We asked our sources and they confirmed that the pictures are real! Those are the [shoplink 3617]Sony A55[/shoplink] and [shoplink 3620]Sony A33[/shoplink] translucent cameras. We hope to receive more pictures soon…
And the [shoplink 3620]Sony A33[/shoplink]:
via DChome
43 Responses
the grip is same as A390/A290 = not-so-nice :<
Can’t see any!
cruel joke if it is one.
So, it looks as if it has a similar control layout to the current a3XX series where it’s nearly impossible to quickly change the focus point.
However, the new screen looks pretty nice. I never liked how Canon and others had the screen flip to the side, that always seemed weird. This looks to allow for excellent viewing angles.
It also looks like the grip is fairly substantial, especially where thumb placement is concerned.
Dedicated video recording button as well. Overall, I think they look pretty good.
I would be curious to see the top plate though. I wonder if it still has that idiotic teleconverter button.
ah I see em on the dchome page… nice looking texture on the grip.
Can’t but agree with futile. Heck, that A55 ought to have two control wheels and more dedicated buttons than what is supposed to be an entry-level, which isn’t the case.
Who is going to buy an A55 at this price point if you don’t even get two control wheels, despite it’s apparently great AF and burst mode performance ? I’m not…if these pictures are correct (I hope they aren’t).
These cameras are tiny. No wonder they needed to use the NEX battery.
@Admin, they probably have hot linking disabled. Download the images and host them on your own server.
Cheers
Bottom-hinged LCD and bottom-access cards and batteries? Not very tripod friendly. But everything else looks awesome; like an a290 with an a550’s buttons crammed onto it, plus a Hugh Jazz viewfinder.
I wish it is fake, card slot on the bottom like NEX and using NEX battery, no second wheel dial, no Local AF control would makes the camera not perfect design in handling even through it has superior sensor (why it always fall in this problem…)
looks tragically
Small is a nice thing; but I still prefer the 7/9 series control layout.
Looking forward to see it with vertical grip.
Hope this is not the real image of the a55 🙁
No Scrolling on the backside 🙁
Looks not good
There are missing a lot
–> this will not be the successor of the A700 🙁
I suppose they are positioned correctly.. with the 5 and 3 numbers denoting their places in the market.
Still waiting for the a7XX…
It could be such a good camera…. finally something for semi-pro users… now instead we got miniature toy which I won’t even be able to grasp comfortably, not saying about the access to all necessary buttons ~_~ Specs are amazing – ergonomics is crap :/
is this real?
a33 55 spec very nice
but for body… looks just beginer camera
i’m disappoint
I think Mr Crinks spoke it correctly.. With these ergonomics their name correspond to what you expect from those places in the market. More advanced users will have to wait higher end models. But worst think is still the use of NEX batteries.. I guess Sony is the only one happy with this thing. The only hope is that in the 580 they won’t use them.
People have no taste, all negative comments all the time, go buy Canon and be a sheep like everyone else!. Sony is style and technology far ahead of everyone else, these cameras will sell good, count on it.
I don’t see myself buying this camera. I see they didn’t change the buttons layout and it’s far from the A700 or A900 buttons layout. I was expecting something close to the Canon 7D but sadly that’s not gonna happen.
Do you guys remember this prototype? http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2301/sonyalpha4800.jpg.
I don’t see the top LCD Screen in these pictures so will still have a last hope. That could be the A7xx we’ve waiting for years.
I have an A350 and I’ve been waiting for a decent model to upgrade but I keep feeling stuck with Sony 🙁
I actually like the small size. Why carry around more when you can get these specs in a small body? The a55 will make a nice backup cam for my a900.
Just hope they’ll sell them body only as well, I have no need for the kitlens.
Now to the fun part. I can’t wait to see the first post on DPReview forum titled: “Should I get the a55 or wait for a77?”
🙂
“Why carry around more when you can get these specs in a small body?” – Why build the A55 with such high price and toycam ergonomics when they could just make it part of NEX family? Or at least: Build A33 a toycam and A55 a real camera?
*big disappointment*
Miniature size is fine, but only as long as you can hold it comfortably – now this one definitely doesn’t fall into this category. Small size and lack of buttons was a reason why I chosen Sony over Canon, now what I want to upgrade see Sony going towards Canon entry level trend – micro-DSLR with almost no buttons >_>.
The usual confusion and FUD I see… You wouldn’t compare the 550D and 1000D to the 7D, so why do it with these ? The 7xx model will come eventually, this is not it. Also we have yet to see the A580 which will be larger. It seems that sony have leveraged the use of the EVF to get an ultra compact DSLR, not for everyone, but good for a low priced dslr. Look how well the 450D still sells, and that’s a small camera too.
@sky walker, you seem to be a troll. So far I see the same buttons on the A33 and A55 as there are on the A550.
@ Sky_walker, if these cams are too small, perhaps you should indeed wait for the a77, or better still, for the a99.
