v3 obsolescence and possible improvements?

jpcc · 13th June 2005

Mmm, read in dpreview forums that v3 may be facing obsolescence.
Think so too?? well, i would, looking at the current sony offerings,
H1 is closer than 828 than a compact, robust v3.
T7 is flagship compact, and H1 is the current topend.
S-series are AA batteries consumer and W-series are AA-serious amateur.

Emmmm, if possible, what would be the possible improvements in the
next generation of v3??

- cleaner image and higher ISO (think Fuji F10)
- better design in the ergonomic aspects of camera controls
(u have to try v3 and some Nikon or Canon, Panasonic cameras to notice
the better ergonomic designs of those brands)
- a real functional 28-90 lens (yummy Leica and its variant, Panasonic LC-1 )
- manual focusing??
- wired shutter release (frankly i am not so sure how much digi cam
manufacturers can earn from those wireless shutter release. The stocking
and inventory will be much more hassle than those users buying them.
No? May as well provide wired option, a la FM3a, to benefit the
general users) Emmm, but is there any technical limitation/difficulty
or cost concerns to implement the wired shutter release

flowerpot99 · 13th June 2005

Well I feel that there's still a small group of people that V3 can serve. Currently I am a user of W1 and is really happy with its user friendliness and the ease of use(2.5" contributes alot). However, when it comes to its image quality its is lacking in colour dynamic range and sharpness. Of course I'm comparing to more highend models like prosumers and DSLR but I guess as a P&S its an excellent performer. So if you wanted to upgrade to the next level which one will it be? W7? guess its colour range will still be same. The next level that I looked at is V3, larger sensor and full manual controls and better lens. F828 is not as portable(protruding lens) and T7 does not offer the image quality improvement. Maybe can try olympus 7070 but where is the 2.5" screen... So maybe V3 is a camera to fill the small and grey area. For people who wants performance but portablity. But I do feel that V3 do need some improvements before I will commit cause the difference is not big enough to upgrade.

What I hope will be in the V4:
1)Wider lens(24mm...)
2)Higher ISO(with low noise, this area Sony tend to excel so its possible)
3)Manual forcus Ring(so that it can do marco easily)
4)Remote IR trigger
5)More zooms (24mm-200mm would be great for me)
6)Improved speed and reponse(at current stage its is good enough for me but improvements would be good)
7)Really fast lens(f1.8? very much like to see DSLR effects on compact)
8)image stablizer(even if its a wide lens stablize will be good to reduce more stops)
9)Zooms usable during Video(though I can use manual zoom... my legs)

However do keep these
1)AA batteries(the avalibilty and cost, also improvements to squeeze more power would be good)
2)>2.5" lcd(lol after W1 every thing looks small to me.... I'm ...)
3)The menus(ease of use is great, scroll wheel addition is good)
4)night performance and AF lamp with halogram pattern
5)raw model(so that can edit image later)
6)CF and MS card slots... maybe can combine MS and add a SD slot since size quite close.

Mmmm. maybe I am asking too much but maybe they just add some of these and I may break a bank.Go for it sony

bianzi · 14th June 2005

hee i just bought a V3 .. be more encouraging guys..

anyway... i just fall in love with the classic design..
there is no perfect camera. just have to balance your needs and wants.

still in the process of testing out the camera

flowerpot99 · 15th June 2005

Hey do post test results here. Am looking for me next camera too

bianzi · 15th June 2005

Originally Posted by flowerpot99

Hey do post test results here. Am looking for me next camera too

no time now. I am looking for the camera bag and lcd protector..

13th June 2005	#1
jpcc Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 149	v3 obsolescence and possible improvements? Mmm, read in dpreview forums that v3 may be facing obsolescence. Think so too?? well, i would, looking at the current sony offerings, H1 is closer than 828 than a compact, robust v3. T7 is flagship compact, and H1 is the current topend. S-series are AA batteries consumer and W-series are AA-serious amateur. Emmmm, if possible, what would be the possible improvements in the next generation of v3?? - cleaner image and higher ISO (think Fuji F10) - better design in the ergonomic aspects of camera controls (u have to try v3 and some Nikon or Canon, Panasonic cameras to notice the better ergonomic designs of those brands) - a real functional 28-90 lens (yummy Leica and its variant, Panasonic LC-1 ) - manual focusing?? - wired shutter release (frankly i am not so sure how much digi cam manufacturers can earn from those wireless shutter release. The stocking and inventory will be much more hassle than those users buying them. No? May as well provide wired option, a la FM3a, to benefit the general users) Emmm, but is there any technical limitation/difficulty or cost concerns to implement the wired shutter release

14th June 2005	#3
bianzi Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 76	hee i just bought a V3 .. be more encouraging guys.. anyway... i just fall in love with the classic design.. there is no perfect camera. just have to balance your needs and wants. still in the process of testing out the camera __________________ A300 / 16-80mm Carl Zeiss / 50mm1.4 Sony / 18-70mm Sony

13th June 2005	#2
flowerpot99 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: north Posts: 629	Well I feel that there's still a small group of people that V3 can serve. Currently I am a user of W1 and is really happy with its user friendliness and the ease of use(2.5" contributes alot). However, when it comes to its image quality its is lacking in colour dynamic range and sharpness. Of course I'm comparing to more highend models like prosumers and DSLR but I guess as a P&S its an excellent performer. So if you wanted to upgrade to the next level which one will it be? W7? guess its colour range will still be same. The next level that I looked at is V3, larger sensor and full manual controls and better lens. F828 is not as portable(protruding lens) and T7 does not offer the image quality improvement. Maybe can try olympus 7070 but where is the 2.5" screen... So maybe V3 is a camera to fill the small and grey area. For people who wants performance but portablity. But I do feel that V3 do need some improvements before I will commit cause the difference is not big enough to upgrade. What I hope will be in the V4: 1)Wider lens(24mm...) 2)Higher ISO(with low noise, this area Sony tend to excel so its possible) 3)Manual forcus Ring(so that it can do marco easily) 4)Remote IR trigger 5)More zooms (24mm-200mm would be great for me) 6)Improved speed and reponse(at current stage its is good enough for me but improvements would be good) 7)Really fast lens(f1.8? very much like to see DSLR effects on compact) 8)image stablizer(even if its a wide lens stablize will be good to reduce more stops) 9)Zooms usable during Video(though I can use manual zoom... my legs) However do keep these 1)AA batteries(the avalibilty and cost, also improvements to squeeze more power would be good) 2)>2.5" lcd(lol after W1 every thing looks small to me.... I'm ...) 3)The menus(ease of use is great, scroll wheel addition is good) 4)night performance and AF lamp with halogram pattern 5)raw model(so that can edit image later) 6)CF and MS card slots... maybe can combine MS and add a SD slot since size quite close. Mmmm. maybe I am asking too much but maybe they just add some of these and I may break a bank.Go for it sony

15th June 2005	#4
flowerpot99 Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: north Posts: 629	Hey do post test results here. Am looking for me next camera too