Sony Alpha A100 - Official

[gooseberry]

http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSH ... pecs&var2=

Imaging Device: 10.2 (effective) APC CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter
Chipset: Bionz™ Processor LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+)
Recording Media: Memory Stick® Duo/Memory Stick PRO™ Duo media (via MSAC-MCF1N adaptor); CompactFlash™ Type I/ CompactFlash Type II / Microdrive™ media
Shutter Speed: 30 ~ 1/4000 sec, with Bulb
Exposure: Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator
EV Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps
ISO: Auto/160/200/400/800/1600
LCD: 2.5-inch (measured diagonally) TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo ™ design; Eye-start Auto-focus sensor
Display: Histogram: Yes, Live, RGB Playback
Microphone/Speaker: No/ No
Red-Eye Reduction: Yes: On/ Off
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash ( with custom White Balance color temperature adjustments)
Burst Mode: Continuous burst mode at 3 FPS to limit of media; Up to 6 RAW images in burst.
Color Mode(s): Black & White, Standard, Vivid, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)
Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait
Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
Still Image Mode(s): Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), High-speed Burst (JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG), RAW (.ARW)
Memory Stick PRO™ Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function
Flash Modes: Manual Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Flash Effective Range: GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
Output(s): Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable
USB Port(s): Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed
Battery Type: NP-FM55 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (
Battery Capacity: 7.2V, 1600 mAh; CIPA standard: approx. 750 pictures3
Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser for Sony v1.1 (Windows), Image Data Converter SR Ver. 1.1 (Windows & Macintosh), USB Driver
Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh®
OS X (v 10.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.
Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor
Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz (545 g) body, not including battery, lens and media
Dimensions (WHD): (WHD) 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 2 7/8" (133 x 95 x 71 mm)

[johndec]

Hmmm, 10.2 mp sensor. No wonder D200's are as rare as rocking horse shit, looks like Sony have been keping a few aside for themselves...

[sirhc55]

Not everyone on this forum rates Sony highly but you have to give them kudos for producing a DSLR camera quickly

[gooseberry]

Hmmm, 10.2 mp sensor. No wonder D200's are as rare as rocking horse shit, looks like Sony have been keping a few aside for themselves...

Hmmm.. maybe not - seems a different 10 mp sensor - native ISO is 160 (not 100)

and in the features section it is described - (A large APS-size CCD imager with Sony’s advanced Super HAD™ (Hole Accumulated Diode) design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise -- and providing greater detail when you make big prints or crop in close on your subject.)

[Justin]

some of the lenses look nice. Not sure I like the look of the camera. Like Nikon, why do you put red on a black camera. Too many curves, it's a camera, it's supposed to look complicated.

[phillipb]

No longer in that link, that was a short lived camera.
What about anti-shake, did they leave that out?

[avkomp]

maybe they sold out already??
Steve

[gooseberry]

No longer in that link, that was a short lived camera.
What about anti-shake, did they leave that out?

Hehe.. looks like another case of website error - placing the pages up before the announcement.

Re: anti-shake. Yes, this was listed in the features, as well as a dust-removal system. Interesting - 10MP, anti-shake, dust-removal and the RRP price was USD999. Looks like we might have a price competition soon in DSLRs with Sony wanting to gain market share. All the better for us consumers as Canon and Nikon will probably reduce prices to keep their market share.

[daniel_r]

No longer in that link, that was a short lived camera.
What about anti-shake, did they leave that out?

I'd say there's a bit of Sony model differentiation ahead...

This A100 thing looks like it's a KM Dynax 5D with a 10.2MP Sensor bolted in and a Sony badge on the front (ok, so there's a few other differences).


Being Sony, I'd say they've dropped the sensor Anti-Shake out of the KM 5D equivalent and they'll hold it over for the KM 7D replacement as a model differentiator. They'll use the same 10 MP sensor, but with the 7D's manual controls, battery grip and anti-shake.

Edit: whoops, looks like it does have A-S.

[gooseberry]

Anti-shake is in this model - except they are calling it Super SteadyShot, as well as dust-removal.

DPReview have a hands on preview (released early 'cos of the leaks) - http://www.dpreview.com/news/0606/06060 ... lra100.asp

[phillipb]

I find it interesting how sony can buy out minolta and then claim the AS technology as its own.

