Sony α100 (DSLR-A100) is the first
digital single-lens reflex camera
A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that combines the optics and mechanisms of a single-lens reflex camera with a solid-state image sensor and digitally records the images from the sensor.
The reflex des ...
(DSLR) marketed by
Sony
is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), conglomerate headquartered at Sony City in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The Sony Group encompasses various businesses, including Sony Corporation (electronics), Sony Semiconductor Solutions (i ...
in 2006. It is the successor to the previous Konica Minolta DSLR models (primarily the Maxxum/
Dynax 5D and 7D) through Sony's purchase of the Konica Minolta camera division. The α100 retains a similar body design and claimed improvements on Konica Minolta's
Anti-Shake sensor-shifting image stabilization feature, renamed
Super SteadyShot. It uses a 10.2 megapixel
APS-C
Advanced Photo System type-C (APS-C) is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System film negative in its C ("Classic") format, of 25.1×16.7 mm, an aspect ratio of 3:2 and Ø 30.15 mm field d ...
sized
CCD sensor
A sensor is often defined as a device that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus. The stimulus is the quantity, property, or condition that is sensed and converted into electrical signal.
In the broadest definition, a sensor is a devi ...
. Another notable feature inherited from Konica Minolta is Eyestart, which provides for automatic
autofocus
An autofocus (AF) optical system uses a sensor, a control system and a motor to focus on an automatically or manually selected point or area. An electronic rangefinder has a display instead of the motor; the adjustment of the optical system h ...
activation by detecting the presence of the photographer's eye on the viewfinder, thus quickening the camera's response.
Another notable feature is an automatically vibrating CCD to remove dust each time the camera is shut off. The α100 shipped from Sony and resellers by the end of July 2006 with
MSRP prices of
US$
The United States dollar (Currency symbol, symbol: Dollar sign, $; ISO 4217, currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and International use of the U.S. dollar, several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introdu ...
1000 with the 18–70 mm 3.5–f/5.6 kit lens and
US$
The United States dollar (Currency symbol, symbol: Dollar sign, $; ISO 4217, currency code: USD) is the official currency of the United States and International use of the U.S. dollar, several other countries. The Coinage Act of 1792 introdu ...
900 for the body only. The camera retains the same autofocus lens mount that was introduced with the
Minolta Maxxum 7000 in 1985, allowing the continued use of the millions of existing
Minolta AF lenses.
External links
References
*
*
{{Sony DSLR cameras
100
Digital cameras with CCD image sensor