A9R ?

[No account anymore]

Maybe there will be only one A9, a very responsive and durable camera built for news, sports and wildlife photographers.

Cameras for slower work or amateur photography don't need a build quality that last for fifty years more than the technology inside.

 

[teddoman]

Yes Sony will have A9r but not until 2nd half of next year or likely in 2019.

It will have more pixels, 60mp or more on a newly designed sensor. Even better base ISO (hope lower than 100) DR, Stacked sensor, 4K and 8K video, at least 7 fps and buffer depth similar to A7r III, A9 AF, two UHS-II slots or even one XQD slot. $4000~4500.

Sure, but I think the new A9R will be 100MP, 16k video, better AF than the current A9 and 30 fps plus 3 UHS-II slots. Heck, it will even brew espresso for you. It will cost about $999.

Sounds like we have the same source

Let's do the math.

Proposal: A9R = A9 + R

Fact: A9 = 4500

Therefore

A9R = 4500 + R.

How much is R, $500? 1000? 2000?

My source tells me electronics manufacturers don't just like to give away hit products for free.

 

[Arcimboldo]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

I was expecting the RIII coming in A9 clothing - I was wrong and after the A7RIII announcement/delivery I guess an A9R with more resolution may appear only in 2-3 years time, or most probably will never happen...

All the best,
Pedro

I agree with Pedro. I too was expecting an A9R but A7riii is it and A9 will most likely stand alone.

It looks like Sony was spot on with their decision judging by how much the A7riii seems to be a smash hit.

Greg.

Well, there still are a few sonyalpharumours open coming from different sources, which were talking about a new camera around a super-high-res sensor of around 60-70 MP. And this obviously wasn't the a7R III. So, my guess and hope is that around one year after the announcement of the a9 we will get one for that super-high-res camera, whether it's called a9R or not.

 

[Jonathan Brady]

Yes Sony will have A9r but not until 2nd half of next year or likely in 2019.

I think an A9R will come, and your time frame makes complete sense to me. The technology behind the A9 sensor needs time to be ramped up for a higher megapixel sensor at an affordable price.

It will have more pixels, 60mp or more on a newly designed sensor.

60 also makes sense to me.

Even better base ISO (hope lower than 100) DR,

I don't know how possible this is, not a perceptible amount, anyway. The A7RIII already matches the D850 when both are using their lowest native ISO (64 vs 100).

Stacked sensor, 4K and 8K video, at least 7 fps

I was thinking 4-5 FPS given the pixel count.

and buffer depth similar to A7r III, A9 AF, two UHS-II slots or even one XQD slot.

There better be 2 slots or this camera will not sell well. 2 UHS II slots makes sense to me.

$4000~4500.

I'm thinking $5000+.

Assuming it has the same anti-distortion capabilities as the A9, this would be a "lifetime" type of camera for me. Although I have no doubts that Sony would be able to come up with some sort of feature set that would tempt me LOL

 

[mgrum]

Canon and Nikon both discontinued their high resolution flagship models due to lack of demand.

 

[ZodiacPhoto]

Maybe there will be only one A9, a very responsive and durable camera built for news, sports and wildlife photographers.

Cameras for slower work or amateur photography don't need a build quality that last for fifty years more than the technology inside.

None of today's cameras have a good chance to last 50 years - electronic components degrade with time.

I disagree that "slower work does not need a build quality". My primary interest is landscape photography, and I don't trust my A7R2 being exposed to the elements (rain, fog, dust, etc.) as I did with Panasonic GX8 and Olympus E-M1. These Micro4/3 cameras are believed to have much better weather sealing, and most high-grade M4/3 lenses have rubber gaskets built in the lens mount.

If Sony releases a camera targeting professional landscape photographers, it should have the same (or better) weather protection as Canon and Nikon flagships.

 

[PWPhotography]

Yes Sony will have A9r but not until 2nd half of next year or likely in 2019.