🙂
mike – the price tag of this cameras will put them in pair of those having decent ergonomics, so no wonder the expectations 😉 OR maybe it’s just hunger for something better than A550? Either way I don’t feel like there’s any need for smaller-than-A230 camera, which is precisely what we get here now, as that one was already screwed, and it wasn’t the grip alone.
Though yea, I’m also very curious how does it actually hold in my hands. Maybe they made a miracle and created first ever usable micro-DSLR? Could be, who knows?
Oh, and please, keep it civic 😉
Me – hehe, I’ll wait for 580 first 🙂 This should be at least the size of A550, so should be enough 🙂
i hope to see also the a77 a7xx and a99.
Because this cams i think i will not buy.
All of these complaints about the small size. Everyone has been complaining about how too big the older models were. So SONY Listened and gave you what you wanted. And again you complain about how too small the new Alpha a55 is going to be.
What can I say, you asked for the smaller camera and now you’s got it.
moaning moaning….
This is great news, and maybe a new era of DSLR machines. So get real for a while. The A7xx A9xx will arrive someday.
This is still not a pro-level camera. I’m guessing that Sony does not expect professionals to want a small DSLR with an EVF just yet, I think they’re playing it too safe by giving it a consumer level controlset.
These cameras will be exciting for many–and there will be larger versions of Sony translucent & traditional dslr cameras to choose from soon. If the specs are anywhere near correct, the entire internet will be buzzing soon.
So does the A33 also have the swivel/flip-down screen or is that limited to the A55?
I’d like a large camera to deal with the 1+ kg lenses well, and I’d like a small camera that weighs less than 200g. Is that a sin?
Why don’t people like small cameras? Do we need big cameras to look cool?
Don’t you know that 11″ laptop are more expensive than 15″ laptop? Some 11″ laptops are more expensive than 17″ laptops.
Ergonomics, ergonomics. People love netbooks, yet I don’t think they’re ergonomic. They don’t think so. I used 6kg 17″ laptop for 5 years and now am enjoying my 11″ laptop.
I might be making an unfair comparison, but hey, point is, people gotta move on 🙂
Now I shall join the train of people waiting for A7xx.
So, the A33 and A55 then essentialy desimate Panasonic GH#s?
Maybe nice cameras. I do prefer larger grips, and ovf, so I guess its just for different markets.
But since they already share enough with NEX, why is it not E mount? And why is there a translucent mirror if its EVF? perhaps pelix is projecting onto AF sensors? That then makes sense.
“Bottom-hinged LCD and bottom-access cards and batteries? Not very tripod friendly. ”
Soccer-moms and 12yr-old kids and entry-level dSLR users don’t use tripods. 😛 These are just more entry-level crap from Sony. Maybe once they get these toys out of the way they might put out some cameras for the more advanced photographers? Yes? maybe? *sigh*
Series 3 and 5 never has 2 control wheel before. So what is the problem? I have been waiting for it as well but since it never arrive I decided ti buy A550 and can still take pict with 1 control wheel.
the grip failed alot…. better use a550 body and upgrade it… 🙁
I withdraw what I said. This is a beautiful and powerful little evil:)
“So, the A33 and A55 then essentialy desimate Panasonic GH#s?” – well, this would make sense. The GHs and maybe new Nikon D3100 (which sux when you compare it to A55 specs…)
Either way: This cam will change the face of DSLRs. Won’t be any interest for people with some knowledge, or those who already have or don’t need the micro-camera, but looking at the bigger picture, it might shake the minor producers, as Olympus, Samsung or Panasonic.
Looks like the Sony filled gap between gap-filler 😉 (mirrorless cameras were filling gap between compacts and DSLRs, now the A55/33 fill the gap between mirrorless and DSLRs)
my last hope will be the A560 and A580 series.
Can’t fit that on meh hands >_<.
Any ideas on pricing?
I’d like to see if pellix mirror does affect the sharpness.
Anyway.
Hot topics of this camera are “translucent mirror”. This mirror doesn’t move. Instead, light is penetrated to the other side. And, a little light is reflected for the AF operation and EVF.
However, this conception is not new. It is a noteworthy point that this technology was put to practical use, and the possibility of DSLR extended as a result.
1. The mirror doesn’t move, the vibration is not absorbed.
2. The mirror doesn’t move, the vibration is not absorbed.
3. The mirror need not be synchronized with the shutter, the shutter speed can be done fast.
4. The structure becomes easy, the price can be lowered.
In a word, “Translucent mirror” is a technology that makes an efficient DSLR camera cheaply. Perhaps, Nikon and Canon Inc. also will introduce like this technology. However, this technology means the end of the camera made in Japan.
Because if the technology of a synchronous mirror becomes unnecessary, the DSLR camera can be easily made excluding Japan. Will you pay a lot of money to the camera of the same performance? How much value will you be able to find to the package named Nikon, Canon and Sony?
As for the DSLR camera, it will take the lead in the market made in South Korea and made in China like the camera for the consumer. It is a sarcastic result.
Oh, mistake.
No,2 is “The mirror doesn’t move, AF can be operated at any time.”