Why Sony? Because people want to take better pictures--and the all-new Sony α DSLR-A100 camera makes it easier to explore all the creative possibilities of digital photography. Sony electronic innovations for higher sensitivity, smoother image stabilization, and superior picture quality give the α system spectacular DSLR performance with amazing simplicity. Along with superb Sony and Carl Zeiss lenses and a full range of professional accessories, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera also builds on 20 years of Minolta camera optics to provide instant compatibility with over 16 million A-mount lenses sold worldwide.
With advanced electronics, superb Sony and Carl Zeiss lenses, and amazing creative capabilities, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera brings better pictures within easy reach. It introduces Sony imaging innovations like high-sensitivity shooting with Super SteadyShot in-camera image stabilization, Dynamic Range Optimizer to automatically increase detail in bright and dark picture areas, new Anti-Dust technology to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, and Eye-Start Autofocus system for faster camera response. It also builds on a two-decade legacy of Minolta photographic leadership, accepting millions of A-mount lenses sold worldwide.
Superior Electronics, Amazing Simplicity
In the revolutionary new Sony α DSLR-A100 camera, Sony digital technology takes you a giant step toward professional performance--with advanced imaging, image stabilization, and creative control functions, plus ease of operation that helps everyone take better digital pictures right from the start.
Advanced Lenses and Accessories
The Sony α DSLR-A100 camera is your gateway to an incredibly sophisticated array of lenses and accessories--including precision Sony standard and zoom lenses, Sony "G" Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss T* coated lenses, professional-quality flash units, and compatibility with over 16 million Maxxum, Dynax, and A-mount lenses sold worldwide.
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A large APS-size CCD imager with Sony's advanced Super HAD (Hole Accumulated Diode) design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity, reducing noise, and providing greater detail when you make big prints or crop in close on your subject.
Super SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization
When you shoot with high sensitivity, the shutter remains open longer--so to compensate for shaky hands or fast-moving subjects, the Sony Super SteadyShot system automatically reduces image blur. And because it works in-camera, you'll get the benefit of Super SteadyShot stabilization with every lens you use.
Sharp, Clear Photos that Preserve the Mood
With high-sensitivity (ISO 1600) shooting, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera captures great photos without flash even in low light--which makes it an ideal system camera for shooting without a tripod or in locations (like museums and churches) where flash is prohibited.
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Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera--so to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.
Dynamic Range Optimizer
To recover details in dark or bright areas of the picture, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera provides two levels of Dynamic Range Optimization: Normal DRO, to improve shadow detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.
Bionz Image Processor
At the heart of the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera is the advanced Bionz Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that responds ten times faster than software image processors--improving camera response time, handling Dynamic Range Optimization processing, and extending Stamina battery life.
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Some DSLR systems don't start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed--but that can slow down camera response. The Sony α DSLR-A100 camera begins its precision autofocus adjustments the moment you bring your eye to the viewfinder, to capture fast-action subjects other cameras might blur.
2.5-Inch Clear Photo LCD Plus Screen
The Clear Photo LCD Plus design of the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera's built-in screen makes it easy to read camera setup menus even in bright sunlight--and gives you a better picture when you use your screen to set up shots and check results.
Continuous Burst Mode at 3 Frames Per Second
To catch fast action more effectively, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera offers continuous JPEG image capture up to the limit of your flash memory card--plus RAW Burst Mode (up to six shots) with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.
18-200mm f3.5-6.3 Lens
A zoom lens with higher magnification for shooting effectively at greater distances. Specially designed for the APS-size CCD imager of the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera, this is the standard zoom lens that brings you closer to your subject. With superior all-in-one lens performance for everyday shooting, its 35mm-equivalent range of 27mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto excels at capturing faraway subjects, sports events, dramatic landscapes and intimate close-up views.
Lens Features
Internal focusing system
Internal lens elements move, so the overall length does not change--creating a lens that focuses more quickly and doesn’t change balance.
Aspherical lens elements
Three aspherical elements correct visual aberrations more effectively across the entire zoom range and help reduce weight.
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass
Two ED Glass lenses minimize flare and greatly reduce chromatic aberration, giving you sharp, clear shots even at full telephoto extension.
Circular aperture
Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.
Super-Accurate Exposure Control
A 40-segment honeycomb sensing system provides multi-pattern measuring for superior exposure control accuracy.
Flexible Exposure Modes
For greater creative freedom in a wide range of shooting conditions, the Sony α DSLR-A100 camera provides full manual exposure control as well as Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Exposure Compensation modes.
9-Point Autofocus Selection
The Sony α DSLR-A100 camera gives you all the focusing options you need for composing your shot with foreground, background or off-center subjects--including manual focus point selection, Spot AF, Continuous AF, and AF Lock.
Lithium Ion Battery with Stamina Power
A supplied NP-FM55H Lithium Ion rechargeable battery lets you take up to 600 shots on a full charge, recharges quickly with supplied battery charger.
Dual Media Options
The Sony α DSLR-A100 camera accepts both CompactFlash Type I/II media and optional Memory Stick Duo media (with supplied adaptor).
Customer Reviews
nice camera
this is a great camera. beware that some times when you take a picture it will freeze the camera and you will need to remove the battery. other than that, this is a great camera. i recommend sony, since the anti-shake is in the body, where other companies put it in expensive lenses. if you dont want to deal with the freezing of the camera, then go with a newer model, but i recommend staying with a sony. they have features that some other companies didn't put in there cameras.
Minolta in Sony Clothes
I'm sooo happy I managed to get one of these before Sony made all their changes. It acts just like my Minolta Film cameras, the venerable 9000 and the newer 5 Film - easy to use menus, controls where I want them and that wonderful lighting fast autofocus. I'm not a fan of anything Sony proprietary (like the battery) but so far it's been good to me. I bought this to take pictures of my newborn son - cause face it, no P&S will ever react fast enough to catch the boy with his eyes scrunched up and tongue hanging out.
One serious con is the sheer bulk of the thing. My wife LOVED the Maxxum 5 Film, lightweight and thin for her little hands. She needs to use two hands almost exclusively for this beast. It's not a weight issue either, it's the shape of the grip. I find my fingernails grinding into the body from the way I hold the camera one handed. Better grips could be had.
There are certainly fuller featured models out there, even in this manufacturer, but really, how often do you use all those features? I know what I'm doing, I'm a photographer from way back with a Pentax K1000 knock off from Cosina, but about all I ever do is change the flash or exposure compensation settings, and usually I get better results if I use the pre-programmed modes anyway.
Takes a darn pretty picture in plain old automatic, too. Just like the Maxxum 5, if you can teach a 5 year old to frame and compose, the camera will do the rest.
Of course there's the compatibility issue with all my old Minolta glass... eh... some of it plays nice, and some of (and particularly my portrait lens) will not work in anything other than full manual. Which is okay really, better than purchasing an entire new library of Nikkor lenses.
Oh, the image stabilization program in the body? Works like a charm.
Good camera. Evil customs charges
Excellent camera and lens. Terrific value and good service from supplier. Disappointed that there was an additional customs bill of £71! Could you warn customers of this charge, in future.
Despite this, at a total cost of £330, it was still a real bargain
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