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No A7xx...

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OldClicker

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The more I think about it and read here, the less likely I see an A7xx. Since they evidently couldn't sell enough A700s to keep producing them and the majority of the 700 series fans think everything worthwhile in still photography development stopped by the end (if not the middle) of the last century, why make another one? - TF
 
Cool, and by the way Sony will close alpha division tomorrow morning at 9:00 am.
--
In reviews we do not trust !
 
Contrary to the first statement made, the A-700 actually sold really well. By the time version 4 shipped , they actually started selling even better. That's why they are getting scarce. More people are realizing what a fine camera this was during the production run. Get one while you can. Even though a replacement will be made, the first one is just special! ;)
--
Glenn

I'm kinda partial to video, but I'm hangin!
 
Based on the market availability of the Sony A700 I would offer the following:

(1) The availability of the Sony A700 is currently limited.

(2) The product is old.

(3) Demand is either low and Sony was smart; Or, demand is not low and Sony improperly planned for it.

(4) Sony has a replacement for the A700 and is following Apple's lead of "information/model management." I.e. no leaks, no advanced product knowledge, very short announce-to-ship lead times.

(5) No one from Sony has uttered one word here on DPR SSTF.
OldClicker said:
The more I think about it and read here, the less likely I see an A7xx. Since they evidently couldn't sell enough A700s to keep producing them and the majority of the 700 series fans think everything worthwhile in still photography development stopped by the end (if not the middle) of the last century, why make another one? - TF
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Trolling in tone only. I see the reasons as valid.

The EVF/FF scenario presented in another post recently seems to be a valid type of future for Sony - not necessarily exact, but the type of thinking necessary. There is just no future in the 700 series. There was a comment about giving up this segment of the market to Canikon, but they already own it. Sony is not going to convert enough users to be significant no matter what they do. They have to offer something different.

liquid stereo wrote:

“(4) Sony has a replacement for the A700 and is following Apple's lead of "information/model management." I.e. no leaks, no advanced product knowledge, very short announce-to-ship lead times."

This certainly has NOT been the Sony model in the past and I see no reason that it would suddenly change 100%.

TF
liquid stereo said:
OldClicker said:
The more I think about it and read here, the less likely I see an A7xx. Since they evidently couldn't sell enough A700s to keep producing them and the majority of the 700 series fans think everything worthwhile in still photography development stopped by the end (if not the middle) of the last century, why make another one? - TF
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OldClicker said:
The EVF/FF scenario presented in another post recently seems to be a valid type of future for Sony - not necessarily exact, but the type of thinking necessary. There is just no future in the 700 series. There was a comment about giving up this segment of the market to Canikon, but they already own it. Sony is not going to convert enough users to be significant no matter what they do. They have to offer something different.

liquid stereo wrote:

“(4) Sony has a replacement for the A700 and is following Apple's lead of "information/model management." I.e. no leaks, no advanced product knowledge, very short announce-to-ship lead times."

This certainly has NOT been the Sony model in the past and I see no reason that it would suddenly change 100%.

TF
OldClicker said:
OldClicker said:
The more I think about it and read here, the less likely I see an A7xx. Since they evidently couldn't sell enough A700s to keep producing them and the majority of the 700 series fans think everything worthwhile in still photography development stopped by the end (if not the middle) of the last century, why make another one? - TF
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Again the assumption of your original post assumes that one of the largest electronics companies on the planet hasn't passed a highschool business class.

It also shows you have no background in channel management. Every camera every made stopped production before it was retired from the active product line, it would be silly to announce a replacement or remove a model while still making it..unless you like Overstock.com to be you top dealer for several months.

What is going on is clearly channel management. Sony may be removing A700 from regional markets where it didn't sell or may just not be refreshing. I also see they may be concentrating A700 sales through a few set of outlets to optimze supply access.

Sony knows this is an up hill battle.. entering an established market where brand and system products are a strong influencer.

When the A700 was released.. PopPhoto called it a "Giant Killer" but Sony made a key design mistake and frankly didn't have the credibility and growing pro support they do now. A900 and a full consumer line changed the market.

