Sony α
Minato-ku , Tokyo, Japan | |
Products | Lenses, camera bodies |
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Sony α (the lower case to
Overview
Sony Alpha was introduced on 5 June 2006. 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
Sony announced plans to introduce a special camera service programme for professional photographers since the launch of the α900 in 2008.
Camera bodies
The Sony α model system follows a straightforward principle: each model in the series builds upon the features of its predecessor. For instance, the α330 incorporates all the capabilities of the base model α230 but adds a tilt-angle LCD and Quick AF Live View. Moving up the series, the α380 inherits the settings of the α330 but boasts an increased resolution of 14.2 megapixels.
Only a few Sony APS-C DSLRs have Live View, except for the Sony α100, α200, α230, α290, α700, α850 and α900 series. Live View mode offers a 1.4x or 2x Smart Teleconverter, digitally zooming in on the subject while maintaining a 1:1 pixel reproduction ratio. This innovative approach ensures that picture quality remains uncompromised even during digital zoom, enhancing the overall photography experience.[6]
In 2010 Sony replaced the legacy
Along with the α33 and α55 cameras, Sony also announced one of the last Sony DSLRs - the α560 which can also shoot movie files at full HD stereo 1080p AVCHD, but with limited manual controls and no continuous AF.[8] These three cameras 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.[9][10]
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SAL-135F18Z
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SAL-1680Z
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Sony α58with SAL-1855-2
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Sony α77, flagship APS-C camera
A-mount lenses
The A-mount, originally known as the A-type
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 "+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
E-mount lenses
In May 2010, Sony introduced two α NEX
This includes mirrorless cameras as well as camcorders. First they were all called "NEX", but this name has been dropped for "ILCE" for the mirrorless stills cameras.
Other accessories
Flash system
The 4-pin iISO flash shoe (also known as the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe) on all Sony DSLRs/SLTs and some NEX models up to 2012-08 was introduced by Minolta in 1988 for their Maxxum/Dynax/α series of A-mount AF SLRs and was also used on their digital DiMAGE A cameras series. It offers a slide-on auto-locking mechanism but is mechanically incompatible with hotshoes based on the ISO 518 standard as utilized by most other camera and accessory manufacturers. A compatible 7-pin variant existed as well, but was rarely used by Minolta, and not at all by Sony. The passive adapters Minolta FS-1100 and FS-PC allow to adapt Minolta AF and TTL flashes with ISO-based foot to cameras with Auto-lock Accessory Shoe, whereas the FS-1200 allows users to use AF TTL flashes with Auto-lock Accessory Foot on earlier Minolta SLRs. These adapters provide no voltage protection or galvanic isolation, but they maintain TTL support with Minolta film cameras. Digital cameras, however, require digital-ready flashes for TTL support. If no TTL support, but voltage protection and galvanic isolation is required, the Sony FA-HS1AM can be used instead to mount ISO-based equipment on Auto-lock Accessory Shoe cameras. If no electrical connection is required, the mechanical adapter Sony FA-SA1AM can be used as well.
In 2012-09 Sony introduced a new 21+3-pin ISO-518 compatible
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.[14]
The HVL-RLAM and HVL-RL1 are ring-shaped LED continuous lights for use with video. To a limited extent they can also be used for macro photos of static objects, although a true macro flash is much preferred. The Sony flash system does not include a ring flash, but the Minolta R-1200 and 1200 AF ring flash heads can be used with the Minolta Macro Flash Controller MFC-1000 on Sony DSLRs as well, whereas the older Minolta Control Unit 1200 AF is not compatible with digital cameras. The MFC-1000 also accepts the Minolta Twin Flash T-2400 as well as the flash head of the Sony HVL-MT24AM twin flash, but not vice versa.
Vertical control grips
Vertical control grips were released for a number of α DSLRs and MILCs, with the exception of most recent entry-level DSLRs: α230, α330, α380, α290 and α390. The new α65 will also get no vertical grip. All the vertical grips are sold separately.
Model | Compatible bodies | Supported number of batteries | Shutter release button | Grip sensor | Nearly fully duplicated controls, dials and stick | Mounting requires removal of camera battery | Compact design (no "smoke stack") | Number of strap eyelets for hand strap | Weather sealed |
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VG-B30AM | α200, α300, α350 | 1-2× NP-FM500H | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | 1 | No |
VG-B50AM | α450, α500, α550, α560, α580 | 1-2× NP-FM500H | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | 2 | No |
VG-C70AM | α700 | 1-2× NP-FM500H | Yes | Only in US model variant | Yes | Yes | No | 1 | Door |
VG-C77AM | α77, α77 II, α99 II | 1-2× NP-FM500H | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 2 | Yes |
VG-C90AM | α850, α900 | 1-2× NP-FM500H | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | 2 | Door |
VG-C99AM | α99 | 1-2× NP-FM500H (plus 1× in camera) | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | 2 | Yes |
VG-C1EM | α7, α7R, α7S | 1-2× NP-FW50 | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |
VG-C2EM | α7 II, α7R II, α7S II | 1-2× NP-FW50 | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | |
VG-C3EM | α7 III, α7R III, α9 | 1-2× NP-FZ100 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | |
VG-C4EM | α7S III, α7R IV, α9-II | 1-2× NP-FZ100 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Other
Designation | Description |
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ECM-ALST1 | External stereo microphone |
ECM-CG50 | External shotgun microphone |
CLM-V55 | External LCD screen |
HVL-LE1 | LED video light |
VCT-55LH | Cold Shoe Mounting Bracket |
XLR-K1M | XLR adapter with ECM-XM1 microphone |
References
- ^ "Sony enters the DSLR camera market with innovative technologies to expand the creative possibilities" (Press release). Sony. 5 June 2006. Archived from the original on 15 June 2006. Retrieved 31 August 2006.
- Tamron Co., Ltd. 4 August 2006. Archived from the originalon 5 July 2006. Retrieved 11 August 2006.
- ^ "Sony decides α as new brand for digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras" (Press release). Sony. 20 April 2006. Retrieved 29 September 2006.
- Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc.19 July 2005. Retrieved 10 June 2007.
Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. and Sony Corporation have reached an agreement to jointly develop digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras.
- ^ "dSLR Worldwide Market Share, 2006-2008". 30 November 2001. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ Smart Teleconverter http://www.dynaxdigital.com/sony-alpha-300-330-350-380-discussion/smart-teleconverter/ Archived 2020-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Sony SLT-A55 Review
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Sony unveils SLT A55 and A33 with translucent mirror technology".
- ^ Digital cameras sel.sony.com [dead link]
- dpreview.com. 18 May 2009. Retrieved 18 May 2009.
- ^ "Sony introduces world's smallest and lightest interchangeable lens digital cameras" (Press release). Sony. 10 May 2005. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2010.
- ^ "Gallery | Lenses". Sony UK. Retrieved 14 September 2023.
- ^ "New Sony α (Alpha) flagship flash unit expands creative possibilities with quick shift bounce" (Press release). Sony. 19 June 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
External links
- Dyxum.com, a website for α photographers