Attached Link: dpreview (alpha)

I couldn't be happier for Minolta and KM owners.  I can't wait to see what else Sony has in store for us and this Alpha 10MP sounds like a winner to me!  I am very pleased with my 5D and I won't be upgrading anytime soon.  However, I am quite certain I will continue my DSLR adventure with Sony when the time comes to purchase again!

Well it looks VERY similiar to the KM 5d...even the menu I saw in the preview is KM like!  Well now at least when I invest in some higher end glass...I know there is an upgrade path!  For now though my 5d and G6 are quite a combo! 

The 2 features that I think sound good are the dust removal and the image stabilizing in cam.
That is an expense having to always buy lenses with it.

I will stick with the Nikons though.

Aw, c'mon Doug, become a SONY man! I'll wait on reading some user reviews before I toss the `ol Oly though. Very tempting though. :b_tonguewink:

According to my photography supplier last year, Sony was just a big name in electronics, but absolutely worthless in photography. I still have an open mind though, about the possibilities of this Alpha range, but I have to say I just ordered an Olympus dSLR (E-500), so I'll stick with that for at least the next few months (LOL).

Yeay for you Geert! Go OLYPMUS! =]

Looks great....but...

I'm a bit Sony-shy at the moment . My Vaio has had a constant issue and Sony has been unable to fix it...and it's a serious problem...I can't ever shut the thing off...or it goes into a three day hibernation.

Sony's great advice?Send it to them and in a month or two they'll send it back to me...No replacement...nothing...(I discovered this a month after buying it and it's not even a year old.Grrrr...)

So I don't think I'll be buying any new Sony products in the future...

"Some mornings it's not worth chewing through the leather straps." - Emo Phillips

Hi again...Joe was kind enough to send me a link that has to do with Sony Vaio shutdown problems...unfortunately it's regarding their laptop and while it describes a similar problem,mine is a bit different.

But...I thought this note at the bottom of the link rather telling...

" It took many people quite much time to find out, what the problem is and how to solve it.
Sony is totally neglecting this problem and the questions of their costumers.
I told them about the problem and the possible software workaround and all they do is to give my email adress to people calling the Sony helpline (for $20 per call).

So if I could help you with this page, just think about how much money you saved and donate for a charity organisation of your choice.
Thank you!"

Anyway,thanks again,Joe.I appreciate your trying to help.

Eschew obfuscation 

Looks good, and I’m sure it will be competitive especially with the dust removal (we will see how good that is, shaking off dust is one thing, but where does it go?) and steady shot, I know that it means you have IS/VR etc with all lenses, but the wide angles don’t really need it unless low light etc. Still there’s no denying that it is a good idea.

Up to now I have been very spectacle about the Sony imagers. So will have to wait and see how that goes.

I will be sticking to Canon and I’m sure the Nikon/Oly crowd will feel the same way; especially if they have a lot invested in glass.

One thing I would say, is that the body is light, that’s good and bad, good if you want a light cam and use small lenses, bad if you use big lenses, as the balance isn’t there, same issues with the 350D etc, I wonder if there will be a grip? (maybe, I only skim read the preview)

Hey Nikon owners....check and see just who makes your imaging chips.... especially the D200 owners...

Here is a little info on the Alpha chip:
10 megapixel APS-C CCD
Interestingly Sony has gone for CCD rather than CMOS with this camera, so it's not the same sensor as used in the DSC-R1. We've no official confirmation but it seems likely that this is the same 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD used in the Nikon D200.

Since They Make Them!

Not bashing anyone, so don't get me wrong...I just find this topic amusing.

BTW, I don't own a DSLR as of yet, but I do own a Sony R1, and V-3.  Which I will never get rid of....
Being a large and medium format film shooter, the R1 (with waist level lcd) is perfect....don't care about movies, and burst mode...etc.
The V-3 is like a modern day version of some of the old film rangefinder cameras.  Perfect off the shoulder street cam.

Having said all of this ...ie. nothing,,,,
I have used almost All of the Dslrs out there at least once (trial basis, friends cams, etc.) And would gladly take one from ANY manufacturer....as long as there is some good glass to put on.

nplus is correct...the D200 sensor is made by Sony.  So, it is very likely that this same ccd is the one found in the new Sony DSLR.  And, I wouldn't even be surprised if it is an improved version of the one used in the D200.

The one thing that still concerns me is the anti-dust mechanism.  It appears to be a similar to that found in the Oly's....ie an ultrasonic vibration of the sensor/filter assembly.  Don't get me wrong, getting the dust off is a good idea.....however, shaking the crap (pun intended) out of your sensitive electronic components doesn't seem like a good idea.  I have heard reports (unconfirmed)of sensor re-alignment because of this...tilted sensor and change in focal plane issues. Any small change in sensor position after a shake would be disasterous.  Some manufacturers claim it is only the filter that gets the shake....if that's the case that means if anything gets between the sensor and filter you'll never get it out.

