Sony to Announce A7r II and a 50MP Camera. Canon’s 5DS Available for Pre-Order Next Week

There has been talk for a while now about two new full frame cameras expected to be announced by Sony in the coming weeks.

According to Sony Alpha Rumors the new models will be the Mark II of Sony’s E-mount 36MP mirrorless camera and a competitor for Canon’s 5DS/R.

The a7RII is said to offer the same 5-axis stabilization as the a7II and improved autofocusing, and should start shipping in May or June. SAR mentions he believes the camera’s sensor will be the same as the current 36MP sensor or a tweaked version of it.

That seems to make sense considering the megapixel count is not the camera’s weak spot, and that more megapixels could cannibalize the market of Sony’s second camera to be announced – the 5DS/R competitor.

This camera has been rumored since before the 5DS was announced, so while I’m happy to hear it’s finally (rumored to be) coming, it’s no surprise.

We will have to wait and see if the 50MP camera will be the much anticipated a9 E-mount camera or the new A-mount crown jewel, but either way it will be exciting.

SAR also mentions that the camera will use a new Sony sensor and not the 5DS sensor. This makes sense as, despite the rumors, the Canon’s sensor was developed and produced in-house.

The fact that Sony was not involved in developing Canon’s 50MP sensor means there could be a significant gap in terms of quality between the two, and personally I’d be surprised if Sony won’t have at least a few advantages over the Canon. Although no other details are currently known about the camera or its sensor, it’s said that that Sony’s 50MP sensor will “easily OUTPERFROM” that of the Canon 5DS at low ISO.

Rumor has it both cameras will be announced in April or possibly May.

Meanwhile, Canon users and future owners of the 5DS/R will be happy to know that the megapixel machines will be available for pre-order from Monday.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors and Canon Rumors]