It would seem that this has been a pretty busy period for Japanese company Sony, at least as far as its digital imaging segment is concerned. And that's because, besides bringing three new entry-level alpha digital cameras to the market, Sony has also introduced quite a few accessories for the respective DSLRs, including four lenses, a very slim external flash unit and others.

Without a doubt, the lenses represent the most important part of this announcement. So, the first new lens from Sony to arrive on the market is the DT 50mm F1.8 SAM portrait lens, which offers a wide F1.8 aperture that makes it a good solution for capturing good-quality portraits in natural light with smoothly defocused backgrounds. AF performance is quiet and precise thanks to the inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM).

The next two lenses announced by Sony, the DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM and DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM, are telephoto lenses, which cover a useful range of focal lengths to expand creative options. The DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM telephoto zoom is designed mostly for everyday shooting, while the DT 55-200mm F4-5.6 SAM offers users a maximum focal length equivalent to 300mm (35mm equiv.). Plus, both of these lenses deliver smooth AF operation thanks to an inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM).

Last, but certainly not least, comes the DT 30mm F2.8 SAM 1:1 macro lens, which is still under development and will become available solely at some point in the autumn of 2009. This macro lens provides high quality optics and can focus clearly on flowers, insects and other subjects from as close as 2cm away. There’s also an inbuilt Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) for quiet, precise AF performance.

Now that we're done with the lenses, let's move to the external flash unit. Hence, the HVL-F20AM ultra-compact external flash weighs less than 100 grams and can be easily folded down to keep a low profile when it’s not being used. Moreover, there’s a handy switch to select Bounce flash operation. This gives indirect lighting for more natural results with portraits and other subjects that can get bleached out by direct light from an inbuilt flash.




As already mentioned, Sony has also introduced a couple of “life-style accessories,” including here the LCS-TT10 new-concept carry case for digital cameras, the LCS-WR1AM, an ultra-soft, high-quality protective wrap that guards the camera and attached lens from scratches and the LCS-LC1AM, a lens cap holder for convenient storage of the lens cap, which can be mounted on the camera shoulder strap, grip, hand strap or belt.



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