Digital Cameras

San Diego, CA—Sony introduced the α (alpha) SLR- α560 DSLR camera, which leverages the company’s Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. Along with the α33 and α55 cameras, also announced, the α560 is one of the only DSLRs with multi-frame noise reduction, sweep panorama mode, 3D sweep panorama and Full HD 1,920x1,080 60i video capture.

Additionally, Sony added to its line of more than 30 A-mount lenses with three models—the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM, DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM and the 85mm f/2.8 SAM.

“These new lenses and camera show our commitment to the DSLR market and that we will never stop innovating,” said Kristen Elder, director, Digital Imaging, Sony Electronics. “These products complement our overall Sony Alpha lineup, which we are significantly expanding today. The camera offers a choice to those consumers who want to gain the benefits of professional-level shooting speed as well as be able to capture video with in a traditional style DSLR.”

Sony α560 DSLR. The 14.2 megapixel α560 offers the same features as its predecessor, the Sony α550, which introduced “quick AF live view,” 7-frames-per-second (fps) continuous shooting and auto HDR to the step-up DSLR class. Its next-gen Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor employs low-noise processing while its Bionz image processor has color-noise reduction that helps achieve low noise up to ISO 12800. Multi-frame noise reduction stacks a high-speed burst of six frames and creates a single low-noise exposure that boosts effective sensitivity to ISO 25600.

With quick AF live view, which utilizes two sensors, the α560 is said to focus as quickly in live view mode as when shooting through the eye-level viewfinder. And Sony equipped this camera with a 3.0-inch LCD screen that tilts 90 degrees and two live view functions; in addition to quick AF live view, for every day shooting, Sony provides focus check live view to enable framing and magnification for setting focus in macro and tripod shooting. Temporary 7x and 14x zoom views enable users to focus on fine detail while the 1x view shows 100 percent framing in the LCD.

The α560 also captures Full HD video in AVCHD files that can be viewed on an HDTV via the camera’s built-in HDMI terminal (cable not included). It also includes built-in stereo microphones for audio recording. And it offers creative control even when shooting movies, with users able to apply white balance and creative style settings, as well as adjust aperture settings and exposure compensation while recording movies.

Other features include: multi-shot technology that uses the camera’s high-speed sensor and processor to capture and assemble many frames to create low-noise, extended dynamic range, wide panoramas and 3D images; sweep panorama to capture shots up to 180 degrees horizontally or 126 degrees vertically; 3D sweep panorama mode to shoot 3D panoramic images with a single lens; support for Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD (including SDXC) media; and enhanced in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR) that can capture highlights, midtones and shadows while handling severe backlighting and other high-contrast scenes. The α560 has a maximum auto HDR range of 6EV.

Multi Frame NR is a new function where, when the shutter is released, the camera automatically takes six frames at the currently selected shutter speed, aperture and ISO, and combines them into a single JPEG with a reduction in noise at the selected aperture and shutter speed that is equivalent to approximately two ISO steps.

The α560 camera body and 18-55mm lens kit will cost about $750 and will be available in October. With the body only, it will cost about $650.

Sony SLT-A55V and Sony SLT-A33. Both models adopt Sony’s new Translucent Mirror technology, developed to achieve the highest level of autofocus speed for still image and movie shooting. Sony reports the pair “continuously and quickly focus (with TTL phase-detection) while shooting stills and recording video—even in Full HD, allowing desired moments to be captured in tack sharp focus, high-definition video.” The duo is equipped with a translucent mirror, which enables light passing through the lens to be simultaneously received by the image sensor and the autofocus sensor, “allowing continuous shooting and continuous focusing at speeds never before possible,” says Sony. The 16.2 megapixel α55 can shoot continuously at 10 fps, the 14.2MP α33 at up to seven.

Translucent Mirror technology does away with the motion of raising and lowering the mirror, so the absence of the moving mirror contributes to making the body size significantly more compact. And by eliminating the need to raise and lower the mirror between shots, it’s possible to focus while images are captured. The cameras also have continuous advance priority AE mode and will automatically adjust for the best exposure.

Other features include: a 15-point AF system with continuous phase-detect AF; the ability to maintain continuous phase detection AF while recording Full HD AVCHD video; an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor that allows the capture of background defocusing effects; a Tru-Finder eye-level viewfinder with 100 percent coverage and 1.1x magnification for shooting stills and movies; a fully articulated 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack technology and full-time live view; an ISO range of 100-12,800; auto HDR that combines three frames into a single high dynamic range (HDR) photo; multi-frame NR; handheld twilight that combines six frames into a single photo to suppress blur when shooting night scenes without a tripod or flash; 3D sweep panorama technology; auto+ (advanced auto) mode that enables the cameras to recognize the correct scene mode; and HDMI connectivity to Bravia HDTVs. Additionally, the α55 offers built-in GPS capability to enable global positioning coordinates to be recorded along with the date and time.

