Sony Alpha Features

The Sony α DSLR-A100's image processor is one of many new features that sets the camera apart. The so-called Bionz Image Processor is not software-based like most other image processors; it uses hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry, which typically has a much faster response time. As a result, the camera can respond faster overall, handle dynamic range optimization processing, and sustain a battery charge for a longer period of time.

The one feature of the Alpha A-100 that seems to be drawing the most attention, however, is the Super Steady Shot image stabilization system. Drawing upon Konica Minolta's original CCD shift technology, Sony has gone a step further and produced a true stabilization system. What this means for you is that you can take pictures with a slower shutter speed, such as under low light conditions, and still get a reasonably sharp picture. In our own tests, the system worked just about as well as Sony claims; that is, you can set your shutter speed at 2 - 2.5 stops lower than you would on a camera without the stabilization system and still get an image of the same sharpness and clarity. This is a big selling point, indeed, as many Canon and Nikon cameras require you to buy expensive image-stabilized lenses to get basically the same result.




Sony has also incorporated into the Alpha-A100 an anti-dust system designed to keep dust off of the image sensor and annoying blotches off your photos. The anti-dust system is composed of two parts: a static-free coating on the CCD filter to discourage dust from settling on the sensor, and a vibration mechanism that physically shakes the CCD to dislodge any accumulated dust every time the camera is turned off.

Another useful new feature on the Sony Alpha-A100 is Eye-Start Autofocus System. When you put your eye up to the viewfinder, a sensor located directly below the viewfinder detects the presence of your eye, which triggers the camera's autofocus adjustments. In effect, the camera should already be actively focusing by the time you get the first look at your subject. Almost everyone will find this feature useful at some point, and it may be the critical selling point for those who take a lot of fast action photos.

If by chance you have purchased Konica Minolta Maxxum dSLR lenses in the past, you can actually use them on the Sony Alpha-A100 as well; the Maxxum dSLR camera line and the A100 share the same lens mount. If you don't have any old Maxxum dSLR lenses laying around, don't worry: Sony has provided a wide range of its own lenses to go with the A100.




The Alpha-A100 also has a dynamic range optimizer that improves the detail in extra light and dark areas of your photo by adjusting color and contrast. There is a normal DRO designed to increase the level of detail in darker, shadow areas, and an advanced DRO to fine-tune the DR in each section of the photo for best results.

There are even new features related to the camera's ISO capabilities. In addition to an ISO 100 - 1600 range, the A100 also has a Lo80 option to improve detail in dark areas of the photo, and a Hi200 option to do just the opposite. Unfortunately, in order to improve detail in light areas, detail must be taken away from dark areas, and visa versa. On the down side, it's really too bad the Alpha doesn't have an option to boost the ISO to 3200, which is a fairly common feature on other dSLRs.

The Alpha-A100 is compatible with both CompactFlash Type I/II cards and Memory Stick Duo media - the latter requires an adaptor that comes with the camera.