Sony A900 previewed
A preview of the Sony A900 is now available on dpreview. The spec of the new 24.6Mpixel camera is listed below
While the key specifications have been listed thanks to magazine adverts the price is probably one of the most awaited bits of missing information. It is announced as $2999.99 for the body and is available late October 2008.
While it’s an impressive list of features only time, real hands on reviews and the buying public are going to be the deciders on whether the new Sony flagship is a hit. I must say, personally speaking I think they have made one ugly looking camera!
Key features
- 24.6 MP 35mm format full-frame CMOS sensor (highest res in class)
- SteadyShot INSIDE full frame image sensor shift stabilization (world first)
- High Speed Dual Bionz processors
- Eye-level glass Penta-prism OVF, 100% coverage, 0.74x magnification
- 9 point AF with 10 assist points, center dual-cross AF w/2.8 sensor
- 5 frames per second burst, newly developed mirror box
- Intelligent Preview Function
- 3 User programmable custom memory modes on mode dial
- Advanced Dynamic Range Optimizer (5 step selectable)
- 40 segment honeycomb metering
- 3.0″ 921K pixel Photo Quality (270 dpi) LCD display, 100% coverage
- Direct HDMI output
- ISO 200-3200 (ISO 100-6400 expanded range)
- User interchangeable focusing screens (3 options)
- CF Type I/II and MS slots, LI-ION battery, STAMINA 880 shots
- Weight 850g (without battery, card, accs)
- New Image Data Converter SR software (includes vignetting control)
- New Vertical Grip
- Supplied with wireless remote control
- Magnesium Alloy body and rubber seals for dust and moisture resistance
- AF micro adjustment
Have a look for yourself
Sony A900 seen in public
The Sony A900 has been sited in public and there are shots of it posted at Xitec, it appears to be an A900 with 16-35 lens.
http://forum.xitek.com/showthread.php?threadid=557025
The size of the Pentaprism bulge looks huge and has been commented on;
“it’s the second largest viewfinder in any current full-frame dSLR; 0.74x with 100% coverage. That’s larger than the Nikon D700 and D3, Canon 1D Mk III, and Canon 5D. The only current dSLR with a larger viewfinder is the Canon 1Ds Mk III, with a 0.76x 100% viewfinder.”
Another post concerns a new Sony feature ‘Intelligent Preview’
I do not have all the details, but this is what Sony will offer in place of Live View - it is a sort of Polaroid pre-test on screen, with some more information or accuracy, compared to just shooting a pic and reviewing it on any DSLR. Also, I believe that it is viewed from the buffer and not stored on to the memory card. I have not seen any explanation on how or what this function does though, beyond knowing that it is intended to show accurate depth of field, check focus, and check exposure more accurately than reviewing a quick shot - and to do it fast without needing to take a saved test shot.
Canon 5D mk2 announced 17th September?
The Canon 5D mk2 launch date is reported by various sources who suggest that Canon might finally let the cat out of the bag and release details of the long-awaited EOS 5D replacement around the 17th September. There’s plenty of forums buzzing with anticipation but saying not a lot!
It’s not all that is rumoured, Panasonic is possibly about to unveil a new DSLR camera on September 12th which will, according to NetworkWorld, offer “unique features to set a new trend in digital SLR photography.”
And to top it all off, it is suggested that Wednesday, September 10th will see the launch of Sony’s first full-frame professional DSLR, the A900. A week earlier than Canon, ok that will get headlines for the Mega pixel count but will the big headline be the price?
Canon 5D mk2 teasers?
Surely it’s the Canon 5D mk2?
Canon have switched on the marketing machine prior to Photokina with teasers for new products
http://cweb.canon.jp/camera/eosd/index.html#
From the US site, ‘Destined Evolution’
Sony A900 advert
The Sony A900 has appear in print in adverts placed in National Geographic, of all places. It’s no surprise in the market as Sony themselves have said that it is coming, here are the specifications
- 24.6 MP Full Frame Sensor
- 5.0 fps
- Dual “Bionz” Processors
- Viewfinder: 100% coverage @ 0.74x magnification
- 3.0″ VGA LCD
- 9 point dual cross AF (with f2.8 sensor and wide area 10 point assist)
- 5.0 fps
- SuperSteadyShot
- Weather Seals
- Battery Grip is NOT built-in
- No pop-up flash
Sony have positioned this in the professional segment but Sony is a new kid on the block so takeup is going to be limited in this area, lenses are a key area in the sale, not just megapixels.
