Advancing Inherited Technologies : Sony

Advancing Inherited Technologies

Sony's α has inherited a large accumulation of outstanding DYNAX technologies and is now working to further advance them with the goal of taking them to a new level of performance and operability.

From Anti-Shake to SteadyShot®

The performance of the anti-shake technology has been upgraded since it was first incorporated into the body of the DYNAX 7D, and it has been renamed SteadyShot®. The improved image stabilizing technology of SteadyShot® enables the photographer to operate at shutter speeds of one or two steps slower than when using the older anti-shake technology.

Now, a next-generation version of SteadyShot® has been developed to work with a new image sensor that produces 35mm full-sized images.

In developing this new version, the shake-detector mechanism had to be scaled up to cover an area 2.25 times larger than the previous mechanism covered in working with the APS-C image-sensor.

In addition, the new mechanism's weight had to be increased 1.5 times and its driving speed increased by 1.3 times. To realize these changes, Sony engineers reinforced the mechanism's structural strength and developed a new supersonic linear actuator and drive circuitry.

* SteadyShot is registered trademarks of Sony Corporation.

APS-C size (left) and 35mm full-size (right)

Producing Lenses with Personality

One of the outstanding characteristics of many DYNAX lenses is that they are endowed with distinct personalities. Another major advantage is that DYNAX lenses sporting unique features, as well as standard DYNAX lenses, can also be used with the latest Sony's α cameras.

Sony's α has inherited not only DYNAX's optical technology and lens design know-how, but also the DYNAX manufacturing spirit that paid so much attention to detail.

Reducing Noise to Boost Image Quality

The DYNAX 7D was noted for the superior quality and fine texture of the images it produced. However, noise became a major issue when high sensitivity settings were selected. Sony's answer to this problem, which achieved dramatic results, was to completely redesign the electronic circuitry in its α series. Now, when a high sensitivity setting is chosen, noise is so low that it no longer affects image quality.

What's more, Sony has used digital techniques to improve the quality of the image to at least rival film, but without its disadvantages. From this point of view, then, the image quality of Sony's α is now superior to what was produced in the era of the film camera.

Expanded Utilization of Zone Selection Mode

Both the DYNAX 5D and 7D provided two compensatory modes, H mode and S mode, to bring out the details in highlighted and shaded or low-lit areas, respectively; however, ISO choices were limited.

Increased digitalization has since enabled Sony's α to make more effective use of an image sensor's dynamic range, so that today users can choose their preferred ISO settings.

Advancing Inherited Technologies