Sony Alpha DSLR-A1R: Full-Frame, 35-megapixel

According to rumors posted on Spanish photo site Foto Actualidad, Sony is preparing to announce a new full-frame DSLR with the following main specs:

• 35.4MP SuperHAD CCD II sensor, 34.8MP effective
  
• dual BIONZ processors
• 3-inch LCD
• top shutter speed of 1/12,000 second
• ISO range from 25 to 3,200
• Recording media: Dual slot UDMA CompactFlash
• Recording modes: RAW, RAW+JPEG, XFine, Fine, Standard
• AF illuminator light
• 100% coverage Live View with auxiliary CMOS sensor
• Dust reduction: sensor shift technology
• Burst mode: 3fps max
• HDMI output
• Wifi 802.11g (108MB/s)
• GPS receiver
• Magnesium alloy body
• 3.0" Xtra Fine resolution LCD screen with tilt
• 0.9x pentaprism optical viewfinder, 100% coverage
• Battery: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion, 7.2V, CIPA standard: 950 pictures
• 5 year limited warranty

Supplied accessories (body only package):

Two batteries, battery charger, VG-C1AM grip, wireless remote, video cable, USB vable, HDMI cable, shoulder strap, etc.

Buy Sony Alpha A230Y 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses

Via CNet via Foto Actualidad

Sony aims to improve low-light photography

At the high end, the DSLR-A850, $2,000 (body only), is a full-frame camera aimed at experienced shooters, those who may also be considering more expensive models like the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and the Nikon D700. A full-frame D.S.L.R. has an image sensor that is roughly the same size as a frame of 35mm film, while most entry- and mid-level D.S.L.R.s use sensors that are considerably smaller. The larger sensor enables you to record more pixels with less noise, which translates to better low-light photography.

The A850’s CMOS sensor has a resolution of a whopping 24.6 megapixels and is capable of continuous shooting at the highest resolution at three frames a second. It has a high-resolution (921,000 pixels) 3-inch LCD for reviewing images and framing shots using Live View.

The A850 will hit store shelves in September. Sony also announced a new 28mm to 75mm (equivalent) F2.8 lens for the A850 that will be $800 when it is available in November.

Via NYTimes

Sony Alpha DSLR-A230

Cnet Australia says:

A modest update over its predecessor, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A200, the Alpha DSLR-A230 offers the same essential feature set in a redesigned body with sufficient quality and performance-enhancing firmware tweaks to merit the term "upgrade". And like its predecessor, the result is a generally solid, if not stellar, entry-level dSLR option.

Good: Fast autofocus • High magnification viewfinder for its class • Dual card slots • Relatively simple, straightforward operation • Built-in wireless flash and image stabilisation • Helpful SteadyShot indicator
Bad: Smallish grip • Default settings produce suboptimal photos
Specs: Digital SLR • 10.2 megapixels • 2.7 inch • Memory Stick PRO Duo, Secure Digital Card, Secure Digital High Capacity

Buy a Sony Alpha A230Y 10.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with Super SteadyShot INSIDE Image Stabilization and 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses

Sony A500, A550, A850 leaked online

Someone in Sony must be excited to get the company's new cameras out. Previously, we reported the TX1 and WX1, two upcoming superzoom compacts, were prematurely published on an online retailer's site. Now, the Japanese firm itself has let loose three dSLRs model names on its US-based product registration page.

We caught wind of this news from camera blog 1001noisycameras. Note that the highlighted portion in the picture above shows DSLRA500, A550 and A850. The trio has caused quite a stir on the Web, especially the A850 which is suspected to succeed the popular DSLR-A700, an enthusiast-oriented dSLR.


Via cnet/Crave

Sony DSLR-A700 Camera Review

PCWORLD.ca say in their article:

A complex, well-made camera with tons of controls, the A700 takes exceptionally sharp, well-exposed shots.

A Short Course in Sony A700 Photography book/ebook

Complex the A700 certainly is--it probably has more exposure controls than any other DSLR I've seen to date. That said, the camera's ease of use is still exceptionally good: Like most current DSLRs, it has fore and aft selector dials for quickly changing shutter speeds, aperture values, and exposure compensation. But it also has a healthy number of nicely placed, well-labeled, dedicated buttons for key controls such as white balance, drive mode, ISO setting, and metering modes.

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Sony says: Video recording a necessity in dSLRs

Leonard Goh at Cnet Crave says:

It is ironic for Sony to comment that video-recording feature will be a necessity for dSLRs, because its recently launched Alpha DSLR-A230, A330 and A380 entry-level models don't sport this function.

The trio will face fierce competition from Canon's EOS 500D and Nikon's D5000 which offer a minimum of HD-quality movie recording. Also, the pricing of the A380 in the US (US$850) is almost similar to the Canon dSLR. So why should consumers pick the Alpha over the 500D?

Via Crave

Sony a500 and a550 rumored

sonystyle.ca offers some interesting choices when you attempt to register your new Sony camera:

DSLRA350KCF
DSLRA380L
DSLRA380S
DSLRA500
DSLRA500S
DSLRA550
DSLRA550S
DSLRA700
DSLRA700P
DSLRA900

Via http://photorumors.com/

Sony Alpha 230, 330 and 380 dSLR details

CNet Crave blog writer Rich Trenholm has some fresh info on the new line of Sony DSLR cameras, namely the 230, 330 and the 380.

The A230 is a lightweight, entry-level model. The top-end A380 and middle child A330 boast flip-out screens. All three boast HDMI output to TVs, but do not appear to shoot video of any definition. Features shown include a new user interface, showing aperture and shutter speed on a sliding scale, pictured left.

