» The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit
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 The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit has a rather unusual tilt / swivel mechanism called the "Quick Shift Bounce" system, which could prove rather more versatile in use than competing products. Instead of the traditional rotation around the flash's vertical axis (as adopted in, for example, Canon's current top-of-the-line Speedlite 580EX II), Sony has instead chosen a mechanism that can swing the bulk of the flash's body 90 degrees to either side. Above this is a separate mechanism which allows the head of the flash to tilt vertically upwards, but with a rather greater range of motion than is ordinarily the case. Since the lower swivel doesn't allow the flash to face behind the photographer's head, the upper mechanism makes up for this by being able to tilt anywhere from 10 degrees downward, through the fully vertical (90 degrees upward) position to a limit of 150 degrees (ie. pointing back over the photographer's head at an angle 30 degrees above the horizontal). Read the whole article here
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» Sony's Back-Illuminated CMOS Chip Promises Higher Sensitivity, Low Noise
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 |  | | Front-illuminated sensor | Backside-illuminated sensor | Sony announced a back-illuminated CMOS sensor promising nearly double the sensitivity of its current CMOS chips along with lower noise in images. Traditionally, front-illumination technology has been used for imaging sensors. According to Sony, though, back-illuminated sensors will deliver improved performance in both digital cameras and camcorders
The back-illuminated (or backside-illuminated) technology concept isn't new, but using it to provide acceptable levels of sensitivity and noise would be. Past incarnations have led to increased noise and image degradation, but Sony claims its new model has made changes to eliminate these issues. Read the whole article here
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» Sony Alpha DSLR-A350 review
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Review based on a production Alpha DSLR-A350 with firmware version 1.0
Sony's first two DSLRs, the A100 and A700 showed clear signs of their Konica Minolta lineage - sharing a lot of DNA with the Maxxum (Dynax) 5D and 7D respectively. Its latest, the A350, still shows signs of that ancestry but also hints at the influences of a company with rather different intentions.
The recently introduced A200, A300 and A350 represent an aggressive assault on the entry level market. All three models are extremely close in terms of price and features (The A300 is a A200 with Live view or an A350 with a less pixel-dense sensor, depending on how you look at it). And, with the A300, Sony has introduced the first single-retailer "exclusive" DSLR: a product only sold through a single outlet, allowing that retailer to maintain a stronger level of influence over selling price.
These baby Alphas, the 200, 300 and 350, are more similar than any group of cameras in any other manufacturer's lineup, complicating the market but also offering a greater degree of choice than ever. Some existing Sony and Konica Minolta owners have been upset by the perceived reduction in features from the A100 but the new Alphas should perhaps be considered the first real Sony products, reflecting a different interpretation of how people choose entry level cameras, rather than the A100's continuation of the assumptions that underpinned the KM 5D. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Sony Alpha A350 Compared to Nikon D80 Digital SLR Camera Side By Side
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At this year's annual Photo Marketing Association (PMA) trade show, held in Las Vegas, Nevada from Jan 31st to Feb 2nd, a number of new digital SLR cameras were introduced incorporating the latest advanced technologies for 2008.
Canon and Sony among others were busy at the event spreading the word that their new camera models feature today's "must have" digital SLR technologies, including; higher resolution sensors, larger LCD screens, advanced Live View modes, expanded dynamic range options, updated image stabilization technologies, in-camera sensor cleaning mechanisms and more.
One of the cameras to stand out from the crowd and getting a fair amount of attention is Sony's first mid range digital SLR, the 14.2MP Sony Alpha A350 with unique Quick AF Live View.
The Sony Alpha A350 features "new technologies that makes picture taking faster, easier, and more familiar for first-time DSLR users." according to the Sony press release. Read the whole article here. You can buy the Nikon D80 here and the Sony A350 here | |
» Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H10 Concise Review
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The Cyber-shot DSC-H10 was announced in late January and comes as a successor to the DSC-H3 which itself was only launched a mere 5 months earlier. The H10 only constitutes a relatively minor upgrade with the new larger 3.0" screen with its increased resolution (230K pixels vs 115K) being the only major difference between the two camera generations. In Sony's 'High Zoom' hierarchy the H10 is the junior partner of the new flagship H50. It offers a 10x zoom in a very compact body for photographers on a tight budget and is equipped with an 8MP sensor. The feature set is virtually identical with the H3's and includes Face Detection, Optical Image Stabilization and HDTV output (albeit using an optional composite video cable or Cyber-shot Station dock). In the fairly small bracket of compact long zoom cameras the H10 is going head-to-head with competitors such as the brand new Panasonic TZ5 and the similarly specified Canon SX100 IS. Read the whole review here & you can buy the camera here
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» Sony DSLR A350 review
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The Alpha DSLR-A300 and Alpha DSLR-A350 are Sony’s fourth and fifth DSLRs, launched together at the annual PMA show in late January 2008. Since the original A100 was replaced by the A200 in early January, Sony now has four models in the Alpha range: the entry-level A200, the semi-pro A700, and positioned in-between, the new A300 and A350 models.
