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Sony Brings Pro-level Performance to Mainstream SLR Users with New High-Speed a57 Camera Featuring Translucent Mirror Technology
Advanced Feature Set Includes 12 fps Shooting, Full HD (60p) Video Capture, New Auto Portrait Framing and more
Toronto, March 19, 2012 – Sony Canada is pleased to announce that a wider palette of creative options is now accessible to more shooters with the a57 camera, the newest addition to Sony’s popular line of A-mount cameras employing Translucent Mirror Technology.
The innovative Translucent Mirror design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. Users can also frame, focus and preview shots in real-time on the high-resolution Tru-Finder(TM) electronic viewfinder, which offers a wide viewing angle and 100% field of view. This allows photographers to capture exactly what they see on the screen.
A natural successor to Sony’s acclaimed a55 camera, the a57 is positioned for a wide audience of DSLR users. It can shoot still images at up to 12 frames per second, capture full HD video at 60p, 60i or 24p frame rates and has a variety of creative modes including Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first technology.
“Today’s DSLR consumer is looking for a higher level of control and flexibility in their camera,” said Masayuki Yao, Director of Digital Imaging at Sony Canada. “With the introduction of the new a57, we’re bringing blazing fast response rates, enhanced artistic capabilities and other advanced features to the mainstream DSLR marketplace, offering professional-grade performance at affordable prices.”
Shoot 12 frames per second with Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode
With the a57 camera, shooting speeds of up to 12 frames per second are achieved in new Tele-zoom Continuous Advance Priority AE mode, maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure with fixed aperture. Magnifying the central portion of the sensor’s image by 1.4x, it’s perfect for capturing split-second action close-ups with a burst of sharply focused images, even when the subject is moving. In this shooting mode, aperture is fixed at either f/3.5 or the maximum aperture of the lens in use (whichever is smaller) and image size of photos is about 8.4 megapixels.
Create Full HD movies with Full-time Continuous Phase Detection AF
Additionally, the a57 camera lets people create powerfully expressive Full HD movies. Responsive full-time continuous phase detection AF ensures that moving subjects stay sharply focused, just like with still shooting. Support for the AVCHD(TM) Ver. 2.0 (Progressive) format means that Full HD resolution movies can be captured with 60p frame rate: ideal for capturing smooth, blur-free action. Shooting in 24p is also available to give footage a rich, cinematic look. Movie-making options are enhanced further with full control over P/A/S/M shooting modes for virtually limitless creative expression.
The a57 model shares the a65’s 15-point AF system with three cross sensors delivering fast, accurate TTL phase detection autofocus. Newly enhanced Object Tracking AF keeps faces or other selected objects in sharp focus – even if a target is obscured momentarily by another passing object.
A57 Camera equipped with World’s First Auto Portrait Framing mode
Even novice photographers can now easily create pro-style portraits with the a57 thanks to new Auto Portrait Framing, a world’s first technology. Using face detection and the compositional ‘rule of thirds,’ the camera identifies a subject’s position, trimming the scene to create tightly framed, professional-looking pictures in portrait or landscape orientation while maintaining a copy of the original image. Saving both the original photo plus the adjusted version allows for easy comparison between the two images, offering photographers inspiration to refine their portrait skills.
Retain Full Pixel Resolution with Zoomed Images & Experience Low-noise Images
To get closer to the subject, 2x Clear Image Zoom digital zoom technology doubles the effective magnification of your lens and is a highly practical alternative to traveling with a bigger, bulkier telephoto lens. The camera uses Sony’s “By Pixel Super Resolution Technology” to ensure that cropped and zoomed images retain full pixel resolution.
Additionally, the model’s range of popular in-camera Picture Effect modes includes 11 different effects and 15 total variations – offering a generous palette of ‘PC-free’ artistic treatments, including Pop Color, HDR Painting, Miniature Mode and much more. Results can be previewed directly in live view mode on the LCD screen or in the new Tru-Finder(TM) electronic viewfinder while shooting either Full HD video or stills.
Ensuring detail-packed images, the 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor® APS HD CMOS sensor is teamed with a latest-generation BIONZ® engine. Refined by Sony during the development of its flagship a77 and high-end a65 cameras, this powerful processor effortlessly handles large amounts of image data for flawless, low-noise images and Full HD video.
Thanks to the BIONZ processor, creative shooting opportunities are boosted by an outstanding sensitivity range of ISO 100-16,000. Users will experience consistently natural, low-noise images – whether shooting at fast shutter speeds to freeze dynamic action or handheld without flash in low light.
Pricing and Availability
The new a57 interchangeable lens camera will be available in April 2012 with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens for $799.99 (model SLT-A57K) at Sony Store retail locations and online at http://store.sony.ca/A57K, in addition to authorized retailers across Canada.
The a57 camera will also be offered as body-only for $699.99 (model SLT-A57) available in April 2012 at Sony Store retail locations and online at http://store.sony.ca/A57, in addition to authorized retailers across Canada.
Sony will also be introducing a new battery-powered LED video light, model HVL-LE1, which broadens options for recording video indoors or in low light. This new accessory will be available in March 2012 for $279.99 at Sony Store retail locations and online at http://store.sony.ca/HVLLE1, in addition to authorized retailers across Canada.
A wide variety of Alpha accessories are sold at Sony retail stores (store.sony.ca) and authorized retailers across Canada.
About Sony of Canada Ltd.
Established in 1955, Sony of Canada Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, of Tokyo, Japan, a world leader in High Definition. Sony provides end-to-end solutions through products that include the market-leading Blu-ray Disc™ players, BRAVIA® televisions, Cyber-shot® digital cameras, Handycam® Camcorders, VAIO® computers, broadcast cameras, IPELA security cameras and video conferencing and many more products that deliver the true entertainment experience.
Sony is one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world with a portfolio that includes electronics, music, movies, games and online businesses. With headquarters in Toronto, sales offices in Vancouver and Montreal and distribution centres in Coquitlam, British Columbia, and Whitby, Ontario, Sony Canada employees support a network of more than 500 authorized dealers and a number of Sony retail locations across Canada.
Sony Canada is devoted to the betterment of children, the environment, and the community. Through the Sony Canada Charitable Foundation (SCCF), Sony Canada aims to maximize its support of charitable and philanthropic organizations, including Make-A-Wish® Canada, the United Way of Canada and Earth Day Canada.
Learn more about recycling your Sony products at http://eco.sony.ca/
