Camera Labs

...previewed on "the other site", not got round to looking for others yet.

Only quickly scanning it now...

A850 - nothing new there but price of $2000 is given. Availability from September.
A5xx - face and smile detection in quick live view mode. Implemented precise (main sensor) live view with zoom as rumored. Built in HDR, 5 level DRO. Exmor sensor (not -R). 180 degree (90 up/down) tilt screen. Availability from end Oct.

A500 12MP 5 fps low res screen $750
A550 14MP 5 or 7 fps high res screen $950

+$100 to either if you want the kit lens.

So basically rumors confirmed. I'll have the A550 please, that is the true upgrade from the A350.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

This is what Sony should have released instead of the A230/380!

Too bad the "good" A5xx is the one with the "bad" sensor. If the A700 and A380 are anything to go by, the A500 will wipe the floor with the A550 when it comes to image quality.

Unless Sony leave out some major features in their precise live-view, they will have a massive edge over the competition in this area with the best of both systems as they truly have both. Kudos to Sony.

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Graham
Flickr

The A550 has a CMOS Exmor sensor like the A500. It is not the CCD from the A350/A380. While it is reasonable to assume the A500 will have similar image quality to A700, the A550 could possibly be better as it is a new sensor.

As far as I can tell, there is no AF at all in precise LV mode, but then again that's why they give you the quick AF LV mode...

On the viewfinder, it is improved from the 0.74x of the A350, but still smaller than average at 0.8x compared to for example the 500D at 0.87x.

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Canon DSLRs: 7D, 5D2, 1D, 600D, 450D full spectrum, 300D IR mod
Lenses: EF 35/2, 50/1.8, 85/1.8, 135/2+SF, 28-80 V, 70-300L, 100-400L, TS-E 24/3.5L, MP-E 65, EF-S 15-85 IS
3rd party: Zeiss 2/50 makro, Samyang 8mm fisheye, Sigma 150 macro, 120-300 f/2.8 OS, Celestron 1325/13
Tinies: Sony HX9V.

Hi popo,

Many thanks for breaking the news on the forum. Good catch.

I think the three new alpha models are significant enough to each deserve their own thread so I created the following and, very respectfully, have locked this thread and ask that any discussion continues in the relevant thread:

• Sony announces the Alpha 850
  
• Sony announces the Alpha 550
  
• Sony announces the Alpha 500

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.