Sony Unveils Long-Awaited DSLR-A900

September 10, 2008: Sony has at last released details of its DSLR-A900, the company’s first camera with a 35mm-sized “Exmor” CMOS sensor.
Offering a resolution of 24.6 effective megapixels, the A900 comes with the first “SteadyShot Inside” body-integrated anti-shake system for a full-frame size DSLR plus a dual BIONZ image processor. The A900’s sensor has been manufactured with proprietary Sony planarisation technologies to ensure an ultra-flat surface across the entire imaging area. It has more than 6000 on-chip column parallel analogue/digital converters to convert analogue signals to noise-resistant digital signals at the earliest possible stage. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 200-3200 in 1/3 EV steps (ISO 100-6400 can be set as an expanded range).

Front view of the DSLR-A900.

Rear view with LCD display.

Top view showing main controls.
The new camera sports a ground-glass optical pentaprism viewfinder with high brightness and a field of view covering 100% of the full-frame sensor’s imaging area (approx.). Complementing it is a 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD with 921,000 dot resolution. At the touch of a button, the LCD display switches to Quick Navi mode, allowing rapid on-the-fly adjustment of camera settings. A new Intelligent Preview function simulates the effect of White Balance, D Range Optimiser and exposure level on the LCD screen without actually taking a picture.
Dual BIONZ image processors work in parallel to process high pixel count image data with top level speed as well as delivering natural colour reproduction, rich tones, as well as high image resolution with minimum noise. Top burst speed is five frames per second. The D-Range Optimiser includes an Advanced mode that offers five optimisation levels for finer control. It is used to adjust exposure and tone for a more natural-looking and balanced exposure, even for backlit shots.
The A900’s viewfinder is bright, clear and easy-to-see with minimal aberration thanks to the adoption of a condenser lens and highly refractive elements into its optics. It covers the full field of view of the sensor with approximately 0.74x magnification and virtually no distortion. A user-replaceable, high quality focusing screen is available in both L-type (grid pattern) and M-type (super spherical acute matte), both sold as optional accessories.
Implemented for the first time on the ?900 is the Intelligent Preview function, which allows users to capture a shot into the internal camera memory and simulate the effect of various camera settings on it, such as exposure, white balance and D-Range Optimiser. As the settings are changed, users can preview the resultant photo directly on the 3-inch, 921,600-dot “Extra Fine” LCD monitor. To finally capture the shot using the adjusted setting, users can simply press the shutter release button. Intelligent Preview offers a convenient, time-saving method of fine tuning image settings in advance and is a great complement to the traditional depth of field preview.
The ?900’s Creative Style menu includes 13 image styles, all of which can be tuned to users’ preferences. Adjustment parameters include contrast, saturation, sharpness, brightness and zone matching. The Custom button on the rear of the camera is set to open the Creative Style menu by default, but it can be assigned to any of the other 15 tasks.
Fast and accurate autofocusing is assured with a centre dual-cross nine point AF sensor system. Two cross-type sensors are used for the centre AF point. A dedicated f/2.8 sensor is also added to the centre of the frame to enhance accuracy when shooting using f/2.8 or larger aperture lenses. Ten additional, invisible AF sensors assist in subject detection when Wide Area AF mode is selected. Out-of-focus detection range and detection algorithm are also improved to reduce focus hunting.

With PhotoTV HD, users can easily enjoy their photos in high definition on any compatible BRAVIA HDTV using an HDMI cable. The ?900 is capable of recording images at either a 3:2 or widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio. The new Intelligent Preview function can also be used when the camera is connected to an HDTV. A 3-inch type “Extra Fine” LCD with approximately 921,000 dot resolution gives photo quality on-the-spot viewing. The ?900 has an easy-to-see navigation display and easily accessible quick navigation menu, plus a display panel on the top of the camera with cinnabar-colour illumination.

The DSLR-A900 with accessory battery grip.
The DSLR-A900 is compatible with a wide range of accessories. It is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in mid-October at an RRP of $4,499 (body only). For more information, contact Sony Australia on 1300 720 071 or visit www.sony.com.au/dslr.

SPECIFICATIONS
Image Sensor: 35.9 x 24.0mm “Exmor” CMOS sensor with 24,610,000 pixel effective resolution
Lens mount: Sony ? mount, compatible with Minolta A-type bayonet mount
Lens Compatibility: Sony ? Lens*1 and Konica Minolta ?/Maxxum/Dynax Lens*1
Anti-Dust: Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and Image Sensor-Shift mechanism
Image stabilisation: On system image Sensor-Shift mechanism
Recording media: Memory Stick Duo,Memory Stick PRO Duo,Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I, Type II (Microdrive), UDMA (Mode5) compliant
Media slot: Memory Stick Duo/Compact Flash Dual slot
Image format: JPEG,RAW(ARW2.1 Format),RAW+JPEG
D-RangeOptimiser: off,Standard/ Advanced: Auto/Advanced: Level
Noise reduction: On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 second, High/Normal/Low/Off, available at the ISO set to 1600 or above
Autofocus system: TTL phase-detection system, CCD line sensors, 9 points + 10 assist focus points
Focusing modes: Single shot AF (AF-S), Automatic AF (AF-A), Continuous AF (AF-C), Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus (MF); AF Micro Adjustment (+/- 20-step increments for up to 30 different lenses), Predictive control, Focus lock, AF illuminator (LED, Range: approx. 1-7m, Auto/Off selectable)
ISO sensitivity: ISO 200 – 3200 equivalent, ISO numbers up from ISO100 to ISO6400 can be set as expanded ISO range.
Flash system: External, Wireless control with HVL-F58AM, ADI flash / Pre-flash TTL metering
Metering: 40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC TTL metering with Multi segment, Centre-weighted, Spot modes
Shutter: Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type; 1/8000 second to 30 seconds speed range plus bulb
Shooting modes: Auto, Program Auto (P, with program shift), Aperture priority (A), Shutter priority (S), Manual (M)
Picture Styles: 13 image styles: Standard/Vivid/Neutral/Clear/Deep/Light/Portrait/Landscape/Sunset/Night View/Autumn Leaves/B&W/Sepia
Adjustable parameters: Contrast/Saturation/Sharpness/Brightness/Zone Matching;
6 settings can be registered
White balance: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Colour Temperature (2500-9900K) with colour filter (19-step magenta/green compensation), Custom (3 settings can be registered);
White Balance Bracketing: 3 frames; Hi/Lo level selectable
Continuous-advance rate: Hi:Approx.5 frames per second at maximum, Lo:Approx.3 frames per second
Playback: Single (with or without shooting information, with 4 previous/following images, RGB histogram, & highlight/shadow warning), 4/9/25-frame index view, enlarged display mode (max. zoom ratio: L size: 19x, M size: 14x, S size: 9.4x)
Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level, pentaprism with approx. 100% FOV coverage; dioptre adjustment -3.0 to +1.0 dpt; eyepoint 20mm; Spherical acute matte focusing screen (G type) ““ user replaceable
LCD Monitor: 7.5 cm (3.0″), TFT Xtra Fine, 921 600 dots (VGA)
Battery type: InfoLithium NP-FM500H,7.2V
Battery life: Approx. 880 shots (CIPA measurement)
Interfaces: USB2.0 Hi-speed (Mass storage type with Multi LUN / PTP / PC Remote Control), Video (PAL/NTSC), HDMI mini connector, 1080i/720p/SD selectable (optional HDMI cable necessary), Remote Commander RM-S1AM/RM-L1AM (optional)
Dimensions (body only): Approx.156 x 117 x 82 mm
Weight (body only): Approx. 850 grams
RRP (body only): $4,499.