The A200, A300 and A350 have a lot in common. They all share essentially the same body, controls, features and accessories, but the higher-end models add something new to the mix. The A200 is the base model with a 10.2 Megapixel sensor and a fixed screen. The A300 keeps the same sensor, but adds Live View and a tilting screen. Finally, the A350 takes the A300 and simply swaps its 10.2 Megapixel sensor for one with 14.2 Megapixels. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Sony A200 DSLR review
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A surprise announcement back at the CES show in January, the A200 is Sony's second entry-level DSLR camera. The Sony A200 follows on from the A100, apparently one of the best-selling DSLR's of 2007, and it also forms the basis for two more advanced models, the A300 and A350, which were unveiled a month later at the PMA show. The A200 is now the cheapest Sony DSLR, building on the success of the A100 by using a smaller and lighter body, improving auto-focus performance (thanks to technology borrowed from the A700), increasing ISO speeds up to 3200, and featuring a slightly larger 2.7 inch LCD screen. There's also an optional vertical grip for portraits, something which the A100 sorely missed, and the flash now pops-up automatically. The A200 retains the 10 megapixel sensor, anti-dust system, anti-shake system that's built into the body, eye-start auto-focus system and Dynamic Range Optimiser of its predecessor. So with three new DSLRs, the beginning of 2008 may come to be seen as a pivotal moment for Sony. Mark Goldstein found out if the A200 is a good start to the year... Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Sony Cybershot DSC-T300 review
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The Cybershot DSC-T300 is the second generation of touch-screen ultra compacts from electronics colossus Sony. Because it is built around a very small 1/2.3" sensor, Sony has been able to cram a 5x zoom into the slimline body without it ever having occasion to protrude. It's also packed full of the latest special modes and functions, including 'smile shutter,' that only takes a photo once your subject is smiling. The real stand-out feature of this camera is the huge, 16:9 aspect ratio touch screen that covers the entire reverse of the body. So is this beginning of the revolution that will free us from the the hegemony of the four-way controller, or is there a good reason that most cameras are covered in buttons? Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» PIE2008: Sony Showcased Sony Alpha DSLR-A900
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Sony showcased there latest flashgrip, the codenamed Sony Alpha DSLR-A900. No, thery have yet to release the camera, they plan to officially release the camera during August or September during IFA or Photokina, according to Sony's spokeperson. We notice that there is a new external flash and battery grip. You can see more pictures of the camera here
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» Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 review
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Sony's Alpha A200 is a relatively minor revamp to the electronics giant's first digital SLR, the A100, which itself was a more significant step up from the Konica Minolta 5D. The Sony A200 is lighter and smaller than the A100, and a good deal easier to use.
Sony claims improvements to the Sony A200's AF system that will make focus acquisition 1.7 times faster, thanks to the high-torque AF motor and improved AF sequence borrowed from the A700, and our test results do indicate a significant improvement. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H9 camera review
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Super-zoom cameras are a well established and popular sector of the digital camera market. They mark a boundary between pocket compact snapshot cameras and entry level digital SLRs, and offer a compromise between the convenience of the former and the capabilities of the latter. Most of the major manufacturers have products in this category, including of course Sony, which has a range of five super-zoom cameras in its H-series models. Today I'm taking a look at the Cyber-shot DSC-H9, an 8.1-megapixel camera with a 15x zoom lens, equivalent to 31-465mm. Until the announcement last week of the DSC-H50, the H9 was Sony's top-of-the-range super-zoom model. Read the whole review here. You can buy the camera here
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» Sony A350 DSLR review
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 Announced shortly after the DSLR-A200 model, Sony's DSLR-A350 offers higher resolution and a variable-angle LCD that supports live view shooting. This makes the camera body slightly thicker and heavier then the A200 - although it's still significantly smaller and lighter than the DSLR-A700. Otherwise the two cameras have almost identical control layouts and functions, although we found the A350's grip slightly more solid and comfortable than the A200's. Read the whole review here & you can pre-order the camera here
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» Sony Cyber-Shot DSC H50
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 Sony today announced the latest addition to its high-zoom camera line, the 9.1-megapixel Cyber-shot DSC-H50 digital camera. It is the ideal choice for people looking for high zoom, high-resolution and speed.
