Diversification...Very Interesting Times...

[JTL]

Isn't it interesting to watch the different directions that the camera companies are taking for now? For the first time in a long time, we're seeing some interesting diversification instead of just a bunch of "me too" DSLR's. Sony goes 24MP FF but forgoes live view and a pop-up flash, Nikon gives you FF with pop-up flash and live view, but forgoes the high MP. Nikon adds video mode with the D90...and who knows what Canon will do...I suspect FF with high MP and live veiw with some other surprises thrown in to shake things up (but no built in flash I'm betting). There are real choices out there. Although, I'm sure next year will be a "me too" year as the marketing departments try to counter punch after seeing what works and what doesn't from a positioning point of view...

[GaryS]

You are right JTL...

It would be even better if lenses were standardized, so we could jump from camera company to camera company on a whim!

Its interesting times in this market, and I think the bigger changes are still to come!

[cdifoto]

I haven't been paying attention. The only thing I noticed was Nikon's video-enabled but 5-minute-maxed D90...and only because it was in another thread here.

[Rooz]

thank God Sony is in this market. 24mp FF sensor for $3k ? WITH built in IS. now thats impressive.

[JTL]

thank God Sony is in this market. 24mp FF sensor for $3k ? WITH built in IS. now thats impressive.

The A900 is making the D700 look a bit overpriced, I think! Canon may fall into the trap as well. Sony is using its massive capital and manufacturing power to drive it's price point down to new levels. I hope the A900 sells because it will force the price of all DSLRs down to where they should be...which in my opinion, is somewhere around 30% less than where they are now...

[Rooz]

absolutely 100% correct. this is exactly what i;ve been hoping and praying Sony would do. THIS is the reason why sony is good for the market. they drop a bomb like this and both canon and nikon MUST respond. the price of the d700 will have to come down you would think and whatever priocing canon had in their head about the 3d and 7d, (rumour is there will be 2 new FF models), will have to take the pricing of the a900 into consideration. the baby FF canon should come in at the $3k mark now for sure but will offer more features like movie mode and LV...plus its a high quality canon product. nikon will have to drop the price of the d700 soon which will cascade into a price reduction of the d300 etc. i suspect there has been a deal struck between sony and nikon and that sensor. ie: sony releaes their a900 before nikon releases the d3x with the same image sensor.

it is, as you say though, a curious mix by sony. i think alot of people thought this would be a pro camera to take on the d3 and 1d. not the case. its squarely aimed at "prosumers". makes you think that the price was a driving factor in this product. they shaved everything they could off the thing to make sure it came under that magical $3k mark. no PUF, no LV. i wonder if this is more about enabling the SSS implementation ?

i'm sure some snobs will thumb their noses at this cos its sony. but secretly, they will either be thankful for this move cos it will drive down the price of their own manufacturers gear or are just plain ignorant at how much of an impact sony has had and continues to have on dslr pricing.

[downtrodden]

I for one am thankful that sony is *FINALLY* delivering the goods and hearing the complaints about their gear- while yes they shaved a good chunk off, i'd be willing to bet another sony FF is in the works that isn't shaved down- Hopefully it does create the competition necassary because it means i may actually be able to go full frame...

[Turn]

Sony has such a large impact in every area they are in..

in other words, I think a lot more people will be having full frames

[fionndruinne]

Yeah, like gaming consoles.

[Rooz]

whats wrong with their gaming consoles ? the ps3 rocks, just like the ps2 before it.