Unveiled: Sony Announces Two New Cameras and Two Lenses

Sony has announced two new digital cameras as well as three new lenses and a new soft carry case designed for NEX cameras. The new cameras are the Alpha A3000 Digital Camera and the Alpha NEX-5T Mirrorless Digital Camera. The lenses are the new Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS lens, the E PZ 18-105 f/4 G OSS lens, and the E 50mm f/1.8 Mid-Range Prime lens, which is a black version of a lens that already exists in silver finish.

Sony Alpha A3000 Digital Camera

The A3000 is the first Sony E-mount camera to have an SLR-style form factor. It is designed to offer the best of both worlds: the stable grip and familiarity of the DSLR design, and the lightweight, compact build of the NEX line of mirrorless cameras. In addition, because it is an E-mount camera, its native compatible lenses are also compact and lightweight, which balance well with the size and weight of the camera. This melding between DSLR appearance and an atypically small size and weight make the A3000 a worthy introduction to working with an interchangeable-lens system camera.

With an APS-C-sized 20.1MP Exmor HD CMOS sensor and the BIONZ image processor, the A3000 is on par with other full-size Sony DSLRs in terms of high-resolution imaging and performance speeds. ISO sensitivity from 100 to 16000, with the advanced noise-reduction technology found in Sony’s professional DSLRs, make the A3000 an effective camera when shooting in low-light situations. A full-resolution continuous shooting rate of 3.5 fps establishes this camera as worthy of action photography; its fast 25-point autofocus speed extends to the live view, so you won’t have to wait for the LCD’s image to catch up when you want quick capture.

The 3.0” TFT color LCD monitor offers 230k-dot resolution with 100% coverage and both auto and manual angle adjustment for clear viewing in varied lighting. In addition, a ½-inch Tru-Finder color electronic viewfinder provides stable eye-level composition and 100% frame coverage. It offers a wide field of view and a bright image, even when the scene you are shooting is dim.

Not only does the A3000 take high-resolution photos, but it can also capture HD movies in your choice of standard 60i or cinematic 24p, all at full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution. Offering a choice of formats, the AVCHD codec delivers stunning HD picture quality while the MP4 codec offers smaller file size for easier uploading to the Web for sharing.

With the Sony Multi Interface Shoe, you can connect a range of accessories to the A3000 to enhance your photo and video capabilities. A powerful external flash, a microphone, or a remote control will open up creative possibilities. A built-in pop-up flash with several flash modes is also incorporated into the A3000.

Because the A3000 is built around the Sony E-mount, it is compatible with the full range of E-mount lenses, which are designed specifically for more compact cameras and, therefore, provide the simple benefit of a more lightweight, easy-to-manage system. A growing array of lenses ranging from telephoto zoom to macro, E-mount lenses will cover many of your shooting needs; however, the A3000, with use of a simple adapter, is also compatible with Sony and Minolta A-mount lenses, too. Included with the A3000 is the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Standard Zoom Lens, which provides a 35mm equivalent focal-length range of 27-82.5mm to suit working in a broad variety of conditions. Optical SteadyShot image stabilization is available to minimize the appearance of camera shake by up to four shutter-speed steps, and three aspherical elements are integrated into the construction to reduce chromatic aberrations.

Taking a page from the NEX cameras, the A3000 offers a user-friendly interface that makes complicated adjustments easy. Functions such as Background Defocus and Picture Effects are adjusted with a simple dial, and jargon-free terminology is used to describe these processes. Fifteen unique Picture Effects are supported as is Auto Object Framing, which crops the best composition out of the shot you take, and Auto HDR mode for creating well-balanced images out of high-contrast scenes. Sweep Panorama Technology, Face Detection, and six distinct Creative Style settings are provided. Conveniently, the A3000 can be charged via its USB connection. There’s no need to remove the battery from the camera—simply plug in the included USB cable and charge from an AC outlet or from your computer.

Sony Alpha NEX-5T Mirrorless Digital Camera

The Alpha NEX-5T Mirrorless Digital Camera houses a 16.1MP APS-C-sized Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and the BIONZ image processor. It offers DSLR quality and performance in a compact, lightweight body with fast and precise hybrid autofocus, and a sensitivity range up to ISO 25600 for effective low-light capture. Compared to the Alpha NEX-5R, the 5T is lighter and more compact, which, when combined with new E-mount lenses, will provide a form factor closer to a point-and-shoot camera, but of course with features and functions that rival those of a DSLR.

Also new to the NEX-5T is NFC-enabled Wi-Fi. NFC (Near Field Communication) allows for very simple Wi-Fi setup. Simply tap the camera to another NFC-enabled device, like a tablet or smartphone, and photos are transferred with just one touch; no complex setup is required. Moreover, when using Smart Remote Control, the camera’s shutter can be conveniently controlled by your smartphone’s touchscreen. Sharing from the NEX-5T is as easy as touch and tap, and the Sony PlayMemories Camera Apps offers apps for enhanced shooting capability such as macro and time-lapse functions and extensive sharing and storing options.

