Sony Photography News and Rumors

Image-Resource, DPReview, Digital PhotoPro and SLR Lounge had a sit down with a Sony panel about their camera division and IR was so excited about the interview they dropped a clip from it for us to analyze.

In order:

• The bloggers said there was a perception Sony was focused on full frame cameras and Sony executives responded“APS-C is an important category for us. We’ll never quit APS-C!”
• Not everyone needs full frame. Some Pro users like APS-C for getting extra reach without losing quality, as a second body, or to keep the size down even though Sony full frame is small already.
• “Please look at our vision, not where our profits come from.” When looking forward, because Sony is willing to invest to advance the industry.
• Sony has to grow by growing the camera market
• They plan to do this by making it possible to capture pictures that were impossible to capture before.
• Sony is all about the long view
• “*In terms of being a true leader in the market, we were shown market data indicating that Sony now is in fact solidly in the #2 spot for interchangeable-lens camera sales both globally and in several major markets, including the US — and not just for a single month, here or there”
• “I’m comfortable saying that Sony is now the #2 company in the interchangeable-lens camera business, based on the overall dollar (or Yen?) value of their sales.” This is worldwide…
• Updated: “Correction, 5:36PM: The note above originally claimed Sony was #2 in overall ILC sales, when in fact they are only planning to claim they are #2 in full-frame cameras YTD. Sony clarified the statement on their position in the market and the article has been updated as such.”

It appears Sony is now solidly in the number two position, with only Canon to beat. I’m not sure I would be as down about Sony APS-C as the journalists because the Sony a6xxx series is fantastic, but they should have brought up lenses. Sony simply isn’t developing high-end APS-C glass and using full frame glass on an APS-C body negates the size advantage. Maybe third parties will step up if Sony makes some really compelling bodies.

via Image-Resource