Digital SLR Camera - Sony Alpha A350

Sony is about to ship its latest α (alpha) series digital SLR camera - the Sony Alpha DSLR-A350. Announced in January 2008, the DSLR-A350 will feature a 14.2 megapixel CCD sensor for exceptional picture quality. The Sony A350 digital SLR camera will also feature Sony's Quick AF Live View technology for fast auto-focusing that allows continuous shooting using the camera's 2.7 inch LCD screen.

The Sony Alpha A350 comes Sony's advanced BIONZ image processor and the Super SteadyShot image stabilization technology to aid shooting in low-light situations. The A350 is compatible with all Sony α (alpha) and Minolta Maxxum zoom lens. The A350 features a slimmer design for easier handling and an improved user interface, making it attractive to first-time digital SLR camera buyers. The Sony A350 digital SLR camera is priced at a MSRP of $799.99 on Sony.com

Sony Alpha A350 Digital SLR Camera

With incredible 14.2 MP detail, Sony's α (alpha) DSLR-A350 raises the bar. This model pushes the envelope, setting a new standard of excellence for step-up digital photographers shooting both family memories and fine-art photos. Live Preview in a large 2.7" LCD screen links you and your subject-and you'll have special features like super-quick AF response, continuous shooting at 2.5 fps while you see your subject in the viewfinder, Creative Style modes for quick recall of custom settings, and in-camera Super SteadyShot® image stabilization that reduces blur for every Sony, Carl Zeiss® and legacy Minolta a-mount lens.

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 30, 2008 – Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with today’s introduction of a 14.2-megapixel (alpha) DSLR-A350 camera and a 10.2-megapixel α (alpha) DSLR-A300 model. Both cameras feature new technologies that make picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users.

Quick AF Live View System

They both offer Sony’s new “Quick AF Live View” technology so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD without sacrificing auto-focusing speed common to other live-view systems.

Sony’s innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view.

Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder.

With its two sensor design, Quick AF Live View can even continuously focus-track the subject and provide live view during burst shooting, helping you capture that special moment.

Taking further advantage of Quick AF Live View is the models’ variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD ™ screen. This makes it easy to frame scenes from high or low positions difficult to reach when using an eye-level viewfinder.

With Live View and an adjustable LCD, the cameras do not need to be in front of the user’s face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children.

“Mainstream users stepping up to DSLRs are looking for a similar experience to their point and shoot cameras, but without compromise in speed or performance” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “Quick AF Live View gives these new models a familiar shooting style without compromising speed – ideal for the growing market of first-time SLR users.”

Exceptional Image Quality

The new models produce images with fine detail, rich tonality and vibrant color due to their APS-C CCD image sensors and BIONZ® processing engine. To aid shooting in low light, Super SteadyShot® image stabilization enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible, with every compatible Minolta Maxxum® and Sony α (alpha) lens (sold separately) attached to the camera.

High sensitivity operation at ISO 1600 and 3200 and very low noise are made possible by the user-selectable high-ISO noise reduction features. Sony’s D-Range Optimizer delivers suitable tonality and exposures with rich shadow and highlight detail, even under high contrast situations.

Powerful Performance, Easy to Use

The DSLR-A300 model can shoot about three continuous frames per second and the DSLR-A350 model can shoot up to two-and-a-half continuous frames per second, when using the optical viewfinder. Both are powered by the Bionz processing engine and supplied InfoLITHIUMTM battery for fast start-up times, quick response and long battery life – up to 730 shots per full charge when using the optical viewfinder and up to 410 shots per full charge in live-view mode.

Both models feature lighter, slimmer bodies for easy handling; an improved user interface; an automatic pop-up flash; a comfortable camera grip with an easily accessible mode dial; an anti-dust system to keep the CCD image sensor clean for spot-free pictures; and JPEG and RAW file format support. Both have a slot for CompactFlash™ Type I/II media cards.

An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is also available for the cameras and sold separately.

The new DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 cameras are compatible with a range of accessories, including the ergonomic Sony VG-B30AM vertical grip. Also available as an option is the new Sony HVL-F42AM flash unit. It offers advanced features such as automatic white balance adjustment with color temperature information, adjustable bounce angles, ADI metering and wireless remote operation to suit the needs of most photographers.

Price and Availability

The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800. The DSLR-A350 camera body will be available in March for about $800, and the DSLR-A350 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens will be available for about $900 at the same time. Both models will be available at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online today at www.sonystyle.com/dslr.


Trusted Reviews - Sony Alpha A350 Digital SLR Camera Review

Full Review - Sony Alpha A200 Digital SLR Camera

Sony unveiled the Alpha A200 Digital SLR Camera, designed for entry-level photographers at CES 2008 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS(CES BOOTH), Jan. 6, 2008 – Sony is advancing the digital SLR camera category for mainstream digital photographers with today’s introduction of the new α (alpha) DSLR-A200 camera.

