Sony Alpha 450

Sony announces, with the Alpha 450 SLR sports, a sweet price

€ 650, the Alpha 450 is distinguished by its burst mode of competition and its battery life.

For less than 700 €, the Alpha 450 shot up to 7 frames per second and can take 1050 photos. In contrast, no video mode on the horizon.

Very dynamic sector of the entry level for last six months, Sony is freed from direct competition from Canon and Nikon SLR offering the first athlete able to offer 14 megapixel for less than 700 €.

Technically, the Alpha 450 has a built Exmor CMOS APS-C, the most popular format on Nikon entry and mid-range. His unusual number of MP for its price (14.2) could also provide more detail than noise. Indeed, sensor size equal, the broader the definition, the higher the light receivers, or photo-sites, are small, and the pictures may be blurred. Of course, any fatality: the best processors, including those from Nikon, are used to successfully reduce this problem. Sony put him on its home processor, BIONZ, employee since 2007 and who, without working miracles, has been rather honest. It remains to be seen whether enough to offer 14-megapixel images to … ISO 12800, the impressive maximum sensitivity displayed by the Alpha 450!

He shot well, but it has no film

But the real innovation for Sony, is the burst mode. Whether for its entry-level models like the Alpha 230 or, conversely, a high-end model like the Alpha 850 same criticism is regularly sent to the manufacturer: its lack of punch reflex. Conceived as a compromise between performance and price, the Alpha 450 offers just that – or so promises the Japanese – a continuous shooting up to 7 frames per second (shutter priority, with light conditions optimal). The battery takes time to make 1050 files, according to CIPA standards. Among its other major functions include an automatic HDR (to correct for overexposure and under exposure, and pass such stereotypes against the light). But because there is a problem, Sony announces no video mode. Neither HD or standard quality! An unfortunate choice even if the best-selling SLR last year, the Canon 450D, does not the video. But he has the excuse of being out there nearly two years …

The Alpha 450 accepts both SD and SDHC cards as Memory Stick Pro Duo. He also took the opportunity to park objectives with autofocus Minolta and Konica Minolta’s. Finally, it’s compatible with Sony Bravia displays for navigation by remote control. The new Sony DSLR will is launched from February 2010, at recommended retail price of 650 €.

Positive points

* 14 Mpixels for less than 700 €
* Up to 7 fps burst
* Compatible with Konica Minolta and Minolta targets
* Autonomy promises

Negative points

* No video mode

Specifications

Sensor format
APS-C
Definition of sensor
14.2 Megapixel