http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/ Engadget Comments for Sony debuts Alpha A850, A550 and A500 DSLRs http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
I'd buy a sony because of its konica minolta roots, but its memory stick format just blows.]]>Aug 27th 2009 10:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:12AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
People whining about the inclusion of Memory Stick when another slot that accepts a more widely used is also present on a device strikes me as being negative just to be negative. Customers moving up from existing Sony cameras appreciate the fact that they don't have to necessarily buy a new card to use these cameras. Sony would be idiots to force their loyal customers to buy into (for them at least) a new memory format just to own the newest stuff. They even included a MS to CF adapter with every A100 DSLR (which was clearly based on an existing KM design) to encourage current Sony P&S owners into buying the new Alpha.

And about video capture on a DSLR, I've used many different models with this capability and with the exception of the Pana GH1, they have all had some usability issues--slow AF speeds, or no video AF to speak of, jerky manual zoom (generally the fault of the kit lens), and poor sound among others. Don't get me wrong, the image quality is excellent if shot in HD resolutions and proper frame rates. I don't see the benefit of offering 1080p capture if you have to do it at 20fps. Fix crap like this and I may look for video capture as a standard feature in a DSLR. Until then I'll use a video camcorder to take video and a still camera to take stills.]]>Aug 27th 2009 10:40AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
But memory stick still blows, it used to be commonly much more expensive for whatever capacity, and I hold a grudge against the memory card format.]]>Aug 27th 2009 11:27AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/I do admit not seeing the SD compatibility (engadget had no working links when i posted)

wow, ppl must love memory stick.

And why defend lack of features?

=/ tough crowd today.]]>Aug 27th 2009 11:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 11:56AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:23PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:11AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:15AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:22AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:46AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
I think you misunderstood me, a full-frame DSLR for $2000 is awesome.

Now if only Sony could make their lenses a little more cheaper..]]>Aug 27th 2009 10:57AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:08PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
Now we need a Nikon response.

Very good times to be a photog.]]>Aug 27th 2009 10:20AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 10:54AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 3:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 11:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 12:10PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 11:14AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
Here's a brief break down....

There's an intensely populated group of up and coming indie filmmakers utilizing the video features on DSLRs because the APC-C size or full frame size sensor renders a more natural (i.e. limited DOF, and higher DR) image than that of a traditional video camera.
The fact you can also change lenses is an incredible added bonus.
If want to do that with a traditional video camera, you have to pay a whole lot more, and even then, the image quality pales because of the inferior sized sensors used in traditional video cameras.
Typical consumers may not realize this, but there a lot of Pros and enthusiasts who do.

Pay a visit to Cinema 5D, or just check out the plethora of 5DmkII videos on Vimeo.
The D90 also has quite a following, as will the D300s.
Panasonic's GH1 has been doing great as well, especially since the whole system was optimized for video from the start.

Point is, with a fully manual DSLR in video mode like that of the 5DmkII (which I happen to own and use) a lot of professional photo and video work can be accomplished that can't be done with video cameras costing 3 or 4 times as much. That is a fact.
Go to any major video BB forum and take a peek at all the activity among professionals and enthusiasts surrounding the 5DmkII, D90, and GH1, you'll see. It's a revolution.

Even RED digital cinema changed their strategy to accomodate these developments with hybrid DSLRs by optimizing their gear to do the same. The only company dragging their heels right now is Sony. And they're doing it simply to protect their video division, which is failing. Sony's planned obsolescence strategy might work when they want to sell more PS3's, but it won't work here.]]>Aug 27th 2009 5:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/You know they can do it, but they've deliberately left it out to protect their video segment.
Too bad that didn't stop Canon.
Sucks to be you Sony.
]]>Aug 27th 2009 1:01PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/I'm in the market for a new camera just now - looking at a 5d mkII, but if the soon-to-be-released 7d had more photog-friendly features (low noise at high ISO, ISO 25 for landscapes, better AF), that'd be my boy. We'll see.]]>Aug 27th 2009 1:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 3:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Yes, I don't use it that often. When I do, it is quite fun. Plus the IQ is quite good.

Sony is shooting themselves in the foot. ]]>Aug 27th 2009 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 1:54PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 9:06PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/
A full frame with a street of hopefully less than $2k is not bad.]]>Aug 27th 2009 2:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/You buy an SLR to take nice pictures, you buy a video camera to take nice videos.
The more features you cram into something, the more it deviates away from it's original purpose.]]>Aug 27th 2009 2:36PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 9:07PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Aug 27th 2009 3:59PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/27/sony-debuts-alpha-a850-a550-and-a500-dslrs/Anyone who's expressed even the slightest discontent with Sony deliberately leaving out video features gets the negative push.]]>Aug 27th 2009 5:34PM