Sony A450 Digital SLR Camera Announced

Sony A450

Sony has added one more sub $1000 DSLR camera to their lineup with the announcement of the A450 DSLR camera. Judging by the specifications and press release, the A450 appears to be a more economical offering of their A550 model, excepting two of that camera’s best features, the first being live view, the second being its tilt screen. Sony DSLRs are well known for their excellent live view implementations, so it’s quite strange for it to be omitted here. I can only assume that some degree of market research went into the A450, and that Sony surely knows something I don’t. On the plus side the A450 keeps the in-camera HDR feature found on the A550, offers in camera image stabilization (”SteadyShot”), and features a 5 fps continuous shooting speed with an optional “Speed Priority” mode good for 7 frames per second.

Highlights

• 14.2 effective megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor
• Up to 7 fps continuous shooting
• Manual Focus Check Live View
• Auto HDR
• 1,050 shot battery stamina (CIPA measurement)
• SteadyShot INSIDE

The Sony A450 will be available in the begining of February, 2010.

Availability

Check Amazon for availability.

Media

Specifications

Camera	Sony A450
Effective Megapixels	Approx. 14.2
Lens compatibility	Sony _ lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Image sensor	APS-C size (23.4x15.6mm) CMOS sensor "Exmor" with RGB primary colour filters
Processor	BIONZ image processor
ISO Sensitivity Range	200 - 12800 ISO
Image Quality Modes	Jpeg (fine, standard), RAW, RAW + Jpeg
HDMI connector and Bravia Sync	HDMI mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD
Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)	L size: 4592x3056 (14M),M size: 3344x2224 (7.4M),S size: 2288x1520 (3.5M)
Viewfinder Type	Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
LCD	6.7cm (2.7-inch) type, TFT Clear Photo LCD (230,400 dots)
Manual Focus Check Live View	YES
SteadyShot INSIDE	YES
Anti-dust System	Coating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift
Focus Modes	AF/MF selectable.AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF
Autofocus	TTL phase detection system; CCD line sensors
Focus Points	9 points
Exposure Modes	Programmed AE (AUTO, AUTO - Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection
Exposure Metering Sensor	40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
Exposure Metering Modes	Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot
Scene Selection	Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view
Creative Style Settings	Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W
Shutter Speed	1/4000-30sec, Bulb
Exposure Bracketing	3 continuous exposures, in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps
White Balance Settings	Auto / 6 presets / Colour Temperature/Colour Filter / Custom WB
Continuous Advance Shooting	Up to 5 fps and 7 fps in speed priority mode.
Approx. no. of shots	Approx. 1050 shots
Built-in Flash	Auto pop-up -- GN 12 at ISO 100, FOV coverage up to 18mm
Flash Modes	Flash-off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.**With external flash HVL-F58AM, HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM
Media	Memory Stick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo / SD memory card / SDHC memory card
Dimensions (W x H x D)	Approx. 137 x 104 x 81mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
Weight	Approx. 520g

Press Release

Simply better pictures with the α450
The newest addition to the α family of DSLR cameras teams flawless imaging with generous creative options.

Powerful yet brilliantly easy to use, the DSLR-A450 is a perfect all-rounder when you’re ready to take your passion for great pictures to a more advanced level. Ideal for active shooters moving up to their next DSLR, it’s at home in any shooting situation, from relaxed portraits to fast-moving sports action.

Inside the α450 is a high-resolution 14.2 (approx.) effective megapixel Exmor™ CMOS sensor. It’s teamed with the powerful BIONZ processor to deliver highly detailed, ultra-low noise images. Sensitivity extends right up to ISO 12800, allowing you to capture beautifully natural handheld images in low light without flash.

With a generous 95% field of view, the bright optical viewfinder makes framing and composition a pleasure. As an extra refinement, Manual Focus Check Live View previews clear, bright full-resolution images on the 6.7cm (2.7”) Clear Photo LCD screen. With selectable 7x/14x on-screen image enlargement it’s ideal for confirming pin-sharp focus with portraits, still life, macro and architectural scenes.

The powerful BIONZ image processor enables high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps (maximum – approx. figure). In Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at start of burst) this increases to an amazing 7 fps (maximum – actual speed depends on shooting conditions and media card). It’s more than enough to catch sports and fast-moving action with ease.

Creative options are enhanced with Auto HDR mode that accommodates bright highlights and dark shadow details in a single frame. Two successive frames shot handheld at different exposure values are merged automatically by the camera. The result is a detail-packed High Dynamic Range image – with no need for a PC image editor and specialists skills. In addition to fully automatic operation, the exposure difference between frames can be manually set up to 3EV, in 0.5EV increments.

Featured right across the DSLR line-up by Sony, SteadyShot INSIDE™ offers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction with the full range of 30 α lenses and two teleconvertors, as well as compatible A-mount optics by Konica-Minolta.

The α450 also offers the most impressive shooting stamina of any DSLR camera by Sony to date. The high-capacity battery allows up to 1,050 shots between charges* – plenty for a busy weekend’s sightseeing.

Slots for Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (sold separately) are offered to suit users’ personal shooting preferences.

Connect the α450 to any HD Ready TV for a breathtaking big-screen view of your photos. PhotoTV HD optimises still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models, while BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions using your TV remote.

Supplied software includes Image Data Converter SR; Image Data Lightbox SR; and PMB (Picture Motion Browser) for easy image management. The α450 is also compatible with the wide range of high-quality DSLR accessories by Sony, including flashes, carry cases, batteries and chargers, GPS and more.

The DSLR-A450 digital SLR camera by Sony is available from the beginning of February 2010.

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