Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A37 SLT Offers 16MP and Full HD for $600

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The Sony A37 was announced today alongside the NEX-F3.  Both cameras are entry-level shooters feature 16MP APS-C CMOS sensors and capture full HD video.

The A37 features Sony’s trademark Translucent Mirror Technology to enable phase detection autofocus while maintaining live view on the A37’s 3-inch tilt/swivel LCD screen.  This fast live view autofocus is available in both photo and video modes – something no other DSLR manufacturer has achieved yet.

The A37 also features sensor-based image stabilization, up to 7 frames per second with 8.4MP stills and a sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000.  The camera also sports a 1440k dot resolution EVF with 100% coverage.

The Sony A37 should be available in June for $600 with an 18-55mm kit lens.  Check availability at B&H Photo.

Alongside the Sony A37, the new 18-135mm zoom lens was introduced.  It should be available in July for $500.  It will also be sold as a kit with the current Sony Alpha SLT cameras beginning in August 2012.  Check availability at B&H Photo.

More details and images below. [Read more…]

 

Sony NEX-F3 and A37 Specs Leaked

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Sony NEX-F3

It looks like the full specs for the Sony NEX-F3 and A37 entry-level cameras are now out in the wild with a release date of May 17, courtesy of SonyAlphaRumors.  Leaked images vis Yangcanggih. Check out the spec lists below.

Sony NEX-F3 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • 1080/24p or 1080/60i
  • MP4 codec
  • 180-degree tilting LCD
  • Built-in flash
  • 3fps
  • No touchscreen
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens

One thing that doesn’t jive with the specs and the leaked images is the MP4 codec listed in the NEX-F3 specs.  The images clearly showed the AVCHD logo on the camera body.  Likewise, a 1080/24p and 1080/60i frame rate suggests an AVCHD 1.0 codec.  If anything, I think the MP4 codec would be for a 720p option (like the NEX-C3) – although, the NEX-F3 appears to offer full 1080p HD video capture in addition to a possible 720p MP4 mode…

With the recent NEX models sporting the AVCHD 2.0 codec, it looks like Sony will differentiate the video capabilities on entry-level models by sticking with a max 30fps frame rate at full 1920 x 1080 resolution via the AVCHD 1.0 codec.  This should make the NEX-F3 a perfect consumer camera with great 1080p video.  And, if you want to get your overcranked footage on for smooth slo-mo, you’ll need to step up to the NEX-5N or higher.

Sony A37 Specs

  • 16.1MP CMOS sensor
  • ISO 100-16,000
  • Built-in SteadyShot image stabilization
  • 7fps frame frate
  • 15-point AF system
  • Tilting LCD
  • 1080/24p and 1080/60i video
  • $599 price point w/ 18-55mm kit lens
  • $799 price point w/ 18-135mm kit lens

The A37 looks to be very competent as well for an entry-level shooter.  Frankly though, unless you have to have the phase-detection AF system of the SLT models, I would suggest most people to choose the NEX-F3 as an entry-level go-to camera over the A37.

I’ll have more concrete thoughts on these models once they are officially announced and I get my hands on them.

Stay tuned.

Sony A57 Launches w/ 16MP & 1080/60p Video

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Sony A57

The Sony A57 is the latest Alpha model utilizing Translucent Mirror Technology – and it steps up the game from its predecessor, the Sony A55.

Priced at $700 for the body, the A57 piles it on in terms of features, offering a 16.1MP resolution CMOS sensor (APS-C format) and the AVCHD 2.0 progressive codec, which allows the A57 to capture 1080p video at a full 60p frame rate – a feature both Canon and Nikon HDSLR shooters have been screaming for on the high-end models (let alone entry-level cameras in the A57 price range).

Sony continues its tradition of fast live-view AF thanks to the Translucent Mirror Technology, which allows users to view the image on the rear LCD or in the electronic viewfinder – all the while maintaining the rapid and accurate AF acquisition that DSLR shooters are accustomed to.

Alongside the A57, Sony announced the HVL-LE1 continuous light for $250, which comes complete with an Alpha shoe mount and barn doors.

The Sony A57 should be available in March at an initial retail price of $700 for the body only, or $800 with the 18-55mm kit lens.

More details in the press release below. [Read more…]

Sony Full Frame 36MP Camera to Follow Nikon D800

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Sony A99

Recent rumors purport to make the Nikon D800 a “sure thing” for a 2011 announcement.  While a follow-up to the Nikon D700 is overdue in terms of camera life expectancy, the biggest “shocker” of the rumor suggests a 36MP full frame sensor in the D800.

Nikon has relied on Sony for its past full frame sensors, and so, it seems logical that Sony would make use of such a sensor in its own Alpha-series DSLRs as well (as in the Nikon D3X and Sony A900 models).  And that me be what’s to come with a new full frame Sony camera sporting the same 36MP Sony sensor to be found in the Nikon D800. [Read more…]