Sony's been
pretty generous with the Alpha leaks in the run up to this launch, but it looks like this new trio of DSLRs for "first time" SLR buyers, the Alpha 230, 330 and 380, is ready to go. The press release confirms all of what we
already knew, along with bringing word that the cameras will support SD/SDHC cards in addition to Sony's still-kicking Memory Stick format. The best news is in pricing, however: the shooters will retail in two different kit types, with the L-series cams ringing in at $550, $650 and $850, respectively, when paired with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens. The Y kit series adds a second lens, the telephoto SAL-55200, along with bumping the kit price $200 across the board. Pre-orders will start on May 18th, with the cameras becoming available in July. Oddly, while parts of the press site are live, the press shots are still on lockdown, beyond a nice stack of thumbnails -- we'll keep you posted.
[Via
Photo Rumors]
posted May 16th 2009 8:57PM
SD/SDHC SUPPORT?! WHAT IS THIS BLASPHEMY?!
I actually welcome the idea, as much as I like compact flash I must admit that I am not a fan of cable, having a laptop with an SD card slot would obviously make it a lot easier.
I only hope they don't ditch the compact flash alltogether.
@pizzaman
The reason that SD/SDHC is supported now is that sadly, and not surprisingly, the Compact Flash slot is gone. It was inevitable considering that all the other manufacturers don't offer a CF slot in their entry level cameras (if they support it at all) anymore and have switched to SD. At least now whiners can stop making excuses about how Sony cameras don't have SD card support so they won't be able to use their $5 generic 16GB SDHC card.
Of course, that won't stop people complaining about these cameras not having as wide of a range of lenses even though they won't be buying that $2000 L lens...
I think people are more likely to upgrade their camera from a point-and-shoot if they don't have to buy new memory. (and maybe semi-pros will upgrade too if only the high-ends support what they already have?).
There are advantages to both, maybe they should make one with both.
I'm actually surprised they aren't using Memory Stick Pro SD Duo Mega Spacious Zoom.
So what? Sony is a distant third poor cousin behind Canon and Nikon. Do they sell cameras? Yes! Are they a serious player? No, at least not yet...
I'll take an Olympus before I take a Sony...
Or Pentax...
your comment seems kind of closed minded. while canon and nikon may have the market share (i shoot canon mind you), it's about time somebody started stepping up and trying to keep things competitive. more major players mean more new ideas which means we all win.
Well, Nikon would be nothing without Sony. They make/made sensors and DSPs for the D40, D40x, D60, D70, D80, D90, D100, D200, D300, D2x, D3x, etc.
@elektroboi: You could have a point there, but I'm not sure how serious Sony are about lenses. And for anyone serious about photography, lenses are a bigger investment than the camera body. Perhaps Sony will end up with a diverse range of lenses, like Nikon and Canon, or perhaps they'll do well enough within the market of people who want a good DSLR but aren't too interested in lens choice.
@Justin:
*says generic comment about the huge back catalogue of quality konica minolta lenses that work with alpha dslrs and the quality of the carl zeiss lenses for sony dslrs*
End.
Temple, don't forget to mention that *all* Nikon and *all* Canon point & shoot cameras use Sony sensors. And these companies make a ton of money from that segment too...
@Temple
Nikon still develops the sensors, they know alot and have the patents on imager technology to prove it, Sony just does the fabrication process. It's like contracting work out on the cheap because Sony offers the best deal for Nikon.
Nikon could have done what Canon did and kept development and fabrication all in-house, but they chose not to because for them it wasn't a feasible option. They've managed to do pretty good.
To say that they'd be nowhere without Sony is very far reaching.
There are plenty of other companies out there, both new and old who would be able to help Nikon out with fabrication.
If Sony were so dominant over Nikon, with regard to sensor technology then how is it that Sony is still widely considered substandard image quality (especially at high ISO)j when compared to Nikon DSLRs?
Nikon's got the technology and know-how, Sony just does the labor.
wtf! Low Rank me for Pentax??? White K2000 FTMFW!!!
@Porkchop flava
Because the sensor isn't everything. Nay, it's not nearly as much compared to the amount of image processing software that is on the camera.
So while Sony is still DEVELOPING and fabricating the sensors (you can tell because some of the sensors used in Nikons are exactly the same as in other cameras), they haven't put the work in to the SOFTWARE used in the camera. It's a shame too, because if the A350 had just 1/50th of the firmware updates that the Playstation 3 has had, the image quality could be a LOT better.
I hope this SD card business is a first step to Sony's move for openness.
because goodness knows the CompactFlash cards their other dSLR's were using are so proprietary.... *eye roll*
If I want to use a Memory Stick in my a200 I'd have to use an adapter... a CF to MemStick adapter that is.
Sony is pretty evil in general... but these are pretty much Minolta's with a Sony nametag on it.
