Sony Gets Serious about Cameras

It may not have the track-record of Canon or Nikon, but Sony's making a strong case with new digital cameras for everyone from serious hobbyists to picky pros. Here's a run-down of the company's latest offerings for shutterbugs at all levels of the rabbit-hole.

NEX-6

At $850 (or $1000 with three new lenses), the mirror-less NEX-6 is really just a happy medium between the lower-end NEX-5 and Sony's more more expensive flagship, the NEX-7. It's not a DSLR, but the NEX-6's 16.1 megapixels are nothing to scoff at, and it can shoot 1080p video at 60 fps.

On-board WiFi enables simple, wireless photo syncs, but there's no touch screen on the NEX-6. Instead, a DSLR-style dial for switching camera modes and a digital view-finder (striking a compromise between an LCD screen and a reflexive ocular view-finder) gives the NEX-6 that "real camera" feeling that's missing from more and more point-and-shoots.

RX1

Sony's RX1 is the smallest full-frame sensor camera ever. What that means is that a camera from Sony's Cyber-Shot point-and-shoot line, a camera that weighs one pound and isn't much larger than a deck of cards, has a pro DSLR-level 24-megapixel, 35.8 x 23.9 mm full-frame sensor.

The amazing size comes with trade-offs: the RX1's 35mm Carl Zeiss lens looks pretty sweet, but you won't be able to change it - and that's on a $2800 camera; so if you're just looking for a point-and-shoot that fits in your fanny-pack you might want to keep looking.

Alpha A99

The first thing you'll notice about Sony's new flagship pro-level camera is how light it is: at 25.9 ounces, the A99 is manifestly lighter than high-end DSLRs by Canon and Nikon. It's got a 24.3-megapixel full-frame sensor, slightly better than Canon's 5D Mark III, but not yet on par with Nikon's D800.

The A99 is fast: it can shoot 6 frames per second at full 6000 x 4000 resolution, or 60 fps 1080p video; and, what's more, its autofocus uses two detection sensors, boosting accuracy and speed. That autofocus even works continually while shooting video; that plus the A99's in-camera audio leveling and an XLR port should make this $2799 (body-only) camera a competitive option for pros who like to shoot video now and then.

Does Sony have what it takes to run with the DSLR big-dogs? Let us know in the comments.

Jon Fox is a Seattle hipster who loves polar bears and climbing trees. You can follow him on Twitter and IGN. 

Source : ign[dot]com

Canon Introduces Mirrorless EOS M, Coming in October for $800

Point-and-shoot cameras offer pocket-friendly convenience, but the image quality rarely holds a candle to digital SLRs. Today, Canon is introducing a digital camera that could offer the best of both worlds without breaking the bank.

Canon U.S.A. Inc. announced on Monday the new EOS M Digital Camera, available this October for $799.99 SRP when bundled with the new EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens. While a black model will be available everywhere cameras are sold, Canon will also be offering a white version exclusively on its online store.

The Canon EOS M isn't a full-fledged digital SLR, but the mirrorless 18-megapixel shooter offers an APS-C-sized CMOS image sensor inspired by the company's more expensive EOS technology, targeting both photographers and videographers alike.

"The EOS M includes a unique feature set making it an ideal movie-making tool, while also offering incredible still image quality on its APS-C-sized CMOS sensor," said Yuichi Ishizuka, executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A. "The camera's size, image quality, advanced video capabilities and the versatility of Canon's full lineup of lenses make the EOS M another great option to help our customers record and capture their creative vision."

Canon is also debuting a pair of M-series lenses with the EOS M. The EF-M 22mm f/2 STM kit lens is aimed at general shooting of video or still images with a fixed focal length lens with an aperture of f/2, while the EF-M 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM ($299.99 SRP) offers variable zoom range for both video or still imagery. A $149.99 SRP Speedlite 90EX flash unit will also debut in October.

EOS M owners won't be limited strictly to M-series lenses, however. An optional Mount Adapter EF-EOS M ($199.99 SRP) allows the use of any Canon EF or EF-S lens, making it quite a versatile little addition to the Canon lineup.

Source : ign[dot]com