I guess time will tell and again it is the consumer that debugs for the manufacturer.

@Simon...where does the dust go?...why, in the dust bin of course!!!

Quote - @Simon...where does the dust go?...why, in the dust bin of course!!!  

LOL

I know this dust issue keeps creeping up, but I am happy with the wet cleaning method it works well for me, I’m still pretty spectacle about this ultrasonic dust removal, its too early to know how this will work out in the longer run.

Where does the dust go? With Olympus, the dust is collected on some kind of adhesive film that's to be replaced every 3 years, as recommended. For the sceptics: one of the big reviewers/testers has been shooting with this Supersonic Wave Filter for over a year, and says he never noticed a sign of dust on his images... That's okay for me... ;-)

And I've been using E-300 for more than a year and never noticed any problems with dust in the images. There's one interesting thing thing there: "It will be introduced with 19 high-quality Sony lenses" As far as I know, Sony has been using Zeiss. So what's this "Sony lenses"?

Zeiss will still be making glass for sony.....And you thought some of the canon glass was expensive! 

........after much study of what was available in dslr's -- I purchased a Canon 30D a few months ago - ( my first digital cam ) - and I must say - I was waiting for the next big release to see if I had made the right choice --- decided the Olympus 330 wasn't going to do it for me - and likewise the new Panasonic dslr ( though it was tempting to wait for that one ) ---- so , now this new Sony pops on the scene looking pretty good on paper --- but I must say - I have been extremely happy with the 30D -- and I like to hang on to cameras for a long time - not into the constant upgrade treadmill, thank-you ----but it will be interesting to see how the Alpha pans out.

No, only the weathly photographers can keep up with the latest and greatest. =]

Well as an owner of Maxxum lenses and a current Sony digital camera owner. I can't wait for this thing to come out. I was going to buy the Maxxum 7d, and was disappointed to see the lack of 7d controls and weight on the Alpha, but I like the Alpha's Raw image format. It looks like they will not be using the mrw file format that can only be edited in DiMage software. What a pain...

I just hope this thing lives up to expectations for me!

:unsure:

"Take a picture...It lasts longer!"

-Curt

@**DCLEW2,
.MRW can be edited by many other programs: there is a Photoshop plug-in + Raw Shooter etc... Speaking for myself, I will not be buying the Alpha 100, I will wait for the replacement fot the 7D. It should come out early next year.

Charles**

Very impressive spec. for this cam - especially the lens range that is to be available. 

Quote - The one thing that still concerns me is the anti-dust mechanism.  It appears to be a similar to that found in the Oly's....ie an ultrasonic vibration of the sensor/filter assembly.  Don't get me wrong, getting the dust off is a good idea.....however, shaking the crap (pun intended) out of your sensitive electronic components doesn't seem like a good idea.  I have heard reports (unconfirmed)of sensor re-alignment because of this...tilted sensor and change in focal plane issues. Any small change in sensor position after a shake would be disasterous.  Some manufacturers claim it is only the filter that gets the shake....if that's the case that means if anything gets between the sensor and filter you'll never get it out. 

No, absolutely wrong!  The sensor does NOT shake!  The way the system works is there is a small, circular transparent filter in front of the sensor which vibrates at ultra-high frequency.  The sensor does not shake; the filter vibrates, and there are no needed sensor realignments period because of this technology.  I have never heard of this happening and I belong to every major Oly forum out there.  All major manufacturers should be employing this technology.  It works, I know, I own two E-1s and one E-500, and have a combined talley of over 50,000 photos with them.  You do the math on how many times these cameras have been powered on.  And I've NEVER experienced dust between the filter and the sensor and I've never heard of anyone else experiencing this.  Why?  Because it's impossible for this to happen design-wise.  I have, however, seen examples of filthy sensors on Canons and Nikons and it ain't pretty.  The new Panny L1 employs the same SSW technology as the E series Olys; God only knows what Sony is using, but being a Sony, I'm sure it won't work.  BTW, Oly owns the patent.

I'll change lenses on my E's in a dust storm and not panic.  Try that with a Canon or Nikon :)

Kind regards,

Steve

@Steve;
Yes...and no...
You are correct in the fact that the Oly's do not "shake" the sensor/filter assembly itself.  Oly uses an extra SSWF (Supersonic wave filter) that vibrates at several thousand hertz in the ultrasonic range.  This SSWF sits in front of the CCD and low pass filter assembly...so it still is possible for dust to eventually find it's way to the CCD/low pass filter.  Also note that the SSWF will not remove things like pollen or shutter fluid....both are known to make their way onto the filter assemblies.
I will agree with you that all that I have read about the Oly dust removal system has been POSITIVE...Your obvious experience with their product speaks volumes, and as I stated the rumors of sensor issues are unconfirmed...they probably came from a Canon guy...LOL!

