We’re going to continue our announcement party today with the SLT-A77, but first we need to have story time. So, fluff those pillows, grab a juice box, and gather ’round.

The year was 2007, and I’d just begun my tenure as Roberts’ resident web guru. It was an exciting year for the digital world. Canon had announced their EOS-1D Mark III, Nikon had announced the D40, their first true consumer DSLR, Olympus announced the E-410 and E-510 twins and with them the return of live view and the introduction of the interactive rear menu, and Sony finally released its first DSLRs after having acquired the failing Minolta brand: the quirky entry-level A100 and the prosumer A700.

Since then, Sony has announced 20 Alpha models. They have added full-frame cameras, and invented the pellicle-mirrored SLT series. But it took them until today, 4 years, for one of those Alphas to finally replace that A700.

So, was it worth that kind of wait? A lot has changed since the A700 hit the market. Live view is no longer seen as a rare gimmick, but now a de facto gimmick. Full-frame has become a prevalent consumer product. Nikon wowed the world with its 51-point AF 3D matrix that acted more like magic than what we knew of AF at the time. Olympus and Panasonic shook things up by announcing a new breed of camera that had the DSLR sensor–but not its mirror–in a point-and-shoot sized body. The megapixel race died off in favor of the high ISO race. HD video in DSLRs became a thing, and then became the norm.

So, after all that, what’s the A77 bringing to the table?

Well, right off the bat it’s using Sony’s new-fangled fixed mirror technology, which allows for traditional fast phase-detection AF, but since the mirror isn’t flapping around it can keep focusing while shooting and can shoot notably faster. It also means there’s no optical viewfinder, and instead there’s an electronic one piping out the sensor’s full-time live view.

In this case, that electronic viewfinder is a 0.5″ OLED one (not LCD) with 2 million friggin’ dots of resolution. And that continuous shooting rate is a very commendable 14 frames per second (which was unheard of when the EOS-1D Mark III claimed to reach it back in 2007, and hasn’t been seen since). It’s got 24 megapixels, 19 AF points, a 3″ 921,000 dot tilt/swivel LCD, ISO 50-25,600 expanded (100-16,000 native), 1080 video with a built-in mic over the pop-up flash, a shutter life of 150,000 actuations, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 second. There’s a weather-sealed magnesium body wrapped around it all, with a top-deck LCD and available grip for a second battery. It also includes Sony’s now-typical sweep panorama and 3D shooting modes, as well as all the face-detection bells-and-whistles you could want. And, there’s GPS built in to geotag your photos, no accessory or dongle required.

Interested parties should look into stashing away $1400 for the body only, or $2000 if they’d like to buy it with the newly announced 16-50mm f2.8 DT standard zoom (DT means it’s crop sensor only, and with Sony’s 1.5x crop that’s give it the same field-of-view as a 24-75mm). But, since you’ve had four years to save up, that shouldn’t be so hard, right?

More images and a press release after the jump.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (?77) and SLT-A65 (?65).

Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve.  The ?77 and ?65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder. The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.

“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”

The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed ?700 DSLR, the ?77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The ?65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.

Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the ?77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The ?65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – even if the target is momentarily obscured.  Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.

The ?77 and ?65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving at fast speeds.

Unprecedented image quality and creative options

A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (?77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.

Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.

However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.

The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.

In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format.  Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage.  Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.

Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the ?77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (?65: two-way adjust LCD).

Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.

The ?77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.

A new shutter unit on the ?77 is tested up to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and video clips with location data.

New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories

The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for both portrait and everyday shooting.
The high-performance lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and offers a zoom range of approximately 3x range at constant wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.

An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.

Pricing and Availability

The new ?77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400.  The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.

The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the ?77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.

The new ?65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.
Both the ?77 and ?65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

I’m going to kick things off with the Sony SLT-A65. The “SLT” designation denotes that this is the new generation of Alpha cameras, and it seems at this point that the old generation is now over with. These new breed of Alpha cameras aren’t technically DSLRs anymore. The “SLR” stood for “Single Lens Reflex,” and referenced the fact that a mirror sitting in from of the imager directed light up through a viewfinder, andthen had to flip out of the way forthe exposure. The new SLT cameras use a semi-translucent fixed mirror (technically a pellicle mirror) over the sensor to direct a tiny amount of light to the phase-detect autofocus sensor, and the rest straight through to the sensor. This allows full time live view a la compacts and EVILs, but keeps the phase detect AF of DSLRs. Your viewfinder is powered by the live view pumped through a smaller display.

So, the A65 is the newest body in the line up to use this technology, slotting in above the A35 and A55, but below the A77 (which we’ll get to next). There are two immediate things of note:

1. The resolution has jumped up to a ludicrous 24 megapixels (the A55 stops at a merely insane 16 of them)
2. The electronic viewfinder is no longer LCD, it’s now OLED, and it’s now got over 2 million dots of resolution. Yes, 2 million. The very well-regarded LCDs on most high end cameras have a meager 921,000 dots in comparison. And are 3″ diagonal instead of 0.5″ diagonal. Try to imagine 2 million dots of resolution in a mere .5″ diagonal. That thing is going to be sexy.

So, those are the big points. There are other ones to make, though. The AF points are down to 15 from 19 on the A55, but three of them are cross type. It has a continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second, and since the mirror doesn’t flap around it can keep on focusing while shooting those. It’s got a tilting 3″ 921,000 dot LCD on the back. It also has GPS built in, no dongles and accessories needed here. The ISO can go from 50-25,600 when expanded, and tops out at a paltry ISO 16,000 native. There are three zeroes there, by the way. In my sleep-deprived, bleary-eyed spec reading I thought it said “1,600″ and was quite unimpressed until Nick smacked me for being a dolt.

Also, Sony’s using a new electronic first curtain for all their always-exposed sensors, which solves the problems of needing to cover the sensor before they could make an exposure and dropping the shutter lag from 100ms to a rather competitive 20ms.
Pricing for the A65 will be around $900 body only, or a cool grand with an 18-55mm lens.

More pictures and press release after the jump.

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (?77) and SLT-A65 (?65).

Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve.  The ?77 and ?65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder. The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.

“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”

The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed ?700 DSLR, the ?77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The ?65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.

Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the ?77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The ?65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – even if the target is momentarily obscured.  Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.

The ?77 and ?65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving at fast speeds.

Unprecedented image quality and creative options

A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (?77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.

Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.

However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.

The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.

In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format.  Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage.  Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.

Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the ?77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (?65: two-way adjust LCD).

Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.

The ?77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.

A new shutter unit on the ?77 is tested up to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and video clips with location data.

New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories

The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for both portrait and everyday shooting.
The high-performance lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and offers a zoom range of approximately 3x range at constant wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.

An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.

Pricing and Availability

The new ?77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400.  The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.

The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the ?77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.

The new ?65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.
Both the ?77 and ?65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.

Sigma is offering a free service to correct the issue to owners of a-mount Sigma lenses who have purchased an a33 or a55 body. They caution that for lenses which have been discontinued for a vague number of years a modification may not be available. Follow the source link for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jL0rIeU_AuQ

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.