I completely agree with your evaluation of these cameras. I think its an excellent step in a new direction for Sony to take.
I always felt that the A300/350 seemed a bit rushed, like they didn't have live view fully in mind when they produced the A200 (you mentioned the live view screen sticking out, and I always hated the weird bump in the flash housing). These cameras appear much more refined and thought-out than the previous models. Even though they don't add any new features, they seem much better designed, and I agree with most of the button layout changes with regards to ergonomics.

Hmmm I like this new direction Sony is taking, but I noticed in one of the pictures, there seems to be a new battery design. Should this be worrisome?

Rabi

Nice quick review Carl. Very informative and easy to read.

I'm impressed that Sony has added the help function to the menus. It always seemed like a no-brainer to me. In fact, I think it should be added to your list of differences. To me, it is one of the more important additions. It should help newbies tremendously in the field - no need to carry around the manual now ;-)

The "girlfriend" SLR has landed ;-) lol

Actually, it seems like this is just good design. Use of color, form, and interface to make a better user experience. It looks like a good “boyfriend” SLR too!

Well we all have our own tastes. I dislike very small bodies, I prefer medium sized ones, the A200 is ok for me if not a bit larger. So this design was never likely to appeal to me. I would say though, the design does not fall into my "good" category, based on removal of buttons/remote release etc., and position of the jog dial/shutter release, sunk down main mode dial. This would be my "worst nightmare" for camera design! Sorry ;-)

Overall I am very impressed with the look of these new cameras, they look compact and stylish and would definately entice new users. However now that I am not new to DSLR's and have had my a350 for about a year now I would hate to change to a a380 because the placement of the buttons would annoy me. Now i'm just longing for something like an a600 ish to satisfy my needs. Cheers Carl for your explanation of these new cameras, you always do a much better job than most other reviewers.

The E-620 is smaller.

130 x 94 x 60mm vs.
128 x 97 x 68mm

The most important factor for size is depth and here the E-620 has the added advantage of less distance from sensor to mount.

Hmmm seems a push to me, lighter weight and less wide vs. height and depth. I don't know how depth matters more than width please explain.

Carl

Nice review Carl! Do you know if the new small flash will also trigger the older minolta flash as I own both an a900 and a 3600HS flash. I would love to compliment that with a nice travelready flash.

funny how suddenly a smaller package is considered the right thing

I think the Sony strategy (long or short term) could be to compete with the emerging smaller SLR formats by doing smaller bodies with the existing format.
I was excited to possibly go full frame sensor even before the A900 came out. But the more I shoot the A700 and also lugged heavy lenses around, the less I was interested in this. Now, I relish the idea of light weight bodies and lenses producing better and better results as the technology emerges.
Sony may or may not produce and compete with the smaller formats in the future but for now, this is a good interim strategy. It could pay off in the long run as new SLR users come from Sony and other P&S bodies to cute and smaller SLRs.

"Nice review Carl! Do you know if the new small flash will also trigger the older minolta flash as I own both an a900 and a 3600HS flash. I would love to compliment that with a nice travelready flash."

Thank you. :)

Not sure if it will trigger the Minolta flashes or not, Ill ask and see. Dont have those flashes around to test myself at this point.

Carl

Sorry, I posted this in the old rumour thread, but thought it would fit better here now that the news is released.

Looking at a few of the sites that have multiple pictures of the new cameras, I can't seem to find the AEL button. Why would they take that away? I understand wanting to simplify the cameras, but that really limits the growth that a new DSLR user could have. That button only takes a couple of minutes for any competent sales person to explain. They've left the exposure compensation button though, which I use far less than the AEL, although I do use it in tricky lighting.

I'm kind of puzzled by this decision. Anyone know why they would remove the AEL?

I am in agreement with bfitzgerald, to me, the design of these new cameras is quite appalling. Every one of them is too small, with far too many sharp edges and yet poor grip - no I haven't picked one up, I don't have to. In addition, there is no new function, and thus there is no modestly-priced photographer's camera. I have been using an a100 for a couple of years, and cannot afford to go to the a700 as well as the 70-300G (which has now become very expensive), but the a200/300/350 were not quite well equipped enough for me. Now I have nowhere to go - except to Canikon perhaps.

