Sony announces Alpha 450 DSLR

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Marketed as an entry-level model but offers enthusiast-level features

By Adorama News Writer

January 5, 2010

Boasting 14.2MP resolution, 7fps burst rate, live view, automatic HDR, 1,050-shot battery life, 95% field of view, and SteadyShot anti-shake, the Sony Alpha sounds more like an enthusiast camera.

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The newest DSLR camera addition to the Sony range teams flawless imaging with generous creative options.

Powerful yet brilliantly easy to use, the DSLR-a450 is a perfect all-rounder when you're ready to take your passion for great pictures to a more advanced level. Ideal for active shooters moving up to their next DSLR camera, it's at home in any shooting situation, from relaxed portraits to fast-moving sports action.

Inside the a450 is a high-resolution 14.2 (approx.) effective megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. It's teamed with the powerful BIONZ processor to deliver highly detailed, ultra-low noise images. Sensitivity extends right up to ISO 12800, allowing you to capture beautifully natural handheld images in low light without flash.

With a generous 95% field of view, the bright optical viewfinder makes framing and composition a pleasure. As an extra refinement, Manual Focus Check Live View previews clear, bright full-resolution images on the 6.7cm (2.7") Clear Photo LCD screen. With selectable 7x/14x on-screen image enlargement it's ideal for confirming pin-sharp focus with portraits, still life, macro and architectural scenes.

The powerful BIONZ image processor enables high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5 fps (maximum -- approx. figure). In Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at start of burst) this increases to an amazing 7 fps (maximum -- actual speed depends on shooting conditions and media card). It's more than enough to catch sports and fast-moving action with ease.

Creative options are enhanced with Auto HDR mode that accommodates bright highlights and dark shadow details in a single frame. Two successive frames shot handheld at different exposure values are merged automatically by the camera. The result is a detail-packed High Dynamic Range image -- with no need for a PC image editor and specialists skills. In addition to fully automatic operation, the exposure difference between frames can be manually set up to 3EV, in 0.5EV increments.

Featured right across the DSLR camera line-up by Sony, SteadyShot INSIDE offers up to 4 steps of anti-shake correction with the full range of 30 a lenses and two teleconvertors, as well as compatible A-mount optics by Konica-Minolta.

The a450 also offers the most impressive shooting stamina of any DSLR camera by Sony to date. The high-capacity battery allows up to 1,050 shots between charges* -- plenty for a busy weekend's sightseeing.

Slots for Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo and SD/SDHC memory cards (sold separately) are offered to suit users' personal shooting preferences.

Connect the a450 to any HD Ready TV for a breathtaking big-screen view of your photos. PhotoTV HD optimises still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA models, while BRAVIA Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions using your TV remote.

Supplied software includes Image Data Converter SR; Image Data Lightbox SR; and PMB (Picture Motion Browser) for easy image management. The a450 is also compatible with the wide range of high-quality DSLR camera accessories by Sony, including flashes, carry cases, batteries and chargers, GPS and more.

The DSLR-a450 digital SLR camera by Sony is available from the beginning of February 2010.

* when using optical viewfinder (CIPA measurement)

Features                          DSLR-a450
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Effective Megapixels              Approx. 14.2
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Lens compatibility                Sony a lens, Minolta and
                                  Konica Minolta AF lens
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Image sensor                      APS-C size (23.4x15.6mm) CMOS sensor
                                  "Exmor" with RGB primary colour filters
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Processor                         BIONZ(TM) image processor
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
ISO Sensitivity Range             200 - 12800 ISO
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Image Quality Modes               Jpeg (fine, standard), RAW, RAW + Jpeg
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
HDMI connector and Bravia Sync    HDMI  mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA
                                  Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)          L size:  4592x3056 (14M),
                                  M size:  3344x2224 (7.4M),
                                  S size:  2288x1520 (3.5M)
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Viewfinder Type                   Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
LCD                               6.7cm (2.7-inch) type, TFT Clear Photo
                                  LCD (230,400 dots)
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Manual Focus Check Live View      YES
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
SteadyShot INSIDE                 YES
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Anti-dust System                  Coating on low pass filter,
                                  plus image-sensor shift
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Focus Modes                       AF/MF selectable.
                                  AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF,
                                  Continuous AF
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Autofocus                         TTL phase detection system;
                                  CCD line sensors
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Focus Points                      9 points
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Exposure Modes                    Programmed AE (AUTO,
                                  AUTO - Flash Off, P), Aperture priority,
                                  Shutter priority, Manual,
                                  Scene selection
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Exposure Metering Sensor          40-segment honeycomb-pattern SPC
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Exposure Metering Modes           Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Scene Selection                   Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports,
                                  Sunset, Night portrait/Night view
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Creative Style Settings           Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape,
                                  Sunset, B/W
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Shutter Speed                     1/4000-30sec, Bulb
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Exposure Bracketing               3 continuous exposures, in 0.3
                                  or 0.7 EV steps
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
White Balance Settings            Auto / 6 presets / Colour
                                  Temperature/Colour Filter /
                                  Custom WB
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Continuous Advance Shooting       Up to 5 fps and 7 fps in speed
                                  priority mode.
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Approx. no. of shots              Approx. 1050 shots
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Built-in Flash                    Auto pop-up - GN 12 at ISO 100, FOV
                                  coverage up to 18mm
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Flash Modes                       Flash-off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync,
                                  Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,
                                  *With external flash HVL-F58AM,
                                  HVL-F56AM, HVL-F42AM, HVL-F36AM
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Media                             Memory Stick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo /
                                  SD memory card / SDHC memory card
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Dimensions (W x H x D)            Approx. 137 x 104 x 81mm
                                  (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
Weight                            Approx. 520g
------------------------------    ----------------------------------------

 

The above is an unedited press release provided by Sony Europe.

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