The last week I got multiple hints about the Sony FF strategy. And now I can start to share some bits of SR5 ranked rumors! :)
First, the FF buzz from these weeks happened because Sony now officially choose the final A99 specs. And it is already showing the camera to managers and some important photographers and dealers. The first thing to know is that Sony decided to announce the A99 (or whatever the final name will be) in late August! There will be on Full Frame camera only and the next FF camera is coming in 2013. So what will happen from now? Sony plans to show the camera to photographers and important dealers in May/June. We “normal” user may see some official teaser this summer. But if I will have some luck I may be able to show you the camera earlier :)
As I told you many times this is an SLT camera with improved Electronic Viewfinder. I am still waiting to get the final confirmation from my top sources but I know that one FF prototype had 24 Megapixel, 101 cross AF points, same articulating screen as the [shoplink 8461]Sony A77[/shoplink]. De facto it looks like the [shoplink 8461]A77[/shoplink] but is just a bit larger. Price should be below the Nikon D800 (which costs $2999). But as I said, this was my latest info about the prototype version. I hope to get some news about the final approved version soon!
My personal two cent about that: I am no marketing expert but my “feeling” is that the camera could sell well if the price will be around $2500-$2600 (like the currently discontinued Sony A900). A new improved EVF, a Full Frame 24 Megapixel sensor with clean ISO and super speed AF and burst rate could be very tempting. Combine this with the new coming Zeiss lenses and I am in :) The Nikon D800 (Click here) would remain tempting for customers in need for Optical Viewfinder or massive Megapixels. While the Canon 5DmarkIII (Click here) is priced too high for what it does (that’s again just my personal opinion backed by Amazon ranking sales you can see here). And now show Sony your A99 buying intentions:
P.S.: That said, stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors, there is a lot I have to share with you! And don’t forget to follow the community on Facebook and news on Twitter!
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Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!