The DSLR-A100 camera is engineered to combat blurry pictures through high light sensitivity (up to ISO 1600) and Super SteadyShot® image stabilization, a Sony technology that shifts the image sensor to compensate for camera movement.

[MattC]

Hmmm, 10.2 mp sensor. No wonder D200's are as rare as rocking horse shit, looks like Sony have been keping a few aside for themselves...

Doubtful. It is more likely that Nikon simply does not have the manufacturing capacity to keep up with the demand - and not for shortage of sensors.

[radar]

I find it interesting how sony can buy out minolta and then claim the AS technology as its own.

Not just Sony here, most companies will do this once they buy out another company, they now own the technology.

André

[Greg B]

Not everyone on this forum rates Sony highly but you have to give them kudos for producing a DSLR camera quickly

I would imagine that Konica Minolta R&D were already well advanced with design, or that this is a slightly tweaked existing Konica model, and Sony have just taken it across the line.

[birddog114]

They're a good camera at that level, especially with KM behind it.

[MattC]

10MP and in-camera VR for US $1k. There is likely to be a bite somewhere.

I have seen a couple of comments elsewhere that 50/1.4 = USD1400 and 300/2.8 = USD6000. Of course, I have no idea if these are evenly remotely accurate.

The next question is "will this camera (or SW install CD) rootkit my computer"

[Glen]

MattC, sounds like bullshit. A mate of mine worked for KM Aus and the prices were nothing like that. Remember a KM lens will fit so it must be competitive with that.


I think any competition is good for us all.

[nito]

prob just means the D70 price goes down.

[Yi-P]

They're a good camera at that level, especially with KM behind it.

Yup, they wont get there without KM's retreat from the market.

[sirhc55]

KM did not retreat from the market - they were bought out

After reading the DPreview article on this camera it would appear to be very good value if it is $999US

[glamy]

prob just means the D70 price goes down.

How could that be bad? Even the D200 is going to come down , so will the others, that's the way it's going to be until the next big jump in technology.
Gerard

[nito]

How could that be bad? Even the D200 is going to come down , so will the others, that's the way it's going to be until the next big jump in technology.
Gerard

Its not a bad thing for people who want to enter the market. D200 may not go down because of high demand, but may decrease in the future. That would be good for people like me.

[birddog114]

How could that be bad? Even the D200 is going to come down , so will the others, that's the way it's going to be until the next big jump in technology.
Gerard

Its not a bad thing for people who want to enter the market. D200 may not go down because of high demand, but may decrease in the future. That would be good for people like me.

nito,
Wait till the leaked news of D200s! not too far, I guess!

[johndec]

Well you have to give Sony credit. It really looks like a D70s and 350D killer, especially for the "new to DSLR" market, that is those without several squillion dollars already invested in a particular makers glass.

In a nutshell, D70 specs with a D200 size sensor and built in VR. Chuck in an 18-70 kits lens and flog it off for USD$1000. Then apply a generous dose of marketing muscle...

If you were a newbie and didn't realise that buying into a brand is a lot more than just the camera (lenses,flashes,accessories,etc), you would find the Alpha very tempting.

[nito]

nito,
Wait till the leaked news of D200s! not too far, I guess!

ahaha, D200s will be like the D2X/D2Xs.

It will be a D200 that doesnt show banding when shooting light globes. You can then look at your shots at 200% in PS and be proud.

[Glen]

Short article with prices from today SMH

http://www.smh.com.au/news/cameras--vid ... 98910.html

[Yi-P]

Im waiting for the D200s to come out... what you all think its gonna improve on?

[johndec]

The company expects to produce 80,000 of the cameras each month. They're set to go on sale in July.

Holy crap! 80,000 per month! The jury is still out as to whether it is the same sensor as the D200, but if it's not, they're kissin' cousins.. You can bet they are from the same production line in the same fab plant. At that rate they'll never get around to making a sensor for my D200.

[anubis]

Apparently the base sensor is slightly different in terms of overall megapixel count.

Also has a two channel AD delivery model not the Nikon designed 4 channel one, also is mean't to be more noisy at higher ISO, apparently noise reduction is very heavy (based on Beta tests if u believe them ).

Am impressed with the Sony Offering though. Great for competition

Though most Analysts feel Nikon and Canon will be "yawning" at the offering considering they make most of their margin on the Advanced amateur and Pro markets.

However Sonys next camera may target the Advanced amateur market...so they better watch out.