Sony Explains the Lack of HD Video in Their New DSLRs

If you saw the Sony camera announcements this morning, you may have been a little surprised that none of them boasted the ability to shoot HD video. We were. We pinged Sony to find out about the lack of motion picture capability and got this as a response from Mark Weir, Senior Manager of the Digital Imaging business at Sony Electronics:

“We recognize that HD video is driving customer interest, but without effective continuous auto focus and exposure control, we are concerned that current implementations of HD Video on DSLR cameras don’t provide a good customer experience. Capturing quality still images is a major driver for photo enthusiasts to buy DSLR cameras, and our A500, A550 and A850 DSLR cameras prioritize features (HDR, Exmor CMOS sensors, BIONZ processors, 5fps continuous shooting etc.) that ensure customers will achieve high-quality photos.”

That's a similar response to the one that we got from Canon when they debuted the SD-shooting G11 last week.

Weir's comments do see to suggest that a Sony DSLR that shoots HD video is coming in the future, and with their long history of camcorders, we're excited to see what they can put together. Until then, it's still images only for us. We can probably manage.

Comments

[dyna]

Weir is right on the money. How nice to hear an engineering/marketing type speaking sense these days instead of filling all our ears with the hype.

Focus and exposure lock right at the shutter press to begin recording a short clip of non-pannable (due to slurred framing) archaically compressed MotionJPEG HD video is not my idea of a good time. Clearly there are a few people drinking the HD NOW!!! Kool-Aid. I am very pleased Sony has not yet done so when, in reality, they could have EASILY been the first kid on the block to do it, merely for the dough. No, I appreciate what Mark Weir and Sony are saying. And I agree with it 100%

Personally, it makes me respect Sony more to see this sort of attitude and it makes me feel a lot better about either purchasing from them personally or recommending people I know to buying their product.

[MC]

What Weir and Sony are clueless about is the professional need for this feature. It is the PRO that wants the capability to shoot video and it is PROS who are doing work with video in innovate and new ways using CANON and NIKON gear.
What they have not recognized is that the still photographer is discovering motion while film & video makers are discovering a cheap way to make high quality movies with interchangeable lenses they can afford. BTW: many of the motion people are very young - just at the age you want to get them on board with your brand. Sony already has a great name in video and is on the precipice of blowing this early age brand adoption opportunity!
The overlap and mixing of two art forms in one device is unprecedented in either field and is nothing short of a revolution.
Someone, please slap Sony and wake em up!

[Ted Brooster]

"without effective continuous auto focus and exposure control, we are concerned that current implementations of HD Video on DSLR cameras don’t provide a good customer experience."

So basically Panasonic with the GH1 has delivered continuous AF and exposure among other things in just a few months with even lenses that have step less aperture. Sorry Sony, you have been resting on your laurels too long. Inundating the market with cheap built cameras with little improvements to past models or even downgrading features will bite you back soon enough.

The 850 looks to be a great camera, if you added video it would have been a contender for camera of the year!

[Harry Prophete M.D.]

I own a Sony A100 and have been waiting for the right combination of features and price in order to upgrade.
Since the arrival of the Nikon D300s I have been thinking about selling my Sony gear, including the Minolta zoom lenses, and switching to Nikon.
I thought the new A850 would be the camera to keep me faithful to Sony but, unfortunately, no HD video.
The D300s is very, very tempting.

[Max]

MC, I don't think it would be $2000 if video were added -- look at the specs.

It's barely different than the A900 and LISTS for $800 less. This means it will be selling for $1800 or $1900 by around Xmas or early next year.

Class-leading resolution and dynamic range and some of the best color you can get out of a DSLR for under $2000 on rapidly expanding lens mount that includes exclusive Auto Focus Carl Zeiss glass (all of which have been rated best in class) -- sounds pretty great to me.

What's not to like here?

[Carniphage]

The real reasons are not technical but commercial.
Neither Sony or Canon want to produce a large sensor DSLR which are both cheaper than and better than their professional video cameras.

Film makers want a large sensor camera with real lenses, and 24p. We know how to follow focus.

