Sony's A35 DSLR features a 16.2 MP APS-C with a Translucent Mirror (also called pellicle mirror) that allows image capture while continuing to focus while recording stills or HD video.
The A35 builds on the Sony A33 and A55 cameras announced in August 2010.
The A35 introduces a new feature: Tele-zoom High Speed Shooting that magnifies (1.4x) a central portion of the image area while shooting at up to 7 fps. Providing continuous tracking autofocus of still or moving objects, this feature is ideal for capturing fast-moving sports, children's expressions at just the right moment or distant subjects with a high-speed burst of frames.
A full-resolution continuous shooting mode with tracking AF allows you to shoot at up to 5.5 fps.
The camera's Exmor APS-C sensor allows for a maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800 that can be extended to ISO 25600.
A 3-inch LCD lets you compose with 100% field of view, displaying a high contrast image. Three selectable grid line patterns allow for accurate composition of landscapes, architecture and other scenes.
Other features include Picture Effect (Retro, High-key, Toy Camera, Posterization) and Partial Color effects.
The A35 features an improved battery that lets you take 440 still shots per charge, a 30% improvement over its predecessors.
The A35 is compatible with the full range of 32 A-mount interchangeable lenses that includes six Carl Zeiss lenses, as well as the full range of alpha accessories including flashes, carrying cases, LCD monitors and more.
It is also compatible with Sony's full line of SD memory cards.
The camera will be available this August with an 18-55mm kit zoom lens (model SEL1855) for about $700. It will also be offered as a body-only (without kit lens) for about $600.
Translucent Mirror Technology
In traditional DSLRs most of the light coming through the main camera lens is deflected to the optical viewfinder using an angled mirror. The main mirror is slightly translucent in the center allowing some light to pass through it to a secondary mirror, which reflects it to a special focusing sensor.
For image capture, the mirror is mechanically raised to allow light coming in through the main lens to fall on the image sensor. While the mirror is raised, the optical view finder is blanked and phase detection autofocus disabled.
The mechanical raising and lowering of the mirror in traditional DSLRs slows image capture and disable autofocus at the time of image capture.
The pellicle mirror used in the Sony cameras splits the light into two beams, continuously directing a portion of the incoming light to a fast phase difference detection autofocus unit.
The technology does away with the motion of raising and lowering the mirror.
The absence of the moving mirror mechanism not only facilitates continuous autofocus and fast image capture, it also contributes to making the whole body size significantly compact compared to traditional DSLR cameras.
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