Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Sony A450

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Sony A450

The Sony A450, introduced as part of Sony’s CES 2010 offerings, is another sub-$1000 DSLR that is situated near the A500 and A550 cameras in terms of feature set.  The Sony A450 is equipped with a 14.2-megapixel CMOS sensor, presumably the same one as the A550. Unlike the A500 and A550 though, the A450 does not include a fast Live View display with a tilting LCD.

The Sony A450 is a somewhat peculiar introduction in the Alpha lineup.  The camera is essentially a Sony A550 (read PB’s A550 review) without the tilting LCD and fast Live View, which are arguably the best features on the A550.  However, for those of you who hate Live View and wiggly LCDs, the A450 may be right down your alley.

The other great feature in the spotlight from the A500 and A550 is Auto HDR, which seamlessly blends exposures in-camera to create an expanded dynamic range in your JPEG files straight out of the camera.  Thankfully, that’s one killer feature that the A450 ended up with.

[Read more…]

 

Sony A550 Review

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Sony A550

The Sony A550 is a 14.2-megapixel DSLR that boils down to a more expensive entry-level camera.  As with other Sony Alpha DSLRs, the A550 features a built-in stabilization system that uses sensor-shift functions rather than lens-based stabilization.  As a result, every lens you attach to the camera benefits from image stabilization – as opposed to Canon and Nikon, for which you must buy “stabilized lenses” that can be more expensive.

Another familiar feature on the Sony A550 is the articulating LCD screen.  Like the lower-level models, the A330 and A380, the A550’s LCD will tilt up and down, allowing you to hold the camera up high or down low and still be able to easily see the LCD screen.

A tilting LCD screen wouldn’t be much use without the ability to compose your scene on it.  Again, the A550 offers the same Live View system that I have loved since it was originally introduced on the A300 and A350.  In my opinion, no one does DSLR Live View better than Sony.  It just works intuitively and feels very natural for those moving from point and shoot cameras. [Read more…]

Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

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Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM

Sigma has announced the 17-70mm f/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM lens for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax and Sigma mounts.  The addition of optical stabilization and HSM focus motor will make the new 17-70mm an attractive carry-around lens for crop-sensor DSLRs.

No word on price or release date yet.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

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

Sony Cybershot WX1 Review

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Sony Cybershot WX1

The Sony Cybershot WX1 is a 10.1-megapixel point and shoot camera – but it isn’t just another camera with a new model number and more megapixels. The WX1 provides everything that you get in your run-of-the-mill point and shoot camera, but also adds some great features like an easy panoramic mode, an effective low light mode and a powerful new imaging sensor. [Read more…]

Sony A230, A330 and A380 Firmware Version 1.10

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Sony has released a firmware update for the Sony A230, A330 and A380 DSLRs.  The firmware version 1.10 addresses the following:

When the [Metering mode] is set to the [Center weighted] or [Spot] metering modes, the exposure will be locked when the focus is confirmed. (When shooting in AF mode).

To learn more about the update or to download it, visit Sony’s download site for Windows PC or for Mac.

Sony A850 Hands-On Review

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The Sony A850 has no differences from the flagship Sony A900 besides a slower rate of fire, a slightly smaller viewfinder and $700. For the money, it is the best bang-for-your buck value out there right now for full frame photographers. Put some nice Minolta or Zeiss glass in front of that sensor and you’ll begin to see some very nice results. During my hands-on time, I noticed some other slight differences in handling.

[Read more…]

Massimo in Argentina for Sony’s Twilight Football

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You have to go through me!

The following post comes from Massimo Strazzeri, who was Photography Bay’s winner for the Sony Twilight Football Contest.  Sony flew Massimo to Argentina for what turned out to be an amazing sight-seeing adventure, soccer match and some hands-on time with Sony’s new A550. 

I am very happy that Photography Bay could be a part of this great adventure for Massimo. Additionally, I am very grateful that Massimo has taken the time and effort to share his story and images with the rest of us.

Enjoy Massimo’s story and photography below. You can find out how to connect with him at the end of this post. -Eric [Read more…]

Sony Single Lens 3D Camera

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Sony Single Lens 3D Camera

Sony has developed a high frame rate single lens 3D camera, which purportedly will capture high quality 3D images at 240fps.  The new camera is just a concept at this point.  It relies on an optical system that will simultaneously capture left and right images through a single lens which then reflects light to two mirrors and, in turn, two imaging sensors.

Sony is expected to show a prototype at CREATEC JAPAN 2009 in Japan on October 6.

Sony Single Lens 3D Camera

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