Sony has crammed a 20.1 Megapixel APS-C image sensor and Wi-Fi capability into a package weighing only 8 oz (220 g) in its latest mirrorless camera offering – the Sony α5000. Announced at CES 2014, the camera features the same BIONZ X processor found in the company's α7 and α7R full-frame cameras, giving it ISO sensitivity of up to 16000 for low light shooting.
Billed as the "world’s lightest interchangeable lens camera to feature the convenience of Wi-Fi," the α5000 uses a Smart Remote Control feature to link to Xperia or NFC-capable Android smartphones and tablets. As well as enabling wireless image transfer, this feature also lets the user shoot remotely using their device as a trigger for the shutter.
Selfie-obsessed snappers can make use of the rear LCD screen which is rotatable to 180 degrees, taking the guesswork out of self-portraits and odd-angles, but also coming in handy when shooting HD video from a tripod. Another practical feature for those wanting to shoot video is the optical zoom lever positioned on the camera body.
The Sony α5000 can be fitted with any of the E-mount interchangeable lenses (of which there are now 22 on the market) and comes with a 16-50mm motorized zoom lens as standard.
The asking price will be around the US$600 mark with a when the α5000 becomes available in March 2014. It will come in three colors: white, black or silver.
Source: Sony
What are they thinking?
The world's most successful cameras are on iPhones. If you wanted to attract any of those users, the last things you would implement would be NFC and Android connectivity.
By the way, iPhone cameras are mediocre at best and do not even compare to those on some new Nokia and Samsung smartphones. Finally, why would Sony want to put any feature in their phones that encourages people to buy an iPhone instead of their superior Sony Xperia smartphones?
Sony is indeed shooting themselves in the foot by not offering their camera to iPhone users GLOBALLY...
What are they thinking?
What part of the marketplace do they not even attempt to attract?
Sony needs to rethink their priorities... and offer the best camera they can to as many users as possible, otherwise they are doomed to more of the same lackluster product offerings, because some other manufacturer like Nikon will do it and take away even more of their market share...
Oh sure - as long as your photographic aspirations never reach beyond the "need" to quickly post up yet another poxy "selfie" onto Facebook.