Sony α
5436324
225417273
2008-07-13T16:03:42Z
82.218.9.66
/* User Sites */
{{SpecialCharsNote}}
'''Sony α''' ([[Greek language|Greek]] letter [[Alpha (letter)|alpha]]) is a [[digital SLR]] camera system introduced on [[June 5]], [[2006]]<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Sony enters the D-SLR camera market with innovative technologies to expand the creative possibilities
| publisher = [[Sony]]
| date = [[2006-06-05]]
| url = http://news.sel.sony.com/en/press_room/consumer/digital_imaging/digital_cameras/pslr/release/22445.html
| accessdate = 2006-08-31 }}</ref>. It utilizes and expands upon [[Konica Minolta]] camera technologies, including the [[Minolta AF]] SLR lens mount, whose assets were acquired by [[Sony]] after the end of Minolta's camera operations in early 2006. Sony also has an 11.08% ownership stake in [[Japan|Japanese]] lens manufacturer [[Tamron]],<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Stock Information
| publisher = Tamron Co., Ltd.
| date= 2006-08-04
| url = http://www.tamron.co.jp/en/investors/ir/index.html
| accessdate = 2006-08-11 }}</ref> which is known to have designed most of, and is purported to manufacture the DT lenses.
Prior to the acquisition by Sony, the ''α'' branding had already been used on the Japanese market by Minolta for their AF camera system (marketed as "Dynax" in Europe, and "Maxxum" in North America.)<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta#Autofocus_SLRs</ref> Sony adopted the name "α mount system" for the Minolta AF lens mount which has been retained in their new SLR range.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Sony decides α as new brand for digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras
| publisher = [[Sony]]
| date = [[2006-04-20]]
| url = http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/News/Press/200604/06-033E/
| accessdate = 2006-09-29 }}</ref>
Sony's entry into the DSLR market dates back to July 2005 where a joint venture with [[Konica Minolta]] would have resulted in both companies marketing an updated line of DSLRs to the masses.
<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Konica Minolta and Sony Agree to Jointly Develop Digital SLR Cameras
| publisher = Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.
| date = [[2005-07-19]]
| url = http://konicaminolta.com/releases/2005/0719_01_01.html
| accessdate = 2007-06-10
| quote = ''Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. and Sony Corporation have reached an agreement to jointly develop digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras.''
}}</ref>
==Camera Bodies==
{| class="wikitable"
!Body
!Release Date
!Sensor
|-align="center"
|colspan="3"|'''APS-C'''
|-
|[[Sony α 100|α 100]]
|Jul 06
|CCD
|-
|[[Sony α 700|α 700]]
|Sep 07
|CMOS
|-
|[[Sony α 200|α 200]]
|Jan 08
|CCD
|-
|[[Sony α 300|α 300]]
|Jan 08
|CCD
|-
|[[Sony α 350|α 350]]
|Jan 08
|CCD
|}
==Future Camera Bodies==
{{future product}}
At [[PMA 2007]], in addition to the α700, another model was announced, referred to being the "flagship" model, with professional-level specifications. It estimated to have a release date of 2008 and may be named DSLR-A900.<ref>{{cite press release
| title = Sony Alpha SLR cameras
| publisher = [[PMA]]
| date = [[2007-03-08]]
| url = http://www.pma-show.com/0209/sony/digitalslrcamera/sony_alpha_slr_cameras/
| accessdate = 2007-03-11 }}</ref>
On January 31, 2008, Sony announced the success in developing a 12-bit, 24.81 megapixel [[full frame]] image sensor, capable of capturing images at 6.3 fps speed <ref>[http://www.theinquirer.net/gb/inquirer/news/2008/01/31/sony-claims-megapixel-camera The Inquirer report], retrieved February 1, 2008</ref>.
==Lenses and Tele-converters==
{{split|α mount|date=November 2007}}
The α lens mount, originally known as the A-type [[Bayonet mount]] was introduced by Minolta in 1985 as the world's first autofocus system. As a result, virtually all Minolta AF lenses are supported on Sony DSLRs, and many Sony lenses should work on Minolta's film and digital SLRs.
During the initial introduction of the α system in 2006, Sony announced 19 lenses and 2 tele-converters, of which the majority are rebranded Konica Minolta lenses. MSRP and month of introduction are included for these lenses, below.
At the 2007 PMA Trade Show, Sony unveiled several new lenses, but has referred to them only in qualitative terms, not providing specific specifications. As a result, these newly announced lenses are not included in this list.
