Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Announced
Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Announced- Brief Hands On Report
August 2009, Carl Garrard
| Today Sony has announced another barrage of DSLR news, this time with much larger artillery than fired earlier in the year when it announced the entry level triage of Alpha DSLRs- the Alpha A230, A330, and A380. Sony's Alpha A500 12.3MP DSLR is one of two new mid-tier models aimed at the enthusiast category, which is considered the next tier up from its entry level DSLRS. I had a chance to meet up with Sony and get my hands on the Alpha A500 DSLR and was able to get a crash course overview of its list of new features. The Sony Alpha A500 shares a similar frame platform with a sibling the Alpha A550 (also previewed here), but there are some key differences in the model design that I will share with you in this article. It is worth noting I left the meeting with information overload. |  |
Overview and Brief Hands On Report
Well, the new cameras are here, and here is the first big news. We now officially have "5 series cameras" in the Alpha lineup. Not only are they big news, they should also help clarify the intention and placement of the entry level models announced earlier this year that left some wondering just where Sony were headed. The A500 is packed with a big list of new features, and performance enhancements that I will go into more detail on next.
The all New Sony Alpha A500 shares a similar platform with its sibling, the Alpha A550 (also previewed here) but there are some key differences in the model design and performance. The Sony Alpha A500 is a brand new design from the ground up, just like the A550. One look at the images below and you can see that it is peppered with external buttons clearly identifying this camera as a more advanced design. Underneath it has a brand new higher sensitivity 12.3MP CMOS Sensor (not the A700's CMOS sensor) with sensitivity capabilities now reaching ISO 12,800 and a new Bionz Processor specifically developed for these cameras. Sony has stated that the A550/500's new sensor output are highly impressive in terms of noise control and detail retention at higher sensitivities in comparison to previous designs, and the A500 should be the better of the two based on pixel density alone.
The processing is now configured to separate chroma and luminescence noise into two separate channels where the new Bionz makes an emphasis on reducing chroma vs. luminescence noise. I've been told this process makes for large improvements in noise grain in higher sensitivities with an emphasis on retaining detail. This is an all new system and noise control approach by Sony. But don't worry, I have also been assured that Raw files remain untouched. Sound good? I haven't even started yet. Lets talk a bit about the body.
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The look of the A500 is the nicer of the two for me, and I'd consider it as a mid-sized, slightly larger DSLR than the KM 5D/A100/200/350 DSLRS of past and also what I'd consider as a true replacement for the 5 series camera (and Alpha A100). The grip design has ample room for all four fingers, it's sturdy and very comfortable. The body is covered all over in rubber, and has a nice rubber thumb rest on the back of the camera. It's a bit of a chunky DSLR but not quite as large as the A700. Build feels very solid although it's not made metal like the higher level cameras. Yet I don't think perceived quality will be an issue here with buyers at all. It is a dense well built camera which exceeds normal 5 series level expectations. And, theres a lot more.
The optical viewfinder assembly has been improved over the other live view entry level cameras from Sony. It has been increased in magnification to .80x with 95% coverage. This should please those who spend a lot of time behind the OVF, as it doesn't suffer as a result of the unique Quick Live View implementation that Sony offers with this model. My impression was that there was no visible difference in the viewable area compared to the A100/200/KM 5D cameras of past. It is very bright and didn't seem to suffer any internal reflections. It is a large step up from the entry level Alphas. Throw a eyepiece magnifier on it, and you have nearly the same magnified view as the A700 DSLR optically.
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I never thought I'd be a face detection fan, let alone in a DSLR, but because of the A500s phase detect face detection (say that ten times fast, I dare you), it makes it not only the worlds first DSLR with this feature, but also the worlds fastest face detection capture speed. Even in the lower lit dungeon where I was located and held against my will, the A500 almost instantaneously found faces and auto focused on them. Honestly, I was pretty shocked to see how fast it worked and do believe this camera will re-define what face detect can not only do, but with the speed that it is done. I think many people are going to be really impressed with this feature alone. But, there is more.
