New Sony DSLRs

[MICKEY88]

looks like Sony is serious about staying in the DSLR fight...


http://www.popphoto.com/photonews/5081/sony-unveils-alpha-a300-and-a350-dslrs.html



http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/30/sony_cmos_sensor/

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Never mind. I didn't notice the second link.

BTW, Sony supplies Nikon with sensors, so the rumors of a D3x with a high res FF sensor might be true.

 

[Bugdozer]

Hi,

Ok I am excited!! But please clarify one thing for me-does this new version have a LCD Screen that works like the point and shoot does? I can use that instead of the regular viewfinder? Kind of wish I had waited now on buying my alpha100. Hope I can get this new camera before my Disneyland trip at the end of April. Thanks for the link. Tried the link they gave to pre-order but does not have it yet.

Thanks,

Bug

 

[ukcatfan]

Interesting, especially with the pricing. Especially considering that the D60 is a dud. I bet you will see more aggressive price cuts/rebates from Pentax now. The one thing that gets me on the 14MP A350 is the 2 FPS for 6 max in RAW. That is pretty slow. I am also surprised to see it is a CCD when CMOS seems to be the fad right now.

Just as a general DSLR comment, I really hope this live view fad does not turn into the next MP race. I would hate for a bunch of R&D money to be spent on this when they could be putting it to better use on improving high ISO, AF speed and accuracy, etc. I personally would only expect to use it maybe 1-5% of the time. It is just better shooting style to hold the camera to your face. I am already expecting the wave of disgruntled new DSLR users to be posting here about how they are getting blurry shots with live view.

Kevin

 

[MICKEY88]

Interesting, especially with the pricing. Especially considering that the D60 is a dud. I bet you will see more aggressive price cuts/rebates from Pentax now. The one thing that gets me on the 14MP A350 is the 2 FPS for 6 max in RAW. That is pretty slow. I am also surprised to see it is a CCD when CMOS seems to be the fad right now.

Just as a general DSLR comment, I really hope this live view fad does not turn into the next MP race. I would hate for a bunch of R&D money to be spent on this when they could be putting it to better use on improving high ISO, AF speed and accuracy, etc. I personally would only expect to use it maybe 1-5% of the time. It is just better shooting style to hold the camera to your face. I am already expecting the wave of disgruntled new DSLR users to be posting here about how they are getting blurry shots with live view.

Kevin

these are both considered entry level cameras, anmd they seem to be sticking with Minoltas old numbering system...

so perhaps a 500 or 800 will have faster burst mode,

rumor for a year now has been that they will release a pro level body in February or march, I wonder if it will still be released, and whether it wil have the new sensor or not..??


I agree with yout thoughts on live view, I have it with my minolta a2, and rarely used it, about the only time I can see using it, is for shooting over crowds at press/sporting events, or the other time I used it occassionally was for my night shots of the PA CApitol..

 

[MarkBarbieri]

Especially considering that the D60 is a dud.

What makes you say that? I know that people have been dumping all over the D40/D40x since they came out, but they've been amongst the most successful camera's in Nikon (or any companies) history.

 

[Groucho]

Hi,

Ok I am excited!! But please clarify one thing for me-does this new version have a LCD Screen that works like the point and shoot does? I can use that instead of the regular viewfinder? Kind of wish I had waited now on buying my alpha100. Hope I can get this new camera before my Disneyland trip at the end of April. Thanks for the link. Tried the link they gave to pre-order but does not have it yet.

Thanks,

Bug

No DSLR live view works quite like a point-n-shoot does, though the A300/A350 are closer than other Live View implementations.

However, the extra mirrors make me fear that this may have a similar "dim viewfinder" as the early Olympuses with live view.

It's a shame that Sony can't get over the Memory Stick vs SD battle and equip the cameras with an SD slot instead of a CF slot. Considering that I've seen 8g SD cards for as low as $33 recently, it's hard to justify the extra cost of the CF format - I can only assume that Sony flat-out refuses to use the SD technology.

