Jun 6: Sony Alpha DSLR-A100

Compare Prices on the Sony Alpha A100

The Sony Alpha A100 DSLR is a camera we've been talking about over the past few days on numerous occasions but it's now official with press information coming out in the last few hours.

The Sony Alpha A100 is 10 megapixel DSLR (CCD) with super steady Image Stabilization, Anti Dust technology, eye start auto focusing, 2.5 inch LCD screen, 3 frames per second burst mode and 9 point auto focus selection.

The price we're hearing for this is $ 999.95 USD with the 18-70mm lens also announced today.

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Compare prices on the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and get the latest price on the Sony Alpha A100 from Amazon.

Compare Prices on the Sony Alpha A100

Sony Alpha A100 DSLR News Release Excerpts

Enjoy the all-new Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera with an amazing all-around lens to get you started. Included in this kit is the versatile new SAL-1870 lens. This standard lens easily handles the full range of shots you’ll take most often—but there’s nothing “standard” about its advanced optical design. In 35mm equivalent, it covers wide-angle 27mm to 105mm midrange telephoto for snapshots, portraits, interiors and more—an excellent all-around lens to travel with.

The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is an instant classic: the top-quality 10 MP DSLR system camera that builds on a two-decade legacy of Minolta photographic leadership, accepts 20 years of A-mount lenses sold worldwide—and introduces Sony imaging innovations like high-sensitivity shooting with Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, Dynamic Range Optimizer to automatically increase detail in bright and dark picture areas, new Anti-Dust technology to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, and Eye-Start Autofocus system for faster camera response.

Feature List
The Rebirth of a Legend.
In the revolutionary new Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, Sony's mastery of digital technology combines with Minolta’s legendary SLR technology -- including autofocus and anti-shake compatibility with over 16 million A-mount lenses sold worldwide.

Advanced Lenses and Accessories.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is your gateway to one of the world’s most sophisticated camera systems, including precision Sony standard and zoom lenses, Sony “G” Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss T* coated lenses, professional-quality flash units and more.

10 MP Super HAD CCD.
A large APS-size CCD imager with Sony’s advanced Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode) design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise -- and providing greater detail when you make big prints or crop in close on your subject.

Super SteadyShot Image Stabilization.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera builds image stabilization into the camera body, so all lenses benefit from anti-shake performance. And along with higher ISO sensitivity, Sony’s Super SteadyShot system minimizes blur from shaky hands so you can take sharp, clear photos with hand-held camera in situations that would normally require a tripod -- and also helps both extended telephoto and macro close-up shooting.

Anti-Dust Technology.
Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, the Sony  (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.

Dynamic Range Optimizer.
To recover details in dark or bright areas of the picture, the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera provides two levels of Dynamic Range Optimization: Normal DRO, to improve shadow detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.

Bionz Image Processor.
At the heart of the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is the advanced Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that responds ten times faster than software image processors -- improving camera response time, handling Dynamic Range Optimization processing and extending Stamina battery life.

Eye-Start Autofocus System.
Some DSLR systems don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed -- but that can slow down camera response. The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera begins its precision autofocus adjustments the moment you bring your eye to the viewfinder, to capture fast-action subjects other cameras might blur.

2.5” 1 Clear Photo LCD Plus Screen.
The Clear Photo LCD Plus design of the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera’s built-in screen makes it easy to read camera setup menus even in bright sunlight -- and gives you a better picture when you use your screen to set up shots and check results.

Continuous Burst Mode at 3 Frames Per Second.
To catch fast action more effectively, the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera offers continuous JPEG image capture up to the limit of your flash memory card -- plus RAW Burst Mode (up to 6 shots) with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.

Super-Accurate Exposure Control.
A 40-segment honeycomb sensing system provides multi-pattern measuring for superior exposure control accuracy.

Flexible Exposure Modes.
For greater creative freedom in a wide range of shooting conditions, the Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera provides full manual exposure control as well as Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Exposure Compensation modes.

9-Point Auto Focus Selection.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera gives you all the focusing options you need for composing your shot with foreground, background or off-center subjects -- including manual focus point selection, Spot AF, Continuous AF and AF Lock.

