I Sony discontinuing APS-C models?: Sony Alpha (2024)

1

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

5

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Don't believe everything you read on the internet. No one but Sony knows if it is true.

3

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Maybe this helps:

https://petapixel.com/2021/12/23/sony-suspends-a7c-and-a6600-permanently-ends-a7-ii-and-a6100

Silicon and inventory shortage means more active management.

A more active rumor mill ensues.

Don't read too much into hyped stories, look for facts.

1

They could be considered dead since 2016 lol. Very incremental improvement by adding IBIS yet charging near-FF prices and lacking basics (BSI) that the Samsung NX1 had 2 years earlier in 2014.

No 4K60P ever while phones have had it since at least 2016-2017.

The Xperia Pro-I is daring but ill-advised going up against iPhones.

They should've redirected the Pro-I effort into an RX100/RX10 body to take advantage of the entire 1" sensor, full size lens, and appeal to potentially any user rather than non-iPhone users.

blue_skies wrote:

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Maybe this helps:

https://petapixel.com/2021/12/23/sony-suspends-a7c-and-a6600-permanently-ends-a7-ii-and-a6100

Silicon and inventory shortage means more active management.

A more active rumor mill ensues.

Don't read too much into hyped stories, look for facts.

I wasn't reading anything into it - hence me asking.

2

woodyggg wrote:

Three responses, no answer to the simple question.

Would you like us to make up stuff?

Look - Sony put out press releases almost 6 months ago about suspending production because of chip shortages.

We are into month 6 or so of that.

No other word from them - other than "price hikes" in Japan on Sony models including APSC line a month or so ago now.

9

woodyggg wrote:

Three responses, no answer to the simple question.

Not sure what you expect. Secret Sony imaging insider who is present between dpreview procrastinators?

From my point of view, Sony logically suspended apsc cameras with lower price/lower profit. I expect that when chip shirtage is over, current apsc cameras will be back in production or Sony introduce the new line with minor changes as usual...

Of course, nothing is certain.

1

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

I will not repeat all the sound arguments others have already made, but Sony won't kill APS-C for the primary reason that it is an affordable entry point into system cameras for many. This also includes cheap OEM and third party APS-C lenses.

Further evidence for the relevance of APS-C is that Fuji continues to do well, and Canon is about to announce an APS-C R7 if we go by rumours. Now if Nikon upgrades the Z50, we'll see Sony being forced to step up to the line.

3

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body,

Currently yes, that is exactly how it is. Their claim is because of chip shortage.

so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run.

Dslr lenses still aren't worthless, I guess it depends on your definition of "the long run".

Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

Pretty much the current situation.

eBay and other used markets are starting to show used prices that are higher than the latest retail prices.

These overpriced used cameras sell anyways (if you search by items sold), so apparently the demand is still very strong.

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

2

Bender79ita wrote:

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body,

Currently yes, that is exactly how it is. Their claim is because of chip shortage.

so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run.

Dslr lenses still aren't worthless, I guess it depends on your definition of "the long run".

Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

Pretty much the current situation.

eBay and other used markets are starting to show used prices that are higher than the latest retail prices.

These overpriced used cameras sell anyways (if you search by items sold), so apparently the demand is still very strong.

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Thanks. Was just curious and you addressed the actual comments, not your side agenda!

Bender79ita wrote:

eBay and other used markets are starting to show used prices that are higher than the latest retail prices.

These overpriced used cameras sell anyways (if you search by items sold), so apparently the demand is still very strong

This isn't just applying to camera equipment. Cars are in the same situation - and not just electric vehicles. My parents are seeing Subaru Foresters with higher mileage than theirs selling for more than what they paid for theirs before the pandemic hit.

woodyggg wrote:

Bender79ita wrote:

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body,

Currently yes, that is exactly how it is. Their claim is because of chip shortage.

so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run.

Dslr lenses still aren't worthless, I guess it depends on your definition of "the long run".

Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

Pretty much the current situation.

eBay and other used markets are starting to show used prices that are higher than the latest retail prices.

