Sony Alpha A65 dan Alpha A77: Membidik Fotografer Pemula dan Profesional
Bagi para fotografer pemula maupun professional, kini Sony hadir kembali merilis kamera Sony Alpha terbaru yaitu Sony Alpha A65 dan Sony Alpha A77.
Meneruskan generasi Sony Alpha A55 dan Alpha A33 yang mengusung sistem translucent mirror, Sony Alpha A65 dan Alpha A77 hadir dengan sensor EXMOR CMOS beresolusi 24-megapixel. Walau sensornya sama besar dan masih mempertahankan model LCD bergaya tilt yang dapat digunakan untuk bereksplorasi dengan sudut pengambilan gambar, namun tetap terdapat berbagai perbedaan yang cukup signifikan diantara keduanya, baik dari material body maupun fitur-fitur yang ditawarkan.
[tab: Sony Alpha A65]
Sony Alpha A65 dihadirkan dengan body yang lebih kecil dan material body-nya terbuat dari bahan plastik polycarbonate yang ringan. Dengan sistem translucent mirror yang diusungnya, kamera ini memiliki kemampuan menangkap gambar secara continuous yang cepat hingga 10 fps yang sama dengan Alpha A55. Selain itu tersedia juga fitur object tracking autocus, merekam video dalam format full HD 1080/60p dan Opsi ISO yang tersedia dari ISO 100 hingga ISO 16.000.
Kamera ini juga dilengkapi dengan sensor AF sebanyak 15 titik, viewfinder elektronik berteknolgi XGA OLED TruFinder, dan sebuah layar LCD berukuran 3-inci dengan teknologi Xtra Fine TruBlack LCD.
Hadir sebagai kamera DSLR Sony Alpha teratas saat ini, Sony Alpha A77 memiliki desain body yang cukup besar dengan material body yang terbuat dari campuran magnesium alloy dan plastik. Dibalik bodynya yang besar, disematkan sebuah layar LCD berukuran 3-inci dengan teknologi Xtra Fine TruBlack LCD, serta viewfinder elektronik berteknologi XGA OLED TruFinder yang sama dengan Sony Alpha A65.
Dari segi performa, Alpha A77 memiliki performa yang sangat cepat dengan kemampuan menangkap gambar secara continuous hingga 12 fps dan membuatnya tidak hanya lebih unggul dari Alpha A65 tapi juga dengan kamera DSLR lain saat ini.
Selain itu yang membedakannya dengan sang adik, Sony Alpha A77 dilengkapi dengan pilihan ISO dari ISO 100 hingga ISO 16000 serta fitur kustomisasi ISO yang dapat diatur hingga ISO 50. Jumlah sensor AF yang digunakan juga lebih banyak yaitu sebanyak 19 titik dan tersedia pula fitur GPS yang terintegrasi di dalam bodynya, serta sebuah joystick yang dapat digunakan untuk mempermudah navigasi.
Kedua kamera DSLR terbaru dari Sony ini akan tersedia dipasaran dalam waktu dekat dengan harga yang masih belum dirahasiakan. Namun berdasarkan info yang kami terima dari berbagai sumber di dunia maya ini, Sony Alpa A77 akan dibanderol dengan harga sekitar US$ 1000 hingga US$ 1200 dan Sony Alpha A65 akan dijual dengan harga sekitar US$ 899 hingga US$ 999.
[tab:Press Release]SONY’S LATEST ? DSLR CAMERAS BRING NEW LEVELS OF SPEED, PERFORMANCE AND CREATIVITY TO PHOTO ENTHUSIASTS
?77 and ?65 Models Expand Translucent Mirror Technology Line; Deliver 24.3 megapixels with up to 12- and 10- fps AF-enabled continuous shooting
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (?77) and SLT-A65 (?65).
Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve. The ?77 and ?65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.
The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ? image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.
“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”
The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed ?700 DSLR, the ?77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The ?65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.
Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the ?77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The ?65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – even if the target is momentarily obscured. Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.
The ?77 and ?65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving at fast speeds.
Unprecedented image quality and creative options
A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (?77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.
Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.
However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.
The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.
In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format. Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage. Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.
Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the ?77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (?65: two-way adjust LCD).
Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder.
The ?77 adds front and rear control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.
A new shutter unit on the ?77 is tested up to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geo-tagging of photos and video clips with location data.
New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories
The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for both portrait and everyday shooting.
The high-performance lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and offers a zoom range of approximately 3x range at constant wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.
An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM? batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.
Pricing and Availability
The new ?77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400. The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.
The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the ?77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.
The new ?65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.
Both the ?77 and ?65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.
For “sneak peak” videos of the new products, please visit www.sony.com/cameravideos.