▼

Thursday, 9 August 2018

The issues with Sony Full Frame Mirrorless - Is Full Frame necessary?


 https://petapixel.com/2016/04/04/sonys-full-frame-pro-mirrorless-fatal-mistake/

Following on from a previous post I found the above article from a couple of years ago. It highlights many of the issues that I and others have with Sony's APS-C mount Full Frame Mirrorless (FFM) Cameras. Basically it's these three drawbacks for me -
  • Small bodies BUT big lenses
  • Issues with wide angles and poor corner performance because of the small lens mount
  • Other issues (e.g. overheating) meaning that Sony FE can never be classed as a 'professional' system as it's unreliable 
Now these are issues that the only other current interchangeable lens FF Mirrorless Camera currently (Though not for long) on the market, the Leica SL (Typ 601) addresses or ignores. The Leica makes no claims about compactness or IBIS (It doesn't have it) It will be interesting to see what Nikon and Canon come up with. Will they make compromises to keep their systems small and can they crack the FFM conundrums that, again for me, Sony have failed to address?

Finally none of these issues apply to to smaller sensor systems and again it's going to be interesting to see after Nikon and Canons entrance into FFM, whether or not m4/3 continues to be a more 'successful' mirrorless system. Because, after all, who exactly is desperate to have FF? Certainly not me. 

I have recently been selling a lot of gear, but two cameras I won't be selling are my Panasonic Lumix G9 and GX9. They just offer me too much. Genuinely lighter and smaller and via my 0.64x Metabones Speed Booster and Canon lenses a source of super fast lenses. And that's not even considering the 4K and IS capabilities.

For me Sony have not got it right, apart from the sensors and IQ, which are undeniably impressive and I personally find the G9 a much better camera to work with than anything Sony have produced. I guess in a years time we will have a better idea as to whether the FFM issues can be solved. Interesting times ahead. 


Stock photography by david martyn hughes at Alamy

© David Taylor-Hughes / Soundimageplus Blog


at