'll be twice the price of the A950 I reckon..!

As soon as its announced we can start taking pre orders. I dont like taking deposits so just names and phone numbers is all we need.

As TP members you wont pay SRP with me ;)

[py6km]

I was doing a little dig around on P&S cameras recently as the wife is in the market for a new one. Looks like Exmoor R is in some of the newer models, and is marketed as having better low light performance because the sensor is effectively flipped over (so light doesn't have to travel through the electronics before hitting the business part).

According to 'Photo Rumors', not a site I've seen before (http://photorumors.com/2009/05/31/sony-alpha-800-dslr/), there is some info on the A800 (is that already out?):

- 16.2MP full frame sensor exmor R (new technology)
- 100-25600 ISO
- 8 frame/sec
- SSI, same a900 OVF, new AF system,
- GPS and WiFi built-in
- 3.5 in. LCD display
- Pop-up flash
- Flash sync (1/500)
- Camera level
- 23 AF sensors
- Quick Live View
- Video Full HD
- Dust/splashes sealed
- Aluminum-magnesium alloy body
- Released early September, 2009

That's some machine if accurate. Built-in GPS and wi-fi would be great. I've never actually used a Sony alpha, so don't know how I'd find it compared to my D700, but must admit this does look like my dream machine. Not wild about those lens prices though!

[py6km]

Incidentally, do the Sony Alpha bodies have stabilisation built-in?

[puddleduck]

I was doing a little dig around on P&S cameras recently as the wife is in the market for a new one. Looks like Exmoor R is in some of the newer models, and is marketed as having better low light performance because the sensor is effectively flipped over (so light doesn't have to travel through the electronics before hitting the business part).

According to 'Photo Rumors', not a site I've seen before (http://photorumors.com/2009/05/31/sony-alpha-800-dslr/), there is some info on the A800 (is that already out?):

- 16.2MP full frame sensor exmor R (new technology)
- 100-25600 ISO
- 8 frame/sec
- SSI, same a900 OVF, new AF system,
- GPS and WiFi built-in
- 3.5 in. LCD display
- Pop-up flash
- Flash sync (1/500)
- Camera level
- 23 AF sensors
- Quick Live View
- Video Full HD
- Dust/splashes sealed
- Aluminum-magnesium alloy body
- Released early September, 2009

That's some machine if accurate. Built-in GPS and wi-fi would be great. I've never actually used a Sony alpha, so don't know how I'd find it compared to my D700, but must admit this does look like my dream machine. Not wild about those lens prices though!

If those specs are true - especially the sensor, that could be awesome.

[JPS]

Incidentally, do the Sony Alpha bodies have stabilisation built-in?

Yes they do, via an 'on off' switch.

[heidfirst]

I was doing a little dig around on P&S cameras recently as the wife is in the market for a new one. Looks like Exmoor R is in some of the newer models, and is marketed as having better low light performance because the sensor is effectively flipped over (so light doesn't have to travel through the electronics before hitting the business part).

According to 'Photo Rumors', not a site I've seen before (http://photorumors.com/2009/05/31/sony-alpha-800-dslr/), there is some info on the A800 (is that already out?):

- 16.2MP full frame sensor exmor R (new technology)
- 100-25600 ISO
- 8 frame/sec
- SSI, same a900 OVF, new AF system,
- GPS and WiFi built-in
- 3.5 in. LCD display
- Pop-up flash
- Flash sync (1/500)
- Camera level
- 23 AF sensors
- Quick Live View
- Video Full HD
- Dust/splashes sealed
- Aluminum-magnesium alloy body
- Released early September, 2009

That's some machine if accurate. Built-in GPS and wi-fi would be great. I've never actually used a Sony alpha, so don't know how I'd find it compared to my D700, but must admit this does look like my dream machine. Not wild about those lens prices though!
think that you'll find that this is something plucked out of thin air.
The A850 is expected to be a slightly cut down A900 but perhaps with some processing upgrades.
Next Wednesday all hopefully will be revealed ...

The lens prices really aren't that uncompetitive when you factor in the stabilisation side of things & the Zeisses & recent Gs are very, very good.

[Diego Garcia]

Note that the new Sonys have had the IS switch removed from the body as customer research noted that 8 out of 10 consumers tried to turn the camera on with said switch and it was noted at Focus as well when cameras were on demo....

It is now electronic and I expect the new bodies to follow suit.

[Diego Garcia]

If this new Exmor sensor is as good as Sony are saying then we could be in for game changing cameras - like the D3 was. Lets wait and see, but the question is how long will Sony supply Nikon if the sensor is that good and would they need to, unless locked into a contract....:thinking:

Of course, Canon are working on a similar sensor tech too so expect 25,000 ISO pictures to be clean as a whilstle one day....

[heidfirst]

Note that the new Sonys have had the IS switch removed from the body as customer research noted that 8 out of 10 consumers tried to turn the camera on with said switch and it was noted at Focus as well when cameras were on demo....

It is now electronic and I expect the new bodies to follow suit.
it's menu based on the new A2xx & A3xx.

