Camera News
by Brad Soo on August 24 2010

Sony introduced two pairs of new digital SLR cameras today dedicated to the entry-level SLR market. The first pair, part of Sony’s new SLT series, feature their new Translucent Mirror Technology which uses a translucent mirror to pass light to both the autofocus sensor and CMOS simultaneously. Since the mirror doesn’t need to move (Sony has substituted the optical viewfinder with an electronic one), it allows the SLT camera bodies to be smaller and the cameras can continuously shoot/focus more quickly than conventional SLRs.

The other pair of digital SLRs Sony has laid out for today are more conventional. Those two new Alpha SLR cameras are entry-level models with high speed continuous shooting modes and full HD movie capabilities. And oh, Sony even has 3 new lenses for their A-mount system, which I’ve listed further down the page.

sony slt33

Sony SLT A33 and SLT A55
(Digital SLR cameras)

  • Exmor HD APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop:
    SLT A33: 14.2 effective megapixels
    SLT A55: 16.2 effective megapixels
  • Sony/Minolta A-lens mount (1.5X crop factor)
  • Sensor-shift image stabilization
  • 3 inch flip down and rotate LCD (921,000 pixels)
    Electronic viewfinder (Tru-Finder, as Sony calls it) has 1.15 million dots, 100% frame coverage and 1.1X magnification
  • ISO speed range of 100 - 12800
  • SLT A33: 7 FPS continuous shooting mode
    SLT A55: 10 FPS continuous shooting mode
  • Full manual controls with RAW mode
  • SLT A55 only: Built-in GPS for geotagging
  • Various multi-shot modes:
    In-camera HDR mode combines 3 pictures into one high dynamic range photo
    Multi-shot noise reduction combines 6 pictures into one ISO 25600 shot
    Handheld Twilight does the same thing but varies ISO just to get a sharp photo in low light
  • Sweep Panorama mode records and creates 2D or 3D panoramas from panning the camera around
  • 15 point autofocus
  • 1080p full HD (1920 x 1080) movie mode with stereo sound; uses AVCHD codec, supports manual controls and full-time continuous AF; supports external microphones
  • Dual memory card slots: Memory Stick Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC
  • Uses a lithium-ion battery
  • SLT A33: Available in September for $650 (body only) or $750 (with 18-55 mm kit lens)
    SLT A55: Available in October for $750 (body only) or $850 (with 18-55 mm kit lens)

sony alpha560

Sony Alpha A560 and Alpha A580
(Digital SLR cameras)

  • Exmor HD APS-C CMOS sensor, 1.5X crop:
    Alpha A560: 14.2 effective megapixels
    Alpha A580: 16.2 effective megapixels
  • Sony/Minolta A-lens mount (1.5X crop factor)
  • Sensor-shift image stabilization
  • 3 inch flip down and rotate LCD (921,000 pixels)
  • ISO speed range of 100 - 12800
  • 7 FPS continuous shooting mode
  • Full manual controls with RAW mode
  • Live view using main CMOS sensor or secondary CCD in viewfinder chamber
  • Various multi-shot modes:
    In-camera HDR mode combines 3 pictures into one high dynamic range photo
    Multi-shot noise reduction combines 6 pictures into one ISO 25600 shot
    Handheld Twilight does the same thing but varies ISO just to get a sharp photo in low light
  • Sweep Panorama mode records and creates 2D or 3D panoramas from panning the camera around
  • 15 point autofocus
  • 1080p full HD (1920 x 1080) movie mode with stereo sound; uses AVCHD codec and supports manual exposure
  • Dual memory card slots: Memory Stick Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC
  • Uses a lithium-ion battery
  • Alpha A560: Available in 2011 for $650 (body only) or $750 (with 18-55 mm kit lens)
    Alpha A580 will be available in October for $100 more

Sony has announced three new A-mount lenses which will be available beginning October:

  • $200: Sony DT 35 mm f1.8
  • $250: Sony 85 mm f2.8
  • $1250: Carl Zeiss Distagon 24 mm f2.0 T* SSM

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