Compatible with A-mount lenses, these cameras also accept Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD media. A new dedicated microphone will also be available. The α55 and α33 cameras will cost about $750 and $650, respectively, for the body only and about $850 and $750 with an 18-55mm zoom lens. Theα33 will be available in September, and theα55 will reach retail in October.

New A-Mount Lenses Add Creativity
Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 ZA SSM (model SAL24F20Z). This lens functions as a wide-angle 24mm lens on full-frame cameras with 36mm-equivalent lens sensors or as a 36mm-equivalent lens for general use on cameras with APS-C sensors. Developed with Carl Zeiss, it employs the Carl Zeiss Distagon designed for wide-angle lenses. It also features a built-in SSM (super sonic wave motor), a focal range from 0.19m to infinity, a nine-blade circular aperture that along with its f/2 aperture contributes to natural bokeh effects, and an all-metal lens barrel. $1,250.

DT 35mm f/1.8 SAM (SAL35F18). Weighing 6 ounces, this lens can be added without noticeably increasing the weight of a camera bag. It has an approximately 50mm-equivalent focal length on an APS-C sensor, which makes it geared for snapshots and portraits under varying conditions. Its high-speed f/1.8 maximum aperture is helpful for handheld shooting in low light. At 0.8 ft., this lens has the shortest minimum focus in its class for close-up shooting, and its internal “smooth autofocus motor” (SAM) helps ensure responsive and fluid autofocus operation. $200.

85mm f/2.8 SAM (SAL85F28). This is a full-frame lens with the 85mm focal length that is a standard for portraiture. On an APS-C sensor camera, this lens functions as a 127.5mm-equivalent telephoto lens. It features a Sonnar-type optical design optimal for mid-range telephoto lenses and smooth defocusing thanks to its f/2.8 maximum aperture and circular aperture design. $250. sony.com

Six L-Series EF Lenses Also Debut, Including Wide Fisheye Zoom and Two Super Telephotos with Optional Extenders

Lake Success, NY—Canon USA announced its EOS 60D digital SLR, which boasts 18 megapixels of resolution, a 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD screen, Full HD video recording with manual overrides, in-camera functionality for RAW image processing plus creative filters. Aimed at advanced amateurs, the 60D replaces the EOS 50D and provides an array of new features to make it easier to add personal creativity to images.

“The EOS 60D has been designed to offer the image capture and the Full HD video features customers are looking for as they continue to expand their photographic skills. The exciting new features of the EOS 60D make using a DSLR camera more attractive and easier than ever before. We want everyone to experience the great image quality a Canon DSLR can offer with features and functions that they will appreciate and use,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging, Canon USA.

For the first time in the EOS system, the 60D has a vari-angle 3.0-inch Clear View LCD with 1,040,000-dot/VGA resolution plus antireflective and smudge-resistant coatings. Another first for the system is a multi-control dial, which streamlines navigation for vertical as well as horizontal shooting and enables a cleaner camera design than previous models. The 60D also has a locking mode dial, which prevents inadvertent changes to the selected shooting mode.

Yet another first for an EOS camera is the in-camera processing of RAW files, new reduced resolution image copies, and post-processing creative image filters. In-camera RAW image processing functions include picture style, white balance, color space, high-ISO noise reduction, peripheral illumination correction, linear distortion correction and chromatic aberration correction. The in-camera tools allow photographers to optimize images in the field and generate JPEGs at various resolution and compression settings for immediate sharing, without affecting the original RAW data. Lower resolution settings include 1,920x1,280 for display on HDTVs and 720x480 for uploading to social networking and photo-sharing websites.

New creative image filters include: soft focus; grainy black and white, for a nostalgic effect; toy camera, which adds vignetting and color shift for a creative option when shooting a colorful scene; and miniature effect, to make a scene appear like a small-scale model, simulating the look from a tilt-shift lens. The filters can be applied to a captured image in-camera to create a second “filtered” JPEG version, leaving the original RAW or JPEG file unaffected.

