Many Konica Minolta (KM) SLR owners will have despaired at the beginning of the year when they stopped producing SLRs to concentrate on business copiers. Despair no more!
Sony who was already thinking of entering the SLR market and producing parts for Nikon (like the sensors) and collaborating with KM was wise enough to buy the expertise and engineering facilities that would have otherwise been wasted...
I should explain that SLR stands for "single lens reflex". The camera operates through the viewfinder so you cannot see the picture on the screen until it has been taken. It is aimed at the enthusiast like me or pro markets. Sony already has good reputation for their consumer snap happy cameras but this is a different kettle of fish.
The Sony is a brand new camera that is not re-inventing the wheel. The body is almost the same as the KM Dynax 5d but has been given a more ergonomic design and trademark Sony controls. You also have two tiers of lenses from Sony, one is the more budget orientated Sony lenses
and for those who are professionals and have large budgets there are Sony lenses with Carl Zeiss optics which are second to none...
You can also get lenses from third parties, Sony has wisely decided not to go for propietry technology. I am also using a 10-20mm wide zoom lens from Sigma for landscapes which gives excellent results for the money, but that's another review... The camera will takes compactflash cards rathen than Memory Stick Duos although you can use these with an adapter. Another sign that Sony has really researched it's market here...
The camera kit is very use to use, you open the box and this kit comes with two lenses, an 18-70mm for everyday use, portraits, landscapes, etc. and a 75-300mmtelephoto zoom lens. Both are easy to fit with a quick screw in motion. On a digital camera where you replace lenses your biggest enemy is dust getting to the sensor so always do this operation in a clean environment and as little as possible (plan your shooting ahead is the message). Sony has tried new technology by shaking the sensor to dislodge dust which seems to work so far.
Startup time is fast. Extremely fast. You can turn it on and take your to the view finder and it will be ready to shoot. Shutter lag is non-existent. These are characteristics of every SLR camera that set them apart from compacts.
When you put your eye to the viewfinder a sensor will detect this and start focusing straight away for you. There are various focus settings you can use from manual focus to continuous auto focus for action shots. And if you are want to do a burst of shots you can set the camera to take 3 shots per second until the card is full and most will be in perfect focus. The camera also has a system called "Super Steadyshot" which shifts the sensor to reduce camera shake, however if you are shooting with a telephoto lens over 100mm you will need a tripod. The steady shot technology will reduce the shake but not get rid of it. Focus is very fast and smooth, but can be slightly noise. A flash is also built in which operates by popping it up from the top.
The everyday lens is excellent but softens at it's widest angle and the telephot lens is excellent. I have mounted the camera on top of a tripod and managed to get an excellent photo of my car number plate from 300 metres and of my car with the number plate still readable from 700 metres!
You also have a variety of other feature such as white balance, colour graduation, histograms on image review, multipoint focusing, aperture lock, shutter priority, exposure timing etc which are for your use if you are a prfessional or want to be creative with your photography.
This kit comprises the A-100 body and 18-75 mm zoom lens and 75-300mm telephoto zoom lens, battery, charger, comprehensive manual and strap.
Pixels are not the be all and end all of digital cameras as so much is dependent on the lens and image processor of the cameras. A 6m pixel SLR will always prduce images equivalent to 10m pixels on a compact because the sensors are large and the lenses are so much better.
The A-100 has a 10.2m pixel sensor. One cannot say what it's zoom abilities are as they are dependent on the lens. The 18-70mm lens is equivalent to 4x zoom on a compact but a compact to do the same would have to be around 14x zoom. You can also fit lenses that are 800mm and with 2x teleconverter this would be equivalent to 1600mm!
It also shoots in jpeg or RAW or both. Jpegs will be slightly compressed and around 5-7 mb, RAW images are exactly what the sensor sees with no compression and are around 12-20mb, and you can download via the USB port or any card reader.
The camera software can be upgraded as well.
The accessories you can buy (assuming you want to go beyond family and holiday snaps) are:
Lenses from Sony, third parties and the KM back catalogue for the past 21 years! Second hand markets for these are plentiful. They can do extremely different jobs so it is worthwhile getting a few mags to learn about this
Flashes as above.
Light filters
Tripods, monopods
Remote commanders
Bags for different trips.
If you buy something like this, photography will be very different and you will be fitter because you will walk a lot to get great landscapes.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good review, but personally I would liked to have know more about how easy it is to navigate the menu system and how easy the menus are to understand, especially without resorting to the manual.
