With the advent of the Sony A7 and A7R, the world of digital 35mm full-frame cameras was stirred up pretty significantly. For the first time, there was a sub-$2000 option for a full-frame camera that could not only sport all kinds of DSLR lenses, but Leica M-mount lenses and loads of legacy glass as well. Now it seems that Sony is preparing its next big hit – the first sub-$1000 full-frame digital camera.
Since the A7-series is based on the company’s mirrorless E-mount which was introduced with the NEX-series of cameras, prospective Sony full-frame cameras can theoretically take any shape – even that of the minute original NEX-5. And that’s exactly what Sony Alpha Rumors reports we might be seeing in the near future: a small, mirrorless full-frame camera not much larger than a point-and-shoot, thanks to the lack of an integrated viewfinder. And all that for less than $1000.
An anonymous source hinted at a possible photokina 2014 release, but of course this is to be taken with more than just a single grain of salt. Still, it’s definitely possible that we’re going to see an even smaller full-frame E-mount camera – an A5 perhaps? – as Sony patented just such a camera back in 2013. What do you think of it – would you buy a full-frame mirrorless camera without an integrated viewfinder? Afterall, the first APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras all came without EVFs.