What will this be called

[spaceweasel]

Well, this is appropriate. The first post to a new thread from a first time poster.

What do you think this new Sony SLR will be called? I hope it has Minolta in there somewhere. Maybe MAXXUM or DYNAX. I have the sneaking suspicion Sony will just use....Sony, and their model number. To bad they won't see the advantage, prestige, and legacy of using the Minolta name.

 

[jlbills]

> My biggest concern is whether we're going to have to use the Sony > memory sticks rather than the SD cards already used in the current > 7D's

 

[picky7]

>This is true...they should give some part of the name like, maxx, dynx, >monlD. any idae when they are going to put first DSLR in the market.

 

[spaceweasel]

You mean...compact flash, don't you?

If it has, both, compact flash AND memory stick, it would only be to our advantage to have more options. I agree that only memory stick would be a big mistake.

But..what will they call it?

 

[spaceweasel]

The first Sony DSLR is to be released this summer. They are gearing up now, changing logos on existing products, and getting the camera ready.

Methinks they will release rebadged 7D and 5D as we know them, but with 10+ Mp CCDs and updated firmware. That's just my guess.

 

[picky7]

>I love to see 10 MP with minolta mount.....I am justing for that. I hope >that sony will not disappoint the Minolta customers.

 

[Guest]

In terms of the name for the new Sony SLR-line, there has been rumours about two cameras this summer - one standard and one high-end SLR (the latter maybe even with new Zeiss glass).

If these rumours are correct, I would suspect Sony to choose a Contax-related name for their upper-end or 'Lexus'-model. The name will be something in the region of 'RTS'.

In the P&S-business, Sony already nicked the T-name from Contax to go with their high-profiled design models like T-3, T-33, Y-5, T-9 and so on.

Jakob

 

[houckster]

My guess is that at least for the first issue of cameras, Sony will stick close to the farm so as not to alienate dedicated Minolta users. I'd be surprised if they used memory other than CompactFlash memory since they must know that we have investments in memory already. Also it would make other people less likely to convert to their brand if the memory is proprietary.

I will be eagerly anticipating their new camera. Hopefully, they will upgrade the autofocus capabilities. I have been generally disappointed with this function on the 7D. It gets fooled too often.

 

[Uksnapper]

Whilst a higher capacity chip would be good I am more interested in = getting better image quality from them, less fringing on wide angles = AND, most important, a wide angle shift lens equivalent to maybe a 21mm = on 35mm. Without a wide selection of lenses the Digital SLRs from any maker are = doomed to limited appeal

 

[spaceweasel]

Sony lost the Mp3 market because of their proprietary ATRAC format. I think they learned a big lesson from this. Many Sony heads fell in the basket.

I think they won't want to make that mistake again. I know if they don't respect the Minolta community's wishes, I'm 'outta here. How about you?

 

[ciprian]

I've been a Minolta user for a few years now, but not gone digital yet. I really don't fancy buying a Sony camera, so Nikon D200 here I come. I will be keeping my Dynax 5 for shooting slides, but not investing in Minolta/Sony gear any more.

 

[dirk]

Hi Ciprian,

Wait a few weeks until more information is publicly available. If my sources are correct, it is worth the wait...

 

[picky7]

I am 100% with you. Sony must respect Minolta user..Otherwise they will lose some business in this area. I love to see high end DSLR camera.

 

[Uksnapper]

You can not dismiss Sony from High end equipment, their Video kit was = once a byname in cameras. Allied to their tie up with Zeiss and the fact that they make chips = for a huge variety of Digicam manufacturers we could see the camera = world recieve the biggest upset since the Leica was introduced.=20 Im not saying that this will happen but Sony is big enough to make it = happen if it wanted. Canon and Nikon are now looked upon as the only makers of Pro digital = SLRs in mainstream use. Fuji and Hasselblad teamed up to provide a medium format solution = selling to a miniscule market cameras that start at =A322,000. only time will tell

 

[houckster]

Any move by Sony that would reduce my equity in KM equipment including the support investments like compact flash memory would reduce my incentive to buy Sony equipment. I have invested $500 in compact flash memory. If Sony want to use their proprietary memory sticks that is a $500 incentive for me to go elsewhere. Fortunately, the only real investment I still absolutely need to make is a telephoto lens which I'd probably get from Tamron. Still if Sony brings out a camera body that is a very real practical improvement over the 7D, I'd be tempted.

 

[Guest]

Please note that the Sony DSC-R1 supports both Compact Flash card and = Sony's Memory Stick. It would be highly unlikely that Sony would not = continue the same policy in any new high end camera.

 

[dirk]

I have the R1 and can confirm this. IMHO it is for sure that Sony will offer either both in their future DSLRs or only CF support. The latter one is doubtable, since Sony wants to sell also their own standard. If they would not offer the "double" solution á la R1, they would decrease any sales potential in their memory stick products.

But they have to offer CF Cards support, otherwise this would be another hurdle to invest in the Sony-Minolta System for newbies...

 

[jsmisc]

I hope there may be an R2 soon. I think that these electronic viewfinder cameras may be the way ahead rather than the current range of adapted film cameras but the manufacturers need to sort out out the viewing screens and give them quality at least on a par with the external LCD panels. The R1's external panel is too small IMO but otherwise good.
Following the liasion with KM, Sony should also be able to give us image stabilisation.
So far as I know, only Olympus so far has tackled the dust on the sensor problem when changing lenses. Fast wide ranging zoom lenses fixed lenses solve this.
Whether or not Sony wil produce a full size sensor is a moot point and I have my doubts certainly in cameras like the R1 as it would surely make the lens huge.
If they would do so for their DSLR's it would be a terrific bonus for Minolta film camera users who already own a collection of lenses and it would also make it more feasible to use second hand lenses.
It is an exciting time.

 

[jlbills]

> That's a big plus.

 

[houckster]

Unfortunately, Sony advises that the batteries and the vertical grip of the 7D are not compatible with the new A100. Very disappointing.