If this new Exmor sensor is as good as Sony are saying then we could be in for game changing cameras - like the D3 was. Lets wait and see, but the question is how long will Sony supply Nikon if the sensor is that good and would they need to, unless locked into a contract....:thinking:

Supposedly backlit sensors won't see the same improvement on DSLR sized sensors as those for P+S.

Nikon are probably Sony's largest customer for sensors & the sensor manufacturing division & the photo division are different business units within Sony.
I doubt that they are going to do anything to upset Nikon (ever noticed how Nikon & Sony's DSLRs don't really go head to head ...?).

[Diego Garcia]

it's menu based on the new A2xx & A3xx.



Supposedly backlit sensors won't see the same improvement on DSLR sized sensors as those for P+S.

Nikon are probably Sony's largest customer for sensors & the sensor manufacturing division & the photo division are different business units within Sony.
I doubt that they are going to do anything to upset Nikon (ever noticed how Nikon & Sony's DSLRs don't really go head to head ...?).

Yes thats right. Lets hope the new bodies are not as shocking as the 230 and 380....

[Diego Garcia]

Slight update.

Spoke to SONY today.

THREE (3) new Cameras coming with the Exmor processor next week.

[py6km]

Supposedly backlit sensors won't see the same improvement on DSLR sized sensors as those for P+S.

Sure: P&S > Crop > FF, but depending on pixel count too and assuming the wiring etc isn't vastly different, so a (new) higher res FF camera with the new sensor might benefit well.

[stan the man]

mmmmmm....perhaps i should have hung on until these new cameras come out instead of getting another A700 today :thinking:

i agree about the new A230,330 and A380's design being shocking :gag:

[Radiohead]

http://www.photoclubalpha.com/2009/08/01/alpha-850-24-megapixel-3fps-in-900-body/

'Sony’s new Alpha 850 will be identical to the Alpha 900 in size, handling and external design – including the omission of onboard flash. The camera, expected to be launched before September, uses the same 24.6 megapixel CMOS sensor as the Alpha 900 but has – it is rumoured – only a single BIONZ processor, and a very slightly modified viewfinder. It is shipped without the Remote Commander (this becomes an optional extra) indicating that minimum retail price is Sony’s aim.

This is a screen grab from Fotobrenner.de in Germany who have the body only offered for €1999.00 and the kit with SAM 28-75mm f/2.8 new lens for €2699.00. As listed that makes the body about 10% more expensive than the current street price of the Alpha 900 – indicating either that the A850 prices are RRP and will rapidly fall, or that the A900 is about to get a price hike. They offer the A900 for €2499.00 and that would – pro rata – make the UK street price for the A850 about £1599.

Specifications have been revealed in full, due to the placing of the GB (British) instruction manual PDF on the Sony South-East Asia official website as an accessible download

[jonesy_ni]

mmmmmm....perhaps i should have hung on until these new cameras come out instead of getting another A700 today :thinking:

i agree about the new A230,330 and A380's design being shocking :gag:

I think we did well to get the A700 at the price we have.

I bought it because its a great camera, and the price was as much as i would spend at this time

[stan the man]

I think we did well to get the A700 at the price we have.

I bought it because its a great camera, and the price was as much as i would spend at this time

i agree.....at £500,the A700 is a fantastic camera IMO

[jonesy_ni]

Looking forward to seeing the new line up, hopefully no new A700 that is twice as good for £500 :)

[stan the man]

hopefully no new A700 that is twice as good for £500 :)

i doubt that very much,although i would then be gutted :lol:

[cloudhunter]

Not long to go now! Anyone know what time tomorrow we will know?

[DigitalDepot]

I would check one of the news sites like DPREVIEW first thing in the morning as they seem to be hot on new stuff. I imagine they have had a press launch already this week.

Ive got to be at Sony head office at 10am to see them in the flesh. Should be a good day.

Ill let you know what i think. Hopefully better than the 230 and 380 design ;)

Stuart

[cloudhunter]

Checked everywhere this morning and nothing at all!

Hope the rumours are true!

[andrewc]

Press launch may have an embargo on it so the press can't reveal details until a certain time has passed. Then its a race to get the news out there...

[cloudhunter]

yeah , could be 10am if digitaldepot are meeting at that time?

[stan the man]

anyone with any news on the new alpha's....

[DigitalDepot]

Hi guys

Just got back from Sony after getting stuck in the traffic on the M25.
Firstly im sorry I cant really tell you much because its still under embargo until tomorrow.

There were 3 new cameras and 2 new lenses.

Out of the two cameras only 2 are worth talking about as one is just a cut down version of the other.

Ask me some questions and i will see if i can answer without getting into trouble.

Stuart

[heidfirst]

Firstly im sorry I cant really tell you much because its still under embargo until tomorrow.
I had a suspicion that that was the case ... :'(

animal, vegetable or mineral? ... :lol:

[PAS]

Hi guys

Just got back from Sony after getting stuck in the traffic on the M25.
Firstly im sorry I cant really tell you much because its still under embargo until tomorrow.

There were 3 new cameras and 2 new lenses.

Out of the two cameras only 2 are worth talking about as one is just a cut down version of the other.

Ask me some questions and i will see if i can answer without getting into trouble.

