How to select the right Sony Alpha dSLR

By Leonard Goh, CNET Asia
Aug 11, 2009

The Alpha DSLR-A900 is Sony's first full-frame dSLR.

It would be impossible to talk about Sony's dSLRs without mentioning Konica-Minolta in the same breath. After all, the former acquired the latter's imaging division and the Dynax system in 2006. With the blueprints for dSLRs and lenses, Sony set out to compete against the big boys in the imaging industry. With its aggressive marketing and innovative products, the company's shooters are becoming a threat to major players like Canon and Nikon.

The Alpha DSLR-A100 was unveiled in 2006 for amateur users. The next year, the Alpha DSLR-A700's announcement was targeted at enthusiasts. Last year, the full-frame Alpha DSLR-A900 came on scene and this flagship shooter completed Sony's dSLR lineup. All this was accomplished within three years.

The Japanese company is working with Carl Zeiss for some lenses. It has also included the Super Sonic Wave Motor in certain optics to ensures silent operation.

Sony's dSLRs use the same mount as Konica Minolta's Dynax system, so older optics are compatible as well. There isn't any optical image stabilizer built into its lenses, but the Alpha cameras utilize the same sensor-shift IS mechanics found in Olympus' shooters.

Interested to find out more about Sony's Cyber-shot point-and-shoots? Click here.