Thanks for getting this out. Have owned the A100 for about a year and cannot speak highly enough about it. Looking forward to the 300/350 but will still keep the A100.

Glad you liked the preview.

Be sure to sign up when you get one and let us know what your thoughts are about it.

Carl

... I'm ALSO very VERY glad they released the A700 first otherwise, I might have been tempted to go with the A350 instead of the A700... ;)

I was really, REALLY looking forward for an announcement of the Flagship @ PMA 2008, BUT Photokina is not that far away...

This bodes well for ALL of us and paves the way for FF bodies... I may NOT need FLAGSHIP FF but a MID level FF for under $2000.00 yup, you bet... Still keeping to my promise of not purchasing any "CROPPED" lenses but that 18-250 is MIGHTY tempting!!!! :)

Btw, I will never forget you buying me that Cokin filter adapter :)

And its good that the flagship will be photokina, we can all save up some money now, I still consider it an announcement, just a long delay before it is available. Sony just needed another camera to release for later in the year to complete the 5 camera lineup.

Carl

Btw, I am picking up an A200 very soon. Be a fun and simple camera to have around for a backup as well.

Hi! Well this is the kind of preview that I was loking for after the great news about A300 & A350. I am so happy about that the new models have Live View!... Really like the up/down shooting angles, but the angle viewfinder adapter is so clumsy.

Also, I really excited about some high iso comparisons between A300 & A350. I Really like the indoor without flash photography, and by now, I am really pleased with my A100, however, the iso3200 perfomance of my old KM5D is something that I really miss (My old KM5 die with the BlackFrame issue and I was lucky in receive a A100 as replacement on warranty... GREAT SONY Customer service for me.).

By now, I almost sure that I will be by the A300 (I like/hope, the potential better Iso 3200 perfomance, and dont need the big files that a 14mp may produce, since I take lots of pics and no too much time to Edit&PP) but also would like to see extensive test about the Iso diferences, so, I really want to konw, if the less resolution deal is a really good deal in order to choice less resolution model.

Anyway I am so really gratefull with Sony because give Us the choice the option, because for the friends that need/like huge amount of detail and big amount of data to work, the A350 will be a winner for our lovely Alpha mount.

Thanks again for the nice preview and Your great site!

Best Reagrds from Costa Rica! Pura Vida! :-)

Xaser

Just want to say thanks for a well written and well considered article. I shall look forward to your full review with images tests and samples - hopefully soon :o)

...and best of luck with this new website.

Adrian Harris.

Nice to see a hands on review from someone that knows the brand to begin with. Some may think its biased....and their right! But it tells me what I need to know about the product, good or bad. Thats important to make a informed decision prior to purchase, be it Sony or another brand.

Thanks for the review. Will you be posting image samples? I'm ready to pre-order one of these to replace my aging KM5D, but want to hold off until I see some noise comparisons between the 300/350. If the 300 has less noise, I'd gladly take that over the 350!

Image samples will probably wait till I get production copies to review.

I still have to process what I have from PMA and decide whether or not we will post them. Your inquiry has given me addtional motivation. Stay tuned, I may just do that.

What I can say is if I do post them, that I wouldn't draw too much conclusion based on image samples taken hand held indoors on a pre production model camera. But they may just be decent first impressions. I think I have time to do this tonight. You'll be hearing from me.

P.S. have you joined up with us yet?

-Carl

The Kalashnikov is known for very loose tolerances. This is what gives the rifle the ability to fire when fouled. The M-16 has much tighter tolerances and, therefore, requires more thourough and frequent cleaning.

Just lending a hand.

Paul

Yes you are right, the internals are built that way to take some mud and a beating and to keep firing for the troops. No better rifle that I can think of for that type of abuse in the world. Thats if we we're talking of an AK-47? ;)

My intention was to bring about a "feel" to how well built the A100 was, but I totally understand your point. Ill be more specific next time.

I should have mentioned my CAR-15 instead!

Cheers!

Carl

Just the way I like it...

I am virtualy sold on the 350..

