Sony’s Latest DSLRs Take Aim at Photographers on a Budget
It’s generally true that you get what you pay for, but when it comes to DSLRs, you no longer have to pay through the nose to graduate out of point-n-shoot territory. Take Sony, for example, which has gone and released a pair of entry-level DSLR cameras, the DSLR-A290 and DSLR-A390.
Priced at $500 (A290) and $600 (A390), you’re not going to find a ton of high-end features like you would if you spent over $1,000 on a DSLR, but that doesn’t mean these are merely glorified point-n-shoots. Both cameras sport the same 14.2 megapixel CCD sensor, while the A390 adds Sony’s quick AF live view function in combination with a 2.7-inch tilting LCD. Both also share ISO sensitivity up to 3200, 9-point autofucos, sensor shake system, static-free anti-dust coating, a USB 2.0 port, and an HDMI mini-connector.
There aren’t a ton of differences between the two modes. Other than what was already mentioned, the A390 offers a slightly better viewfinder magnification and is ever-so-slightly larger and heavier.
Get a full rundown here.
Image Credit: Sony
Sony Plans to Produce 3D Cameras for the Average Joe
It’s little more than talk, but interesting talk to be sure. According to Digital Photography Review, Sony is hot on the idea of 3D digital cameras.
Word of this comes straight from Masashi ‘Tiger’ Imamura, the president of Sony’s Personal Imaging and Sound Business Group. He says that Sony is indeed interested in 3D imaging, following Hollywood’s recent push for 3D movies, and Fujifilm’s new 3D still camera, the FinePix Real 3D W1.
There’s little other information about Sony’s plans, other than their 3D efforts will be aimed at the consumer end of the market. No idea on when such a camera will appear, or how much it will cost.
Image Credit: Engadget
Sony’s Cyber-shot TX5 can Surf or Turf (Water, Shock Resistant)
Sony’s just-announced TX5 Cyber-shot digital camera might just be a dream come true for clumsy or masochistic photographers.
Unlike your wimpy point-n-shoot, the TX5 can be dunked in up to 10 feet of water, which means you can safely take it snorkeling and capture the underwater world in photos, panoramic shots, or 720p HD video.
Sony also claims its TX5 is freeze-proof down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, so once you’re finished with your vacation in Hawaii, you can head over to Aspen and take it on the slopes. And should a sand storm blow through the Colorado mountains (or in areas you’re much more likely to be caught up in such a scenario), the TX5 is dust proof. It’s also shock-proof and able to withstand drops from about 5 feet.
"Only Sony can deliver a technology packed, ultra slim, fashionable T-series camera that is also durable. Until now, you couldn’t have it all in one camera," said Kelly Davis, director of the Digital Imaging business on Sony Electronics.
Available in silver, black, pink, green, and red, look for the TX5 to ship this April for around $350.
Image Credit: Sony
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX1
Sony have today announced a new jewel on their “Cyber-Shot” flavoured crown. The Sony Cyber-Shot HX1 is a high spec “compact” camera that has a whole host of high end features, including a 10fps mechanical shutter, a 20x optical zoom (Yes, that’s the equivalent of a 560mm telephoto lens) and the little camera also features the newer “Exmor” sensor that was developed for the Sony Alpha range of dSLR cameras.
Sony Cybershot DSC-HX1 - Sign up on Amazon to be notified when this product is available
The Sony Cyber-Shot HX1 shoots HD video and can be plugged directly into your Sony Bravia television (with a HDMI cable*) where you can view your stills and video in all their HD glory….
Making its Cyber-shot debut is a new G Lens that has been designed to complement the extraordinary imaging possibilities of the ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor.
Developed originally for the Sony Alpha Digital SLR family, the G Lens in the HX1 teams aspherical lens elements and ED (extra-low dispersion) lens for uncompromising optical precision.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC HX1 News Release
High-zoom Cyber-shot HX1 debuts ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor
Extraordinary image quality plus high-speed shooting
• 9.1 effective megapixel ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor for high-speed shooting and reduced image noise
• High speed continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second
• Premium quality G Lens with 20x optical zoom and 28mm wide angle
• Record 1080/30p HD movie clips
• ‘Sweep Panorama’ mode captures extra-wide landscapes
• 3.0†tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD Plus screen
The Cyber-shot HX1 by Sony, teams stunning picture quality, lightning-fast shooting and powerful creative features in a stylish, supremely easy to use camera.
The new flagship of the Cyber-shot range showcases a range of sophisticated image sensing, optical and processing technologies that offer unrivalled creative possibilities.
