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Gadgets Sony Unveils Four New D-SLR Cameras
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - August 24, 2010 9:30 AM
Print 21 comment(s) - last by kraeper.. on Aug 25 at 7:42 PM

Sony A580

Sony SLT A55  (Source: DPReview)
Sony SLT series offer new translucent mirror tech

Sony has unveiled several new digital cameras today in its Alpha D-SLR range. The first of the new cameras are the SLT A55 and SLT A33. Both of these new cameras are the first to use the new Sony translucent mirror design, which is where the SLT (single lens translucent) name comes from.

The a55 camera is a 16.2-megapixel camera and the a33 is a 14.2-megapixel camera. The cameras both offer fast shooting with the capability to grab continuous shots at up to 10 fps with precision phase autofocus. The cameras are also the first cams to offer quick auto focus in HD Movie mode. This provides continuous autofocus during the recoding of movies on the cameras.

The translucent mirror tech allows the cameras to split the optical path to send the image coming into the camera to both the main image sensor and an additional phase-detection autofocus sensor. The cameras also have live view with the fast auto focus mode available in live view as well. The rear LCD is a 3-inch unit on both cameras and can tilt and swivel. The only real difference between these two cameras is the resolution. Both use Sony A-mount or Konica-Minolta AF mount lenses.

Sensitivity is ISO 100-25600 and the shutter speed is 60-1/4000 second. Both cameras also have HDMI outputs and store images to SD/SDHC/SDXC and MemoryStick Pro Duo memory cards. The cams weigh about 433g for the A33 and the A55 weighs 441g and both measure 124.4 x 92 x 84.7mm.

Sony has also announced the new A580 and A560 cameras. The 580 is a 16.2-megapixel unit and the 560 is a 14.2-megapixel camera. Both of the cameras use the new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and BIONZ imaging processor. The cameras can shoot at up to 7fps in speed priority modes and has the Sony Quick AF Live View system with 15-point phase detection autofocus. 

Both of the cameras can record full HD resolution video and stereo sound. The rear LCD is 3-inches, tilts, and swivels for optimum positioning. The cameras also both have panorama sweep functionality. Video is recorded in AVCHD or QuickTime formats.  CMOS-shift image stabilization is included. The ISO range is 100-12800 with ISO 25600 available in certain modes. A number of automated settings are available as well. The cameras can record to SD/SDHC/SDXC and MemoryStick storage media. The cams weigh 599g and measure 137 x 104 x 84mm.

Sony offered no pricing or availability on any of the new cameras.

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Decisions, Decisions...
By cubdukat on 8/24/2010 10:43:57 AM , Rating: 2
I wish they'd announced prices. My A230 got stolen recently, and right now I'm torn between getting another one or wait until its replacement the A290 shows up.

Then again, lately I've been thinking about getting away from the Alpha range entirely. Fewer people seem to be making Maxxum-mount lenses, and the ones I have are so beat up that it wouldn't be any great loss moving to a new architecture.

Still, I'll wait and see how much these new cams are gonna be.




RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By Gungel on 8/24/2010 10:48:09 AM , Rating: 4
Found the following prices:

Sony A55
$749 body only
$849 with 18-55mm lens

Sony A33
$649 body only
$749 with 18-55mm lens


RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By theArchMichael on 8/24/2010 11:35:56 AM , Rating: 2
Ok that probably seems pretty expensive considering its a "entry level" DSLR BUT...
I've owned the Pentax *ist and have used a Nikon D50 (or D70?), I actually passed on the previous Sony version for the cheaper *ist and the difference in terms of shooting experience for a beginning photographer is day and night.

The Sony takes much better auto mode pictures, image stabilization and low light photos are much better. Basically although the specs were really similar the value added portiions of the Sony model would totally have been worth the extra $300... had I known.


RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By oldscotch on 8/24/2010 12:14:04 PM , Rating: 2
Check out the Pentax Kx, it's a much, much more competitive entry level as compared to the *ists.


RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By bug77 on 8/24/2010 4:07:20 PM , Rating: 2
I don't know, I wouldn't feel too comfortable with 30% of the light not going to the sensor. It's not like current APS-C models have stellar low-light performance already... And I guess full-frames are better, but still not perfect in that area.
Granted, there's just one review for these (on dpreview) and it says noise is starting to show at ISO400. Just saying, I wouldn't jump on these things yet.


RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By oldscotch on 8/24/2010 9:10:05 PM , Rating: 2
That's shooting jpeg that they're referring to, you can expect better raw performance. They haven't included that for now since the cameras are brand new and aren't supported by most raw converters yet.


RE: Decisions, Decisions...
By bug77 on 8/25/2010 4:24:11 AM , Rating: 2
Actually, JPEG conversion does noise reduction already, so you can expect more noise in RAW files. Unless Sony is terrible at default noise reduction in JPEGs, you can safely expect more noise anyway; and that's to be expected, with 30% less light.


Time for an Upgrade!
By Brentcsi101 on 8/24/2010 9:39:12 AM , Rating: 1
Sweet! Maybe its time to save up some money to replace my old A100. Now if I only had money...




Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By ChipDude on 8/24/10, Rating: -1
By davebeneteau on 8/24/2010 11:37:06 AM , Rating: 3
I dunno, i realy like my pentax k-x.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By oldscotch on 8/24/2010 12:07:17 PM , Rating: 4
People keep preaching how Sony can't compete, yet they continue to expand their market share while Canon's decreases, they continue to release lenses, many of which best the Canon and Nikon counterparts, they continue to innovate with their camera designs and with the new models the performance is as good, if not better than the competition.

Everyone said they wouldn't last a year, then it was two years, then it was five years, now it's ten years.