You will receive 1 high quality Rechargeable Battery,100% fits!Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery ... more
(brand new merchandise in original packaging)This high capacity rechargeable battery definitely disposes of more power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device. This rechargeable battery can be used instead of the original rechargeable battery without any problems and can be recharged with the available standard power supply. The rechargeable battery is protected and secured against overcharge and short-circuits.Important information:A battery with a greater power output than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device can have larger dimensions. Please observe the dimensions in mm indicated in the offer (see above under technical details).safety due to heat and overcharge protectionmore power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your deviceno memory effect - recharge your battery whenever you likeexcellent fitting accuracy, certified quality merchandise, not an original accessorythe standard battery charger can still be usedLegal note: This item is compatible, not an original product of the digital camera manufacturer and is not manufactured, supported or recommended by the digital camera manufacturers. All brand names, trade marks and product names only serve the purpose of indicating compatibility, in doing so are not connected to the original products of the respective manufacturers and are the property of the respective holder of rights.
Postage & Packaging:£3.98 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
You will receive 1 high quality Rechargeable Battery,100% fits!Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery ... more
(brand new merchandise in original packaging)This high capacity rechargeable battery definitely disposes of more power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device. This rechargeable battery can be used instead of the original rechargeable battery without any problems and can be recharged with the available standard power supply. The rechargeable battery is protected and secured against overcharge and short-circuits.Important information:A battery with a greater power output than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device can have larger dimensions. Please observe the dimensions in mm indicated in the offer (see above under technical details).safety due to heat and overcharge protectionmore power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your deviceno memory effect - recharge your battery whenever you likeexcellent fitting accuracy, certified quality merchandise, not an original accessorythe standard battery charger can still be usedLegal note: This item is compatible, not an original product of the digital camera manufacturer and is not manufactured, supported or recommended by the digital camera manufacturers. All brand names, trade marks and product names only serve the purpose of indicating compatibility, in doing so are not connected to the original products of the respective manufacturers and are the property of the respective holder of rights.
Postage & Packaging:£3.98 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
You will receive 1 high quality Rechargeable Battery,100% fits!Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery ... more
(brand new merchandise in original packaging)This high capacity rechargeable battery definitely disposes of more power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device. This rechargeable battery can be used instead of the original rechargeable battery without any problems and can be recharged with the available standard power supply. The rechargeable battery is protected and secured against overcharge and short-circuits.Important information:A battery with a greater power output than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device can have larger dimensions. Please observe the dimensions in mm indicated in the offer (see above under technical details).safety due to heat and overcharge protectionmore power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your deviceno memory effect - recharge your battery whenever you likeexcellent fitting accuracy, certified quality merchandise, not an original accessorythe standard battery charger can still be usedLegal note: This item is compatible, not an original product of the camera manufacturer and is not manufactured, supported or recommended by the camera manufacturers. All brand names, trade marks and product names only serve the purpose of indicating compatibility, in doing so are not connected to the original products of the respective manufacturers and are the property of the respective holder of rights.
Postage & Packaging:£3.98 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
You will receive 1 high quality Rechargeable Battery,100% fits!Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery ... more
(brand new merchandise in original packaging)This high capacity rechargeable battery definitely disposes of more power than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device. This rechargeable battery can be used instead of the original rechargeable battery without any problems and can be recharged with the available standard power supply. The rechargeable battery is protected and secured against overcharge and short-circuits.Important information:A battery with a greater power output than the battery which was included in the delivery of your device can have larger dimensions. Please observe the dimensions in mm indicated in the offer (see above under technical details).safety due to heat and overcharge protectionmore powerthan the battery which was included in the delivery of your deviceno memory effect - recharge your battery whenever you likeexcellent fitting accuracy, certified quality merchandise, not an original accessorythe standard battery charger can still be usedLegal note: This item is compatible, not an original product of the camera manufacturer and is not manufactured, supported or recommended by the camera manufacturers. All brand names, trade marks and product names only serve the purpose of indicating compatibility, in doing so are not connected to the original products of the respective manufacturers and are the property of the respective holder of rights.
Postage & Packaging:£3.98 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Ex-Pro replacement Li-ion Battery. Can be used as a replacement or additional battery. Our ... more
cell's are manufactured to the highest standard meeting or exceeding the orginal manufacturers specification and supplied with a 2 year RTB guarantee. Ex-Pro batteries are fully tested and built with lithium-Ion technology to ensure maximum Power and battery life. 100% OEM Compatible with your original battery, save pounds on OEM manufactures replacement costs. Suitable for a wide range of Digital Camera's.
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
very helpful by (100%):