Lithium Ion Battery with Stamina Power.
A supplied NP-FM55H Lithium Ion rechargeable battery lets you take up to 600 shots2
on a full charge, recharges quickly with supplied battery charger.

Dual Media Options.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera accepts both CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick Duo media (with supplied adaptor).

Sony Alpha A100 DSLR Specifications

Imaging Device: 10.2 (effective) APC CCD Sensor; 23.6 x 15.8 mm; RGB primary color filter
Chipset: Bionz Processor LSI with Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO/DRO+)
Recording Media: Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick PRO Duo media (via MSAC-MCF1N adaptor); CompactFlash Type I/ CompactFlash Type II / Microdrive media
Shutter Speed: 30 ~ 1/4000 sec, with Bulb
Exposure: Manual Exposure: Yes, w/EV indicator
EV Compensation: ±2.0 EV, 1/3 EV Steps
ISO: Auto/160/200/400/800/1600
LCD: 2.5-inch (measured diagonally) TFT (230k pixels) LCD with Clear Photo design; Eye-start Auto-focus sensor
Display: Histogram: Yes, Live, RGB Playback
Microphone/Speaker: No/ No
Red-Eye Reduction: Yes: On/ Off
White Balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash ( with custom White Balance color temperature adjustments)
Burst Mode: Continuous burst mode at 3 FPS to limit of media; Up to 6 RAW images in burst.
Color Mode(s): Black & White, Standard, Vivid, Adobe RGB (Except for Adobe RGB, all other color modes use the sRGB color space)
Scene Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night View/Night Portrait
Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds, Off)
Still Image Mode(s): Normal (JPEG Fine/Standard), High-speed Burst (JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG), RAW (.ARW)
Memory Stick PRO Media Compatibility: Tested to support up to 4GB media capacity; does not support Access Control security function
Flash Modes: Manual Pop-up: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Flash Effective Range: GN12 at ISO 100 (39 feet/ 12 meters)
Output(s): Video: Yes, NTSC/PAL Selectable
USB Port(s): Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed
Battery Type: NP-FM55 Lithium-ion rechargeable battery (
Battery Capacity: 7.2V, 1600 mAh; CIPA standard: approx. 750 pictures3
Supplied Software: Picture Motion Browser for Sony v1.1 (Windows), Image Data Converter SR Ver. 1.1 (Windows & Macintosh), USB Driver
Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, ME, XP Home and Professional; Macintosh
OS X (v 10.3 or later). OS must be installed at the factory.
Limited Warranty: 1 Year Parts & Labor
Weight: 1 lb., 3 oz (545 g) body, not including battery, lens and media
Dimensions (WHD): (WHD) 5 1/4" x 3 3/4" x 2 7/8" (133 x 95 x 71 mm)

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 Reviews

DP Review has posted a hands on preview/review of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 where they write - 'At first glance you can immediately see the Konica Minolta family resemblance, certainly from the back the camera is laid out almost exactly the same as the Konica Minolta 5D. Spend a little longer however and you'll see the differences. With soft corners, sweeping lines, varied materials and ergonomically shaped grip areas. Whether this improved design is thanks to Sony or it was in the pipeline from an unreleased Konica Minolta camera we'll probably never know but it looks and feels a real step ahead of previous Konica Minolta incarnations. Build quality is also very good, the camera feels solid, reliable and purposeful with good use of different materials and a nicely sized hand grip with soft rubber.'

Steves Digicams has posted a first impression review of the Sony DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The DSLR-A100 camera helps to combat blurry pictures through the use of higher light sensitivity (up to ISO 1600) and Super SteadyShot image stabilization, a Sony technology that shifts the image sensor to compensate for camera movement. Because Super SteadyShot is built into the camera body, all compatible lenses are image-stabilized allowing from 2 to 3-1/2 stops of latitude in exposure. This means hand-held telephoto shooting at lower shutter speeds and more opportunities to shoot in natural lighting without a tripod or a flash.'