===Designations===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
||'''DT'''
||"Digital Technology", lenses for [[APS-C]] size [[Image sensor|sensors]]
|-
||'''G'''
||G Series, professional lenses
|-
||'''SSM'''
||"SuperSonic Motor", in-lens [[ultrasonic motor]] used on some long telephoto G Series lenses.
|-
||'''ZA'''
||"Zeiss Alpha", new lenses manufactured under license from [[Zeiss|Carl Zeiss]]
|}
===Rebranded Konica Minolta Lenses===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|
!|Lens
!|RRP
!|Release Date
|-align="center"
|colspan="4"|'''Zoom Lenses'''
|-
||[[Minolta AF DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 lens|Article]]
||DT 11-18mm {{f/}}4.5-5.6
||US$650
||Aug 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 lens|Article]]
||DT 18-70mm {{f/}}/3.5-5.6
||US$200, Standard α100 Kit Lens
||Jul 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens|Article]]
||DT 18-200mm {{f/}}3.5-6.3
||US$500
||Jul 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 lens|Article]]
||24-105mm {{f/}}3.5-4.5
||US$470
||Nov 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM lens|Article]]
||70-200mm {{f/}}2.8 G SSM
||US$1999
||Aug 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 lens|Article]]
||75-300mm {{f/}}4.5-5.6
||US$230
||Jul 06
|-align="center"
|colspan="4"|'''Prime Lenses'''
|-
||[[Minolta AF 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens|Article]]
||16mm {{f/}}2.8 [[Fisheye lens|Fisheye]]
||US$1000
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 20mm f/2.8 lens|Article]]
||20mm {{f/}}2.8
||US$680
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 28mm f/2.8 lens|Article]]
||28mm {{f/}}2.8
||US$250
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 35mm f/1.4 G lens|Article]]
||35mm {{f/}}1.4 G
||US$1400
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 50mm f/1.4 lens|Article]]
||50mm {{f/}}1.4
||US$350
||Jul 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens|Article]]
||50mm {{f/}}2.8 Macro
||US$480
||Jul 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 100mm f/2.8 Macro lens|Article]]
||100mm {{f/}}2.8 Macro
||US$680
||Jul 06
|-
||[[Minolta STF 135mm f/2.8 T4.5* lens|Article]]
||135mm {{f/}}2.8 Smooth Transition Focus (STF)
||US$1200
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 300mm f/2.8 G SSM lens|Article]]
||300mm {{f/}}2.8 G SSM
||US$6000
||Sep 06
|-
||[[Minolta AF 500mm Reflex lens|Article]]
||500mm {{f/}}8 [[Catadioptric#Photographic_catadioptric_lenses|Reflex]]
||US$700
||Oct 06
|}
===Rebranded Tele-converters===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|Model
!|RRP
!|Release Date
|-
||1.4× Tele-converter
||US$600
||Sep 06
|-
||2× Tele-converter
||US$650
||Sep 06
|}
===New Carl Zeiss lenses===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|
!|Lens
!|RRP
!|Release Date
|-align="center"
|colspan="4"|'''Zoom Lenses'''
|-
||[[Sony Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA lens|Article]]
||[[Vario-Sonnar]] T* DT 16-80mm {{f/}}3.5-4.5 ZA
||US$700
||Apr 07
|-
||[[Sony Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm SSM f/2.8 ZA lens|Article]]
||[[Vario-Sonnar]] T* 24-70mm SSM {{f/}}2.8 ZA
||US$1700
||Feb 08
|-align="center"
|colspan="4"|'''Prime Lenses'''
|-
||[[Sony Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA lens|Article]]
||[[Zeiss Planar|Planar]] T* 85mm {{f/}}1.4 ZA
||US$1300
||Oct 06
|-
||[[Sony Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA lens|Article]]
||[[Zeiss Sonnar|Sonnar]] T* 135mm {{f/}}1.8 ZA
||US$1400
||Oct 06
|}
===September 2007 Lens Lineup Expansion===
Several new lenses were unveiled along with the announcement of the a700 body.
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|
!|Lens
!|RRP
!|Release Date
|-align="center"
|colspan="4"|'''Zoom Lenses'''
|-
||Article
||DT 16-105mm {{f/}}3.5-5.6
||
||
|-
||Article
||DT 18-250 {{f/}}3.5-6.3
||
||
|-
||Article
||DT 55-200 {{f/}}4-5.6
||
||
|-
||Article
||70-300 {{f/}}4.5-5.6 G SSM
||$800
||Apr 2008
|}
==Other accessories==
===External flash units===
The [[hot shoe]] on Sony DSLRs (carried over from Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax and its bridge digital DiMAGE A1/A2/A200 series) is not of the standard design used by other camera manufacturers. Adaptors, however, are available.
The first two flash models released by Sony (HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM) are, like the first generation of lenses, rebadged models of Minolta design.
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|Model
!|[[Guide number]]
!|ISO
|-
||HVL-F36AM
||36
||100
|-
||HVL-F42AM
||42
||100
|-
||HVL-F56AM
||56
||100
|-
||HVL-F58AM
||58
||100
|}
HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM flashes are rebadged [[Minolta]] Program 3600HS and 5600HS.
