Author Topic: Worth Upgrading To A450?  (Read 778 times)

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Offline Mister V

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Worth Upgrading To A450?
« on: March 08, 2010, 04:26:03 PM »
Hey everyone,

I've been using my beloved A200 now for about 9 months and absolutely love it!

I've been thinking about upgrading recently as i've found a need for live-view with certain photography that I do. Also, with the new feature of Auto-HDR, the A450 has come into mind.

It's not a bad price at the moment as Sony are offering a £50 cashback offer.

- Are there any A450 owners that can vouch for this camera or other people who have used this camera?

- Is it much different from my A200?

- Most of my indoor photography is shot at ISO100 but the A450 starts at ISO200...is this a problem?

Would really appreciate your input! Thanks in advance!

V

:D


Offline Bluebear

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2010, 07:26:45 PM »
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I don't think the 450 has live-view - it's rather like the A230 in the 230-330-380 line-up in that it's the only one without it.  Also I didn't think it was on sale yet - again I may be wrong - just pre-order, and I'd be surprised if there as a £50 cashback so soon after being announced.
Sony a700 + VG;  Sony CZ 16-80ZA; Sony 70-300 SSM (G); Sony 55-200 DT; Sony 50/1.4; Tamron 90/2.8; Sony 58-AM flash; Cokin P Filters.  Panasonic LX3 + 18mm wide-angle; FL-220 flash. Olympus E-PL1 + 14-42mm

Offline John27

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2010, 07:41:13 PM »
Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I don't think the 450 has live-view - it's rather like the A230 in the 230-330-380 line-up in that it's the only one without it.  Also I didn't think it was on sale yet - again I may be wrong - just pre-order, and I'd be surprised if there as a £50 cashback so soon after being announced.

Yeah Sony are offering £50 rebate on this camera, as I was thinking about the A550 which their offering £80 back.  And I'm sure the 450 does have live view, correct me if I'm wrong.

John

Offline rogprov

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2010, 07:43:26 PM »
Copy and paste job - so I hope it's correct :)

Sony Alpha A450 Digital SLR

Megapixels    14.2
Sensor type    CMOS
Autofocus points    9
Lens mount    Sony / Minolta
Metering system    TTL
Frames per second    5
ISO min    200
ISO max    12800
Screen size    2.7 inch
Card format    Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, SD memory card, SDHC memory card
Battery model    NP-FM500H
Weight (g)    520
Size    137 x 104 x 81mm
Resolution    4592 x 3056
Sensor size    23.4 x 15.6 (APS-C size)
Autofocus system    9 point AF with centre cross
Exposure modes    Automatic, Program Auto, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, Manual, Scene Selection
Screen resolution    230,400
File formats    PEG (DCF Ver.2.0 Exif Ver.2.21, MPF Baseline) compliant, DPOF compatible, RAW (Sony ARW 2.1 format), RAW + JPEG
Connectivity    HDMI, USB 2.0 Hi-Speed
Flash type    Built-in pop-up flash
Flash guide number    12
Flash metering    ADI / Pre-flash TTL flash metering
Flash sync speed    1/160
Image stabilisation    Yes
Integrated cleaning    Anti-Dust System
Live view    Yes
Shutter speed max    1/4000 sec
Shutter speed min    30 sec
VF coverage    95%
Vertical grip    Yes
« Last Edit: March 08, 2010, 07:45:21 PM by rogprov »
...... Roger

Offline Tom F

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2010, 09:28:34 PM »
Been wondering if they are going to sell this camera in the US.

Offline rogprov

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2010, 09:35:52 PM »
Been wondering if they are going to sell this camera in the US.

Strange marketing by Sony sometimes. I've only just realised the a850 is not available in Japan!

The a450 at reputable dealers is just over 400 GBP here in the UK
...... Roger

Offline Bluebear

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2010, 10:37:55 PM »
It's not live view as with the A550 - it's manual focus check only according to the Sony UK website, whereas the 550 has quick AF too.
Sony a700 + VG;  Sony CZ 16-80ZA; Sony 70-300 SSM (G); Sony 55-200 DT; Sony 50/1.4; Tamron 90/2.8; Sony 58-AM flash; Cokin P Filters.  Panasonic LX3 + 18mm wide-angle; FL-220 flash. Olympus E-PL1 + 14-42mm

Offline doctorwho

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2010, 10:57:44 PM »
I'm seriously considering the A450. Don't need the fast liveview, but the manual liveview would be ideal for pin sharp macros and portraits. The 7fps wouldn't hurt either!

Offline jesseclarke

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2010, 12:22:12 AM »
I have had a play with a 450 today at Imaging 2010 at the NEC. I am thinkink of getting a 450 as a 2nd body to my 300. It does have a live view mode but not the quick live view that the 200 and 300 series have. I really fancy the 7fps when I am out doing my motorsport photos. I don't really need live view or a tilting screen (as I have them on my 300) , and the improved image processor in this camera would be a bonus. If you want all these features you will have to bite the bullet and go for the 550 which has them all but weighs in at over a hundred quid more in real street price.
Hope this helps.

Offline vaughaag

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2010, 12:35:39 AM »
Is the 450 the same size/chassis as the 550? I had a go with a 550 2 months ago and although its a nice piece of kit, to me did not feel right in my hands. Always worth trying something as expensive as a new body out before you part with hard earned money :)

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Offline Mister V

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2010, 11:27:05 AM »
Thanks for all the replies guys, very helpful as always!! :D :D

I'm somewhat confused about the Live View. I understand that it can be used when in manual focus mode, but what happens when it is in AF mode? Does the Live View not work at all or is that it doesn't show the view in focus? (confused!!)

Also, i found a video on YouTube of somebody at the Imaging show the other day doing a small run through of a A450 - very helpful. Why does he say that 7 frames per second is not ideal for panning? Is it always at 7 frames per second or is that just in the 'speed priority mode'?

Video is here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9Wwjk0e3kU

V

Offline winjeel

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2010, 11:09:15 PM »
So far, the A450 is not available in Japan. And it seems that the A850 is never going to be released here, so I would suspect that I won't see one here. I would suspect that it's a budgetised version of the A500's for the overseas market.

One word of warning, though. The new cameras don't take CF cards, only SD and Sony memory sticks.
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Offline alphaPDX

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2010, 02:23:09 AM »
I'm somewhat confused about the Live View. I understand that it can be used when in manual focus mode, but what happens when it is in AF mode? Does the Live View not work at all or is that it doesn't show the view in focus? (confused!!)
I'm quite certain this is one of the times that the camera displays a message & won't function, like smart-TC in RAW mode.  Maybe it tells you that AF must be off as a hint, as opposed to "invalid function" or something cryptic.

I was really hoping for an A430, with internals of 500 and screen of 550 instead of the reverse.. as I'm in the USA neither is really an option, so 500 appeals to me slightly more (but 700 far more, sadly the budget allows for neither).
« Last Edit: March 23, 2010, 02:25:20 AM by alphaPDX »
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Offline Mister V

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Re: Worth Upgrading To A450?
« Reply #13 on: March 25, 2010, 12:37:39 PM »
^^ Thank you, that's what I wanted to know!

Think i've made my mind up and have decided on a slight change. My beloved A200 will be up for sale to make way for............ my new A500 with AF+MF Live-View!

:D :D :D