Trusted Reviews has posted a review of the Sony Alpha α100 Digital SLR and writes - 'An extremely impressive debut from a new player in the digital SLR market, the Sony Alpha α100 is pitched at the consumer end of the market, but is actually a better camera than most of its mid-range rivals too. It bristles with clever technology, but is very easy to use and produces consistently excellent results. It would be a good camera for a newcomer to SLRs, but more experienced users will also find it very satisfying to use.'

Pocket Lint has a first impression review of the Sony Alpha A100 and writes - 'Sony has already confirmed that it intends to introduce new models and lenses within the next year or two, it has also intriguingly said that the new lenses being made are able to cover a "full frame", hinting at a pro-end model with a full frame (in 35mm terms) D-SLR in the near future. When the camera becomes available to test in the next few weeks, we’ll be able to see just how well it can perform and in coming months, to see if Sony has the might to take on Canon and Nikon. It has to be said, it would seem they’ve made a very aggressive start.'

Digit reviews the Sony Alpha A100 and writes - 'We choose to interpret these hints as Sony seriously considering a coming full frame format DSLR. Or, perhaps they just want to keep potential customers from buying other systems because the Alpha system does not offer a full frame camera at the moment. It is most unusual for high ranked representatives to formulate a statement this way. The statement was not altered, nor denied by Sony officials later, when this topic was raised during an interview. Vice President of Sony Europe, Takashi Kondo, said that their main goal is to concentrate on the consumer market, but also that the “consumer market�? covers a wide range of users, with all kinds of needs. He also underlined that their ambitions are very high and they will use all their power to get competitive in the DSLR market and to stay there as a major supplier in a long foreseeable future. '

Pop Photo tests the Sony's Alpha 100 D-SLR and writes - 'The Alpha 100 also incorporates what Sony calls Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO). This hardware-based system is said to analyze and manipulate RAW data in-camera, before processing and JPEG compression, in order to recover shadow or highlight detail that might otherwise be lost. Because Sony didn't let us take our Alphas home from Alaska, none of us has had a chance to determine whether DRO is worth yet another acronym -- whether it really gives the camera a tonal advantage over its competitors. But the system did seem to tame the relentless light of Alaska's summer, holding good detail even in sunlit snow. The system appeared, in fact, to lessen the need for RAW mode, which of course the Alpha 100 offers.'

Digital Trends reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 where they write - 'The DSLR-A100 was responsive, starting up in less than a second and it captured shots quickly. Continuous shooting was very fast as was focusing. We did a lot of shooting in the RAW+JPEG setting and the camera handled those massive files with ease. Remember this is a 10MP camera and JPEGs are 3872 x 2592 pixels. Color was very accurate though we tended to up the compensation simply because we like more contrasty images, especially landscapes. Skin tones were spot on, even when making large prints (13 x 19s are no problem with a 10-megapixel camera).... Sony has gone “all in�? in the D-SLR poker game, quickly leaping into the ranks of the better Canon and Nikon models. Keep it in mind if you’re looking to spend $1,000 for a new camera. Remember this was a pre-production model and we’ll have a final report and DT rating as soon as can.'

CNET Asia has a review up of the Sony Alpha 100 and writes, "Our JPEG images were pleasing with rich vibrant colors and lots of details which we liked. Barrel distortions were minimal, though we did see some traces of it, especially with straight lines along the corners at the wide end of our lens. Exposures were well-controlled and the camera's automatic white balance was spot-on most of the time--good for first-time dSLR users still learning the workings of a dSLR. One thing to note is the shadow cast at the bottom of your frame caused by the pop-up flash. ... Noise was very well-controlled between ISO 100 and ISO 400 and it's only at ISO 800 where we began to see image quality suffer a little. At the maximum selectable sensitivity setting of ISO 1,600, noise was clearly evident. However, that's still manageable for a camera of its class and our real-world shots looked decent."

Camera Labs has a review up of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and writes, "There's no denying Sony's Alpha DSLR-A100 is an impressive camera for the money. Simply having 10.2 Megapixel resolution and built-in anti-camera-shake is enough to elevate it beyond most budget digital SLRs. Throw in a high resolution 2.5in screen and some neat image processing options, along with a kit lens which zooms-in further than the competition, and it's looking even stronger. But it's not all good news. Increasing resolutions on sensors with the same surface area always raises concerns over higher noise levels, and as our results show, the A100 is noticeably noisier than rivals like Canon's EOS-350D / Rebel XT, particularly at 800 ISO and above. Our gallery also reveals higher noise levels than we'd like even at 400 ISO. It's interesting to note the A100's also noisier than the Nikon D200 at high ISOs, despite them sharing essentially the same sensor."

