Why did Sony's FF A900/850 fail in the marketplace?

David Dyer-Bennet wrote:

I think they didn't have the lenses people expect in a top-level
pro camera, and nobody else actually needs 24MP or anything
like it. (I'm not actually sure any pros really truly need that
much resolution either.)

If you produce large meter banners, where people can get a bit
closer, you need much more resolution. If you print 4x3 meters
(e.g. a sales booth backdrop) where people are getting close
and where it needs to look good, you need 420 MPix (at 150 dpi).
(Neither of which I do.)

A 40x60 cm (just shy of 16x24 inch) print at 300 dpi already
needs 33 MPix.

So I guess 24 MPix might be on the small side for some pro
applications and even some amateur uses.

(And no, I'm not saying that big prints with much less pixels
can't be stunning.)

-Wolfgang