Seriously, I may not be happy with some things Sony's doing; happy
with others ... but I've always been of the mindset that if you're
going to spend all your time complaining, just find something that
will make you happy and be done with it. I may not be happy with
Sony's direction at the moment, and you can bet I wouldn't buy a
new Sony DSLR system if buying from scratch, but there's nothing I
really need, so nothing to really complain about. SSM lenses ?
Can't say I'd upgrade if they were available ! But that 16-80
looks like a prize !
Exactly...
But lets not forget the key statement. That they plan to compete
with Canon at all levels. At some point they will need to do more
for the advanced "gearheads" But it is clear they are more than
likely the #3 force in DSLRS for from now on.
Assuming that is true, it will be hard to do when Sony apparently
is so clueless about the market. It was USM focusing that
initially drove many Nikon shooters to switch to Canon. Nikon
responded, however belatedly. David's report indicates that Sony
does not understand this, or the practical benefits in actual
picture taking that USM/SW/SSM focusing provides. This is not a
"gearhead" item, but rather a very practical feature that improves
the photographic experience and facilitates better picture taking.
Sony could easily be the #3 player for a long time based solely on
sales of entry-level cameras. But, it will never be able to
challenge Canon or Nikon on that basis alone.
Canon isn't marketing to gearheads with the Rebel, nor the low end
IS or even low end SSM style lenses.
No, but Canon has such a great reputation as a pro brand, which
"obviously" means its entry level cameras must also be better. The
entry level consumer is guided by far different considerations,
many of which are more related to marketing than actual product
quality or practical picture taking.
For each market Sony will need to adjust.
That's saying a mouthful. There is no indication Sony gets that.
Why is the A100 the only camera in its class that does not take a
vertical grip?
The one thing I find discouraging is thier writing off of
enthusiast publications like David's... it will be harded to get
them on board for the Advanced cameras if they burn too many
bridges now. That is not good future thinking.
That's for sure, and it also is a sign that Sony really doesn't get
it. SSM unimportant? Noise not an issue? No support or interest
in what David is doing? Lousy photos at a marketing trade show?
To me what this shows is a disdain for the consumer, and an
approach geared to a lower common demoninator than where much of
the profit in this market is located (profits are far higher for
higher end cameras than entry level cameras, though I have no clue
what the ratio is).
All of this comes on top of the various service problems that have
existed ever since the Sony "takeover" (even if they were not all
Sony's fault - like parts availability), which showed a total lack
of understanding of what they were getting into. The DSLR market
is very different than the P&S market that Sony was used to playing
in.
Yes, I am venting some of my frustrations in this thread. Probably
because I'm now facing a huge expense to change systems. But, Sony
"made me do it" (with a little Minolta and KM thrown in). Real
bummer.
--
Mark Van Bergh
) 
Some of the noise just requires some understanding, like that some of the info/products/upgrades people want are carryovers from Minolta days and not new requirements.