This is the most disappointing product launch that I have seen for some time, and is typical of the practices of some big car manufacturers (eg Ford & GM); it is no more than a styling re-vamp - ok, ok, they are smaller, but I don't want that at any price - no, no, NO Sony. I also have to have new batteries (and it remains to be seen if the new ones last as long as the old ones - I usually get upwards of 600 shots per charge), and new SD memory cards as well - Sony can stick their MS cards up their fundaments.

I realise full well that I am in a small minority but likewise I am not unique as a Sony customer. Unless there is an a500 released by the end of the year as the first real replacement for the a100 then I will just have to start all over again and sell the camera and 4 lenses (+ the kit lens). I am NOT happy, but then again maybe the new cameras will sell well, and Sony will do very well in the DSLR market... maybe...

I just hope Sony does the right thing and provides a firmware upgrade for current users of the A200-300-350 users with any enhancements to the JPG engine. We'll see.

I would like to congratulate Sony on the release of these new cameras, lenses and accessories. Even in the uncertain economy I'm thrilled to see Sony's commitment to continuously develop and release exciting new products. Here's hoping all these products will be successful, and all of us are or will be proud to be part of the Sony Alpha family.

I agree with you on that- not that I have a problem with the current firmware, but its always an extra bonus when companies boost up their older models with a fresh new system

An amazingly quick response from Sony's marketing team to any negative remarks, including mine, concerning the new, and very disappointing Sony DSLRs.

lets keep it civil please. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, whether you agree with it or not.

Carl

First off let me thank Carl for his efforts in writing this preview. Well done.

Now my two cents worth:

Sony released these cameras to bring point and shoot users onboard and into the DSLR. Many are looking to upgrades for current models but these cameras are simply not that animal. I think Carl said it best "Sony has redefined the entry level DSLR". Entry Level says it all. I would like to have seen some more features in these cameras but no one asked me. As for those waiting on upgrade models, be patient its coming!

From a marketing point I think this is a very brave move on Sony's part. Sony is looking for new customers and this may be a great way to draw them in. Small, easy to use cameras with built in directions.

I did have my concerns about Sony removing the drive motor from new bodies for the older Minolta lenses. I am glad to see its still here.
AJ

Those who currently own the A200/300/350 cameras aren't very likely to buy the new models, but by providing them with firmware upgrades, they will garner brand loyalty. Then, those same users will be more likely to upgrade to either an A700 or its replacement. Nobody likes feeling like they spent a bunch of money on a camera only to find that a year later they are forgotten.

Come on Sony. Don't let us down.

Actually I have been pleasantly surprised in the past few months to find that Sony has released firmware upgrades for the a100, with slight image quality and noise improvements to me (slight but noticeable). That was an excellent gesture of support for their oldest camera; so I am not entirely devoid of support for Sony. However, to launch a complete range of entry-level (very entry-level) DSLRs at once, with no sign of a mid-level model is worrying (I regard the a700 as high-level in the amateur, APS-C market, and the a900 as a semi-pro, or fully professional product). This is especially true seeing as the new cameras are just re-workings of existing models, so the keen photographer on a budget can only go for the a700. A new version of the a300/350 with the same feature set plus DoF preview button, MLU as well as improved image processing would be good, especially if an improved sensor could be put in some time. But are Sony really interested in the budget photographer market?

Carl,
I assume you had me in mind with your admonishment to ' ... keep it civil please'. I genuinely think I was being civil, just a little mischievous, but if my remarks are considered out of order, then I apologise; no hurt or harm was intended. I do still think there was something a bit over-corporate about the language in alpha.phil's post - but that may just say more about me than him.

I didn't read the whole story abput the new Alpha's. (Sorry, i will soon)
But they sure look GOOD.
I like the outside and the new options on the LCD.
And think Sony took a big and good step.
Those are not the camera's i want to have, i'm happy with the A700, but i could think of lots of people around me who would love the new ones.

Nice.

Hubert

Although I don't see one of these cameras in my future, I'm encouraged that there may be a simpler, easier to use a700 introduced this summer.