It will have more pixels, 60mp or more on a newly designed sensor. Even better base ISO (hope lower than 100) DR, Stacked sensor, 4K and 8K video, at least 7 fps and buffer depth similar to A7r III, A9 AF, two UHS-II slots or even one XQD slot. $4000~4500.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com

Sure, but I think the new A9R will be 100MP, 16k video, better AF than the current A9 and 30 fps plus 3 UHS-II slots. Heck, it will even brew espresso for you. It will cost about $999.

Sounds like we have the same source

Maybe you have a time in teasing but I seriously believe Sony will have such camera. A7r III spec clearly leaves such room - the same old non-stacked sensor, slow SD slot 2.

Sony will have such FF line up,

A9r-line for the top mega-pixel

A9-line for sports

A7r-line to balance resolution and speed

A7-line for entry level

That is similar to Canon line up - 5DsR, 1Dx II, 5D IV and 6D II.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com

 

[freakmax]

A9R dream:

-36-42 MP

-Better ISO noise

- 15 fps on Normal shutter / 30 fps on E shutter

-Better AF system ( can track even in the dark )

-Better weather seal

-Apps

-Better touchscreen

-Faster everywhere

-Same price as A9

-Same Body as A9

- Launch on late 2019

I know this is just a dream.

 

[PWPhotography]

A9R dream:

-36-42 MP

-Better ISO noise

- 15 fps on Normal shutter / 30 fps on E shutter

-Better AF system ( can track even in the dark )

-Better weather seal

-Apps

-Better touchscreen

-Faster everywhere

-Same price as A9

-Same Body as A9

- Launch on late 2019

I know this is just a dream.

This sounds like A9 II, why renamed to A9r (which must be a mega-pixel model optimized for IQ)? Believe A9 II and other super-tele lenses such as FE 300/2.8 GM, FE 500/4.0 GM and even FE 200-400/4.0 /w 1.4x TC GM will be ready before the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics Game.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/55485085@N04/albums
http://pwphotography.zenfolio.com

 

[No account anymore]

Maybe there will be only one A9, a very responsive and durable camera built for news, sports and wildlife photographers.

Cameras for slower work or amateur photography don't need a build quality that last for fifty years more than the technology inside.

None of today's cameras have a good chance to last 50 years - electronic components degrade with time.

I disagree that "slower work does not need a build quality". My primary interest is landscape photography, and I don't trust my A7R2 being exposed to the elements (rain, fog, dust, etc.) as I did with Panasonic GX8 and Olympus E-M1. These Micro4/3 cameras are believed to have much better weather sealing, and most high-grade M4/3 lenses have rubber gaskets built in the lens mount.

Feelings doesn't make a camera more or less weather resistant. From my experience harsh climate isn't a problem with Sony cameras. I don't know how many times my cameras have been wet in rain or waterfalls, etc. No failure yet.

If Sony releases a camera targeting professional landscape photographers, it should have the same (or better) weather protection as Canon and Nikon flagships.

What about sheltering the camera a bit from heavy rain? Then you can avoid water droplets on the front lens too, which I find the hardest part when doing photography on rainy days.

 

[Bruce Oudekerk]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

I was expecting the RIII coming in A9 clothing - I was wrong and after the A7RIII announcement/delivery I guess an A9R with more resolution may appear only in 2-3 years time, or most probably will never happen...

I believe it will happen and it'll be an a9 on steroids...maybe 70+ MP.

But your guess of 2-3 years is in Nikon time or 3-5 in Canon years. I think it will be more like 8-14 months in Sony time. The a7III and a7sIII come first and the a9II later... we'll just have to wait and see. Fun times.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

...I expect that Sony will soon be able to supply a 24 MP Global Shutter in a FF camera, ending with the "old/obsolete" mechanical sibling and its related problems; for the time being 24 MP is still a very high value / challenge for reading/processing such a device.

