Sony has abandoned the development of a new mirrorless camera in order to focus on producing the PlayStation 5, according to a new report.
The new video game console, slated for release next year, is apparently facing component and supply chain issues that threaten to increase the cost of the next PlayStation successor.
Faced with the uncomfortable prospect of releasing the product at a higher price than the Xbox Series X (the competing console launched by Microsoft), Sony would sacrifice components designed for a new camera in order to control manufacturing costs.
It is according to a story of Bloomberg, who notes that one of the biggest issues is storing enough DRAM.
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“The company’s biggest headache is ensuring a reliable supply of DRAM and NAND flash memory, both of which are in high demand as smartphone makers prepare for fifth-generation devices, according to people familiar with Sony operations, “notes the report.
“Sony has already canceled some features previously planned for a new mirrorless camera due to this year due to the limited DRAM supply, said several people familiar with the subject.”
So what model – or even models – Could this shortage of flash memory affect? The main candidates would be the Sony A7 IV and the Sony A7S III, already unicorn.
“I expect the A7 IV and A7S III to be particularly hungry for DRAM,” said Andrew Reid of EOSHD. “The A9 stacked sensor technology has additional very high specification DRAM chips that are soldered directly to the back of the CMOS sensor, which facilitates very fast read speeds. It was expected to reach the A7 IV and in particular the A7S III, to make a quick reading of the 8K sensor possible. “
The question is: does the DRAM problem mean that the functionality of the camera is reduced, or would the cameras be delayed or permanently canceled? Given the choice between a hampered feature set or, in the case of the A7S III, a slower sensor with more rolling shutter, it might be better to keep them until resources are sufficient.
All this is probably music to the ears of Canon, who would like to steal more from a absent Sony with the Canon EOS R5 8K…
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