longdi
Banned
That is so disheartening, not just cameras but their other consumer stuffs. Why is this happening? The products are good, but they are losing money?
Is the whole company running on overpaid and overstaffed?
-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Sony still makes pretty good consumer products imho. *fapfapfap*
- Thread starter longdi
- Start date
- Status
That is so disheartening, not just cameras but their other consumer stuffs. Why is this happening? The products are good, but they are losing money?
Is the whole company running on overpaid and overstaffed?
I love my hugely overpiced and discontinued Vaio Z 2013. To me that's Sony in a nutshell.
Frank Zappa
Banned
They just need to stop releasing so many models of everything.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
Jack of all trades, master of none.
Valkyr Junkie
Member
....not sure if serious
Their DSLR segment (A-mount, not E-mount or P&S) is their red-headed stepchild. They aren't putting much effort into their new cameras/lenses because DSLRs are going extinct in the non-pro segment. Seeing as how pros almost exclusively use Nikon or Canon, it's a smart move on Sony's part.
Sony does generally make good products, and I loved my Minidisc player, but let's not go overboard. There are certainly well made products from dozens of other companies in all of these sectors.
In my family we have Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Sony and even Westinghouse TVs. Of those, only the Sony has stopped working and it took several months for it to be repaired.
In my family we have Samsung, Panasonic, LG, Sony and even Westinghouse TVs. Of those, only the Sony has stopped working and it took several months for it to be repaired.
Technosteve
Banned
The PC division already been sold, lol at this fanboy thread.
I own one of these:
And it's a damn good device. I think that's the only other Sony product I own outside of the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4. They do make great devices, but they're generally priced a little too expensive for my liking. That's their biggest issue. They need to ditch the insistence on being a "Premium" brand, and make some shit for those who are slummin' it up in life.
And it's a damn good device. I think that's the only other Sony product I own outside of the Playstation 3 and Playstation 4. They do make great devices, but they're generally priced a little too expensive for my liking. That's their biggest issue. They need to ditch the insistence on being a "Premium" brand, and make some shit for those who are slummin' it up in life.
Valkyr Junkie
Member
That's the joke/point. Sony has already sold off the Vaio division. I was assuming he was being facetious.
Vaios were definitely the best Windows-based laptops though. What could have been if they ended up running OS X.
PlayALLtheGames
Banned
My 52inch Bravia just stopped working after just 4 years of usage, so I'm pretty pissed at them right now
Really? I still have an XBR3 (2006) and it's running like a champ.
FonkyByNature
Member
Sony do make the best electronics in my opinion. I don't understand why Samsung are seen as the better electronic company, cheap and affordable yes but Samsung have some of the worst products i've ever seen. Even the Galaxy is an ugly cheap phone... Samsung probably got there by offering their products for dirt cheap which is sadly what the market wants now.
Sony tvs are easily the best on the market, i'm kinda sad they're having problems with that division because i want to buy another Sony tv when mine dies.
Their smartphones since the Xperia Z are incredible. Best android smartphone.
Audio equipement, headphones are incredible.
Playstation line is the best.
I've had 2 VAIO pc and they worked very well.
Overall, Sony hardware is amazing, looks elegant and classy. My problem with Sony has been on the software side, they don't always execute that properly unlike their competitors. But they're getting there slowly. I wish their finances were doing better. Makes me feel bad for them when i see a shit company like Samsung getting all the praise...
Sony tvs are easily the best on the market, i'm kinda sad they're having problems with that division because i want to buy another Sony tv when mine dies.
Their smartphones since the Xperia Z are incredible. Best android smartphone.
Audio equipement, headphones are incredible.
Playstation line is the best.
I've had 2 VAIO pc and they worked very well.
Overall, Sony hardware is amazing, looks elegant and classy. My problem with Sony has been on the software side, they don't always execute that properly unlike their competitors. But they're getting there slowly. I wish their finances were doing better. Makes me feel bad for them when i see a shit company like Samsung getting all the praise...
