Sony DSLRA100B Digital SLR Camera - is this a possible DSLR imaging device?

[h0ughy (David)]

Sony DSLRA100B Digital SLR Camera

Ok anyone know, felt, smelt or seen one of these babies!

The new A100 Digital SLR camera from Sony. With 10.2 Megapixels, Super SteadyShot built into the camera body to combat picture blur, and an advanced anti-dust protection system for the CCD this camera is the culmination of the most advanced digital technology, precision optics and innovative design.
Compatible with a full range of Sony Digital SLR lenses and optional accessories the result is a full Digital SLR system that is quite simply like no other.

Key features

10.8 Mega Pixel APS-C sized CCD (10.2 Mega Pixel effective)
Sony Lens Compatibility
Super SteadyShot inside for image stabilisation
Dust Reduction System with Anti-Dust Coating & Anti-Dust Vibration mechanism Shift Mechanism
Continuous Shooting - up to 3 frames per second with unlimited JPEG capture (dependent on the speed and capacity of the recording media being used)
Bionz Engine for powerful image processing
D-Range Optimizer for exposure analysis and correction
Auto Focus/Manual Focus Selectable (Auto Focus Modes: AF Automatic Selection, One-shot AF, Continuous AF, Direct Manual Focus)
Eye-Start Auto Focus
Scene Selector (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Evening, Night View, Night Portrait)
2.5" Clear Photo LCD Plus
Long-Life Stamina Battery (approx. 750 shots by CIPA measurement)
Built-in Flash (GN12 - in metres at ISO100)
Specifications

General

Camera Type: Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses
Lens Used: All Sony lenses, Konica Minolta Maxxum/Dynax Alpha Lenses
Image Capture

Sensor: 23.6 x 15.8mm (APS-C size) interlace scan CCD with primary colour filter
No. of pixels: Total: 10.8 megapixels; Effective: 10.2 megapixels
Aspect ratio : 3:2
Dust reduction: Static-resistant anti-dust coating (Indium Tin Oxide) with Anti-Dust Vibration mechanism
Sensitivity : Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, Lo 80, Hi 200
Recording

Recording media: Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo (includes Memory Stick Duo adaptor for CompactFlash slot), Compact Flash (Type I & II), Microdrive
Format function: FAT 12, 16, 32
A/D conversion : 12 bit
File Format : JPEG, RAW, RAW+JPEG (DCF 2.0 compliant, DPOF 1.1 print functions supported, Exif 2.21 supported)
No. of recorded pixels: L (10MP): 3,872 x 2,592; M (5.6MP): 2,896 x 1,936; S (2.5MP): 1,920 x 1,280
Colour modes: sRGB, Adobe RGB
Image quality modes: Standard, Fine, RAW, RAW+JPEG
Noise reduction: Available at shutter speeds longer than 1 sec
Delete function: Single, multiple or all frames in a folder / memory card can be deleted. Folders can be deleted in the File Browser.
D-Range Optimiser : Advanced / Standard / Off (automatically off in M-Mode)
White Balance

Settings : Automatic, Preset (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, Fluorescent light, Flash), colour temperature (2500 - 9900k with 19-step Magenta / Green compensation), custom
Super SteadyShot

System : CCD-shift mechanism
Display: Indicator inside viewfinder
Compensation: Approx. 2EV - 3.5EV decrease in shutter speed (varies according to conditions and lens used)
Display

LCD monitor: 2.5-inch low temperature polysilicon TFT display (Clear Photo LCD Plus), 230,000 total pixels
Information display: Navigation display functions, enlarged text view, camera orientation adjustment
Image display modes : Single image (image only, image + information, image + information + histogram), index (4 / 9 / 16 images), tabbed browsing
Other display functions : Enlarged view (maximum zoom : L size -12x, M size - 9x, S size - 6x), overexposure / underexposure warning, slideshow, image orientation (automatic rotation mode on/off)
AF System

Focus modes : Auto-focus / manual focus selectable (auto-focus modes: AF automatic selection, one-shot AF, continuous AF, direct manual focus)
Main functions : Focus areas selection (wide area / 9-point local frame selection / fixed centre spot focus), predictive focus for moving subjects, auto-tracking focus point, focus lock (by half pressing shutter button or via the spot AF button)
Eye-start AF: Selectable via main menu
Type: TTL phase-detection system
Sensor : CCD line sensors (9 points, 8 lines with centre cross-hair sensor)
Sensitivity range: EV1 - EV18, ISO 100 equivalent
AF illuminator : Activated via built-in flash in lowlight / low-contrast situations, range: 1 - 5m
AE System

Exposure modes: Program AE (Auto mode / P-Mode, with program shift), aperture-priority AE (A-Mode), shutter-priority AE (S-Mode), manual (M-Mode)
Scene selector: Portrait, landscape, macro, sports, evening, night, night portrait
Metering type: Direct TTL metering (40- segment honeycomb-pattern metering, center-weighted metering, spot metering)
Metering sensor: 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
Metering range : EV1 - EV20 (EV4 - EV20 with spot metering), ISO 100 equivalent with F1.4 lens
Exposure compensation: +/- 2EV (1/3 EV increments)
AE lock: Automatically activated with AF lock, available with AE lock button
Built-In Flash

