Alpha A230... the cheapest DSLR in the market
After a long silence, Sony finally unveiled its series of DSLR cameras in the form of Alpha A230, A330 and A380.
While the more established brands in the DSLR sector like Canon, Nikon and Olympus and in the Four-Third segment like Panasonic can sleep in peace — as Sony’s new DSLRs offer little to lose sleep on — these new offerings from the Japanese giant do have competitive advantage in their own right.
The 10.2 megapixels Alpha A230, for instance, is the cheapest DSLR camera in the market at the moment.
At US$550 with one kit lens (a standard 18-55mm lens), it will feel almost like buying a premium compact camera with the promise of quality images and an untold amount of creativity that DSLR cameras are known for.
At US$750 with two kit lens, the Alpha A230 is really what it clearly aims for — to attract a huge number of casual compact camera owners who are eyeing to upgrade to a DSLR.
Advanced compact camera owners, of course, would look more at stepping up to Nikon 5000D or Canon EOS 500D.
Huh? No movie at all?
Sony Alpha A330
For a late entrant into the DSLR sector — Sony only made a foray into the DSLR market in June 2006, continuing the Konica-Minolta legacy — I find it quite strange that Sony decided not to include the HD movie in its newest DSLR cameras and stick to the “traditional” role of a DSLR, that is, taking still pictures.
I guess there is a catch here. Firstly, including a movie feature, not to mention HD movie, will push up the price to be on par with “premium” entry level cameras such as the Nikon 5000D and Canon EOS 500D, making the the Sony camera, the A230 at least, less appealing in terms of price.
Secondly, if one is upgrading from a compact to a DSLR, chances are he or she would have already had a compact camera with movie capability.
Alpha A380
If the Alpha A230 — and to a certain extent the Alpha A330 — is clearly targeted at first-time DSLR camera buyer and is doing exactly so with little or no competition from other brands in terms of the price, the same cannot be said of the 14.2 megapixels Alpha A380. This camera is “up there” competing with the rest and the best in the premium entry level DSLR.
At the price of US$850 with kit lens, it is in the same pond with Nikon 5000D, Canon EOS 500D and Olympus E-620.
My wishlist remains a wish
I did get two of a long list of wishlist for the A380. I had wished for a 15 megapixels but at 14.2 megapixels the Alpha A380 won’t be any different from a 15-megapixel camera. I also get my wish for a vari-angle LCD screen.
I didn’t get the rest of my wishlist though — 1080p HD video at 30fps, at least 4fps continuous shot, pan-and-stitch technology, the ability to superimpose images, lens auto focuses when shooting video, stereo sound and so on.
But that would be like, asking too much isn’t it? But Sony should consider introducing all these — along with a higher frame rate burst mode — in its higher end DSLR camera, something along the lines of an A700 upgrade. If Sony does this, there might be someone somewhere having trouble sleeping for some nights.