HDR Double Shot mode is also impressive in its implementation. It is adjustable in an exposure value range up to 3EV as well. The design compensates for some movement between shots (if any) and interpolates the two images at a pixel level when combining them in camera. This is a superior system to the K7's HDR feature in one respect, you don't have to put it on a tripod to use it. Of course you can't wave the camera all over the place and expect to get two images aligned perfectly, there are limitations to the design. But hand hold with a bit of care, and HDR imaging instantly becomes a much more accessible feature for users because they don't always have to rely on a tripod. Thats just cool.
Manual Focus Check Live View is a way to get 100% view framing off of the 3" 230K pixel LCD monitor, great for landscapers and portrait photographers. But it has another trick, you can magnify your view up to 14x normal viewing to get precise focusing that is superior to any optical system that I can think of. It is limited to 15 seconds but that is ample time to set up your focus, and if you need more time just simply press the dedicated button on top of the camera for another go. Also in this mode, the LCD will auto gain for dark composition circumstances to further aid in focus control, increasing brightness automatically (if you so choose). This is further development in the system that the entry level A330/380 use for auto gain. I used it, I love it. I'm an instant fan. I must caution however that there are more details I need to iron out about its further capabilities such as aperture based relative depth of field (depth of field preview) etc. I'll get into everything more on the final review. For now I just wanted to provide you with my first impressions and time with this (these) camera(s).
How does the A500 compare to the A550? Well first of all the price is $200.00 USD less for the body only making this camera the best bang for the buck that I've seen in DSLR territory, ever. Add that the newly developed sensor/processor combo have been re-vamped for better high ISO use, and the A500 just might be the king of low light photography within the Alpha lineup. After all, it has a lower pixel density than the A550. Assuming the changes Sony made to the noise control of these two new cameras are even close to the impression and claims made by them during the meeting, this camera should win that title hands down. We're gonna find out, very soon. Also, I think it looks better too, but that is just my opinion.
Here we have a quick abbreviated list of the new headliner features of the Alpha A500
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The A550/500's also share a new user interface system, which is basically a much more upgraded user interface than that of the entry level Alphas. As a first, when using Quick AF Live view, many settings are available with the function button as an overlay over the live view image, if you so choose it to be. Live histograms etc. are also displayed during live view. It is a more versatile system overall. In some ways perhaps superior than Quick Navi and some ways not, but overall just a completely different system and way of navigating around. It's quite unique. And, theres more.
There are way too many details to discuss and report here without having cameras in my hand, but I will get into every detail possible in the final review(s). Looks like I have my work cut out for me!
As always, be safe, and happy shooting.
-C.Garrard
P.S. What is clear to me now is the four levels of users Sony are targeting. Entry Level (A230/330/380), Enthusiast (A500/550), High Amateur (700 series), and Semi-Professional/Professional (A850/900). Also worth noting is that the very last gap to be filled for an entire newly refreshed lineup is the A700 series camera. Based on what clues that lie in perfect view with these two new cameras we have here, I think we are going to get a real exciting replacement to the A700. And I don't think it is going to be too much longer till we do.
Press Release of the Alpha A500/550 and Sony SAM 30mm Macro are available on the next page.
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This will or at least should...
This will or at least should silence a lot of the critics.
Shame about the lack of MLU, but we'll see what the real implications of that are in use.
Wow... sound really nice.
Wow... sound really nice. I'm ready to trade in my a350 backup for one of these....
For the price etc..
The A500 ought to really take notice, currently the body is less than the A380 and kit lens. And, it should be the best performer in high sensitivity shooting that we've yet seen from Sony, based on all the new refinements and features, and the 12.3mp sensor vs. the 14.2mp sensor of the a550. Its going to be interesting to see how the Alpha fans are divided between the models.
Carl
Will vertical grips be
Will vertical grips be supported? If so, I'm in... sign me up for an a500...
VG-B50AM Vertical Grip look like a go.
No QuickNavi with the 5
No QuickNavi with the 5 serie?
Correct
No quick navi, apparently that is going to be reserved for 7 series cameras and higher.