CNET has a review up of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100K and writes, "The Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 turned in impressive, high-quality images in our tests. Images have plenty of detail and well-saturated colors, though, as you'd expect, images converted from raw using Sony's included Image Data Converter software showed slightly more detail than those converted to JPEG in the camera. Sony did a nice job of keeping noise under control all the way out to ISO 800. While noise creeps in very slightly at ISO 400, and a little more so at ISO 800, images retained plenty of detail. At ISO 1,600, noise was much more noticeable and obscured some details, but images were still printable, especially at letter size or smaller, and might even be acceptable for prints as large as 11x17 inches. ... Overall, Sony's first foray into digital SLRs is very successful."

Popular Photography has a review of the Sony Alpha 100 DSLR where they write - 'The bottom line? KM and Minolta loyalists should be thrilled with the A100, as it continues many of the best aspects of the Maxxum line and won't let their investment in lenses go to waste. The merger of KM into Sony appears to have produced a better DSLR than either company could have made on its own, with features and a price that should attract anyone ready to move up from a compact or EVF digital camera to their first DSLR. Looks like the established players will be scrambling to top it—and not the other way around.'

DP Review has reviewed the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and gives it a rating of highly recommended. They write - 'For me it's a fairly comfortable Highly Recommended, the A100 is a very capable camera with a wide feature set, a good range of manual controls and some unique developments. The built-in Super SteadyShot provides you with that little extra comfort level at slower shutter speeds and the ability to use longer lenses with more confidence.'

DCRP reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The DSLR-A100 has plenty of features for both beginners and enthusiasts. If you just want to point-and-shoot, the A100 has several scene modes, plus a standard fully automatic mode. If you want manual controls, naturally they're all here, from shutter speed to white balance. The unique Dynamic Range Optimizer brightens up your images, though I found that the results differed greatly depending on your subject. The Standard mode brightens this up a bit, with Advanced mode going far beyond that. Sometimes that was desirable, other times it's not. My advice is to shoot with DRO set to Standard most of the time, but it's certainly worth experimenting with the Advanced setting when the scene could use it. Do note that the DRO feature is disabled when shooting in RAW, full manual mode, or when the metering is set to anything but matrix. Speaking of RAW: yes, the A100 supports this format, and the bundled software (for both Mac and Windows) does a good job at letting you adjust the various image properties.'

Lets Go Digital reviews the Sony A100 and writes - 'All in all, Sony has come up with a decent camera in the Alpha 100. A good beginning is half the battle. Consider the price/quality ration in the current market and you will see that the well known DSLR manufacturers have suddenly been confronted with a competitor to be afraid of! Not only is the Sony Alpha 100 a pleasure to work with, it also gives great results. People who now work with a Konica Minolta can go on to Sony without a hitch. This is immediately a strong point for Sony. As well as launching a camera, it has come up with an enormous range of accessories and lenses. The Sony Alpha 100 is only the beginning of Sony's rise in the world of reflex cameras. To the competitors, one can only say - watch the Sony Alpha 100 - this camera is ready to conquer market share! '

Imaging Resource reviews the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The strength of Sony's initial foray into the DSLR market is testimony to the wisdom shown by Sony's management in partnering with Konica-Minolta and eventually taking over their DSLR operations. By any measure, the Sony A100 delivers strong functionality and represents an excellent value for the money. The sensor-based anti-shake system Sony inherited from Minolta is very capable, and has the usual sensor-based advantage of making all your lenses into image-stabilized ones. We think that the impact of anti-shake is generally underappreciated by the public: It can make a huge difference in the number of usable photos you come home with, and should be a key contributing factor in the selection of a camera/lens system to buy into. Having this capability built into the Sony A100's body is a fantastic user benefit. We were very impressed with other characteristics of the Sony A100 as well, including its excellent fit and finish, high resolution, good color rendition, very good battery life, and very responsive handling. The only weak points we found were its somewhat high noise levels at ISO 800 and 1600, and a tendency toward exposure variability, particularly when wide-area AF was combined with multi-segment metering. Read the full review for a deeper discussion of this: We suspect that novice photographers won't notice the fairly minor variations we observed, and more experienced users are likely to avoid the problem altogether by manually selecting their AF points. '