IMO, this is what they are up to on their future FF Professional A9 Flagship; it would also make the Canikon concurrence look totally out of date / ancient technology...

Getting it ready for the Olympics would be spot on time / perfect!

All the best,
Pedro

Agreed!

Ultimately, a global shutter in a fast pipeline has to be the holy grail of the photo industry. In a stills oriented camera, we'll probably see it in a 1" sensor first...maybe the RX10 or RX100 ... and then look for it in an a9 variant; probably the a9s. That's just a guess based on how BSI and stacked tech was introduced but the Olympics might compress or change that cycle where FF is introduced first. Those who don't see the a9s as a possibility are looking at their feet...not the ceiling. But get out your credit card and hope it doesn't melt.

BTW I'm sill looking for a reason Sony artificially hamstrung video in the a9...a future a9s is the only thing I can think of and a global shutter would cement an a9s as the king of the video/still camera universe.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

 

[lattesweden]

The whole point of the A9 is speed, speed, speed. There is no point whatsoever to an A9R or A9S. I will eat my camera strap if I'm wrong.

Sony seems cleaver with how they manage their technology as building blocks and only improve some of it at the time. The A7RIII has the same housing as A9, I would be surprised if it doesn't share a lot of internal tech like buses, CPU, memory, OS software etc.

Why not more Mpix in the A7RIII? They have the technology to do higher sensor density, that we know. Just take four M43 sensors and make one FF sensor of it and you're around 80 Mpix. But that is also a lot of data that should be sent around and my guess is that even on the 3d gen platform it becomes to slow to handle that in a reasonable way speed wise.

A video version centric camera ("S" model) on the 3d gen platform whatever name they choose (7 or 9) would probably have a sensor with less Mpix than the A9 and by that the available frames per second speed would go up.

Since the A9 can shoot 20 fps 24 Mpix we know that parts of the platform is good enough for that. Lower it to 12 Mpix and you should be able to do about 40 fps RAW. Still in the buffer, not onto card.

Sony has a motto to always have a wow factor in all their products and for the 3d gen "S" to have that some 400 frames in the buffer in video fps speed is not enough. But if they could achieve that directly onto card in at least 30 fps RAW 4K frames then it would be something. And they need to improve the card writing part of the current architecture anyway, so my guess is that it is the part of their system architecture they will improve the next and by that making the S version as described above possible.

 

[ZodiacPhoto]

I disagree that "slower work does not need a build quality". My primary interest is landscape photography, and I don't trust my A7R2 being exposed to the elements (rain, fog, dust, etc.) as I did with Panasonic GX8 and Olympus E-M1. These Micro4/3 cameras are believed to have much better weather sealing, and most high-grade M4/3 lenses have rubber gaskets built in the lens mount.

Feelings doesn't make a camera more or less weather resistant. From my experience harsh climate isn't a problem with Sony cameras. I don't know how many times my cameras have been wet in rain or waterfalls, etc. No failure yet.

Olympus is rather aggressive in advertising toughness of some of their mirrorless cameras. While they don't state any military-grade protection levels, they use images like below in their advertising materials. My only Sony lens with a rubber seal is Zeiss batis 18mm.

 

[No account anymore]

I disagree that "slower work does not need a build quality". My primary interest is landscape photography, and I don't trust my A7R2 being exposed to the elements (rain, fog, dust, etc.) as I did with Panasonic GX8 and Olympus E-M1. These Micro4/3 cameras are believed to have much better weather sealing, and most high-grade M4/3 lenses have rubber gaskets built in the lens mount.

Feelings doesn't make a camera more or less weather resistant. From my experience harsh climate isn't a problem with Sony cameras. I don't know how many times my cameras have been wet in rain or waterfalls, etc. No failure yet.

Olympus is rather aggressive in advertising toughness of some of their mirrorless cameras. While they don't state any military-grade protection levels, they use images like below in their advertising materials. My only Sony lens with a rubber seal is Zeiss batis 18mm.

