landshark
Senior Member
I agree why ask for something I do now want that adds to the complexity to the camera
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Why is Sony so reluctant about touchscreen?
- Thread starter FOTONOTO
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Lol, how many 100s of phones out there and you pick up on that one. Just cause a handful of implementations are bad doesn't mean that no touch screen is better. May I ask... do you have a smart phone with a touch screen?
sure if the option is a flawed buggy touch screen from Sony or none at all, we probably would go for none. But if it is like canon or Nikon touch screens, or iPhone or Samsung like smart implementations than bring it on. I can point out to you many failures in different tech sectors, but that doesn't mean you avoid it entirely, from planes, to cars, to Tv etc etc.
ISOpriority
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Some people consider Canon as the representative of conservative.
I'd like to share Canon's attitude towards touchscreen on pro cameras.
"In the past, touchscreen operations on a high-end camera might have been looked at skeptically by traditional, experienced SLR shooters. After all, if we’ve evolved from relatively simply 35mm film SLRs to today’s sophisticated digital SLRs, using buttons and dials, why change a good thing?
But as mentioned in our opening, even the most tradition-bound camera user probably uses a touch-based interface regularly, when he or she pulls out their smartphone or mobile device. We’re all more accustomed to this type of immediate, tactile input (well, nearly all of us!). Canon has a track record of excellent touchscreen design in more consumer-oriented cameras, and that technology and its convenience has trickled up the food chain, to the EOS 5D Mark IV. Unlike the recently-introduced EOS-1D X Mark II (our top-of-the-line, professional DSLR), the 5D Mark IV is blessed with the full touchscreen interface, and all the attendant options. We’re confident that new EOS 5D Mark IV users who give it a try will find it really can help speed up some of their menu selections when examining images during playback. We certainly urge anyone thinking of trying out this camera to give the touchscreen interface a test drive!"
Here's the link, towards Canon's official site
I'd like to share Canon's attitude towards touchscreen on pro cameras.
"In the past, touchscreen operations on a high-end camera might have been looked at skeptically by traditional, experienced SLR shooters. After all, if we’ve evolved from relatively simply 35mm film SLRs to today’s sophisticated digital SLRs, using buttons and dials, why change a good thing?
But as mentioned in our opening, even the most tradition-bound camera user probably uses a touch-based interface regularly, when he or she pulls out their smartphone or mobile device. We’re all more accustomed to this type of immediate, tactile input (well, nearly all of us!). Canon has a track record of excellent touchscreen design in more consumer-oriented cameras, and that technology and its convenience has trickled up the food chain, to the EOS 5D Mark IV. Unlike the recently-introduced EOS-1D X Mark II (our top-of-the-line, professional DSLR), the 5D Mark IV is blessed with the full touchscreen interface, and all the attendant options. We’re confident that new EOS 5D Mark IV users who give it a try will find it really can help speed up some of their menu selections when examining images during playback. We certainly urge anyone thinking of trying out this camera to give the touchscreen interface a test drive!"
Here's the link, towards Canon's official site
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sye46
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Touchscreen included in the new Sony A6500. I guess it's not considered a "pro" body.
ISOpriority
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I think it's a sign that Sony will implement touchscreen to all their cameras.
Contra Mundum
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That's probably true. They finally realized that spending some $5 more in manufacturing cost can bring them more buyers and make them more competitive.
ISO 1 Million
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I sure hope so. It still boggles my mind that the same company that is pushing forward at a break neck speed in terms of sensor and camera development could be soooo far behind its competitors when it comes to offering basic UI tools.
The second the A7RIII is announced with a touchscreen, I'm dropping this A7RII like a bad habit.
SilvanBromide
Veteran Member
I doubt that the inclusion of a touchscreen relates to whether or not it's considered 'pro'. The beefed up processor and inclusion of IS make it a more serious proposition than the a6300, which didn't have TS.
It more likely it signals that we will see TS included in other models in the future.
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Please keep us posted and keep the camera in good shape, I will be sending you pre-paid label and box when you are ready, that way I don't have to go find where the "Touch Screen: disable" button is buried under the 5 mile long menu. I have two cam both have that disable so I don't see this will be any different. :-D
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sye46
Senior Member
SilvanBromide
Veteran Member
Like you said... that YOU do not want. That may not apply to the majority. Again, turn it off if you don't like it.
But as just announced. Touch screen on the a6500 Sony states that a new faster processor needed to be added to make the camera more responsive, and menu system cleaned up. So if a touch screen has forced them to clean up the menu system and required them to make the camera more responsive, then that benefits everyone, even those who will turn the touch screen functionality on.
