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2009 Sony Predictions

December 21, 2008 - 07:01:35 PM:

Here are my predictions for 2009:

Sony will not release a $6000 camera. The α900 will stay the top-of-the-line camera from Sony.
Sony will release new lenses, especially some of the primes that were previewed at PMA 2007. They will also release previously unshown designs, especially mid-aperture full-frame zooms, like a 24-105/4 SSM.
None of the old Minolta designs will re-appear in a Sony dress. Those who want back the 400/4.5 or 200/2.8 will have to rely on the second hand market. Future lenses will all be new Sony or Carl Zeiss designs.
No Tamron design will appear as a Sony branded lens. Sony will have their own designs.
There will be a successor of the DT 11-18, but it will not be the Tamron 10-24 design.
New cameras will appear in the entry segment, replacing the α200.

There are 6 comment(s):

#1: Comment posted by Chris on December 22, 2008 - 07:32:43 PM:
What about back-illuminated sensors? As well, I think an a700 upgrade is going to happen, they need to develop a faster shutter that can take advantage of the sensor's readout speeds. Maybe 8fps, Bionz II, and the a900's AF module, and the ability to shoot at full fps in lower light?
Michael Hohner answers:
Back-illuminated sensors make most sense for small-pixel sensors, ie. those for small P&S cameras. They were not developed for DSLRs. I did not list a α700 successor because I don't expect one.

#2: Comment posted by JHG on December 24, 2008 - 12:30:46 AM:
Any chance to have HD video included on a new camera, ala Canon 5D II or Nikon D90? What do you think?
Michael Hohner answers:
I don't know.

#3: Comment posted by Alexramos on January 05, 2009 - 04:43:01 AM:
Hi Michael... I think is very probably a a200/a300 sustitute (only one model) with the a700 sensor, LV and video and a new CMOS sensor APS-C for a700 sustitute.

#4: Comment posted by Sky_walker on March 02, 2009 - 07:47:57 PM:
replay to JHG's comment: I seen somewhere a rumor that Sony plans to make Alpha 200/300 successor which would contain full HD video with AF, as well as the 'moving LCD' thing, and several other enhancements. However I didn't heard anything about the sensor size nor LV in it (yet it seems obvious that it'd have both LV and 14MPx sensor making it more like a A350 successor than 200/300.)

#5: Comment posted by Vietto on March 25, 2009 - 09:40:12 AM:
Hi, have you some news/infomation about a new camera to replace the a700, somethink like a750/800n there are many rumors on the network. I'm looking for a new camera and I don't like if after one month of my buy sony release the successor of the a700. Thanks
Michael Hohner answers:
I do not have information about such a camera, and I do not pay much attention to rumors (because most are just made up).

#6: Comment posted by Pepe on May 09, 2009 - 02:06:09 AM:
Well seems like you where right about the entry level replacement. But that new 28-75mm is a Tamron design Sony branded finally, sounds to me like it's some kind of a "bone" for those expecting something else for the A900. I was hoping sooo much for those two fast fixed wides! Not that the 35/1,4 isn't a good lens, but is expensive for an old design... And the 28 and 35 f/2 are lost in the nature or overpriced. Isn't there a demand for this gap?? I'm sure they would sell a lot of Alpha mount Distagons!
Michael Hohner answers:
Well, the 28-75 is not yet released, and it looks like just a re-release of the Minolta version, so I claim half a point, there :-)