HOT ! Sony Alpha DSLR-900
September 11 | Posted by Andri Kurniawan | Digital Camera, Digital SLR, New Gadgets
Sony today rolled out their long-awaited full-frame digital SLR: the Alpha DSLR-A900. The A900 is set to go toe-to-toe with whatever replaces the Canon EOS-5D, as well as the Nikon D700. Here are the quick details on the A900, and don’t forget to hit up that preview for a lot more (plus sample photos).
Alpha DSLR-A900
- 24.6 effective Megapixel, full-frame CMOS sensor; produces images at a whopping 6048 x 4032
- Alpha lens mount supports all Sony and Minolta lenses with no focal length conversion to deal with
- The one exception is with DT lens, which are designed for APS-C sensors; the resolution must be lowered to 11MP when using these lenses; 1.5x focal length conversion ratio applies; there may be vignetting in the viewfinder
- Sensor-shift image stabilization (the first full-frame camera to have this feature) offers 2.5 – 4 stops of usable shutter speed
- Ultra-rugged magnesium alloy body is sealed against moisture; shutter rated to 100,000 cycles
- Dual Bionz image processors
- Super high resolution 3-inch LCD display (921,600 pixel)
- Large pentaprism optical viewfinder with 0.74x magnification and 100% field-of-view
- Dust reduction system
- Camera does not support live view; there is an intelligent preview mode that takes a sample photo and lets you see the effect of changing the exposure, white balance, and dynamic range on the LCD
- No built-in flash; one can be attached via the hot shoe or flash sync port
- Full manual controls, as you’d expect; supports both compressed and uncompressed RAW files
- Can take about 14 RAW images (and a lot more JPEGs) at 5 frames/second
- 9-point autofocus system with 10 assist points, plus a dual center cross sensor for fast lenses
- Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) feature lets you brighten dark areas of your photos automatically
- HDMI port
- Optional battery grip
- Uses NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery; 880 shots per charge
- Ships in November for $3000
Along with the new body come two new lenses to take advantage of it. The first is a Carl Zeiss F2.8, 16 – 35 mm Vario Sonnar T* lens, which Sony calls “the only large aperture, full-frame capable, wide-angle zoom lens with the benefit of stabilization in the industry.” It also features Sony’s Super Sonic Wave Motor for fast, quiet focusing. The lens will be shipping in January 2009 for $1800.
The other lens is for super telephoto lovers: it’s an F4.0-5.6, 70 – 400 mm model. Like the 16-35, this lens uses the SSM focusing motor, and it has a total of 18 elements! Priced at $1500, this lens will also ship in January.
