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Gadgets Sony Announces Alpha 300 and 350 D-SLRs
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - February 1, 2008 9:53 AM
Print E-mail del.icio.us 24 comment(s) - last by NagoyaX.. on Feb 2 at 4:52 PM

Sony Alpha DSLR-A300  (Source: Sony)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A350  (Source: Sony)
Sony adds live view LCD to its pair of nee Alpha DSLR cameras

Sony added two new Alpha D-SLR cameras to its line with the introduction of the Alpha DSLR-A350 and Alpha DSLR-A300. The A300 is a 10.2 megapixel camera and the A350 is a 14.2 megapixel camera. Other than the image resolution difference these tow cameras share much of the same features.

Sony gave both models its new Quick AF Live View technology allowing users of the cameras to frame photos on the LCD without sacrificing the autofocus speed. Sony says slow autofocus speed when using Live View LCD screens is common among its competitors.

A dedicated live view image sensor gets light from Sony’s Pentamirror Tilt mechanism allowing for TTL phase-detection auto-focus during live viewing on the LCD. The LCD of the cameras is a 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD that also tilts to different angles to make using the LCD more comfortable.

Sony’s BIONZ processing engine is used in both models as well as Super SteadyShot image stabilization.  Both models are capable of shooting bursts with the A300 capable of three frames per second and the A350 capable of two and a half frames per second.

The Sony DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for around $800 while the DSLR-A350 will ship in March for around $800 for the body only and around $900 with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 lens.

That puts both of the new Sony Alpha D-SLR cameras in the same price range as the Nikon D60 announced this week.

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cool
By omnicronx on 2/1/2008 10:03:36 AM , Rating: 2
The LCD display is pretty cool, there is potential in being able to hold the camera and hip level while taking a picture.




RE: cool
By the goat on 2/1/2008 10:26:51 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
The LCD display is pretty cool, there is potential in being able to hold the camera and hip level while taking a picture.

This is the perfect successor to the classic Sony nightshot clothing x-ray camcorders. The movable LCD screen makes it perfect for framing those hard to angle up-skirt shots when you are hanging out at the local school playground. Once again Sony comes through with a groundbreaking product.


RE: cool
By Maharajamd on 2/1/2008 10:30:36 AM , Rating: 2
^ Yikes. What state do you live in? *loads sexual predator list*

I have been waiting for new models of their d-slrs. I can't wait to go and test one of these out...


RE: cool
By FITCamaro on 2/1/2008 10:36:40 AM , Rating: 3
What are you one of Christopher1s buddies?

Seriously though I'm hoping you were just making a joke. I saw the humor at first but it was a little sick when you went to kids....


RE: cool
By Zoomer on 2/1/2008 10:42:37 AM , Rating: 2
Many cameras could capture IR or UV wavelengths.

Heck, many old as heck film cameras have the capability.


RE: cool
By boogle on 2/2/2008 2:27:24 PM , Rating: 2
You mean *all* film cameras have the capability. A camera is just a glorified lightbox, so capturing IR or UV is as simple as loading the correct film and ensuring you don't use a filter that filters out what you're trying to view.

Unless you mean digital cameras can't do that... That's true because the sensor is specifically designed to only capture visible light. Modern lenses also have lots of UV filtering built-in now too. Doesn't mean you can't use an old lens and replace the sensor though ;)


RE: cool
By Johnmcl7 on 2/1/2008 2:16:28 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
Once again Sony comes through with a groundbreaking product.


Actually not, this is much the same camera as the Olympus E-330 - this had a second sensor in the viewfinder chamber for its liveview mode A the same as the Sony but additionally it could use the main sensor (like most other current liveview cameras) with the benefit of magnification to help manual focus which the Sony cannot. The E-330 also had a similar articulating screen.

It's interesting to see how much the E-330 has changed the market, when it was released reviews were generally negative citing the liveview system as pointless. Now a couple of years later with most SLRs having a liveview feature, Sony's re-introduction of the same implementation as Olympus has had a far warmer reception.

John


RE: cool
By Strunf on 2/1/2008 3:41:50 PM , Rating: 2
kids?... MILF FTW :D


RE: cool
By TomZ on 2/1/2008 10:31:16 AM , Rating: 1
It looks like it would be fragile to me - one wrong move and you've got an expensive repair.


RE: cool
By Xerio on 2/1/2008 10:44:19 AM , Rating: 2
Hmm... I have been eyeing this camera the last few days and that thought never occured to me. Good point.

