To refresh your memories, Sony's new line of DSLRs isn't a massive departure from their previous models. The a230, a330 and a380 roughly replace the a200, a300 and a350, putting a decidedly consumer-oriented spin on the cameras. That means they're smaller, the interface is simpler, the styling is a bit smoother, and that they now accept SDHC and Memory Stick Pro cards instead of the previous lines' Compact Flash. This also means that they inherit the same old 10.2 and 14.2 megapixel tiering, the latter relegated to the higher-end a380.

In addition, all models get a 2.7-inch LCD Liveview screen—a tilt/swivel version for the 330 and 380, as well as HDMI output for displaying photos on HDTVs. Pricing isn't terribly enticing—$550, $650, $850, respectively—but we'll have to see how these things perform before we make any judgments.

Also detailed are a few new accessories: new telephoto, zoom and portrait lenses, and a budget flash unit. (something the Alpha line dearly needed.) Full release below.

SONY INTRODUCES THREE MAINSTREAM ALPHA CAMERAS
DESIGNED FOR FIRST-TIME DIGITAL SLR BUYERS

SAN DIEGO, May 17, 2009 – Sony is making it easy for first-time digital SLR buyers to step up from point-and-shoot digital still cameras with the introduction today of three new easy-to-use α (alpha) cameras (models DSLR-A380, DSLR-A330 and DSLR-A230), four new lenses, a flash and accessories.
Uniquely Matched to Customers' Needs

The new cameras are designed to overcome challenges faced by many customers taking their first steps in DSLR photography. Without compromising performance and versatility, the new models are smaller, lighter, easier to use and offer innovative expansion options not found in other systems.

"Our new alpha cameras, lenses and accessories make it easier for new users to get the great photos they expect without the steep learning curve that DSLRs have traditionally required," said Kristen Elder, senior manager for the alpha business at Sony Electronics Inc. "By overcoming the obstacles, we've made it much easier for newcomers to take great pictures with DSLRs."

Light and Compact

The 10.2 megapixel α230 camera is the lightest, most compact alpha DSLR camera body ever at 15.9 ounces. The 10.2 megapixel α330 and the 14.2 megapixel α380 cameras are also smaller and lighter than their predecessor models (the DSLR-A300 and DSLR-A350, respectively). These cameras are also more compact and feature an intuitive control layout that allows for easy single-handed operation.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-camera image stabilization is built into each camera body, so every α-mount lens benefits from the ability to minimize blur due to camera shake.
Quick AF Live View System

Both the α380 and α330 cameras offer Sony's Quick Autofocus (AF) Live View technology, so you can frame photos on the camera's LCD screen as well as in the optical viewfinder. Through the use of a dedicated image sensor, Quick AF Live View maintains the rapid response of a DSLR, while avoiding the focus delay common to other live view systems.

The new cameras feature a 2.7-inch (diagonally) Clear Photo LCD™ screen that is easy to view even in bright sunlight. Additionally, the LCD on the α380 and α330 models can be tilted up or down, making it easy to frame your subject from high or low positions, otherwise difficult to see using an eye-level viewfinder. The range of adjustment has been increased from their predecessors, making it even easier to get shots from difficult angles.

By combining Quick AF Live View and an adjustable LCD, users can frame the scene without holding the camera in front of their face, allowing parents, for example, to maintain eye-contact when photographing their children for more natural expressions.

An HDMI™ terminal gives you the option of connecting your camera to a compatible HDTV and playing back your images in high definition quality (HDMI cable required, sold separately). Additionally, BRAVIA® Sync™ works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television's remote (HDMI cable and BRAVIA Sync capable HDTV required, sold separately).

The new cameras include dedicated slots for high-capacity Memory Stick PRO Duo™, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC media (sold separately).
Built-in Help Guide

The α380, α330 and α230 models are Sony's first DSLR cameras to feature a graphical user interface (GUI) with built-in on-screen Help Guide.

The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of various modes and settings, while the Graphic Display helps you understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
Systems, Lenses and Flash

Making it easier for first-time DSLR users to get started, the new Sony cameras come in camera-and-lens packages. In addition to the two new standard zoom and telephoto lenses that are offered with the camera bodies, the company introduced new portrait and macro lenses. These purpose-built lenses make it much easier to obtain professional-looking, creative results.
Optimized for use with APS-C sized image sensors, these lenses feature a Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) that enables in-lens auto focus (AF) drive for smooth, quiet operation, and high optical performance in a compact size.

The DT 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens (model SAL-1855) incorporates aspherical and Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements to provide an all purpose lens with outstanding image quality. The DT 55-200mm F/4-5.6 telephoto zoom lens (model SAL-55200/2) features an ED glass element and helps bring distant subjects closer, ideal for capturing sports. Both the SAL-1855 and SAL-55200 lenses are available separately, or packaged as kits with the new cameras.
To make the benefits of portrait and macro photography easier and more accessible, Sony is introducing a DT 50mm F/1.8 portrait lens (model SAL-50F18) and DT 30mm F/2.8 (model SAL-30M28) macro lens. The wide aperture SAL-50F18 lens helps users capture beautiful portraits with gently defocused backgrounds while the SAL-30M28 macro lens captures intricate close-ups. Both techniques are difficult to achieve with standard lenses.

To help users take better shots with flash, Sony offers an affordable, compact external flash unit (model HVL-F20AM) that is simple to operate. Unlike a camera's built-in flash, this external flash provides higher output (Guide Number 20), and enables users to bounce light off the ceiling to eliminate harsh shadows and achieve more even illumination when shooting indoors.
Pricing and Availability

Pre-orders will begin on May 18, 2009 at HYPERLINK "http://www.sonystyle.com/retail" www.sonystyle.com/retail and at selected retailers nationwide. The cameras and a range of accessories will be available in July at Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), at military base exchanges and at authorized dealers nationwide.

