New flash and standard zoom for Sony Alpha

New flash and standard zoom for Sony Alpha

We should expect a new high specification standard zoom to be released by Sony this year to partner its anticipated replacement A700 camera. The prototype model of the Alpha body on show at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has a wide barrelled but unmarked lens mounted on it. From the dimensions we might expect it to be in the range of 16-80mm, which would translate to 24-120mm in 35mm terms once the ASP-C sensor is taken into account. Now that all new Alpha models will have fitted with autofocus in movie mode we should expect this new lens to be Super Sonic motor equipped for near-silent operation when changing focus while video is being recorded.

The company is also showing a new Quick Shift Bounce flash unit that is said to be lined up to replace the current 42AM model. Feature wireless commander functionality, the new gun is likely to have a guide number of around 43m @ ISO 100 and will probably be launched to coincide with the release of the A700 replacement.