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DSLR-A900 |
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Category: Advanced Amateur - Prosumer
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A900 features a full-frame CMOS sensor with 24.6MP resolution. It also incorporates a Sensor-shift Image Stabilization (the first for a full-frame sensor), and thus gains the benefit of image stabilization no matter which one of the compatible alpha system lenses is attached.
There is no Live View in the A900, but an Intelligent Preview function allows you to take a temporary shot using RAW and then apply manual adjustments to exposure value, shutter speed, aperture, Dynamic Range Optimizer and White Balance in-camera and see the result on the extra large 3.0-in. (920,000 dots) 270ppi photo quality LCD screen. Since you would be working on a still shot, this is more suited to a subject that is not moving and I am not sure there is an advantage to simply taking the RAW shot and then making the adjustments later in post processing.
The large prism is quite distinctive and provides a 100% frame coverage. Autofocus uses 9 focus points (center dual-cross type) and 10 assist points to deliver fast and precise focusing. Continuous shooting is at 5fps.
The Sony A900 does not make any claims to be weather-resistant and to be able to survive a downpour. Rather it claims to be moisture and dust-resistant: controls, terminals, viewfinder and other sensitive components are protected by dust and moisture resistant seals for long term reliability in a wide range of environments.
The A900 also features dual card slots and accepts both CompactFlash® and Memory Stick Duo™ Media (sold separately).
To recover details in dark or bright areas of the image, the A900 provides multiple levels of Dynamic Range Optimization: Standard mode, to improve shadow detail using standard gamma curves; Advanced Auto mode, allowing you to select any of 5 DRO correction levels; or DRO Advanced Bracketing, which automatically takes three shots at different DRO levels with a single shutter press.
In addition to full frame image capture, the A900 can also crop images to the APS-C size format, allowing the use of lenses designed specifically for APS-C sized image sensors.
Other practical features:
- A built-in eyepiece shutter which can be shut to help shield against entering light and prevent exposure errors.
- AF Micro Adjustment allows you to fine tune focus for various lenses. The A900 can store adjusted focus values for up to thirty lenses.
- User-replaceable focusing screens for shooting specific subject types can be purchased as optional accessories.
- Mirror Lockup Mode
- Remote Camera Control allows you to control your A900 from your PC
- Optional Vertical Grip
Sony alpha DSLR-A900 with optical Vertical Grip
The A900 has a ruggedly body constructed of strong and light magnesium-alloy and a high-endurance shutter unit rated for 100,000 release cycles.
13 Image Styles allow you to adjust contrast, saturation, sharpness, brightenss and zone matching.
Sony also introduced two new Carl Zeiss lenses for the A900: the Vario Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA and the 70-400mm f/4-5.6 G.
The Sony α (alpha) DSLR-A900 targets the serious and advanced amateur photographers
with a flexible DSLR with professional features and characteristics.
