Sony Alpha dSLR system
NB. I Don't sell cameras or lenses, prices here are just to help you plan your system and although accurate at writing may change.
Introduction:
Sony digital SLR cameras are based on the Sony / Minolta lens mount and flash system and thus are generally ONLY compatible with lenses and flashes designed for these systems - but the new cameras have a new flash mount.
fortunately for Sony users, Sony has partnered with Carl Zeiss to provide high quality lenses and Sony, being one of the largest electronics manufacturers, is at the forefront of digital sensor design and indeed sells its sensors to other dSLR manufacturers such as Nikon.
a big selling point is reasonably affordable full frame dSLRs with built-in IS
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Sony dSLRs:
2016
2014
Sony Alpha A77 II:
24mp APS-C sensor with CDAF and sensor-shift IS
fixed semi-transparent mirror
79 phase detect points including 15 central cross points plus central sensor for apertures up to f/2.8
Expanded Flexible Spot mode maintains focus even if the selected AF point loses track of the subject, activating eight surrounding AF points that recognize the subject.
Lock-on AF mode lets users select one of four AF area modes (Wide, Zone, Flexible Spot or Expanded Flexible Spot), and can recognize and track a subject’s form based on its color and its position within the frame, automatically selecting the appropriate AF point
can select AF subject-tracking duration
Eye detection AF
AF range control
Balanced Emphasis mode that provides the ideal balance between focus and release timing
12fps up to 60 jpeg frames with C-AF
same BIONZ X image processor as in the A-7 and A-7R - detail reproduction, diffraction-reducing and area-specific noise reduction
2.36Mdot OLED EVF
3“ 1.2Mdot 3-way tilting WhiteMagic TFT LCD
11 customizable buttons with up to 51 assignable functions
shutter 30sec to 1/8000th sec and rated at 150,000 shots
1080 60p/24p AVCHD video with AF, stereo mic, zebra function and audio level metering
WiFi / NFC for smartphone remote control or tethering, but no GPS
built-in flash, flash x-sync 1/250th sec
weather sealing, AF micro adjust
647 g (1.43 lb / 22.82 oz)
143 x 104 x 81 mm (5.63 x 4.09 x 3.19″)
RRP $US1200 body only
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2013
Sony Alpha SLT-A58 DX:
replaces both A37 and A57 models
mid-range, 20mp DX, 8fps, 1080/50i, 800x600pixel OLED viewfinder
new lock-on focus mode and Auto Object Framing mode - an extension of the auto portrait mode in the A57
2012:
2011:
SLT alpha a37:
SLT alpha a65:
24.3mp APS-C sensor with 10fps burst
“The 'AE' in Continuous Advance Priority AE mode stands for 'automatic exposure'. Unlike continuous Lo and Hi, Continuous Advance Priority AE can only be accessed via the exposure mode dial. As we saw in the A55, which offered a maximum frame rate of 10fps in the same mode, there are some downsides to this maximum capture rate. The A65 can still autofocus continuously, but in order to be able to do this, aperture is either fixed wide open, or limited to f/3.5 if the maximum aperture allows it. You can take full control over aperture in Continuous Advance Priority AE mode, but only if you select AF-A or manual focus. The reason for this limitation is the same reason why you cannot combine AF with manual aperture control in movie mode - at apertures smaller than f/5.6 the A65's AF system receives essentially no light, so cannot function. ”
“it isn't possible for the A65 to maintain a live view feed in its fastest 8fps and 10fps continuous capture modes”
not usable for 25sec after a burst sequence
issues with AF tracking accuracy remain!
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SLT alpha a77:
2010:
alpha 560:
alpha 580:
SLT alpha A33:
SLT alpha A55:
2009:
alpha 230:
alpha 330:
alpha 380:
alpha 500:
alpha 550:
14mp, 1.5x crop, CCD shift IS, dual live view as with the alpha 350
7fps if focus and exposue locked, otherwise 5fps
auto HDR mode
up/down articulating 3” 920K LCD
no mirror lockup or DOF preview buttons
599g w/o battery; no movie mode;
jpeg output not the best, need to shoot RAW; limited customisation options;
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alpha 850:
2008:
alpha 700:
12.2mp, 11pt AF with a single double cross centre point, 4EV IS, aluminium chassis, weatherproof, 3“ VGA LCD, HDTV output, wireless remote control, CF and Sony memory,
16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 (24-160mm) kit lens
vertical grip.
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build quality
weatherproofing - you can pour a bottle of water on the Olympus E3
IS - Olympus is 5EV
AF speed, low light performance and action performance - Olympus uses all double cross points not just one.
kit lens - the Olympus is a beautiful 24-120mm eq. f/2.8-3.5 lens - a much faster lens optically and in AF.
live preview - Sony decided not to include live preview
articulating LCD screen - with no live preview, the Sony didn't have use for one
remote TTL flash system
alpha 350:
alpha 300:
alpha 200:
alpha 900:
2006:
Lenses for the Sony dSLRs:
Carl Zeiss lenses for Sony
Sony DT lenses designed for digital
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Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6:
Sony DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens:
Sony DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3:
Sony DT 28-70mm f/2.8 SAM:
Sony DT 35mm F1.8 SAM:
Sony 85mm F2.8 SAM:
Sony legacy lenses from 35mm Minolta days
Sony 20mm f/2.8:
Sony 28mm f/2.8:
Sony 50mm f/1.4:
Sony 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5:
Sony 75-300mm f4.5-5.6:
legacy macro lenses
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Sony 50mm f/2 macro:
Sony 100mm f/2.8 macro:
legacy Pro G-Series
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Sony 35mm f/1.4 G:
Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G:
Sony 300mm f/2.8 G:
legacy specialty lenses