SONY ALPHA A100 FIRST IMPRESSIONS

The recently released 10.2 megapixel Sony A100 Alpha digital slr is the first child of the Sony-Konica Minolta merger. When I first heard about this a couple of months back, I was quite happy to see the specs. The industry needed something like this to shake things up, bring in competition, and drive prices down, all good things for us consumers.

I played with one briefly at a 'friendly' local Circuit City electronics store. The fact that there was already one on display, and one in stock at this early stage shows the marketing, and distribution power of Sony. I'm sure many of you remember the D200 debacle of waiting for the cameras to show up for sale, and the months of backorder. The A100 is already a hot seller, according to all documented reports. It is the first 10 megapixel slr for under $1000. The Nikon D80, announced yesterday (August 9, 2006) is the second.

The camera does indeed have the mold, and shape of the Konica Minolta 5D as folks have been saying. It feels a wee bit beefier, but it was very much like the KM 5D, a camera which I have experience with. The camera offers an 'improved' image stabilization function, and an anti-dust system built in. This is something I'd like to see from Canon, and Nikon.

I cannot say anything about autofocus or image quality since I did not get a chance to test it. In fact, the camera wasn't even powered to the ac adapter as the other cameras were in Circuit City.

I have to admit, the gear freak in me wanted one, but not enough to break the bank for money I don't have. Still, I'm glad it's on the market, and I hope Sony will continue to support, and expand its digital slr division. The A100 will allow the Konica Minolta legacy to live on through its devotees, and its lenses. And if it succeeds in sales, it should also be a wake up call to Canon, and Nikon, that we the consumers expect more for our money. Bravo to Sony!

Photo Notes: Baby CP, Sony Ericsson S710a