I am excited with all these new lower-end DSLRs. These cameras fit my needs well, and each of the manufacturers (Canon, Sony, Nikon, etc) bring great things to the table. Makes it hard to pick one. Really, I don't think you can go wrong with any of these cameras, you just have to find the one that meets your needs.


RE: cool
By jtesoro on 2/1/2008 11:20:54 AM , Rating: 2
Canon used to have a few cameras with this feature (G3 and some later models). I think there's a new A series which still has a tilt/rotate screen. You might want to check out some forums to see if people break it often enough in the real world.


RE: cool
By Devo2007 on 2/1/2008 12:36:50 PM , Rating: 2
I still have a Canon Powershot A95 camera and a Konica/Minolta Dimage A200. Both have flip-out LCDs, and neither of them has had any issues.


RE: cool
By Operandi on 2/1/2008 5:45:47 PM , Rating: 2
My Fuji S9000's LCD also flips out and feels pretty solid.


A300 looks nice
By FITCamaro on 2/1/2008 10:50:07 AM , Rating: 2
I'm not a photo buff or anything but enjoy having a nice camera. Wouldn't mind owning the A300. A350 is a little much for someone like me.




RE: A300 looks nice
By Chaser on 2/1/08, Rating: 0
RE: A300 looks nice
By FITCamaro on 2/1/2008 1:10:02 PM , Rating: 2
It's $800. And some people like to have quality camera's with a good lenses and that can take more than one picture at a time. It's annoying with many quick shot cameras to have to wait a second to shoot another image when theres something going on.


RE: A300 looks nice
By boogle on 2/2/2008 2:32:15 PM , Rating: 2
He means spending a fortune on a nice SLR is a waste of time if you just want to take quick snaps of family/friends/holiday - and he would be right. A good P&S will give higher quality images since an SLR can't just be pointed at something and provide a good image.

Many more expensive P&S cams have a quick shutter now, down to a couple 10s of ms. To need a faster release than that would mean you're photographing either wildlife or very fast sports. In both cases even pros 'predict' the motion and fire off the shutter before the scene they want to capture is in-place.


RE: A300 looks nice
By tdawg on 2/1/2008 3:16:03 PM , Rating: 2
You don't need to be a "photo buff" to enjoy a nice dSLR. They are worlds ahead of P&S options in terms of function and features and can provide much more control in terms of creativity.

There are photographers that produce exceptional work with P&S models, and they do have their value, but like Fit said, a nice camera is just nice to use. I definitely prefer using my dSLR to my P&S.


RE: A300 looks nice
By tdawg on 2/1/2008 3:12:37 PM , Rating: 2
Either one would probably be a good choice. It looks like the only differences are the MP count and the articulated LCD. The downside to more MPs is a potential need to upgrade your PC to accommodate processing times (if shooting raw--not to be confused with, in the raw :O).

To me, if I'm looking at these two cameras, the articulated LCD is worth the $100 premium, and the 14.2 mp is nice perk, though not crucial, or much of a difference from the 10 mp of the a300. Hell, I'm more than satisfied with the 4.1 mp I get from my D2H! :)

Just out of curiousity, have you looked at the new Pentax K200? I don't remember the price range they're going to fall in, but Pentax is releasing some nice "pro" lenses at reasonable prices (i.e., 50-135mm f/2.8 for about $700, I think). The K200 is dust and weathersealed, which isn't offered on any current entry-level models from other manufacturers.


RE: A300 looks nice
By Johnmcl7 on 2/1/2008 3:24:14 PM , Rating: 2
While it's good to see weather sealed entry level DSLRs, I don't really see the point without entry level weather sealed lenses. Also, Pentax's range overall is not that great for weather sealed lenses either, given the K10D has been out a while and the weather sealing seems to have been a selling point you'd have expected more in the way of weather sealed lenses.

John


RE: A300 looks nice
By tdawg on 2/1/2008 4:49:33 PM , Rating: 2
True. You definitely have to pony up some $ for weather sealed lenses, usually the premium pro-grade lenses in a lens family. Although, I think Nikon's 18-70 kit lens that debuted with the D70 was weather sealed against the body mount and that's definitely an inexpensive, but good quality lens. Manufacturers need to put out more of these type of lenses for the average consumer.


RE: A300 looks nice
By NagoyaX on 2/2/2008 4:52:14 PM , Rating: 2
Hostly i would wait till the Nikon D60 is available for purchase or the D90 what whatever they call the replacement to the D80 is out. Nikon seems to have this bad habit of waiting till everyone released their DSLRs then say wait look @ ours and steals everyones thunder.