Another week, a couple more new Sony Alpha dSLRs…
Sony has officially announced two new dSLRs, both featuring Sony’s new Quick AF Live View system. This brings the Sony dSLR model lineup to five, provided you include the original A100, which is no longer in production but still available in many outlets.
Only about four months ago, the A100 was Sony’s only dSLR and had been for eighteen months. To many observers, it seemed Sony had lost their direction and might even abandon the dSLR market.
Tilting live view LCD appears on new Alpha dSLRs.
Sony has effectively shut down the naysayers by releasing the A700 in September of 2007, then unleashing the A200, A300 and A350 in January 2008.
The A200 was announced at the CES show, and only a few weeks later, Sony sends word that the A300 and A350 will ship in March and April.
The A300 specs seem similar to the A200 with the same 10.2mp sensor. The A350 ups the ante with a new 14.2mp CCD sensor.
The feature that sets the two “main-stream†dSLRs apart is the Live View system. The tilt out 2.7†LCD panel allows the user to compose and shoot from a variety of angles. The Quick View system uses a second sensor to continuously monitor the scene:
Here is what the Sony press release has to say:
Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.
With its two sensor design, Quick AF Live View can even continuously focus-track the subject and provide live view during burst shooting, helping you capture that special moment.
Although I am not particularly interested in Live View, on paper it appears the Sony system is one of the best implementations of Live View yet.
Alpha 350 boasts 14.2mp (CCD).
After an incredible drought, A-mount shooters suddenly have wide selection of dSLRs to choose from. And yesterday’s huge announcement of the 24mp full-frame sensor is a reminder that the A900/flagship model is yet to come.
All of a sudden, it is a great time to be an Alpha Mount shooter!
8 Comments
It has been confirmed by Sony that the flagship model will definately have the 24.8 mpx sensor in it
wow this is one hot gadget that I can’t wait to get my hands on. I’ve been wanting to grad one dSLR that won’t cost me too much but of good quality
Lately I have been trying to find any kind of information for my project, but unsuccessfully. Now it seems like I finally found a lot. This is the greatest site among all internet-sources.
I have a film format Minolta Maxxum 7000i slr with AF lenses. I also have a Minolta Maxxum 5200i flash unit. Are these lenses and flash unit compatible with the full range of dslr’s Sony is marketing?
What a great site. I like you started with the film minoltas and progressed through &d to sony, truely unde rated in the world of digital photography, watch out Nikon and Cannon sony are in your wing mirror
Reading this site it is amazing what spam idiots will add to a site, Really what is the point? Give the owner a break and stop adding so much spam.
You’ve made a very good article.
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With Regards from
Republic Polytechnic
Buenas noches mate. First-rate blog. Maybe you can also blog about this announcement?
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Sony expands Alpha line with two new live view dSLR models…
Sony has announced two new dSLR cameras. Both the 10.2mp A300 and the 14.2mp A350 feature Sony’s new Quick AF Live View system that includes a tilt out 2.7″ LCD Screen. The new models will ship in March and April of 2008….
[...] Alphatracks Minolta and Sony SLR Weblog « A300 and A350: Sony Alpha line gains two more dSLRs [...]
[...] Alphatracks Minolta and Sony SLR Weblog « A300 and A350: Sony Alpha line gains two more dSLRs [...]
[...] There isn’t anything really new in the interview, but it is still worth listening to, especially if you are an A-mount shooter. Weir explains in detail the advantages to the new Sony Live View system offered in the Alpha A300 and A350. He also hammers home the advantages of in-body image stabilization. In addition to not having to buy IS with every lens you acquire, Weir points out that it is impractical to add lens-based IS to many macro and wide aperture lenses. Thus the Sony in-body system allows users to enjoy IS in many types of lenses that are simply unavailable from competing lens-based IS systems. [...]
[...] Sony was not about to let that happen again. The 2008 PMA show was packed with Sony and Sony Alpha dLSR news. Of course everyone is still talking about the incredible 24mp, full-frame sensor that Sony announced, and the introduction of not one but two new live view dSLR bodies caught a lot of people by surprise. The A300 and A350 are a huge shot in the arm to the Alpha line, and should go a long way to convince potential customers that Sony is serious about playing in the dSLR arena. [...]