C.

[TKevan]

MC,
Considering Sony leads the field in Pro video, I'd say they do have a clue as to what GOOD video is. I'd say the jello-y video's I've seen from the Canon and Nikon equipment just are not it.
A pro wouldn't think twice about renting a Z7U to do a short film if they're really looking for a quality product.

[Stan Pustylnik]

Alpha 850 looks like serious step up from Konica Minolta 7D I use now and I may buy it.

If A850 would get HD video I would buy it right away. Maybe Sony would add video in service pack?

Sony engineers, give us DSLR body that will work with macro lenses to document bug's life, telephoto lenses to capture sunrise!

[Ric Ettinger]

Hmmm. Curious. Sony produces a very large line of what?
Camcorders.

[MC]

A Sony DSLR video here (not!)

http://vimeo.com/5889280/

[Roweraay]

As a current owner of the A900, I will state that I was sorely disappointed when it came out without main-sensor-live-view. I bought the A900 *despite* the lack of the feature.

Even though Video is not important for me, I do understand why people are interested in it. Even several pro-level video cameras come with tiny 2/3 type sensors. Video in a product with a massive Full-frame sensor and coupled with lens interchangeability would enable the creation of output that provides cine-camera type output than the "video look" provided by even expensive camcorders with their tiny 1/3" or 2/3" 3-CCD sensors.

Bottomline, Sony is missing the boat seriously by boneheadedly leaving out live-view from their A900/A850. It would be nice to have video (usable at least for footage without fast action etc) too.

I truly hope the required circuitry to enable live-view is available in the A900/A850 and that it is only a matter of enabling it via a firmware upgrade and assignable to one of the existing buttons on the body. I truly hope they give up their obstinate nature and simply provide it to their users. Providing main-senso live-view (and not the A300/350 level of secondary sensor consumer-grade live-view) should not compromise the stills capability of the camera, I suppose, so where is the hitch ?

[chantran]

Why too many people, including Pop Photo editors, think that one should buy a still camera and shoot video?
I am not interested in video as I am a photographer and not a videographer. The 2 skills and interests are significantly different. When I buy a still camera I want it to shoot still and not video.

[gio]

endorsed. Video is a different beast... if u cant edit video properly your work is going to look like sh!t anyway.. and thats just one aspect of it.

I mean, Laforet fell off the face of the planet bcuz he's working on this film. Typical movie takes years before its seen. I'll take my pictures and be happy

[JIm]

I do think that live view is a great tool and should be included, but adding video is just another version of the megapixel race. You can buy a dedicated HD video camera for less than $200. Let's keep focused on improving still photography capability.

[Erick]

Peter Burian just published one of the first reviews of the Sony A500 and A550.

http://www.photocrati.com/sony-a500-and-a550-digital-slr-review-field-test-report/

He's very positive, but doesn't say much about the absence of HDVideo.

E

[MJ]

I think this is a classic "Spin" answer from Sony.
There is no good reason for the delay in
this feature. They were the first to the
market with Live View, why not video?

I am a Cinematographer. I bought into
the Alpha because of my investment
in Legacy Minolta lenses and accessories.
I have been stuggling to hold off trading up
to a Canon or Nikon system, hoping Sony
would offer a for a full frame + HD video option.
The HD video option would purely be for my
own personal edification and for pencil
testing shots to later shoot on 35mm mopic,
Sony Cine Alta or Red One cameras.
It doesn't change my desire to have the
feature in one camera, even though I
recognize the limitations. The fact that
the new Alpha 850 doesn't even have
Live View is REALLY disappointing.

It's nice Sony wants to be taken seriously
in the DSLR field and is offering a solid,
affordable full frame camera, but the
versatility that and optical AND live view
finder offers is too good to not include.
That's why I happily upgraded from Alpha 100
to 300... but have not been able to
justify going to a 900, as much as I'd
love the pro / full frame feats.

Like so many choices Sony has made over
the years in both Professional and Consumer
products- it's baffling how often they slightly
miss the mark of a great great product.