Flash metering and control: ADI/ Pre- flash TTL flash metering, manually activated
Effective area: 18mm lens coverage equivalent (same focal length)
Flash modes: Automatic, Fill flash, Red-eye reduction pre-flash, Rear Sync Flash, Wireless*, High-speed sync*, Slow sync (with AE lock on) *Requires compatible external flash
Guide no.: GN 12 (in meters at ISO 100)
Flash compensation: +/- 2EV (1/3 EV increments)
Shutter

Type: Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Speed range: 1/4000 sec. -30 sec., bulb
Flash sync speed: 1/160 sec. (1/125 sec. with Super SteadyShot on)
Viewfinder

Type : Fixed eye-level
Pentaprism : Roof mirror type
Diopter control: -2.5 - 1.0m-1
Shooting

Exposure bracketing: Single or continuous shot (3 frames), 0.3EV / 0.7EV increments
White balance bracketing: 3 frames, 2-step increments
Continuous shooting rate: Up to 3 frames per second
Continuous shooting limit: JPEG: unlimited (depending on media write speed and capacity), RAW: 6 frames, RAW+JPEG 3 frames
Self-timer: 10 sec., 2 sec. (with mirror up), LED and buzzer signals
Digital effect control modes: Adjustment functions: 8 modes (standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Evening, Night / Night Portrait, Monochrome, Adobe RGB), contrast, saturation and sharpness settings (+/- 2 steps) are also possible
Other functions: After-view, depth-of-field preview, zone-matching
Others

Printing output control: Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge
Power

Battery: NP-FM55H
Power display: 5 levels
External power source: AC adaptor - AV-VQ900AM (optional)
Battery performance: Approx. 750 frames recorded (CIPA measurement)
Connectivity

PC interface : USB2.0 Hi-Speed (mass storage mode / PTP mode)
Compatible OS: Microsoft Windows Me / 2000 Professional / XP Home Edition / XP Professional, Macintosh Mac OS X (v.10.1.3 and later)
Video output: NTSC / PAL selectable
Size

Dimensions (WxHxD) : Approx. 133.1 x 94.7 x 71.3mm (5.2" x 3.7" x 2.8")
Weight Approx.: 545g (not including battery or accessories)
Supplied Accessories:

Accessory shoe cap
Battery Charger BC-VM10
Body cap
Image Data Converter SR Ver.1.1/Picture Motion Browser Ver.1.1
Info Lithium Battery NPFM55H
MS Duo Adapter for CF Slot
Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
USB Cable
Video Cable

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Is there a price anywhere in that h0ughy?

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

I'm thinking of joining the DSLR club so I've been carefully studying the reviews at www.dpreview.com (and wherever else I can find them) and noise at 400+ ISO seems to be the main shortcoming of this Sony camera when compared with the Canons (and it costs quite a bit more than a 350/400D).

[jakob]

When I first read of the Sony A100 I was very imressed especially the stabilizer (my current Camera has it and I like it). But now I had a chance to use a Nikon D70s I'm no longer a fan of the Sony.
Nikon is just another class.
The D80 is more expensive (~400) but I think the Nikon is the one for me.

I like to hear other views.

[Harb]

Based on the same CCD chip as the Nikon D200.............
Similar performance throughout I believe.

[Gargoyle_Steve (Steve)]

There is a VERY good article on the Sony in the current issue of Silicon Chip (Aussie electronics mag) - the optical / lense design and construction is all Konica/Minolta so it uses their lenses too, stand K/M mount system.

The mag's at home, I'm at work, will try and get more info posted here, that is if there's anything significant you havent already got listed Houghy!

[iceman (Mike)]

I've read a few reviews, seems to be a quite capable camera. The lenses are the old Minolta ones..

I'd still prefer the 400D due to the quality and reputation of the lenses available.

[sheeny (Al)]

I think Zeiss lenses are also available for the Sony. Noise at 400ASA and above is the same as the Nikon equivalent (same chip - essentially!) but not as good as the Canon.

Check out the dpreview reviews hOughy.

The Sony looks good to me except for the noise levels at high ASA for astro work.

Al.

[sejanus (Gavin)]

I don't think it would be wise getting on the sony bandwagon for a few years - all their lenses and accessories/flash are all new and unproven. The canon/nikon camp are all tried and known.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

There is a VERY good article on the Sony in the current issue of Silicon Chip (Aussie electronics mag) - the optical / lense design and construction is all Konica/Minolta so it uses their lenses too, stand K/M mount system.

The mag's at home, I'm at work, will try and get more info posted here, that is if there's anything significant you havent already got listed Houghy!

Hey I am open to ideas and views, just looking and window shopping, thats why I dropped this here to get some values and unbiased input. Besides I would be dead If I turned up with another camera. I already have pentax *istDS and canon 350D

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by sejanus

I don't think it would be wise getting on the sony bandwagon for a few years - all their lenses and accessories/flash are all new and unproven. The canon/nikon camp are all tried and known.

yeah I agree but I was thinking of a DSLR to just attach to a scope, no lenses

[sejanus (Gavin)]

but don't you want low noise?

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by sejanus

but don't you want low noise?

yes, thats why asking the casual questions-

[sejanus (Gavin)]

canon's really are the king of the roost for slr's with noise at this point in time.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Don't even think of it Dave. Even casual speculation on this subject could have dire consequences.