Sony Announces A900 - 24mpix DSLR

Sony has finally unveiled their FF 24 megapixel DSLR:

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08090902sonyalpha900.asp

I think it's pretty sweet that it comes in the small form factor - w/ optional vertical grip. I wish my 1Ds did that.

Cheers

James

Looks really sweet; maybe a Nikon at Photokina..................?

"The camera’s Exmor™ CMOS sensor delivers the photographic expressive power of wide angles and perspective that only a 35 mm full-frame sensor can offer..."

Take that, you medium format guys!

Sony has finally unveiled their FF 24 megapixel DSLR:

 

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0809/08090902sonyalpha900.asp

 

I think it's pretty sweet that it comes in the small form factor - w/ optional vertical grip. I wish my 1Ds did that.

Cheers

James

No live view, no movie mode. Pretty useless Wonder if I can use my old Zeiss lenses from the film days (The announced a 16-35mm Zeiss Lens BTW and another one or two. Did not know if you had seen it.)

Looks really sweet; maybe a Nikon at Photokina..................?

Would be interesting, but with the D700 just coming out and the Sony being the same price point...

Take that, you medium format guys! laugh.gif

Oh no, not that again

Anyway Imaging Resource got a review up REAL quick, I think the quickest I have ever seen from them. They mention noise issues.

It's got a full frame sensor and uses sensor-shift IS. I thought everyone said that was impossible. Maybe now Canon and Nikon will think about including it.

It's got a full frame sensor and uses sensor-shift IS. I thought everyone said that was impossible. Maybe now Canon and Nikon will think about including it.

I've heard several arguments:

*** Lens-based systems are tuned lens by lens and are therefore "better"

*** Lens-based systems can give stabilized view through the viewfinder

*** Sensor-based systems don't work well for long telephotos because the amount of sensor shift required becomes impractical

Curious what the truly knowledgeable folks 'round these parts have to say on the topic ...

All of those very well may be true. BUT i KNOW that sensor shift works much better than lens IS when you are using a lens that does not have lens IS. And you can always disable sensor IS when the lens has it's own IS.

Now that we know it is possible. Unless someone can come up with a reason why you are worse off having it. I am going to want it.

I can think of reasons why you might be worse off having it. I can also think of reasons why having it in the lens is better. Furthermore, I can see why implementing it on the sensor with FF might be undesirable even if it is possible.

I think we shouldn't fall for the stories that the marketing arms of the various companies pump out. It needs to play itself out in real products. I don't see it being very important underwater anyway.

Ah but Canon's response will be....

http://www.canon.com/moon/en/index.html

???

"I've heard several arguments:

*** Lens-based systems are tuned lens by lens and are therefore "better""

But you have to pay lens by lens. I saw only one thorough test but it was mainly draw. Slight advantage for tele lens in optcal stabilization.

"*** Lens-based systems can give stabilized view through the viewfinder"

I haven't tried but some say it makes you seasick.

"*** Sensor-based systems don't work well for long telephotos because the amount of sensor shift required becomes impractical"

These lenses are not very practical underwater. On the other hand you can have a stabilized 50 (or 35mm) macro.

.

I think the main point is that we have a high resolution full-frame camera without built in hand grip.

Tha base iso resolution seems to be very impressive.

There is a field report, which is also very positive:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/...s/a900-nr.shtml

And it will be relatively cheap. Around 3000 USD.

I think the main point is that we have a high resolution full-frame camera without built in hand grip.

Tha base iso resolution seems to be very impressive.

There is a field report, which is also very positive:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/...s/a900-nr.shtml

 

And it will be relatively cheap. Around 3000 USD.

You have a good point; as a first release this is a pretty impressive challenge to Canon and Nikon to eventually sell lower priced cameras with high end full frame sensors. I imagine it won't be too long before we see this type of sensor in cameras at high end DX prices.

I spent yesterday's evening doing face to face with the A900 and the folks at Sony Canada, this camera is quite impresive both in handling characteristic and performance, so far the best viewfinder I have seen, the best grip layout so far in any camera and surprisingly the camera IMO is easier to hold vertical than horizontal, that grip is something else, Sony is definetly flexing it's muscle with that one, and Canon and Nikon would do well to pay attention to their users in the coming years. Given the context of the meeting (at night in a restaurant) the opportunity for sampling the camera performance where somehow limited, but given Sony's track record at making light gathering gizmo, I am not to concerned with the final quality of the image, it should prove very good for photographer that actually get out and shoot with cameras, as for the lab geeks... I'm sure there will always be something wrong or in need of improvent for them.

They also have a new flash which is so smartly made as to make even my highly praised SB800 & SB900 to shame. well worth checking out.

I spent yesterday's evening doing face to face with the A900 and the folks at Sony Canada, this camera is quite impresive both in handling characteristic and performance, so far the best viewfinder I have seen, the best grip layout so far in any camera and surprisingly the camera IMO is easier to hold vertical than horizontal, that grip is something else, Sony is definetly flexing it's muscle with that one, and Canon and Nikon would do well to pay attention to their users in the coming years. Given the context of the meeting (at night in a restaurant) the opportunity for sampling the camera performance where somehow limited, but given Sony's track record at making light gathering gizmo, I am not to concerned with the final quality of the image, it should prove very good for photographer that actually get out and shoot with cameras, as for the lab geeks... I'm sure there will always be something wrong or in need of improvent for them.

 

They also have a new flash which is so smartly made as to make even my highly praised SB800 & SB900 to shame. well worth checking out.

Hey Jean,

Think you'll build a housing for it?

Sony is definetly flexing it's muscle with that one, and Canon and Nikon would do well to pay attention to their users in the coming years.

They also have a new flash which is so smartly made as to make even my highly praised SB800 & SB900 to shame. well worth checking out.

Yes their Zeiss and latest G line 70-400 lenses are so cool to look ... more Starck than stark. Makes all those white lenses look like old toys. And they are sharp too.

Hey Jean,

Think you'll build a housing for it?

Gee, I knew someone would be asking that one soon enough LOL, the answer is no for the moment, I was there as a photo instructor and as I will be teaching workshop on this line of camera, the Sony Canada folks were kind enough to give me and my colleagues a heads up. In other words I was there a a civilian, no Aquatica uniform . In the longer term I have to admit that if their products maintain that technological pace, we (as us and the other housing manufacturers) might do well to keep and eye on them. No need to introduce Sony, they have big cojones and can push their way into the market and will be a force to reckon with in the future.

All well and good, but there's that lousy issue of lens mount that will keep droves of current shooters from switching.

I doubt many of us will turncoat, once you tie up to a system its expensive to cross over (I know it was for me when I went fron C to N). Where I see potential is in the newcomer outgrowing their point in shoots (anybody recognize themselved here ) and joining the ranks of the DSLR shooters. that is a vast market

It's a very promising camera for UW-photograpy but it hasn't even mentioned in the opening page of the wetpixel :-(

Don't take it personnaly Marcell, Minolta/Sony do not have the underwater cult following that Canon & Nikon have. i'm sure in the future it will be a different story, the Sony A series workshop are always book solid and constantly have a waiting list, that should be giving even the dumbest of us a serious hint on the future of thing.