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Sony Introduces Alpha A580 and A560 DSLRs

While not the most exciting cameras Sony trotted out today, Sony’s upgrades to it’s 500-series DSLRs are still very solid. They use the dual-sensor system for Live View Sony is renowned for using to date, so even in Live View you get to keep the phase-detect AF. But, that AF module has been upgraded now to 15 points with 3 of them being the better cross-type points.

The A580 will sport a 16 megapixel sensor, and the A560 a 14 megapixel one. They’ll both record 1080i HD video with audio either via intenral mic or via an external phono jack.

Continuing Sony’s trend of putting all its new features into every camera going forward, these DSLRs will support the Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR, and Handheld Twilight modes first introduced on other models, such as the NEX line.

And the “Smart Teleconvertor” digital zoom button has been replaced by a direct movie button. Good call, Sony. Good call.

Of course they maintain the 3″ vari-tilt LCDs and internal sensor-shift image stabilization of the Alpha line up. The controls has been jiggered a bit to hopefully be even more ergonomic, and so forth.

We’re unsure if the A580 is slated for a US release, but the A560 will be available sometime early next year. So, don’t worry current 500 series owners, you’ve got a few months yet to save up your pennies and dimes for the next upgrade.

Sony Introduces Alpha A55 / A55V and A33 DSLRs with Semi-Transparent Pellicle Mirrors

Once again Sony is reworking an already tried idea and claiming it as its own (the last time it did this was with the dual-sensor live view DSLRS, actually pioneered by the Olympus E-330), and once again we’ll probably let them get away with it because what they’re doing is admittedly quite cool. This time they’re reviving an idea Canon apparently tried in the 60′s of using a semi-transparent mirror. The idea was a third of the light went through the viewfinder, and 2/3 through to the film, and the mirror didn’t have to flip. It also meant the viewfinder was dark and the shots needed 1/3 stop more exposure, but hey, kudos for trying.

The Sony is a bit different. As you might know, Sony’s goal has been to make live view as seamless a process as possible, and they’re dedicated to bringing the faster, mirror-requiring phase detect auto-focus speeds to a system that normally requires the use of slower contrast-detect. Their first solution was the previously mentioned dual sensors. If you turned on live-view it shifted the mirror to bounce the light not through the viewfinder, but onto a secondary imaging sensor for live-view output. This allowed the mirror to continue bouncing part of the light into the same auto-focus sensor the camera used in regular mode.

This new solution uses a mirror that’s mostly transparent, it’s only enough of a mirror to redirect enough light into the auto-focus sensor for it to work. The rest barrels straight through the mirror and onto the sensor. This means that an optical viewfinder isn’t possible, and Sony gets around this by using a new time-multiplexed electronic viewfinder with a resolution equivalent to 1,152,000 dots (Canon and Nikon’s high-end offerings only have 921,000 dots on their 3″ screens, for comparison). What you’re left with is an SLR style camera with full-time Live View and full-time phase-detect auto-focus. Sony’s calling the tech “SLT” or “Single Lens Transluscent.” Sounds good to us.

So, these SLTs are neat in concept, and Sony doesn’t let it slide to gimmick by backing them with a host of the usual DSLR features. The A55V will have a 16 megapixel sensor, a GPS module, and thanks to that non-flipping mirror it can shot those 16mp images at 10 frames a second. (There’ll be an A55, too, we hear, but not in the US, and it won’t have the GPS). The A33 is only a paltry 14 megapixels, no GPS, and can only crank along at 7 frames per second. They both use those high-end EVFs, and both sport 3″ 921,000 dot center-hinged tilt-swivel LCDs on the back. And of course they have SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization.

The SLT tech also lets them have full 1080i HD movies modes with full-time auto-focus, so that’s a win.

They’ll both also feature those shiny new Sony features the high end compacts and NEX cams have been using, like Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR, and Handheld Twilight modes.

They’ll record to Memory Stick or the much more reasonable SD/SDHC/SDXC.

These two models will reportedly start shipping sometime in October, the A55V will be $750 body only, $850 with an 18-55. The A33 will be $650 body only, $750 with 18-55mm.

Sony Updates Entry-level D-SLR offerings

Side by side, the a-290 and a-390

We’re looking again at Sony’s interchangeable lens line. This time the entry-side Alphas. (Aside, I’d like to note that I’m a little sad that their E-mount isn’t also named for a Greek letter, but Eta mount or Epsilon mount might have thrown a few people if the Greek character were used. Similarly Omega would be hilarious, but I don’t think they’re allied with the Indianapolis Colts.) From a-230 and a-380, we’re getting the a-290 and a-390. It appears that the 90s will be running concurrently with their predecessors for a bit.

Most notably the resolution gets a 40% jump from 10.2 to 14MP on the a-290 and the handgrip has been redesigned for both models. The finish on each has been homogenized. The 290 lacks live-view, but retains wireless flash control, and SDHC support.

The 390, on the other hand, has a tilting LCD, Live view (with a dedicated sensor) and the same resolution as the 380.

You can read more detailed previews here, here, and here.

Raw Footage and the Sony NEX-5

So, remember that thing, that system that Sony announced recently? You know? yeah? What was it, interchangeable lens compact, tiny body, Alpha sensor, new “E” mount lenses? Ringing any bell? No?

Well, then you probably have no idea why all the hush-hush cloak-and-dagger in this video. Oh well, you should watch it anyway.

And learn.

