Sony has a camera naming problem

Rumours of a Sony a6200 and an a6700r coming in 2024 have reminded me the Japanese have a naming problem within their APS-C mirrorless range.

Sony switched from the NEX names in 2013, with the launch of the a3000. Since then, the company released the a3500 (same camera with a different kit lens), a5000, a5100, a6000, a6100, a6300, a6400, a6500, a6600 and the a6700. You would think Sony launched them one after the other, but no. For example the a6100 came after the a6300. The a6400 came after the a6500. That’s because Sony grouped them in the following tiers:

1. a3000 and a3500 – a mirrorless camera inside a DSLR body;
2. a5000 and a5100 – a mirrorless camera without an EVF;
3. a6000 and a6100 – entry level mirrorless camera with an EVF;
4. a6300 and a6400 – mid level mirrorless camera with an EVF;
5. a6500, a6600 and a6700 – high level mirrorless camera with an EVF;

There is a better way though and all Sony has to do is borrow from its full frame line-up and add a 0. The a3000 is the only model who didn’t have a future, so I’ll leave it out. The EVFless a5000 and a5100 have been replaced by the ZV-E10. So we’re left with the EVF equipped cameras which should be more competitively priced, especially at the low end, and have the following names, specs and prices:

1. Sony Alpha a70C – entry level camera with a 26-megapixel sensor, no IBIS, 11 fps, 8-bit 4k60p, audio-in, 2.36-million dot EVF.
   • $648 body only;
   • $748 with the 16-50 kit lens;
   • $998 with the 16-50 and the 55-210 lenses.
2. Sony Alpha a70 – mid level camera with the same 26-megapixel sensor, IBIS, 11 fps, 10-bit 4k60p, audio in and out, 2.36-million dot EVF.
   • $898 body only;
   • $998 with the kit lens;
   • $1248 with the 16-50 and the 55-210 lenses;
   • $1298 with the 18-135 kit lens.
3. Sony Alpha a70R – high end camera with the 40-megapixel sensor Fuji has, IBIS, 11 fps, 10-bit 4k120p, audio in and out, 3.68-million dot EVF.
   • $1298 body only;
   • $1398 with the 16-50 kit lens;
   • $1548 with the 16-50 and 55-210 lenses;
   • $1598 with the 18-135 kit lens.

And if Sony ever decides to make a high fps APS-C camera, naming it won’t be a problem:

1. Sony Alpha a90 – sports camera with a 26-megapixel sensor, IBIS, at least 20fps with no blackout, 10-bit 4k120p, dual card slots (SD/CF Express Type A), audio in and out, 3.68-million dot EVF.
   • $1998 body only;
   • $2298 with the 18-135 kit lens.

This way, when Sony will eventually will replace them with newer models, they can use the same “mark” naming convention the full frame cameras have done for years. Sony Alpha a70ii, Alpha a70Rii and so on. The new names will also help those who will eventually upgrade to a full frame model. Want a Sony Alpha a70 with a full frame sensor? Check out the current Sony Alpha a7!

All these make sense to me. What do you think?