Sony Intros Three New Alpha DSLRs: The a560, a33 and a55

Sony this week announced three new alpha DSLR cameras, the a560, a33 and a55. All three feature Multi-frame Noise Reduction, Sweep Panorama mode, 3D Sweep Panorama and Full HD 1920x1080 60i video capture. Sony also announced three new A-Mount lenses - a Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 ZA SSM (model SAL24F20Z), a DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (model SAL35F18) and an 85mm F2.8 SAM (model SAL85F28).

The 14.2 megapixel SLR-a560 sports a 3-inch LCD screen that tilts 90 degrees up or down and has many of the same features of its predecessor, the a550, such as Quick AF Live View, 7fps continuous shooting and Auto HDR.

Additional features include 7fps shooting speed, Quick AF Live View, built-in HDMI port, and built-in stereo microphone. The SLR-a560 accepts both Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD cards.

The a560 model with the camera body and 18-55mm kit lens will cost about $750 and will be available in October. With the body only, it will cost about $650.

The two other new alpha cameras are the 16.2 megapixel a55 and the 14.2 megapixel a33. Both cameras feature Sony's new Translucent Mirror Technology, which achieves the highest-level of auto focus speed for both still image and movie shooting. The cameras can shoot continuously at up to 10 frames per second on the a55 (and up to seven on the a33), making them the fastest in the industry for an APS-C size sensor-equipped interchangeable lens cameras under $1000. The Translucent Mirror Technology also allows the a55 and a33 to be the first cameras to ever maintain continuous phase detection AF while recording Full HD AVCHD video.

Additional features include Quick AF Live View, Advance Priority AE Mode, a newly developed 15-point AF system, Auto HDR, and ultra-high ISO sensitivity (ISO 100-12,800). Just like the a560, both cameras accept Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD cards.

The a55 will be available in October and will cost about $750 for the body only and about $850 for the body and 18-55mm zoom lens.

The a33 will be available in September for $650 for the body only and about $750 for the body and 18-55mm zoom lens.

The new A-Mount lenses, the Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm F2 SSM (model SAL24F20Z), DT 35mm F1.8 SAM (model SAL35F18) and 85mm F2.8 SAM (model SAL85F28) lenses will be available in October for about $1,250, $200, $250 respectively.