Interesting cameras, they appear to take the Nikon D40 approach of trying to make a DSLR feel like a big point-n-shoot to first-time DSLR buyers. I don't see much in these that seems designed to appeal to more knowledgable buyers, I assume they'd like to steer those folks towards the A700 as much as possible.

As for "pro level", I thought a Sony full-frame DSLR was already announced? Maybe I'm mixing up my rumors and my official reports.

 

[Groucho]

What makes you say that? I know that people have been dumping all over the D40/D40x since they came out, but they've been amongst the most successful camera's in Nikon (or any companies) history.

I assume he means that it's really not much of an upgrade over a D40x and offers little (or nothing) in the way of compelling new features, not that the camera itself is no good or that it won't sell well.

I can't agree with the notion of the D40/D40x being one of the most successful cameras in history - especially when they've only existed for a year or two. That's hardly enough to drape laurels on it. The DSLR market is continuing to expand quickly, the "big five" are all doing well and increasing sales all the time.

 

[MICKEY88]

It's a shame that Sony can't get over the Memory Stick vs SD battle and equip the cameras with an SD slot instead of a CF slot. Considering that I've seen 8g SD cards for as low as $33 recently, it's hard to justify the extra cost of the CF format - I can only assume that Sony flat-out refuses to use the SD technology.

Interesting cameras, they appear to take the Nikon D40 approach of trying to make a DSLR feel like a big point-n-shoot to first-time DSLR buyers. I don't see much in these that seems designed to appeal to more knowledgable buyers, I assume they'd like to steer those folks towards the A700 as much as possible.

As for "pro level", I thought a Sony full-frame DSLR was already announced? Maybe I'm mixing up my rumors and my official reports.

I'm guessing that sony sticks with the memoory stick and cf being loyal to their customers... people with p&s alrrady have memory sticks,

minolta dslr users, who they wish to keep already have cf.. i'd be annoyed if they dropped cf, since i have a lot of cards,

plus being older with less nimble fingers I prefer the larger card, especially when on location, i think I'd be more likely to drop or lose smaller cards..

 

[Groucho]

Well, the A200/300/350 are definitely not marketed towards existing DSLR buyers so I don't buy that as a reason for CF... and even Fuji now puts xD and SD slots on their cameras - and, Canon has finally switched to SD for the entry-level body, too. The cards are just so cheap that even tossing your old cards and re-buying will probably be fairly cheap, especially when compared to buying more of the more expensive cards. I mean, buying an 8 gb Memory Stick will cost you at least 3x what an 8 gb SD card will.

 

[MICKEY88]

Well, the A200/300/350 are definitely not marketed towards existing DSLR buyers so I don't buy that as a reason for CF... and even Fuji now puts xD and SD slots on their cameras - and, Canon has finally switched to SD for the entry-level body, too. The cards are just so cheap that even tossing your old cards and re-buying will probably be fairly cheap, especially when compared to buying more of the more expensive cards. I mean, buying an 8 gb Memory Stick will cost you at least 3x what an 8 gb SD card will.

well actually they are both a step up from the minolta 5d,

replacing the memory stick slot with sd would be fine, since they do the dual card, why drop cf..


minolta was never a follower, and since sony now owns their factory and employs the minolta design team, I don't see them becoming followers.

I've also heard rumors of 100plus gig cf cards being released this year so why not stick with it, cf cards are way down in price also if you know where to look..

 

[ukcatfan]

What makes you say that? I know that people have been dumping all over the D40/D40x since they came out, but they've been amongst the most successful camera's in Nikon (or any companies) history.

I assume he means that it's really not much of an upgrade over a D40x and offers little (or nothing) in the way of compelling new features, not that the camera itself is no good or that it won't sell well.

I can't agree with the notion of the D40/D40x being one of the most successful cameras in history - especially when they've only existed for a year or two. That's hardly enough to drape laurels on it. The DSLR market is continuing to expand quickly, the "big five" are all doing well and increasing sales all the time.

Groucho pretty much nailed it. I also mean compared to what everyone else introduced over the past week. The D60 is nothing more than a D40x v2.0 (i.e. most of the changes sound like firmware). Canon, Pentax, and Sony's announcements seem to dwarf Nikon's. Maybe they gambled that their competition would not be making big steps either and made a bad decision. From my perspective, a new buyer coming from the p&s
world will see more for their money from the competition. They are still the smallest though, which will help with some p&s owners upgrading. The new kit lens looks bulky though.

