Sony enters dSLR market with the Alpha
http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/14/1/Sony-enters-dSLR-market-with-the-Alpha/Page1.html
By SLR Today
Published on 08/31/2006
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 is Sony's first camera in the rapidly expanding SLR market. The camera features a 10.2 megapixel 23.6 x 15.8mm APS-C-size CCD imager and Super SteadyShot® in-camera
image
stabilization system for high-sensitivity shooting. The camera also has a
Dynamic Range Optimizer that automatically improves detail in unusually
bright and dark areas of the photo.The Alpha usually ships with a 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto lens, allowing for a fairly wide range of photography. The current retail price is $999.
Key Features:
image
stabilization system for high-sensitivity shooting. The camera also has a
Dynamic Range Optimizer that automatically improves detail in unusually
bright and dark areas of the photo.The Alpha usually ships with a 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto lens, allowing for a fairly wide range of photography. The current retail price is $999. Key Features:
- 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- Kit includes 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens
- In-camera image stabilization and anti-dust vibration systems; Eye-Start Autofocus system
- 2.5-inch LCD display; 9-point autofocus system; 40-segment multi-pattern honeycomb metering
- Powered by lithium-ion battery (supplied); stores images on CF I/II and Memory Stick Duo card
The Sony Alpha
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 is Sony's first camera in the rapidly expanding SLR market. The camera features a 10.2 megapixel 23.6 x 15.8mm APS-C-size CCD imager and Super SteadyShot® in-camera image
stabilization system for high-sensitivity shooting. The camera also has a
Dynamic Range Optimizer that automatically improves detail in unusually
bright and dark areas of the photo.The Alpha usually ships with a 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto lens, allowing for a fairly wide range of photography. The current retail price is $999.
Key Features:
image
stabilization system for high-sensitivity shooting. The camera also has a
Dynamic Range Optimizer that automatically improves detail in unusually
bright and dark areas of the photo.The Alpha usually ships with a 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto lens, allowing for a fairly wide range of photography. The current retail price is $999. Key Features:
- 10-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
- Kit includes 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 lens
- In-camera image stabilization and anti-dust vibration systems; Eye-Start Autofocus system
- 2.5-inch LCD display; 9-point autofocus system; 40-segment multi-pattern honeycomb metering
- Powered by lithium-ion battery (supplied); stores images on CF I/II and Memory Stick Duo card
- Imaging device: 10.2 (effective) megapixel APC CCD sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 millimeters; 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 seconds to 1/4000 seconds, with Bulb
- Exposure: Manual exposure: yes, with 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 frames per second (fps) to limit of media; up to 6 RAW images in burst.
- Color mode(s): Black and 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 4 GB 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: approximately 750 pictures
- Supplied software: Picture Motion Browser for Sony v1.1 (Windows), Image Data Converter SR Ver. 1.1 (Windows and 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 and labor
- Weight: 1 pound, 3 ounces (545 grams) body, not including battery, lens, and media
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 5 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 2 7/8 inches (133 x 95 x 71 millimeters)
- Lens: DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom:
- Features: DT lens design, aspherical lens elements, ED glass, circular aperture
- Focal length: 35mm equivalent: 18-70 mm
- Focal length: APS: 27-105 mm
- Minimum focus distance: 1' 2.4" (38 centimeters)
- Maximum aperture: f3.5-5.6
- Minimum aperture: f22-36
- Maximum magnification: 0.25x
- Lens construction: 11 elements in 9 groups with 7 aperture blades
- Filter diameter: 55mm
- Dimensions: 2 5/8 x 3 1/8 inches (66 x 77 millimeters)
- Weight: 8.3 ounces (235 grams)