Sony A300 and A350 DSLRs

A300 and A350, Sony's First Live View DSLRs

The α350 and α300 D-SLR cameras are available in Asia Pacific from March and April 2008 respectively.The 10-megapixel Sony Alpha A300 will retail for USD699 with the 18-70mm lens. The 14-megapixel Sony Alpha A350 will sell for USD799 body only and USD899 with the 18-70mm lens.

Both feature a Smart Teleconverter fubction for 1.4X and 2X magnification with no reduction in image quality. However, the image file size is reduced though.

The latest additions to Sony’s D-SLR family feature new Quick Auto Focus Live View technology, 2.7-inch variable angle LCD screen and up to 14.2-megapixel resolution.

Unique to Sony, Quick AF Live View technology fuses the convenience of live image previews with Through-The-Lens (TTL) phase-detection autofocusing.

Optional extras include the powerful new HVL-F42AM Flash unit, with wireless control and bounce/tilt head, and the VG-B30AM Vertical Grip, which allows comfortable handling in portrait or landscape shooting positions. The grip holds up to two NP‑FM500H Rechargeable Battery Packs for an extended shooting stamina of up to 1460* images (820 images in Live View mode) from a single charge. The grip is compatible with A200, A300 and A350.

Digital SLR Camera - DSLR-A350 Specification

Sony A300 specifications A300 Body color Black Sensor • 10.2 million effective pixels • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD sensor • 1.5x FOV crop • RGB primary color filter Anti-dust measures • Sensor shake system • Static-free anti-dust coating Anti-shake • Super-steady shot in-camera stabilization Image sizes • 3872 x 2592 (Large, 10.0 MP) • 2896 x 1936 (Medium, 5.6 MP) • 1920 x 1280 (Small, 2.5 MP) • 3872 x 2176 (Large, 8.4 MP, 16:9) • 2896 x 1632 (Medium, 4.7 MP, 16:9) • 1920 x 1088 (Small, 2.1 MP, 16:9) Image quality • RAW • RAW + JPEG • JPEG Fine • JPEG Normal Color space • sRGB • Adobe RGB Lens mount • Sony Alpha lenses (also compatible with Minolta A-type bayonet mount lenses) Autofocus • 9-point AF with center cross Lens servo • Single-servo AF (AF-S) • Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) • Automatic AF-S/AF-C (AF-A) • Manual focus (M) AF Area mode • Wide • Spot • Local AF Assist Pop-up flash strobes Exposure mode • Programmed auto (P) with flexible program • Shutter-priority auto (S) • Aperture priority auto (A) • Manual (M) • Auto and 7 scene selection modes Metering Multi-pattern metering: • 40 Segment • Center weighted • Spot Exposure compensation • +/- 2.0 EV • 1/3 EV steps AE Lock Exposure locked at detected value with AEL button AE Bracketing +/- 1/3EV or +/- 2/3EV Sensitivity • Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 Shutter • 30 to 1/4000 sec (1/3 EV steps) White balance • Auto • Seven manual modes with 7-step fine-tuning • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Tungsten • Fluorescent • Flash • Color temperature/color filter • Preset white balance WB fine tuning Yes Image parameters • Preset modes: Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Night view, Sunset, B&W, Adobe RGB (All others are sRGB) Viewfinder • Optical fixed eye-level • Pentamirror type • Frame coverage 95% (approx.) • Viewfinder magnification approx. 0.74x with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1 • Spherical Acute Matte focusing screen LCD monitor • 2.7" tilting TFT LCD • 230,000 pixel • Features automatic defeat via Eye Sensor Built-in flash • Auto pop-up in Auto, Vari-program modes • Manual pop-up in P, S, A or M modes • Guide number approx. 12 at ISO 100 Flash mode • Auto • Fill-flash • Rear flash sync • Slow sync • High speed sync • Wireless off-camera flash (with HVL-F56AM or HVL-F36AM) Shooting modes • Single frame shooting (S) mode • Continuous (C) mode: approx. 3.0 frames per second • Bracket single (press shutter 3 times) • Bracket continuous (hold shutter = 3 shots) • WB bracket, Lo/Hi Continuous buffer • JPEG: Limited only by storage • RAW: Approx. 6 frames (shooting continues at a slower rate) • RAW+JPEG: Approx. 3 frames (shooting continues at a slower rate) Self-timer 2 or 10 sec Video output NTSC or PAL selectable Connectivity • USB 2.0 (Hi-Speed) • Video Power Lithium-Ion battery pack NP-FM500H (7.2 V, 1600 mAh) Battery life Approx. 740 shots (CIPA standard) Approx. 730 shots (CIPA standard) Dimensions 130.8 x 98.5 x 74.7 mm (5.2 x 3.9 x 2.9 in) Weight (no batt) 582 g (1.28 lb) Supplied accessories • Rechargeable Li-ion Battery NP-FM500H • BC-VM10 battery charger • Video and USB cables • Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip • Body cap • Software/USB driver Optional accessories • CompactFlash card (NCFB1G) • External flash (HVL-F56AM) • External flash (HVL-F36AM) • Vertical grip (VG-B30AM) • AC adaptor/charger (AC-VQ900AM)

When shooting in live view mode, an advanced 1200-zone metering system uses the dedicated live view image sensor to evaluate light levels and colour distribution to achieve optimum image exposure. In addition, the Smart Teleconverter function applies zoom scaling on images with no reduction in image quality, achieving an equivalent of 1.4x or 2x magnification with a push of a button. High Mega-pixel CCD, BIONZ Image Processing Engine, D-Range Optimizer and High ISO Sensitivity The α350 features an effective 14.2-megapixel APS-C size (23.5mm x 15.7mm) CCD sensor while the α300 incorporates an effective 10.2-megapixel APS-C size (23.6mm x 15.8mm) CCD sensor. Powered by the BIONZ processor, the enhanced D-Range Optimiser ensures more natural, evenly-exposed pictures, particularly when shooting high-contrast and strong backlit scenes. Image exposure and tone are automatically adjusted according to shooting conditions to give rich shadow and highlight detail. D-Range Optimiser is now applicable in all formats (including RAW) and metering modes.Both cameras also offer high ISO 3200 sensitivity for faster shutter speeds to reduce blurring and increase handheld shooting opportunities in low-light environments. The High ISO Noise Reduction feature activates at ISO 1600 or ISO 3200 to minimize “noise” on the final image. Super SteadyShot and Anti-Dust System The popular body-integrated Super SteadyShot image stabilization system delivers enhanced anti-shake performance in the α350 and α300 with improved control algorithms, enabling users to shoot at shutter speeds of 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower. This prevents blurring caused by camera shake and enables handheld shooting of scenes that usually require a tripod or flash.Similar to previous α series models, the α350 and α300 have a special anti-static coating on their low-pass filters to prevent dust build-up. In addition, the Super SteadyShot anti-vibration mechanism activates to dislodge dust each time the camera is turned off. Combined, both methods minimize dust formation in the camera body, therefore reducing the need to manually clean the camera or edit spots on images. Enviromental Friendy The body caps of the α350 and α300 use renewable polyamide 11, a vegetable-based plastic derived from castor oil. Increased use of vegetable-based plastics can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and saving of crude oil resources. VIA

Sony A300/A350 Swiveling LCD The LCD can be tilted down for overhead shots. Sony Swivel LCD. Though it doesn't face more angles, the Sony A350 and A300's LCD is very sturdy, while most Live View digital SLR cameras don't even have a swiveling LCD; certainly none in this price range.

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