Sony is on a roll with some fairly incredible product unveilings this morning. The Alpha A65 is nearly an afterthought compared to today’s NEX-7 and A77 announcements, but this $900 (body only) DSLR targets the vastly popular entry-level category, while still including a brand new OLED electronic viewfinder, 24.3 megapixel CMOS APS-C sensor, and 1080 / 60p AVCHD video capture. The various A77′s other features made the cut in addition, including Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology, an ISO range of 100-16,000, object tracking autofocus, and a high-speed shooting mode (though the pricier model can shoot 12 fps, in comparison to 10 fps at the A65). You can be missing out at the A77′s nifty three-way tilt and swivel LCD, though the A65′s display does support tilt. Also missing is a 19-point AF sensor (the A65′s has 15 points), a secondary text LCD, and support for an optical vertical grip. Jump past the break for a short video walkthrough from Sony, together with a sneak peek on the A77.
α77 and α65 Models Expand Translucent Mirror Technology Line; Deliver 24.3 megapixels with as much as 12- and 10- fps AF-enabled continuous shooting
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are only probably the most features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65).
Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras of their class, in addition to set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have not begun to realize. The α77 and α65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, in addition the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.
The sensor teams with the following generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to address huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.
“We feel that these cameras should not just a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution when it comes to redefining how this unique technology might be put to exploit by enthusiasts.”
The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed α700 DSLR, the α77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The α65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.
Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the α77 as a result of a brand new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The α65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – however the objective is momentarily obscured. Additionally, a brand new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of roughly 50 milliseconds, akin to way more expensive professional-class DSLRs.
The α77 and α65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even if they’re moving at fast speeds.
Unprecedented image quality and artistic options
A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (α77 only) all the way down to ISO 50. On the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with an extended exposure to create expressive shots, comparable to splashing water.
Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100% frame coverage and a large field of view reminiscent of the foremost advanced class optical viewfinders.
However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities in the course of the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and will preview the results of fixing exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers could also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in component of the picture.
The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central component of the picture sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly at the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of one.4x or 2x.
In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format. Also, 24p shooting is on the market for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage. Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, can also provide enhanced control during video shooting.
Shooters can compose and review stills and video at the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that provides high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As yet another refinement, the α77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (α65: two-way adjust LCD).
Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.
The α77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the results of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the recent SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.
a brand new shutter unit at the α77 is tested as much as 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and movies with location data.
New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories
The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for both portrait and everyday shooting.
The high-performance lens contains a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and gives a zoom range of roughly 3x range at constant wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and 3 ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to reduce aberration in any respect focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.
An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It could possibly house as much as two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina as much as approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.
Pricing and Availability
The hot α77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera could be available in a kit with the brand new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for approximately $2000, and offered as body-just for about $1400. The SAL1650 lens can also be sold separately for approximately $700.
The hot VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the α77 camera, shall be available in October for roughly $300.
The hot α65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera could be available in a kit with a traditional 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for roughly $1000, and offered as body-just for about $900.
Both the α77 and α65 cameras kits and the hot SAL1650 lens may be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) in addition to other authorized retailers in the course of the Sony dealer network.
For “sneak peak” videos of the hot products, please visit www.sony.com/cameravideos.
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