Sony a850 Discontinued

http://photorumors.com …continued/comme​nt-page-1/

Sad really, its a good camera if you dont care about high ISOs, Excellent DR and color reproduction from what I've seen, and its a very affordable FF option...

Shame to see Sony continue to update their low end bodies every few months it seems and completely neglect the higher end stuff....

I just got one and it is awesome. Total confidence cropping, total confidence in a 35mm type experience. Retro design. Tonality.

its like 2 years old and they've already discontinued it?

Sad to see it go like this, feel quite happy now that I didn't get into Sony cameras.

KenjiS wrote in post #12476517
Sad really, its a good camera if you dont care about high ISOs, Excellent DR and color reproduction from what I've seen, and its a very affordable FF option...

+ if you don't care about having normal hot shoe. :P (I know there is an adapter, but why be so different?)

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12476575
its like 2 years old and they've already discontinued it?

Indeed...:/ and the a700 has been killed for a year now with no "tangible" replacement

Its really sad, I am very thankful I didnt dump to Sony at one point as it just seems they cant put out any higher end bodies...I'd think there would be a bigger margin on the upper end products....

Also of course, if i was selling someone a camera I'd steer them right clear of Sony for the reason of "Theres absolutely no upgrade path in their lineup"

KenjiS wrote in post #12476626
Indeed...:/ and the a700 has been killed for a year now with no "tangible" replacement

Its really sad, I am very thankful I didnt dump to Sony at one point as it just seems they cant put out any higher end bodies...I'd think there would be a bigger margin on the upper end products....

Also of course, if i was selling someone a camera I'd steer them right clear of Sony for the reason of "Theres absolutely no upgrade path in their lineup"

I understand that most professional photographers (weddings and otherwise) are reluctant to go with Sony in general--mostly because they'd be laughed right out of the room. This pretty much limits their FF segment to the consumer/enthusiast market... and $2k is kind of expensive for your average user. In a marketing sense, they're probably doing well by focusing on the entry to mid-range market... but why are they killing off their high-end line--exception being the a900? It's already there and developed. they just have to continue manufacturing them!!! The a850 isn't all that outdated when compared with the 5d2

MOkoFOko wrote in post #12476710
I understand that most professional photographers (weddings and otherwise) are reluctant to go with Sony in general--mostly because they'd be laughed right out of the room. This pretty much limits their FF segment to the consumer/enthusiast market... and $2k is kind of expensive for your average user. In a marketing sense, they're probably doing well by focusing on the entry to mid-range market... but why are they completely killing off their high-end line? It's already there and developed. they just have to continue manufacturing them!!!

Unless events in Japan damaged the manufacturing facility or something and its simply not cost effective to repair and retool to continue manufacturing....

Sony also has been pretty blunt about not wanting pro business at times (I remember someone here posted a quote from a Sony marketing exec that was along the lines of "We dont care about pros, We're not interested in it") and he also talked about a few difficulties he had with Sony, Specifically they have horrible service and his and several other folks he knew had A700s fail after about a year and a half (The main circuit boards fried..)

One of my best friends shoots a Sony a100, and was going to get an a850, He's kinda sad now but figures he'll just foot the extra and get the a900 instead...or get the A55 and save his pennies for the trio of lenses he wants (16-35, 24-70 and 70-200...cant say i blame him, those are three very good lenses) He DOES love the 7D though (And I've tried to convert him to Canon but he wants full frame and doesnt like the 5DII)

Well... I think this is not necessarily a bad thing. Sony is moving forward with their translucent mirror tech knowing they can't beat Canon and Nikon in the traditional DSLR game, why not just stop trying and cut your losses?

Sony service is notorious for being the WORST in the industry.


I am a die hard PS3 fanboy, but after 4(yes 4) systems failed, and I had to pay 150 for EACH refurbished replacement....

I gave up. I called them up explained my position and asked them what they could do.

they asked me: why do we care?

my reply: because I am 23 and I make X a year... and I live in a house with 2 xbox360's.

their response: why is that important.

I really wish I was kidding but after that kind of treatment by THEIR CUSTOMER SUPPORT...its no wonder. really sony products are great, they are fun, and cool for the most part, but once they break, sony leaves you with your pants down, every time.

And I ***REALLY*** wanted to buy an A900. I mean could you imagein dropping several thousand for a 70-200G and a zeiss 24-70, only to have your 70-200G break down after a year? if a camera shop says it happens from time to time, it happens WAY to much.

^- OUCH..... Yeah I'm kinda miffed at Sony at the moment but for a DIFFERENT reason...

Oh and LensRentals on the repair thing, IIRC the first time the Sony stuff could be included on their list the 24-70 and 70-200 were at the top, with a 33% failure rate, They have 9 copies of each lens, 1/3 of your lenses failing is NOT a good rate at ALL

LensRentals also hinted at the repair cost for each lens being roughly 3 times a Canon or Nikon repair

I really cant complain about Canon's service because I've also never had to use it....

Sony are up **** street financially - 3.2 billion dollar loss this year. Ouch.

I guess they're culling anything that doesn't do the business for them.

KenjiS wrote in post #12476517
Sad really, its a good camera if you dont care about high ISOs, Excellent DR and color reproduction from what I've seen, and its a very affordable FF option...

I'm sorry, but that made me laugh a little, it kinda sounds like you're saying it's a good camera as long as you don't care about the quality of the photos it can take. So I don't see how it's good...

javierperalta wrote in post #12492949
I'm sorry, but that made me laugh a little, it kinda sounds like you're saying it's a good camera as long as you don't care about the quality of the photos it can take. So I don't see how it's good...

You didnt read all i said..Noise isnt everything afterall

its strength isnt high ISO shooting, its low ISO

At lower ISOs the dynamic range and color reproduction of the a850 is better than the 5DII or D700 :P

But, if you shoot at ISO800+ frequently, its better to choose the 5DII or D700, they have superior noise control

KenjiS wrote in post #12492953
You didnt read all i said..Noise isnt everything afterall

its strength isnt high ISO shooting, its low ISO

At lower ISOs the dynamic range and color reproduction of the a850 is better than the 5DII or D700 :P

But, if you shoot at ISO800+ frequently, its better to choose the 5DII or D700, they have superior noise control

I think he's saying you could read what you said as saying if you don't care about high ISO, and excellent DR, and colour reproduction then its a good camera

As an owner I agree. Excellent DR and color gradation as I've said earlier. I discounted it until I said , "Heck I'll try it". I now have a billboard contract and have some great image files to work with.