Hasselblad A-mount

Sony α

Sony Alpha 77 (2011)
Company type	Brand utilized by Sony for their series of DSLR/SLT/ILCA/NEX/ILCE cameras
Founded	Tokyo, Japan (2006)
Headquarters	Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Products	Camera bodies, lenses

Tamron SP 17-50mm F2.8 featuring the Sony A-mount.

Sony α33 camera equipped with the Sony A-mount.

Sony α (with the lowercase Greek letter alpha, commonly referred to as Sony Alpha) represents a digital camera brand. This product line has been in existence since 2006 and is built upon technologies originally developed by Konica Minolta, whose photographic assets were acquired by Sony.

Overview

The Sony Alpha brand was launched on 5 June 2006. This line incorporates the Minolta AF SLR lens mount technology, acquired by Sony following Konica Minolta’s exit from the photography business in early 2006. Additionally, Sony holds an 11.08% equity interest in the Japanese lens manufacturer Tamron, a company noted for collaborating with both Konica Minolta and Sony in designing and producing numerous zoom lenses.

Before Sony's acquisition, the α designation was already utilized in Japan by Minolta for their AF camera system, marketed under the names "Dynax" in Europe and "Maxxum" in North America. Upon taking over, Sony retained the "A-mount system" name for the Minolta AF lens mount, continuing its use within their range of SLR cameras.

Sony's involvement in the DSLR sector began in July 2005 through a joint development agreement with Konica Minolta, aiming to co-market an updated series of DSLRs. Between 2006 and 2008, Sony experienced rapid growth within the DSLR market, achieving a 13% market share by 2008 and ranking as the third largest DSLR manufacturer worldwide.

Since the debut of the α900 model in 2008, Sony announced intentions to launch a dedicated service program tailored for professional photographers. This initiative, known as Sony Imaging PRO Support or SPS, was progressively implemented between 2013 and 2015 depending on regional availability.

Camera bodies

Main article: List of Sony α cameras

Sony’s α series follows a clear development pattern: each subsequent model enhances the features of its predecessor. For example, the α330 builds on the α230 by adding a tilt-angle LCD and Quick AF Live View functionality. Further along the lineup, the α380 maintains the α330’s settings but upgrades the sensor to a 14.2-megapixel resolution.

Live View is available on only a limited number of Sony APS-C DSLRs, excluding models such as the Sony α100, α200, α230, α290, α700, α850, and α900 series. When activated, Live View mode provides a Smart Teleconverter with either 1.4x or 2x digital zoom that preserves a 1:1 pixel ratio. This technology ensures image quality remains intact during digital zooming, thereby improving the shooting experience.

In 2010, Sony transitioned from traditional DSLR designs to SLT cameras—where "SLT" stands for "single-lens translucent," referencing a fixed beam splitter positioned within the optical path. These SLT models are capable of recording Full HD 1080p AVCHD video while maintaining continuous phase detection autofocus.

Alongside the introduction of the α33 and α55 SLT cameras, Sony also released one of its final DSLRs—the α560—which supports full HD 1080p AVCHD video with stereo sound. However, this model offers limited manual control options and lacks continuous autofocus during video capture. All three cameras utilize Sony’s Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor technology. The SLT-based α33 and α55 feature fixed translucent mirrors enabling continuous autofocus in video mode, a capability generally absent or restricted in traditional DSLR reflex mirror designs.

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  Sony α900 paired with Sony SAL-135F18Z
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  Sony α55 equipped with SAL-1680Z
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  Sony α58 featuring SAL-1855-2 lens
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  Sony α77, previously Sony’s top APS-C model

A-mount lenses

Sony 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G SSM (SAL-70300G) telephoto zoom lens

The A-mount system, initially called the A-type bayonet mount, was launched by Minolta in 1985 as the first fully integrated autofocus SLR mount globally. Consequently, all Minolta A-mount lenses remain compatible with Sony DSLRs, although some newer camera features may not be supported. Similarly, Sony’s A-mount lenses function on Minolta film and digital SLRs; however, lenses equipped with SSM/SAM motors require manual focusing on bodies without SSM support, and APS-C lenses are generally unsuitable for film cameras due to their reduced image circle size. When Sony introduced the α system in 2006, it announced nineteen lenses and two tele-converters—mostly rebranded versions of Konica Minolta optics. At the 2007 PMA exhibition, Sony revealed additional lenses but provided only qualitative descriptions without detailed specifications.

On May 18, 2009, Sony launched its first A-mount lenses featuring SAM (Smooth Auto-focus Motor) technology designed to enhance autofocus speed specific to individual lenses. This innovation coincided with the release of new "+30" series camera bodies (e.g., α350 + 30 = α380). These models retained an internal focus motor to ensure compatibility with legacy lenses while introducing HDMI output for HDTV connectivity and dual memory card slots supporting both Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Pro Duo and SDHC formats; however, CompactFlash support was discontinued.

E-mount lenses

Main article: List of Sony E-mount lenses

In May 2010, Sony launched two α NEX mirrorless interchangeable lens camera models featuring the newly developed proprietary Sony E-mount. A-mount lenses remain compatible with E-mount cameras through the use of adapters—Sony offers five distinct adapter options.

This mount system supports not only mirrorless cameras but also camcorders. Initially branded as "NEX," the mirrorless still camera line has since transitioned to the "ILCE" designation.

