Sony announces a9 24MP 20fps high-end full frame sports camera

The majority of people on earth don't use log, so Sony probably didn't think it was necessary for whatever reason in this new one. Especially because the camera is so focused on photography with its new features.
 
The majority of people on earth don't use log, so Sony probably didn't think it was necessary for whatever reason in this new one. Especially because the camera is so focused on photography with its new features.

log? What's that?

Just joking :) I don't use log yet either, but plan to learn. The camera looks interesting. What is possibly more interesting is the future of the A7S series. Will it become A9S?
 
If the '7' series is done and the '9' starts a new one, we should!

a9R, a9S...or maybe it will just be an a7SIII. Something is definitely coming.
 
I see the a7 series in good health: the a9 is waaaay more expensive. Plenty of room for a cheap a7III at $1700 (clean 4k 30 fps and slog3), a low-light and video a7S III (4k 60 fps and maybe improved DR) at $3000, and a high-res a7R III (sure they'll find something to improve for photogs) at $3200.
 
I was afraid it could be awesome and all I wanted to have and it would force me to spend $4500 on a camera (way more than my max to date). Those worries are now gone.
 
...a low-light and video a7S III (4k 60 fps and maybe improved DR) at $3000...

That's basically what I'm waiting for. The A9 looks nice but it's not for me given that I'm video centric. I'm still using the original A7S and honestly it's sensor is good enough for me, I don't feel like it costs me money or hinders my business, it's makes a perfectly fine image for my needs. Heck I don't use log either, the cine profiles are plenty good for me. I'm just hoping Sony will sort out other issues that do get in my way like the lack of 2 sd card slots for mirrored recording, an articulating screen, larger battery, better af, etc, the usability items. Looks like the A9 has sorted some of those which is great, Keeping my fingers crossed that the A7SIII will finally add an articulating screen into the mix as well.
 
I agree. This 24MP sensor size is a great fit for stills/video type people. A ~$3,000 A9s model would be great. I have survived all of these years with 22MP or under and I do not see the need to go any higher for my stills work. The quality equalization between full frame and crop modes is a great plus. If they could add 4k60p I would be over the moon. Or if they could have a 10bit 4:2:2 option with 24bit audio via the XLR adapter it would be even better than 4k60p. Seems like a good time to wait and see to buy a camera.
 
They're going to have to sort out heat issues before they bring in 4k 60p or 10 bit. I hope they can make their small cameras reliable for filming in 4k 25p, then I can consider them for use in productions
 
10-bit means new processor, we can't know how much better it's going to be but the current one is a few years old so there should be room for improved thermals. In any case, I think what he means is that he doesn't care about 10-bit as long as the camera has overheating, which will certainly be the case for a lot of users. I'm still happy with my RX100 IV but I had to shoot a few 3-minute takes a couple of weeks ago and well, it bit me on one of them.
 
I wish someone at these press junkets had asked, "Why did you cripple the video features on this model?"

"Uh, it's a primarily a stills camera".

"Well, no. You have 4K, top auto focus. All you needed was to add was S-log such as you have on your much cheaper units".

"Uh, but it's a stills camera".

"No, it isn't. Are you protecting FS-5 by intentionally depriving A9 and A99II of useful video features while including others? Why can't you include a 10-bit 4:2:2 when a less expensive GH-4 has it?"

Shake a little more honesty out of these PR types.
 
The 10-bit thing is not surprising at all, I think it's just the processor not being prepared for that. The active crippling is on the slog thing. They clearly don't want *us* using this camera.
 
It is a very strange concept to me. Not wanting to make a sale from a customer that probably will not buy your more expensive product you are protecting all the while the person buying the expensive product would only consider the lower level product as a "B" cam if it had the nicer features... Seems like a lose-lose to me. Not to mention to opportunity to sell your brand of lenses to them as well.

Case in point - Canon. I have used their still cameras since the 30D era all the way up to the 5DMKIII. Video usage has become more important in the buying decision as the MKIII does all I need for still work. They did some funky stuff with the MKIV, I did not buy and now have purchased some Sony cameras. I no longer am a candidate for expanding my Canon lens lineup. I will not be buying a C300 anytime soon. So they threw me away over a codec choice and a ridiculous crop factor in 4k. They seem to be fine with it though.
 
First of all, any company is entitled to manufacture and market whatever they want, subject to the absence of deceit.

But it's seems pretty obvious that all camera manufacturers will cripple some of their models - i.e., withhold features that are available elsewhere at much lower prices - and, just as importantly, not even bother manufacturing/marketing others even though the related technology is available "off-the shelf" already.

But even that is OK with me, as long as these PR hacks admit to what they are doing. The problem is that they are never challenged during these junkets. It's as if every reviewer suddenly forgot the performance levels that are available from a different camera in his holster.

PS. Speaking of crippling cameras and crippling idiots -Nikon's Imagine Product 3rd Q 2016 sales were 520 billion Yen. 3rd Q 2017 was 383 billion Yen. Nice upward trajectory.
 
Well, that's the thing: they have the right to bring to market whatever they think is in their best interest, but if you decide you don't want me as a customer then don't come back complaining your cameras didn't sell well.
 
Would you really spend $4500 for it if it had S-Log?

Sooner or later, a new video-focused mirrorless will arrive and it may have many features the a9 doesn't.

I immediately thought how insane it was for them to not include S-Log, but they are actually doing me a favor by omitting it.

We get to save our money for the next big release, which will probably be 10x better for video than this one is.
 
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