Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

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 NEX-FS100 Serious Firmware Upgrade on March 22

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Sony FS100

DSLR News Shooter has confirmed a firmware upgrade for the Sony NEX-FS100, which will add some long-awaited features to the camera.  Among the new features:

  1. Added 50Hz recording system (PAL): 1920×1080 50p, 50i, 25p and 1280×720 50p.
  2. Camera Profile (camera settings can be saved to and loaded from a memory card).
  3. Additional 4x and 8x Expanded Focus magnification: (with user selectable focus area).
  4. Selectable ISO or GAIN sensitivity display.
  5. Selectable Focus indication in FEET or METERS (E-mount lens only).
  6. Selectable Shutter indication as EXPOSURE TIME or SHUTTER ANGLE.
  7. Added the following Aspect-Ratio markers: 2.35:1, 1.85:1 and 1.66:1.
  8. Display ON/OFF button enables Zebra and/or Histogram overlay onto video output.
  9. Compatible with the new A-Mount to E-Mount adaptor, model LA-EA2. One push Auto-IRIS and continuous 15-point, Phase-Detection Auto-Focus operation with most Alpha A-Mount lenses is available. Lens metadata is displayed onscreen and stored real-time to image file.

I can’t express how happy I am to see that the expanded focus will get a bump from the lowly 2x that it shipped with.  Likewise, the camera profile loading from memory cards will be welcomed to those of us who hate customizing the profiles one variable at a time.  Loads of other worthwhile upgrades makes this one seem like Sony has been reading users’ wishlists.

The firmware update should hit on March 22. I’ll be sure to update as soon as I see it available.

Sony Cyber-shot H-Series Update: HX200V, HX30V, HX20V, HX10V and DSC-H90

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Sony HX30V

Alongside several other compact cameras, Sony has updated its solid Cyber-shot H-Series with 5 new models.

Sony Cyber-shot HX30V: 18.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Sensor with 20x Optical Zoom and 3.0-inch LCD

Sony Cyber-shot HX20V: compact, powerful and perfect for travel with 20x optical zoom and effective 18.2 megapixel Exmor R® CMOS Sensor

Sony Cyber-shot HX200V: ultra 30x optical zoom with effective 18.2 megapixel Exmor R® CMOS Sensor and manual controls

Sony Cyber-shot HX10V: 16x optical zoom and effective 18.2 megapixel Exmor R® CMOS Sensor

Sony Cyber-shot H90: 16x optical zoom and effective 16.1 megapixels

Sony Cyber-shot WX150, W690, TX66 and TX20

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Sony WX150

Sony has launched 4 new point and shoot cameras.  The new WX150 and W690 are super thin cameras sporting a 10x optical zoom and offer 18.2MP and 16.1MP image sensors, respectively.  The WX150 captures 1080/60i video, while the W690 captures 720p HD video.  The WX150 retails for $250 and the W690 retails for $180.

Sony TX66

The Sony TX66 is a rugged compact with an 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor.  It’s got a 5x optical zoom lens and captures 1080/60i HD video.  Retail is $350.

The TX20 is another rugged compact camera with a 16.2MP CMOS sensor and a 4x optical zoom lens.  It retails for $330.

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

Sony Set to Launch an APS-C G1 X Competitor?

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Canon G1 X

Sony Alpha Rumors is pegging a compact Sony APS-C camera that will go head-to-head with the Canon G1 X.  Reportedly, the camera would use a pancake zoom lens to keep the size down.

I think Sony has a great thing going with the NEX line. So, I’m very interested to see what such a camera could add to Sony’s lineup.  If anything, I think a fixed-lens camera seems more accessible to a larger market.  This isn’t necessarily in terms of price (the Canon G1 X isn’t cheap), but rather in terms of perceived user experience. [Read more…]

Sony A99 at 24MP and A57 at 16MP Inbound?

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Sony A850 and A900

It’s been a little too quiet on the Sony front since the introduction of the uber-popular Sony A77.  So, it’s not really much of a surprise to hear rumors of a refresh to the full-frame Sony A900 and (even more so) the consumer-ish Sony A55. Both are very solid cameras in their respective categories; however, their age is starting to show. [Read more…]