I think it's just a really smart way to get P&S users to buy into their DSLR line. That seems to be their main goal with this update, with the refined, sleeker menu. Their original DSLR line was the best bang for buck (in Canada anyway), which is amazing because it's a Sony product, so let's hope the prices drop on these ones.
Oops I forgot we were talking DSLRs here. This would be big news on a Cybershot.
Sony confirms rumor? huh really no way..
Horray! Just in time for the graduation cashflow I'm expecting!
Can somebody please tell me where his link goes before I make the mistake of watching "2 Girls 1 Cup" again?
This was directed at somebody whose post was deleted.
I think the general consensus about companies like Sony is that because they have multiple, completely separate endeavors (TVs, Game Consoles, Cameras, Computers, etc.), they are not great at any one thing, but instead fair/mediocre/okay at everything. Not at all true about Sony.
Their game consoles and TVs are first rate in everything except price. Their point-n-shoot cameras, laptops, and camcorders are definitely the top-3 in their categories, but in terms of features for the price, they are probably the best. Their DSLRs aren't quite top-3, but they are excellent values. Their desktops and MP3 players, on the other hand, are easily forgetable.
Regarding their new DSLRs, I have been hoping for good reviews on the DSLR a230 or a330 so that I can go get one. I have always like the bang-for-the-buck factor on their low end DSLRs, but I keep hearing that their kit lenses were not up to par with canon or nikon kit lenses, hence the new lenses.
But that grip looks a bit troublesome... seriously, wtf?
I went the route last year of getting the intro model (Sony a200), and then pouring money into the accessories. I got a nice 50mm f/1.4, a steal of a deal on a 55-300 that I wasn't even really looking for, and last years model mid-high flash (again... damn good deal).
Any future stuff purchased would be some replacements for the kit lens (I'm thinking the 18-70 f/2.8 from Sigma), and a replacement for the 55-300 (more f/2.8 glass for sure).
And with all of that... it'll still come out slightly under a 2 kit lens Nikon or Canon pack in the mid range.
My a200 does great work in RAW mode (the Sony in body jpg is really pretty nasty), and gets me good quality work.
You don't have to go the Canon/Nikon route... I really do like having built-in stabilization. Means I can pick up older Minolta AF lenses and still get stabilization (maybe I can find a great deal on a near-mint 'beercan'). ;)
I like Olympus and Pentax's latest models too... some good lookers (and again... TONS of glass out there... no matter what the Canon/Nikon people say).
Get a decent camera in your range... and snap pictures. Along the way... you might find a comfort spot to getting good pictures (that is the trick... and very camera independant).
snap snap! :)
My A100 bundle I got a while ago had a 18-70 and a 75-300 lens. they are super. maybe they're cutting the costs but 18-55 can't really do anything... yes it's a feather lighter than the 18-70 lens but I think it'd be much better just to go that extra bit.
...and now I'd like something from 18 that zooms all the way to 2-300mm... but that'll be really expensive and heavy :P gotta weigh up the pros and cons. (pun not intended).
Jon, Sony probably moved to an 18-55 design because their 18-70 wasn't very good. Nikon and Canon's latest 18-55 give quite high resolution and are optically great. Since the new 18-55 has a in-body motor in it, it probably costs even more to make than the 18-70, so no cost cutting there.
There are 18-200 (11x) and 18-250 (14x) lenses out there (not too heavy, not too expensive), but just remember, the more zoom range you get, the less overall quality the lens is (in general). This is why pros never get lenses with more than 3x zoom, because that's about the limit before you start compromising on optical quality.
Anyone know if the A230 will have live view?
No live view on the a230. You'd have to get the a330 for that feature. a230 + live view + tiltable screen = a330.
I really hope the A350 is not replaced by the A380... the A350 is a great backup camera when you can't afford an extra A900 or A700. Although you need a different grip, it has CF compatibility, long battery life (and the same batteries), and decent performance in RAW mode. The new series will need different memory cards and batteries.
I couldn't say that I'd ever consider buying a Sony SLR. I'd rather go for a Canon or Nikon. (Well mostly Nikon)
Long time photography fanatic but haven't picked up a camera in years but getting the itch back. I have a few old Minolta SLR's with a couple basic lenses (including zoom etc). Know its a loaded question but what cameras do you all recommend for a entry/mid range camera ? Is this new Sony one I should consider vs Nikon and Canon? Recommendation + Reasoning would be fantastic. Thanks
If your Minolta SLRs are Maxxums, you may want to check into it to see if your existing lenses are worth anything on a new camera (quality, usefulness, and compatibility). If so, that factors in to the Sony v. Nikon v. Canon equation. Or if you're Mr. Moneybags, then maybe it doesn't. But since you didn't register with that name, I'll assume that the money saved might be worth it.