A little bored now, so i shall do a 'review'. Never paid much attention to cameras for a long time. But now, after a glance at the market, i am shocked. A revolution is brewing. You see, in the modern camera market, we have always had two fundamental types of camera, the high-mobility compacts, and the big-gun SLRs. Some manufacturers have attempted to bridge this gap, with high-end compacts featuring SLR performance (e.g. the Canon G11) and also with the look-like-SLR bridge cameras (not much creativity in the naming). Yet even more recently, we have seen a new type that seem to fit snugly in between: the cool-looking Pen-style cameras like the Olympus Pen o.O, and the Sony NEX-3/5 (i fancy one, i do) These cameras combine SLR lens-interchangeability with compact style operation, and the result is a device that cost a bomb (more than some SLRs), works like compacts, yet without the 'compact mobility'. (yes, they're bulky, ain't gonna fit in no pocket) Now you're probably thinking, what's the point? If that's the case, you're not alone.
But -drum roll please- it seems that we now have a new contender for the sweet SLR-compact-in-between spot! For a more dramatic effect, read the following narrative. The other day, I was wondering around, and hit the Sony showroom. Immediately, i noticed something different. A new camera. I walked up to it and carefully held it up. At first look, it seems normal, like any other Sony Alpha SLRs. Then I noticed a dedicated flash button. You don't find these on many Alphas. Pretty neat, i thought. The viewfinder eye-cup extends out, good ergonomics. Looking at the screen, it was on Live View. With the flick of a switch, it went to viewfinder mode. This is where things start to get horribly different. The first thing i noticed was the 'attitude indicator' accelerometer thingy that shows precise camera orientation, like on the Canon EOS 7D. But hang on, hang on, how do they superimpose such a fanciful display in a viewfinder? Damn, it's got an EVF, electronic viewfinder.
Introducing the new Sony double-digit lineup of cameras - the Alpha A33 and A55 series!
Forget about the previously featured A380/90 'toy-SLRs', now we've got truly 'super-bridges!' Designed from the ground up for the bridge users out there who really desire lens interchangeability (that means converting 20x wide-angles to 18-55mm), these two new Alphas even come with the myopia-inducing electronic viewfinders bridge users are used to! And, if you've just converted f
rom, say, the Canon SX1 IS, attempting to zoom out, like on the Sony 'toy-SLR' range of models, will invariably switch off your camera!
But -drum roll please- it seems that we now have a new contender for the sweet SLR-compact-in-between spot! For a more dramatic effect, read the following narrative. The other day, I was wondering around, and hit the Sony showroom. Immediately, i noticed something different. A new camera. I walked up to it and carefully held it up. At first look, it seems normal, like any other Sony Alpha SLRs. Then I noticed a dedicated flash button. You don't find these on many Alphas. Pretty neat, i thought. The viewfinder eye-cup extends out, good ergonomics. Looking at the screen, it was on Live View. With the flick of a switch, it went to viewfinder mode. This is where things start to get horribly different. The first thing i noticed was the 'attitude indicator' accelerometer thingy that shows precise camera orientation, like on the Canon EOS 7D. But hang on, hang on, how do they superimpose such a fanciful display in a viewfinder? Damn, it's got an EVF, electronic viewfinder.
Introducing the new Sony double-digit lineup of cameras - the Alpha A33 and A55 series!
Forget about the previously featured A380/90 'toy-SLRs', now we've got truly 'super-bridges!' Designed from the ground up for the bridge users out there who really desire lens interchangeability (that means converting 20x wide-angles to 18-55mm), these two new Alphas even come with the myopia-inducing electronic viewfinders bridge users are used to! And, if you've just converted f
rom, say, the Canon SX1 IS, attempting to zoom out, like on the Sony 'toy-SLR' range of models, will invariably switch off your camera!But please, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Sony cameras. I love my W120. Without Sony, we wouldn't have these lovely Cybershots, not to mention Blu-Ray and Bravia TVs and Vaios. The A55 also has many good points that I failed miserably to mention. (You can find them here: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/) I know that i am critical of Sony Alphas. However, i wish you would realize that my anguish is not held against Sony, but the new design philosophy of the industry in general, with the Alpha as a mere example. So here's the catch: please, stop making fanciful toys. Forget about the gimmicks. Give us something real.
The fine print: Here's the real disclaimer. I am no professional reviewer. So I am stating very biased argument based on my own unjust opinions. If you really love Sony, buy the A33. If you really love the A33, then go get it. And while you're at it, treat yourself to a Blu-Ray player or something. (now in case you're wondering, Sony did not hire me to promote Blu-Rays. It is just that i just happened to get one. HD's also probably kinder to the eyes, i believe, than those blinding electronic viewfinders) But the real point is, don't let my personal opinions cloud your own superior judgment.
Next, i shall not be held liable for any decline in sales of the A33/55, nor any other Sony product or products of any other brand, that could be a result, be it direct or indirect, of this particular blog post.
The fine print: Here's the real disclaimer. I am no professional reviewer. So I am stating very biased argument based on my own unjust opinions. If you really love Sony, buy the A33. If you really love the A33, then go get it. And while you're at it, treat yourself to a Blu-Ray player or something. (now in case you're wondering, Sony did not hire me to promote Blu-Rays. It is just that i just happened to get one. HD's also probably kinder to the eyes, i believe, than those blinding electronic viewfinders) But the real point is, don't let my personal opinions cloud your own superior judgment.
Next, i shall not be held liable for any decline in sales of the A33/55, nor any other Sony product or products of any other brand, that could be a result, be it direct or indirect, of this particular blog post.
