ISO Comparison: Olympus E-620 vs. Nikon D90 vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II Something Exciting From Pentax Coming?

Sony Announces New Alpha DSLRs: A230, A330, A380

4 comments

Posted by Patrick on May 18, 2009 in Cameras

Interested in cameras, photographers, and tutorials? Then consider subscribing to our RSS feed to stay up to date on the latest in photography related news at Neutralday.com

Sony introduced the already well leaked new entry-level Alphas today, officially now known as the A230, A330, and the A380. The Sony strategy with this release was not to add any new functionality or performance (same sensors, no movie mode, etc.) but instead to focus on user experience. In that regard, Sony has redesigned the camera bodies to be smaller, lighter, and according to claims, easier to use for the beginner. Both the A230 and the A330 keep the 10.2 megapixel sensor found in their predecessors (A200, A300) and the A380 keeps the 14.2 megapixel sensor found in the A350. All 3 cameras will feature a 2.7 inch display at 230,400 dots of resolution, with the A330 and A380 having the additional tilt feature in addition to featuring the Quick AF Live View System, Sony’s very effective implementation of Live View. Other than all new camera bodies (in colors even!) the other notable aspect to the new Alphas is a significantly streamlined, attractive, and customizable user interface, again all keeping with Sony’s approach of aggressively appealing to new DSLR consumers.

If you’re wondering about performance, we’ll have to wait and see. Despite the same sensor technology, the new Alphas do have all new processing systems so it’s likely that there will be improvements to ISO, and overall performance and Sony appears to making such claims.

While we salute Sony’s strategy of catering to beginners by making things easier and more attractive, it seems to me that one could have made improvements both internally and externally, as I still believe that consumers are mostly compelled by box specifications, though Sony’s aggressive pricing might be even more compelling:

Sony A230: $550 with SAL 18-55mm or $750 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm.
Sony A330: $650 with SAL 18-55mm or $850 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm.
Sony A380: $850 with SAL 18-55mm or $1050 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm.

In addition to the already mentioned lenses, Sony also introduced 2 prime lenses, a Sony DT 50mm f/1.8 and a Sony DT 30mm f/2.8, with pricing set at $150 for the 50mm. No word on pricing yet for the 30mm.

All available sometime in July, though Sony is taking pre-orders now.

Press release, images, and specifications follow.

Sony A230

Sensor

	pixels	size	cleaning
Sony A230	10.2 million effective pixels	10.8 million total pixels	Sensor shake system Static-free anti-dust coating

File Size/File Formats/Video

	image size	formats	Video
Sony A230	3872 x 2592 3872 x 2176 2896 x 1936 2836 x 1632 1920 x 1280 1920 x 1088	RAW RAW + JPEG JPEG Fine JPEG Norm	None

Processing/AF Points/AF Modes

	Processing	AF Points	AF Modes
Sony A230	BIONZ	9-point AF	Single-Shot AF Continuous AF Automatic AF Manual focus/ Auto Selectable

Viewfinder/Display

	Viewfinder	LCD Size	LCD Resolution
Sony A230	Optical fixed eye-level Pentamirror type Frame coverage 95% (approx.) Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.83x with 50mm lens at infinity	2.7 inch TFT LCD	230,400 dots

FPS/ISO/Live View

	FPS	ISO	Live View
Sony A230	2.5 fps	100-3200	none

Dimensions/Weight/Price

	Dimensions	Weight	Price
Sony A230	5.2 x 3.9 x 2.7 in (128 x 97 x 68 mm)	1.15 lb (452 g)	$550 with SAL 18-55mm $750 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm

Sony A330

Sony A330 (click to enlarge)

Sensor

	pixels	size	cleaning
Sony A330	10.2 million effective pixels	10.8 million total pixels	Sensor shake system Static-free anti-dust coating

File Size/File Formats/Video

	image size	formats	Video
Sony A330	3872 x 2592 3872 x 2176 2896 x 1936 2836 x 1632 1920 x 1280 1920 x 1088	RAW RAW + JPEG JPEG Fine JPEG Norm	None

Processing/AF Points/AF Modes

	Processing	AF Points	AF Modes
Sony A330	BIONZ	9-point AF	Single-Shot AF Continuous AF Automatic AF Manual focus/ Auto Selectable

Viewfinder/Display

	Viewfinder	LCD Size	LCD Resolution
Sony A330	Optical fixed eye-level Pentamirror type Frame coverage 95% (approx.) • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.74x with 50mm lens at infinity	2.7 inch TFT LCD Tiltable	230,400 dots

FPS/ISO/Live View

	FPS	ISO	Live View
Sony A330	2.5 fps	100-3200	90% frame coverage (30 fps display rate) Real-time Image adjustment

Dimensions/Weight/Price

	Dimensions	Weight	Price
Sony A330	5.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 in (128 x 97 x 71 mm)	1.29 lb(491 g)	$650 with SAL 18-55mm $850 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm

Sony A380

Sony A380 (click to enlarge)

Sensor

	pixels	size	cleaning
Sony A380	14.2 million effective pixels	14.9 million total pixels	Sensor shake system Static-free anti-dust coating

File Size/File Formats/Video

	image size	formats	Video
Sony A380	4592 x 3056 4592 x 2576 3408 x 2272 3408x 1920 2288 x 1520 2288 x 1280	RAW RAW + JPEG JPEG Fine JPEG Norm	None

Processing/AF Points/AF Modes

	Processing	AF Points	AF Modes
Sony A380	BIONZ	9-point AF	Single-Shot AF Continuous AF Automatic AF Manual focus/ Auto Selectable

Viewfinder/Display

	Viewfinder	LCD Size	LCD Resolution
Sony A230	Optical fixed eye-level Pentamirror type Frame coverage 95% (approx.) Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.74x with 50mm lens at infinity	2.7 inch TFT LCD Tiltable	230,400 dots

