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Sony α (Greek letter alpha) is a digital SLR camera system introduced on June 5, 2006[1]. It utilizes and expands upon Konica Minolta camera technologies, including the Minolta AF SLR lens mount, whose assets were acquired by Sony after the end of Minolta's camera operations in early 2006. Sony also has an 11.08% ownership stake in Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron,[2] which is known to have designed most of, and is purported to manufacture the DT lenses.
Prior to the acquisition by Sony, the α branding had already been used on the Japanese market by Minolta for their AF camera system (marketed as "Dynax" in Europe, and "Maxxum" in North America.)[3] Sony adopted the name "α mount system" for the Minolta AF lens mount which has been retained in their new SLR range.[4]
Sony's entry into the DSLR market dates back to July 2005 where a joint venture with Konica Minolta would have resulted in both companies marketing an updated line of DSLRs to the masses. [5]
[edit] Camera Bodies
| Body |
Release Date |
Sensor |
| APS-C |
| α 100 |
Jul 06 |
CCD |
| α 700 |
Sep 07 |
CMOS |
| α 200 |
Jan 08 |
CCD |
| α 300 |
Jan 08 |
CCD |
| α 350 |
Jan 08 |
CCD |
[edit] Future Camera Bodies
At PMA 2007, in addition to the α700, another model was announced, referred to being the "flagship" model, with professional-level specifications. It estimated to have a release date of early 2008 and may be named DSLR-A900.[6]
On January 31, 2008, Sony announced the success in developing a 12-bit, 24.81 megapixel full frame image sensor, capable of capturing images at 6.3 fps speed [7].
[edit] Lenses and Tele-converters
The α lens mount, originally known as the A-type Bayonet mount was introduced by Minolta in 1985 as the world's first autofocus system. As a result, virtually all Minolta AF lenses are supported on Sony DSLRs, and many Sony lenses should work on Minolta's film and digital SLRs.
During the initial introduction of the α system in 2006, Sony announced 19 lenses and 2 tele-converters, of which the majority are rebranded Konica Minolta lenses. MSRP and month of introduction are included for these lenses, below.
At the 2007 PMA Trade Show, Sony unveiled several new lenses, but has referred to them only in qualitative terms, not providing specific specifications. As a result, these newly announced lenses are not included in this list.
[edit] Designations
| DT |
"Digital Technology", lenses for APS-C size sensors |
| G |
G Series, professional lenses |
| SSM |
"SuperSonic Motor", in-lens ultrasonic motor used on some long telephoto G Series lenses. |
| ZA |
"Zeiss Alpha", new lenses manufactured under license from Carl Zeiss |
[edit] Rebranded Konica Minolta Lenses
|
Lens |
RRP |
Release Date |
| Zoom Lenses |
| Article |
DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 |
US$650 |
Aug 06 |
| Article |
DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 |
US$200, Standard α100 Kit Lens |
Jul 06 |
| Article |
DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 |
US$500 |
Jul 06 |
| Article |
24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 |
US$470 |
Nov 06 |
| Article |
70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM |
US$1999 |
Aug 06 |
| Article |
75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 |
US$230 |
Jul 06 |
| Prime Lenses |
| Article |
16mm f/2.8 Fisheye |
US$1000 |
Oct 06 |
| Article |
20mm f/2.8 |
US$680 |
Oct 06 |
| Article |
28mm f/2.8 |
US$250 |
Oct 06 |
| Article |
35mm f/1.4 G |
US$1400 |
Oct 06 |
| Article |
50mm f/1.4 |
US$350 |
Jul 06 |
| Article |
50mm f/2.8 Macro |
US$480 |
Jul 06 |
| Article |
100mm f/2.8 Macro |
US$680 |
Jul 06 |
| Article |
135mm f/2.8 Smooth Transition Focus (STF) |
US$1200 |
Oct 06 |
| Article |
300mm f/2.8 G SSM |
US$6000 |
Sep 06 |
| Article |
500mm f/8 Reflex |
US$700 |
Oct 06 |
[edit] Rebranded Tele-converters
| Model |
RRP |
Release Date |
| 1.4× Tele-converter |
US$600 |
Sep 06 |
| 2× Tele-converter |
US$650 |
Sep 06 |
[edit] New Carl Zeiss lenses
[edit] September 2007 Lens Lineup Expansion
Several new lenses were unveiled along with the announcement of the a700 body.
|
Lens |
RRP |
Release Date |
| Zoom Lenses |
| Article |
DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 |
|
|
| Article |
DT 18-250 f/3.5-6.3 |
|
|
| Article |
DT 55-200 f/4-5.6 |
|
|
| Article |
70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G SSM |
$800 |
Apr 2008 |
[edit] Other accessories
[edit] External flash units
The hot shoe on Sony DSLRs (carried over from Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax and its bridge digital DiMAGE A1/A2/A200 series) is not of the standard design used by other camera manufacturers. Adaptors, however, are available.
The first two flash models released by Sony (HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM) are, like the first generation of lenses, rebadged models of Minolta design.
| Model |
Guide number |
ISO |
| HVL-F36AM |
36 |
100 |
| HVL-F42AM |
42 |
100 |
| HVL-F56AM |
56 |
100 |
HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM flashes are rebadged Minolta Program 3600HS and 5600HS.
[edit] Vertical control grips
| Model |
Bodies |
| VG-C70AM |
α700 |
| VG-B30AM |
α200,α300,α350 |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
[edit] Previews
- DCRP First Look: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100, Jeff Keller, June 5, 2006, Digital Camera Resource Page
- Sony DSLR-A100 Overview, Shawn Barnett and Stephanie Boozer, 06/05/2006, The Imaging Resource
- Sony DSLR-A100 First Look, 6/5/2006, Steve's Digicam
- Sony Alpha A700 Preview, Sept 2007, Phil Askey, Digital Photography Review
[edit] Reviews
- Sony A300 Review, May 2008, Alpha Mount World
- Sony Alpha A200 Full-Review, April 2008, Neocamera, Cybernium
- Sony Alpha A700 Review, January 2008, Alpha Mount World
- Sony Alpha A700 Full-Review, November 2007, Neocamera, Cybernium
- Sony Alpha A100 Full-Review, March 2007, Neocamera, Cybernium
- Review: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A100, September 2006, SLR Today
- Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review, July 2006, Phil Askey, Digital Photography Review
- Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 In-Depth Review, Phil Askey and Simon Joinson, Digital Photography Review
- Sony A200 Review, February 2008, Sony's A200 DSLR, closest in lineage to the A100 reviewed
[edit] User Sites
