2 new Sonys

[alan1j]

Nice to see that Sony are increasing their line up. But it looks like all the manufactures are falling into the same old trap IMHO. More and more gadgets like video and live view. Increasing the pixel size etc. But at the end of the day.. It's cameras that we want...NOT video cameras..LOL.
That's why I upgraded to an A700 nearly a year ago now. Cause it was being discontinued and as with the A500/A550 before they were moving away from a top spec camera.
I know its down to individual taste and requirements but I know I'm NOT going to be upgrading to either of these two new ones.
Whats the point, neither the A560/A580 look like a major upgrade from the A700. Which does have the same sensor as the Nikon D300/300s.

NOW if Sony bring out an A800..Full frame without video and at a good price then I will take a close look at that and probally buy..
Sometime the old saying are right...Less is more

[Jonathan]

This is like sitting in watching a focus group who know a lot about a little and sod all about anything important!

Then don't watch.  Simples.

[ABERS]

This is like sitting in watching a focus group who know a lot about a little and sod all about anything important!

Then don't watch.  Simples.

What and deprive myself of some simple amusement?

[Graham]

This is like sitting in watching a focus group who know a lot about a little and sod all about anything important!

Then don't watch.  Simples.

What and deprive myself of some simple amusement?

IIIINNNNNNN the blue corner!

[spinner]

Nice to see that Sony are increasing their line up. But it looks like all the manufactures are falling into the same old trap IMHO. More and more gadgets like video and live view. Increasing the pixel size etc. But at the end of the day.. It's cameras that we want...NOT video cameras..LOL.

To me, this is all reminicent of the VCR days, when they were building and touting features like being able to program 100 yrs worth of shows, as if anyone, even the TV channel people knew what'd be broadcast next week nevermind 100 yrs. Or that Bugati that does 260 mph that can only be driven on  closed, empty race track at that speed. Exercises in 'wow' engineering that serve little to no, real purpose. 

[krennon]

I have to say if I was in the market I would consider an upgrade but purely for the faster FPS rate rather than the higher pixel count and video function, as I've said before I have no need of video, I wouldn't use it if I did have it and I don't want it I have a JVC Everio for vidoe which my missus uses for work and for the odd day out to Monkey World/Safari Parks etc.
Agree with JR though Sony really does need to up it's After Sales Service and try to make in-roads into the pro-market, I love my A350 and there are functions I would like to see on new models Horizon Level (think the new models may have the rule of 3rds grid which is better than nowt) a lower ISO function as well as Higher ISO, I get that being able to shoot in low level light is a distinct advantage but surely so would being able to go down to say ISO 25 or even 50 just for those really bright sunny days, (which we have had some of believe it or not).
And this thread was in no way started to become a flame war, each manufacturer/camera has their advantages and disadvantages over each other and it comes down to personal preference, those who don't do their research might well reach for the latest 18.1mp camera just because it's 18.1mp rather than doing what they want it to do...I did my research and I went and tried Canon/Nikon/Pentax and Sony, sadly the Nikon D90 was waaaaaaaaaaay to much money as was the pentax, didn't like the canon (think it was the 40d) and picked up an Oly and put it down when I realised how small it felt in my hands...so I bought the Sony...got a decent Minolta 75-300 for less than £60.00 so the 2nd hand glass is out there and I really think my photography is improving all the time, thanks in part to having more versatility with a DSLR rather than the bridge camera I did have and partly because of the constructive criticism my shots have got from here/flickr/camera club etc...

We all have a hobby we enjoy regardless of the kit we use let's not get caught up in the CANIKOLY flame wars lets just enjoy our hobby and each others shots regardless of the kit used 

[anglefire]

Despite what I say - which is largely tongue in check, I always try and also say that the camera/system to have is the one that suits the person for either the needs or the feel.

As I think has been said elsewhere, there are not many people that can tell which camera takes which picture - full frame or crop sometimes, but not actual camera.

[chris@seary.com]

I agree with Jonathan on many points here, but the most relevant to me is the aversion to the name Sony.

Why on earth didn't they just leave the name Minolta? It was such an excellent brand.

[picsfor]

We all have a hobby we enjoy regardless of the kit we use let's not get caught up in the CANIKOLY flame wars

but it's why i bought a Canon - so i've got something to shoot back with 

[ABERS]

Why on earth didn't they just leave the name Minolta? It was such an excellent brand.

Depends if you are already a photographer. If you want to penetrate the market you don't attack the 'mature' section you concentrate on the sector with the greatest growth potential, all those that are hovering whether to buy a camera or not.

Stop a 100 people in the street and ask the question, which of these two names have you heard of, Minolta or Sony?

The decision making chain is long and complicated, but having a recognisable brand is a strong start.

Where does the statement 'aversion to Sony' come from? Is that personally or a belief that it is generally so?

[Jonathan]

Why on earth didn't they just leave the name Minolta? It was such an excellent brand.

I used to work for Sony.  There is no way they would use another name for their camera brand.

If they bought Rolls Royce they would use it to make Sony cars.

[krennon]

"I used to work for Sony.  There is no way they would use another name for their camera brand"

You mean to say you weren't born with a Nikon in one hand and an sb600 in the other, and you've done stuff other than be one of the best wedding togs out there 

Sorry I don't believe it at all please provide cv's, payslips, P60's etc to prove you have not always been a pro tog... teehee

[Jonathan]

You mean to say you weren't born with a Nikon in one hand and an sb600 in the other, and you've done stuff other than be one of the best wedding togs out there 

Um I've done a couple of other things with my life so far...

BA(Hons) (as my mum likes to put on my letters) in Classics (Latin, Greek, Ancient Philosophy etc - not piano playing as people often assume)
Masters in Robotic Underpant manufacture

18 months for an IT firm working on Government contracts - fresh out of college I worked for the DSS and got charged out at £1/4 million a year.  Hmm, your tax money hard at work..

Couple of years working in the City in an FX dealing room for Sony.  This was about the time the Praystation came out.  We had the first one in the country set up in a massive city office with 100 inch projector TV when these things were cool.

Set up my own IT firm (which my wife still works for) working for financial companies - Citibank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Zurich etc.

Did about 4 years at DSG (company that owns Dixons, Currys etc) originally taken on to spy on an offshore dev team then ran their Euro conversion (11 stores in Ireland) then test manager on their new till system and then some fiddly stuff on their trading websites.

But now I just take pictures   More fun.  Way more fun.

[picsfor]

You mean some one has worked at DSG who actually HAS some knowledge about Cameras, Computers and the internet!

You learn something every day...

[Malcolm1938]

The problem with all these new models is that no manufacturer realises that there are still some photographers out here.
Who needs HD Video - do you - buy  a Video camera then and do it properly.
Who needs 95,000,000 ISO - most of the time 25-400 would be more than enough for me.
Who needs all the other gimmicks?
What I would really like to see is a camera like the Olympus OM1 with a 24X32mm Sensor (Maxi 4/3) with autofocus and a simple manual over ride, a proper pentaprism finder and Microprism focus ring and a needle match semi auto exposure system. To take OM lenses (Loads about) and a price tag of about £800 with a 50mm f1.8 lens. This would truely be a photographers camera.
What would you like to see introduced?