Mike Wazowski

iTrader: (113)

I am looking at picking one of these up in August. What do you Digital SLR gurus think of these specs:



Specifications
Imaging Device: 10.2 (effective) APC CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter
Chipset: Bionz™ Processor LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+)
Recording Media: Memory Stick® Duo/Memory Stick PRO™ Duo media (via MSAC-MCF1N adaptor); CompactFlash™ Type I/ CompactFlash Type II / media
Shutter Speed: 30 ~ 1/4000 sec, with Bulb
Exposure: Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator
EV Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps
ISO: Auto/100/200/400/800/1600/Lo80/Hi200
LCD: 2.5-inch (measured diagonally) TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo LCD Plus ™ design
Histogram: Yes, Playback
Microphone/Speaker: No/ No
Red-Eye Reduction: Yes: On/ Off
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash ( with custom White Balance color temperature adjustments)
Burst Mode: Continuous burst mode at 3 FPS to limit of media; Up to 6 RAW images in burst.
Color Mode(s): Black & White, Standard, Vivid, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)
Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait
Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
Still Image Mode(s): Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), High-speed Burst (JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG), RAW (.ARW)
Memory Stick® Duo/Memory Stick PRO™ Duo Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function
Flash Modes: Manual Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Flash Effective Range: GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
Output(s): Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable
USB Port(s): Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed
Battery Type: NP-FM55 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
Battery Capacity: 7.2V, 1600 mAh; **** standard: approx. 750 pictures
Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser for Sony v1.1 (Windows), Image Data Converter SR Ver. 1.1 (Windows & Macintosh), USB Driver
Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh®
OS X (v 10.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.
Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor
Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz (545 g) body, not including battery, lens and media
Dimensions (WHD): (WHD) 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 2 7/8" (133 x 95 x 71 mm)

SAL1870 DT18-70mm F3.5-5.6 Lens Specifications:
DT 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Standard Zoom
DT Lens Design for optimum DSLR performance
Superb wide-angle to mid-range telephoto shots
Aspherical Lens Elements for wide-angle accuracy
ED Glass for telephoto shots with well defined colors
Circular Aperture for pleasing defocused effects
Focal Length – 35mm Equivalent: 18-70 mm" to "27-105 mm
Angle of View – 35mm Equivalent: N/A
Angle of View – APS: 76 - 23 degrees
Min Focus Distance: 1’ 2.4" (38 cm)
Aperture – Maximum: f3.5-5.6
Aperture – Minimum: f22-36
Maximum Magnification: 0.25X
Lens Construction: 11 elements in 9 groups with 7 aperture blades
Filter Diameter: 55 mm
Dimensions: 2-5/8 x 3-1/8” (66 x 77 mm)
Weight: 8.3 oz (235 g)
Supplied Accessories: Front and rear lens cap, SH0006 lens hood

Supplied Accessories:
NP-FM55 Lithium-Ion Battery
BC-VM10 Battery Charger
Video Cable
USB Cable
Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
MSAC-MCF1N MS-Duo to CF Adaptor
Body cap
Accessory shoe cap
Image Data Converter SR Ver.1.1/Picture Motion Browser Ver.1.1 CD-ROM

350zroadster

iTrader: (1)

This is the camera that was jointly developed by Minolta and Sony, shortly after which Minolta was bought out. So this camera killed Minolta.

That said, this is the first Sony Alpha camera that will be on the market. Nobody can really give you an insightful opinion. I have a Minolta 7D which shares a lot of technology and it's a good camera. I'd seriously consider buying this when it comes down in price. Since it's best of both worlds, Minolta had good technology but never had a strong market hold. Sony had strong market hold but they always shoved proprietary technology in your face.

GMZ

iTrader: (6)

Id go for a Canon 5D

gr?

The Sony brand name will draw in people from the point & shoot crowd to the entry level DSLR bodies, which is a good and bad thing. More competition will help drive down prices from those who have a strong hold on the market, mainly Canon and Nikon. Prices of the Canon 350D, Nikon D50 and Nikon D70s should drop.

I don't think the Sony alpha will make a dent in the prosumer line, Canon 30D, Nikon D200 nor will it effect the pro bodies Canon 1D MKIIn, Nikon D2x.

Judging from Sony's track record on the sensor, expect above average noise on anything higher than ISO 800 (Nikon's use Sony sensors). This is where Canon continues to have the advantage so sports photographers will continue to purchase Canon bodies until Nikon (or Sony) can produce a sensor that is on par with the Canon units.

That being said, I'd still buy a Canon or Nikon body over a Sony unit (if I was starting from scratch) until they have an established product line of lenses. Yeah, they've got the Zeiss name but they have to prove themselves on this market.