Dear Sony, why is it so difficult for you to get the flip-out screen right? It's as though you're trying to do absolutely everything you can with your screen except give us what we've been asking for. How many times do we have to ask you Sony? Almost everyone asked for the flip-out touch screen, instead, you gave us a completely useless flip-up screen.
Apparently, the Sony a6400 is a camera designed predominantly for YouTubers and vloggers. Clearly, Sony hasn't thought this one through or they think that vloggers don't need microphones. Just so that it's extremely clear, flip-up screens suck. I mean how are you supposed to use the flip-up screen when you have something like a shotgun mic connected to the hot shoe? This is why Canon is number one, they just get the basics right. Most people who vlog with their cameras tend to use a microphone because almost all cameras are terrible for recording audio. The dumbest thing about this is that Sony also markets their shotgun mic with the a6400. Seriously, you can't make this stuff up.
I can already imagine what Sony's excuse is going to be. More than likely they're going to say something like, "Well, we saw how people were attaching monitors to their hot shoe and thought oh, that's what people want".
Sony, please, enough with the excuses and feigning ignorance. You know what customers have been requesting for what seems like an eternity. Please, for the love of God, give us a flip out screen. Not a tilt screen. or a weird vertical screen and definitely not a flip-up screen. An actual proper flip out touch screen. Just in case there's any confusion, take look at the image below of a camera from a company that gets it right.
No matter what Canon get's wrong they always seem to get the very basics right. This is one of the reasons why Canon continues to dominate the industry. Recent data suggest that Canon is now the number one manufacturer for both DSLR cameras and mirrorless in Japan; that didn't take long did it?
What annoys me the most about the choices Sony makes for their screens is the fact that they're the one company that shouldn't be getting this wrong. I mean, It's Sony, you know, the company that makes stuff with high-quality screens like TVs and smartphones. Even without considering the flip-out issue, the screens they have in their cameras are terrible. How is Sony the company to not get this right?
My guess is that Sony will probably disappoint with their potentially upcoming cameras like the a7S III and the a7000. These cameras are not going to have flip-out touch screens, because Sony just wants to be awkward.
Ok, I'm done with my little rant now; what are your thoughts on Sony and why do you think they refuse to offer a proper flip-out touch screen in their cameras?
I think this was the first article that I've read about Sony not doing something right. I'll admit that I'm a Canon "fan boy" BUT after reading this you would think that not having a flip out screen is the end of the world. lol! Just go out and take great pictures and or video with whatever camera you have.
Is it really that hard to mount a L bracket with a cold shoe and slip on the shotgun mic at camera left? There are advantages to having the screen above the lens, namely eyes of the subject looking toward the lens instead of to the left of it. Furthermore for photographers it's easier to do a single tilt motion to photograph at low/high angles rather than flip out then tilt. It's not the end of the world! Last month it was single card slots, this month it's flip up screens. Do we have enough cheese to go with this whine?
"There are advantages to having the screen above the lens, namely eyes of the subject looking toward the lens instead of to the left of it."
That's not going to make that much of a difference because your eyes are still going off from staring right into the lens. It'll look like you're looking up at someone rather than over. I still think wearing a lavaliere fed into your cellphone and sync'd in post is the simplest solution, and it will yield the best audio as well.
flip screen is good for a quick frame check, but you're right, any movement of the eyeline slightly above or to the left/right of the frame is super distracting. Not to be confused with blatantly looking around which is far less distracting. That eyeline is VERY important as it is with all types of filmmaking.
With the improved AF and a wide enough lens plus a little experience time with the camera, that flip out screen is going to be less of an issue than people think. I guess it really depends, but the purpose of a camera in many ways is still primarily to have an operator behind it. Vlogging has been big business for camera makers because even if people don't want to shoot anything, they can live the other dream (and this one is far more popular) in being "famous" or in FRONT of the camera.
How about two tiny monitors that sit on either side of the lens. Each monitor shows one-half of the frame.
The vlogger can peripherally see if they're positioned properly reducing eyeline drift.
lol, that might work actually! PATENT THAT DESIGN GO! ;)
Vloggers... lol
I use the tilt up screens all the time but that is because in my reptilian brain there is an imprint of a RZ67 with a WLF.
i have no idea if vloggers are a big enough slice of the market to warrant a flipper screen.
Iheard it was because Canon has the patent on the flip out screen.
