Sony

Enjoy the all-new Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera with an amazing zoom lens to get you started. Included in this kit is the versatile SAL-18200 18-200mm standard zoom lens. This easily handles the full range of shots you’ll take most often—but there’s nothing “standard” about its advanced optical design. With superior all-in-one lens performance for everyday shooting, its 35mm-equivalent range of 27mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto excels at capturing faraway subjects, sports events, dramatic landscapes and intimate close-up views.The Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is an instant classic: the top-quality 10 MP DSLR system camera that builds on a two-decade legacy of Minolta photographic leadership, accepts 20 years of A-mount lenses sold worldwide—and introduces Sony® imaging innovations like high-sensitivity shooting with Super SteadyShot® in-camera image stabilization, Dynamic Range Optimizer to automatically increase detail in bright and dark picture areas, new Anti-Dust technology to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, and Eye-Start® Autofocus system for faster camera response.*Purchased separately, the combined cost of the DSLR-A100 and SAL-18200 is $1,299.90.
Includes SAL-18200 Lens.Specially designed for the APS-size CCD imager of the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, this is the standard zoom lens that brings you closer to your subject. With superior all-in-one lens performance for everyday shooting, its 35mm-equivalent range of 27mm wide-angle to 300mm telephoto excels at capturing faraway subjects.
The Rebirth of a Legend.In the revolutionary new Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, Sony’s mastery of digital technology combines with Minolta’s legendary SLR technology -- including autofocus and anti-shake compatibility with over 20 years of A-mount lenses sold worldwide.
Advanced Lenses and Accessories. The Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is your gateway to one of the world’s most sophisticated camera systems, including precision Sony® standard and zoom lenses, Sony® “G” Series lenses with advanced motorized autofocusing, amazingly bright Carl Zeiss® T* coated lenses, professional-quality flash units and more.
10.2 MP CCD. A large, 23.6 x 15.8mm APS-C-size CCD imager with Sony’s advanced design allows more light to pass to each pixel, increasing sensitivity and reducing noise -- and providing greater detail when you make big prints or crop in close on your subject.
Super SteadyShot®When you shoot in low light, the shutter remains open longer -- so to compensate for shaky hands or fast-moving subjects, the Sony® Super SteadyShot® system automatically reduces image blur. And because it works in-camera, you’ll get the benefit of Super SteadyShot® stabilization with every lens you use.
Sharp, Clear Photos That Preserve the Mood. With high-sensitivity (ISO 1600) shooting, the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera captures great photos without flash even in low light -- which makes it an ideal system camera for shooting without a tripod or in locations (like museums and churches) where flash is prohibited.
Anti-Dust Technology. Changing lenses in a DSLR can allow dust to enter the camera -- so to keep the CCD imager clean for better pictures, the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera utilizes both static-free anti-dust coating on the CCD filter and anti-dust vibration that automatically shakes the CCD to dislodge dust each time the camera is shut off.
Dynamic Range Optimizer. To recover details in dark or bright areas of the picture, the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera provides two levels of Dynamic Range Optimization: Normal DRO, to improve shadow detail using standard gamma curves for fast shot-to-shot response time, or Advanced DRO, to adjust dynamic range area-by-area for the greatest precision.
Bionz™ Image Processor. At the heart of the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera is the advanced Bionz™ Image Processor, using hardware-based Large Scale Integrated (LSI) circuitry that responds ten times faster than software image processors -- improving camera response time, handling Dynamic Range Optimization processing and extending Stamina® battery life.
Eye-Start® Autofocus System.Some DSLR systems don’t start focusing until the shutter button is half-pressed -- but that can slow down camera response. The Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera begins its precision autofocus adjustments the moment you bring your eye to the viewfinder, to capture fast-action subjects other cameras might miss.
2.5” 1 Clear Photo LCD Plus™ Screen.The Clear Photo LCD Plus™ design of the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera’s built-in screen makes it easy to read camera setup menus even in bright sunlight -- and gives you a better picture when you use your screen to set up shots and check results.
Continuous Burst Mode at 3 Frames Per Second. To catch fast action more effectively, the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera offers continuous JPEG image capture up to the limit of your flash memory card -- plus RAW Burst Mode (up to 6 shots) with intelligent buffer management to allow more shots to be captured without waiting for the buffer to clear.
Super-Accurate Exposure Control. A 40-segment honeycomb sensing system provides multi-pattern measuring for superior exposure control accuracy.
Flexible Exposure Modes. For greater creative freedom in a wide range of shooting conditions, the Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera provides full manual exposure control as well as Program Auto, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Exposure Compensation modes.
9-Point Auto Focus Selection. The Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera gives you all the focusing options you need for composing your shot with foreground, background or off-center subjects -- including manual focus point selection, Spot AF, Continuous AF and AF Lock.
Lithium Ion Battery with Stamina® Power. Based on CIPA standard, a supplied NP-FM55H Lithium Ion rechargeable battery lets you take up to 750 shots2 on a full charge, recharges quickly with supplied battery charger.
Dual Media Options. The Sony® α (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera accepts both optional CompactFlash™ Type I/II media and Memory Stick Duo™ media (with supplied adaptor).
SAL-18200 Lens Features:
Internal Focusing System. Internal lens elements move, so the overall length does not change -- creating a lens that focuses more quickly and doesn’t change balance.
Aspherical Lens Elements. Three aspherical elements correct visual aberrations more effectively across the entire zoom range and help reduce weight.
ED (Extra-low Dispersion) Glass. Two ED Glass lenses minimize flare and greatly reduce chromatic aberration, giving you sharp, clear shots even at full telephoto extension.
Circular Aperture. Because aperture blades form a near circle at the wide openings used for low-light shots, spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect.