Full HD 1080p video recording is supported by the 5T at 60p, 60i, and also cinema-like 24 fps. Both the AVCHD codec for high-quality capture and the MP4 codec for smaller, easy-to-upload files are provided. A dedicated video button allows you to go straight into video mode at any time and HDMI output enables a direct connection to an HDTV.

A 3.0” tiltable touchscreen LCD that flips up 180° is ideal for self-portraiture, and with 100% frame coverage and 921k-dot resolution, composition and playback is sharp. Auto and manual brightness control enable viewing even in difficult lighting and focus peaking makes precise focus simple. With touchscreen capability, you can control menu functions, focus, and shutter release right from the LCD. The Photo Creativity Touch interface lets you see setting changes immediately on the LCD. With the updated Control dial and touch LCD making changes to brightness, background defocus and Picture Effects are simplified.

The Sony Multi-interface Smart Accessory 2 terminal expands your creative control options, allowing you to connect an external flash unit or other accessories. USB charging enables easy charging from an AC outlet or your computer, and with Sony’s lithium-ion Stamina battery system, you can take up to 330 shots on one charge and remaining power is displayed so you are never surprised by a low battery.

The NEX-5T also comes bundled with the black 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Retractable lens. This lens provides the 35mm equivalent focal length of 24-75mm and is a versatile, everyday lens. Optical Image Stabilization provides 4-stop correction for clear imaging in low light and its dual-function control ring provides power zoom and manual focus. Its one ED lens element and four aspherical elements minimize aberrations and produce high resolution and contrast in imagery. When powered down, the lens retracts into itself, becoming quite compact, which couples well with the 5T to create a portable system with DSLR capabilities.

New Sony E-Mount Lenses

In addition to the A3000 and NEX-5T, Sony has announced two new E-mount lenses. The first is the Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS lens, which is a high-performance Carl Zeiss mid-range zoom lens. Its 35mm equivalent focal length is 24-105mm for a very versatile wide-angle-to-telephoto capability. This versatility, combined with its metal exterior and particularly compact form, make it an ideal lens for everyday shooting with a compact NEX camera. Its constant f/4 maximum aperture allows for consistency when establishing exposure, and, at the telephoto end, offers effective low-light imaging. Optical Image Stabilization further enables blur-free capture when shooting in dim light or at the telephoto end of the zoom. Advanced aspherical lens elements contribute to its compact design but also reduce chromatic aberrations, and Zeiss T* anti-reflective lens coating minimizes flare and ghosting and contributes to natural color reproduction, as well as superb definition and clarity.

The E PZ 18-105mm f/4 G OSS lens is the first Sony G lens made for their E-mount. The G lens series brings with it a tradition of quality that in the case of this 18-105mm includes two ED glass elements and three aspherical elements for reduced distortion and aberrations and high resolution and contrast throughout the zoom range. A circular aperture design enables pleasing out-of-focus areas within the frame.

With a 35mm equivalent focal-length range of 27-158mm, this lens covers a wide range of shooting situations, from wide-angle to telephoto, and its constant f/4 maximum aperture enables consistency when setting exposure. Optical Image Stabilization is integrated into the lens for control of blur when shooting in low light or other challenging situations, and a floating-axis lens construction minimizes autofocus noise for smooth and quiet zoom and focus action. The front end of the lens does not extend when focusing or zooming, which enables easier handling and the accurate use of polarizing filters. Zoom speed is also controlled by a zoom lever on the side of the lens as well as by the manual zoom ring. The lever lets you maintain a stable grip on the lens and zoom in quickly or slowly to reduce jumpy zoom when shooting videos.

The E 50mm f/1.8 OSS lens is being introduced as a new color for an existing lens. This model has a black finish but the same specs as its silver stablemate. Its 35mm equivalent focal length is 75mm, ideal for portraiture but certainly capable of shooting in varied situations, especially with its fast maximum aperture of f/1.8. This bright aperture is very effective in low light and is able to create shallow depth of field, which is, again, ideal for portraiture but also for still life and numerous other applications. Optical Image Stabilization increases its ability to be blur free when shooting in low light, and its stepping motor means that autofocus operation is smooth and quiet.  It also provides Direct Manual Focus for precise manual focus even in AF mode.

Lastly, Sony has announced a new, black Soft Carry Case that is made to fit snugly on all NEX cameras—and expand if you add longer lenses. The case attaches to the camera via a thumb screw, remaining around the camera while you shoot, which helps to maintain a comfortable grip as well as protect the camera. A simple snap opens to allow shooting, and a strap hook makes it easy to remove the case to change the battery or media card. A pocket is also provided to store memory cards.

For more information on these new products from Sony, stop by the B&H SuperStore in New York, speak with a sales professional on the telephone at 1-800-606-6969 or contact us online via Live Chat.