Sony Unveils Three New DSLRs: 850, 550, 500
2:41 pm, August 27th, 2009, Ed Sutherland
Sony Thursday introduced three new digital SLRs in its Alpha family. The cameras feature a number of innovative features for both professional and value-minded photographers.
The Sony a850 is the little brother of the a900, a pro unit released last year. Like the a900, the a850 features a 24.6 megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. Two BIONZ processors enable fast data capture and image processing, allowing you to snap photos at three frames per second.
Unlike the a900, however, the new a850 sells for $2,000 (body only).
More details and photos after the jump.
The Sony a850 provides a preview function that displays a RAW image, letting you adjust white balance ,exposure and other photo details before taking a shot.
The a850 also offers features two LCD screens: a 3-inch Xtra Fine LCD for focusing and a backlit LCD on the camera’s top to adjust settings.
The a850 is available in September and compatible with all a900 gear.
Sony's a500 DSLR
Sony's a550 DSLR
Sony also unveiled two other other DSLRs: the a500 and a550. The a500 ($750, body only) is a 12.3 megapixel image engine with a 230,00-pixel LCD. The a550 ($950, body only) has a 14.2 megapixel sensor and is the first DSLR in its range that shoots seven frames per second for under $1,000. The camera also includes a 921,000-pixel LCD.
Both cameras include Sony’s Quick AF Live View for fast focusing. Live View uses Face Detection, able to track eight faces. Meanwhile, the cameras include Manual Focus Check Live View for finding the perfect settings.
The cameras can also be purchased with an 18-22mm lens; the a500 ($850) and a550 ($1050).
Posted by Ed Sutherland in Hardware, News | Comment on this article
I gotta admit, I’ve never understood how the pricing structure of DSLRs sustains itself. A price of 5 or 6 hundred dollars for an entry level model (many without a lens!) may have made sense 3 or 4 years ago, but it makes no sense today (from an academic point of view). You can get most of the same basic specs on <$200 pocket cameras.
You get better (in some cases) lenses on SLRs, but a lot of the other features are now on pocket cameras too. Basic anti-shake technology can cost hundreds of dollars extra on a DSLR, while it shows up on newer generation pockets for the same price as the old. Heck, they even put it on the lenses, not the cameras, and yet the body hasn't gone down in price! The motors are on the lens, too, so you're being asked to pay 300 extra bucks for what's basically an empty box.
And it's amazing that they seem to have better price discipline with resellers than Apple. The same models cost exactly the same at virtually every retailer. And they have hundreds or thousands of authorized sellers, while Apple has barely a handful.
It feels like we're being taken advantage of.
imajoebob, on August 27th, 2009 at 11:08 pm
imajoebob,
There are many benefits to shooting with a DSLR that make their expense worth it. Like you said there is simply no comparison between a single small lens on a pocket camera and a SLR’s wide range of lenses. These lense are quicker working, allow more light in, and allow you to shoot in either manual or autofocus mode. In addition you can screw on your own choice of filters.
Just as important, the sensors on DSLRs are much larger than point and shoots. If you compare two images one shot by an entry level SLR and one shot by and entry level pocket camera, the image-quality difference becomes obvious. Also, few point and shoots allow for RAW capture which opens up a whole new set of manipulation that shooting in compressed JPEG precludes.
Let’s also be honest, imagine you’re a wealthy person (or at least have some spending money for fun). Given the choice to look like you’re a knowledgeable photographer who has good equipment or to look like a tourist, which would you choose. The academic point of view as you say readily acknowledges that people make purchases based on projecting a social image!
Alex, on August 28th, 2009 at 4:18 am
Why would anyone want a 24 megapixel CMOS? Are you going to create mural sized photos? Who’s going to print that for you? A CMOS like that is probably going to generate noisier images and be less sensitive than a similar sized 6-8 mp sensor.
@imajoebob
Digital Point & Shoot cameras produce great snapshots under good lighting conditions. However, when you have low light, high speed, far away or large close by subjects, you need an SLR to create a decent image.
Don Pope, on August 28th, 2009 at 8:15 am
[...] Sony Unveils Three New DSLRs: 850, 550, 500 | Cult of Mac http://www.cultofmac.com/sony-unveils-three-new-dslrs-850-550-500/15199 – view page – cached Sony Thursday introduced three new digital SLRs in its Alpha family. The cameras feature a number of innovative features for both professional and value-minded photographers. — From the page [...]
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