Sony α system
The Sony α system is a camera system which comprises two different autofocus lens mounts.
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| NEX-3 image by Iñigo Ochoa Gómez (Image rights) |
When Sony took over the DSLR development of Konica Minolta in 2006 it decided to use the Japanese system name α ("alpha") of Minolta's AF mount cameras and lenses since the new Sony DSLRs had the same autofocus lens mount (image of the mount, see Minolta Dynax 9).
In 2010 Sony introduced the Sony α NEX compact digital still cameras for interchangeable autofocus lenses, supplied with the new Sony E-mount which they share with Sony's flagship NEX camcorders. The Sony α NEX Camera Mount Adapter's first version allows mounting most Sony α system lenses but not most of the old Minolta α system lenses: it only accepts α lenses with internal autofocus motor-drive. The second version even allows to use most old Minolta AF lenses in autofocus mode.
The Sony α33/α55 "SLT" cameras (single lens translucent cameras) proved that the old Minolta AF mount is also good for smart non-DSLR digital system cameras. But some of the old lenses once designed for the Minolta AF mount won't work with the SLTs, especially not with lenses made by Sigma.
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| Sony α 230 image by Kenneth Dwain Harrelson (Image rights) |
The NEX cameras proved that compact digital system cameras with APS-size image sensor are no bad idea.
Sony α system
... camera bodies, ...
- Sony α 850/900 advanced DSLRs with 24x36mm (35mm) image sensor and α-mount
- Sony α 700 advanced DSLR with APS-size image sensor and α-mount
- other Sony α DSLRs with APS-size image sensor and α-mount
- Sony α "SLT"s with APS-size image sensor and α-mount
- except Sony α 99, the SLT flagship with 24x36mm image sensor and α-mount
- Sony NEX compact cameras with APS-size image sensor and E-mount
- Sony NEX-VG ... camcorders with APS-size or 24x36mm image sensor and E-mount
... lenses ...
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| SAL35F18 DT 1.8/35 SAM image by Uwe Kulick (Image rights) |
- Sony SAL ... α-mount autofocus lenses
- Sony SAL ... SAM/SSM α-mount autofocus lenses with internal focusing motor
- Sony SAL ... ZA α-mount autofocus lenses made by Zeiss
... and lenses for use only with APS-size image sensor
- Sony SEL ... E-mount autofocus lenses
- Sony SAL ... DT α-mount autofocus lenses
- Sony SAL ... DT ... SAM/SSM α-mount autofocus lenses with internal focusing motor
- Sony SAL ... DT ... ZA α-mount autofocus lenses made by Zeiss
Sony continued Konica Minolta's tradition of marking its high-value autofocus lenses as G lenses, except the lenses constructed by Zeiss.
The α lenses can be used on the old Konica Minolta DSLR bodies.
Links
- α lenses at Camera Labs
- Sony α Lenses (PDF) on Sony Service page
- Sony Alpha-System at Minowiki (German language)
