|  The Sony Alpha 100 is a compact and relatively lightweight 10-megapixel D-SLR that is based around the Konica Minolta core technologies of a CCD-shift Anti Shake system and the Dynax lens mount. They have been adopted by Sony with the former now called Super.
With its 10.2-megapixel APS CCD image sensor, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A100 camera has the highest resolution available in its class. The Alpha 100 has been introduced together with 19 high-quality Sony lenses, and will be compatible with most of the former Konica-Minolta Maxxum mount lenses. The system will include a wide range of accessories as well.
The Sony Alpha 100 is fairly compact and well-balanced. The body weighs 1.4 pounds, just slightly more than the Rebel XT’s 1.2 pounds, and is similar in height and width (5x3.8 inches) to the XT. Two large dials on top give you quick access to most image quality and metering controls, and the camera back includes well-positioned buttons for playback and menu controls. According to Sony, the internal frame is made of magnesium alloy, and the Minolta A-type bayonet lensmount is made of stainless steel. The outside shell is a tough black polycarbonate, with a well-formed grip and mirrored finish around the shutter button. In all, a sound design.
The Sony Alpha 100 is expected to be compatible with Sony Alpha mount system lenses, including the Sony G lens and Carl Zeiss optics. Furthermore the Sony 100 Alpha will offer a large 2.5 inch format Clear Photo LCD Plus Screen with AR coating and a resolution of 230.000 pixels and a bright optical viewfinder with Spherical Acute Matte screen, 20mm eye relief, 0.83x magnification, dioptre adjustment and EyeStart Auto focus.
The Sony Alpha 100 accepts CompactFlash Type I/II cards and microdrives, and Sony Memory Stick Duo cards with a supplied CF adapter. Card type and speed help determine burst duration and frame-per-second shooting speed. According to Sony, with a fast CF card it should capture fine-quality, full-resolution JPEGs at slightly more than 3 fps continuously until the card is full (impressive for a 10MP DSLR). In RAW, the duration drops to 6 or 7 frames without a pause; in RAW + JPEG, around 3 frames. It can continue firing as soon as enough space clears in the buffer for another shot, but not at the faster rate.
Feactures:
- 10.2 million effective pixels (10 Megapixel)
- APS-C size CCD Sensor
- Anti-dust protection system
- Super SteadyShot in camera body (switchable)
- Dynamic Range Optimiser
- BIONZ Image Processing Engine
- Maximum sensitivity: 1600 ISO equivalent
- 2.5“ 230K pixel Clear Photo LCD Plus Screen with AR coating and Clear Processing for image review and function navigation
- Compatibility with Sony α-mount system lenses, including Sony G lens and Carl Zeiss optics
- Bright Optical Viewfinder with Spherical Acute Matte screen, 20mm eye relief, 0.83x magnification, dioptre adjustment and EyeStart Autofocus.
- High-speed Autofocus with 4 focus modes: Single-shot AF; Direct Manual Focus; AF Automatic; AF Continuous
- Ultra wide AF area with 9 local focus points and central cross-hair sensor
- Centre-weighted, Spot and 40-segment honeycomb pattern metering mode
- Depth of Field preview
- Mode Dial for one-touch selection of exposure shooting modes: AUTO; Programme; Aperture Priority; Shutter Priority; Manual; plus 6 Scene Modes (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Night View, Sunset, Sports / Action)
- White Balance adjustment: AWB and 6 preset WB modes with manual colour correction, Colour temperature manual selection with additional 19-step magenta/green compensation, Custom setting
- High Speed Continuous Advance Shooting up to 3 fps
- Burst shooting: JPEG unlimited, 6 frames RAW, 3 frames RAW+JPEG (dependent on memory card speed)
- Advanced flash modes as high synchronization speed, rear flash, wireless functions and slow synch direct button access on camera
- Ambiance and flash separate exposure compensation scales
- 1600 mAh Lithium ion battery with STAMINA technology for up to 750 shots from single charge (CIPA measurement, 50% usage of built-in flash)
- Built-in Flash plus support for multiple flash modes (Wireless, Slow Synchro, Rear Synchro)
- Dimensions: 94.7 x 133.1 x 71.3 mm (L x W x D)
- Weight: 545g (without battery)
- CF media slot compatible with Type I/II (MicroDrive) media; supplied MemoryStick DUO adapter
- Supplied image editing software: (1) Image Data Converter SR Ver.1.1 (2) Picture Motion Browser
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