DC Views has posted a review of the Sony A100 where they write'General camera performance is excellent with quick focusing and good color rendition. The few niggles we had with the Alpha 100 during our tests are really small beer and should not be serious enough to put you off buying one. However the competition is quite strong at the moment with entry level models available from most major manufacturers at very reasonable prices. Therefore we would advise you to try your hands at other models as well and see which one suits your needs best before you decide.'

PhotographyBLOG reviews the Sony A100 and writes - 'Konica Minolta users, means ease of use and a stress-free transference of skill sets are required, and on those two counts the Sony A100 delivers. That start up time of just over a second, mere 3fps capture, and loud shutter may not be good enough to please the pros, but it's a performance that's more than adequate given it's a DSLR intended for mass market consumption. The steady introduction of Carl Zeiss branded lenses will further cement its claim on the pockets of enthusiasts anyway, and Sony has reportedly invested such a hefty sum in making its DSLR brand successful that failure is not an option. Arranged marriages can be fraught with problems, but this one appears to be working out. Sony has been careful not to claim all the glory for itself when talking to the press about the A100, hoping that what it has delivered is the best of Sony and Konica Minolta – and that seems true, at this stage. While in certain respects the product feels compromised by its enforced blend of technologies and, I imagine, rather quick development schedule – what the Sony A100 is, is a very good camera when I believe future generations will hopefully make it great.'

Digital Camera Info reviews the Sony alpha DSLR-A100 and writes - 'The Sony α (alpha) A100 is a good value for users who want stabilization, dust control and 10 megapixels, but don't mind a clunky interface and slow operation. It's a snapshot camera with some very appealing bells and whistles, and it will be a very good fit for casual photographers who want a DSLR, but don't need one. The Sony A100 is an overall disappointment. It's far too similar to the Konica-Minolta cameras it's built on. Those cameras failed in the marketplace, and some of Sony's few and minor changes, such as the parameters dial, aren't improvements. The strategy doesn’t seem to improve a product that didn't sell; it just markets it with a bigger name.'

Megapixel review the Sony DSLR-A100 and writes - 'With an attractive price, the 10-megapixel Alpha 100 is deserving of the attention it has received. Purchased as a kit with one or two lenses, the Alpha is immediately useable, and will produce high quality photos at all but the widest angle of the 18 - 70 mm lens. Moreover, with its numerous advanced features and full compatibility with a wide number of Minolta A mount lenses in addition to the upcoming Carl Zeiss designed Sony lenses, the Alpha 100 should prove to be one of the most popular entry-level DSLR cameras.'

PCWorld has a review of the Sony DSLR-Alpha 100K and writes, "The Alpha 100 delivered high image quality overall. In shots taken at ISO 100 to 400, image quality was very good--comparable to that of other entry-level SLRs. At ISO 800 to 1600, however, the Alpha 100 got noisy. The Sony DSLR-Alpha 100K is a very good but somewhat pricey camera. Despite feeling clunkier than its competitors, it delivers good image quality and a full feature set, plus some nice extras such as image stabilization."

NeoCamera has a review of the Sony Alpha A100 and writes, "The bottom line is that the Sony Alpha A100 brings many unique features and produces high quality images under most conditions. Unless high-ISO is required for large prints, this is one of the best DSLRs to choose. Considering it has built-in stabilization and is priced relatively low, the A100 is an excellent value. Its closest competitor, the weatherproof Pentax K10D, is worth a look for its own unique features. Another interesting competitor is the Canon Digital Rebel XTi. It performs better at high-ISO but lacks stabilization and is not as ergonomic. For action photography, particularly indoors, the 8 megapixels Canon EOS 30D or the much more expensive Nikon D200 should be considered for their 5 FPS continuous drive and high-speed focusing."

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