Executive Panther out.

Sony Announces NEX-3, NEX-5 EVIL Shooters

Sony has finally anounced it’s new interchangeable lens compact system (you know, like Olympus & Panasonic’s Micro Four Thirds system). They’re getting in the claim of having the smallest interchangeable lens compacts going, which does quite seem to be the case, with these two bodies carving out some out some of the already diminutive mass of even the Panasonic GF1.

The two bodies, the NEX-3 and NEX-5, are upgrade differentiated more-so than being actually different models. They both feature the new “E” mount (different from the Alpha series “A” mount inherited from Minolta). In true EVIL fashion, there will be an E to A mount adapter for slapping your Alpha lenses on these beasties.

The core of both bodies is a 14.2 megapixel APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, like you’d find in the Alpha bodies (which means it’s sporting quite a nice sensor, I’ve been rather pleased with Sony’s DSLR’s output quality every time I’ve used them). They’ve got 3″ tiltable LCDs with 921,000 dots and “TrueBlack” for better outdoor viewing. Over which you’ll of course have the full-time live view with face detection and a 25-point contrast-detect AF array.

They’ll have an ISO range of 200-12,800, and will support RAW with a buffer of up to 8 RAW files at 7 FPS (unlimited JPGs at this rate). And, dual memory card slots for SD/SDHC/SDXC (nice!) or Memory Stick, if you’re stuck with their older proprietary cards. They’ll both have a mounting spot for an optional external flash (none built-in, kiddies. Smallest body, remember?), and a spot to mount an EVF designed for use with the default pancake prime (any of this sounding familiar? Just maybe?)

The NEX-3 is a polycarbonate body, available in black, silver, or red, and records 720p video.

The NEX-5 is a metal body, available in black or silver, and can shoot 720p and 1080p video.

They’ll both be available in kits with either a new 16mm f2.8 pancake or a new 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 zoom. There’s apparently also an 18-200mm f3.5-6.3 zoom planned and a wide-angle converter for the prime (curious to see how well that option works for them).

For more details and purported pricing, hit the external link to the wonderful DC Resource. Some pictures of the new system below.

external link

Hands On Review: Sony A550

The Alpha 550 is the first Sony DSLR I have handled. It offers a few advantages over Canon’s and Nikon’s offerings in the same price category and for those who don’t mind the more limited choice of lenses, or those who happen to have a collection of Minolta DSLR lenses, it could be an excellent choice. It should be noted that the A550 does not have a video mode, while equivalent Nikon or Canon models offer at least 720p.

The camera body has a very comfortable grip (even for my outsized hands) and the many dedicated control buttons are also thoughtfully laid out. The A550 has an excellent 920K dots LCD screen. The screen can also flip up or down 90 degrees for the parade and dachshund shots. I usually prefer using the optical viewfinder for the extra stability one gets from pressing the camera close to one’s face. The viewfinder is adequate, but like most digital SLRs I have used, it provides a smaller screen than your average film SLR and is therefore harder to use for manual focus. >> There is also a separate LCD mode for the viewfinder <<My single gripe with the layout of the controls is the dial in front of the shutter. I kept turning the camera off when using the dial to adjust the apperture.

Sony Shows Off New Concepts at PMA, Names and Dates Less Available

So, before we get into the news that everyone else is going on about from Sony, let’s start off with this mock-up pictured to the left here. I want to start with this because I think it’s getting a bit buried under that other stuff, but it’s an announcement I’ve been waiting to hear from Sony for a couple years: that’s the mock-up for their next intermediate DSLR, presumably to replace the now-defunct A700. And, you can see on the LCD shoulder there that it purports to do HD video, so, what’s not to love there?

OK, now we’ll talk about their interchangeable lens compact/EVIL concepts. Or, we would, except that’s really all there is to say. Sony joins the Panasonic-Olympus tag-team and Samsung in the fray for compact digital rangefinders. And, Sony’s mouthpiece at PMA mentioned an Exmor-R sensor being the highlight here. So, there you go, in case you missed it everywhere else, you now know to expect more and more competition in the so-called “Micro Four Thirds” arena.

Sony A450 Not Doing US Tour

Sony Alpha A450

Much like the best death and black metal bands, the Sony A450 mysteriously announced at CES but nowhere else is slated for a probable Euro-Asian tour, but not a US one. Citing immense similarity with the A500, the nearly-identical A450 is opting not to over-saturate the American Alpha market.

Me, I think it’s fear. The A450 knows in its little Bionz heart that the A500 would be stiff competition at any price point, and a truly impressive imaging machine.

Sony Alphas A230, A330, A380 All Get New Firmware

Sony’s consumer triplets–the A230, A330, and A380–all received notice of a new firmware today. It purportedly (that’s a good word, isn’t it? Purportedly. Makes me feel fancy.) fixes exposure lock on the focuses subject in center-weighted and spot metering modes. If that just made sense to you, you’ll appreciate this firmware.

For Windows here

For Mac here

The Voice of Raw, Episode 7

0:00 – Intro
0:27 – Sony Announcements
1:08 – Sony Alpha A850
1:49 – Sony Alpha A550, A500
4:42 – Canon Announcements
6:11 – Canon EOS 7D
9:02 – Panasonic Lumix GF1
11:02 – Micro Four Thirds Lens Line-Up
12:16 – Carel Struycken’s Olympus E-P1 Review
13:11 – Roberts Imaging on Facebook

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