Sony makes big splash in DSLR world -- official announcement of Alpha 100

[AndrewR]

In case anyone missed it, Sony bought Konica-Minolta's camera business earlier this year, and yesterday they issued the official announcement on their first model DSLR, the Alpha 100 which is their introductory DSLR which nominally replaces the KM 5D. The replacement for the 7D is expected in September.

Along with the new camera, Sony is introducing 20 or so lenses with their brand, most of which are rebadged Minolta lenses. Some are brand new, however, as Sony has established a deal with Zeiss to produce DSLR lenses for the Alpha line. Zeiss is making a 16-80 zoom, and two primes: 85mm and 135mm.

Ok, specs of the new camera:
-10.2MP CCD sensor (might be similar or the same as Nikon's D200 sensor)
-Super Steady Shot (formerly Anti-Shake) built into the body so every lens reduces blur -- Sony claims up to 3.5 stops benefit, ie., they improved the blur reduction
-Anti-dust system that prevents dust from adhering with a new coating and removes any dust with a "shake"
-A new hardware engine for picture processing
-750-shot battery life (unfortunately not InfoLithium)
-Retail price: $899 for body only, $999 for body with 18-70mm kit lens

There's more in the preview below, but those are highlights. Now, do I wait until July or get a cheaper 7D today? 🙂

Here's the Sony link: Sony Alpha site
And here's the preview at DPReview: Alpha 100

 

[xanis]

Maybe its time Sony redeems itself...

 

[Triumph]

IF the mount is backwards compatible with older Konica Minolta lenses, then I'm very interested. Always good to see some competition in a market dominated by Canon and to a lesser extent, Nikkon. Olympus and Pentax haven't exactly put the hurt on the other two, but Sony has lots of muscle. Should be interesting.

 

[imported_goku]

Originally posted by: Xanis
Maybe its time Sony redeems itself...

That definately something sony WONT do...

 

[tfinch2]

R

 

[Aharami]

man those lenses are $$$

 

[BDawg]

Will they use compact flash or memory $$$tick duo?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BDawg
Will they use compact flash or memory $$$tick duo?

Both.

 

[ElFenix]

didn't sony buy the zeiss name off konica minolta? i seem to remember that zeiss was a konica minolta trademark. in that case, sony wouldn't have 'an agreement' with zeiss.

 

[imported_goku]

Wouldn't be surprised if they used proprietary lenses and wouldn't accept other lenses just for the sheer fact they're sony.

 

[GrammatonJP]

if it uses memory stick, ill never buy it.. and luckily it uses both

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dslr_a100-review/

pic in site

 

[lowfatbaconboy]

and they still lose to canon and nikon

 

[Passions]

Canon > Sony.

Don't care what the heck camera Sony comes out with, CANON rules the DSLR world, period.

 

[waggy]

problem is the camera will not allow you to take pictures with anything that is copyrighted in the background. so if you are at disney it wont allow you to take a picture. also when you move the pictures to the computer they will only stay on the machine for an hour and you can not print them out. also it installs a kit that allows Sony to look on the machine to make sure you are not cheating.

and everything i said i pulled out of my ass.

 

[GTaudiophile]

E

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: Passions
Canon > Sony.

Don't care what the heck camera Sony comes out with, CANON rules the DSLR world, period.

i have had a Canon A40 and an A80. I still use the A80 and i love it. I really do not need anything bigger th en the 4megapixel. though wouldnt mind a DSLR but they are still more then i want to spend.

 

[Triumph]

Originally posted by: Passions
Canon > Sony.

Don't care what the heck camera Sony comes out with, CANON rules the DSLR world, period.

You're an idiot.

 

[BDawg]

Nikon > *

 

[JulesMaximus]

I'd seriously wait until it's been out for a bit before investing in that.

I'm a Canon fanboy though and own a few L-series lenses so I'm not planning on buying anything that doesn't say Canon on it.

 

[ghostman]

Originally posted by: goku
Wouldn't be surprised if they used proprietary lenses and wouldn't accept other lenses just for the sheer fact they're sony.

Compatible with Minolta Maxxum lenses...

 

[So]

Do most DSLR's stillf use CF and not SD? If so, why?

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: BDawg
Nikon > *

This is the same sensor that's in the D200, with in-body image stabilization, and a dust shaker for almost half the price.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: So
Do most DSLR's stillf use CF and not SD? If so, why?

Probably because SD used to be so damn expensive, and first/second gen DSLRs used CF and Microdrives for cost and bigger capacity. A lot of DSLR users and pros have a lot invested in CF, and it would be stupid for an prosumer or pro camera to ignore that and go with SD.

 

[mugs]

So when I see people using their camera upside down or complaining about disc read errors on their camera, I'll know they're using a Sony.

 

[wetcat007]

Camera's with rootkits, what fitting news for 6/6/06 lol