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Next Generation 5.0+ Mp Sony?

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Glen Sakaguchi

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Iam presently upgrading an old Ricoh digicam and have been testing a friend's DSC-F707. A fine camera, indeed. My concern is that since the 707 is now a year old, perhaps the next generation high-end Sony camera is nearing release. Its the old vicious cycle of cameras and computers to be sure but at this point in time I feel it could be a real possibility I should consider.
Anyone hear of anything new on the horizon?
 
Perhaps Sony is working in the low end of the market, trying to grab new customers from point-and-shoot film cameras, and the compact/ultra compact mid price market.

The high end market is being squeezed by the DSLRs coming down in price, and the nice minolta and Nikon 5 MP cameras (and Canon soon, I guess).

Sony has a lot to catch up: more controls (saturation, contrast) in camera, more advanced options for external flash and the RAW mode. So perhaps the next %MP would be a compact/ultra compact point and shoot mid price model...

Amando.

Start the flame here ---> > > (he, he)
Glen Sakaguchi said:
Iam presently upgrading an old Ricoh digicam and have been testing
a friend's DSC-F707. A fine camera, indeed. My concern is that
since the 707 is now a year old, perhaps the next generation
high-end Sony camera is nearing release. Its the old vicious cycle
of cameras and computers to be sure but at this point in time I
feel it could be a real possibility I should consider.
Anyone hear of anything new on the horizon?
Click to expand...
 
Amando Hernández said:
Perhaps Sony is working in the low end of the market, trying to
grab new customers from point-and-shoot film cameras, and the
compact/ultra compact mid price market.

The high end market is being squeezed by the DSLRs coming down in
price, and the nice minolta and Nikon 5 MP cameras (and Canon soon,
I guess).

Sony has a lot to catch up: more controls (saturation, contrast) in
camera, more advanced options for external flash and the RAW mode.
So perhaps the next %MP would be a compact/ultra compact point and
shoot mid price model...

Amando.

Start the flame here ---> > > (he, he)

Well, Ok then...Armado sparked the fire. Let me throw some GASOLINE on it and give my wish list for the next generation "707"...
Click to expand...
Zoom range: 10 to 12x OPTICAL. And while they're at it lets make the bottom end wider too (equilvalent to a 28mm) And don't forget to keep it FAST. Hold f2 for the max aperture. Hey, it could be done.

Flash: A REAL hotshoe. Also don't forget to add the extenal PC sync. Very important for off-camera flash usage.

Increased file size: Cross the magic "6" MP line in prosumer cameras. "5" MP is nice to be sure but making another leap to the 7-8 MP range, I think, would raise the level of picture quality to a point where going beyond that starts to become a non issue. A file of this size would satisfy all but the most discriminating photographer. Which brings us to...

Increased storage: The memory stick is growing smaller every day. 128MB is not much space at all when shooting large files. Since Sony is so entrenched in the memory stick it is not likely to be abandoned anytime soon. So how about DUAL memory stick capabilities? Switch between "memory stick 1" and "memory stick 2." Or if one fills up the camera automatically switches for you. Not enough still?? You're RIGHT. A 1 GB HD can be added in the camera as well! While testing the 707 this week I exclusively used the USB cable for all my downloads, never even removing the memory stick. Downloads from the internal HD could be handled in this manner and while we're at it make it USB 2.0 compatible.

A bigger LCD.
Easier access to "delete all."
Faster max shutter speed.
Improved night vision.

I'll stop here and let others throw in their wishes.
 
alex wetmore said:
It took about a month for the f707 to come out after Photokina last
year (I bought my camera in Oct 2001). Was the f707 announced
earlier than Sept 2001?
Click to expand...
Sony is generally pretty good between announcement and delivery dates, or at least here in the USA. The big problem I believe most of the retailer had with the F707 was the demand was always ahead of the supply, so a lot of waiting time was required on the part of the buyer.