Canon SD700 IS Digital ELPH (IXUS 800) Concise Review,

Review based on a production Canon Digital IXUS 800 IS (SD700 IS)
Announced just before PMA 2006 in February, the 6 megapixel SD700 IS is the new flagship model in the long-running and very successful IXUS / Digital ELPH range. The SD 700 IS is the first Canon ultra-compact ever to feature optical image stabilization, and the first to sport a 4x zoom lens, though in most other respects it is very similar to the previous 'top of the range' SD550. Ostensibly a 'point and shoot' fully automatic model, the SD700 IS nevertheless has a fairly comprehensive feature set packed into its slim metal body. Let's start, as usual, with the headline features:
6.0 million effective pixels
4x (35-140mm equiv.) zoom
ISO 800 and optical IS for flash-free indoor shooting
Canon's DIGIC II image processor, iSAPS and 9-point AiAF
Wide viewing angle 2.5" LCD screen
16 shooting modes
My Colors photo effects
Widescreen (16:9) stills recording
30fps VGA movies
SD700 IS / IXUS 800 specifications
Street price
• US: $440• UK: £290
Naming
SD 700 IS Digital ELPH (US)Digital IXUS 800 IS (EU)
Body Material
Metal and plastic
Sensor
• 1/2.5 " Type CCD• 6.0 million effective pixels
Image sizes
• 2816 x 2112• 2816 x 1584• 2272 x 1704• 1600 x 1200• 640 x 480
Movie clips
• 640 x 480 @ 30 / 15fps• 320 x 240 @ 60 / 30 / 15fps• 160 x 120 @ 15fps• AVI (Motion JPEG compression)• WAVE audio
File formats
• Still: JPEG (Exif 2.2)• Movie: AVI (Motion JPEG compression)
Lens
• 35-140mm equiv• F2.8-5.5• 4x Optical zoom
Image stabilization
Yes (lens shift-type)
Conversion lenses
None
Digital zoom
up to 4x
Focus
• TTL• 9-point AiAF• 1-point AF (Fixed center)
AF area modes
• Normal• Macro• Infinity
AF assist lamp
Yes
Focus distance
• Normal: 1.5 ft./45cm-infinity• Macro: 0.79 in.-2.0 ft./2-60cm (WIDE), 1.3-2.0 ft./40-60cm (TELE)• Digital Macro: 0.79 in.-2.0 ft./2-60cm (WIDE)
Metering
• Evaluative• Center-weighted average• Spot
ISO sensitivity
• Auto• High ISO Auto• ISO 80• ISO 100• ISO 200• ISO 400• ISO 800
Exposure compensation
• +/- 2EV• in 1/3 stop increments
Shuttter speed
15-1/1600 sec
Aperture
F2.8-5.5
Modes
• Auto• Manual• Digital Macro• Portrait• Night Snapshot• Special Scene• Stitch Assist• Movie
Scene modes
• Foliage• Snow• Beach• Fireworks• Underwater• Indoor• Kids & Pets• Color Accent• Color Swap
White balance
• Auto• Daylight• Cloudy• Tungsten• Fluorescent• Fluorescent H• Custom
Self timer
• 2 or 10secs• Custom
Continuous shooting
approx. 2.1fps until card is full
Image parameters
• My Colors (Off, Vivid, Neutral, Sepia, B&W, Positive film, Lighter skin tone, Darker skin tone, Vivid blue, Vivid red, Custom color)• Saturation: 5 levels• Contrast: 5 levels• Sharpness: 5 levels• Red, Green, Blue, Skintone: 5 levels each
Flash
• Auto• Manual Flash On / Off• Slow synch• Red eye reduction• Flash exposure lock• Range: 50cm-3.5m (wide) / 2.0m (tele)
Viewfinder
Real-image zoom optical viewfinder
LCD monitor
• 2.5-inch P-Si TFT• 173,000 pixels
Connectivity
• USB 2.0 Hi-Speed• AV out
Print compliance
• PictBridge• Canon SELPHY Compact Photo Printers and PIXMA Printers supporting PictBridge (ID Photo Print, Movie Print supported on SELPHY CP printers only)
Storage
• SD / MMC compatible • 16MB card supplied
Power
• Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery NB-5L• Optional AC adapter
Other features
• Optional High Power Flash HF-DC• Optional Waterproof Case (WP-DC5)
Weight (No batt)
165 g / 5.8 oz (approx 192g / 6.7 oz with case and battery)
Dimensions
90.4 x 56.5 x 26.4 mm (3.56 x 2.22 x 1.04 in)
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.
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