I moved up from a FujiFilm 9600 Super Zoom to my a200 and am happy I did, but I miss the Live View feature. I'm looking forward to an "a500" class of camera, and these new Alpha offerings encourage me that such a thing might happen. I'd love to have a camera that was just a little bit smaller and lighter than the current a700 and had LV. Any extra features and improvements would, of course, be welcome as well.

Besides LV, one of the features I'd like to see in my next camera is a built in GPS unit and a way to link to Google Earth. Heck, I've even come to wish I had MLU. The value of DoF Preview still eludes me, but hey................

From a recent trip to Paris:
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w89/raymaines/ParisMerryGoRound.jpg

I have an a700 with CZ85, CZ135, CZ24-70 and 70-200G, amongst others. At times, the size and weight kills me. Having recently bought an Olympus e-420 for an overseas trip, I've found that small bodies are ok with small lenses. The e-420 handles very well and shows Sony a thing or two about feature sets for entry level DSLRs (the feature set and customisability are amazing). It has MLU, DMF, manual inbuilt flash, live view, AEL button and beat Sony to the punch with help screens (for the Scene modes at least).

Rick - You have ~$7K in top end Sony gear and you pack a $400 Olympus for travel? It must be incredible. I'm going to go try one out tomorrow.

blakehome said: "Rick - You have ~$7K in top end Sony gear and you pack a $400 Olympus for travel? It must be incredible. I'm going to go try one out tomorrow."

Well, I'm going to Guatemala, a place where you're likely to have your expensive equipment taken off you at gunpoint. The last two times I went there, I took a Fuji f31. Great little camera but... I missed the fast focusing of DSLRs. So, this time I decided to take something better. After investigating all the compacts, I decided I just had to take a DSLR, so I went for the smallest, the Oly 420 with a pancake lens. So far, I'm finding that it's a challenging constraint to be limited to a 50mm prime, but I'm also finding that it makes me take shots I'd never take with my full kit.

Compared to a compact, it's incredible. Having said that, the quality is nothing like the a700 with CZ glass, but for the price and for its size, it's amazing. When I'm disappointed with the results (e.g. at iso1600), I just have to remind myself that it's a substitute for a compact P&S not the a700. As a DSLR it's also very inconspicuous. You can take street shots and people don't take any notice. It's nice to be seen as some shmo with an insignificant camera, rather than a "serious photographer" with expensive kit.

If Sony has any common sense, they will fill the big hole between the A300 series and A700 series cameras soon. These new cameras don't appear to be cameras that current A200/A300 users could upgrade to.

I wouldn't want to see a simplified version of the A700. Sony should leave it as a semi-pro model and not add help screens or remove features. If anything, they should be adding features to it. I hope they don't take the A700 series cameras down this path.

Wow, it looks like I should have been ranting here instead of the other thread...many more very disappointed Alpha users here.

To the person waiting for a smaller A700 with LV at the A350/380 price, look at the Nikon D5000 - same 12mp sensor as A700/D300/D90 and similar 2.7" articulated LCD.

EDIT: if Nikon can put the 12mp A700/D300 sensor in their $730 D5000 camera, then why doesn't Sony put it in the A380 when Sony manufacturers it.

I see many people complaining about waiting for a firmware update for A2/3xx cameras and also the horrible jpeg engine. I see firmware updates every few months for Canon, Nikon and Olympus.

Some people think I am being too harsh on Sony for these "new" models but think of it this way: we have many people from the US & UK here and both love their football teams, sometimes too much. Here in Chicagoland, we have the Bears who have made some really dumb personnel moves over the last several years. The Chicago Bears fans are extremely loyal but we sure do let our opinions be heard. The Bears even got to the world championship aka Super Bowl and lost but our fans were not satisfied just with getting to the Super Bowl - we were pi$$ed off with the players used and how the game was handled.

So, I have chosen Sony as MY team when I could have gone the more popular route. I will stick with Sony for as long as I can but I have and will let my voice be heard when they make these dumb moves.

A simple point to make.
All new users become more experienced ones fairly quickly. What might be appealing at ist, may hinder later on. I think you can only trim down controls so much on cameras, before you end up slowing and frustrating the user after a few months. There is a chance users might outgrow these models fairly quickly. Removal of such a common item aka AEL is a bit worrying. And the UK prices are not good..near £700 for the 14mp LV model, near £500 for the bottom one.