So Nikon pays Canon a royalty for the screens on their D5xxx models? What are the odds of that? My old late 90s Sony TRV-900 MiniDV video camera has one too.
It actually wouldn't be all that odd to pay a direct competitor a royalty for a necessary IP.
Yeah, these screens have been around for a LONG time and used by many manufacturers back in the days of VHS-C cameras, and subsequent MiniDV cameras.. Not sure if anyone has a patent on it, but if so it could very well be Sony.
You wrote what I was thinking come on Sony.. Don't end up like Canon and start losing Photographers.
For heaven's sake, just say NO to flip out screen. It's fragile, ugly & adds bulk, weight to the camera body.
Agreed. When I had to replace my previous camera, one of the deciding factors was the new camera did not have a flip out or articulating screen.
Tilt screens increase the weight and are also fragile. If anything they're probably more fragile than the articulating screens on Canon cameras.
I've had a D5100 since it first came out. The screen hasn't fallen off yet, and the camera is light as a feather.
It's a great fallacy, this "fragile swing-out screen that adds weight to the camera" belief.
The only reason I like a flip out screen is that I can put it away. I hate getting nose prints all over it. When I shot canon I would keep it flipped into the camera like 90% of the time.
Couldn't agree more. I said this on fstoppers first day of the A6400 but got replies such as "All you need to do is add a cage for it and attach the mic on the side." People who don't vlog don't understand.
What, no dual card slot???how dare they!!!
For street photography I hate a flip out screen: it doubles the size of my camera and everybody can see me coming from a distance. It's also out of the shooting axis. And... I don't shoot selfies.
This for Sony’s video specific cameras not photography.
Maybe it's made for selfies and not youtubers? Seems like for a entry level effort the sound from the mic will do also, a meter from the camera.
To me it does not matter, I stand behind camera. Anyway if Canon does it right, use that and be happy:)
I am thrilled that Sony is doing a firmware update, for that I thank Canon and Nikon.
The eye-af button is crap and now they actually are changing it. Hopefully the focus point will get some color to, I will be happy.
Looking good for Sony owners
Chance of changing to Nikon became much much smaller suddenly.
I use both.
everybody keeps flipping out over a flipping flip-out screen
Watching many of the videos from the reviewers who were invited on the all expenses paid Sony bus to try out the camera, all have the same complaint. That's a hazzardous possibility, inviting a school bus full of kids together, they might start singing the same silly song.
Is the builtin microphone that crappy? Yes its probably omni-directional but a better improvement than a sideways flip screen would be an internal microphone with selectable omni vs cardiod pattern that also has been designed with physical noise reduction. It could be quite useful. If specialty audio is required, as pointed out on the comments, an external microphone can be plugged in. Personally if i did vlog, a smaller profile is better than an appendage off the side, and a microphone off the hotshoe. Sony has the right idea. Make it small and unobtrusive. Make it complete. Vlogging shouldn't need to be a large clunky device.
BTW, the menu system will never be perfect, but it is improving.
I couldn't agree more with you. I've often wondered why Sony doesn't put the same style of articulating screen the a77 had on all of its cameras. That was a great set up.
Thank you Sony for not pandering to self-obsessed youtubers and the me-generation. I am so glad my flip out screen helps in documenting the places I go and the interesting people I meet.
And the generation of photographers and videographers that enjoy practical and useful technology.
I guess Steven Spielberg must be livid at Sony too.
Every new gear is worth a provocative article and a huge discussion... I believe that vloggers are slowly turning their backs on those camera altogether since the release of the new gopro and the small DJI Osmo. If the image quality in those cams keeps improving like they do, the size factor will surely outplay the rest
Interesting point. I think that could happen. In any case the flip out screen isn’t just for vloggers it’s useful for a wide range of creatives that are photographers and videographers.
useful for self-obsessed photographers and videographers. the rest are busy creating meaningful content with their sony flip up screens. instead of complaining to sony just get a cheap panasonic. mark weins with millions of followers simply uses a gx-8, 12-35, 17mm to travel the world. life is short. stop complaining and stop making excuses.
Oh get over yourself lol. Your comment shows how self obsessed you are. I don't think its a bad thing but sounds like you do. Almost everyone in the creative industry is self obsessed, I mean where do you think creativity comes from. I write articles because I want to present my opinion because I have a certain level of self obsession. You write condescending comments because you want to express yourself because you have a certain level of self obsession.
Stop complaining and stop making excuses.... same could be said to you lol.
