I'm really enjoying my A7C II, my first full-frame camera, and I'm looking forward to future models in the compact series.
I want to share my most wanted features in case they're looking and planning currently.
Feel free to also share yours or complain about what I would like.
In rough descending order:
• 12mm thinner, can increase the grip/make it a tiny bit taller to compensate if necessary, but please try to make it thinner - it's supposed to be the compact range
• significant and noticeable bump to the EVF resolution and a little bigger.
• larger LCD
• greater pixel density on the LCD
• nikon's eye detect for manual focussing
• EFCS issue fixed or fully mechanical shutter
• custom crop modes eg 1.25x so 28 becomes 35, 35 becomes 43.75 and doesnt drain quite as many megapixels
• attachable and quality (but compact) eye-cup (included in box)
• 42 megapixel
• panasonic mechanism for tilting
Would like:
• More premium build materials like Fuji / Nikon cameras
• higher shutter speed
• No crop 4K video
• 240fps 4k slowmo (can blame camera conspiracy for this one)
• dual slots
I'm (somewhat) curious about other peoples wishes for this series, thank you for reading Sony (and dear members).
And when do you think, 2027/8?
• The A1 sensor (or, of course, an updated version).
• A larger EVF with higher resolution, tilting a la Panasonic and an eye-cup in the name of photograpy!
• An in-built flash
• improved IBIS
• an extra, or two, programmable buttons
Improvements I don't believe in are, for example, 240 fps slomo, thinner body (why?)
I've hit that thing off Auto, putting into iso50 so many times I disabled it.
Always using the camera with a thumb grip, might have something to do with it as your palm moves over - but I'm never getting rid of the thumb grip, improves comfort and grip massively.
Why thinner? It's barely thinner than their regular series and it's supposed to be the compact series. Thinner camera, looks more casual, less intimidating so would feel more comfortable using it in more situations. Around 8mm will do. Will look a lot better too, bit bulky right now and they're in this trend of increasing the size of all the cameras across brands these days.
I hope they stick to the stated motif with the compact series.
240fps slow mo videos look wicked! 120fps not quite there. I know that's pushing it.
I'd like dual slots too but might be pushing it too.
That pansonic tilt looks good, I've added it to my list too as I wanted one that tilts without extending out as an option, but I didn't want to lose the vertical rotate like with fuji ones. That seems good from what I could see of it in short clips.
Yogifi wrote:
Forgot to mention
- a stiffer iso wheel
I've hit that thing off Auto, putting into iso50 so many times I disabled it.
Always using the camera with a thumb grip, might have something to do with it as your palm moves over - but I'm never getting rid of the thumb grip, improves comfort and grip massively.
Why thinner? It's barely thinner than their regular series and it's supposed to be the compact series. Thinner camera, looks more casual, less intimidating so would feel more comfortable using it in more situations. Around 8mm will do. Will look a lot better too, bit bulky right now and they're in this trend of increasing the size of all the cameras across brands these days.
I hope they stick to the stated motif with the compact series.
240fps slow mo videos look wicked! 120fps not quite there.
That pansonic tilt looks wicked, I'd add it to my list too as I wanted one that tilts without extending out as an option, but I didn't want to lose the vertical rotate like with fuji ones. That seems good from what I could see of it in short clips....Show more →
Thinner doesn't make much sense to me. The lenses should sit at the same distance from the sensor as now, we like IBIS (no?) and for video capabilities there is a certain need of cooling structure. Thinner but the same size for the other dimensions also doesn't make anything to make the camera less intimidating. It's not like people not seeing you stealing their souls.
4K and 240 fps sounds expensive and will perhaps need a fan... but I won't say No thanks if they can make it without increased body size and fan.
^ the iphone 17 would be the size of an actual brick if that was the only way things get better.
Jonas B wrote:
Thinner doesn't make much sense to me. The lenses should sit at the same distance from the sensor as now, we like IBIS (no?) and for video capabilities there is a certain need of cooling structure. Thinner but the same size for the other dimensions also doesn't make anything to make the camera less intimidating. It's not like people not seeing you stealing their souls.
4K and 240 fps sounds expensive and will perhaps need a fan... but I won't say No thanks if they can make it without increased body size and fan.
We're not losing ibis and they made the a7cii thicker than the a7c.
Use smaller parts, more efficient, better cooling - I dunno I'm not steve job's engineers. They're a big company, it's the compact series and there ain't that much difference with the thickness compared to the regular ones.
I'll be more slick, so would the camera. It's chunky, needs just a little diet. Little bit.
Yes, not that Sony cannot do it but most of the "improvements" listed here will result in a physically larger and/or heavier body. We will have to realistic in making our wishers and ultimately to be willing to accept compromises.
I would like to see them lean into the compact size even more. Use a stacked sensor and forgo the physical shutter altogether if they can get the body to be slimmer/lighter. Dropping IBIS would be an acceptable compromise to me if the body could be reduced substantially also.
grahamgibson wrote:
I would like to see them lean into the compact size even more. Use a stacked sensor and forgo the physical shutter altogether if they can get the body to be slimmer/lighter. Dropping IBIS would be an acceptable compromise to me if the body could be reduced substantially also.
For A7C3 I would like a fast readout on the sensor without losing dynamic range at low ISOs (stacked sensor or otherwise). It would be nice if Electronic Shutter could be used in all conditions (including anti-flicker capability and fast enough readout to allow shooting moderately fast moving subjects).
Would not want more resolution, I think 24MP to 36MP range is perfect and 33MP is in that range. More EVF resolution would be nice if it doesn't make the camera any bigger. IBIS is important (must stay) and I don't have any problem with current size of the camera but I wouldn't want it to grow bigger.
I like the flip screen (I shoot a lot in vertical orientation and flip screen is useful there and it allows closing the screen to protect it). Screen could also be updated with more resolution etc.
There's certainly room for improvement. Personally, a significantly better viewfinder (at least on par with the 7iv's) would definitely motivate me to buy it. I could accept all other limitations in favor of compactness.
"A" version with 2,1M dot screen as with A7RIIIa and A7RIVa, eye focus feedback manual focusing. New compact f1,8 G lenses, 28 1.8G, 35 1.8G, 50 1.8G, 85 2.5G... update of Zeiss 35 F2.8 lens.
too bad it's so expensive