EvilKatarn
Member
I love the weird shit that Sony does. Like Nokia around the early 2000's, they are not afraid to experiment. They've slowed down with that in the recent years though.
I own the Sony Playstation 3D monitor for example. Strange thing, but it suits my needs perfectly. Picture quality ain't bad either.
PSP Go and the first Vita simply ooze quality, despite being shunned by the public.
I own the Sony Playstation 3D monitor for example. Strange thing, but it suits my needs perfectly. Picture quality ain't bad either.
PSP Go and the first Vita simply ooze quality, despite being shunned by the public.
Frank Zappa
Banned
I also think they needs to release products with better names. Those TV names are confusing as hell specially for a regular consumer.
Wow, that went way over my head. Never GAF while hungry.
samus i am
Member
I really find slavish brand loyalty unappealing. I always try to buy the best product and the best price, labels be damned.
Frank Zappa
Banned
Yeah, the Alpha 6000 looks amazing.
I still use an XBR2
D
Deleted member 1235
Unconfirmed Member
Always hated sony, seem to make a nice device and then you find out you have to plug some sort of expensive garbage that nobody uses into it. Almost as bad as Apple in that regard. Hated them ever since memory sticks and can't even convince myself to buy a ps4 even though it's almost universally acclaimed to be legendary. Their ecosystem is that tarnished in my mind.
Their TVs though, always loved the Bravia line
Their TVs though, always loved the Bravia line
Storm Chamber
Banned
so the SonyGaf rumors are true
AbortedWalrusFetus
Member
Below is one of their classic design, a really nice mesh of retro Trinitron + Bravia back then. And before long, the other guys /*cough* samsung, started doing their own version of the floating panel look!
I still have an XBR1. It's really cloudy now, and there is some color distortion in the top right corner. Given that it is something like eight years old I am really fucking pleased without how long it has lasted. It's a beautiful looking TV as well, I love the design.
Sadly, the image quality doesn't compare to the newer TVs on the market, but it was really great for its day. I bought a 60" Samsung and had to have the entire panel replaced in under a year. Luckily it was still under warranty. But the picture quality is gorgeous.
Sony is trying to get into providing lenses for smartphones and such, but they never had a real foothold against Nikon and Canon in the pro lens market and point-and-shoots are dying due to cellphones.
It's hard to say it's their "fault" so much as sometimes you have to be quick to adapt, rather than have the best products or whatnot. Hell that's an argument lots of people throw at Apple these days too, even if they appreciate the quality of their products.
TitusGroan
Banned
The problem with Sony isn't the quality of their products. The problem is that they're trying to sell electronics at boutique prices in a market which is looking for value-for-money. While the economic downturn hasn't stopped consumers from buying electronic goods, it has had the effect of turning most consumers towards electronics that offer better value at a cheaper price. Sure, a Samsung TV may never offer the same quality as a Sony TV, but when it comes at half the price and still offers a perceived value that's more than good enough, it's no wonder consumers have flocked there over Sony's pricier offerings.
I'm going to use guitars as a handy example of the sort of thing I'm talking about: Fender and Gibson both used to be guitar companies that focused on high-end guitars at high end prices. However, with the rise in Japanese, Chinese and Korean manufacturing, people started being able to buy electric guitars for much less money than Fender and Gibson were asking.
Fender realised this early on, and changed their production line accordingly. They started investing and putting their name to guitars that were not as high end as their most top quality products, but which were much, much cheaper, and still offered incredible value for money. Within a few years of being set up, the cheaper Japanese branch of Fender was carrying the entire company, and turned their entire fortunes around. To this day, a mid-priced Japanese Fender guitar is still seen as one of the best value guitars on the market, simply for how it balances lower pricing with still impressive standards.
