Hello,
I've been a long time reader of LL articles and forums. Finally decided to post since I haven't seen this topic discussed here, and it has me concerned as of late.
My background is that I've been invested in the Minolta Maxxum/Sony Alpha system since 1991 (I think) when I bought a used Maxxum 9000 as my first SLR. I've grown with the system since then and despite some uncertain months during the Minolta-Sony transition period have always been pleased with the products. I do a lot of hobby shooting of wildlife and landscapes, but also have gotten into doing youth sports and engagement/portraiture paid part-time.
Currently in the system I have an A700, A900, 42 and 58 flashguns and a mix of Minolta, Sigma, Tamron and Sony glass. Currently my gear satisfies all my needs, but I know that in the digital age this won't last forever. I know there will come a time when these bodies will either break down, or will become outdated enough that I will want the new next-best-thing.
And that is what has me somewhat concerned, for the first time I'm on the fence about Sony's new offerings due to the SLT and electronic viewfinder design. My leeriness about this new design combined with the release of the D800 has me tempted to sell out and switch to Nikon, however painful that may be financially. Another factor I've noticed of late is that on the high end telephoto end of factory lenses (which I like/covet for wildlife and sport work), the current Sony offerings seem to cost significantly higher then Nikon. For example I could buy a Nikon 600/f4 and a D800e for less then the cost of Sony's new 500/f4 alone.
First off the SLT design... we know from looking at DXO scores from the NEX-7 and the A77 that the fixed mirror does make a difference in the laboratory. But DXO labs is not the real world. Is this a difference only in statistical measurement, or is there a noticeable "real world" difference.
Secondly the EVF... I have heard all of the advantages of it, histogram in the VF, exposure changes reflected in the VF, changeable gain in the VF. But having played with it on an A77 in the store it just didn't "click" for me. I can't put my finger on it, but I can tell I'm looking at pixels and that bothers me for some reason, like I feel too removed from the scene. Also when panning, the EVF seemed to lag for a split second after every shot making holding composition tough.
But then on the other hand I'm also convinced that mirrored cameras will all eventually go the way of the dinosaur, and the current Sony Axx series is just an awkward transitional phase, so perhaps I should stick with them even if they bother me, since someday everything may be mirror-less and EVF.
Anyway, I thought I could ask this at Dpreview or Dyxum, but figured I'd get more experienced unbiased opinions here.
So... is my leeriness valid? Or, am I just an old fogey who can't handle change?
EDIT: I should add that I have read Michael's first impressions on the A77
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_a77_first_impressions.shtmland I agree with his assessment of the EVF, better then most many APS sized dim-tunnel VFs, but no match for a FF OVF.