Sony Sets Plans For Alpha Ultra-Compact Hybrid Cameras

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 3/8/2010

ANAHEIM, CALIF. — Sony delivered one of the biggest surprises of this year’s 2010 PMA Show when it revealed a new ultra-compact hybrid camera concept that offers the versatility and interchangeable-lens capability of a d-SLR and the compact size of a point-and-shoot digital camera.

Designed to go up against similar hybrids, such as the Micro Four Thirds cameras of Panasonic and Olympus and Samsung’s new NX10, the new Sony camera offers a mirror-less interchangeable- lens system, but will use an Exmor RAPS-C CMOS sensor instead of Micro Four Thirds technology.

The camera will also record HD video using the AVCHD compression format.

The new ultra-compact hybrid camera will be part of Sony’s Alpha series of d- SLR cameras when it ships later this year. Sony did not offer pricing or many details on the product that will actually ship.

Sony also showed off a concept model of a replacement for the Alpha A700 d-SLR. Also shipping later this year, the new d-SLR will include an Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor and will record HD video in AVCHD format, making it the company’s fi rst Alpha d- SLR with video capability.

Sony said it also plans to release new lenses in 2010, including the Distagon T 24mm f/2.0 ZA SSM Carl Zeiss wide-angle lens coming soon. The company said it will also release a Super Telephoto 500 f/4.0 G lens.