[Jon L]

http://www.imaging-resource.com/news/2014/04/06/full-frame-sony-a7s-bucks-trend-fewer-larger-pixels-great-low-light-4k

Having purchased and returned the Sony A7R 36 MP high-MP monster, I was hoping for a Sony camera with same sensor but better/faster AF similar to Sony A6000, but this A7S with 12.2 MP threw me for a loop from the left field.  With such huge pixel size, it *should* have unheard-of dynamic range at high ISO, something even D800/A7R cannot manage at high ISO.  With -4.0 EV AF, it should have fabulous AF in low light, and if color fidelity and IQ benefit from large pixels, this camera could be THE walk-around, low-light monster we have never seen before.  Although this camera should appeal to videographers, it could seduce photographers who shoot low-light events. 

Hate to say it, but Sony does seem to be towering over Canikon when it comes to imagination, innovation, and appetizing cameras   

[low.pfile]

...it could seduce photographers who shoot low-light events.

That would be me! 

[Goosepond]

But why only 12.2MP? 

Gene

[Jon L]

But why only 12.2MP? 

Gene

Well, Sony is aiming at the videographers, and the new 12.2 MP sensor allows to "output extremely high-quality, 16:9-aspect, 4K video without line-skipping, pixel binning or downsampling."

As a comparison, the cheapest current Canon camera that can record 4K video is the 1Dc, which is $12,000, which does not output as pure 4K signal as Sony A7S. 

[SET Man]

...

Hate to say it, but Sony does seem to be towering over Canikon when it comes to imagination, innovation, and appetizing cameras   

Hey!

  That's surprised me too and I'm a Sony user, formerly Minolta user. Sony bought out Minolta's photography department in 2006 and look like they ran with it. But more likely the fact that they are giant electronic and make their own sensors help a lot.

   As for pixel count. I'm still using 12MP Sony DSLR and I feel that is enough for most stuff and should do a fine print up to 16X20 just fine. A fine 12MP sensor with wide dynamic range sound interesting to me. But if I have a choice I would love to see one that is 24MP of which I think is a sweet spot... maybe soon.

Take care,
Buddy  

[Jon L]

   As for pixel count. I'm still using 12MP Sony DSLR and I feel that is enough for most stuff and should do a fine print up to 16X20 just fine. A fine 12MP sensor with wide dynamic range sound interesting to me. But if I have a choice I would love to see one that is 24MP of which I think is a sweet spot... maybe soon.

What about Sony A7?  It's available now and got the great Sony 24.3 MP full frame sensor.
http://www.imaging-resource.com/camera-reviews/sony/a7/

It's quite nice actually that Sony is offering 3 very different options in A7 trim:  high resolution 36 MP A7r, all-around 24 MP A7, and now the low-light monster 12 MP A7s!

Despite the myriad of camera reviews and internet banter, in truth, basically all modern cameras produce excellent images...at LOW ISO.  Heck, even iPhones can produce great images at low iso.  It's when sun goes down and dim flourescent/mixed lighting kicks in, one needs the low-noise, large-photosite sensor with excellent color fidelity.  Out of the A7s, I am expecting we will see some previously-unseen low-light photo's of high color fidelity and low noise, which is what the average user really needs, not the 36 MP resolution. Exciting times for photographers