Sony continues to claim A-mount isn’t dead in their interview with Focus-Numerique, but it sure would be nice to see a new lens or a second lower level body than the a99II if that were the case. What follows is some key points from their interview:
- We will continue to develop A-mount cameras and lenses (first time they committed to developing lenses)
- Translucent mirror has unique advantages
- A-mount lets you use old Minolta optics
- The focus has been on E-mount because there are more gaps
- a99II has been well received
- UHC-8300 and it’s 8k recording was brought up in relation to the 2020 Olympics
- E-mount is better for video and A-mount is better for photos
- There is a contraction in the professional video market because the difference between high-end video equipment and the consumer level is very little today.
- Sony refreshes products frequently to stimulate the market, but continues support for a long time and sells old models for many years, unlike competitors.
- They are always expanding their pro support
- Sony doesn’t see compact cameras or entry level ILC going away due to cellphones.
- Sony is doing R&D into a variety of new image processing techniques like L16.
- Still not the right moment for them to enter medium format even thought hey could easily.
- Their priority is to meet the demands of professionals.
- Sony doesn’t do big firmware update because they believe the camera should be maximized when shipped.
- Curved sensors are better for fixed focal length lenses and do not work well with zooms.
- Can’t say anything about their multilayered sensors yet.
- Sony made full frame lens development their priority and will now get back to APS-C, which might include a 100-400mm equivalent like the recently released full frame lens.
- G Master is generally reserved for full frame
- Sony’s biggest optical is making brighter glass for professionals.
- There will be no full frame camera without an EVF.
You can read the full interview here, but it is interesting to note that Sony shares clear plans for E-mount full frame and APS-C, but not A-mount. Sony’s continued statements about A-mount not being dead seem like marketing over reality without something more solid. I think A-mount fans would feel more secure in making future purchases if Sony came out and said we see gaps in A-mount here, here, and here for lenses like they do on their other systems.
I have nothing against A-mount and I would sooner buy an A-mount camera one than a Canon or Nikon DSLR. The problem with A-mount is that it won’t grow as a system if people don’t see or hear about development. I seriously considered the a99II when it was announced since the a7R3 was nowhere in sight, but I am still waiting…