The Digital SLR Camera-A200 model features upgrades influenced by the recently-introduced, enthusiast-class DSLR-A700 camera and replaces the former Sony DSLR-A100 model, which was Sony’s first in the digital SLR camera class.

The new model is designed to be faster, lighter and easier to use. Upgraded features include a wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen for easy playback viewing; a more compact body and an easily-accessible mode dial; an easy-to-use function menu (camera function display); improved noise control for higher quality images; an auto focus speed 1.7x faster than the previous digital SLR camera model; improved predictive control performance; quieter shutter sound; automatic pop-up flash; and a battery life indicator that displays the percentage of battery life remaining so you know exactly when to recharge.

As seen in all α (alpha) camera bodies, the Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera incorporates Super SteadyShot® image stabilization in the body to allow shooting at shutter speeds of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than otherwise possible – a benefit realized with every compatible lens attached to the camera. Compatible lenses encompass all Minolta Maxxum® mount lenses, in addition to Sony a (alpha) lens lineup - including Carl Zeiss® lenses.

“With the Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera, we are helping consumers capture high-quality images with advanced technology that’s practical and easy to use,” said Phil Lubell, director of marketing for digital cameras at Sony Electronics. “This model is an ideal step-up for point-and-shoot users who are looking for a camera that can capture virtually all of the photographs they want.”

High-Quality Digital Photographs

With its 10.2-megapixel (effective) APS CCD image sensor, the Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera continues to offer high-quality images by allowing more light to pass through to each pixel – increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing greater detail.

Clean, reduced-noise signals are sent from the image sensor to Sony’s BIONZ processing engine, which processes data-rich picture information at high speeds and reduces picture noise in the RAW data stage before image JPEG conversion. The results are high-resolution, detailed images with rich tonal reproduction.

The Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera model supports JPEG and RAW file format support. It has a slot for CompactFlash Type I/II media cards. An adaptor for Memory Stick Duo™ media cards is sold separately as an accessory.

Get The Photo Results You Want

In addition to Super SteadyShot image stabilization for virtually blur-free photos, the new model incorporates Sony’s D-Range Optimizer (DRO). It helps you capture well-exposed images, especially when shooting high-contrast or backlit scenes that often lead to loss of highlight and shadow detail. Sony’s DRO modifies the range from highlights to shadows, including gain and contrast, through its in-camera hardware processing to produce more natural, evenly exposed pictures. The digital SLR camera’s image analysis technology studies the captured image data and instantly determines the best exposure and color tonality for the image before JPEG compression.

The BIONZ image processing engine powers the camera up immediately and the eye-start autofocus starts the focusing system before you even press the shutter. The Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera can shoot up to three continuous frames per second at 10.2-megapixels at the finest JPEG compression level.

As seen in previous α (alpha) models, the new model carries a static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter which is gently vibrated to dislodge any dust that might have collected each time the digital SLR camera is powered off.

Additionally, the Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera’s supplied lithium ion battery offers up to 750 shots per full charge.

Bright and Easy Digital Camera Playback

The Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera’s smaller, more compact body along with its wider, 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD TM screen and a new on-screen navigation interface make it easier to carry and to use. The vibrant, easy-to-view screen features 230K-pixel resolution, an anti-reflection coating and glare-reducing layer assures vivid, accurate colors with a wide viewing angle, even in daylight. The on-screen navigation display shows camera settings and key shooting information in large, easy-to-read text. The Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera display’s orientation automatically switches from landscape to portrait position when the camera is turned on its side.

Accessories Expand Creative Possibilities

Sony is providing a full line of accessories for the model, including flashes, rechargeable battery packs and several carrying cases. An interesting addition to the Sony Alpha A200 digital SLR camera is the VG-B30AM ergonomic vertical grip equipped with the most essential controls for portrait orientation shooting. It also allows for the use of two InfoLITHIUM® batteries (sold separately) for up to 1,500 shots on a single, full charge.

The DSLR-A200K kit includes the camera body and a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens for about $700. The DSLR-A200W kit includes the camera body, the DT 18-70mm lens and a 75–300mm f4.5-5.6 lens for about $900. Both will ship in February 2008 and will be available at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores, military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide.

Digital SLR Camera - Sony Alpha A200

The Sony Alpha A200 is an entry-level digital SLR camera with a 10.2 megapixel CCD image sensor and Sony's own Super SteadyShot image stabilization technology. It represents a step forward from its predecessor - the Alpha A100.

Although it lacks the advanced features of the enthusiast-class Sony Alpha A700 Digital SLR camera, the A200 holds its own against other DSLR's in its class. In fact, the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) chose the Alpha A200 as the best entry-level digital SLR camera for 2008.

The Sony Alpha A200 also features a 2.7 inch LCD screen and automatic pop-up flash as well as an easily-accessible mode dial. Menu functions are also easily accessed in the Alpha A200 digital SLR camera. Sony's advanced BIONZ image processor also has improved tonal reproduction and reduced picture noise.

Visit the official Sony Alpha A200 Digital SLR Camera Webpage
Sony Alpha A200 Digital SLR Camera Press Release