This new model utilizes a powerful Carl Zeiss 15x optical zoom lens with Super SteadyShot optical image stabilization to capture action at a distance. One of the main lens elements is manufactured from super low-dispersion glass, which helps it produce more exact point-to-point correspondence between an object and its image. The lens yields sharp, high-contrast images and reduces color fringing, even when shooting in telephoto ranges. Read the whole article inside
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» New Sony DSC W300
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Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-W300 digital camera is expected to be among the industry’s most pocket-able, high-resolution point-and-shoot digital cameras featuring niche performance options.
The camera announced today integrates an ultra-high 13.6-megapixel CCD imager along with a Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 3x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch LCD screen and an eye-level viewfinder in a compact size. With its ultra-hard titanium coating, the model offers a premium look and finish that is highly-resistant to scratches and messy fingerprints. Read the whole article inside
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» Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot and C702 Cyber-shot
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 The Sony Ericsson C902 Cyber-shot and C702 Cyber-shot are new 5 and 3.2 megapixel phones packed with the latest camera technology. The Sony C902 features a 5.0 megapixel camera with Face Detection and Auto Focus. It also incorporates the latest in lighting technology – Photo Flash – giving you better quality pictures even in low-light conditions. The C702 Cyber-shot integrates GPS and a range of location-based imaging services that add a new dimension to taking and managing your photos. “The two new Cyber-shot phones that we have announced today share certain characteristics. Both phones place ease-of-use and best-in-class picture quality at the heart of their designs,” said Sven Totte, Head of Imaging Marketing at Sony Ericsson. “Yet both appeal to different audiences. One is engineered to let you take more pictures in more places and the other is designed to look as stunning as the pictures it takes. Read the whole article here
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» Sony Alpha DSLR-A200 review
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 The Alpha A200 is Sony’s third DSLR and the successor to its debut model, the best-selling Alpha A100. Launched at CES in early January 2008, the A200 is Sony’s new entry-level DSLR, and as we learnt at the PMA show a few weeks later, the base model upon which at least two subsequent DSLRs would build.
The Alpha A200 shares the same 10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor as its predecessor, but squeezes it into what Sony describes as a smaller and lighter body. Like the two previous Alpha DSLRs, the A200 still features built-in stabilisation which shifts the sensor to counteract camera shake. Like other built-in sensor-shift systems, the benefit is enjoying stabilisation on any lens you attach, although the downside is not being able to see the stabilising effect through the optical viewfinder as you compose your photo. Read the whole review here
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» Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T300 First Impressions Review
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 Sony premiered the Cyber-shot DSC-T300 at PMA 2008 in Las Vegas. As the successor to the ultra-compact T200 point-and-shoot, the T300 maintains touch screen abilities and sleek design. The 10.1-megapixel Sony camera caters to repeat digital camera buyers looking for more advanced features in a super small camera. The T300 updates Sony’s face detection system with a new Child and Adult Priority mode, more picture effects, and new image management functions. The camera will retail for $399 when it ships in March. Read on for a first impressions review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300. Read the whole review here
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» Sony Developing 24.81-Megapixel Full-Frame DSLR, New Lenses and Flash
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 At the PMA 2008 trade show in Las Vegas, NV, Sony announced that it will introduce a new flagship SLR in late 2008. The camera will use Sony's new full-frame 24.81-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor , which was announced earlier this week. The sensor has the same imaging area as a frame of 35mm film. Sony displayed a model of the new camera on the show floor, along with models of six new lenses and a new flagship flash unit.
The new camera will be a compact SLR with a separate vertical grip. The prototype model shown looked very similar to Sony's Alpha A700 in terms of body design, size, and control layout. Its LCD appeared to be a 3-inch screen, and the size of the optical viewfinder area indicated a large pentaprism. Among the few details about the camera that Sony has released is its inclusion of the company's Super Steadyshot optical image stabilization system. Read the whole article here
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» Sony Alpha DSLR A300 and A350
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Sony is bringing live-view shooting to its digital SLR camera line with today’s (alpha) DSLR-A350 camera and 10.2-megapixelintroduction of a 14.2-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. Read the whole article inside
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» Sony Adds Live View to New Alpha 300 & 350 DSLRs
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Sony has added an intriguing new feature to the α (alpha) digital SLRs announced at the PMA show in Las Vegas: live view. The 14.2-megapixel $900 DSLR-A350 and 12.2-megapixel $800 DSLR-A300 both allow the user to preview images in the LCD screen. The live view is made possible by a separate CCD imager built into the viewfinder prism.
Both cameras have live view-enabled tilting 2.7-inch LCD screens with 230,000 pixels. According to Sony, the new feature (which they call Quick AF Live View) is made possible by a redesigned viewfinder and a separate image sensor that produces only the live view. This also allows the cameras to focus without having to flip up the mirror: other DSLRs that offer live view have to flip up the mirror, then focus the lens, which leads to a noticeable delay. The new Sonys can use this secondary image sensor to focus, so the lens is already focussed when the lens flips up tot take the photos. Read the whole article here.
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