I've little doubt Sony is going to be going anywhere, nor Pentax, Panasonic or Olympus for that matter. Well, Olympus being bought out by Panasonic is plausible, but the cameras will keep coming nonetheless.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By Proxes on 8/24/2010 2:04:46 PM , Rating: 1
Canon is losing market share but it's not Sony that's filling in it's Nikon.

Sony has a long way to go when it comes to catching up with Canon and Nikon on image quality at high ISO.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By oldscotch on 8/24/2010 9:05:48 PM , Rating: 2
Yes, it is probably more Nikon that is taking the bite out of Canon, that was disingenuous of me to imply it was just Sony that was taking business from Canon.

As to the iso performance, I'd say Sony has caught up to the point that it's pretty much a non-issue. They might be a *bit* behind, but not enough that it should be a deal breaker.
Have a look here with what Sony's done with these new sensors:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonynex5nex3/page6...

(That's taken from the NEX reviews, there isn't any neutral raw converter for these new cameras yet so the NEX will have to do for now. And it shouldn't be far off since it's the same sensor as what's in the 14 MP models)


By SPOOFE on 8/24/2010 9:32:19 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
They might be a *bit* behind, but not enough that it should be a deal breaker.

The gap has certainly closed, that's for sure. A couple generations back everyone else's ISO 800 looked like Nikon/Canon's ISO 1600. Now the difference is like 1/3 or 2/3 a stop, depending on model.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By raddude9 on 8/24/2010 1:21:45 PM , Rating: 2
That limited lens selection argument may have been valid when the first Sony DSLR came out 4 years ago, but the constant stream of new Sony-fit lesns means it gets less and less valid over time. The range is more than big enough now to cover pretty much anything Canon and Nikon have.

And what's wrong with a bit of competition in the marketplace, the more Sony do with their DSLRs, the more Canon and Nikon will have to do to keep up (cheaper full-frams DSLR's anyone?).

Also, I just read the A55 review on dpreview:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/page17....
looks good, gets a Gold Award!


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By bug77 on 8/25/2010 7:19:52 AM , Rating: 2
Let me see: innovative, more compact design, no RAW tests yet, noise visible at ISO400 already. I'd say that award is not based on performance.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By SPOOFE on 8/25/2010 5:30:40 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
noise visible at ISO400 already

So what? The Canon 5D mkII sometimes shows noise at ISO 200, and it's an excellent camera. Ignore the words of pixel-peepers, they don't know what makes a good image.


By bug77 on 8/25/2010 7:09:31 PM , Rating: 2
Yes, but the other cameras were clean. Does this make Sony a better camera?
More specifically, I'm not worried by the noise at ISO400 itself, but by the fact that the sensor receives 30% less light. That can't be good, no matter how you look at it.


By kraeper on 8/24/2010 1:37:16 PM , Rating: 3
Sony is "missing" two areas in lenses: T/S perspective correction lenses, and really long/fast telephotos. Those are both extremely niche areas. To say that Nikon (uses mostly Sony senors) and Canon (losing marketshare like it's going out of style) are the only two choices means you haven't done any homework on the subject. Got stabilized prime lenses? Got autofocus Carl Zeiss lenses? Got the 135STF? Got an autofocus 500mm reflex? No? Well at least you have a 'steal me' badge on your camera, grats!

Will Sony ever dominate dSLR marketshare? Doubtful, but they completely own the broadcast video market, so don't tempt them.

And as for wasting hundreds of millions of dollars at a loss.. again do some homework: the Alpha division was one of Sony's most profitable. I shouldn't feed trolls, but comon.. at least have a plausible argument like "I'm a fanboi lol" so we have to agree with your facts.

With that rant out of the way, Canikon makes good cameras obviously. I'm generally not excited about Canon's images, but that's personal preference. Every dSLR on the market will take good pictures with good glass, so any claims of 'Brand X sux' or 'Brand Y rules!' is pure fanboi droolings. I will defend Sony from lies because I'm educated on their system, but I won't spout that they're the only option. Because that's just silly.


RE: Yawn.. Nikon Canon are the only choice
By ChipDude on 8/25/2010 5:37:40 PM , Rating: 1
Ha Ha.. notice I made no comment about the camera nor the quality! I am not debating the innovation or performance my fellow fanbois

I'm raising the question about the viability of the business. Why should/will Sony continue to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in sensors, bodies, and lenses when they are surely going to be stuck losing money for many more years, likely a decade or more. Why should Stringer accept this unless there is some huge strategic thing going on.

Does having or not having DSLR make or break any other area that Sony competes; compact P&S, movies, TVs, audio, video, etc. etc.

HOw many brands does the DSLR market need? You like and use anythign that isn't Canikon, that is fine for me. I'm only pointing out the sillyness of Sony's pursuit. The difference are so small between cameras. Shooting 10FPS or 1080p at 60FPS etc. etc. won't growh their market to 20% or enough to make a profit.

It ain't about being a fanboi its about common business sense. Not slamming the camera or anyone who uses one or Pentax or Olympus or anyother brand for that matter. They will all go away plain and simply and there will only be two. It has nothing to do with if the camera is good or not nor what you vote me down to. Its the simply economics boys!

Hey anyone know where I can pick up a nice really fast 500mm fast lens for BIF in Sony or Pentax or Olympus mount?

I know its very hard to accept, but it is what it is.


By kraeper on 8/25/2010 7:42:02 PM , Rating: 2
"Hey anyone know where I can pick up a nice really fast 500mm fast lens for BIF in Sony or Pentax or Olympus mount?"

B&H photo. Same place you get them for any other mounts.

In all seriousness, there's this awesome new website I heard about called Google. I forget their web address, but I think you can look stuff up there. You might check it out sometime.


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