Sony A100 launched... BUT WHAT NEXT!?

[christianpsu]

Yes yes, the Sony A100 is out and there's quite a hype out there about this new entrant. However, does anyone know when the next Alpha body is going to come out? 3rd quarter? End of year? I would like to see what kind of jump Sony makes with their Alpha series. Was about to buy the Canon 5D but I might just wait and see what semi-prof DSLR they will release. So any clues on what the next body might be?

[coldrain]

One thing is safe to say. No Sony semi pro will deliver the same results as the Canon EOS 5D. The Canon EOS 5D is unsurpassed in (real) dymanic range and image quality... and the Sony sensors like the 10.x and 12.x used in this A100 and the Nikons are not totally upto the level of the sensor in the 5D.

Also it is fair to assume Sony will not be introducing full frame anytime soon, as they seem to concentrate on APS-C (with their IS in the body).

[George Riehm]

The next offering will most likely be the alpha version of the Minolta 9D (yes I left Konica off intentionally).

It wouldn't surprise me if a full frame sensor is in the offing, but the 9D/a200 may not be it. I'm betting that the new Minolta mount Zeiss lens offering will be full-frame designs, as the a100 is an entry level camera and not likely to pull in the high end dSLR.

If you have the money the 5D would be a no-brainer, as you simply cannot go wrong. Just remember that your lenses will have to be the best of the best to gleen the extra performance offered by full frame dSLR's. EF-S, DC, and DiII, digital-proportional lenses will not fair well (and may not work) on the 5D. So plan on spending at least as much on lenses as on the camera.

[some guy]

Right now... not sure maybe in 20 year's time. But right now. Any serious 'high-end' dSLR users will not be bothered with a Sony. Check out the Canons and Nikon shooters poised at the side lines at the World Cup games. Buy into a system. Not just a camera! :rolleyes:

[George Riehm]

Right now... not sure maybe in 20 year's time. But right now. Any serious 'high-end' dSLR users will not be bothered with a Sony. Check out the Canons and Nikon shooters poised at the side lines at the World Cup games. Buy into a system. Not just a camera! :rolleyes:

I'm thinking that's what was being said 10 years ago about Nikon... As they dominated professional fim SLR's. Now Canon wears that target.

You have no idea of how strong Sony could be, in even 5 years, if they decided professional photographers are their target market. Consider how much Sony professional video equipment is running around the world, and then maybe rethink that timetable.;)

On the other hand, maybe they don't have that plan, and just bought KM out of the kindness of their heart... to dabble in the dSLR market... and save all of those KM 5D and 7D owners... how benevolent is that?:D

[some guy]

well time will tell. Don't forget Canon has been around for a long time. So that reputation has been built. I've read somewhere that Canon and maybe Nikon (not sure) have very well efficient R&D process/$$ allocation. For Sony, they are very diverse. To them, camera is just another part of their business. So I am not sure. If u're a specialist, would you go for a Sony system or the Canon/Nikon systems which are more established?
Also those Carl Zeiss lens aren't cheap!

[George Riehm]

well time will tell. Don't forget Canon has been around for a long time. So that reputation has been built. I've read somewhere that Canon and maybe Nikon (not sure) have very well efficient R&D process/$$ allocation. For Sony, they are very diverse. To them, camera is just another part of their business. So I am not sure. If u're a specialist, would you go for a Sony system or the Canon/Nikon systems which are more established?
Also those Carl Zeiss lens aren't cheap!

Minolta founded 1929. Canon founded 1934.

Canon wasn't really recognized as a world class player until about 10 years ago, but has certainly made up for it since in the pro dSLR realm. Minolta was a well recognized brand during the film era, producing the now famous SRT series, as well as the 7000si while Canon was still trying to figure out where they fit in the scheme of things.

Each company within Sony is a separate business unit with its own R&D, Marketing, and P&L, so it's not as homogenous as you may think.

Zeiss lenses are no more expensive than other professional grade lenses from Canon and Nikkor, so I'm not sure of your point. Sony has access to all Minolta consumer and professional grade legacy lenses, and all 3rd party lenses with Minolta mount (and there are a ton). Zeiss just adds some credibility to the pro grade offering. Like I said the 9D is still lurking out there.;)

I worked on a lot of projects with Sony-san over the 29 years that I have been in the semiconductor business, and it is very rare for them to buy another company rather than start from scratch. They have put some serious bucks into this buyout and this is their opportunity to shine. I will be very surprised if they don't kick some serious ass in the dSLR marketplace in the next few years.

[DonSchap]

if SONY had the good sense to keep the Minolta engineering staff around, there is a good chance you could see a "Canon 5D-killer" lurking in the waters, next year. If they let them go... then all SONY has are drawings... but no new concepts.

"The Mind of Minolta" was more than a corporate logo, these guys really did create some of the cutting edge ideas for the film & digital industry. To name a few:

Databacks, that encoded dating and numbering on the photos
Super Databacks that offered actual control of the camera's operation and automatic functions.
Remote channelized flash systems, Auto-focus, the first working digital-image back for the 35mm SLR in the industry...
it was amazing!

Personally, I'd like to see that SONY engineering roster for the camera division and compare it to the Minolta roster. That is the heart of their potential... and that is where you will find... "the mind of the Alpha."