These overpriced used cameras sell anyways (if you search by items sold), so apparently the demand is still very strong.

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Thanks. Was just curious and you addressed the actual comments, not your side agenda!

To reiterate, no lens is worthless. I have a lens from 1970 on a long ago discounted format which I still use.

The chip shortage is predicted to last another full year or so. It is hard to buy some cars and many other items. I believe Sony said until parts are more available, they will not make any APSC cameras. This doesn't mean they won't them in the future, just not for the next year. And they still make FF cameras.

I never considered that there won't be any replacements. Repairs may soon be impossible too depending on the part. It could be Sony offers a coupon towards a FF camera if a camera stops working under warranty. If out of warranty I don't know what they can do. their APSC cameras are getting harder to find and we might have another year of this. I wonder if anyone is hoarding new bodies so they can sell them a premium and make a nice profit?

1

hawk15 wrote:

They could be considered dead since 2016 lol. Very incremental improvement by adding IBIS yet charging near-FF prices and lacking basics (BSI) that the Samsung NX1 had 2 years earlier in 2014.

Try one of the 2019 released A6400, 6100, or 6600, see how good and accurate the autofocus is. I would not call Sony APS-C dead since 2016. Incremental improvements, I agree, I bought four Nex's, an A6100 and an A5100. I'm happy with the A6100 keeper rate. I don't want larger FF camera and lenses, more expensive too. I'm not buying any Sony APS-C lens until they restart APS-C production. Unfortunately the only thing I don't have is a long telephoto, looking at 70-350. I don't care about rumors. If in a year, or two I can't stand it without a long telephoto and Sony still not making APS-C I'll look at cameras from other manufacturers and sell all the Sony I have.

No 4K60P ever while phones have had it since at least 2016-2017.

It's possible that the two limitations were the processor in the camera and overheating. Smaller sensors in the phones and higher computing power made 60P possible in the phones. The 4K 25p image quality is acceptable to me, clearly better than HD seen on a large 4K tv, but the file size of 4K 25p is large already compared to HD. I keep everything on a network attached storage, so I can see pictures and videos with any tv, tablet, phone, or computer in the house, or remotely. But I won't upgrade to 4TB SSD drive yet. And I have wifi communication to any device in the house. Any video files at 60P is going to be more problem. I still have to figure out the Synology menu a year after I bought the NAS, to be remote accessible. To see the video files from a remote location is going to depend on internet access speed at both ends. I have to accept compromises to be able to see the videos I saved on NAS, including 25P instead of 60P.

The Xperia Pro-I is daring but ill-advised going up against iPhones.

They should've redirected the Pro-I effort into an RX100/RX10 body to take advantage of the entire 1" sensor, full size lens, and appeal to potentially any user rather than non-iPhone users.

2

Entropy512 wrote:

Bender79ita wrote:

eBay and other used markets are starting to show used prices that are higher than the latest retail prices.

These overpriced used cameras sell anyways (if you search by items sold), so apparently the demand is still very strong

This isn't just applying to camera equipment. Cars are in the same situation - and not just electric vehicles. My parents are seeing Subaru Foresters with higher mileage than theirs selling for more than what they paid for theirs before the pandemic hit.

I put a deposit on a 2022 Outback Onyx XT turbo in January. I'm being told they 'Hope' to get it sometime in June, that is six months later! I'm trading in my 2014 Forester for almost $12K, which is a good thing, for me. So yes, it is very hard to get new cars today.

2

davelok wrote:

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

I will not repeat all the sound arguments others have already made, but Sony won't kill APS-C for the primary reason that it is an affordable entry point into system cameras for many. This also includes cheap OEM and third party APS-C lenses.

Further evidence for the relevance of APS-C is that Fuji continues to do well, and Canon is about to announce an APS-C R7 if we go by rumours. Now if Nikon upgrades the Z50, we'll see Sony being forced to step up to the line.

