Sony α
Sony α (Greek letter alpha) is a digital SLR camera system introduced on June 5, 2006[1]. It is based on Konica Minolta camera technologies, acquired by Sony after the end of Minolta's camera operations in early 2006. Sony also had a 11.08% stake in Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron,[2] which seems to produce the new DT lenses.
The α branding had already been used on the Japanese market by Minolta as the equivalent of the Dynax (European) and Maxxum (North American) brands.[3] Sony adopted the name "α mount system" for the formerly-named Maxxum/Dynax lens mount, which it retains on the new SLR range.[4]
Sony α 100
The first model marketed by Sony is the A100. It is influenced by previous Konica Minolta models, retaining a similar body design and claimed improvements on Konica Minolta's Anti-Shake sensor shifting image stabilization feature, renamed Super SteadyShot. It uses a 10.2 megapixels APS-C size CCD sensor.
Other notable features include an automatically vibrating CCD to remove dust each time the camera is shut off and autofocus activated by the presence of the eye on the viewfinder to quicken camera response. The A100 shipped from Sony and resellers by the end of July 2006 with MSRP prices of US$1000 with the 18-70mm/3.5-5.6 kit lens and US$900 body only.
Lenses
Sony announced 19 lenses and 2 tele-converters, of which the majority are rebranded Konica Minolta lenses. MSRP and month of introduction are included.
- 16 mm F2.8 fisheye (US$1000, Oct 06)
- 20 mm F2.8 (US$680, Oct 06)
- 24-105 mm F3.5-4.5 (US$470, Nov 06)
- 28 mm F2.8 (US$250, Oct 06)
- 50 mm F1.4 (US$350, Jul 06)
- 50 mm F2.8 Macro (US$480, Jul 06)
- 75-300 mm F4.5-5.6 (US$230, Jul 06)
- 100mm f/2.8 Macro Lens (US$680, Jul 06)
- 135 mm F2.8 Smooth Transition Focus (US$1200, Oct 06)
- 500 mm F8 Reflex Mirror (US$700, Oct 06)
DT lenses for APS-C size sensors
- 11-18 mm F4.5-5.6 (US$650, Aug 06)
- 18-70 mm F3.5-5.6 (US$200, Jul 06) Kit Lens
- 18-200 mm F3.5-6.3 (US$500, Jul 06)
G Series lenses, professional lenses, rebranded Konical Minolta
- 35 mm F1.4 G (US$1400, Oct 06)
- G Series 300mm f/2.8 G Super Telephoto Lens (US$6000, Sep 06)
- 70-200 mm F2.8 G (US$2400, Aug 06)
New Carl Zeiss lenses
- Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5(US$700, Mar 07 (originally Nov 06, but delayed))
- 135 mm F1.8 (US$1400, Oct 06)
- 85 mm F1.4 (US$1300, Oct 06)
Teleconverters
- 14 TC 1.4× (US$600, Sep 06)
- 20 TC 2× (US$650, Sep 06)
References
- ^ "Sony enters the D-SLR camera market with innovative technologies to expand the creative possibilities" (Press release). Sony. 2006-06-05. Retrieved 2006-08-31.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Stock Information" (Press release). Tamron Co., Ltd. 2006-08-04. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
- ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta#Autofocus_SLRs
- ^ "Sony decides α as new brand for digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras" (Press release). Sony. 2006-04-20. Retrieved 2006-09-29.
{{cite press release}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
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
Reviews
- Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review: An in-depth look at the A100 Alpha September 2006, Mason Resnick, Adorama Imaging Resource Center
- Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review, July 2006, Phil Askey, Digital Photography Review