PMA 2010- AlphaMountWorld Show Coverage

February 2010, Carl Garrard (Last Updated 2-23 7:56 am PST)

Well, it's arrived everyone. PMA 2010 officially starts Sunday February 21, at 10am Pacific Time Zone. Press (that means AMW included as well) will get a sneak peak on Saturday, but most of the news should come starting early Sunday. We will be attending PMA and covering the Sony Alpha booth and other related booths as well. We will update our coverage here as soon as we can compile it all and get it uploaded. Most likely the 'big press' will give you all the hot stuff sooner than we can, but I intend on getting a bit different coverage (as well as any big news) up here. Hopefully we can offer some additional and unique coverage more specific to our cause here at AlphaMountWorld.

Sony A450 DSLR Announced

January 2010, Carl Garrard

Sony starts off the year early curiously announcing the Alpha A450 DSLR, which looks as though it won't be a model available to Canada, the United States, or the South American territories as it was not reported to the press as a model available in these countries (at least not yet). Unless there is a future press release, it appears as though this model will not be available in these regions at this time. So while the following isn't a review per se, we thought we'd talk a bit about it here instead.

November 26, 2009 (Happy Thanksgiving U.S!)

Ricoh releases first function-enhancing firmware update for GR DIGITAL III

Tokyo, Japan – November 26 – Ricoh Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo) announced today that it will release on December 1 the first function-enhancing firmware update for its GR DIGITAL III, a high image quality compact digital camera launched in August 2009.

DxO Optics Version 6.0 Released

November 2009, Andrew Woodhouse

DxO have today announced the launch of their latest version of Optics Pro, version 6.0. This version brings with it a completely redesigned user interface with much more customization, something which is designed to make the whole raw processing experience easier.

Ricoh Announces New CX2 Digital Compact Camera

August 2009, Carl Garrard

Today Ricoh announces a successor to the highly acclaimed CX1 Digital Camera, the CX2. In tradition with the previous R series and new CX line, Ricoh has wasted no time in coming up with an upgraded model with a few key changes and upgrades. Full of features for the beginning enthusiast photographer, the new CX2 expands further capabilities, features, comfort, and style to keep up with dedicated consumer demands.

Think Tank Photo Introduces the First Camera Bag System for Multimedia DSLR’s

www.thinktankphoto.com 3636 N. Laughlin Rd., Suite 170 Santa Rosa, CA 95403 USA ph: 001.707.527.0101 fax: 001.707.527.0808

SONY DEBUTS WORLD’S FIRST DIGITAL STILL CAMERAS WITH

BACK-ILLUMINATED “EXMOR R” CMOS SENSOR TECHNOLOGY

Ricoh GR Digital III Announced/Brief Hands On Preview

July 2009, Carl Garrard (Updated 8-11-2009 First Shots!)

(Updated 8-05-2009 Price Announced)

Today Ricoh has introduced a new successor to the Ricoh GR Digital II, the GR Digital III. The GR III is the worlds only compact in development with a bright f/1.9 maximum aperture. I've recently spent some time with a pre-production GR Digital III, and I am happy to report in this preview that my first impressions were positive. The improvements in the design such as image quality, speed, features, and build quality (although subtle) are all impressive and a seemingly natural course for the highly regarded GR series. For those wanting a fully featured low light "prime lens" camera, I cannot think of a better solution or design currently on the market.

ThinkTank Photo-New Multi Media DSLR Bag System

June 2009, Carl Garrard

Recently I began examining ThinkTank Photo products, namely the vast array of photo bags they make. I am not only impressed with ThinkTank Photo, but have recently acquired a Rotation 360 Bag that I am field testing for a review I am preparing. Today I was informed of a new bag and accessories they are working on that should be available in July. They have prepared a video that is linked below, along with a press relase. Watch out for these guys, and there will be more from us on them as well.

Sony Announces New Alphas (A230-A330-A380), And Four New SAM Lenses To Lineup

Sony strengthens the entry level DSLR lineup with three newly updated Alpha cameras- The Alpha A230, A330, A380, and four new DT SAM lenses- SAM 18-55mm f/3.5-f/5.6, SAM 50mm f/1.8, SAM 30mm f/2.8 Macro, SAM 55-200mm f/4-f/5.6. Sony has simplified the menu system in the new Alphas to make the transition from a compact point and shoot camera to a DSLR less intimidating than ever. Sony has also added some new easy to use features to the Alphas along with a newly designed body that is more familiar to a point and shoot design, and they have added four new lenses that are all lightweight, quiet but fast focusing via the new SAM (Smooth Autofocus Motor), and best of all, affordable. Along with the new Alphas and Lenses are new accessories including the HVL-F20AM Flash Unit. Official press release below.

Sony success at TIPA Awards 2009
May 2009, AlphaMountWorld.com

Sony has again been recognized as a producer of class leading lenses with the 70-400 G SSM getting the prestigious TIPA award of "Best Expert Lens". This follows on from their successes last year with the A350 and 70-300 G SSM both getting awards.

Eat your heart out Canon and Nikon?

Not that anyone who has invested in the Alpha Mount has ever had any anxieties in regards to the successful relationship that Sony and Carl Zeiss have ending, yet still, this news is really good to see especially when the world economy is so unstable and unsure of itself. Some of the best news I have heard of late. Here is a clip of the article with a full link to Zeiss.com.

Sony Cybershot HX1 Camera Announced Today

March 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 3-2 Cybershot HX1-Product Images)

Today Sony announces the new Sony Cybershot HX1 Digital Camera, set to compete in the very popular superzoom category. Normally we do not report on Cybershot news here at AlphaMountWorld, yet our preview shows this camera was simply way too interesting to ignore. If you think this camera is just a slightly modified Cybershot H50, we ask that you think again. For the first time, Sony has incorporated Alpha DSLR technology into a Cybershot digital camera. The Sony Cybershot HX1 boasts a 20x Zoom 28mm-560mm "G" lens, 9 Megapixel Exmor 1/2.4" CMOS sensor, and a BIONZ processor. Clearly, these are proven technologies borrowed from the Alpha line. The Sony HX1 also features other neat tricks under its skin. Features like full 9mp resolution 10fps still image recording, 1080p HD Video with Stereo Sound recording (at up to 30fps), a one of a kind Panorama mode that stitches several images automatically in camera (with only one press of the shutter), and a real mechanical shutter apparently to help eliminate image distortion electronic shutters can sometimes introduce.