Are Sony Affordable ?

Pixel boy · May 17, 2017

well I guess that depends on your own personal circumstances but for me they have priced themselves out of the market. My first Sony mirrorless was the excellent NEX7 and it cost about £1000 and the very good 24mm f1.8.

However ever since then Sony has increased their prices on almost every model and that's to be expected, to a degree. However with their latest model the A9 and G Master lenses you can soon get to 12k for the trinity set and A9. In comparison (older technology) but you can pick up DSLR lenses for a fraction of the prices of Sony, 50mm f1.8 for example.

Sony are producing cutting edge cameras and lenses but the prices appear to be aiming at the select few.

In terms of professionals we have yet to see if the pros sports photographer will buy into the ergonomics etc.

That said we all know that mirrorless is here to stay.

Pixel Boy

Edymagno · May 17, 2017

Pixel boy said:
well I guess that depends on your own personal circumstances but for me they have priced themselves out of the market. My first Sony mirrorless was the excellent NEX7 and it cost about £1000 and the very good 24mm f1.8.

However ever since then Sony has increased their prices on almost every model and that's to be expected, to a degree. However with their latest model the A9 and G Master lenses you can soon get to 12k for the trinity set and A9. In comparison (older technology) but you can pick up DSLR lenses for a fraction of the prices of Sony, 50mm f1.8 for example.

Sony are producing cutting edge cameras and lenses but the prices appear to be aiming at the select few.

In terms of professionals we have yet to see if the pros sports photographer will buy into the ergonomics etc.

That said we all know that mirrorless is here to stay.

Pixel Boy

I thought so till the last RX version, the A6500 and the A9 came out.

Now, I will be holding back and wait to see the newer Canons.

On the other hand, the MF Fuji GFX is looking better and better for my next hi-end purchase, due soon.

best

winter1 · May 17, 2017

Well cant answer the question for anyone else but my finger has been hovering over the "buy" button for a number of months re a RX100 V. At £1k I think its a little high but what do you compare it with?

Been looking at the Panny TZ100. Some great features and a good focal range but lens is reported to be soft in places, no flip lcd, mediocre evf, crop in 4k video but at £550 approx (here in UK) good value.

If IQ, AF & speed are main consideration then nothing to touch RX100 V. I guess Sony know that hence the price! Same applies to RX10 III. Around £1500 in UK for a bridge camera! Madness, but I bought one and could not be happier. Quality, quality, quality. One of the very few products I had no buyers remorse whatsoever!

If its worth it to you, then thats what matters but I do agree that Sony prices are a bit steep with the exception of the A6000.

Im off now to push that button

Regards, Mark.

DaFireMedic · May 17, 2017

Sony is going after the pro market, and that's where these cameras and lenses are aimed. Price wise, they don't seem out of line with the same level competition from Canon and Nikon. The A9 body appears to be priced a good deal lower than it's direct competitors, the Nikon D5 and the Canon 1dx Mk II.

Sony prices don't seem out of line at the enthusiast level either if you look at each camera's closest competitor, although there's no question that this is an expensive hobby. For me, the Nex line was very affordable, and the Axxxx lines are as well IMO, especially if the A6000 meets your needs. I currently have the Nex-5r and a6300. I'd like to get the A6500 for the IBIS and the larger buffer, but I can't afford it right now. But as you said, it's all relative to what one can afford.

Eden_808 · May 17, 2017

I think we're getting hit pretty hard in the UK at the moment. I've noticed prices of various consumer electronics go up rapidly over the last year or so. The US prices seem a lot more reasonable *sigh*.

zippin44 · May 17, 2017

I think Sony has to significantly revamp the next iteration of the A6000 series. Ergonomics and menu system in particular absolutely need serious improvement if they want to stay ahead and retain customers at their current rich price point. Canon will home in on them quickly, so they better start paying attention.

Euell · May 17, 2017

It will be tough to unhorse the pros from their Canons and Nikons, because (1) they are used to them and (2) there is considerable prior investment in those systems. One of the primary reasons often given in the Forum for Sony's apparent lack of interest in development of the APSC lens line is the additional profit in full frame. I will be interested to see how the G-master lenses compare to the competition, but aside from that issue, due to the price and limited market those lenses will not be going out the door like hotcakes. High markup and low volume does not equal huge profits. I rather suspect that Sony is attempting to develop the high end to give a shot in the arm to the lower market Sony photographic products, when and if those are more fully developed.

