The 10 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A300 from Sony

25. Dec, 2009 0 Comments

It appears Sony is getting serious about staking its position in the prosumer digital SLR market. They today introduced two cameras, the A300 and A350, which would place them in-between the A200 and A700. Both new models feature new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.

The 10 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A300

10.2 effective Megapixel CCD

Supports all Minolta/Sony Alpha-mount lenses with a 1.5X focal length conversion ratio

The 10 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A300

Sensor-shift image stabilization

Live view on a 2.7-inch, tilt-able LCD display (with 230k pixels)

Sony uses a secondary CCD near the viewfinder to provide the live view; they did things differently than Olympus did with the E-330, though — there’s a tilting mirror instead of a prism, so the viewfinder is still bright

Due to the design of the live view system, the camera can use phase detection AF at any time; no mirror flipping necessary!

Optical viewfinder has 0.74X magnification and 95% coverage

Dust reduction system uses image stabilizer to shake dust off the sensor

Full manual controls; ISO goes to 3200, shutter speed range is 30 – 1/4000 sec

Can shoot up to 6 RAWs or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 3 frames/second

9-point center cross AF sensor

Hot shoe for external flash

CompactFlash Type I/II slot

Optional battery grip

Uses NP-FM500H li-ion battery; 730 shots per charge with LV off, and 410 shots with LV on

USB 2.0 High Speed supported

Ships with an 18 – 70 mm lens this April for $800

The 14 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A350

14.2 effective Megapixel CCD

Burst rate drops to 2 frames/second

Shipping in March for $800 body only, or $900 with the 18 – 70 mm lens

In addition to the new D-SLRs, Sony also announced two new zoom lenses, both of which use Sony’s Super Sonic Wave Motor for silent focusing. Here they are:

F2.8, 24 – 70 mm Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens – ships this spring for $1750

F4.5-5.6, 70 – 300 mm Sony lens – ships this spring for $800

The 10 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A300
10.2 effective Megapixel CCDSupports all Minolta/Sony Alpha-mount lenses with a 1.5X focal length conversion ratioSensor-shift image stabilizationLive view on a 2.7-inch, tilt-able LCD display (with 230k pixels)Sony uses a secondary CCD near the viewfinder to provide the live view; they did things differently than Olympus did with the E-330, though — there’s a tilting mirror instead of a prism, so the viewfinder is still brightDue to the design of the live view system, the camera can use phase detection AF at any time; no mirror flipping necessary!Optical viewfinder has 0.74X magnification and 95% coverageDust reduction system uses image stabilizer to shake dust off the sensorFull manual controls; ISO goes to 3200, shutter speed range is 30 – 1/4000 secCan shoot up to 6 RAWs or an unlimited number of JPEGs at 3 frames/second9-point center cross AF sensorHot shoe for external flashCompactFlash Type I/II slotOptional battery gripUses NP-FM500H li-ion battery; 730 shots per charge with LV off, and 410 shots with LV onUSB 2.0 High Speed supportedShips with an 18 – 70 mm lens this April for $800

The 14 mega pixel Alpha DSLR-A350
14.2 effective Megapixel CCDBurst rate drops to 2 frames/secondShipping in March for $800 body only, or $900 with the 18 – 70 mm lensIn addition to the new D-SLRs, Sony also announced two new zoom lenses, both of which use Sony’s Super Sonic Wave Motor for silent focusing. Here they are:
F2.8, 24 – 70 mm Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T* lens – ships this spring for $1750F4.5-5.6, 70 – 300 mm Sony lens – ships this spring for $800