No-one knows the price and this is going to be the key to how this is received in the market. To position it against the Nikon D3 and Canon 1-series cameras would be an unlikely move given their reputation but will they position the price to attract the wealthy amateur and semi pro market.
We await the price, in various discussion on the web over the last six months there are reports that Canon take Sony seriously as a upcoming competitor so will Sony make waves with the price?
Photokina is approaching….
No news of the 5D mk2 or the two rumoured bodies from Canon but dpreview is saying we’re going to see more FF cameras.
“however at this Photokina there will be more digital SLRs with full frame (36 x 24 mm) sensors than any previous show, and they will cost much less than they have at any time in the past”
There’s the reported A900 but aside form whats already released from Nikon then surely that leaves room for Canon, do they know more but are signed to secrecy?
Canon however are looking to release and maybe update new lenses. There are of course competitive consumer grade EF-S lenses with Image stabilisation (IS), recently the release of the 18-200 IS after last year’s 18-55 and 55-200 giving a better coverage in the XXXD and entry XXD markets, the amateur and competitive market. There are rumours of an update for the 24-70mm f2.8L with IS. This is going to be a boon to many pro’s if it appears. Apparently Canon have put more resource into lens development aware of the age of some of the lens lines.
Canon 50D - new videos
Canon 50D content is starting to appear on the web with previews, videos and special 50D sites. There’s still no hands on reviews yet, I’m eagerly awaiting them to see what they have in store as this could be an upgrade target for me, that is if the UK price drops to a reasonable street value.
Back to the videos; On youtube there are two videos, one being a ‘promotional’ review by a Swedish wildlife photographer, the other is I think Japanese which gives some indications of menus and more interestingly the new face tracking feature for focus.
The Canon EOS 50D — tested by Brutus Östling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCGaCFFE-M
The 50D, with screen shots
Uk price site
A quick post for anyone in the UK, this site gives good price comparisons of many suppliers and shows a record of the price movement versus time. Great if you’re after a camera,lens or accessory.
Canon 5d mk2, the latest spec rumor
5D Mark II - These are the latest specs that are floating around for the anticipated pro body
* 21.1 MP 1.0x
* DIGIC IV
* ISO 100-6400 L:50 & H:12800
* 5 FPS
* 3.2″ High Resolution Screen (LCD)
* 19 point AF
* HDMI Out
* Liveview
* HD Movie Mode
* Viewfinder: 100% Coverage
* Full weather sealing
* EF Lenses only
There are also rumors of 2 Full Frame Bodies coming for Photokina. Based on the pricing of the 50D and what a high end 5D2 could cost, maybe there is room in the lineup for another camera.
Nikon D90
The Nikon D90 has been released hot on the heels of the Canon 50D. Not to be left behind in the new DLSR stakes it features a new 12.9 megapixel sensor along with features that are said to have trickled down from the D300 along with new features. It replaces the D80 and
A first in mid range DLSR’s , the D90 is the first mid-class D-SLR to offer a movie function, allowing you to capture creative movie clips in motion JPEG at superb quality levels. Compared to the average camcorder, the far larger image sensor on the D90 offers higher image quality, a shallow depth of field and exceptional ISO performance while recording in low-light conditions
Nikon D90 Key Features
• 12.9 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
• 3.0-inch 920,000 pixel (VGA x 3 colors) TFT-LCD (same as D3 and D300)
• Live View with contrast-detect AF, face detection
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• Illuminated focus points
• Movie capture at up to 1280 x 720 (720p) 24 fps with mono sound
• IS0 200-3200 range (100-6400 expanded)
• 4.5 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 7 RAW, 25 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
• Expeed image processing engine
• 3D tracking AF (11 point)
• Short startup time, viewfinder blackout and shutter lag
• Slightly improved viewfinder (96% frame coverage)
• Extensive in-camera retouching including raw development and straightening
• Improved user interface
• New optional compact GPS unit (fits on hot shoe)
• Same battery and vertical grip as D80
• Vignetting control in-camera
• 72 thumbnail and calendar view in playback
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond90/