Say what? I’m self obsessed because I’m commenting on your pathetic pleas at Sony to replace their flip screen? Lol Stop whining and vote with your dollars. There are plenty of companies that have flip out screens. The solution is out there already: Canon Panasonic... life is short. Heck get an external monitor for $100. It will be time well spent instead of whining.
Lol ok then thank for taking your time to read my article. It really helps :-).
tbh got to the end of the first paragraph.... skimmed the rest.
Maybe the camera isn't aimed at vloggers. Who needs a fairly sophisticated tracking system when you have the screen flipped out to record yourself? Maybe the camera is designed for wider appeal. Some of us use cameras to make photos.
Could be that the people complaining about the camera not meeting their needs are only looking at the camera from their own point of view and not taking into account that other people are looking for other features. Maybe vloggers need a dedicated video camera and not a camera that happens to also do video.
What a crybaby: “Dear Sony, why is it so difficult for you to get the flip-out screen right? It's as though you're trying to do absolutely everything you can with your screen except give us what we've been asking for. How many times do we have to ask you Sony? Almost everyone asked for the flip-out touch screen, instead, you gave us a completely useless flip-up screen. “ no company owes you anything. Vote with your dollars. There are plenty of other companies with your precious flip out screen. The flip up screen is not useless.
Yeah but in all fairness, you're doing the same thing that I'm doing. I might be being a crybaby about Sony not putting in a flip screen but... you're being a crybaby about me being a crybaby because Sony didn't give us a flip screen lol.
We're in the same boat man just a different stop.
I think we can only change ourselves and not others, especially multibillion dollar companies. If Sony isn't listening it is because there are enough users who feel that the flip screen is more valuable than the flip out screen. I could yell and scream at Nikon for many many deficiencies in their mirrorless system but I did what I could do to change my problems with them: I voted with my money and switched Sony after almost 25 years with Nikon. Perhaps that is the best way to enact change. I am at peace once I realized I can only change what I can change. Yelling and screaming is like trying to push the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda over the hill.
By that logic, why are you yelling and screaming at me lol.
Also plenty of change has occurred because people have expressed their ills.
Voting with your dollars without telling a company what’s wrong... how do you think they figure things out lol. The community is part responsible for the changes that companies enact. Your method is short sighted.
Finally lots and lots of videographers have expressed this to Sony for their vid specific cameras. Sony make cameras like the Sony a7S series and to some extent the a6 series. These are video centric cameras that pretty much need a fully articulating screen. Consider why people love the GH5. I’m not discussing photography in the article, a flip out screen would be properly useful for these video specific cameras but not really required for all of their cameras.
I don’t think you’re appreciating the context and only considering your own requirements.
You think Sony hasn't heard people want flip out screen? I'm sure their ears are ringing from people like you who tell them how to design their cameras.
I have been in contact with Sony and I don't yell at them because their grip has my pinkie hanging off. Instead I went and purchased a Mekie grip because I know they will not be increasing the size of their grip.
Another issue was with card overflow and that is being solved. I have emailed many software companies and guess what: they have taken and implemented some of my issues and they have not on some of my tips. I'm not whining about it in public as they decide what is most important to adderss.
They have heard many things and have addressed those they deem most important to address in such upcoming releases as a9 firmware 5/6 and the new app. Thankfully Sony is prioritizing the needs of still photographers over bloggers who can't afford a cheap monitor.
I will probably have to ask my eight year old nephew to read this as only someone of that age will give it the right timbre: "Dear Sony, why is it so difficult for you to get the flip-out screen right? It's as though you're trying to do absolutely everything you can with your screen except give us what we've been asking for. How many times do we have to ask you Sony? Almost everyone asked for the flip-out touch screen, instead, you gave us a completely useless flip-up screen."
Maybe we can get a Gofund me started for usman to ease his pain with this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077FTPT46/
There is a solution which you refuse to use . Who is to blame for that? Go with GH5 if Sony doesn't serve you. No use in banging your head on a wall.
Gofund me for me, sure. I'm gonna hold you to that. I want you to start it immediately.
Go.
how will we cope
Well, maybe you could try doing something other than crying?
it wasnt for me, it was for you whining about sonys lack of flip screen HAHAHAHAHA
Sooo, you're crying because I'm supposedly whining about Sony not implementing a fully articulating screen?
I mean, thank you? I guess?
Ease your pain with this Usman
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077FTPT46/
My pain over him crying? I don't think you understand how these things work lol.