Who knows, since the sonys miss a joystick, people quo dont want a touch screen might atill end up trying the move AF functionality using the screen and end up liking it.
Nah... pretty sure they already knew this. Was easier to not include it in order to have a simpler system. As you see they needed to make changes in order to ensure a good user experience (processor, menu system) and of course the added hardware + control.
As they say, it is better to come out to market now with something that is 70% than a year later with 100%
Contra Mundum
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They had years of experience with their other models with touch screen and hardware was never a problem. Even my first NEX5N had perfect touch screen, and that was like 5 years ago. So nothing really changed technically, they needed all these years only to realize that the competition it making a good use of technology and users really want it.
Still... I work as an R&D engineer. It is never as straight forward like this. They only have so much time, so much people and so much budget. Additionally there is the whole marketing and price schemes. From the a6000 --> a6300 --> a6500, the price has gone up quite a bit. Sony was out to capture the market. They used the a6000 series to get their AF system and FPS up there. Touch screen was simply something less to worry about. Even if it was an easy addition it was probably just saved till now as "another feature" added to distinguish the latest release from the previous.
Lets say they come out with the A7III... it will probably have better AF with more PDAF points, BSI, and a touch screen. That alone will justify an upgrade to many or at least those entering into FF. It will likely be around the same price point or just slightly more expensive. With everything figured out in the easier to make a6500, it is cheaper for them to then trickle things up. Just as they did with the A7II IBIS implemented later on in the A7RII.
Sony entered the market with a bang, and their first priority was IQ. Hence their great sensors, and IBIS. Then they had the issue of proper AF, which is what they worked on next, as well as lens line up. Touch screen implementation as probably low priority for them which is why it was added way later.
We should just be happy that they are implementing it now rather than never. They are not as stubborn as canikon.
Contra Mundum
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The price went up for many reasons, but $5 touch screen is not one them, Sony's cheapest cameras without EVF have touchscreen.
What implementation? What priority? They had implemented it so many years, all they needed to do is use the existing design in a new body. Do you read the posts you are answering? I think not.
ebuddha
Well-known member
My guess is that those who want it vs those who don't are those who mostly use the EVF vs those who shoot w/ the LCD (macro, video, whatever).
I shoot via the EVF 95% of the time and while i'm not opposed to touch-screen as a technology, my thumb is not long enough to reach across the back of the camera and swipe, whereas i can hold my camera as i normally would to my eye and if there was a thumb-wheel or joystick within reach of my thumb, i can adjust the focus point easily.
i think it's that simple.
initially i thought what a useless feature, but i could see for anyone shooting via the LCD that it would be useful.
Yes I do. Apparently most regular people think that just implementing it is as easy as just saying it.
We do not know the details behind it, but it is usually not as simple as most might think. Companies prioritise all the time... just implementing already existing tech usually requires time and money to ensure that it's implementation goes smoothly into a system that is usually not the same in which it has already been implemented.
So, someone has to plan the steps taken and manage those who need to make the changes. Mechanical engineers need to make the 3D and 2D drawing, electrical engineers need to make the new designs as well, software engineers need to update the code and that assembly process might need to be updated as well. Everything needs to be updated and tested to meet specs and standards. Additionally you might disrupt the manufacturing of the models already in production, not to mention dealing with sustainability and supply chains.
Just because we might have developed tech at work doesn't mean we simply use and add things because we can. Priorities are determined and a roadmap is set. Tech gets added based on more factors than just cause.
But hey... what do I know? Perhaps you know better why they didn't add it or have a better more feasible story.
I fully agree. I actually use the LCD and EVF. i would love touch and joystick. I think I would prefer just a joystick if I had to pick just one... less travel of the thumb required (swipe vs joystick tilt).
ISO 1 Million
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Deal!
On a side note, I just found out that the touchscreen they offer on the a6500 is severely hamstrung. It can only be used for a single purpose which is AF point selection. Now granted, this is by far the most important purpose of the touchscreen for me as well as for many others but it's mind boggling why they would finally give us a touchscreen only to purposely fudge it all up like that.
Pinch to zoom to review a photo? Nope. Swiping to quickly go through photos? Nope. Using a combination of the touchscreen and the 4 way controller to quickly navigate through Sony's helpless menu? Nope. Using the touchscreen to quickly select the FN option you want? Nope.
Panasonic has offered all of this since way back in like 2010 or maybe even older. It aggravates the heck out of me that there are only 2 options for a full frame mirrorless camera and the only semi-affordable one seems to be run by a bunch of sadistic drunks. I love my a7rii for its outstanding image quality but I have little faith in Sony that they will ever understand how to do IU properly.
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