Offering cutting edge performance and a powerful 20x optical zoom range, the compact HX1 fits effortlessly into a weekend bag or small travel case. It’s an ideal companion for anyone who needs top-flight imaging performance and advanced shooting functions without the bulk of packing a digital SLR and all its accompanying lenses.
At the heart of the HX1 is a new Sony-developed ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 9.1 megapixels. Originally developed for the Sony Alpha digital SLR programme, ‘Exmor’ technology delivers outstanding images with reduced noise, especially when shooting in high ISO settings.
In tandem with the powerful BIONZ image processor, the ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor supports full-resolution shooting at an incredible 10 frames per second (max) using a mechanical shutter. Outpacing many pro-spec digital SLR cameras, this super-fast shooting rate is ideal for capturing high-speed action or spontaneous events like parties, where anything can happen in a moment.
The ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor supports two new shooting modes that reduce image noise when you’re shooting in low light. If you’re capturing static subjects, new Handheld Twilight mode grabs a high-speed burst of six frames, combining them to create a single optimised image with dramatically reduced noise levels. If your subject is moving, Anti Motion Blur mode also superimposes six frames to produce one crisp, composite image with less subject blur.
Also powered by the ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor, ‘Sweep Panorama’ is a brand-new shooting mode that captures breathtaking landscapes, city scenes and more. Just hold down the shutter button and swing the camera horizontally (or vertically). The Cyber-shot HX1 seamlessly stitches together a high-speed burst of frames to create an extra-wide, high resolution image. Panoramas can be viewed as a scrolling preview on the three-inch LCD screen or new S-Frame digital photo frames or previewed on a PLAYSTATION®3.
Making its Cyber-shot debut is a new G Lens that has been designed to complement the extraordinary imaging possibilities of the ‘Exmor’ CMOS sensor and BIONZ processor.
Developed originally for the Sony Alpha Digital SLR family, the G Lens in the HX1 teams aspherical lens elements and ED (extra-low dispersion) lens for uncompromising optical precision. You’ll experience superb resolution and minimal chromatic aberration at all settings, from 28mm wide-angle right up to 560mm super telephoto. This generous 20x optical zoom range accommodates a huge range of shooting possibilities, from landscapes and fun-filled family moments to action-packed sports events.
The Cyber-shot HX1 is the first compact camera from Sony that’s capable of shooting 1080/30p HD movies. It captures crisp, detail-packed HD video clips plus stereo sound at a smooth 30 frames per second.
HD movies and still photos can be enjoyed with superb quality on your BRAVIA or any HD Ready television*. BRAVIA Sync displays the camera’s playback screen on the TV screen, allowing handy control of slideshow, zoom, image index and other functions with your BRAVIA TV’s remote.
The Cyber-shot HX1 makes it brilliantly easy to get great results without the worry of adjusting camera settings correctly. Intelligent Scene Recognition has been enhanced with the addition of Smile Shutter. This lets you capture beautiful smiles automatically, even in tricky situations like twilight or backlighting.
The camera’s tilt-angle 3.0†LCD gives extra flexibility for framing your shots comfortably in any position. Clear Photo LCD Plus technology delivers superb picture quality and contrast, with a resolution of 230,000 dots that’s capable of resolving fine details.
A new jog dial simplifies ‘click and rotate’ selection and adjustment of camera settings. For extra convenience, there’s also a Digital SLR-style Custom button that can be assigned to Smile Shutter, White Balance adjust or metering mode select functions.
The Cyber-shot DSC-HX1 digital compact camera is available from the beginning of May 2009.
Tags: New Cameras, Sony, Sony Cameras, Sony Digital Cameras, sony HX1
Sony Alpha A900 Digital SLR Review
Photography BLOG have reviewed the new 24.6 megapixel full frame Digital SLR the Sony Alpha A900 - it has an optical viewfinder with 100% coverage, SteadyShot INSIDEâ„¢, dual BIONZâ„¢ image processor, 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD, and 5fps continuous shooting at full resolution. The camera is available from Amazon.
“The Sony A900 is not simply the highest-resolution DSLR out there – it’s much more than that. If you’ve read through the Ease of Use and Image Quality sections of this review, you will know that I liked working with this camera a lot. Its viewfinder is the best you’ll find south of medium format, the build is incredibly robust, the controls are intuitive, with some of them – such as the dedicated Histogram button, the metering mode knob or the well-implemented rear joystick – being close to pure genius.”
Read more Sony Alpha A900 Reviews: Luminous Landscape, Luminous Landscape, DPExpert, The Online Photographer, DPReview, Cameralabs.com, Sony Alpha A900 at Photokina.