Now this could get interesting - rumors

[Terry]

If true this could be a really interesting camera depending on size/specs.

sonyalpharumors | Blog | (SR5) A Sony surprise: A compact camera with APS-C sensor and fixed zoom!

[monza]

hmm. going after the x100 and x1...

[Terry]

Hey - they already make the sensors.....

[monza]

It makes sense, too

[Godfrey]

and Ricoh's going to release their A16 24-85/3.5-5.6 (? i think) APS-C camera unit for the GXR very soon.

I honestly don't know what the fascination for this type of short, bulky, slow zoom is. Seems the worst of all worlds to me.

[Terry]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

and Ricoh's going to release their A16 24-85/3.5-5.6 (? i think) APS-C camera unit for the GXR very soon.

I honestly don't know what the fascination for this type of short, bulky, slow zoom is. Seems the worst of all worlds to me.

Well if it is a really slow zoom with a bad range then the fascination level goes down. But since there are no specs it can still be fascinating.

The A16 module has no interest to me.

[jonoslack]

Hi Terry
Thanks for the heads up - sounds interesting to me as well. Let's see if they've really managed to make it small.. . . don't mind slow zooms as long as they're good zooms!

all the best

[volkerhopf]

Originally Posted by Terry

If true this could be a really interesting camera depending on size/specs.

sonyalpharumors | Blog | (SR5) A Sony surprise: A compact camera with APS-C sensor and fixed zoom!

The additional rumor about the zoom being a pancake and maybe released as a lens for the Nex would be vey interesting, especially if it is a good zoom!

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Terry

Well if it is a really slow zoom with a bad range then the fascination level goes down. But since there are no specs it can still be fascinating.

The A16 module has no interest to me.

none for me either.
but that wasn't the focus of my comment.

never mind.

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

none for me either.
but that wasn't the focus of my comment.

never mind.

We never do
You are mercifully free of the quest for the perfect carry-about camera with a useable zoom The nearest I ever got to it was the E3 with the 12-60 - but it wasn't really small enough. It's a kind of holy grail of lazy photographers, but the trouble is, if you're really lazy (like me) it's better if you aren't too critical. For a brief moment the Fuji X10 looked like it, but in the final analysis it's too big and it has orbs.

This camera sounds like another contender (the OMD with the panasonic 14-42x is another)

I hope you sympathise with those of us on the hopeless quest (I know I'm not alone)

[kit laughlin]

I'm with you on this one Jono; I have pre-ordered that big zoom (the GXR one) just to try it out, really, and it does have the perfect combination of focal lengths for me (24, 50, 85). It will probably turn up on the B/S forum, but at least I will know for myself that it's not what I have been looking for.

Actually, two more things: the E-3 and the 12-60 wasn't small at all, but what a combination results-wise! And I had an X10 and it was a little bit too small for me.

signed, the hopeless quest

[roweraay]

I would buy this in the blink of an eye, if this rumor is true. And then get out of the quest to get my NEX7 Kit (I returned back my NEX7 body back to the retailer, than try to re-sell it at a profit).

The assumption being that this camera will come with all of the video goodies (24P, 60P et al), a zoom lens with a decent range and pancakey proportions (hopefully an R1-like 24mm-120mm equivalent), RAW, APS-C sensor, the A65/77/NEX7 type viewfinder and a fully swiveling screen (like the Canon G1X or the A77), a hotshoe that can take Alpha flashes etc.

For everything else, I already have the A900 and a ton of lenses.

[roweraay]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

and Ricoh's going to release their A16 24-85/3.5-5.6 (? i think) APS-C camera unit for the GXR very soon.

No interest whatsoever in the Ricoh "modules". Why bother with all of those knick-knacks ?

I honestly don't know what the fascination for this type of short, bulky, slow zoom is. Seems the worst of all worlds to me.

"Bulky" compared to what ? Compared to other cameras with APS-C sensors and a similar range (hopefully 24mm - 85mm equivalent at least) ? Don't think so.

[Godfrey]

It's good to know that I've escaped at least one hopeless quest. :-)

Yeah, I tried an X10 too. Sent it back three days later: too fiddly for me, didn't perform well enough. The GXR feels like a professional camera by comparison.

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

It's good to know that I've escaped at least one hopeless quest. :-)

Yes indeed Godfrey - a terrible quest, and one you should be most happy to be out of. For me it's meant buying . . .