So there is no chance Sony will not have a camera in a part of the market Canon and Nikon each now have two that is a giant chasm between thier consumer and FF lens.. the odds of there being TWO A7XX replacement models is much higher than NO replacement.

however, based on reading between the lines of Reps as they talked to me and others.. we will hear nothing of it before PMA 2010 and it could summer. And I think it could be the first DSLR with full HD video that can dynamically focus and adjust exposure while shooting

---------
Ken - A700 Owner..
Some of my work at:
http://gallery.cascadephotoworks.com
 
I'm sure there will be a 7xx upgrade in the near future, although I wouldn't expect to see it before early spring. I did my part in clearing old inventory by getting one about 5 weeks ago and I'm very pleased with the camera.

It only makes sense that Sony would want to reduce available inventory before releasing a new model.
 
Marti58 said:
the A850 ...did the A900 sell well ?

so maybe they follow that logic and u will get a A650 or something like that with video.

i think Sony struggles to find the best path to wander.
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I think users struggle with seeing the best path if some parts of the line don't go where they want.

The A850 is not the succssor to the A900.. It is a line extenstion that extends the existing / current FF technology into a lower price area of the DSLR market.
--
---------
Ken - A700 Owner..
Some of my work at:
http://gallery.cascadephotoworks.com
 
OldClicker said:
Trolling in tone only. I see the reasons as valid.

There is just no future in the 700 series. There was a comment about giving up this segment of the market to Canikon, but they already own it. Sony is not going to convert enough users to be significant no matter what they do. They have to offer something different.
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LOL! You could say the same thing about Sony's full frame a850/a900, but Sony has already officially stated they can not compete with Canon and Nikon in full frame DSLRs. Sony's full frame plans are much more likely to go by the wayside then the top of the APS-C line a700 series.
OldClicker said:
OldClicker said:
OldClicker said:
The more I think about it and read here, the less likely I see an A7xx. Since they evidently couldn't sell enough A700s to keep producing them and the majority of the 700 series fans think everything worthwhile in still photography development stopped by the end (if not the middle) of the last century, why make another one? - TF
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--
-Phil
 
Why does anybody think Sony won't release an A7xx? Sony is not dumb and I'm sure they have no plans to abandon this HUUUUUGE segment of the DSLR market.

The A7xx is most likely taking so long because Sony is packing alot of new, cutting edge technology in this model and they want to get it right...recalls are not the way to make money in business. Since the A700 was released this market segment has evolved a few steps...video, pro level AF and 8 FPS are needed to compete in this price range now, so Sony has likely been taking time to get all of these features up to snuff. Be patient people, these things take time.

When it gets here it will be a phenominal machine.
--
Newest galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/gipper51/portraits
http://www.pbase.com/gipper51/architectural
 
gipper51 said:
Why does anybody think Sony won't release an A7xx? Sony is not dumb and I'm sure they have no plans to abandon this HUUUUUGE segment of the DSLR market.
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a huge segment which already has players that offer what many people are looking for.
gipper51 said:
The A7xx is most likely taking so long because Sony is packing alot of new, cutting edge technology in this model and they want to get it right...recalls are not the way to make money in business. Since the A700 was released this market segment has evolved a few steps...video, pro level AF and 8 FPS are needed to compete in this price range now, so Sony has likely been taking time to get all of these features up to snuff. Be patient people, these things take time.
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or they are to late because competition is already offering that and people have bought something different ( other brand ) and have no interest in Sony from marketing point of few being to late will Sony cost lots of money/ potential buyers.