Carl
A500
As much as I want an A700 replacement/upgrade, I will be buying one of these with a grip.
I didn't need that $750 for anything anyway...
Its comfortable with the grip
bigger than the A350 was in a combo, slightly.
Despite what I have read already about the grip by one source, it is big and it is comfortable. I do have average sized hands so do take that in consideration. These aren't the entry level Alphas at all in that regard.
Carl
5-series - No video support?
Carl -- did you find out why Sony did not include HD-video support with the new 5-series cams?
Video wasn't a top priority
on all of the research Sony did up to this point. It seems people can take it or leave it for the most part.
Probably because the technology is really so new and limited, even with the major companies trying their best. Still imaging is still the main desire of DSLR shooters. Sony instead has concentrated on providing better features, higher specifications, and better price points for digital still cameras than the competitors at the retail counter. They fought the majority battle basically, and won in my opinion.
Carl
If Sony does video in a DSLR you bet they are going to do something more unique and less crippled than other designs. Right now I think the main blockade is lens designs for DSLRS in terms of AF speed. There are other issues too with the shutter etc.
Video - nice to have but not critical
Thanks. I agree, video is a "nice to have" feature. I don't shoot video much, but it is handy for me from time to time. For example, on my old Dimage A2 EVF, I like having the option to grab some video while traveling. (For what I need though, a little Flip HD video cam would do the job.)
Sony does have a very robust digicam line-up now ... awesome! Here's what I would like to have:
1) Cybershot HX1 EVF-- to replace my Dimage A2 when I want a quick "grab and go" solution that includes video (ideally, I want one with the Exmor-R sensor in it)
2) Alpha 500 -- to replace my aging 5D; something more responsive than an EVF, with more control and flexibility, but still in a small package
3) Alpha 700 -- still love this camera; I use this when I my primary focus is photography ...
So, is the sensor in the
So, is the sensor in the a550 the same as the a350? In other words, only the a500 has a new redesigned 12.3mp sensor, but the a550 uses the same a350/a380?
This (a new design sensor) will make a500 an even better value.
Both brand New Sensors
did my best to state that in the previews.
Brand new, and really "awesomer".
:)
Carl
Carl - Did they fix the LCD bug?
Carl,
Did they fix the bug where the LCD illuminates when you press the ISO (and other buttons) with your eye up to the view finder?
On a related note I am really disappointed that Sony didn't but the ISO setting continuously in the view finder. Don't they know that exposure is determined by aperture, shutter speed and sensitivity? We got 2 of 3 displayed and we should have 3 of 3 IMO.
All in all well needed additions to the Alpha series!
Thanks!
Rick
I didn't remeber to try it
sorry.
It was quite a tornado of news in there, and my hand hurt from writing notes so much.. that kept me from pressing the appropriate buttons :). j/k.
I doubt it has been addressed to be honest.
On the ISO in the viewfinder, it shows when you press the ISO button but apparently there seems to be some difficulty in Sony getting around to making it a constant item in the viewfinder.
Without bugs or imperfections, cameras just wouldn't be as fun right? :) Just like people, I presume. Some are better than others.
C
compared to a700
So Carl, if you where to choose, which would it be - the a700 v.4 or a5xx?
Are these cameras dedicated high iso-cams, so the iso 100 clarity suffer?
Choosing
well it depends on the job really when you are talking camera choice.
If you mean just image quality at high ISO? I'll have to do much more testing to answer that question honestly.
I am not a high ISO shooter by all means, I prefer low ISO because Dynamic Range is a priority to me.. has nothing to do with grain really (as long as the grain looks good). You don't get good DR at high ISO's its severely limited, just about 1/3rd less at ISO 3200 than it is at ISO 200.
I wish sometimes there were more emphasis on that in the industry in general.
I've seen images posted with pre production firmware (not a smart idea) of the new cameras, but I want to wait till I have a production camera in my hands so I can throw it through the usual lineup of casual tests I do.
Carl
"Exposure Display" mode?
