Postcard from Photokina 2018

Sony

Is Sony just a bit worried about its new mirrorless challengers?

To underline Sony’s optical expertise the recently launched Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 G-Master E-Mount lens was used as an example of how full frame E-mount lenses could be fast and yet relatively small and light.

Sony has little new to reveal at Photokina this year but unlike Olympus, which is in the same boat and decided not to hold a big press conference, Sony went ahead with theirs. Whether this was productive or not is debatable.

Sony’s main message at Photokina was – don’t forget we’re the No.1 in full frame and mirrorless

We were all reminded that Sony has made a success of mirrorless system cameras, both in full frame and APS-C formats. We were also reminded that Sony has the skills and the technologies to make exceptionally good cameras and lenses. But there is no hiding from the fact that Sony will have to work harder than ever to stay on top. Hopefully that will be good for photographers in the long run.

Remarkably, Sony felt the need to make a direct response to a debate that has arisen since Canon and Nikon revealed the specifications of their respective new EOS-R and Z mirrorless mounts. Both are significantly wider in diameter than Sony’s E-mount.

Perhaos stung by the fact its full frame mirrorless lens mount is msaller than the new competition from Nikon and Canon, Sony asked this question…

Some. more technically-minded, journalists at the press conference were visibly dismayed by Sony’s answer.

Sony emphasised its advanced XA or eXtreme Aspherical lens technology

There is no getting away from the fact that the Sony E-mount was designed primarily with APS-C sensors in mind. The speculation is that the E-mount is too narrow to enable the optimal design of ultra fast full frame lenses that require very large rear elements. Nonsense, says Sony. This debate isn’t over by a long shot.

Sony

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