Sony Announces Their 24-Megapixel, Full-Frame
Flagship Alpha Digital SLR
Today, Sony announced their expected flagship digital SLR – the 24-megapixel, full-frame sensor Alpha DSLR-A900. The camera is no surprise as they showed the sensor and a model of the camera at PMA this January where the announcement was arguably the biggest of the show. And even though we knew it was coming, the A900 announcement is still a big deal. A pro-spec’d 24-megapixel, full-frame DSLR from a relative newcomer to the digital SLR space is a huge achievement. Sony is anything but casual about their digital SLR line and the A900 shows how serious their commitment is.
Looking at the specs and features of the new A900 we can see it’s definitely aimed at the pro market: 100% viewfinder coverage, 1/250th second flash sync, 5 frames-per-second capture rate, AF fine-tuning (AF Micro Adjustment) for up to 30 lenses, and of course the huge 6048 x 4032 pixel image size. A pro camera needs to be able to take some abuse so the A900 has a magnesium alloy skeleton and weather sealing to protect it from the elements. Of course, the camera also has Sony’s SteadyShot built-in image stabilization that works with any Sony or Minolta Maxxum mount lens. The A900 is the first full frame DSLR to have sensor-level image stabilization.
The one thing the camera is missing – and this is a surprise – is Live View. It has a RAW “preview” feature, which captures a RAW image for evaluation but doesn’t store it to memory. But that’s not the same as Live View. Maybe Sony believes pros don’t need Live View?
As always, we’ll have to wait to see if the performance and image quality live up to the specs and hype. But if past experience with Sony digital SLRs is an indicator, the A900 should be quite a camera.
The Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 will be available in November and should cost just under $3000. That’s a very competitive price for a camera of this caliber and definitely a challenge to Canon and Nikon.
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Press Release
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Specs
Related Content:
Sony Digital SLR User Reviews
All Digital SLR User Reviews
Sony Cameras Forum
Digital SLR Forum
Sony Alpha Cameras Web Site
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Good but I like my excelent Nikon 35mm F2.0 on my D80
You would love Minolta’s 35mm f/1.4 AF on A900 too, or Minolta 50mm f/1.4 AF, or Minolta 28mm f/2.0AF too.
Why no pic of the backside? I haven’t found a digital yet that I would be willing to set aside my Canon AT-1 35mm.
I’ve tried some and I can’t stand a camera that tries to decide what I’m trying to capture in a shot! Nor do I like that they hesitate with the shutter when I’m tring to catch on object in mid-movement.
I’d like to see hybred cameras(dig/35mm SLR, without all the bells and whistles), so a person can have the option of which medium they wish to work with.
To the poster above: I’ve tried this Sony and it is the most film like experience I’ve had in the digital era. The viewfinder and whole feel of the camera is like a 35mm SLR, especially the shutter, and using it with the excellent prime lenses I tried it with was surprisingly reminiscent of my Canon FTb. Try one, you’ll be impressed!
I tried the Sony A900 with the Zeiss Lens.
Construction is Solid and The Grip feels like very secure and firm.
Pictures are superb,never seen anything like this in Digital
and the HDMI editing is simply Awesome.
This is truly State of the Art photography.
This is the one DSLR I been waitinmg for.
I have to get one soon.
i want to buy the SONY A 900
i bought the A900, but was not aware that the DT series of lenses are not fully compatible with the camera. ie it crops the image and therefore u dont get the 24mb.
Denis-
Thanks for your comment on the Sony A900. Hopefully it will help someone else avoid making the same mistake. Right now we have multiple lens systems for APS-C, Four Thirds, and full frame digital SLRs. It can be confusing. Full frame (Sony Alpha A900, Canon E)S 5D Mark II, Nikon D700, etc.) cameras won’t use all the same lenses that the APS-C sensor cameras use.
I hope you ended up being happy with your A900, in spite of the misunderstanding about the DT lenses. From everything I’ve heard, the A900 is an excellent digital SLR. I’ve been very impressed with what Sony has done with the line since the original A100 Alpha camera.
Please share your experience with the camera by writing a review for us. Here’s a link to the Sony A900 user review page:
Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 User Reviews >>
Thanks again for commenting on this story and thanks in advance for your review!