This time, the rumour became a full-fledged announcement and Sony presented officially their new 14MP DSLR photo cameras: Sony Alpha 290 and Sony Alpha 390. They will be offering renewed entry-level solutions for the amateur photographer willing to have a Digital SLR camera with up-to-date technology.
Key features both the A290 and A390 share:
- A new 14.2 MP CCD sensor
- Quick AF Live View (allowing fast AF even in LiveView mode – a Sony exclusive)
- Sony revised the body design with a better hand grip and slightly improved button locations
- Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
- Autofocus system: 9-point sensor with TTL phase detection
- Viewfinder: Fixed eye-level, penta-mirror
- Built-in flash: Auto pop-up – GN 10 at ISO 100 (coverage up to 18mm)
- Interfaces: USB 2.0 and HDMI
- Memory cards: SD/SDHC or Memory Stick Pro/Pro-HG/Pro-HG Duo-HX
- No video capture
One feature differentiates the A390 from its smaller brother:
- 6.7cm (2.7-inch) tilt LCD
Press Release
More style and value by Sony for first-time DSLR users Easy-to-use DSLR-A390 and DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• DSLR-A390 with 14.2 megapixels, Quick AF Live View and 6.7cm (2.7-inch) tilt LCD; DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• Compact, stylish body with new grip design and revised button layout for comfortable handling
• Quick AF Live View with tilt LCD (α390) for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus
• Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
• HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync
The α (Alpha) digital SLR range from Sony grows further with two stylish, affordable new entry-level cameras.
Ideal for first-time DSLR users, the DSLR-A390 (α390) and DSLR-A290 (α290) offer a dramatic step up in picture quality and creative options from point-and-shoot compact cameras. Just as importantly, they’re beautifully easy to use, even if you’ve never handled a DSLR before.
With a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels for flawless, low-noise images, both cameras offer the speedy shooting responses that are prized by DSLR users. The α390 adds the extra benefit of Quick AF Live View. This unique system teams the convenience of live image preview on the tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD with speedy, accurate phase-detection autofocus.
The most affordable new DSLR from Sony, the α290 offers the same 14.2 effective megapixel resolution as the α390 in a compact body that weighs just 456g (excluding battery and media).
Both cameras feature an attractive new grip design that allows even more comfortable handling. Upper control areas of both models have also been revised with a clear, uncluttered new button layout.
Even DSLR novices will find it brilliantly simple to explore the generous creative features of both new cameras. The intuitive Graphic Display makes it easy to understand the relation between shutter speed and aperture, plus the effects of your chosen exposure settings on the final picture. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of camera functions, illustrated by a sample image to show the results you’ll achieve. Quick access to shooting and playback function menus is streamlined by colourful on-screen icons.
The α390 and α290 include a mini-HDMI terminal for direct connection to any HD Ready TV (requires optional cable). Support for PhotoTV HD ensures even better-looking still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models. BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions in comfort using your TV remote.
The stylish, easy to use new α390 and α290 digital SLR cameras by Sony are available from summer 2010.
|
Key features |
DSLR-A390 (α390) |
DSLR-A290 (α290) |
|
Type |
Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses |
Digital SLR camera with built-in flash and interchangeable lenses |
|
Lens compatibility |
Sony A-mount lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens |
Sony A-mount lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens |
|
Image sensor |
14.2 effective megapixels |
14.2 effective megapixels |
|
Recording |
Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX SD memory card/SDHC memory card |
Memory Stick PRO Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX SD memory card/SDHC memory card |
|
White balance |
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom |
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom |
|
Autofocus system |
TTL phase detection system; CCD line sensors (Centre-cross 9 points) |
TTL phase detection system; CCD line sensors (Centre-cross 9 points) |
|
Auto Exposure system |
40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC |
40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC |
|
Viewfinder |
Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror |
Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror |
|
LCD monitor |
6.7cm (2.7-inch) TFT (Clear Photo LCD) |
6.7cm (2.7-inch) TFT (Clear Photo LCD) |
|
Line view |
Quick AF Live View (Pentamirror tilt system) |
No |
|
Shutter |
Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type |
Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type |
|
SteadyShot |
Image-sensor shift mechanism |
Image-sensor shift mechanism |
|
Built-in flash |
Auto pop-up – GN 10 at ISO 100 coverage up to 18mm |
Auto pop-up – GN 10 at ISO 100 coverage up to 18mm |
|
Drive |
Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.), Remote Commander |
Single, Continuous, Self-timer (10/2 sec. delay selectable), Self-timer (Cont.), Remote Commander |
|
Interface |
USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP), HDMI mini connector (Type C) |
USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, PTP), HDMI mini connector (Type C) |
|
|
Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge |
Exif Print, Print Image Matching III, PictBridge |
|
Power |
Approx. 500 images with viewfinder, approx. 230 images in live view mode (CIPA standard) |
Approx. 500 images with viewfinder (CIPA standard) |
|
Weight |
549g (including battery and Memory Stick Pro Duo) |
508g (including battery and Memory Stick Pro Duo) |
|
Dimensions |
Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 83.5mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions) |
Approx. 128.1 x 97.1 x 79.6mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions) |
|
Operating temperature |
32 – 104 degrees F (0 – 40 degrees C) |
32 – 104 degrees F (0 – 40 degrees C) |
For more information please contact
Sony Europe Press Centre
presscentre@sony.eu
Sony is a leading global innovator of audio, video, communications and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. Sony is renowned for its audio-visual products, such as the BRAVIA™ LCD high-definition television, Cyber-shot™ digital camera, Handycam® camcorder, “α” (pronounced Alpha) digital SLR camera, and Walkman® MP3 player as well as its VAIO™ personal computers and high-definition (HD) professional broadcast equipment, highlighted by the XDCAM® HD. Offering a complete end-to-end HD value chain and with its electronics, music, pictures, game and online businesses, Sony is one of the world’s leading digital entertainment brands, employing approximately 170,000 people worldwide.
Through its long-term football partnerships as an official sponsor of the UEFA Champions League until 2012, Official FIFA Partner until 2014 and global sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ in 2010 and 2014, Sony is inspiring a sense of excitement for the millions of football fans around the world.
For more information on Sony Europe, please visit www.sony-europe.com
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