Robobonobo · May 17, 2017

zippin44 said:
I think Sony has to significantly revamp the next iteration of the A6000 series. Ergonomics and menu system in particular absolutely need serious improvement if they want to stay ahead and retain customers at their current rich price point. Canon will home in on them quickly, so they better start paying attention.

What is wrong with the ergonomics?

steinah6 · May 17, 2017

Pixel boy said:
well I guess that depends on your own personal circumstances but for me they have priced themselves out of the market. My first Sony mirrorless was the excellent NEX7 and it cost about £1000 and the very good 24mm f1.8.

However ever since then Sony has increased their prices on almost every model and that's to be expected, to a degree. However with their latest model the A9 and G Master lenses you can soon get to 12k for the trinity set and A9. In comparison (older technology) but you can pick up DSLR lenses for a fraction of the prices of Sony, 50mm f1.8 for example.

Sony are producing cutting edge cameras and lenses but the prices appear to be aiming at the select few.

I'm not sure what your point is. You say they've priced you out of the market, but you're talking about two COMPLETELY different markets! The NEX-7 is not in the same market as the A9.

It's like saying "I bought a Nissan Sentra for $15k, but then Nissan made the GT-R at $100k and priced me out of the market!"

Ray Maines · May 17, 2017

Pixel boy said:
Sony are producing cutting edge cameras and lenses but the prices appear to be aiming at the select few.

FWIW: When the NEX-7 was introduced in late 2011 the body-only cost was $1200, and according to my inflation calculator that would be equal to $1325 today. The a6500 was introduced this year at $1400 and has 4K video, 5-axes IS, nearly perfect EVF, crazy good AF and a host of other features and improvements that may or may not be useful to everyone (I'm thinking of WiFi and touch screen).

The FF lenses seem to be over the top expensive, but when comparing the NEX-7 to the a6500 the price increase seems minimal.

DaFireMedic · May 17, 2017

Euell said:
It will be tough to unhorse the pros from their Canons and Nikons, because (1) they are used to them and (2) there is considerable prior investment in those systems.

That, and the fact that Sony's customer support (unlike Canon and Nikon) has not been at the level that people who depend on their cameras to make a living need to have.

Gary3000 · May 17, 2017

steinah6 said:
Pixel boy said:

well I guess that depends on your own personal circumstances but for me they have priced themselves out of the market. My first Sony mirrorless was the excellent NEX7 and it cost about £1000 and the very good 24mm f1.8.

However ever since then Sony has increased their prices on almost every model and that's to be expected, to a degree. However with their latest model the A9 and G Master lenses you can soon get to 12k for the trinity set and A9. In comparison (older technology) but you can pick up DSLR lenses for a fraction of the prices of Sony, 50mm f1.8 for example.

Sony are producing cutting edge cameras and lenses but the prices appear to be aiming at the select few.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure what your point is. You say they've priced you out of the market, but you're talking about two COMPLETELY different markets! The NEX-7 is not in the same market as the A9.

It's like saying "I bought a Nissan Sentra for $15k, but then Nissan made the GT-R at $100k and priced me out of the market!"

agreed.

I wonder if the OP realizes that Sony just overtook Nikon and is now the #2 seller behind Canon in Full-Frame interchangeable lens camera's. - so they must be doing something right. (and the new A9 def appears to greatly appeal to professional shooters)

Tho I do agree somewhat in that they should put some focus on trying to compete as well in the APS-C category, to better compete with the $400 US Canon and Nikon entry level offerings. - because once you get people hooked on a brand, they often stay loyal.

HP1999 · May 17, 2017

Sony is less expensive than Fuji X

That said and IMO with the advancement of smart phones and the cameras in these phones and the apps for the phones the camera market does not really have a low end per se I think.

If you want an actual camera budget $1000 at least. Even for the all in one bridge cameras they are a good part of $1000 - $1500

Robobonobo · May 17, 2017

HP1999 said:
Sony is less expensive than Fuji X

That said and IMO with the advancement of smart phones and the cameras in these phones and the apps for the phones the camera market does not really have a low end per se I think.

If you want an actual camera budget $1000 at least. Even for the all in one bridge cameras they are a good part of $1000 - $1500

The a5100 and a6000 are still good cameras three years out and around $500-600.

snapa · May 17, 2017

steinah6 said:
I'm not sure what your point is. You say they've priced you out of the market, but you're talking about two COMPLETELY different markets! The NEX-7 is not in the same market as the A9.

It's like saying "I bought a Nissan Sentra for $15k, but then Nissan made the GT-R at $100k and priced me out of the market!"