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Sony
A900 |
QuickFact™
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Image
Sensor |
24.6 megapixel (effective) 35mm full frame (35.9 X 24.0 mm) Exmor™ CMOS image sensor; RGB primary color filter |
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Image Stabilization |
On system image Sensor-Shift mechanism (SteadyShot® Inside anti-shake system) |
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Anti-Dust |
Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and Image Sensor-Shift mechanism |
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Lens Mount |
Sony α mount, compatible with Minolta A-type bayonet mount |
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Lens Compatibility |
Sony α Lens*1 and Konica Minolta α/MAXXUM/DYNAX Lens*1 |
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Auto
Focus |
Auto Focus: TTL Phase Detection, Dual-cross 9 point AF w/ 10 assist focus points for Wide AF. Focus Mode: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, Direct Manual Focus, Manual focus Focus Area: Wide focus (Auto – 9 areas), Spot focus, Local focus (9 local areas selection with the multi-selector) |
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Shutter Speed |
Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane type
1/8000 second - 30 seconds speed range, bulb |
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Exposure Control |
Auto, Programmed AE (with shift), Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, Custom 1, 2, 3 |
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EV Compensation |
±3.0 EV, 0.3 or 0.5EV Steps |
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Burst Mode | Hi:Approx.5 fps at maximum
Lo:Approx.3 fps
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D-Range Optimiser |
Off, Standard / Advanced: Auto / Advanced: Level |
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Noise Reduction |
On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 second, High/Normal/Low/Off, available at the ISO set to 1600 or above |
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Scene Modes |
Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia |
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Movie Mode |
N/A |
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Self Timer |
Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds with mirror-up function) |
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Light
Metering |
Multi-Pattern Switchable: 40 segment honeycomb pattern; Center Weighted, Spot |
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ISO |
ISO 200 - 3200 equivalent, ISO numbers up from ISO100 to ISO6400 can be set as expanded ISO range |
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White
Balance |
Auto plus 6 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash); +/- 3-step adjustable Kelvin temperature control (2500-9900k w/19-step Magenta/Green compensation) |
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Viewfinder |
Optical: TTL, 0.74 x, Diopter -1m-1 100% coverage of 35 mm Full-frame area |
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Eye-Start AF |
No |
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LCD |
7.5cm (3.0") TFT Xtra Fine™ (921K dots) LCD |
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Histogram Display |
RGB, on Intelligent Preview and Playback only |
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Microphone/Speaker |
No/ No |
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Red-Eye Reduction |
No |
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Color Mode(s) |
Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia (All other color modes use the sRGB color space) |
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AF Illuminator Light |
Yes (Built-in LED) |
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Image Format |
JPEG, RAW (ARW2.1 Format), RAW+JPEG |
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Recording Media |
Memory Stick Duo,Memory Stick PRO Duo,Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Compact Flash Type I, Type II (Microdrive),UDMA(Mode5) compliant |
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Media Slot |
Memory Stick Duo/Compact Flash Dual slot |
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Flash System |
External, Wireless control with HVL-F58AM, ADI flash / Pre-flash TTL metering |
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Built-in Flash System |
No Built-in Flash (Compatible with Sony System Flash) |
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HD Output |
Yes (w/ optional HDMI cable) |
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Output(s) |
Video and HMDI: NTSC/PAL Selectable |
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USB Port(s) |
USB 2.0 Hi-speed |
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Battery
Type |
NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery |
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Battery
Capacity |
7.2V, CIPA standard: approx. 880 pictures |
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Limited Warranty |
1 Year Parts & Labor |
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Included Accessories |
- NP-FM500H Lithium-Ion battery
- Battery charger (full charge time approx. 235 minutes)
- Eyepiece cup
- Body cap
- Shoe cap
- Shoulder strap
- Video and USB cables
- Software CD-ROM: Image Data Converter SR (Windows & Macintosh), Image Data Lightbox SR (Windows & Macintosh), Remote Camera Control (Windows & Macintosh)
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Picture Motion Browser (Windows only)
- Manual, Warranty |
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Dimensions (W
x H x D) |
Approx. 156.3 x 116.9 x 81.9 mm /
6 1/8 x 4 5/8 x 3 1/4 in.
(excl. protrusions) |
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Weight (Camera
body only) |
Approx. 850 g / 1 lb., 14 oz
body, not including battery, lens and media |
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MSRP (body only) |
US
$3,000 / CAD $3,300 |
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Vario Sonnar T* 16-35mm f/2.8 ZA: |
US
$ |
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70-400mm f/4-5.6 G: |
US
$ |
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- Press Release
Product technical specifications (including MSRP and Included Accessories) are as represented by the manufacturer and subject to manufacturer's change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer or of Photoxels.
Included Accessories may also differ by country or area. Please verify latest specs from the appropriate manufacturer's site.
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DISCLAIMER:
We strive for accuracy in reproducing these specs, but being human, we do occasionally make mistakes. Also, in the early stages of a product introduction, you can almost guarantee there will be some errors from the manufacturers themselves as they update their sites. If you see any mistakes, please contact us. We do appreciate your writing in with the corrections and thank you in advance!
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