The α380L, α330L and α230L will cost about $850, $650 and $550, respectively. The L series one-lens kit comes with the SAL-1855 standard zoom lens.

The α380Y, α330Y and α230Y will cost about $1050, $850 and $750, respectively. The Y series two-lens kit comes with both the SAL-1855 standard zoom and SAL-55200 telephoto zoom lenses.
The SAL-1855 standard zoom lens will cost about $200.
The SAL-55200 telephoto zoom lens will cost about $230.
The SAL-50F18 portrait lens will cost about $150.
The HVL-F20AM flash will cost about $130.

The E-620 is a 12.3 megapixel Four Thirds DSLR—the company says it borrows tech from its big brother, the E-30, and crams it into a body not unlike the tiny (and slightly underperforming) E-420. In-camera image stabilization, which has the dual advantages of keeping low-light images from blurring and negating the need for buying expensive anti-shake lenses, is included, as are a variety of new software filters, image manipulation software and "Shadow Control", which sounds a bit like the highlight/shadow controls found in Photoshop and Lightroom. A range of live view options, such as white balance previewing and aspect ratio previewing, are available via the 2.7in LCD screen, which can swivel around to accommodate plenty of shooting scenarios.

Aside from the articulated LCD screen, nothing stands out as particularly innovative. It's the fact that it's able to include most of the standard features of a much more expensive model that makes the E-620 interesting. The E-620 will ship in May for $700, body-only, or for $800 with a 14-42mm f3.5/5.6 lens. Press release and full rundown available at [DPReview]

The limitation are essentially identical—necessarily short recordings due to an sensor-preserving liveview shutoff, the need to be tethered to a PC, the limited output quality (less than 480p in this case)—but the fact remains that with no more than a piece of software, which Giroux plans on releasing as soon as he can, you can record decent video through your DSLR's lenses.

It might not be ready for actual production work, but it's perfect for having a little limited depth-of-field YouTube fun. [OGiroux via NikonRumors]

• World’s highes-res SLR with Live View
• 51-point MultiCAM3500FX autofocus system
• Scene Recognition System
• Expeed 16-bit processing to handle detail on the 75MB image files
• 3-inch, 922,000-dot LCD
• 35.9mm x 24mm FX format sensor (If you can't think in metric, that's 1.4" x 0.94")
• Weather-resistant magnesium body
• Designed for medium-format shooting
• ISO range of 100-1600 with a Lo1 (equivalent to ISO 50) with boosts up to ISO 6400
• 24.5-megapixel shooting at up to 5fps; cropped 10-megapixel shooting at up to 7fps
• 12ms start-up time; 41ms shutter-release lag time
• Writes files to dual CF slots at 35MB/s
• USB 2.0, HDMI and AV-out jacks, with 10-pin terminal for GPS and other accessories
• Same lithium-ion battery as D3

Believe it or not, there's even more data over on Nikon Rumors, plus some very interesting pictures, so go have a look. [Nikon Rumors]

There are a variety of models available, starting with the $249.95 SC-V100B with a 2-inch screen, up to a unit with a 2.5-inch screens, motion detecting shutter release and 360-degree rotation. Or, you could wait about a year when just about every digital SLR has live view and just get yourself a new camera.

To see how this contraption works, check out the gallery below for details. – Charlie White

Product Page [Argraph Corp., via SlashGear]

We're also pleased with the image stabilization on board, which held the thing steady even when it was zoomed all the way in. Even though one Olympus rep told us that Live View in the viewscreen was "always on," we noticed the Live View does go away when you take the picture.

Take a look at the gallery below for ten close-up views of the E-510, along with the E-410, its $799 little brother which is a bit smaller and lacks image stabilization. – Charlie White

Our favorite feature added to this next generation from Olympus is the mechanical image stabilization in the higher-end E-510, and then there's the live-view capability brought into both these cameras from the Olympus E-330, letting you see what you're getting in that 2.5-inch viewscreen while shooting. Plus, there's still that optical viewfinder to see through the lens. More about pricing and lenses, plus a huge gallery, after the jump.

Along for the ride are a couple of new kit lenses available, and both are pleasantly compact. There's a 14-42mm f/3.5 - 5.6 (that's a 12 28 - 84mm 35mm equivalent), and then there's a plenty long 40-150mm f/4.0 to 5.6 which is the equivalent of a 80 - 300mm in 35mm nomenclature. Now there's a lens that will benefit greatly from that image stabilization.

Here's a gallery from Olympus's PR materials of the two DSLRs:

We like the E-410's compact size, recalling an old favorite of ours, the Olympus OM series from the old film camera days that brought professional features in a compact form factor. The E-410 is a step up from E-400 which so far is only available in Europe, adding those two extra megapixels and that convenient live-view screen of its E-330 brandmate.

Too bad there's not a 3-inch viewscreen on both these new models to take advantage of their live view capability, rather than their comparatively measly 2.5-inch viewscreens. And, while we like the compact size of the E-410, we would rather sacrifice a bit of portability and cash to have that internal mechanical image stabilization of the bulkier and pricier E-510.

What we heartily applaud is the way live view is becoming more prevalent in DSLR cameras of all price ranges. Last week we heard that highest-end Canon EOS-1D Mark III camera has live view, and now here it shows up in another DSLR, albeit not in such a lofty perch or price as the $4000 Canon iteration.

Speaking of pricing, Olympus didn't mention that yet, but the E510's predecessor's street price is around $450 for the body only, and about $640 with a 40 - 150 mm lens, so expect similar prices to fall around that area once the dust settles. Expect the E-410 to hit the market in May, while you'll have to wait until June to get your hands on an E-510. – Charlie White