In a move that was documented by everybody from Digital Photography Review, to CNET, to even fucking Hypebeast, Sony has officially removed DSLR cameras from listing on its website, as well as some online retailers. While Digital Photography review believes that the timing of this change is unknown, a little research suggests that these changes have been in effect as of April 28.
Ultimately, however, the surprise is not entirely unexpected. In September of 2020, Sony released their final A-Mount product, the LA-EA5. While it was not explicitly indicated that the LA-EA5 was planned to be Sony’s final A-Mount product, a notable feature of the device is that it is a compact A-Mount to E-Mount adapter—which some may say indicates that Sony’s camera line has been in the midst of a transition and that this product is designed to help A-Mount photographers transition to E-Mount camera systems.
So what does this mean for DSLR as a productivity standard? While Sony’s removal of A-Mount cameras may indicate that DSLR is dying, the removal of A-mount does not necessarily mean that DSLR is entirely dead. After all, there are impressive DSLR cameras still on the market that can be used for high-end applications, such as the Canon 5D Mark IV. The problem, however, is that these cameras are becoming very old as time goes on, and the simple reality is that mirrorless systems not only feature more sophisticated capabilities, but they also are more compact and easier to travel with—despite being a tad bit heavier.
I think the reality is that despite the relevancy of DSLR as a platform, moves like this are expected as companies try to make room for what are objectively superior product lines. While I understand that there will always be a few DSLR purists, I think if DSLR photography remains relevant (and doesn’t get fully replaced by mirrorless), it will likely be as a hobby. But if you are a professional—or an aspiring professional—the removal of the A-Mount system of cameras is yet another indicator that anyone wishing to enter the space of videography and photography will have to pay attention to new technologies, as these new technologies are what ultimately function as industry-standard workflows. Ultimately, shoot with what you want, but if you are in the market for a camera, maybe now wouldn’t be such a bad time to look at mirrorless systems? (image and photo via Digital Photography Review)
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