Sony is not a camera company, it is a consumer electronics company.
Maybe thats not a good choice of words, even if I have to agree to the general statement. Sony sucks at many things:
- optics (they heavily rely on others for that)
- ergonomics (the cameras are poor to hold, the menu system is infamous)
- reliability (in general but also overheating during video)
- construction (for example they use an APS-C mount for full frame cameras)
- build quality and service (some real horror stories about that out there)
- price (high prices in general and they tend to give you poor products for high prices)
- system building (getting yourself a great set of lenses for every purpose, getting flash support etc)
- design (getting a good well rounded product out)
They cant tell you the difference between a camera and a washing machine. They produce both. Its the same to them.
They are unable to make a camera thats fun to use. They dont even have a first clue about that.
They are unable to make a camera that can create great results easily. Their color management for example is off, requiring post production from the photographer when other companies manage to look great out of camera.
They dont make lasting products. Build quality problems and lack of support.
They are unable to make optics that are awesome, and thats the most important skill for any photographic company. For example thats the reason why Leica still exists, while Hasselblad went under.
So what they are great at ?
- Electronics; everyone uses their sensors
- Looking good on paper (data sheets)
- Gimmicks (like Eye AF)