Sony A3000

August 27, 2013 | Zoltan Arva-Toth | Compact System Camera | Comment |

The Sony A3000 is a budget-friendly 20.1-megapixel compact system camera with a 201,600-dot electronic viewfinder, an ergonomic hand-grip  and an APS-C sized Exmor CMOS sensor. Compatible with the manufacturer's E mount lenses, the Sony A3000 weighs in at 411 grams including a battery, and features a Multi Interface Shoe that allows you to attach various accessories such as a powerful system flash, a video IR light or an external microphone. In addition to capturing 20-megapixel stills, the Sony A3000 is also capable of recording Full HD videos, with a choice of 50i or 25p shooting modes. The Sony A3000 is available to pre-order from the website below, with shipments expected to commence in September. The camera is priced at £370/$400.

Website: Sony UK

Sony Press Release

Easy to handle, easy to get more great pictures

Sony introduces the new α3000 camera with advanced shooting functions, superb image quality and interchangeable lenses

  • Large APS-C Exmor™ sensor with 20.1 effective megapixels for pro-quality pictures and Full HD video
  • Frame scenes through the crisp, clear Tru-Finder
  • Pick from 18 interchangeable E-mount lenses for limitless creative possibilities
  • Easy to hold with comfortable body and new grip

Now you can have it all. The α3000 from Sony brings you the picture quality, manual controls and artistic possibilities of a DSLR in an easy to use camera with interchangeable lenses.

Comfortable to hold and offering plenty of creative controls, the α3000 looks and feels just right for anyone who’s ready to shoot better pictures. There’s a clear electronic viewfinder to help frame shots with confidence, plus a newly-designed grip that adds to the feeling of comfort, security and balance in your hand.

It’s a revelation in picture quality for anyone who’s used to fixed-lens compact cameras. Inside the α3000 is a large 20.1-megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor. Teamed with the growing choice of E-mount interchangeable lenses, it’s the key to flawlessly detailed still images, from personality-packed portraits and street scenes to sumptuous landscapes. Full HD videos look just as impressive, with a choice of 50i or 25p shooting modes for crisp action or a smooth cinematic look as your subject demands.

The big sensor also boosts sensitivity, grabbing more light and cutting image noise. And that means pristine pictures and movies at dusk or in gloomy interiors, when the tiny sensor in your compact camera or smartphone so often disappoints.

Frame scenes clearly through the bright electronic Tru-Finder with a generous 100% field coverage – just like you’d expect from a high-end DSLR. There’s plenty of extra information displayed in the electronic viewfinder, including grid lines to help keep horizons level. Don’t leave anything to guesswork: you can instantly preview changes to exposure settings allowing composure with greater confidence.

Accessories via the Multi Interface Shoe™ expand your shooting options even further - easily create pro-style lighting effects with the powerful new HVL-F43M flash with Sony’s unique Quick Shift Bounce system for no shadows. Capture a more polished soundtrack and clearer dialogue with the ECM-XYST1M Stereo Microphone or brighten up parties and indoor scenes with the battery-powered HVL-LEIR1 Video IR light.

Photographers with more arty ambitions needn’t feel left out of the fun. Picture Effect offers a palette of 15 artistic treatments, like Retro Photo, Miniature and Partial Colour. Auto Object Framing neatly trims portraits, close-ups and even moving subjects for tighter, more professional results.

Unlike ordinary point-and-shoot cameras, the α3000 unleashes your full creativity with a choice of 18 interchangeable E-mount lenses by Sony and Carl Zeiss, including two conversion lenses well as the SEL50F18 portrait lens in a new black variant. Pick from telephotos, wide angles and macros to versatile zooms for travel and everyday shooting.

The new Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm F4 ZA OSS (SEL1670Z) is a versatile mid-range zoom with Optical SteadyShot built in for crisper handheld shots. It’s joined by Sony’s first ever G Lens™ for E-mount cameras. The new E PZ 18-105mm F4 G OSS (SELP18105G) is a premium all-rounder with Optical SteadyShot and smooth, quiet zoom operation that’s great for shooting Full HD movies as well as still photos.

The new α3000 interchangeable lens camera from Sony is available to pre-order from www.sony.co.uk and is available in the UK from September 2013.

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