The leaked pages mention APS-C format sensors, presumably for all three cameras. The sensors are protected by a dual dust-reduction system. Sony's Bionz sensor handles the thinking, while a dynamic range opimizer handles tricky, contrasty images to keep detail in both highlights and shadows.

Another feature is a smart teleconverter, which magnifies the image by 1.4x or 2x on the camera's screen, for more precise focusing. We also like the look of a 40-segment metering system, pictured right.

Finally, Sony has gone all green, pointing out that the cameras' shells are made using polycarbonate byproducts of CD-ROM manufacturing. Very reassuring. It also appears that one--or all--of the cameras supports two types of memory card. We've got our fingers crossed for SD cards, but we'll settle for CompactFlash, like the Alpha A300, alongside those pesky Sony Memory Sticks.

Via Crave

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Sony Alpha A330 rumored

Sony UK support site revealed a few details of what seems to be an upcoming model from Sony's Alpha DSLR line.

Protoclub Alpha says on their news page Alpha 330 - future model?

Since two new lenses - presumed to incorporate focus motors because of their design - are also shown on the support website, 50mm f/1.8 and 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, it can be assumed the camera will be sold with these lenses as no existing models have the codes Y or L when used in kits. There is a possibility that these budget lenses are not SSM, but use a cheaper internal micromotor. It may also be fair to assume to the body could lack mechanical focus drive support.

They also speculate that there may be a few other models coming out this year:

This may mean nothing (just a poorly written site layout) or it may mean the higher end models will be A730 and A930 (since 30 seems to be the increment chosen). It’s worth checking this site, and others, in the coming days as changes like this usually precede launches. Sony traditionally launches cameras either before the summer holiday season for its various worldwide markets, or at the start of the ‘return to work’. Past launches have been early June (with pre-release information in May to dealers and some press under NDA) and September (with the same in late August).

Via Gizmodo, Photoclub Alpha

Sony Alpha A900 at the Dakar Rally

image illustration only

Polish photographer Jacek Bonecki has an interesting article about his experience with the A900 in different conditions, including studio photography, rainy Spain and the dust and sands of the African deserts. Pretty cool article with grat shots, check it out here.

In addition to having excellent technical parameters, professional equipment should be durable and resistant to various factors hazardous to its proper operation, even if this is provided at the cost of its appearance, technological advancement or price. The first serious test for the Sony DSLR A900 as a reportage and sport photography tool was a golf tournament in sunny Spain where it survived pouring rain, however the real test came in Argentina and Chile during the Dakar Rally.

PMA09: Seven new Alpha lenses to be announced by Sony?

Image for illustration purposes

According to a forum posting, Sony will be releasing the following lenses at PMA:

• Sony AF DT 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 (Tamron design)
• Sony AF DT 18-270mm f/3.5-6.3 (Tamron design)
• Sony AF DT 18-55mm f/3.5-4.5 (Sony design) new kit lens
• Sony AF 24-105 F4 G SSM (Sony design)
• Sony AF 200/fa macro za ssm (Zeiss design)
• Sony AF 600/4 G SSM (Sony design)
• Sony AF 24/1.4 ZA (Zeiss design)

Via DentonImages.com

Sony Alpha A800 rumored part 3: Cnet Asia has more

Probably a successor to the Alpha A700 (pictured above), the A800 would feature the pentaprism from the A900 and on-board Wi-Fi, mostly for photo sharing on sites like Flickr and Picasa. If this is true, the Alpha A800 will be the first DSLR with Wi-Fi on board, and it is expected to be (finally) announced at upcoming Photo Marketing Association (PMA) 2009 tradeshow held between March 3-5, 2009.

Cnet Asia says:
It's kind of weird to see a Sony dSLR rumor on Nikon Rumors, but the site recently reported on a new Alpha camera from the Japanese company. Dubbed the A800, the shooter could be the successor to the A700, which is due for an upgrade. The specifications are convincing enough, with a 15.2-megapixel sensor, 6.5 frames-per-second burst mode, 9 double cross AF sensor and a maximum ISO sensitivity of 12,800.

To find out more about PMA09, visit their website.

Sony Alpha A800 rumored part 2: some more specs

Some of the rumored specs posted in a dpreview forum post, based on "someone" getting their info tips in Japan:

Sony A800

• body design similar to A700
• 100% OVF (pentprism bigger than A700)
• 15.2Mp APS-C CMOS
• ISO 200-6400 expandable to 100 & 12800
• Quick LV
• flippable back LCD
• 6.5 frame per second
• New high speed flash sync
• 9 double cross f/2.8 AF sensor (23 total AF sensor)
• New metering and AF sensor with tracking and previous focus
• Dual AF Ultr-Speed motor ??
• Wi-Fi built-in
• Dual memory card slot CF & MS
• New battery (again......)
• A700 grip will be compatible

Others features:

• micro AF adjustment
• full function eyestarter (pre-focus)

Via DentonImages, dpreview.com

Sony Alpha A800 rumored

A Japanese forum entry here has some details about the new Alpha A800, planned to replace or supplement the A700 (pictured above) and A900 in the Alpha series.

The entry says:

I am visiting Japan and we had a very interesting meeting with some friends...

a800...
-15.2Mpx APS-C CMOS Exmor "R" sensor
-ISO 100-12.800
-6.5 frame per second
-New high speed flash sync
-9 double cross f/2.8 AF sensor (23 total AF sensor)
-New metering and AF sensor with tracking and previous focus
-Dual AF Ultr-Speed motor ??
-Wi-Fi built-in

Will be announced on PMA09 and launch on April with 3 new DT lenses.