New Cameras (and lenses we already knew about)

[DonSchap]

Yep ... I hear ya! There is nothing like a real life test drive when it comes to equipment.

[laydros]

I feel like I can see things in the OVF better than I can on the screen. Plus its nice to just hit a button to see, then snap the shot, instead of shooting, hitting play, deleting, framing again, etc.

[Rooz]

you're telling me that on your tiny VF you can check for depth of field accurately ? you must have the eyes of a hawk. even on the d700's large bright VF i struggle to really get a good idea of it. personally, i think its redundant in the digital age. so much easier, (and far more reliable), to take the shot and blow it up on the screen.

the cameras released look decent i suppose. nothing earth shattering but at least they're not complete dogs like the a330/380. the proof will be in how they shoot. unless they have a distinct IQ advantage over the canikon models then sony have again missed their mark. no video and still that clumsy screen.

the $2000 FF model is a standout only on price but here's the clincher...most people buy FF to gain the low light advantage. at 24mp, (and given the a900 is not a great low light performer), i'm wondering if they have just stepped backwards. if it performs the same at hi iso as say a d300/d90/40d then whats the point ? so you get the FF fov...ok, but really...is that enuf ? sure on the short end there is the beauty of FOV, but at the long end you drop your focal lengths without, (potentially), a gain in DR and iso capability. curious to see how it all pans out in testing.

sony seems to be going with its tried and proven consumer strategy; flood the market with many models but also compete on price with the big guys. if you're serious about dslr then sony havent exactly given you any confidence they're in it for you.

[dr4gon]

DOF for me on the A700 was fun to press since I had never seen one before.

I never really found it that useful, as I can pretty accurately gauge DOF just from experience and me pretty accurately being able to gauge what I want in and out of focus. When it gets up there to F/8 to F/11 and beyond, I'm not as sure, but I rarely shoot those apertures.

The A500 really seems like a waste. It's $200 less than the A550, but it sounds like a supped up A350 with probably a slightly better sensor. The A550 does sound promising, but you have to wonder, at $950 MSRP for a body, it can't be that incredible. It's priced considerably less than the Nikon D90. But perhaps it's just Sony's plan to really lure people over and make it affordable.

[Rooz]

But perhaps it's just Sony's plan to really lure people over and make it affordable.

i think thats exactly it. lure the bottom end in that dont know any better and are familiar with the sony branding and then hope to build from there. beats me buddy.

[laydros]

Noise test: http://www.klubkm.pl/forum/showpost....&postcount=422

Very nice.

About DOF preview, I certainly don't use it often. It is easier to take 2 images, zoom in, and flip the wheel back and forth to see the difference in DOF. But I dunno, I use it sometimes and I'm glad it's there. I could go without it, but it is kinda disappointing for it to be missing on a mid-level camera. But not as disappointing as not having the rear wheel, even the D90 has that.

[raven15]

I like the full frame model's direction, but if I were ever to consider one they'd have to make it even smaller, and seriously improve their offering of specialized lenses. The main strength of Sony's lens line up are Tamron zooms, which isn't what I'd want on a 35mm DSLR.

I like the "depth of field preview" button on Olympus cameras because you can set it to many different things. Mine is now on "one touch white balance."

[Rooz]

Noise test: http://www.klubkm.pl/forum/showpost....&postcount=422

Very nice.

sony users make a habit of using this sort of stupid test, they did the exact same sort of thing when the a700 came out. first of all, there is a strong hard light source aimed directly at the subject to fill in shadows that show up smudging and noise and second of all the 6400 shot is at 1/125, f8. how on earth is that a test of low light capability ? answer: its NOT.

[jekostas]

Noise test: http://www.klubkm.pl/forum/showpost....&postcount=422

Very nice.

I wouldn't put much stock in that image as just about every review I've seen about Sony camcorders with the backlit sensors has stated that the low-light performance out of the camera is mediocre, at best.

Also, this may be the first time I've seen a major equipment announcement to do with dSLRs where more BODIES were announced than lenses.

[DonSchap]

Also, this may be the first time I've seen a major equipment announcement to do with dSLRs where more BODIES were announced than lenses.

SONY released the:

1. AF 50mm f/1.8 DT SAM &
2. AF 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM back in May ...
3. AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SAM this month,
4. AF 30mm f/2.8 DT MACRO, also.
5. AF 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DT SAM, already on the shelf in March.

Five lenses ... it's a start.

TAMRON releases the SP AF 60mm f/2 Di 1:1 MACRO (SONY-Mount) this November.

The lenses are there. The cameras were a little slow. Pick one and just enjoy it!