Sony A580 And A560 DSLRs Pack Full HD Video, Auto-HDR, More

Sony has announced its latest high-end DSLRs, the 16.2-megapixel A580 and 14.2-megapixel A560, each capable of Full HD video recording and up to 7fps stills.  Both models get a new, 15-point phase-detection autofocus system, the 3D sweep panorama we've seen from the NEX-5 and SteadyShot INSIDE in-body sensor shift image stabilisation.

There's also an Auto HDR mode – which combines three burst frames to produce a single HDR image – and multi-frame noise reduction, which uses information from up to six frames to produce the equivalent of up to ISO 25600.  Video can be recorded in either AVCHD or MP4 format, and both Alphas have Memory Stick PRO Duo and SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots.

On the back there's an articulated 3-inch LCD display with Quick AF Live View, together with a 95-percent frame coverage viewfinder.  The Sony DSLR-A580 will drop in October this year, while the Sony DSLR-A560 will follow on in Q1 2011.

Press Release:

Sony introduces high performance DSLR cameras with Full HD video Fully-featured α580 with newly developed 16.2M Exmor APS HD CMOS censor, up to 7fps shooting, and Auto HDR

• DSLR-A580 (16.2 megapixels) and DSLR-A560 (14.2 megapixels)

• Fast, responsive shooting up to 7fps

• New 15-point phase-detection autofocus system for rapid, accurate AF tracking

• Full HD Movie shooting

• Advanced imaging functions including 3D Sweep Panorama, Auto HDR and Multi Frame Noise Reduction

Appealing to photographers ready to explore sophisticated new creative possibilities, the DSLR-A580 and DSLR-A560 from Sony offer unparalleled levels of imaging refinement.

At the heart of both is a new-generation Exmor™ APS HD CMOS Sensor processor. Together with the latest iteration of Sony's powerful BIONZ imaging processor, it supports high-speed continuous shooting plus a sophisticated range of digital image compositing and processing functions. This gives even greater artistic possibilities to beginners and photo enthusiasts alike.

The A580 and A560 can freeze fleeting photo opportunities at up to 7 fps in Speed Priority Continuous Advance mode. What's more, Sony's popular Quick AF Live View system is now more effective than ever. The benefits of live image preview are maximised by a newly developed 15-point phase-detection autofocus system that keeps even moving subjects in pin-sharp focus.

The DSLR-A580 and A560 are compatible with the full α range of over 30 A-mount interchangeable lenses of Sony and Carl Zeiss and offer SteadyShot INSIDE. This in-body sensor shift image stabilisation system provides up to 4 exposure steps of anti-shake correction when shooting handheld.

Full HD movie shooting

Both the A580 and A560 offer Full HD video shooting. Just touch the dedicated Movie button and record detail-packed HD videos and crisp stereo sound in a choice of AVCHD 1080i or web-friendly MP4 formats. Thanks to the large, high-resolution Exmor™ APS HD CMOS Sensor, it's possible to capture stunning HD movie clips with beautiful background defocus ('bokeh') effects.

Effortless composition and image viewing

The A580 and A560 enable exciting new possibilities for framing and viewing the highest-quality still images and video.

Articulating up or down for comfortable framing in any shooting position, the bright 7.5 cm (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD offers a bright, high contrast view with superb detail and colours.

As an additional refinement, new Focus Check Live View mode simplifies critical assessment of the finest image details. A real-time 'feed' from the main sensor can be viewed on the LCD monitor, with switchable magnification allowing close-up confirmation of delicate manual focus adjustments. Contrast AF method is selectable in focus check Live View mode.

DSLR enthusiasts will also welcome the bright, high contrast optical viewfinder with 95% frame coverage that provides a supremely detailed view while composing still images. Depth of field preview is now available at the touch of a button.

Both cameras feature 3D Sweep Panorama, allowing photographers to capture detail-packed extra-wide panoramas with a huge field of view. 3D panoramas can be enjoyed on any compatible 3D HD television.

Auto HDR is now refined further compared with previous-generation α models. Data from a burst of three frames at bracketed exposure values is automatically combined, creating a single image with extended highlight and shadow detail. Multi-frame Noise Reduction 'stacks' a high-speed burst of six frames, creating a single low-noise exposure that boosts effective sensitivity as high as ISO 25600.