===Vertical control grips===
{|class="wikitable" cellpadding="5" border="1" cellspacing="0"
!|Model
!|Bodies
|-
||VG-C70AM
||α700
|-
||VG-B30AM
||α200,α300,α350
|}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
=== Previews ===
*[http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/dslr_a100-review/ DCRP First Look: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100], Jeff Keller, June 5, 2006, Digital Camera Resource Page
*[http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA100/AA100A.HTM Sony DSLR-A100 Overview], Shawn Barnett and Stephanie Boozer, 06/05/2006, The Imaging Resource
*[http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/alpha100.html Sony DSLR-A100 First Look], 6/5/2006, Steve's Digicam
*[http://www.dpreview.com/news/0709/07090601sonydslra700.asp Sony Alpha A700 Preview], Sept 2007, Phil Askey, Digital Photography Review
=== Reviews ===
*[http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-a300-review Sony A300 Review], May 2008, Alpha Mount World
*[http://www.neocamera.com/review_sony_alpha_a200_more.html Sony Alpha A200 Full-Review], April 2008, Neocamera, Cybernium
*[http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a700-review Sony Alpha A700 Review], January 2008, Alpha Mount World
*[http://www.neocamera.com/review_sony_alpha_a700_more.html Sony Alpha A700 Full-Review], November 2007, Neocamera, Cybernium
*[http://neocamera.com/review_sony_alpha_a100_more.html Sony Alpha A100 Full-Review], March 2007, Neocamera, Cybernium
*[http://www.slrtoday.com/articles/35/1/Review-The-Sony-Alpha-DSLR-A100/Page1.html Review: The Sony Alpha DSLR-A100], September 2006, SLR Today
*[http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonydslra100/ Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Review], July 2006, Phil Askey, Digital Photography Review
*[http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/SonyDSLRA700/ Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 In-Depth Review], Phil Askey and Simon Joinson, Digital Photography Review
*[http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-a200-review/ Sony A200 Review], February 2008, Sony's A200 DSLR, closest in lineage to the A100 reviewed
=== User Sites ===
*[http://www.sonyalphagallery.blogspot.com/ Sony Alpha gallery blog] A Photoblog for images taken with the Sony Alpha range
*[http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/model-home.pl?mdl=DSLRA700®ion_id=1 Sony Alpha 700 Support] Official Sony e-Support site for Alpha 700
*[http://www.alpha-foto.at/ Sony Alpha Series], Sony DSLR photos and story's - Sony Alpha Images only.
*[http://sonyalpha.info/sony-alpha-dslr-a300-and-dslr-a350-manual/ Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 Manual] Download Sony Alpha DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350 Manual
*[http://www.dyxum.com/ Dyxum.com], forums and user reviews for Sony Alpha and Konica Minolta dSLRs, inc a Lens database
*[http://www.alphamountworld.com AlphaMountWorld.com] Sony DSLR Reviews, Photography and alpha platform news including Konica Minolta
*[http://photoclubalpha.com/ Photoclub Alpha] Originally a UK Photo club, it's now referred world-wide for Alpha news and information.
*[http://flickr.com/groups/sony_alpha/ Flickr] Sony alpha Group on Flickr
*[http://Dynaxdigital.com/ Dynaxdigital] Forum for all Alpha and Konica Minolta DSLR's
*[http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/alphausers/ alphausers.com (formerly a100group)], A Discussion Forum for all Sony D-SLR Alpha Cameras - past, present and future.
*[http://sonyalpha.info/ Sony Alpha DSLR Information Hub], Press Releases Reviews Sample Photos Price Checks Best Deal
*[http://www.shootalpha.com/ Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 User Support forum], Dedicated a100 resource.
*[http://alphamagic.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/mounting-manual-lenses-on-the-sony-a700/ Alphamagic] Mounting a Manual Lens on the Sony Alpha 700.
*[http://olympuszuiko.wordpress.com/2007/12/22/note-on-sony-alpha-700-firmware-update-to-version-30/ Olympus/Zuiko] Upgrading Sony Alpha 700 firmware to Version 3.0
*[http://www.sonystyle.ca/html/multimedia/AMC/A700_microsite_html/spec/specifications.html Sony Alpha 700 Full Specifications] from sonysite.ca
*[http://alphamagic.wordpress.com/2008/01/03/digital-slr-crop-factor/ Digital Crop Factor] About Lens Multiplication Factors and Apparent Focal Length Increase
*[http://www.sonolta.com/ Sonolta.com], Sony DSLR sample photos and working reviews...100's of Sony images.
*[http://alfaklub.pl/forum Alfaklub] Polish Discussion Forum for all Sony D-SLR Alpha and all Konica Minolta / Minolta Cameras.
{{Sony DSLR cameras}}
{{Sony Corp}}
[[Category:Digital SLR cameras]]
[[Category:Sony cameras]]
[[Category:Sony α| ]]
[[Category:2006 introductions]]
[[Category:Lens mounts]]
[[de:Sony Alpha]]
[[es:Sony Alpha]]
[[ko:소니 DSLR-A100]]
[[ja:Α (カメラ)]]
[[ru:Sony Alpha DSLR-A100]]
[[zh:Sony α]]