Apr 4, 2020
6 Amazing Sony Cameras that Died Before their Time
Sony have been making good and terrible cameras for years.
These 6 Sony cameras are all iconic for their place in photography history. Over time they have faded into obscurity. But they will fondly live on in the memories of the people who had the chance to hold them.
I currently use 2 x Sony A7IIIs for my wedding photography, and as incredible as they are I know one day they too will be lost to time.
Let’s open the vault and see what we find inside:
6. Sony Ericsson C905 — c. 2008
In 2008, the Sony Ericsson C905 made headlines by being the first phone to have 8 MP on the camera — beast level pixels!
Face and smile detection. Macro mode. Silent shutter. Outstanding camera performance.
However, it was a terrible phone though — sometimes it just simply refused to turn on. And you had to backup your files off on a memory card because it regularly corrupted the internal storage data. And when you tried to make a phone call, sometimes you couldn’t hear anything because of faulty hardware.
But when you wanted a phone that also handled like a point and shoot, this is what you forked out your cash for.
5. Sony DSC H400 — c. 2014
In 2014, the Sony DSC H400 made waves by being the first compact camera to have a maximum equivalent focal length of 25 - 1550mm. Zoom all the way into space and you’ll see aliens on other planets wave back at you!
This ultrazoom bridge camera has 63x optical zoom, 20 MP, OSS image stabilisation, and weighed only 630g including battery. Making it one of the most versatile bridge cameras ever made.
When you wanted to step up your game from point and shoot to the next level with DSLR build quality, you went to the Sony DSC H400.
4. Sony A99 II — c. 2016
In 2016, the Sony A99 II was the flagship DSLR for the Sony A-Mount system. It was also their last and final DSLR before their transition into MILC.
It was also the only Sony camera that went head to head with the Canon 5D IV. It was one of the best DSLRs on the market, only held back by the aging A-Mount lens range.
Filled with features like hybrid phase detection AF, 42 MP CMOS sensor, great ISO range and low light performance, 12 fps continuous shooting, 5-axis IBIS, 4k video.
And unlike the A7 series, it had a flip screen for them selfies:
You can still buy a Sony A99 II on the Sony Australia website for $4200 AUD. In comparison, the Sony A7 III is $2800 AUD. Woah.
3. Sony RX10 IV — c. 2017
In 2017, Sony launched the DSC RX10 IV, the latest bridge camera with a 1" sensor — 4 x larger than conventional bridge cameras — with 20 MP, 25x telephoto zoom range 24–600m equivalent, IBIS, eye AF, 2.3 million dot 3" tilt screen, 4k recording, and fast F2.8–4 aperture.
Like its smaller sensor older cousin the Sony DSC H400, this was for people who wanted a high performing DSLR or mirrorless camera, without carrying around interchangeable lenses. Most bridge cameras were for casuals — this was built and designed for pros.
I’m not kidding when I say this camera replaces most DSLR systems.
The Sony RX10 IV was loved by everyone: wildlife, landscape, paparazzi, surveillance, holiday, concert. For most people and purposes, the Sony RX10 IV is STILL better than modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
I wouldn’t use it for wedding portraiture because of the deeper depth of field from the 1" sensor, but for everything else it absolutely dominates.
It’s easy to make fun of ultra zoom cameras because the early ones sucked so hard.
In contrast, the Sony RX10 IV is one of the best cameras ever made.
2. Sony RX1R II — c. 2015
In 2015, we got the Sony RX1R II — the best full frame compact camera on the market. We will probably never see another if it’s kind again. The closest modern equivalent would be my A7III + 35mm F1.8.
42 MP on a full frame sensor, fast hybrid AF, custom buttons, with a fixed 35mm F2 all in a tiny compact body that only weighed 500g.
This was the expensive wet dream of every street photographer.
It was also juice hungry — with so much power in such a tiny body the Sony RX1R II regularly overheated and the battery life was terrible. 200 shots or so per charge.
Flawed and beautiful.
Just like our last but not least entry, the
1. Sony QX1 — c. 2014
In 2014, the world saw the release of the Sony QX1: a mobile device, Wi-Fi & NFC controlled, interchangeable lens APS-C camera.
It is without a doubt their most innovative camera ever released, and will be sorely missed.
This product was 100% for people like me. We are a small minority who want small, simple & compact devices to use with our interchangeable lenses. We want to take photos with our phones, but with even better quality from a bigger sensor.
Or, what happens when you replace your camera body processor with a phone? What would that modular device look like? The answer is the Sony QX1.
Here’s what it looks like without a lens attached to it:
Cute and unbelievable right? It looks just like another lens adapter! Can you imagine what this would be like with a modern lens like the Sony E 16–55mm F2.8 G (2019)?
Of course the biggest flaw was the reliability — the Wi-Fi didn’t always talk to your phone, and would often lose connection.
If they ever release a Sony QX1 II — which they won’t, it’s time has passed — I will hand over my cash immediately with a wish list of the following:
5-Axis IBIS. NP-FZ100 battery. Full frame sensor. Hot shoe for external flash. USB-C connectivity.
So really I just described a Sony A7III but with a customised grip... Huh.
Conclusion
As you can probably tell I’m very passionate about what I do, and understanding the tools of your trade is part of the process of getting great wedding photos.
You push your skills, gear and limits to the very edge so you can see what’s possible, manifesting potential into reality. If everyone played it safe and everything was always the same and , you wouldn’t know how far you can go. What you’re capable of.
That’s why this is so interesting and impressive — no other camera company has taken as many risks launching new products and innovations as Sony has. Sony makes cautious Canon and nervous Nikon look like a bunch of pussies.
Further Reading
Sony vs. Nikon — Why I’m Switching to Nikon
Sony 35mm F1.8 | Review
Sony 85mm F1.8 | Review
5 Unexpected Things to Expect from Your Wedding Photographer