--
jc
F707 w/ Nikon 5T/6T
http://www.reefkeepers.org/gallery/f707
http://www.reeftec.com/gallery
 
Glen Sakaguchi said:
Zoom range: 10 to 12x OPTICAL. And while they're at it lets make
the bottom end wider too (equilvalent to a 28mm) And don't forget
to keep it FAST. Hold f2 for the max aperture. Hey, it could be
done.
Click to expand...
Come on guys, its nice to have fantancies, but lets put some reality into the picture ...

1. You want more zoom, then you have to suffer at wide angle.
2. You want more wide angle, then you have to suffer at zoom.
3. You must have both, then you suffer on both ends in term of over all quality.

4. You want all three and still have it under $1,000, then you suffer in all three and then some.

That is how it goes in simple term. I surely hope Sony do not put out a Nikon 5700. At least with high quality detailed image, I can do the zoom myself using photo editors.

--
jc
F707 w/ Nikon 5T/6T
http://www.reefkeepers.org/gallery/f707
http://www.reeftec.com/gallery
 
that perhaps the next 5MP Sony announcement would be a point and shoot ultra compact camera, not the S95 or F909 that some prosumers (ugly word!) are waiting...

But, once started, my main concern about "Sony style" high end digicams is the lack of a unified visiion about what a camera is. Seems that some teams are working on the features side of the business (i.e. night framing, laser AF assist lamp, EVF, MS, AF systems, and so on). On the other side, some teams are creating products, taking the features available and getting the most out of them. This is the side of the business that Sony has to improve if (a big IF) Sony wants to remain a leader in the prosumer digcam's market.

For instance: Why Sony has pushed the envelope in outdoors pics, while at the same time lacks of a decent E-TTL external flash offering? No respectable camera manufacturer dares to be in business without good external flashes that are understood by the metering system of its cameras.

Another example? In camera user control over the digital side. Saturation and contrast controls, RAW mode, histogram.

How about action shooting? The burst mode is no replacement for a right memory buffer architecture, where filling and flushing pics are performed in parallel.

Well, the Sony approach seems (personal opinion, of course!) to be more oriented to low and mid market segments, where the whole camera concept is less important than in the prosumer / professional market.

Amando.

Glen Sakaguchi wrote:

Well, Ok then...Armado sparked the fire. Let me throw some GASOLINE on it and give my wish list for the next generation "707"...
Glen Sakaguchi said:
Zoom range: 10 to 12x OPTICAL. And while they're at it lets make
the bottom end wider too (equilvalent to a 28mm) And don't forget
to keep it FAST. Hold f2 for the max aperture. Hey, it could be
done.

Flash: A REAL hotshoe. Also don't forget to add the extenal PC
sync. Very important for off-camera flash usage.

Increased file size: Cross the magic "6" MP line in prosumer
cameras. "5" MP is nice to be sure but making another leap to the
7-8 MP range, I think, would raise the level of picture quality to
a point where going beyond that starts to become a non issue. A
file of this size would satisfy all but the most discriminating
photographer. Which brings us to...

Increased storage: The memory stick is growing smaller every day.
128MB is not much space at all when shooting large files. Since
Sony is so entrenched in the memory stick it is not likely to be
abandoned anytime soon. So how about DUAL memory stick
capabilities? Switch between "memory stick 1" and "memory stick 2."
Or if one fills up the camera automatically switches for you. Not
enough still?? You're RIGHT. A 1 GB HD can be added in the camera
as well! While testing the 707 this week I exclusively used the USB
cable for all my downloads, never even removing the memory stick.
Downloads from the internal HD could be handled in this manner and
while we're at it make it USB 2.0 compatible.

A bigger LCD.
Easier access to "delete all."
Faster max shutter speed.
Improved night vision.

I'll stop here and let others throw in their wishes.
Click to expand...
 
Jimmy Chen said:
Jimmy Chen said:
It took about a month for the f707 to come out after Photokina last
year (I bought my camera in Oct 2001). Was the f707 announced
earlier than Sept 2001?
Click to expand...
Sony is generally pretty good between announcement and delivery
dates, or at least here in the USA. The big problem I believe most
of the retailer had with the F707 was the demand was always ahead
of the supply, so a lot of waiting time was required on the part of
the buyer.
Click to expand...
When the f707 came out the only store that kept running out of stock was Dell. I had no problem walking into my local Sears and getting a camera with no delay.

