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Tuesday, August 16, 2011
With the Sony A77, the Pentax K-5 (and DSLR Business) Will be in Great Trouble!?
Is this a DSLR or a SLT? The latter is a technology optimized for video and suboptimal for picture shooting, but it can never be "dustproof".
Does the Sony camera come with in-body shake reduction including rotational sensor motion.
Does the Sony GPS offer astrotracing. BTW, my Pentax GPS finds its fix within seconds, and is fully integrated in the camera software.
Is there a full line of sensor-optimized, high-quality and pocket-size prime lenses available for the A77?
I do not believe the A77 and the K-5 play in the same league for outdoor photography. The K-5 is the best semipro camera for the serious amateur outdoor shooter. Period.
Why can't a SLT be dustproof? It's very similar to a DSLR.
Yes, it has IBIS, like all the Alpha line (not the NEX line, unfortunately), but no rotational motion AFAIK.
No Astrotracing, but having the GPS inside the camera is a major plus for those who want a GPS, but don't care for astrotracing.
There is a line of small (not pancakes though), cheap prime lenses with high quality optics: namely, the DT 30/2.8 Macro, 35/1.8, 50/1.8 and the full-frame 85/2.8. Each of them for less than $250. It's true that they are plastic all-around, and lack the build quality of the limited lenses.
IF Sony's A77 offers weather resistance and IF Sony adds WR to the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 16-80mm or some similar high quality, 5-10X zoom lens, then they could beat Pentax for the outdoors.
I am currently considering either the NEX-7, the A77 or the Pentax K-5, and the weak performance of their new 18-135 is holding me back for the latter.
I do not see how the SLT can protect itself against dust on the inclined, fixed mirror which is in the optical system while taking the picture. So I do not regard the SLT as "dustproof", quite the contrary, I'd call it a "dust collector". Right or wrong?
(on second thoughts, the issue may be minor since the mirror is totally out of the focus plane...)
Best semipro for outdoor shooter? Lol - i'll just attach my Pentax 400mm for outdoor ... oh wait, there's not one. Better get a Sigma then, oh wait, it's not weather sealed so the "rugged sealing" is a moot point.
Admitted, you have a point there, although I am one outdoor shooter and so far pretty happy with my DA* 200mm. And even that "short" lens is oftentimes too heavy so it stays at home...
However, (i) there is a 300mm available, and with an APS-C, the FOV is equivalent to that of a 450mm lens in the film ages. (ii) a true 400mm lens is also available, just not newly manufactured. (iii) I am positive Pentax will manufacture a 400mm lens under Ricoh leadership, if the respective business case looks good.
I hope Rice you were being very tongue-in-cheek about the greatness of this camera and its ability to destroy Pentax, because I do not see it. 1.These cameras will not be similarly priced - Sony sounds like this will be much more expensive 2. Big deal - dust and water resistant? The K-5 is probably still better sealed, and is temperature resistant as well. I think Pentax will still outperform. 3. GPS....ehhh. I have never bought a camera for its GPS capabilities, and probably won't in the future. Its nice it has in camera GPS, but I wonder if Pentax will have that as well. In addition, Pentax is big in astronomy, and astrotracing gives them the edge for that. 4. Translucent mirrors, not my bag. I don't care, you have to shoot through another film, you reduce light. I never saw the a55 as a draw (NEX and a850 are more attractive in my eyes). 5. Pentax needs to worry about Pentax - Pentax needs to continue to progress its slrs to stay alive, not worry about Sony's exploits. What Pentax needs to do is make its base lenses affordable, and bring back some legacy glass for its higher end models (85mm 1.4, 80-200 2.8). On the camera side - improving AF on the video side, fine tuning AF on the still side, reducing the size of the entry-level camera (and keeping it cheap). Oh, how about wireless mic capabilities built into the flagship camera?
Pentax just put behind its belt another AWARD for 645D ***EISA Professional Camera of the Year*** besides *Best DSLR Professional by TIPA* and *Grand Prix Camera of the Year by CJPC*, so they sure don't look any endangered at all...
24 mp also means huge files for RAW takers, 16.4 mp is big enough as it is. Thanks, no thanks to 24 mp... and Sony glass is not cheap, the very nice SAL70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM is $1,600 and one needs more than that....
Thanks for the notice about the good news of the 645D. I shall make a post about it shortly.
Besides, I don't shoot RAW normally. So, big RAW is not a real concern to me. Btw, if you're being afraid of big RAW files because of a higher pixel count, I am sure that you will not shoot RAW anymore even if you're given a 645D! ;-)
OK, 16.4 mp starts OUT-RESOLVE even good glass. RAW is the only way to go for some (as myself), hence PP element. What do you gain with 24 mp and APS-C glass, besides much larger RAW and investing more money?