Kevin

 

[MICKEY88]

another article on the new ff sensor...http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/01/31/sony-claims-megapixel-camera

 

[mom2mykids]

Complete novice here So please excuse my lack of key words/terms. I have a SLR camera, it was a present for Grad school graduation. I had plans on taking SLR classes but then I had kids, LOL. I still plan on the classes, next Sept they will be in school all day!

I've been looking at the Sony dslr since I have a minolta maxxum 430 si RZ (about 11 years old) and 2 lenses (70-300mm 1:4-5.6 Macro and 35-80mm). I was going to get the 100 then the 200 was announced 200 but yesterday saw the 300 and 350. Since I am a novice (at this point) and limited budget - I just don't know which one to get! I feel a bit sony keeps announcing other models just as I make my mind up on another one.

I hope you all don't mind my ignorance on the whole DSLR speak.

 

[Anewman]

Complete novice here So please excuse my lack of key words/terms. I have a SLR camera, it was a present for Grad school graduation. I had plans on taking SLR classes but then I had kids, LOL. I still plan on the classes, next Sept they will be in school all day!

I've been looking at the Sony dslr since I have a minolta maxxum 430 si RZ (about 11 years old) and 2 lenses (70-300mm 1:4-5.6 Macro and 35-80mm). I was going to get the 100 then the 200 was announced 200 but yesterday saw the 300 and 350. Since I am a novice (at this point) and limited budget - I just don't know which one to get! I feel a bit sony keeps announcing other models just as I make my mind up on another one.

I hope you all don't mind my ignorance on the whole DSLR speak.

Sony and other companies introduce new cameras all the time, older cameras will not all of a sudden turn to dust.

IMO now is the perfect time to find a A100 at a bargain basement price, it is still very nice camera today even compared to NEW models. On some hotdeal websites, there were reports of it being cleared out by CircuitCity at around $370.

Some persons jump into the HOBBY and purchase the most expensive equipment available only to find out later that they dont really like the hobby.
Others buy entry level equipment and later out grow it, but many will be happy with it for a very long time.

 

[MICKEY88]

don't wait too long to decide, they're due to release a pro level camera sometime soon also...

go to steves digicam and read the review there...

the 200 is a good camera, the 300 and 350 add the tilt lcd and live view feature, this isn't neccessarily a great thing, as others have mentioned people who choose to use that for shooting rather than the viewfinder will wonder why their pics aren't as sharp as they expect them to be, the reality is, no one has steady enough hands to consistantly get sharp pics holding the camera a foot from their face and composing using the screen,

the only time I'd use it, would be for press photography when needing to shoot over a crowd

 

[mom2mykids]

Thanks Anewman and Mickey88. Off to check out Circuit City and the steves digicam. I appreciate all the info!

 

[MICKEY88]

Thanks Anewman and Mickey88. Off to check out Circuit City and the steves digicam. I appreciate all the info!

by the way there is also the sony a700 a higher end dslr..

 

[ukcatfan]

I've been looking at the Sony dslr since I have a minolta maxxum 430 si RZ (about 11 years old) and 2 lenses (70-300mm 1:4-5.6 Macro and 35-80mm).

Be aware that the DSLRs have a crop factor of 1.5x. That makes your 35mm act like a 53mm, which is far from a wide angle. You will likely need to pick up the kit lens as well, so be sure to consider that cost.

Kevin

 

[mom2mykids]

by the way there is also the sony a700 a higher end dslr..

If the 700 goes on sale it might be in my price range. Right now I am really trying to stay under $1000....especailly since I'm a novice....and my husband would have a fit,

Be aware that the DSLRs have a crop factor of 1.5x. That makes your 35mm act like a 53mm, which is far from a wide angle. You will likely need to pick up the kit lens as well, so be sure to consider that cost.

OK and this just proves how little I know, what exactly does this mean? Pictures look larger that how they will take, or look wider than what they will actually be?