Main Review Sony Alpha

 

 

Sony Alpha, stylized as Sony α (Greek letter alpha), is a digital SLR camera system introduced on 5 June 2006.

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 Konica-Minolta's photography operations in early 2006. Sony also has an 11.08% ownership stake in Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron,[2] which is known to have partnered with Konica Minolta and Sony in the design and manufacture of many zoom 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.) Sony adopted the name "A-mount system" for the Minolta AF lens mount which has been retained in their new SLR range.[3]
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. [4] Between 2006 and 2008 Sony was the fastest growing company on the DSLR market, reaching 13% market share in 2008 to become the third largest DSLR company in the world.[5] In August 2011, Sony confirmed that it is working on the production of full-frame Alpha cameras. [6] In May 2010, Sony introduced two Alpha NEX mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras equipped with proprietary Sony E-mount

Camera bodies

List of Sony Alpha cameras


Sony Alpha 900 with Carl Zeiss 135mm f/1.8


Sony Alpha 55 with Sony 1680Z (Carl Zeiss)


Sony Alpha 390 with 18-55 lens

The Sony Alpha model system works on the principle that the next model up in the series has additional features to the one below e.g. the α330 has the features of the base model α230 but with a tilt-angle LCD and Quick AF Live View; whilst the α380 has the settings and features of the α330 but increased resolution of 14.2 megapixels.
All Sony APS-C DSLRs have Live View, except for the Sony α100, α200 and α700 series. Live View mode features a 1.4x or 2x Smart Teleconverter which digitally zooms in on the subject and reproduces pixels on a 1:1 basis, preventing degradation of picture quality.

The designation "SLT" stands for "Single Lens Translucent" (a misnomer) which refers to a fixed beam splitter in the image path. Sony SLT can shoot movie files at Full HD 1080p AVCHD with continuous phase detection auto focus.[9]
Along with the α33 and α55 cameras, Sony also announced the Sony α560 which can also shoot movie files at full HD stereo 1080p AVCHD, but with limited manual controls and no continuous AF.

Sony α33, α55 and α560 use the same technology Sony EXMOR APS HD CMOS sensor. The α33 and α55 are SLT based (fixed translucent mirrors) and can take movie files with continuous Auto Focus, whereas DSLRs using reflex mirrors typically cannot, at least not without limitations.

Lenses and tele-converters

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 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.

On 18 May 2009 Sony introduced the first A-mount lenses to feature their new SAM

(Smooth Auto-focus Motor) in-lens auto-focus motor for more lens-specific AF Speed improvements

. This introduction was made with the new X+30 series camera bodies (α350 + 30 = α380). These new bodies retain an in-body focus motor for backward compatibility with the historic lens collection. In addition, the new bodies utilize HDMI output for display on HDTV sets and feature dual memory card slots for both Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo chips as well as SDHC media format, while eliminating CompactFlash support.


Designations

DT "Digital Technology", lenses for cameras with APS-C or Super-35mm size sensors, only. Cannot reasonably be used on 24x36mm full-frame cameras.
G "Gold" series, Sony's line-up of high-grade lenses.
ZA "Zeiss Alpha", manufactured and designed lenses by Carl Zeiss specifically made for Sony Alpha cameras.
SSM "SuperSonic Motor", silent in-lens ultrasonic motor used on some lenses. Can be used with manual focusing on cameras without SSM support (Minolta film bodies released before 2000).
SAM "Smooth Autofocus Motor", cheap in-lens motor offered on some entry level lenses since 2009. Supported by all cameras which also support SSM lenses. Can be used with manual focusing on cameras without SSM support (Minolta film bodies released before 2000).

Lenses

Main article: List of Sony A-mount lenses
Sony produces a variety of A-mount lenses, largely carried over from the Minolta models.


Other accessories

[edit]Flash system
Main article: iISO flash shoe


iISO flash shoe used on Alpha DSLR

The hot shoe on Sony DSLR/SLT and some NEX (carried over from Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax/Alpha and its bridge digital DiMAGE A1/A2/A200 series) is not of the same design used by most other camera and accessory 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 the Minolta Program Flash 3600HS(D) and the Minolta Program Flash 5600HS(D). Later on Sony expanded its flash system further, allowing advanced wireless flash control, including grouping of external flashes into groups with full ratio control.

The HVL-RLAM is a ring-shaped LED continuous light, adapted for macro photos of static objects. The Sony flash system does not include a ring flash.

Model VX code Guide number [m] ISO Comments
HVL-F20AM 20 100
HVL-F36AM 36 100 identical to Minolta Program Flash 3600HS(D)
HVL-F42AM VX9039 42 100
HVL-F43AM 43 100
HVL-F56AM VX8950 56 100 identical to Minolta Program Flash 5600HS(D)
HVL-F58AM VX9010 58 100
HVL-MT24AM 24 100 Macro twin flash similar to Minolta Macro Twin Flash T-2400 with Minolta Macro Flash Controller MFC-1000, but lacking the jack for the Minolta Macro Ring Flash R-1200/1200AF
HVL-RLAM LED ring light, not a flash
HVL-LE1 LED video light, not a flash