That is a very good rebuattle to the OP! But, what about all the NEX/a6x00 users who would love to own either of the new FF FE E-mount lenses that were just anounced. Do you think people who long for high quality wide angle zoom lenses should have to pay $1,700 for the new Sony FE 12-24mm F4 G? Or, should they pay $2,200 for then new FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM? Now that is a lens that I could really use.

I shoot many events for work and need a high quality wide angle zoom for my a6300, I'd love to have either of them. But, I do not get paid for what I do at work, and $2,200 seems like a LOT to pay for a lens like that! Do you know of anything in the <$1k range in either of those focal lengths that you could suggest that would work for me in a native lens? If not, Sony has priced themselves out of the range of people like me (and many others) who really do need lenses like those.

I have looked at the 10-18 f4 lens, but it is too wide, too slow and the IQ is not THAT great. It is not really considered an event lens for lower light event shooting, IMHO.

--
Life is short, make the best of it while you can!
http://grob.smugmug.com/

G Rash · May 17, 2017

It depends on what you need. Some lenses and bodies are competitively priced. The A6000, for example, is is good buy right now. But I'd really like something like a 70-300 for sports with the grandkids. The Nikon version with VR (Nikon's IS) is $500 new. Sony's is $1,100. That seems kind of crazy. I suspect Sony has somewhat higher costs due to lower volume, but more the double the price for a comparable lens makes it hard to justify going with Sony if you need a lens that is so much more expensive than the competition. I already own Nikon as well, so unless I sell off my Nikon system someday, I'll simply use the Nikon when I need that focal length range rather than pay Sony $1,100.

--
G

rlyons · May 17, 2017

DaFireMedic said:
Euell said:

It will be tough to unhorse the pros from their Canons and Nikons, because (1) they are used to them and (2) there is considerable prior investment in those systems.

Click to expand...

That, and the fact that Sony's customer support (unlike Canon and Nikon) has not been at the level that people who depend on their cameras to make a living need to have.

Like pro level support?

Sony Electronics Pro Support Program

Enroll in our exclusive membership program for professional creators, designed to keep your assets in optimal working condition.

esupport.sony.com

Gary3000 · May 17, 2017

snapa said:
I shoot many events for work and need a high quality wide angle zoom for my a6300, I'd love to have either of them. But, I do not get paid for what I do at work, and $2,200 seems like a LOT to pay for a lens like that! Do you know of anything in the <$1k range in either of those focal lengths that you could suggest that would work for me in a native lens? If not, Sony has priced themselves out of the range of people like me (and many others) who really do need lenses like those.

I have looked at the 10-18 f4 lens, but it is too wide, too slow and the IQ is not THAT great. It is not really considered an event lens for lower light event shooting, IMHO.

The 10-18 is a great lens for shooting events, just turn on CIZ when shooting a little tighter is needed. Or consider the 18-105. Or just stick with the 16-55 kit lens.

For non-paying work, the a6300 with kit lens should be quite sufficient.

Or heck, pick up an RX100 for situations requiring low light, as it's a little beast.

or a fast Sigma prime.

Something like the Canon 16-55 f2.8 EFS lens would be nice in the Sony line, tho there's nothing stopping you from getting that and slapping on a Canon-E-mount adapter.
But even in the Canon and Nikon worlds, if you want anything better than f4.0 for full frame, expect to pay $1400+.

David Wyman · May 17, 2017

"Been looking at the Panny TZ100."

There's no comparison with the Sony e-mount cameras. Tiny sensor, limited optics, etc., etc.

That said, I have an TZ100 and I love it. But there's no comparison with the e-mount cameras.

DaFireMedic · May 17, 2017

rlyons said:
DaFireMedic said:

Euell said:

It will be tough to unhorse the pros from their Canons and Nikons, because (1) they are used to them and (2) there is considerable prior investment in those systems.

Click to expand...

That, and the fact that Sony's customer support (unlike Canon and Nikon) has not been at the level that people who depend on their cameras to make a living need to have.

Click to expand...

Like pro level support?

https://esupport.sony.com/info/1523/US/EN

I know they offer a "Pro Support" membership, but Im talking about the quality of their support. Pros and serious enthusiasts alike need to know that you can invest thousands in a system and have the confidence that when something goes wrong, Sony will take care of it and keep you in business. I'm fully open to seeing (and hoping) that Sony's customer support has improved, because it was dismal just a few years ago. So far, I've heard only negative reviews of Sony's "Pro Support", but maybe they're working out the kinks.

Are Sony Affordable ?

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