The new cameras accept both Memory Stick PRO Duo™ (including Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™) and SD (including both SDHC and SDXC formats) media (all sold separately). Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX 30MB per second transfer rate offers the best performance during cameras' continuous shooting mode or when transferring the data to another media.

The new DSLR-A580 digital SLR camera by Sony is available from October 2010. The new DSLR-A560 digital SLR camera by Sony is available within the first quarter of calendar year 2011.

Key Features

DSLR-Α580 / DSLR-A560

Type

Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with built-in flash

Lens Compatibility

Sony α lens, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lens

Image Sensor

A580

Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 16.2 effective megapixels (approx.)

A560

Exmor™ APS HD CMOS 14.2 effective megapixels (approx.)

Processor

BIONZ™ image processor

ISO Sensitivity Range

ISO 100 – 12800 (Extended: ISO 25600 in Multi-Frame NR Mode)

Image Quality Modes

JPEG (fine, standard), RAW, RAW + JPEG

HDMI Connector and BRAVIA Sync

HDMI mini connector (Type C), BRAVIA Sync (Sync menu), PhotoTV HD

Image Size: 3:2 (pixels)

A580

L size: 4912x3264 (16M)

M size: 3568x2368 (8.4M)

S size: 2448x1624 (4M)

A560

L size: 4592x3056 (14M)

M size: 3344x2224 (7.4M)

S size: 2288x1520 (3.5M)

HD movie record

AVCHD: 1920 x 1080i (16:9) (59.94i recording, 29.97 fps image sensor output / Average bit rate 17 Mbps)

MP4: 1440 x 1080 (16:9) (29.97 fps / Average bit rate 12 Mbps) / 640 x 480 (4:3) (29.97 fps / Average bit rate 3 Mbps)

Max record time: Without SteadyShot Inside 29 minutes, with SteadyShot Inside 14minutes on the α580 and 24 minutes on the α560

at a room temperature

Viewfinder

Fixed eye-level, penta-Dach-mirror type Optical Viewfinder

Approx. 95% coverage, 0.8x magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity)

LCD

7.5cm (3") TFT (Xtra Fine LCD) with 921k dot resolution; 2-way tilting mechanism

Live View System

Quick AF Live View　(pentamirror tilt system)

Focus Check Live View

Focus system TTL phase detection system / Contrast AF selectable

Display Real-time image adjustment display (reflects exposure compensation, white balance, Sunset / B&W of Creative Style )*

* Available only during AE lock

SteadyShot INSIDE

YES

Anti-dust System

Coating on low pass filter, plus image-sensor shift

Focus Modes

AF/MF selectable

AF modes: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF

Autofocus System

TTL 15-point phase detection AF system with 3 cross sensors (11-point with optical viewfinder)

Exposure Modes

Programmed AE (AUTO, AUTO – Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection

Exposure Metering System

(Live View): 1200-zone evaluative

(Viewfinder): 40-segment honeycomb pattern

Exposure Metering Modes

Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot

Scene Selection

Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night portrait/Night view, Hand-held Twilight

Creative Style Settings

Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W

Sweep Panorama

YES (2D and 3D)

Auto HDR

YES (available in P/A/S/M modes)

Shutter Speed

1/4000-30sec, Bulb

Exposure Bracketing

3 continuous exposures, in 0.3 or 0.7 EV steps

White Balance Settings

Auto / 6 presets / Colour Temperature/Colour Filter / Custom WB

Continuous Advance Shooting

Up to 7 fps in Speed Priority mode (AF/AE fixed at first frame)

Up to 5 fps with optical viewfinder

Up to 3 fps in Quick AF Live View mode

Approx. no. of Shots

Approx. 1050 images with optical viewfinder, approx. 560 images in live view mode (CIPA standard)

Built-in Flash

Auto pop-up, GN 12 at ISO 100, FOV coverage up to 18mm

Flash Modes

Flash-off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear Sync., Wireless*, Hi-speed sync.*,

*With compatible external flash

Media

MemoryStick PRO Duo / PRO-HG Duo / SD memory card / SDHC memory card / SDXC memory card

Dimensions (WxHxD)

Approx. 137 x 104 x 84mm (W/H/D, excluding protrusions)

Weight

Approx. 599g (excluding battery, media and accessories)