Sony Australia is set to launch two new mirrorless digital cameras with interchangeable-lens. They include an Alpha d-SLR and a next-generation NEX-series compact mirrorless model.Sony claims that the new lenses are the smallest and lightest interchangeable-lens they have ever launched The lenses allow a portion of the light from the lens to filter through the mirror component to the image sensor to record the picture. At the same time, the mirror reflects a portion of the light up to another sensor used by the phase detection autofocus (AF) system.
This is useful for high-frame-rate shooting (up to 7 fps shooting RAW format, 18/14fps shooting JPEG standard/fine resolution in the A35) and for capturing fast-moving subjects Sony claims.
Sony will launch the new cameras in the second half of the year claims a major camera retailer. The SLT-A35 d-SLR is expected to retail for between $700 and $800 in Australia (including 18-55mm lens).
The Sony SLT-A35 d-SLR features an electronic eye-level viewfinder and the company’s recently introduced fixed translucent mirror technology that first appeared last year in the A55 and A33 models. The A35 is positioned as a model that will bring this SLT technology down to a more affordable price; it ships in August in the USA at a $700 suggested retail price, including an 18-55mm kit lens.
It also allows Live View to be the rule rather than the exception for both the LCD and eye-level viewfinder, and enables exposure and focusing to occur simultaneously — something not possible in other d-SLR cameras.
The camera includes a 16-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS (APS-C size) image sensor. It will record Full HD 1,080/60i video in AVCHD format and 1,440 by 1,080 video in MP4 HD.
Sony’s selectable Super SteadyShot image stabilisation system is included.