D-lux4
GF1
EP2
Xz1
EP3
NEX5n
NEX7
all have come and gone

.... and more that I've removed from my memory . . . whilst the M9 and the A900 have remained as trusty servants - admittedly the A77 has slipped in as well, but that's fitted comfortably into the way I work.

The GXR 24-85 module is not it either (too bulky)

Originally Posted by Godfrey

Yeah, I tried an X10 too. Sent it back three days later: too fiddly for me, didn't perform well enough. The GXR felt like a professional camera by comparison.

The only Fuji I tried was the X100 . . . that didn't satisfy either.

[Godfrey]

well, i've gone through my share of various cameras too. the X10 was my last fling into small sensor stuff. the only small sensor camera I'm going to bother with anymore is the iPhone because otherwise, well, it's just a waste of money—i won't be satisfied and wish I had a real camera with me.

So the GXR and M9 are my kit, with occasional snaps from the E-1.

I've gotten into some film irrelevances too ... the M4-2 which is just plain wonderful, the Nikon F that's on its way here, a Nikon N80 that my uncle gave me, a Polaroid SX-70 and some "IMPOSSIBLE" film for (expensive) fun. And maybe some more Minox submini work now and then.

In a pinch, I'd sell everything but the M9 and three or four lenses for it. That does enough. Not everything, just enough.

[neilvan]

Interesting indeed. I would love to see my R1 updated (I still haven't been able to get myself to sell that camera).

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

In a pinch, I'd sell everything but the M9 and three or four lenses for it. That does enough. Not everything, just enough.

Sometimes we see eye to eye!

[retow]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

Yes indeed Godfrey - a terrible quest, and one you should be most happy to be out of. For me it's meant buying . . .

D-lux4
GF1
EP2
Xz1
EP3
NEX5n
NEX7
all have come and gone

.... and more that I've removed from my memory . . . whilst the M9 and the A900 have remained as trusty servants - admittedly the A77 has slipped in as well, but that's fitted comfortably into the way I work.

The GXR 24-85 module is not it either (too bulky)



The only Fuji I tried was the X100 . . . that didn't satisfy either.

Lol, looks as long as my list. Am surprised that the Nex7 is already gone.

[Vivek]

I have no interest in this rumored camera. I am not good at this buy and sell front.

I have nothing to prove to myself that a Leica M9 is better than a whole bunch of other cameras. I would rather be using what I have.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Vivek

..
I have nothing to prove to myself that a Leica M9 is better than a whole bunch of other cameras. I would rather be using what I have. ..

I have no need to prove to myself that a Leica M9 is better than anything else either. I just like using it, more than my other cameras. And since I made the expenditure to buy one for that reason, I would rather be using what I have—same as you.

[Ben Rubinstein]

Originally Posted by retow

Lol, looks as long as my list. Am surprised that the Nex7 is already gone.

Me too, what's the story?

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by retow

Lol, looks as long as my list. Am surprised that the Nex7 is already gone.

Originally Posted by Ben Rubinstein

Me too, what's the story?

Well, no criticism really, it was fine . . . but there are fundamentally three situations when I take photographs.

1. with intent - when I'll use primes and concentrate
2. opportunistically - when I'll use zooms, AF and see what comes up.
3. when I'm not intending to do much photography (but I always carry a camera)

In the first situation the M9 is better (for me) than the NEX7 - I simply prefer the leica lenses on the M9.

In the second situation I'd rather use an SLR with the Sony Zeiss lenses and faster AF - even if the image quality on the NEX7 may be slightly better.

I still haven't found the right thing for the third situation, but the NEX7 isn't it. Currently I'm using an X1 (I like the interface and the results are good and it does go in a pocket, even if it does have some deficiencies).

The point really was that, depending on the circumstances, I realised that when carrying the NEX I always wished that I was using either the M9 or the A77 . . . Obviously Time to cut my losses and get out!

all the best

[davemillier]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

Obviously Time to cut my losses and get out!

Jono, you are a scream

I don't know if you were a windows user back in 1995 but if you were, it wouldn't surprise me if you'd camped out outside the shop the night before win95 was released.

GearSlut!

[Show Performance]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

I still haven't found the right thing for the third situation, but the NEX7 isn't it. Currently I'm using an X1 (I like the interface and the results are good and it does go in a pocket, even if it does have some deficiencies).

Yes, this is a category that I fear the manufacturers have all but given up on. I agree that the X1 is probably the best pocketable camera out there in terms of overall IQ vs. the foibles of using it. The X100 and micro 4/3 cameras are too big, the Sigma cameras too slow.

