Review: Sony Alpha 100 digital camera

Announced to fanfare months ago, and previewed here, Sony’s first digital SLR (D-SLR) camera – a product of acquisition of Konica Minolta technology earlier in the year – has finally gone on sale.

So why, when budget D-SLRs from Canon and Nikon (which have transformed the market into the fastest growing in photography) can be snapped up for around £400, should we feel excited?

With battery inserted, the Sony Alpha 100 feels sturdy when gripped, yet light enough for one-handed operation – though two feels more natural. The black-bodied version disguises the plastic build better than the silver alternative.

Switch it on and it’s quick to respond. A flashy sensor switches on the bright viewfinder and focuses the camera as you bring your eye to it, ensuring that even novices will be able to respond rapidly and accurately to photo opportunities.

That’s welcomed because non-D-SLR users are often unaware they can’t use the 2.5in screen for composing shots. Talking of which, instead of remaining blank while shots are taken, unusually it displays crucial shooting information, rotating if the camera does.

Take a shot and the A100’s shutter sounds loudly to signal the job’s done, though some will complain it could ruin those candid moments when you don’t necessarily want your subject aware they’re being photographed.

The problem with changing lenses on any D-SLR is that it momentarily exposes the sensor inside – the CCD – to dust and other nasties. These show up as black flecks, or worse, hairs, in an image. Sony has got round this by vibrating the Alpha’s anti-static coated CCD to shake free any particles the moment the camera is switched off.

The common problem of camera shake when photographing handheld is also comprehensively addressed by a Super SteadyShot function, which again moves the sensor to balance any external movement. Both work impressively.

Images can be captured as bog-standard JPEG or more memory hungry, better quality RAW files, up to ISO1600 light sensitivity.

As the latter requires dedicated software to extract all the data’s subtleties, the ability to shoot RAW and JPEG simultaneously – allowing you to check the latter for faithfulness while backing up the former as a ‘digital negative’– is a boon.

It's priced at two points; £599 for the camera body and £699 to include an 18-70mm lens.

As the Alpha 100 boasts a plentiful 10 megapixels though, and is swift to process JPEGs (up to three frames per second), the majority of mainstream users will prefer the simpler option, and results are rich enough in colour and detail for even the fussiest snapper.

Indeed, the advantage over a compact is so pronounced, you’ll only be dragged back screaming.

We still maintain we’ll see greater innovation from Sony, but for now the Alpha 100 comes highly recommended as an appetising blend of ease of use with professional results.

Related reviews
Nikon D50
Verdict: Impressive budget D-SLR fit for serious use, even if 6 megapixels now looks merely adequate.
Price: £499
Rating: 4