Another site pointed out that the "Exposure Display" mode is laid out a bit strangely. The shutter and aperture values do not line up such that the value pairs represent equivalent exposure values; the scales will move in opposite directions during program shift. Also the EV comp scale shows increased EV to the right while the aperture/shutter scales show reduced EV to the right. Most enthusiasts would use the more traditional "Settings Display" mode IMHO, but I would be curious to hear your comments as to how the "newbie mode" will benefit newbies -- or anyone. It would seem that they should flip both upper scales to be consistent with the lower scale when in A, S, or M mode, and it would seem that flipping just one of the upper scales would be useful to help visualize the effects of program shift. Additionally it would be handy if they would incorporate the 1/f rule by indicating on the scale where the shutter speed begins to break that rule for the focal length in use.
Maybe Sony just threw up their hands and gave up, and what we see below is the result? To my untrained eye this looks like a marketing-requested feature that engineering couldn't implement in a consistent, sensible way but maybe the usual excellent Sony user manual will make it all clear? /sarcasm
Don't get me wrong, I love my a900 and Minolta lenses, I want to see Sony succeed as much as anyone does... but I find the above issue baffling.
A700?
I was about to upgrade to the a700 but now with the a5xx I am stuck. I honestly have no use for live view, never have never will. I don't see the purpose of having a tilting screen either. It seems that should be left on lower end cameras. Honestly what serious photographers use a tilt screen to compose a shot? None that I know but who knows. There are things the a700 still has that the a5xxs don't. The a700 has on chip column A/D conversion, XFINE JPEG, Aluminiun Chasis and Magnesium body, 11 point 10 line with center dual cross sensor for AF, wider range for exposure compensation, 1/8000 shutter speed capability, faster flash sync, and the list goes on. With all these things considered, would the a700 still be the choice for upgrade? Or just the fact that the a5xx have updated sensors and such would it be a better idea to hold off and upgrade to the a5xx?
I hope Sony waits ...
a little longer with the new A700.
I'm out of money.....
Hubert
Good question
I am stuck as well - a5xx or a700 - and how much will the 750 be - and when will it be - if at all...
Dynamic range is a very important question - as well as both base and high iso quality - I am not that happy with my a300 in those respects...
Will I ever be with any Alpha?
If not Alpha, then what?
What I guess I don't understand is if you aren't happy with your products, why not sell them and get something that will satisfy your requirements?
Nothing wrong with that at all in my opinion. A photographer should have equipment that meets/exceeds his/her own requirements. Its about photography, in the end.
C
Maybe true but I hope not
This is true. But even though I do like much about the Alphas, there is also something I like less. Isn't that allright? I mean you also criticise the ones you love, because you want them to be even better. I like my minolta glass - i LOVED my iso 100 pictures from the a100 (but not the focus speed and definately not the higher iso meaning 200 upwards). I like the focusing speed of my a300 but think the dynamic range seem a little limited compared to a100 (I may be wrong here).
I think maybe the a700 has the DR I dream of, but I don't know. I REALLY wonder if the IQ of the 5xx is comparable to a700 because of the hardware devellopment.
I guess what I am rambling on about is: can I have my cake and eat it? Can I have brilliant low iso image quality with great dynamic range AND higher iso quality as well? Will we see that in the a750? Is it already there in the 5xx? Is this just a naive dream?
Carl do you serously think I would have to change brand for this? I hope not - I kinda like being a hardware outsider.
(I suppose that it is silly of me to hope that Sony will create a camera that is in a way superior to their own "flagship model")
Finally
Finally Sony has come out with a camera with a quality/price ratio I find tempting as an addition to my A100. If the high iso's are as good as I suspect I will start saving my money.
Any Progress On A Full Review?
Hey Carl, you promised "We're gonna find out, very soon."
It's been a couple of months now since the preview was put up, is there anything you can tell us about a full review?
It's being worked on
thats all I can say at this time.
I didn't have the camera at the time of the preview, so please keep that in mind. I had the camera for about 2-3 weeks.
I am surprised there isn't any reviews of this camera out there yet (big site reviews), that makes me very curious.
Carl