Gibson, on the other hand, put their fingers in their ears, and kept selling their guitars with incredibly high price tags. They used the Epiphone brand as a way to sell cheaper, lesser quality guitars, but anything with Gibson on the headstock still came with a premium price. The problem was, they simply couldn't compete. They had a steady market among successful musicians who could afford to buy their products, but they completely lost the market of everyday guitarists who instead bought cheaper guitars that offered better bang for buck. I believe Fender is now currently producing around 1000 guitars a day, an astronomical number in the industry.
Sony needs to start acting more like Fender, and less like Gibson. The average consumer doesn't care for paying an extra couple of hundred dollars for higher resolutions, or OLED screens. They want something that presents the best price/value possible, something affordable, workaday, and which provides the best quality at a knowingly lower price range. Until Sony deign to start competing on that front, rather than trying to dictate things from the higher end of the market, they'll never recapture the market they once had.
I'm going to use guitars as a handy example of the sort of thing I'm talking about: Fender and Gibson both used to be guitar companies that focused on high-end guitars at high end prices. However, with the rise in Japanese, Chinese and Korean manufacturing, people started being able to buy electric guitars for much less money than Fender and Gibson were asking.
Fender realised this early on, and changed their production line accordingly. They started investing and putting their name to guitars that were not as high end as their most top quality products, but which were much, much cheaper, and still offered incredible value for money. Within a few years of being set up, the cheaper Japanese branch of Fender was carrying the entire company, and turned their entire fortunes around. To this day, a mid-priced Japanese Fender guitar is still seen as one of the best value guitars on the market, simply for how it balances lower pricing with still impressive standards.
Gibson, on the other hand, put their fingers in their ears, and kept selling their guitars with incredibly high price tags. They used the Epiphone brand as a way to sell cheaper, lesser quality guitars, but anything with Gibson on the headstock still came with a premium price. The problem was, they simply couldn't compete. They had a steady market among successful musicians who could afford to buy their products, but they completely lost the market of everyday guitarists who instead bought cheaper guitars that offered better bang for buck. I believe Fender is now currently producing around 1000 guitars a day, an astronomical number in the industry.
Sony needs to start acting more like Fender, and less like Gibson. The average consumer doesn't care for paying an extra couple of hundred dollars for higher resolutions, or OLED screens. They want something that presents the best price/value possible, something affordable, workaday, and which provides the best quality at a knowingly lower price range. Until Sony deign to start competing on that front, rather than trying to dictate things from the higher end of the market, they'll never recapture the market they once had.
Nearly everything electronic in my house is Sony.
- Bluray player
- Home theatre system
- Vaio laptop
- Z Ultra phone
- Bravia TV
- Nex5t camera
- H200 point and shoot camera
- Playstation 2
Apart from a Nokia phone, Xbox 360 and a Samsung laptop. I actually have no idea how that happened.
- Bluray player
- Home theatre system
- Vaio laptop
- Z Ultra phone
- Bravia TV
- Nex5t camera
- H200 point and shoot camera
- Playstation 2
Apart from a Nokia phone, Xbox 360 and a Samsung laptop. I actually have no idea how that happened.
RedHotChimiChanga
Banned
They are actually pretty good, but the prices are always above the competitors.
I woulda bought one recently if they didn't sell off their division.
I understand why someone would wanna go for sony. More money more reliability. Not the case anymore with sony.
All of their flip Vaios have issues with no easy fix. From i3 to i7 countless issues touch screen problems, fan issues, etc.
Sony does make good products. I loved the PSP... until it took a short fall and never recovered. The Vaio-Z was as close to an ultrathin but full-powered laptop you can get at the time... then the heat sink shit on itself after a year of use.
I got myself a RX100 (original) recently, definitely a beast of a camera. Doesn't do shallow depth of field as well as my DSLR w/ prime lens, otherwise it's more compact, faster AF, works better in low light. As far as point-and-shoots go my previous, Olympus XZ-1, doesn't stand a chance. Hopefully it can take more of a beating than my previous sony products, it being a travel camera and all.