Well, since I have not yet had any Sony camera that have failed after using this brand heavily from the A100 DSLR, much for night photography, I would never even think of buying a camera with such a small sensor as the 4/3 system. Sony cameras do the job for me.

Funny to see these photos showing Olympus cameras with no water droplets on the front lens. Advertising! :-D

 

[dave46978]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

I was expecting the RIII coming in A9 clothing - I was wrong and after the A7RIII announcement/delivery I guess an A9R with more resolution may appear only in 2-3 years time, or most probably will never happen...

All the best,
Pedro

I agree with Pedro. I too was expecting an A9R but A7riii is it and A9 will most likely stand alone.

It looks like Sony was spot on with their decision judging by how much the A7riii seems to be a smash hit.

Greg.

I was hoping for higher resolution, guessing Sony should "beat" Canon 5DSR, at the very least... Of course, actual difference in linear resolution between 42 and 51 Mpx is nearly negligible.

I enjoy using old MF adapted lenses, and most of them are sharper in the center than at the edges. Cropping the center area out of a higher-resolution sensor permits using a shorter focal length (lighter and smaller) lenses for telephoto.

Even the A7RII has better image quality then the Canon. Many of the legacy lenses can't nbe mounted on the 5DS/R. Here is a DXO comparison.https://www.dxomark.com/Reviews/Sony-A7R-II-sensor-review-New-high-water-mark-in-sensor-dynamics/Sony-A7R-II-vs.-Nikon-D810-vs-Canon-EOS-5DS-Significant-improvement-in-DR-at-high-ISOs

 

[Bruce Oudekerk]

None of today's cameras have a good chance to last 50 years - electronic components degrade with time.

I have mixed emotions about this satement

I’ve had a Canon A-1 film camera since 1978. It was an electronic marvel in its day with (GASP) LED digital readout and everything super high tech. I used that as a primary film camera until I started switching over to a digital workflow in the mid 90’s. It was the first camera that I fell in love with.

I did a size comparison of these two over a year ago

It's quickly approaching its 40th birthday and I still have it. Your post scared me into doing a panic check to see if the old guy is still alive… Thankfully the LEDs are still bright red although it looks sadly low tech now. But it still lives and the motorized winder (not shown here) even works.

I suppose I should change the batteries, after all even great-great grandpa needs his Ensure to keep him going.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

 

[caterpillar]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

No. The A9 is really about speed and action. Would we have 20fps if we had A9R? I doubt it. And not at this time.

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

Exactly. IF one can't answer that, then the A7R3 is sufficient enough. The question is, what would you put in the theoretical A9R that would make it an R? And something that the A7R3 can't do?

I may not be able to see the whole picture, but I don't see any compelling reason for an A9R.

The other this is Sony wants to make the A9 stand out as the sole best camera they have. Having an A9R dilutes it. Same way that there is only one D1x or D5 line. And if Sony is to make a statement in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, the A9 must stand alone as the only camera in that line. Most likely that will be an A92 in 2020, but it is still the A9. No R's. No S'. After 2020, the door is open and you can dream of an A9R. Or A9s. But if you ask me, what will make those models different or better than the A7 counterparts (price not counting)? If one cannot answer that convincingly, then there is no reason to make an A9R or A9s. The A7 family will be more affordable to for many and not out of reach if it were an A9.

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

If that is your feature, what prevents the A7R4 from having that? Why would it take an A9 family to give you that? And if you notice, DR is something tSony end to advance to all models if possible as the technology is available. It is not a basis of differentiation. They put the latest in the sensor and pass it on to the next version even if it is an aps-c body. You have to have a more compelling feature to make it an A9 body.

 

[khaw]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

I was expecting the RIII coming in A9 clothing - I was wrong and after the A7RIII announcement/delivery I guess an A9R with more resolution may appear only in 2-3 years time, or most probably will never happen...

I believe it will happen and it'll be an a9 on steroids...maybe 70+ MP.

