Sony α

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Sony α (Greek letter alpha) is a digital SLR camera system introduced on June 5, 2006[1]. 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 Minolta's camera operations in early 2006. Sony also has an 11.08% ownership stake in Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron,[2] which is known to have partnered Konica Minolta and Sony in the design and manufacturer 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.)[3] Sony adopted the name "α mount system" for the Minolta AF lens mount which has been retained in their new SLR range.[4]

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. [5]

Camera Bodies

Body Release Date Sensor
APS-C
α 100 Jul 06 CCD
α 700 Sep 07 CMOS
α 200 Jan 08 CCD
α 300 Jan 08 CCD
α 350 Jan 08 CCD
35mm - Full Frame
α 900 Sep 08 CMOS

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 should 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.

Designations

DT "Digital Technology", lenses for APS-C size sensors
G G Series, professional lenses
SSM "SuperSonic Motor", in-lens ultrasonic motor used on some Carl Zeiss and G Series lenses.
ZA "Zeiss Alpha", new lenses manufactured under license from Carl Zeiss

Rebranded Konica Minolta Lenses

Lens RRP Release Date
Zoom Lenses
Article DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 US$650 Aug 06
Article DT 18-70mm f//3.5-5.6 US$200, Standard α100 Kit Lens Jul 06
Article DT 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 US$500 Jul 06
Article 24-105mm f/3.5-4.5 US$470 Nov 06
Article 70-200mm f/2.8 G SSM US$1999 Aug 06
Article 75-300mm f/4.5-5.6 US$230 Jul 06
Prime Lenses
Article 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye US$1000 Oct 06
Article 20mm f/2.8 US$680 Oct 06
Article 28mm f/2.8 US$250 Oct 06
Article 35mm f/1.4 G US$1400 Oct 06
Article 50mm f/1.4 US$350 Jul 06
Article 50mm f/2.8 Macro US$480 Jul 06
Article 100mm f/2.8 Macro US$680 Jul 06
Article 135mm f/2.8 Smooth Transition Focus (STF) US$1200 Oct 06
Article 300mm f/2.8 G SSM US$6000 Sep 06
Article 500mm f/8 Reflex US$700 Oct 06

Rebranded Tele-converters

Model RRP Release Date
1.4× Tele-converter US$600 Sep 06
2× Tele-converter US$650 Sep 06

New Carl Zeiss lenses

Lens RRP Release Date
Zoom Lenses
Article Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 ZA US$700 Apr 07
Article Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm SSM f/2.8 ZA US$1700 Feb 08
Article Vario-Sonnar T* 16-35mm SSM f/2.8 ZA US$1800 Feb 09
Prime Lenses
Article Planar T* 85mm f/1.4 ZA US$1300 Oct 06
Article Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 ZA US$1400 Oct 06

September 2007 Lens Lineup Expansion

Several new lenses were unveiled along with the announcement of the a700 body.

Lens RRP Release Date
Zoom Lenses
Article DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6
Article DT 18-250 f/3.5-6.3
Article DT 55-200 f/4-5.6
Article 70-300 f/4.5-5.6 G SSM $800 Apr 2008
Article 70-400 f/4-5.6 G SSM Feb 2009

Other accessories

External flash units

The hot shoe on Sony DSLRs (carried over from Minolta's Maxxum/Dynax and its bridge digital DiMAGE A1/A2/A200 series) is not of the standard design used by other camera 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 Minolta design.

Model Guide number ISO
HVL-F36AM 36 100
HVL-F42AM 42 100
HVL-F56AM 56 100
HVL-F58AM 58 100

HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM flashes are rebadged Minolta Program 3600HS and 5600HS.

Vertical control grips

Model Bodies
VG-C90AM α900
VG-C70AM α700
VG-B30AM α200,α300,α350

References

  1. ^ "Sony enters the D-SLR camera market with innovative technologies to expand the creative possibilities" (Press release). Sony. 2006-06-05. Retrieved 2006-08-31. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ "Stock Information" (Press release). Tamron Co., Ltd. 2006-08-04. Retrieved 2006-08-11.
  3. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minolta#Autofocus_SLRs
  4. ^ "Sony decides α as new brand for digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras" (Press release). Sony. 2006-04-20. Retrieved 2006-09-29. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Konica Minolta and Sony Agree to Jointly Develop Digital SLR Cameras" (Press release). Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc. 2005-07-19. Retrieved 2007-06-10. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. and Sony Corporation have reached an agreement to jointly develop digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)

External links

Previews

Reviews

User Sites

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