Sony's new Full-Frame A-850

It appears that Sony is gunning for the 5D Mark II. They just released a smaller version of the A900 with a full-frame sensor and most of the features of its larger sibling except for a smaller coverage (98%) viewfinder and slower fps speed. What surprised me the most was the absence of any type of movie mode or live view! I think that Sony has previously had the best version of live view, so it would have been neat to see what they did with a movie mode using their two sensor approach to focusing. I think this missing feature will keep the camera from truly competing with the 5D Mark II. Plus, it sounds like there will be a lot of in-camera noise reduction going on which will probably render less detail than the images of the 5D Mark II. This is just speculation though....

Here's a link

I agree on the movie mode and liveview, quite surprising coming from sony.
but at $2k MSRP, with an expected lower street price.... That's just above a D300 or a bit more over a 50D for 24mp and full frame. Sigma also supports that mount so there are some very good lens alternatives for not too much money (Sony's better lenses rival Ls in price!).

I am just an amateur, but I really want to go FF. I hope Canon responds to this soon, or I may be looking at moving systems. Alternatively, if prices simply drop, that'll work for me as well

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8531987
I agree on the movie mode and liveview, quite surprising coming from sony.
but at $2k MSRP, with an expected lower street price.... That's just above a D300 or a bit more over a 50D for 24mp and full frame. Sigma also supports that mount so there are some very good lens alternatives for not too much money (Sony's better lenses rival Ls in price!).

"That's just above a D300"

Good point. In some ways this might harm Nikon (already bleeding cash, and already trying to convince people to switch systems) worse than Canon.

40Driggs wrote in post #8531850
They just released a smaller version of the A900.

BTW, it's not smaller looking at the specs physically. Not sure if you meant little brother smaller or not.

so it's just the viewfinder going to 98% (which is what canon does anyway) and 3fps -vs- 5fps but a larger/deeper buffer (just because it fills it slower) for ~$700 less, if not more (current a900 prices at $2700, the a850 has a MSRP of $2k but might sell for less). That's a 25% price reduction w/o much loss in specs.....

Great news, but too bad considering even Sony's A900 has been pretty horrible above ISO 400.

yeah, but they've traded ISO for MP with insane DR. INSANE:

$2000? Are you kidding me? The 5D2 already seemed overpriced compared to the D700, and now this makes it look worse. This is going to really shake up the scene. Prices are going to drop fast methinks. If canon/nikon don't respond, Sony will scoop up all the new photographers and canon/nikon will be left with all the old boys like us.

Just sold my good old 5D, and the 5D MKII kit will arrive this Friday. But I am seriously considering jumping ship. A 24MP full frame at 2000...Wow! Let's wait to see what 7D will look like. It might not be a full frame though...

I am praying that the 7D will be full frame............... praying, praying.

calvinnju wrote in post #8532119
Let's wait to see what 7D will look like. It might not be a full frame though...

roanjohn wrote in post #8532168
I am praying that the 7D will be full frame............... praying, praying.

I'm with you guys, but the rumor guys all think canon rumors is right with in spec'd at 1.6. We'll know Tuesday morning, but it's looking like the 7D will be a baby 1 series (sports) and the 5Dii is the baby 1Ds.

calvinnju wrote in post #8532119
Just sold my good old 5D, and the 5D MKII kit will arrive this Friday. But I am seriously considering jumping ship. A 24MP full frame at 2000...Wow! Let's wait to see what 7D will look like. It might not be a full frame though...

I've been there. Came to Canon from Minolta.
To me the price of the system played a big role. Sony's top lenses are more expensive then Canon's.

I don't care if Cannon issue 7D tomorrow or for Christmas. it is more important to me that the prices will drop for existing models.

jacobsen1 wrote in post #8532066
yeah, but they've traded ISO for MP with insane DR. INSANE:

that's JPEG, but in RAW the a900 (and D700) both get MUCH better. Canon's only get slightly better.
...

I think DPR's test of that was when NR or DRO could not be turned off. The a900 does not have significantly more DR than other cameras similar to it.

roanjohn wrote in post #8532168
I am praying that the 7D will be full frame............... praying, praying.

Nope. www.canonrumors.com have it 95% being aps-c.

roanjohn wrote in post #8532168
I am praying that the 7D will be full frame............... praying, praying.

I am with you though I will prefer 1 series AF over FF.