Further information: Sony E-mount

Flash system

Main articles: iISO flash shoe and Multi Interface Shoe

Auto-lock Accessory Shoe (also called iISO hotshoe), utilized between 1988 and 2012

The 4-pin iISO flash shoe, commonly referred to as the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe, was introduced by Minolta in 1988 for their Maxxum/Dynax/α A-mount AF SLR camera series and also appeared on their DiMAGE A digital models. This shoe, used on all Sony DSLRs/SLTs and certain NEX cameras until August 2012, features a slide-on auto-locking design but is mechanically incompatible with ISO 518 standard hotshoes employed by most other manufacturers. While a compatible 7-pin version existed, it was rarely adopted by Minolta and never by Sony.

Minolta provided passive adapters such as the FS-1100 and FS-PC, enabling Minolta AF and TTL flashes with ISO-standard foot to be mounted on cameras equipped with the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe. The FS-1200 adapter allowed AF TTL flashes designed for Auto-lock Accessory Shoes to be used on earlier Minolta SLRs. These adapters do not offer voltage protection or galvanic isolation but preserve TTL functionality on film cameras. Digital models, however, require flashes designed for digital TTL compatibility. For users needing voltage protection and galvanic isolation without TTL support, Sony’s FA-HS1AM adapter facilitates mounting ISO-based flashes onto Auto-lock Accessory Shoe cameras. When no electrical connection is necessary, the Sony FA-SA1AM mechanical adapter can be employed.

In September 2012, Sony unveiled the Multi Interface Shoe, a new 21+3-pin hotshoe compliant with ISO-518 standards, replacing the prior Auto-lock Accessory Shoe on α-series equipment. The ADP-MAA adapter permits existing 4-pin auto-lock foot flashes to connect to cameras featuring the Multi Interface Shoe, while the ADP-AMA adapter enables certain new accessories designed for the Multi Interface Shoe to be used on older cameras equipped with the Auto-lock Accessory Shoe.

Sony’s initial flash offerings—the HVL-F36AM and HVL-F56AM—were essentially rebranded versions of Minolta’s Program Flash 3600HS(D) and Program Flash 5600HS(D) models, paralleling their first-generation lenses. Subsequently, Sony expanded its flash lineup to include advanced wireless control capabilities, enabling grouping of external flashes with full ratio adjustment.

The HVL-RLAM and HVL-RL1 are ring-shaped continuous LED lights intended primarily for video use; they can also be employed moderately for macro photography of static subjects, although dedicated macro flash units are preferable. Sony’s flash ecosystem does not include a dedicated ring flash, but Minolta’s R-1200 and 1200 AF ring flash heads remain compatible when paired with the Minolta Macro Flash Controller MFC-1000 on Sony DSLRs. The older Minolta Control Unit 1200 AF does not support digital cameras. Additionally, the MFC-1000 is compatible with both the Minolta Twin Flash T-2400 and the flash head from Sony’s HVL-MT24AM twin flash system; however, this compatibility is not reciprocal.

Vertical control grips

Grip VG-C70AM for Sony α700

Vertical grips designed for enhanced camera handling have been introduced for various α DSLR and MILC models, excluding most of the latest entry-level DSLRs such as the α230, α330, α380, α290, and α390. Similarly, the recently launched α65 does not have an associated vertical grip. Each vertical grip is available for purchase separately.

Model	Compatible camera models	Battery capacity supported	Shutter release button included	Grip sensor feature	Controls, dials, and joystick nearly fully replicated	Requires battery removal to mount	Compact design (absence of "smoke stack")	Number of strap eyelets for hand strap attachment	Weather-resistant sealing
VG-B30AM	α200, α300, α350	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	1	No
VG-B50AM	α450, α500, α550, α560, α580	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries	Yes	No	No	Yes	No	2	No
VG-C70AM	α700	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries	Yes	Grip sensor only in US version	Yes	Yes	No	1	Sealed with door
VG-C77AM	α77, α77 II, α99 II	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	2	Weather sealed
VG-C90AM	α850, α900	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	2	Sealed with door
VG-C99AM	α99	1-2× NP-FM500H batteries (plus one inside camera)	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	2	Weather sealed
VG-C1EM	α7, α7R, α7S	1-2× NP-FW50 batteries	Yes	No	No	Yes	No		Weather sealed
VG-C2EM	α7 II, α7R II, α7S II	1-2× NP-FW50 batteries	Yes	No	No	Yes	No		Weather sealed
VG-C3EM	α7 III, α7R III, α9	1-2× NP-FZ100 batteries	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No		Weather sealed
VG-C4EM	α7S III, α7R IV, α9-II, α7R V	1-2× NP-FZ100 batteries	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No		Weather sealed
VG-C5	(α9-III)	(1-2× NP-FZ100 batteries)	(Yes)	(No)	(Yes)	(Yes)	(No)	( )	(Weather sealed)

Additional accessories

Sony ECM-CG50 shotgun microphone designed for video-enabled α cameras

Model designation	Description and function
ECM-ALST1	External stereo microphone accessory
ECM-CG50	Shotgun microphone for external audio capture
CLM-V55	External LCD display screen attachment
HVL-LE1	LED lighting unit for video illumination
VCT-55LH	Cold shoe mounting bracket for accessory attachment
XLR-K1M	XLR adapter paired with ECM-XM1 microphone for professional audio input

External links

• Dyxum.com, a dedicated community site for Sony Alpha photographers