A couple months ago, I blogged about my wish for a full frame SLR digital camera with articulating LCD for $2000.
Well, that wish is coming closer to reality. Today Sony announced the full frame (36mm x 24mm images sensor) 24.6 megapixel A850 digital camera.
It has no rotating LCD, but that's not a deal breaker for me. The fact that it's a Sony and doesn't take Nikon lenses is the deal breaker for me. But it's great to see full frame hitting the 2 grand point. It's about time. I still believe that all of today's SLR cameras should feature full frame sensors. It's 2009.
Two quick thoughts... is there a built in flash? I understand that a built in flash is probably a non-issue for serious phtographers (who I'm sure are the target market for this camera) but it's nice to have. Maybe it's just hard to tell from the photo but I don't see one.
Also, I would have to check out the user interface on this camera before buying it. I hated our old Sony point and shoot camera. Trying to navigate through the menus when you wanted to change a setting was extremely difficult and confusing.
I would hold out for a full frame Nikon for $2,000 or less...
Posted by: Mark R on Aug 31, 09 | 8:24 am
@Tom: yea, it does look pretty nice, eh?
@Mark: All your points are right on. There's no built-in flash. And most professional photographers scoff at built-in flashes. I avoid them at all costs, but there are moments when it's very nice to have a built-in flash. I don't want to always be or have time to be messing around with hooking up a speedlight. That built-in flash is great to have as a last resort, cuz certain times I don't want to push my ISO to 800 and above.
I owned a Sony (DSC-P5 I believe) from 2000 and I was never really that happy with the interface. I would also have concerns about the a850's interface.
Full frame $2000 Nikon it will be for me. I'm certain it will be at least two years down the road for that to happen. In the mean time I've been happy with my film renaissance.
In reviewing the specs on the Sony A850, I came across the following...
Bright optical glass pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage
Does this mean that the viewfinder only captures 98% of what the lens captures? Is this normal? If this isn't normal, why would Sony do this? Seems like a hindrance...
