Sony Photography News and Rumors

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…

Sony Alpha a99 Mark II: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama