Sony launches Alpha A450 DSLR

Sony just expanded the Alpha DSLR with the new A450. It's got the same 14.2 sensor and BIONZ processor as the A550, but it doesn't have the fast-AF live view focus system or flip-out LCD screen -- you'll be looking at relatively small 2.6-inch fixed screen. Price doesn't seem to be official yet, but we're hearing it'll come in under $1,000, so it could deliver some decent bang for the buck. Great -- but we're hoping we'll hear some more about those rumored 3D Alphas later this week. Hit the read links for some more pics.

[revoltracers Posted Jan 4th 2010 10:56PM]

Hmm... Not very interesting.

[scape Posted Jan 4th 2010 11:06PM]

while laptops get cheaper and cheaper, cameras seem to be getting more expensive lately...

[Billy Posted Jan 4th 2010 11:16PM]

Sounds decent enough, but a 3.0 inch screen is already a mass feature....

[YuriTenshi Posted Jan 4th 2010 11:52PM]

How many DSLRs does Sony need to release under $1k? This is number six.

Sony, work on making some good and cheaper lenses. It's sad when brand new lenses (aside from the highly expensive G models) can't compete with lenses from 25 years ago in price or IQ (and are made of cheap plastic).

There is little to no reason to buy these cameras, Nikon is doing better in pretty much every way at every price point. The only reason I went with my a350 was because it was half off, at which price it was very competitive (even after factoring in the price of a replacement for the absolute garbage kit lens). These newer cameras that Sony are knocking out (besides the full frame models) look more like a downgrade from my a350 than anything else.

[YpoCaramel Posted Jan 5th 2010 12:04AM]

@YuriTenshi I agree. 2-3 models is plenty. One or two consumer models and a prosumer (respectively Rebel 1000D and 500D for Canon or D3000 and D5000 for Nikon) should be fine - I think Sony needs to improve its auto functions at the low end and give more control at the high end.

[chych Posted Jan 5th 2010 12:10AM]

It's simple, Sony will phase out the a2xx and a3xx cameras, because they are crap and obsolete, very weak against Canon/Nikon. The a450/500/550 will be Sony's 3 sub-$1k cameras, and the a450 will go to $500 range. Still waiting for a new 7 series camera though.

[streetsmart Posted Jan 5th 2010 1:32PM]

instead of pumping out less researched crap cameras every week, ....sony should really focus and bring out good quality products that could beat canon and nikon....
This race of "quantity" will kill quality, then kill competitors and finally they gets killed themselves !! Its a vicious circle of bad quality/cheap price.