645D is COMPLETELY different game because the (FA) glass is TOTALLY different and made for even LARGER format than 645D sensor. Try FA 35mm, FA 75mm & FA 200mm 645 lenses with 645n (120 film I use now and than) or 645D and let me know what you think... :o))
I have no doubt about the IQ of the 645D, but the high price and large size of it means that it will never be a mainstream. For most people, it serve only as an iconic symbol for what a Pentax can do, but with no practical meaning at all, for a completely different mount and system.
A77 is perfect concept but 24 Mpix APS-C is not an easy task for current lenses we have. Even 24 mpix for FF is quite at the limits. 7D is a good example of it, but of course Canon lenses are not optimized for APS-C and most of them are very weak and the marketing strategy is insisting FF. But of course, Zeiss can have secret weapons, this can change the game completely who knows ?
On another note, compared the Nikon D5100 to a Pentax Kr 4 hours ago. The Pentax had quick and almost silent autofocus, and the ability to quickly access ISO, WB, Flash and Drive/self-timer via a four-way controller. The Nikon has a smaller and dimmer viewfinder than my Nikon D40, the autofocus has more confirmation dots but is no faster, and the ISO, Flash, WB and drive are accessed through the menu. If you assign another function externally you lose the external self-timer, I believe. The Nikon is a cut-down version of the Kr with a much higher price: 60% more with the standard lens. The Pentax has fewer pixels, but definitely more bang for the buck. BTW, my Nikon D40, 6mp, shows really well on my 21.5 inch iMac lcd screen, and I doubt that the extra mp make any difference at normal viewing size. Nikon has great image quality, but the D5100 is not a great instrument. Disappointing, since the D40 is so good at what it does, and is a much superior instrument for framing and taking photos.
With the release of the new Sony line insight we might say here that the i.q. of this new sensor combined with the algorythms of the software is all important factor here. Ofcourse pro magnesium body is a nice bonus! But @ the end it's the picture quality that counts! The new AVCHD II videocodec is also promising since (despite of all the critic) AVCHD is a great codec! So any improvement of that will be a huge bonus for Indie filmers! I have been following the developments of GH1/GH2 from the start. Especially through the stalin hack threads on Vitaliy Kiselev personal view site/blog http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussions
But maybe they'll do it with AVCHD II, who knows? For stills GH2 is nothing c.t. K-5! Zeiss glass in combi the new Sony line looks even more apealing! I have been using Pentax fore over 35 years now and I might sell the whole collection soon! Probably i keep alll the nice Pentax primes and buy myself a PK > Nex adapter! K-5 is a great camera i must say, she is a true lowlight queen! Also for vid. with better colors than Panny but less analytic: http://www.youtube.com/user/EddieBoschma?feature=... Other points are: * Absortion of almost 30% of the light by the translucent mirrors of the new Sony Alpha line, def. a con (i don't even use filters!) * beautifull autoadapters for alpha>nex and adapter with buildin translucent mirror, def, a pro http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-the-revolution... So wait a while and see........
Logging you in...
Simon · 708 weeks ago
Chris · 708 weeks ago
Does the Sony camera come with in-body shake reduction including rotational sensor motion.
Does the Sony GPS offer astrotracing. BTW, my Pentax GPS finds its fix within seconds, and is fully integrated in the camera software.
Is there a full line of sensor-optimized, high-quality and pocket-size prime lenses available for the A77?
I do not believe the A77 and the K-5 play in the same league for outdoor photography. The K-5 is the best semipro camera for the serious amateur outdoor shooter. Period.
Movies may be a different story...
Matthieu · 708 weeks ago
Yes, it has IBIS, like all the Alpha line (not the NEX line, unfortunately), but no rotational motion AFAIK.
No Astrotracing, but having the GPS inside the camera is a major plus for those who want a GPS, but don't care for astrotracing.
There is a line of small (not pancakes though), cheap prime lenses with high quality optics: namely, the DT 30/2.8 Macro, 35/1.8, 50/1.8 and the full-frame 85/2.8. Each of them for less than $250. It's true that they are plastic all-around, and lack the build quality of the limited lenses.
IF Sony's A77 offers weather resistance and IF Sony adds WR to the Zeiss Vario-Sonnar 16-80mm or some similar high quality, 5-10X zoom lens, then they could beat Pentax for the outdoors.
I am currently considering either the NEX-7, the A77 or the Pentax K-5, and the weak performance of their new 18-135 is holding me back for the latter.
Chris · 708 weeks ago
(on second thoughts, the issue may be minor since the mirror is totally out of the focus plane...)