And I will also agree with you about dust issues on Canon/Nikon DSLR's....I have loads of first hand experience...you are correct...it aint pretty!

Where I have to disagree with you is on the Sony Alpha...the subject of this thread.  The anti-dust system used by Sony is not the same one used by OLY...so, it is not their patent.

This is taken directly from Sony's site;

"Anti-Dust Technology.
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 (alpha) 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."

So, here it clearly states that they are SHAKING the CCD....back to my original comment....I don't think that's something you want to do to your sensitve electronic components.

Quote - @Steve;
Yes...and no...
You are correct in the fact that the Oly's do not "shake" the sensor/filter assembly itself.  Oly uses an extra SSWF (Supersonic wave filter) that vibrates at several thousand hertz in the ultrasonic range.  This SSWF sits in front of the CCD and low pass filter assembly...so it still is possible for dust to eventually find it's way to the CCD/low pass filter.

I suppose it's possible, but I've yet to read a report on it.  So far, the only internal dust reported is on the prism, which while annoying, does not affect the photograph.

Quote - Also note that the SSWF will not remove things like pollen or shutter fluid....both are known to make their way onto the filter assemblies.

Absolutely.  I have read a few stories where people, intent on cleaning the cameras themselves instead of sending it in for routine service, have left water and grease on the filter.  But I've yet to read of this happening (other than because of some clumsy bloke trying to clean things himself) on an E-1, which has been on the market for three years now.  With that said, it doesn't mean it hasn't happened, I've just never heard of it reported on any of the forums I belong to.  But then again, how many camera owners join specific camera forums?  10 percent?  Who knows what isn't reported.

Quote - I will agree with you that all that I have read about the Oly dust removal system has been POSITIVE...Your obvious experience with their product speaks volumes, and as I stated the rumors of sensor issues are unconfirmed...they probably came from a Canon guy...LOL!

LMAO!  Canon people are the worst!  Even worse than Nikon users!  Us poor Oly users...well...we're just a sorry bunch who face sneers and ridicule, but are extremely thrilled with our equipment nonetheless.  I'm STILL waiting for the E-3.

Quote - And I will also agree with you about dust issues on Canon/Nikon DSLR's....I have loads of first hand experience...you are correct...it aint pretty!

Sensor dust was the primary reason I hopped into the Oly camp.  I did a lot of research on Canon, Nikon and Oly, and while ALL cameras have their strong and weak points, I felt Oly's SSWF was enough of an intelligent and useful component that I based my purchase on it.  But I'd still kill for a Canon 5D. 

Quote - Where I have to disagree with you is on the Sony Alpha...the subject of this thread.  The anti-dust system used by Sony is not the same one used by OLY...so, it is not their patent.

Perhaps I wrote that in a manner that wasn't entirely clear.  Yes, I know Sony uses an entirely different system, and that is why I said, "God only knows what Sony is using..."

Quote - "Anti-Dust Technology.
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 (alpha) 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."

And this is certainly supports your concern about sensor mis-alignment, but I would think Sony, as inept as they are, would have figured  this out.  Only time will tell.  Can you tell I'm not a Sony fanboy?  To me, the only thing more embarrasing than a camera strap that has Sony written on it is a camera strap that has Olympus written on it - LOL :)

Quote - So, here it clearly states that they are SHAKING the CCD....back to my original comment....I don't think that's something you want to do to your sensitve electronic components.

You should see how I bang my two E-1s around scambling up and down hillsides.  In the rain, no less.

Just a quick comment on your Terragen work: Superb!  Every image you post is better than the one before it.  I've always admired your talent with the software.  As you probably know, I used to create Terragen images...until I became completely burnt out with it.  I just don't have the patience for it, although after seeing your gallery and what you're producing lately I'm getting the itch...God help me...NO!

Nice chatting with ya :)

Kind Regards,

Steve

Attached Link: The review is finally up!

Just had a quick read thru...

Things I like;

1. Price

2)Low noise...despite what Phil Askey says

3)Image stabilization

4)RAW capability

Things I don't like;

1)size...a bit too small

2)It would mean all new lenses/flash etc for me

3)AF assist illuminator only with flash raised

On the fence;

1. the CCD "shaker"

Surprises;

1)Compact flash...can't believe it wasn't memory stick!

All in all....looks like a pretty sweet cam.

Agreed! =]