A300 and A350, Sony's First Live View DSLRs

As we reported a few weeks back, Sony's A200 was just the tip of the iceberg as the Japanese manufacturer has just announced two additional DSLR models, the A300 and A350.

The two models are virtually identical, except for one spec, the resolution. The A300 comes with a CCD containing 10.2 megapixels, while the A350 takes the resolution to 14.2MP. The increased resolution takes its toll on the continuous speed, the A300 being able to shoot 3 frames per second and the A350 2.5 frames per second. Not that big of a difference actually.

However, the resolution is not the biggest asset as these two models are the first in the Alpha lineup that offer Live View. It's not an ordinary Live View either. Sony calls it Quick AF Live View and it supposedly offers the same AF performance as the regular one.

Here's what Sony's press release has to say about it: "Sony's innovative Pentamirror Tilt mechanism directs light to a dedicated live view image sensor, enabling fast and responsive TTL phase-detection auto-focusing, even during live view. Eliminating the focus delay of other systems, the new models are equally responsive whether using live view or optical viewfinder."

While you should take this with a grain of salt, it will be interesting to see whether Sony has actually managed to put together a fast and reliable Live View AF.

The Quick AF Live View is accompanied by the variable angle 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD screen, which allows for a more versatile shooting style.

Both models incorporate the silly-named BIONZ processing engine and the Super SteadyShot image stabilization that enables shutter speeds 2.5 to 3.5 steps slower than recommended.

The DSLR-A300 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens will ship in April for about $800. The DSLR-A350 camera body will be available in March for about $800, and the DSLR-A350 kit with a DT 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 3.9x zoom lens will be available for about $900.

Additionally, Sony has also announced two new lenses, the SAL70300G and the SAL2470. The latter is co-developed with Carl Zeiss and it offers a 24-70mm focal range coupled with a constant f/2.8 aperture. It comprises 17 elements in 13 groups with two aspheric elements and two extra-low dispersion elements and it benefits from the Carl Zeiss T* (T star) coating for improved optical quality.

The SAL70300G delivers a 70-300mm focal range, with a maximum aperture from f/4.5 to f/5.6 and consists of 16 elements in 11 groups, with one extra-low dispersion element.

Both of them benefit from the Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) technology that provides a smooth and silent operation.

Both lenses will be available this spring. The Vario-Sonnar T* 24-70mm f/2.8 ZA lens will be available for about $1,750 and the 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G lens will be available for about $800.

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .