Sony has unwrapped a new DSLR called the Alpha 450 which it bills as a ‘perfect all-rounder’.
Due to land in UK shops in February the 14.2-million-pixel Alpha 450 is claimed to allow equivalent ISO sensitivity up to ISO 12,800 and be capable of a continuous burst rate of ‘seven frames per second’.
Sony UK claims that the Alpha 450 is a ‘versatile easy-to-use choice for step-up photographers’.
Features include Live View and a 2.7in LCD screen with Manual Focus Check that allows the photographer to preview the image prior to capture.
‘The powerful Bionz image processor enables high-speed continuous shooting at up to 5fps (maximum approx.figure). In Speed Priority mode (with AF and AE set at the start of the burst) this increases to an amazing 7fps… More than enough to catch sports and fast-moving action with ease,’ claims Sony.
Also on board the 520g newcomer is Sony’s SteadyShot Inside anti-shake correction and an Auto HDR [High Dynamic Range] option designed to ensure the capture of bright highlights and dark shadow detail in the same frame.
The Alpha 450 measures around 137x104x81mm (excluding protrusions).
A UK price has not been released.
Specification, as supplied by Sony UK:
Effective Megapixels: Approx. 14.2
Lens compatibility: Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens
Image sensor: APS-C size (23.4×15.6mm) CMOS sensor “Exmor” with RGB primary colour filters
Processor: BIONZ? 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: 4592×3056 (14M),
M size: 3344×2224 (7.4M),
S size: 2288×1520 (3.5M)
Viewfinder Type: Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror
LCD: 6.7cm (2.7?) 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