--
  • living in harmony with nature and other beings...will create an better world for all * marti58 -2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/worldwidefriendship/
 
Marti58 said:
gipper51 said:
Why does anybody think Sony won't release an A7xx? Sony is not dumb and I'm sure they have no plans to abandon this HUUUUUGE segment of the DSLR market.
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a huge segment which already has players that offer what many people are looking for.
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True, but so does the entry level market and the pro market. By that logic Sony should just get out of the DSLR business altogether.
Member said:
Member said:
The A7xx is most likely taking so long because Sony is packing alot of new, cutting edge technology in this model and they want to get it right...recalls are not the way to make money in business. Since the A700 was released this market segment has evolved a few steps...video, pro level AF and 8 FPS are needed to compete in this price range now, so Sony has likely been taking time to get all of these features up to snuff. Be patient people, these things take time.
Click to expand...
or they are to late because competition is already offering that and people have bought something different ( other brand ) and have no interest in Sony from marketing point of few being to late will Sony cost lots of money/ potential buyers.
Click to expand...
The DSLR business costs all the makers lots of money in R&D. It's a constant game of leapfrog. To succeed in this business you need to cater to all of the market segments. Most people buy models in a linear progression...start with entry level, then upgrade to mid level bodies then the pro stuff if you can afford it. Most can't afford it and stop at the mid level, ala A7xx. Too big a hole to leave open, if they do that's when your established entry level base jumps ship when it's time to take the next step. Sony would be committing DSLR suicide by not releasing a camera in this segment.
Member said:
--
  • living in harmony with nature and other beings...will create an better world for all * marti58 -2006
http://www.flickr.com/photos/marti58/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/worldwidefriendship/
Click to expand...
--
Newest galleries:
http://www.pbase.com/gipper51/portraits
http://www.pbase.com/gipper51/architectural
 
There was an interview with a sony bigwig, where he stated that Sony wouldn't compete in the "pro" segment.

This does NOT mean they would not compete in the FF market, it just means that they aren't competing frontally against the D3s and the 1D m4, they are supplying a cheaper alternative with a different featureset that matches or surpasses IQ for studio and wedding work, as well as for enthusiasts - He is quite clear about this in the interview.
 
from the original Minolta 7D. If Sony would ever launch the a7XX with great high ISO and more FPS, they would see a big sales again.

JMO

--
Thanks,

Digitalshooter!

I'm not a salesman or marketeer, just a user!
 
All of Sony's 2009 releases show the same problem.

A year ago, when someone new to the hobby was asking, it was easy to recommend some Sony Alpha to them. Either they were top-notch technology (A700), or they were positioned at a very interesting price point (200/300). And there was always a good way to trade up.

Then, Sony spent a year or more worth of development money on:
  • Removing features
  • Being left in the dust by the competition in terms of features that the market seems to recognize as "must-haves" (video, or LiveVeiw in every camera)
  • Lowering build quality
  • Forgetting to improve on image quality of their volume products (230/330 series)
  • Collecting the worst dpReview verdict for a dSLR in years
  • Producing a fantastic but ascetic dream machine of an SLR that unfortunately became so big that it's barely transportable (A900)
  • Upping prices for most products (well, they have come down a bit since, and: exception: A850).
So, with half a dozen new models, there is nothing that could be considered a "wow" camera (as the A700 was), not even for someone who is biased (like me) by having a wide array of lenses. Take $150 off the price of the A500 and we might get there.

The big hole in the lineup between A550 and A850 could be filled either by a pro-level APS-C body or by an entry-level Full Frame body (entry-level not only by price; add the "Begginers only" features like flash, LiveView, Video, Face Detection - in a body half the size).

Back to the A7xx: I hope that the long silence (after all, Sony hasn't released a new camera in almost two months! :-)) means that they are working on something really ground-breaking. Something that could put Sony back on the map in the DSLR business as a prime contender. Something that can be considered a true "WOW" camera.

I rarely rant here on the board, but after using Minolta, Konica-Minolta or Sony gear for almost 25 years (and 1/2 a year with the A700), I am underwhelmed by what Sony is currently offering. Thankfully I don't need a new camera right now, but hopefully something really interesting will be available by the time I want (or need) a new one.

--
Georg
-

Minolta 9000, 9xi, 5D, Sony A700. 17-35mm f2.8-4, 50mm f1.4, 24-105mm, 70-300mm G, 100-300mm APO, 500mm f8 Reflex. Metz 45CL-4 digital, Sony HVL-42
 
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