But your guess of 2-3 years is in Nikon time or 3-5 in Canon years. I think it will be more like 8-14 months in Sony time. The a7III and a7sIII come first and the a9II later... we'll just have to wait and see. Fun times.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

...I expect that Sony will soon be able to supply a 24 MP Global Shutter in a FF camera, ending with the "old/obsolete" mechanical sibling and its related problems; for the time being 24 MP is still a very high value / challenge for reading/processing such a device.

IMO, this is what they are up to on their future FF Professional A9 Flagship; it would also make the Canikon concurrence look totally out of date / ancient technology...

Getting it ready for the Olympics would be spot on time / perfect!

All the best,
Pedro

Spot on NumberOne!

 

[Clayton1985]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

No. The A9 is really about speed and action. Would we have 20fps if we had A9R? I doubt it. And not at this time.

The A9 is a camera. You are making a big assumption that Sony intends the A9x line to be about only speed and action. The A7x line is about high resolution, low resolution, speed, low light, video, etc. There is nothing that says the A9x line can't follow a similar line of thinking. Sony has clearly been on a mission to take the E mount system up market as much as possible and they've done a really good job of proving that people will pay if they get it right. I see no reason Sony can't sell the A9r for around the same price as the A9 if they get it right.

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

Exactly. IF one can't answer that, then the A7R3 is sufficient enough. The question is, what would you put in the theoretical A9R that would make it an R? And something that the A7R3 can't do?

Significantly higher resolution, base ISO 50 or 64, better build with better sealing, built in intervalometer, focus stacking, illuminated buttons and controls, Fuji XT2 or Sony A99II articulating screen, improved touchscreen, astro features (or at least avoid the star eater issue), lossless compressed raw, etc. I'm sure everyone will have a different set of features that are important to them but there is plenty of room to improve upon the A7rIII as long as Sony has the sensor to lay the foundation. I don't think Sony can justify the A9r using the same sensor as the A7rIII.

 

[khaw]

If you would have to guess - will there be A9R?

If yes, what advantages/improvements over A7R3 would you ask for?

For me, higher sensor resolution without DR compromise - for cropping.

I was expecting the RIII coming in A9 clothing - I was wrong and after the A7RIII announcement/delivery I guess an A9R with more resolution may appear only in 2-3 years time, or most probably will never happen...

I believe it will happen and it'll be an a9 on steroids...maybe 70+ MP.

But your guess of 2-3 years is in Nikon time or 3-5 in Canon years. I think it will be more like 8-14 months in Sony time. The a7III and a7sIII come first and the a9II later... we'll just have to wait and see. Fun times.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

...I expect that Sony will soon be able to supply a 24 MP Global Shutter in a FF camera, ending with the "old/obsolete" mechanical sibling and its related problems; for the time being 24 MP is still a very high value / challenge for reading/processing such a device.

IMO, this is what they are up to on their future FF Professional A9 Flagship; it would also make the Canikon concurrence look totally out of date / ancient technology...

Getting it ready for the Olympics would be spot on time / perfect!

All the best,
Pedro

Agreed!

Ultimately, a global shutter in a fast pipeline has to be the holy grail of the photo industry. In a stills oriented camera, we'll probably see it in a 1" sensor first...maybe the RX10 or RX100 ... and then look for it in an a9 variant; probably the a9s. That's just a guess based on how BSI and stacked tech was introduced but the Olympics might compress or change that cycle where FF is introduced first. Those who don't see the a9s as a possibility are looking at their feet...not the ceiling. But get out your credit card and hope it doesn't melt.

BTW I'm sill looking for a reason Sony artificially hamstrung video in the a9...a future a9s is the only thing I can think of and a global shutter would cement an a9s as the king of the video/still camera universe.

Bruce

--
http://www.pbase.com/misterpixel

A9s with silent global shutter at 1/300 s and 24 MP within 18 months! Yup!