Nice work.

Sorry I was not logged in duh..

Hi Carl,

in your review, you say "It also sports the trademark, smoothed out index finger indention to assure a proper grip.". However, from all the pictures I'm seeing, the A3X0 don't have this idention or at least a very, very small one. The grip of the A200 looks different in that area. Are these just pre-production pictures or does the A3X0 versions really have a different grip?

I am delighted to have found your website devoted to Sony Alpha mount DSLR cameras! After much reading and research I purchased a Sony A100 and a few mint condition Minolta lenses nearly a year ago. I sold my first DSLR a Nikon D70 which I did not find to be user friendly, intuitive or acceptable in auto modes, was disatisfied with overall, plus lack of anti shake technology in the camera. I love my Sony A100 and am extremely happy with the results it has produced, and anyone that has seen my (improved and impressive) pictures taken with it! I plan to upgrade at some point to an improved model, and your site will help me make the right decision on which one might suit me best. It is great to be able to have a site like yours for such comprehensive reliable input. Keep up the good work.
Jake Doxma.

thanks very much! I'm glad you found us. Yes the a100 is a great choice, I'm an a100 and a700 owner and I don't wish to give up either. I think the a100 is going to be around for a long time.

thanks again.

And if think the A100 is great (and it is) don't put your hands on an A700, you might not be able to let it go.

Well documented Sony has put some sort of ownership glue on that grip.

;)

Carl

Appreciate your initial in-depth preview. Very helpful. Question, in your time spent at the Sony booth, any mention of a new A-700 with full-frame and live-view coming? Price bracket? Dates? I have both the A700 and A100 which I use for backup.

Many thanks for the preview.

If it was the A350, and not the A300 you were interested in, the final a350 review is done and available here Sony A350 Review.

Thank you.

When I discussed 2008 with Sony this year, they informed me that (only) 4 cameras would be introduced this year. The 3 entry level cameras and the Flagship.

No talk about an A700 with a FF sensor ever came up. I doubt that would happen for some time but apparently the market is demanding it now. You bet Sony is listening, and you bet the Nikon D3 is making a stamp on what "should" be coming more to photographers.

I'd put money on it, but I won't hold my breath for anytime this year at all.

Maybe PMA Sony will announce another body, or bodies. Sony is very tight lipped, and they should be. Otherwise the competition knows what move to make against them (C/N). They are watching Sony like a Hawk, so Sony needs to be extra careful right now.

To me, 2 new bodies would cement Sony's market share goals and surpass them. A 12mp CMOS A500, and a new A750 (or fill in the name) with a FF sensor and a 95% viewfinder with other goodies priced well below the Flagship camera coming soon.

Exciting this year? Hell, wait till next year.

Carl

Btw, are you reading up on the A300 or the A350? We have a full review on the A350 with an A300 review on the griddle.

I did visit a site which had good photos (front & rear) of "The Flagshipo (DSLR A-900). Of course it immediately triggered a lust in me. It siad the A-900 is scheduled for release in an August-September timeframe. But no word on pricing. Yes, its a 25 megapixel CMOS processor with full-frame and some other goodies thrown it. But otherwise, judging only grom the photos and external buttons, it has the same look and feel of the A-700. Which would make upgrading much easier. As is the case with the A-300/350 to the A-700. Smart move on the part of Spny's designers. And the more I use my A-700 the more I like it. And using Sony's G lenses (SAL2470CZ or SAL70200G) makes it the equal of Canon or Nikon for the serious amateur or pro. The A-900 should cement it.

Waiting for the A-900 in North Carolina...

And it won't be called the A900, just to let you know ;)

Sony re-iterated that with me several times at PMA. Nonetheless the Flagship is going to be very interesting.

Carl

What will it be called? Has Sony ever said anything about a real A100 replacement? Following Sony's number system, it seems like that camera would have to be called an A400 or A500 now.

No word about future camera names at all. Sorry!

And if I knew, I would be sworn to silence and would have to comply by my own standards ;).

Carl