It’s the end of the road for Sony’s famed mirrorless Alpha a7 as both BHPhoto and Adorama now list the model as discontinued.
Though this isn’t shocking to anyone that has followed the news over the past year, the final exit for the a7 is still a poignant moment.
As Sony Alpha Rumors reports, the camera debuted back in 2013 and became a workhorse for many photographers around the world.
The fact that it is unlikely to be replaced with a new full-frame design probably doesn’t help anything, either.
Naturally, all of this is part of a broader realignment of optical manufacturers strategies to focus on the cameras that sell and, more importantly, make a bunch of money.
Even though the Alpha a7 is gone, Sony itself is still pressing out chips at record levels and is unable to keep up with demand, Sony Alpha Rumors reports.
All of this has to do with the amazing sales Sony and others are experiencing in the smartphone market.
The head of Sony’s semiconductor division, Terushi Shimizu, told Bloomberg, “Judging by the way things are going, even after all that investment in expanding capacity, it might still not be enough. We are having to apologize to customers because we just can’t make enough.”
“The camera has become the biggest differentiator for smartphone brands and everyone wants their social media pictures and videos to look nice. Sony is riding that wave of demand very well,” commented Bloomberg Intelligence’s Masahiro Wakasugi.
For the future, Sony is focusing on both increasing capacity as well as next-gen technology such as capturing images in 3D.
“This was the year zero for time of flight. Once you start seeing interesting applications of this technology, it will motivate people to buy new phones,” Shimizu added.
Did you use a Sony Alpha a7? What do you think of its discontinuation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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7 Comments
Is it just the A7 that is discontinued or the whole A7 series?
Loved my A7 and only sold it to upgrade to the mark two…loved the exposure dial and its EVF….As with all Sony cameras, the menu is way too long … I might just be lady….!
I have a Sony Alpha7r iii … the best camera I have ever had by a mile . I had assumed that cameras like this are the only future against the iPhones of the world …. so I’m hoping the announcement doesn’t include these full frame miracles
A7 is my main body because this was the only FF I could afford used.
Now used are insane cheap, less than $400… What a bargain
I still use my A7 camera. It is a delight to use. Excellent images. Will be sorry to see it discontinued.
I own two Sony a7s (not a7S). I will continue to use them until their shutters fail or they otherwise fall apart.
I am still using my a7
No problem at all.
And i dont need to upgrade it as long as its working.
May be i ll invest for lenses.
Cant keep on upgrading every year.