+1. I hope the R7 rumours come into fruition. If it's got at least 15 fps. and 1/8000 shutter speed and a vertical grip that sells separately I'll likely get both.

2

I don't know what is happening but I seriously doubt that they will completely discontinue the APS-C line. The only logical way to do it would be with an upgraded A7C body with a higher mp sensor so that it would be effective for both APS-C and FF.

I just bought a used 6400 (finally upgrading from my NEX-5N). With the large amount of APS-C E-mount lenses, this should remain a viable system for a long time. If the A7C were 42mp, I would definitely have gotten that. I can't be the only one who wants a smaller total package and doesn't need or want FF lens sizes or prices.

Cellphones are the future of casual photography. If a more affordable and smaller line of "real" cameras ceases to exist, non-professional camera photography may be in real trouble.

4

piticoto wrote:

hawk15 wrote:

They could be considered dead since 2016 lol. Very incremental improvement by adding IBIS yet charging near-FF prices and lacking basics (BSI) that the Samsung NX1 had 2 years earlier in 2014.

Try one of the 2019 released A6400, 6100, or 6600, see how good and accurate the autofocus is. I would not call Sony APS-C dead since 2016. Incremental improvements, I agree, I bought four Nex's, an A6100 and an A5100. I'm happy with the A6100 keeper rate. I don't want larger FF camera and lenses, more expensive too. I'm not buying any Sony APS-C lens until they restart APS-C production. Unfortunately the only thing I don't have is a long telephoto, looking at 70-350. I don't care about rumors. If in a year, or two I can't stand it without a long telephoto and Sony still not making APS-C I'll look at cameras from other manufacturers and sell all the Sony I have.

Yes. This poster complains about not having BSI, etc. Those are technical specs. Who cares about which specific technology is used if the sensor performs well? The Sony 24MP APS-C sensor is still very competitive. This comment from Hawk is like saying my tires are lousy because they don't have Wagma-X rubber.

No 4K60P ever while phones have had it since at least 2016-2017.

It's possible that the two limitations were the processor in the camera and overheating. Smaller sensors in the phones and higher computing power made 60P possible in the phones. The 4K 25p image quality is acceptable to me, clearly better than HD seen on a large 4K tv, but the file size of 4K 25p is large already compared to HD. I keep everything on a network attached storage, so I can see pictures and videos with any tv, tablet, phone, or computer in the house, or remotely. But I won't upgrade to 4TB SSD drive yet. And I have wifi communication to any device in the house. Any video files at 60P is going to be more problem. I still have to figure out the Synology menu a year after I bought the NAS, to be remote accessible. To see the video files from a remote location is going to depend on internet access speed at both ends. I have to accept compromises to be able to see the videos I saved on NAS, including 25P instead of 60P.

A lot of people don't care about video that much. Like myself, for example. The class-leading AF on my A6400 is what I care about, as that is what gives me a much higher keeper rate on my photos.

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body

This bit is true.

so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

This bit is not true

I was wondering if there's any truth to this?

See above

Most of the brands have made some announcement regarding delays.

Global Chip Shortage: What Does It Mean for Cameras in 2022? | CameraPro Australia

For those who don't understand words, "suspended" refers to a temporary situation. It is not a euphemism for "discontinued".

2

woodyggg wrote:

I just read the following comment on a forum...

"Sony has either discontinued or "suspended" every APS-C A6x00 camera body, so an APS-C e-mount lens is going to be worthless in the long run. Current Sony APS-C users won't be able to replace their cameras and new users have absolutely nothing to buy."

I was wondering if there's any truth to this? I haven't paid attention to APS-C on Sony in some time so didn't know... thanks.

Sony has suspended the production of quite a few models due to chip shortages. They have stressed that these cameras (which include a full frame as well as APS-C models) have not been discontinued.

Sony tend to be upfront about products and don't tend to leave customers in the lurch. They supported memory stick and betamax for many years after they had become obsolete and supported Minolta film cameras (including repairs) for 5 years after taking over A mount.

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