In a likely futile effort to preserve my finances, I've decided to live with the NEX 7 for my all-purpose (in the car camera) and stick with my film compacts (Contax T3 and Ricoh GR) for when I really need pocketable portability. The 5D still gets the call for concert and some editorial, although I see the NEX as a useful editorial camera as well (not so much for low light stages).

Maybe someday we will see an APS-C or FF in a chassis the size of a T3 or GR. Heck, I'd even take a m4/3 sensor with a nice 35mm equivalent if they could make it that small - a modern Olympus XA anyone?

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by davemillier

Jono, you are a scream

David - you should understand that I only exist in your imagination to keep you amused - the internet is a figment of your imagination!

Originally Posted by davemillier

I don't know if you were a windows user back in 1995 but if you were, it wouldn't surprise me if you'd camped out outside the shop the night before win95 was released.

GearSlut!

I don't think I ever camped outside anything . . . but I enjoy trying out different cameras, and swift reactions make it expensive rather than catastrophic.

But there is a truth that small, swift and zoom with good IQ is always an issue . . . and to get back to the original poster . . . maybe sony are going to come up with the goods . . . . or maybe the goods is an OMD with the new pana 14-45x?

Worth mentioning (or not) that the mainstay of my system has ben the M8/M9 and Sony DSLR since . . oh - pre-history

Whatever . . I would like to tell you that if I were a REAL gearslut I would have bought a Fuji X10 and ordered an X1 pro

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Show Performance

Yes, this is a category that I fear the manufacturers have all but given up on. I agree that the X1 is probably the best pocketable camera out there in terms of overall IQ vs. the foibles of using it. The X100 and micro 4/3 cameras are too big, the Sigma cameras too slow.

Interesting isn't it - I didn't like it at first, but the use of it (the X1) is so clear and logical, and it really is small. I just like zooms (oh dear)!

Anyway, a small aps/c Sony with a decent fixed small zoom would definitely be interesting.

[Jorgen Udvang]

Originally Posted by Show Performance

Maybe someday we will see an APS-C or FF in a chassis the size of a T3 or GR. Heck, I'd even take a m4/3 sensor with a nice 35mm equivalent if they could make it that small - a modern Olympus XA anyone?

Exactly! The XA was the ultimate pocket camera. It was really pocketable, full manual control and was built in a way that kept you from worrying about damaging this or that. Everything well protected, as opposed to my Rollei 35 which was a beauty but with more quirks than an old Citroën (anybody got a lens cap? An upside down flash?).

I'm considering seriously to buy one and use as my carry-everywhere-camera. Firs, I thought that, "Hey, you can't use a film camera for that". But after a while, I realised that there aren't more than 36 good motives in an average office week anyway, so what's the problem?

And then, since the people at Olympus has finally understood that a digital OM was a necessity, it's time to convince them about that digital XA. Yes, I'll take an XA-D any day

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Jorgen Udvang

And then, since the people at Olympus has finally understood that a digital OM was a necessity, it's time to convince them about that digital XA. Yes, I'll take an XA-D any day

Indeed! I would as well.

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

Interesting isn't it - I didn't like it at first, but the use of it (the X1) is so clear and logical, and it really is small. I just like zooms (oh dear)!

Anyway, a small aps/c Sony with a decent fixed small zoom would definitely be interesting.

i'd still like an X1. love the looks and feel of it. fit an optical viewfinder and it's very neat and tidy.

having had three XAs ... all broke unrepairably ... i'd rather have a Rollei 35S-D or Minox 35GT-ED. my 1973 Rollei 35S is still working perfectly as is my 1991 Minox 35GT-E. both have better lenses than the XA.

too many options. ;-)

[jonoslack]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

i'd still like an X1. love the looks and feel of it. fit an optical viewfinder and it's very neat and tidy.

having had three XAs ... all broke unrepairably ... i'd rather have a Rollei 35S-D or Minox 35GT-ED. my 1973 Rollei 35S is still working perfectly as is my 1991 Minox 35GT-E. both have better lenses than the XA.

too many options. ;-)

yes indeed . . . maybe an X1s will solve all your problems?

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by jonoslack

yes indeed . . . maybe an X1s will solve all your problems?

LOL ... Problems? I got no camera problems. Just Magpie Syndrome. What problems I got are nothing to do with cameras. =8-|