Dell was constantly out of stock because they were selling them for $800 while everyone else was charging $1000. I PM'd Sears against Dell though.

alex
 
we are waiting for beginiing of september (aprox. 2th or 3th)!!!, then there will be a press release about new DSC-FXXX camera and others also.
 
Amando you may be right on the money, literally!

Sony has long since abandon the prosumer market. Their last official prosumer camera was the D770. Now there was a camera ahead of it's time but begging for a upgrade as it remained only a 1.5MP with slow AF for years! Sales were low, and returns were high. Sonly quickly abandon it. All it needed was a monor upgrade and the right promotion! Since then they have been soley concentrating on their Cybershot and Mavica's. In short they went in the direction where the money is, consumer electronics! This stratagy can be seen in most of their product lines, from Laptops and computors, to the playstation! They still thankfully have NOT abandon their prosumer DV market! Sony is a great company and inovatorm, but daredevils or risk takers they are NOT : ))

Regards,
Jim K
Amando Hernández said:
The high end market is being squeezed by the DSLRs coming down in
price, and the nice minolta and Nikon 5 MP cameras (and Canon soon,
I guess).

Sony has a lot to catch up: more controls (saturation, contrast) in
camera, more advanced options for external flash and the RAW mode.
So perhaps the next %MP would be a compact/ultra compact point and
shoot mid price model...

Amando.

Start the flame here ---> > > (he, he)
Glen Sakaguchi said:
Iam presently upgrading an old Ricoh digicam and have been testing
a friend's DSC-F707. A fine camera, indeed. My concern is that
since the 707 is now a year old, perhaps the next generation
high-end Sony camera is nearing release. Its the old vicious cycle
of cameras and computers to be sure but at this point in time I
feel it could be a real possibility I should consider.
Anyone hear of anything new on the horizon?
Click to expand...
--
Click to expand...
--
Every Camera Has Short Comings,
some camera's fall short of coming!
 
I Must Say and I know that I have been told many times that Sony will never go into the DSLR World. but Sooner or later I beleive they will have too. The DSLR Camera Prices are slowly but surely catching up with prosumer or High End Consumer Cameras. I would rather buy a Sony Camera Body for say $700-$1000 and then add the Lenses. Question is like so many others has stated the Body is easily made, the lenses are another story entirely. Would they make their own lenses? Doubt it unless they are willing to put alot of money into Manufacturing Factories/Processing. or Use someone elses Lense Mounts like Nikon, Carl Zeiss, Canon, Sigma, Etc.

Sony definatley has the resources. But would they take the leap by adding a DSLR to their Line Up. My Opinion is that they will have to make a DSLR in the future. Pricing Wars and Competion are usually perfect for this. Majority of People will much rather own a DSLR with lenses than a stand alone camera for the same price.

Thanks
Joe M.
 
The problem is serious; I have read some posts and some web pages where their authors imply that dust fingerprints on digital pics are removed routinely with PS! Seems that the cleaning process (mirror-up, blowing air into the sensor's surface) that Canon and Nikon suggest is not enough (and cannot be done in the middle of a photographic session).

Interesting problem asking for an interesting solution.
Amando.
Joe M. said:
I Must Say and I know that I have been told many times that Sony
will never go into the DSLR World. but Sooner or later I beleive
they will have too. The DSLR Camera Prices are slowly but surely
catching up with prosumer or High End Consumer Cameras. I would
rather buy a Sony Camera Body for say $700-$1000 and then add the
Lenses. Question is like so many others has stated the Body is
easily made, the lenses are another story entirely. Would they
make their own lenses? Doubt it unless they are willing to put alot
of money into Manufacturing Factories/Processing. or Use someone
elses Lense Mounts like Nikon, Carl Zeiss, Canon, Sigma, Etc.
Sony definatley has the resources. But would they take the leap by
adding a DSLR to their Line Up. My Opinion is that they will have
to make a DSLR in the future. Pricing Wars and Competion are
usually perfect for this. Majority of People will much rather own
a DSLR with lenses than a stand alone camera for the same price.

Thanks
Joe M.
Click to expand...
 
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