Sony Alpha 330

Sony Alpha 330 Features

• 10.2 MP with APS-C sensor
• Sensitivity: 100-3200 ISO
• 40-point exposure matrix
• Dynamic Range Optimization (DRO) to ensure good exposure in high-contrast situations
• Shutter speed 30s – 1/400s
• BIONZ processor
• Dust-cleaning of the sensor
• In-body stabilization
• “Smart teleconverter” mode: “digital zoom” which gives an additionnal x1.4 or x2 at the press of a button (to go further than the optical zoom, but at the expense of image resolution)
• Viewfinder with xx% coverage and 0,__x magnification
• 9-point (with central cross) AF system
• LiveView mode
• Quick AF LiveView, to provide a good AF in LiveView mode
• Continuous shooting: 2.5 fps (out of LiveView mode) or 2 fps (in LiveView mode)
• 7 creative styles, 6 scenes and 3 programmable modes
• HDMI output
• Tiltable 2.7″ LCD screen (690,000 pixels)
• Nicer LCD color interface (with a choice of 4 colour themes)
• On-screen Help Guide
• Weight: 490g

Sony Alpha 330 List price

• 600 € / $ 600 / £ 000 (body only)
• 650 € / $ 650 / £ 000 in kit with 18-55mm zoom
• From June 2009
• Buy it from B&H (The Professional’s Source)
• Buy from Amazon

Sony Alpha 330

Sony Alpha 330 Reviews

• In English:
  • Imaging Resource (review)
  • DigitalRev: First impression of the Sony A330 (in video)
  • AlphaMountWorld.com: New Sony Alpha A230, A330, A380 Previews, High ISO samples
  • AlphaMountWolrd.com : AlphaMountWorld Review- Sony Alpha A330 DSLR
  • Photography Bay: Sony A330 vs. A300 vs. A700 Review – ISO Comparison, Sony A330 review
• En français :
  • Chasseur d’Images n° 314 – Juin 2009 ??? (présentation des Alpha 230/330/380 sur Photim)
  • Réponses Photo n° 207H – Juin 2009 (présentation des Alpha 230/330/380)
  • Réponses Photo n° 208s – Juillet 2009
  • Alpha-Numérique.fr : Sony Alpha 330 : prise en main, mesures du bruit numérique et samples
• En español :
  • DSLR Magazine (preview)

Autofocus technology

Usually, the LiveView mode is done merely by moving the reflex mirror up. The image is then projected onto the single image sensor of the phot camera (like it is done in the point and shoot cameras). But in this case, the little AF sensor is no longer able to work. The main image sensor is used. Instead of the best phase detection algorithms, the camera must used a less powerful micro-contrast detection approach.

Sony decided to opt for another solution, more innovative. The AF sensor (4) is always kept in full operation (the reflex mirror (3) is not moved up). Instead, when going in LiveView mode, a small viewfinder mirror (1) is used to direct the view either toward the eye cup, or toward a LiveView video sensor (2). Everything is visible on the Flash animation below.