Yes, it’s possible:
Sony may announce an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, potentially called the a5, positioned at a price below $1000 USD.
This information comes from Sony Alpha Rumors, which labels the rumor as “wild” and notes that it comes from an indirect channel. However, Sony Alpha Rumors also acknowledges a few pieces of evidence:
First, Sony recently registered a pair of cameras, one of which “is a high-end camera” while the other is “a more consumer-oriented camera.” Both will launch in the coming months; a more recent rumor suggests that the high-end model will debut toward the end of July, with the consumer-oriented model released in the August/September timeframe.
We already know that the high-end body is the Sony a7S II successor, likely called the Sony a7S III, and positioned as a professional video/stills hybrid.
But what about the other camera?
Well, if this rumor is correct, it would be the A5. A reliable report does suggest that Sony will be releasing a “new kind of full-frame camera,” and an entry-level full-frame model would surely fit the bill.
A sub-$1000 full-frame camera is certainly within the realm of possibility. Canon’s EOS RP is currently available for around $900 USD, and the EOS 6D Mark II comes in at $1200. But up until now, Sony has been focused mainly on three distinct camera lineups:
The full-frame a7X series, including the a7S II, the a7R IV, and a7 III models.
The APS-C a6X00 series, including the a6400, a6100, and a6600 models.
And the full-frame a9 series, which consists of the a9 and the a9 II.
This means that an a5 would offer a lot of potential for Sony, assuming the company can position it well. An a5 could allow long-time Sony a6X00 users to upgrade for improved image quality, offering a bridge between the a6X00s and the a7Xs. And plenty of Nikon and Canon photographers looking to jump on the Sony bandwagon could be enticed by such an affordable full-frame option, giving Sony the opportunity to pitch its higher-end products to more customers.
Of course, this is all speculation, but I can’t help but feel excited at the prospect of a Sony a5!
How about you? What do you think about the possibility of an a5? Is it a camera you’d be interested in? And what do you think it would offer? Share your thoughts in the comments!
