Sony A99 Rumored Specs "Leak"

[expatinasia]

Engadget just posted this about the A99.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/08/28/sony-a99-rumored-specs-leak/

What are your thoughts?

24.3-megapixel CMOS Exmor sensor with an ISO range of 100-25,600, 14 bit RAW output and a 1/8000 maximum shutter speed. Other nuggets of interest include a 102 point AF system, full 1080p HD video recording (at 60fps) and a 921k dot LCD.

[unfocused]

PhotoRumors guy is reporting the next Sony a99 will have 102 autofocus points. This got me thinking – are we getting into overkill here?

Granted, it's not even been released yet, so there is no way to know just how good or bad the autofocus will be. But, I have to wonder if we are getting to the point of diminishing returns here. Are 102 autofocus points better than 61 points?

Is this the next form of megapixel wars? "Your 1DX has a mere 61 autofocus points while we have 102."

Realistically, how many autofocus points can be crammed into the space and do they, at some point, begin to make the focusing worse, not better.

Just something I'd like to hear opinions on from those who understand this sort of thing more than I do.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I can hardly see the tiny AF points on the 5D MK III, I can't imagine being able to easily select from 102, so they will likely have to be used 4 or more at a time.

[RLPhoto]

I remember my OM-1 which had an unlimited supply of AF points determined by my brain. 

I remember my minolta Maxxum AF 8000 which had the luxury of 1 AF point. Which was amazing!

Now my 5D3 has 61 points, 41 of which are crosstype and 5 which are double crosstype points. Amazing!

All these cameras were awesome in their time, and met the standard for pro's worldwide. Anything else is just fluff.

[Dylan777]

So....the entile screen is filled with dotssssssssssssssssssssssss

[bbasiaga]

So....the entile screen is filled with dotssssssssssssssssssssssss

LOL...have to focus with live view b/c you can't actually see through the viewfinder because of all the AF points. 

[pharp]

This will be very interesting to see - the first essentially mirrorless [EVF, not OVF] FF prosumer camera. Bold move on Sony's part.  I hope they do it right, that the viewfinder is well reviewed. They just need to figure out the AF and get rid of the translucent mirror altogether. I can't help but wonder if that doesn't hurt IQ.

[distant.star]

.
For those who haven't hit the link, it's damn exciting stuff!

"Sony's not unleashed a full frame camera for some time." Looks like they're unleashing one soon -- now we'll know who let the dogs out!

The "purported spec sheet breaks cover" and they elbow their way to the front to see it. The battle of the pudgy nerds ensues! Also, there are "other nuggets of interest." And I don't think they're talking about McDonalds (But maybe they are -- all warriors need nourishment at some point. That elbow flinging can be quite a workout.)

The drama only subsides when "the rumor-mill" kicks in to provide a trite ending to an otherwise thrill-packed adventure in Futureland.

Stay tuned, kids!

[Viggo]

So....the entile screen is filled with dotssssssssssssssssssssssss

LOL...have to focus with live view b/c you can't actually see through the viewfinder because of all the AF points.

That's why Canon made them black! So they won't interfere

[marekjoz]

You will smile again if this would focus at F8

[preppyak]

PhotoRumors guy is reporting the next Sony a99 will have 102 autofocus points. This got me thinking – are we getting into overkill here?

Is this the next form of megapixel wars? "Your 1DX has a mere 61 autofocus points while we have 102."

Yes, and mostly because of how Sony did it. Only 11 of those AF points are cross-point, so, by that measure, its really on par with the 60D/T4i AF for cross-points. So, chances are the 102 is more just for the number than for practicality. But, if we start getting AF systems even more complex than the 5dIII/1DX, they could genuinely be 100+ pt AF with 90 cross-points and be better.

Roger at Lensrental had a cool break-down of why the new Canon AF is so good with the newest lenses. The lessons from the end seem to indicate that you could go further. But, in reality, it's gonna take decades to revamp all the lenses and all the camera AF systems.

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/08/autofocus-reality-part-3b-canon-cameras

[traveller]

I don't get why everyone is being so negative about this rumour.  If it's true then Sony are making a strong return to the full frame fold; should they see fit to release some new Zeiss AF glass to go with it, then they will be a serious choice for prosumers and professionals.  This can only be a good thing for all of us, the Canikon duopoly of the high end is doing nothing but inflating prices. 

[marekjoz]

I don't get why everyone is being so negative about this rumour.  If it's true then Sony are making a strong return to the full frame fold; should they see fit to release some new Zeiss AF glass to go with it, then they will be a serious choice for prosumers and professionals.  This can only be a good thing for all of us, the Canikon duopoly of the high end is doing nothing but inflating prices.

I totally agree. I'd be even more happy if they could release some good quality telephoto with half the price of Canikons.

[dr croubie]

Now, all Sony needs is to make some lenses worth having*, then this might be a decent system

(*zeiss 135/1.8 and 135/4.5 STF excluded, they don't have any other nice canikontax equivalents, yet)

[psolberg]

So....the entile screen is filled with dotssssssssssssssssssssssss

or they can do what Nikon does and make then translucent so they don't get in the way. It is only a matter of time before the entire viewfinder is covered. Canon's lead with the 61pt was never meant to last long. 100-200 AF sensors are going to be the norm from all OEMs in the next gen bodies.