I got myself a RX100 (original) recently, definitely a beast of a camera. Doesn't do shallow depth of field as well as my DSLR w/ prime lens, otherwise it's more compact, faster AF, works better in low light. As far as point-and-shoots go my previous, Olympus XZ-1, doesn't stand a chance. Hopefully it can take more of a beating than my previous sony products, it being a travel camera and all.
GamePnoy74
Member
I have the regular wired 1Rs and use them all the time while in the gym. I make it wireless using this Bluetooth adapter:
Sony SBH20
I also have 7506 and V6s as well, tried-and-true workhorses.
Sony's headphone game has always been on point over the years.
Strangely I have nothing from Sony outside of their games consoles. We used to have a really ugly Sony Hi-Fi. They have their own style throughout, which is great if you like it.
foxuzamaki
Doesn't read OPs, especially not his own
This thread is suspect.
Only thing Sony consistently failed at was their laptops IMHO. Sure, they have their flops here and there, but most of their products are great quality, but pricey.
They are the only one's who can compete with, and beat Apple, with aesthetics consistently. LG, Samsung, HTC may hit one out of the park here and there, but they're far and few between compared to Sony.
They are the only one's who can compete with, and beat Apple, with aesthetics consistently. LG, Samsung, HTC may hit one out of the park here and there, but they're far and few between compared to Sony.
mekes
Member
I currently own
HX853 in 46"
XBA4's
And of course Playstations, galore.
Its not a great amount, but the TV, earphones along with the PS4 has made me very comfortable with their products. The 100M3 in the OP looks very intriguing, been considering a small camera for a while now since I've been relying on horrible shots from mobile phones for far too long. And a few years more since I opted for the HTC One M8.
HX853 in 46"
XBA4's
And of course Playstations, galore.
Its not a great amount, but the TV, earphones along with the PS4 has made me very comfortable with their products. The 100M3 in the OP looks very intriguing, been considering a small camera for a while now since I've been relying on horrible shots from mobile phones for far too long. And a few years more since I opted for the HTC One M8.
Same here! I bought some 40 dollar ones during black Friday back in 2012, but I lost my iPod along with the buds
mercenar1e
Member
i own the BRAVIA KDL46HX850 and the design is pretty damn good... no problems with it at all. i also own the ps4 and the sony internet player with google tv.
True story: I was worried of being called a Sony shill when I started the Xperia Z rumor thread back a couple of years ago. Fast forward, I didn't like the Z for its screen and camera so I didn't buy it. The Z2 does look tempting, but I have a Nexus 5 now. That RX100 M3 is mine though. And I will get a PS4 in June.
I agree. Sony are still a great company. I wish they were doing better. Their design still are great and they make good stuff
e.g i had this low end tv cheaper than samsung and much better than my lg plasma
Can some one tell me why their tv branch is bleeding so much where as samsung lg and even panasoin are making money on tv
e.g i had this low end tv cheaper than samsung and much better than my lg plasma
Can some one tell me why their tv branch is bleeding so much where as samsung lg and even panasoin are making money on tv
I have the Xperia Z1, Z tablet, 42" Tv, Ps2/3/4, vita, htc260h soundbar and Vaio E laptop, half of which I bought second hand for huge savings. None of them have any faults after extensive use, in fact my old Walkman X which I gave away is still going strong after 5 ish years of daily use. Sony = reliable as hell, Apple is their only equal imo but their locked down OS is deal breaker for me.
Panasonic, Hitachi and creative are also pretty awesome. Samsung, Seagate and Microsoft hardware is terrible though.
Panasonic, Hitachi and creative are also pretty awesome. Samsung, Seagate and Microsoft hardware is terrible though.
longdi
Banned
Or you can get HTC latest One2 Mini, still inferior specs than Z1C
http://www.anandtech.com/show/8005/htc-one-mini-2-announcement
Another reminder to how relevant and competitive Sony still is despite their poor financial health
longdi
Banned
Like you said, that was the past! Right now connecting Z2 to my PC for file transfer is literally copy and paste!
- Status