Also enhanced is the camera’s live view function, which adds an aspect ratio feature whereby the live view screen can display cropping lines for 1:1, 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratios in addition to the standard 3:2. And a dedicated button initiates live view for still and video shooting.

Video capture options include Full HD at 1,920x1,080 res with selectable frame rates of cinematic 24p, 25p or 30p, as well as 720p HD at 50p or 60p, and SD video at 50p or 60p. The new movie mode also provides manual controls for exposure and audio levels in 64 steps, much like the firmware update for the EOS 5D Mark II HD-SLR. Canon also added an electronic wind filter to the audio controls within the movie shooting menu and included in-camera movie editing, allowing users to shorten a video by clipping segments from the beginning or the end. The 60D also includes a movie crop mode, which permits users to achieve 7x magnification when shooting SD video.

Other features include: an optical viewfinder; 9-point autofocus; Canon’s iFCL 63-zone metering system (intelligent focus, color, luminance); full-res still capture at 5.3 frames per second; an ISO range from 100-6400 and expandable to 12,800; a pop-up flash with an integrated Speedlite transmitter for control of two groups of off-camera EOS Speedlites without using an external transmitter; and support for extended capacity SDXC memory cards.

The Canon EOS 60D DSLR is scheduled for late September delivery and will be sold in a body-only configuration for $1,099 and as a kit with Canon’s EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS zoom lens for $1,399. The Canon BG-E9 battery grip will retail for $270.

Six New L-Series EF Lenses and Accessories Introduced
Canon rounds out its summer introductions with four L-series lenses and two accessory extenders for professionals and advanced amateurs. “Canon’s core has always been our optics, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to produce better and more advanced optical systems for our customers. These six new products advance the state of the art in Canon lens technology and provide new and innovative tools for professionals and advanced amateur photographers,” added Yuichi Ishizuka.

EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM. Canon is marketing this lens as “the world’s widest fisheye zoom lens.” It delivers 180-degree diagonal angle of view images for all EOS SLRs from full-frame to APS-C and provides 180-degree circular fisheye images for full-frame EOS models. It employs UD (ultra-low dispersion glass) and aspherical lens elements to enhance image quality and is equipped with rubber gaskets and weather seals. Canon’s SWC (sub wavelength structure coating) is used to minimize flare, and a fluorine anti-smear coating is applied to the front and rear elements to make lens cleaning easier. Scheduled for January 2011, it will have an MSRP of $1,400.

EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6L IS USM. This compact, lightweight telephoto zoom lens is targeted at advanced amateurs looking for extra reach to bring a subject in tight and close. It incorporates two UD elements, weather and dust seals, an improved mechanical design and streamlined ergonomics to help avoid inadvertent mode switch operation. The shapes of the lens elements and their coatings are optimized to minimize ghosting and flare, and a new fluorine anti-smear coating is applied to the front and rear elements. The lens’s floating system optical formula is designed to improve image quality at all distance settings and reduce minimum focusing distance by more than a foot. An updated optical image stabilization (IS) system is added to combat camera shake up to four full shutter-speed steps. It is due out in October. $1,500.

EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM. This sixth generation of Canon 300mm f/2.8 lenses is suitable for a range of applications, from photojournalism and sports photography to nature and wildlife. This model is designed for improved image quality, 13 percent lighter weight, better image stabilization and enhanced durability. Its optical formula is upgraded with two fluorite lens elements for reduced chromatic aberration. For more durability, magnesium alloy and titanium is added to lens barrel components, along with weather sealing for all exterior joints and switches and a fluorine anti-smear coating on front and rear elements. It reaches retail in December. $7,000.

EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM. Canon’s professional 400mm f/2.8 lens is engineered to provide the light-gathering capability and long telephoto reach that sports photographers need to freeze action and fill the frame. It features two fluorite lens elements, reduced overall weight by 28 percent, IS that adds four shutter speed steps of shake compensation, the use of magnesium alloy and titanium for lens barrel components, weather sealing for all exterior joints and switches, and a fluorine anti-smear coating on front and rear elements. It’s also due in December. $11,000.

Extender EF 1.4x III and Extender EF 2x III. Replacements of Canon’s current extenders, these units are designed to provide faster autofocusing and improved autofocus precision with compatible EF lenses. Both employ an anomalous dispersion lens element for reduced chromatic aberration and enhanced image quality, a newly developed microcomputer that increases AF precision when the extenders are used with a IS series II EF super-telephoto lens, rubber gaskets and weather seals, and a fluorine anti-smear coating on front and rear elements. Both will be out in December. $500. usa.canon.com