FPS/ISO/Live View

	FPS	ISO	Live View
Sony A230	2.5 fps	100-3200	90% frame coverage (30 fps display rate) Real-time Image adjustment

Dimensions/Weight/Price

	Dimensions	Weight	Price
Sony A230	5.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 in (128 x 97 x 71 mm)	1.28 lb (489 g)	$850 with SAL 18-55mm $1050 with SAL 18-55mm and SAL 55-200mm

Press Release

Sony Introduces Three Mainstream Alpha Cameras Designed For First-Time Digital SLR Buyers

SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2009 – Sony is making it easy for first-time digital SLR buyers to step up from point-and-shoot digital still cameras with the introduction today of three new easy-to-use α (alpha) cameras (models DSLR-A380, DSLR-A330 and DSLR-A230), four new lenses, a flash and accessories.

Uniquely Matched to Customers’ Needs
The new cameras are designed to overcome challenges faced by many customers taking their first steps in DSLR photography. Without compromising performance and versatility, the new models are smaller, lighter, easier to use and offer innovative expansion options not found in other systems.

“Our new alpha cameras, lenses and accessories make it easier for new users to get the great photos they expect without the steep learning curve that DSLRs have traditionally required,” said Kristen Elder, senior manager for the alpha business at Sony Electronics Inc. “By overcoming the obstacles, we’ve made it much easier for newcomers to take great pictures with DSLRs.”

Light and Compact
The 10.2 megapixel α230 camera is the lightest, most compact alpha DSLR camera body ever at 15.9 ounces. The 10.2 megapixel α330 and the 14.2 megapixel α380 cameras are also smaller and lighter than their predecessor models (the DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350, respectively). These cameras are also more compact and feature an intuitive control layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization is built into each camera body, so every α-mount lens benefits from the ability to minimize blur due to camera shake.

Quick AF Live View System
Both the α380 and α330 cameras offer Sony’s Quick Autofocus (AF) Live View technology, so you can frame photos on the camera’s LCD screen as well as in the optical viewfinder. Through the use of a dedicated image sensor, Quick AF Live View maintains the rapid response of a DSLR, while avoiding the focus delay common to other live view systems.

The new cameras feature a 2.7-inch (diagonally) Clear Photo LCD™ screen that is easy to view even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the LCD on the α380 and α330 models can be tilted up or down, making it easy to frame your subject from high or low positions, otherwise difficult to see using an eye-level viewfinder. The range of adjustment has been increased from their predecessors, making it even easier to get shots from difficult angles.

By combining Quick AF Live View and an adjustable LCD, users can frame the scene without holding the camera in front of their face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children for more natural expressions.

An HDMI™ terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in high definition quality (HDMI cable required, sold separately). Additionally, BRAVIA® Sync™ works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television’s remote (HDMI cable and BRAVIA Sync capable HDTV required, sold separately).

The new cameras include dedicated slots for high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media (sold separately).

Built-in Help Guide
The α380, α330 and α230 models are Sony’s first DSLR cameras to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) with built-in on-screen Help Guide.

The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of various modes and settings, while the Graphic Display helps you understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.

Systems, Lenses and Flash
Making it easier for first-time DSLR users to get started, the new Sony cameras come in camera-and-lens packages. In addition to the two new standard zoom and telephoto lenses that are offered with the camera bodies, the company introduced new portrait and macro lenses. These purpose-built lenses make it much easier to obtain professional-looking, creative results.

Optimized for use with APS-C sized image sensors, these lenses feature a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) that enables in-lens auto focus (AF) drive for smooth, quiet operation, and high optical performance in a compact size.

The DT 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens (model SAL-1855) incorporates aspherical and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to provide an all purpose lens with outstanding image quality. The DT 55-200mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens (model SAL-55200/2) features an ED glass element and helps bring distant subjects closer, ideal for capturing sports. Both the SAL-1855 and SAL-55200 lenses are available separately, or packaged as kits with the new cameras.

To make the benefits of portrait and macro photography easier and more accessible, Sony is introducing a DT 50mm F/1.8 portrait lens (model SAL-50F18) and DT 30mm F/2.8 (model SAL-30M28) macro lens. The wide aperture SAL-50F18 lens helps users capture beautiful portraits with gently defocused backgrounds while the SAL-30M28 macro lens captures intricate close-ups. Both techniques are difficult to achieve with standard lenses.

To help users take better shots with flash, Sony offers an affordable, compact external flash unit (model HVL-F20AM) that is simple to operate. Unlike a camera’s built-in flash, this external flash provides higher output (Guide Number 20), and enables users to bounce light off the ceiling to eliminate harsh shadows and achieve more even illumination when shooting indoors.

Pricing and Availability
Pre-orders will begin on May 18, 2009 at www.sonystyle.com/retail and at selected retailers nationwide. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available in July at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

The α380L, α330L and α230L will cost about $850, $650 and $550, respectively. The L series one-lens kit comes with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens.

The α380Y, α330Y and α230Y will cost about $1050, $850 and $750, respectively. The Y series two-lens kit comes with both the SAL-1855 standard zoom and SAL-55200 telephoto zoom lenses.

The SAL-1855 standard zoom lens will cost about $200.
*

The SAL-55200 telephoto zoom lens will cost about $230.
*

The SAL-50F18 portrait lens will cost about $150.
*

The HVL-F20AM flash will cost about $130.

###

Continue the Discussion

Join us on Facebook! Become a fan of Neutralday today!

Become a fan of Neutralday on Facebook. Interact with us and stay updated on what's coming next at Neutralday, photography news, and other fans' insights.