Well, I don't think many people will be taking shots at 400,000 ISO. Just like not many people drive their Corvette 200mph. Things get shaky at the limits.
What it says is it has great high ISO capabilities - and aren't 4D's like $5,000? The talk was for this camera to come in around $1,700.
Good question regarding downsized. I understand this is a new sensor so I think we have to wait for some more samples. The samples on SARS, however do look pretty good.
It seems to me that Sony is pushing 4k - makes sense as I'm sure they would like to sell everybody a new 4k capable TV. BTW, what is the purpose of 4K if you don't have a monitor/screen capable of viewing - or am I missing something?
As an owner of an NEX-7, I do favor more resolution vs. higher ISO range - but I can see how this camera would be appealing to many. The 3 mirrorless fullframe Sonys seem to each target very different and specific photographic and video needs. Interesting strategy.
Don't know the price yet. I suspect it will be over $2,000, but far less than the Nikon 4Ds.
The question is "how new" is this sensor. If it was a revolutionary new sensor, then I doubt they just invented it last night --- why wasn't a version of it put into the A7/r just a couple months ago?
I suspect it's simply the A7r sensor re-worked with less megapixels, and with whatever modifications are needed for 4k video.
Truthfully, I rarely use my camera for video, so I don't need 4k.. or any video at all. But I guess it has 2 points:
-- To claim cutting edge
-- For professional videographers.
Really, it would only serve professional and semi-professional videographers. Because apparently, SD cards can't support the 4k on the A7s. You can only actually shoot 4k with expensive accessories. So this isn't designed to 4k home movies.
I agree with targeting different markets.. just wish Sony would do the same thing with A-mount!
Traditionally, professional sports type dSLRs had better ISO range, but with less megapixels, and much faster burst rates (the smaller files being easier to achieve a high burst rate).
But the A7s still has a pretty slow burst rate.
Having less megapixels makes files look cleaner when you pixel peep. But only because everything -- including the noise --- is smaller. I suspect if you took the 36mp A7r file, and downsized at high ISO image from the A7r, down to 12 mp -- the noise performance would be identical to the A7s.
So it's like digital cropping. You can get the full 36mp in the A7r. Or let the camera do the downsizing to 12mp. The end results are similar.
I think the point of this camera was really the 4k... I doubt it's a low light break through. If it really was a massive low light break through, then Sony should start putting 24/36 mp versions of the sensor into the A7 and 7r!