Sony Unveils Alpha SLT-A58

Angled view of the new SLT-A58 with the 18-55mm kit lens. (Source: Sony.)

Equipped with a new Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor with  20.1 effective megapixels and an  improved BIONZ image processing engine, the new camera will support a wide sensitivity range of ISO 100 to 16000 and capture low-noise stills and Full HD video recordings. It also includes a Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode that supports a maximum burst capture rate of 8 frames/second and features a high-performance 15-point AF system with Lock-on Autofocus for speedier, more accurate subject tracking.

Featured on previous models, Auto Portrait Framing has now evolved into even more versatile Auto Object Framing, which can evaluate scenes and apply tracking, framing and cropping  to optimise the end results.  Thanks to Pixel Super Resolution Technology by Sony, cropped images preserve the same resolution as the original exposure. The camera’s mode dial also allows access to a palette of 15 artistic  Picture Effect treatments, like Toy Camera, Mono and Partial Colour.

The new OLED Tru-Finder accurately shows the results of adjusting camera settings in real time. Instantly see the result of adjusting exposure compensation, aperture, ISO, white balance, Picture Effect and other parameters before you shoot”¦ not after. The A58 is the first-ever A-mount interchangeable lens camera from Sony that offers support for new ‘TRILUMINOS Colour’.   The new camera is scheduled for release from April 2013.

Technical specifications

	SLT-A58
Image Sensor	Exmor APS HD CMOS
Effective pixels	20.1 megapixels (approx.)
Sensitivity range	ISO 100 ““ 16000 (25600 with Multi Frame NR)
Autofocus system	15-point phase detection Live View AF with 3 cross sensors; with AF tracking in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode
Continuous burst shooting (max.)	5 fps (8 fps in Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode)
Movie recording	Quick AF Full HD Movie (AVCHD 1920×1080, 50i/25p)
Electronic viewfinder	OLED Tru-Finder with 100% field coverage
LCD	460k-dot 6.7 cm (2.7-type) with adjustable angle
Image compositing functions	Auto HDR; Hand-held Twilight; Sweep Panorama; Anti Motion Blur; Multi Frame Noise Reduction
Image stabilisation system	SteadyShot INSIDE
Built-in flash	GN 10
Interfaces	HDMI; Multi Interface Shoe; Multi Terminal; Memory Stick Duo / SD card slots
Picture Effect	11 modes, 15 effects
Shooting stamina	Using Tru-Finder: 690 shots Using LCD: 700 shots
Dimensions	128.6 x 95.5 x 77.7 mm (approx.)
Weight (body only)	492 grams (approx.)

Sony has also unveiled three new A-mount lenses: the Full-frame G Lens 70-400mm telephoto zoom; Full-frame Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm F1.4; DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 standard zoom. A compact add-on flash and remote commander will also be added to the Alpha accessories line-up when the new products are released next month.