RiceHigh 110p · 708 weeks ago
Anon · 708 weeks ago
Chris · 708 weeks ago
However, (i) there is a 300mm available, and with an APS-C, the FOV is equivalent to that of a 450mm lens in the film ages. (ii) a true 400mm lens is also available, just not newly manufactured. (iii) I am positive Pentax will manufacture a 400mm lens under Ricoh leadership, if the respective business case looks good.
C
David · 708 weeks ago
1.These cameras will not be similarly priced - Sony sounds like this will be much more expensive
2. Big deal - dust and water resistant? The K-5 is probably still better sealed, and is temperature resistant as well. I think Pentax will still outperform.
3. GPS....ehhh. I have never bought a camera for its GPS capabilities, and probably won't in the future. Its nice it has in camera GPS, but I wonder if Pentax will have that as well. In addition, Pentax is big in astronomy, and astrotracing gives them the edge for that.
4. Translucent mirrors, not my bag. I don't care, you have to shoot through another film, you reduce light. I never saw the a55 as a draw (NEX and a850 are more attractive in my eyes).
5. Pentax needs to worry about Pentax - Pentax needs to continue to progress its slrs to stay alive, not worry about Sony's exploits. What Pentax needs to do is make its base lenses affordable, and bring back some legacy glass for its higher end models (85mm 1.4, 80-200 2.8). On the camera side - improving AF on the video side, fine tuning AF on the still side, reducing the size of the entry-level camera (and keeping it cheap). Oh, how about wireless mic capabilities built into the flagship camera?
RiceHigh 110p · 708 weeks ago
Michael A. · 708 weeks ago
24 mp also means huge files for RAW takers, 16.4 mp is big enough as it is. Thanks, no thanks to 24 mp... and Sony glass is not cheap, the very nice SAL70400G 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G SSM is $1,600 and one needs more than that....
RiceHigh 110p · 708 weeks ago
Besides, I don't shoot RAW normally. So, big RAW is not a real concern to me. Btw, if you're being afraid of big RAW files because of a higher pixel count, I am sure that you will not shoot RAW anymore even if you're given a 645D! ;-)
Michael A. · 708 weeks ago
645D is COMPLETELY different game because the (FA) glass is TOTALLY different and made for even LARGER format than 645D sensor. Try FA 35mm, FA 75mm & FA 200mm 645 lenses with 645n (120 film I use now and than) or 645D and let me know what you think... :o))
RiceHigh 110p · 708 weeks ago
VladimirYo · 708 weeks ago
No... four A77!
RiceHigh 110p · 708 weeks ago
Ace · 708 weeks ago
Toomas Kadarpik · 708 weeks ago
Richard · 708 weeks ago
The Nikon has a smaller and dimmer viewfinder than my Nikon D40, the autofocus has more confirmation dots but is no faster, and the ISO, Flash, WB and drive are accessed through the menu. If you assign another function externally you lose the external self-timer, I believe. The Nikon is a cut-down version of the Kr with a much higher price: 60% more with the standard lens.
The Pentax has fewer pixels, but definitely more bang for the buck.
BTW, my Nikon D40, 6mp, shows really well on my 21.5 inch iMac lcd screen, and I doubt that the extra mp make any difference at normal viewing size.
Nikon has great image quality, but the D5100 is not a great instrument. Disappointing, since the D40 is so good at what it does, and is a much superior instrument for framing and taking photos.
Jason · 708 weeks ago
eddie · 708 weeks ago
So any improvement of that will be a huge bonus for Indie filmers!
I have been following the developments of GH1/GH2 from the start.
Especially through the stalin hack threads on Vitaliy Kiselev personal view site/blog http://www.personal-view.com/talks/discussions
Sony has to come with something special to improve this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5yFuOWIhXQ
pls watch 1080p fullscreen or dwnl. with browseraddon for YT dwnl.!
But maybe they'll do it with AVCHD II, who knows?
For stills GH2 is nothing c.t. K-5!
Zeiss glass in combi the new Sony line looks even more apealing!
I have been using Pentax fore over 35 years now and I might sell the whole collection soon!
Probably i keep alll the nice Pentax primes and buy myself a PK > Nex adapter!
K-5 is a great camera i must say, she is a true lowlight queen!
Also for vid. with better colors than Panny but less analytic: http://www.youtube.com/user/EddieBoschma?feature=...
Other points are:
* Absortion of almost 30% of the light by the translucent mirrors of the new Sony Alpha line, def. a con (i don't even use filters!)
* beautifull autoadapters for alpha>nex and adapter with buildin translucent mirror, def, a pro http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-the-revolution...
So wait a while and see........
eddie · 708 weeks ago
It's gone anyway here...