Stuart

Any improved AF systems??:D 1D performance would be nice!!:p

[DigitalDepot]

They have added a new focus tracking system which is better for moving subjects yes.

They have increased the frames per second aswell.

Stuart

[heidfirst]

any of this wrong & if so what/which?

"Specifications DSLR’s:

Alpha 500
12 Mp EXMOR R CMOS sensor
New Quick AF Live View
5 Fps

Vertical Control Grip / Sony VG-C50AM

Alpha 550
14.2 Mp EXMOR R CMOS sensor
New Quick AF Live View
7 Fps
Sony VG-C50AM

Vertical Control Grip / Sony VG-C50AM

Alpha 850
24.6 Mp Full Frame EXMOR CMOS Sensor ( A900 )
98 % Viewfinder
3 Fps

No HD Video!!!!!

Lenses:
SAL 28-75 mm f/2.8 SAM
SAL 30 mm f/2.8 Macro SAM

SAL 500 mm f/4.0 G SSM

Flash:
Sony HVL-F40AM"

[DigitalDepot]

There is not much that needs changing.

One thing that you will all like is the auto HDR mode. Similiar to what Pentax have on the K7 but instead of needing a tripod the 3 images can be taken handheld and rather than waiting 12 seconds like on the K7 the new alphas can do it in 2. Was very impressed with the shots that i saw taken in this mode.

Stuart

[DigitalDepot]

There was no 500mm f4 though.

[cloudhunter]

How long do we have to wait until we can find out?

Also is the A850 going to be approx £1000 as i need to know urgently so i dont buy something else?

[DigitalDepot]

the SRP will be near to what the A900 is currently selling for. I would expect to see a street price of £1600-£1700

You will have all the info tomorrow.

[cloudhunter]

£1400 is not that bad , is it basically just a a900 with only one bionz?

[andy_fozzy]

Sounds good.

I might 'change over'.

:D:D:D

[stan the man]

Sounds good.

I might 'change over'.

:D:D:D

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

the velcro must be weak darn sarf..:lol:

[DigitalDepot]

They have just tried to find ways to make a more affordable full frame camera

The price is only a guess. Until we get cost pricing i cant be 100% sure.

Stuart

[DigitalDepot]

post removed

[DigitalDepot]

or somewhere in between.

[DigitalDepot]

Everything will be officially announced tomorrow but i think they are some good additions to the sony range.

[heidfirst]

the problem with that is that I can buy an A900 for under £1700 from an UK official dealer so for only ~£100 more ...

Mind you I'm not buying an A850/A900, A550 may be of interest though.

[puddleduck]

The A900 at £1700 is tremendous value.

So even £200 off the A900 price isn't amazing - if you lose that amazing A900 viewfinder it would be false economy I reckon.

[DigitalDepot]

There is a lot of A900 stock in the market still at pre increase pricing.

[heidfirst]

you only lose 2% so it should still be pretty good. The 2fps loss would be of more concern to me for my needs but I'm not the target market for these.

[DigitalDepot]

its not just the 2% its the quality of the viewfinder. This is one of the areas that they have cutback as the viewfinder on the A900 is expensive to manufacturer and install.

[puddleduck]

its not just the 2% its the quality of the viewfinder. This is one of the areas that they have cutback as the viewfinder on the A900 is expensive to manufacturer and install.

The A900 viewfinder is the best in the business. Lovely.

[DigitalDepot]

you are probably right.

[cloudhunter]

What time today will we know? Looked on Sony website and it does show the new models on the homepage but when you click more info it just takes you to the current line up?

[heidfirst]

on DPReview now - guess it was a 2.00PM embargo.

[Radiohead]

$2000, no UK price given. Makes a bleeding change.

[cloudhunter]

Thats £1236.09 , not a load cheaper than A900 at £1600 , and you get that lovely big viewfinder on the A900.

If its priced at that i will buy A900 instead.

It would have to be £1000 or less to tempt me

[puddleduck]

I'm really quite temped to get another A900 again... bit of a strange move... the A900 is cheaper than the D700 and the Canon 5D MKII already. Odd.

It would have to be £1000 or less to tempt me

I might get some interest up at £1200 but I'd pay £200 more for the A900 VF no problem.

[heidfirst]

remember that after ~3 months street prices will be ~25% lower than SRP.
& as Digital Depot mentioned there is plenty of A900 stock around at pre-increase prices atm (but that will eventually disappear, maybe sooner now that people have seen what the A850 is & how much).
I'm sure that the £1000 FF will come but not this year ...

[puddleduck]

I'm sure that the £1000 FF will come but not this year ...

Canon 5D dipped below £1k I'm sure last year...?

[heidfirst]

OK, current production FF at £1000 :bat:

[Slimbert]

That A550 looks well spec'd for £650ish!:love:

Can't wait till I find one for £450!!!!:D

[heidfirst]

know what you mean - but by then there may be an A700 replacement that's even better ...

[cloudhunter]

Just thought. The new A850 is supposed to have an Exmoor sensor isnt it?

If so why has Sony been so quiet about its benefits (surely it has benefits as no point having it otherwise) of lower light performance?