Name: SONY alpha DSLR-A300
Category: digital SLR
Price: Open price (about JPY70,000 for body, 80,000 for DSLR-A300K with DT-18-70mm lens)
Release date in Japan: July 17, 2008

Carrying on from its predecessors the A100 and A200, the new SONY DSLR-A300 employs a new trick called "Quick AF Live Preview". To explain in the company's own words: "In Live Preview mode, the camera bypasses the optical pentaprism mirror to create a live “eye-to-eye” view of loved ones, children, pets and fast-changing scenes."

To expand on that a bit: Typically, a SLR camera bounces the subject image off a mirror hiding the main image sensor, and up on into the viewfinder so you can frame the shot. When you snap the photo, the mirror lifts up to instead let the image strike the film or main image sensor. (In that instant, you no longer see anything through the viewfinder.)

Recently, some DSLR (digital SLR) cameras have added a "live preview" mode. Choose that option, and instead of reflecting the incoming scene to the viewfinder, the camera holds the mirror lifted to expose the main image sensor, which then relays the image to the camera's back-panel monitor so you can compose the shot there. In short, it lets you use the SLR camera like a little point-and-shoot digital camera.

But so far, live preview has had its drawbacks in DSLRs. Some models rely on that reflecting mirror being down for autofocus to work, meaning live preview and autofocus interfere with each other. The switch from live preview to actual shooting can involve a delay just long enough to annoy professional SLR photogs. Continuous use can also cause the main image sensor to heat up.

SONY's Quick AF Live Preview mode doesn't send the image to the main image sensor for previews; rather, it keeps the mirror in place and lets the image head for the viewfinder housing as usual. But from there, it subtly tilts a mirror in the viewfinder housing to send the image to a small second sensor sitting above the eyepiece. That sensor then generates the live preview, which, SONY says, shows a real-time image without the above drawbacks. The result: a DSLR that allows easy live previews like a point-and-shoot, but maintains the speed and responsiveness of a true SLR. (Another pro touch: choosing Live Preview mode completely closes the optical viewfinder, preventing stray light from entering it and affecting either the preview or the actual shooting.)

So, that's the headline technology in this camera. It also sports a 2.7" LCD monitor that tilts forward or back and even folds out like a camping table; with that and Quick AF Live Preview, you can compose shots with the camera held at just about any height or angle. Other features of note include 10.2-megapixel CCD sensor with Bionz image processor, ISO up to 3200, Super SteadyShot image stabilization, pop-up flash, and continuous shooting speeds of 3 frames per second (2 using Live View).  

More info:
http://www.sony.jp/products/Consumer/dslr/products/body/DSLR-A300/index.... (Japanese)
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalo... (English)

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