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S ony became a part of the Digital mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera category by releasing the NEX-3 & NEX-5 cameras, both of which use an EXMOR 14.2MP APS CMOS HD image sensor. The benefits are conclusive: DSLR implementation and image quality in a slighter and lighter body.

In 1946 Sony was established as Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo, and at that time manufactured telecommunications electronics. In 1950 they invented a paper-root magnetic recording tape to which thet applied a Sony brand name. Later in 1958, the company was renamed Sony Corporation. Sony' began to focus was on transistor radios, magnetic recording tape, tape recorders, and Television sets. In 1975, Sony unwrapped a Betamax Consumer VCR, and in 1984 they followed this up with a transportable CD player, named the Discman. The first Sony digital camera was announced in 1988, called the Mavica. It functioned using a TV screen monitor. it was not until 1996 that Sony released the company's origional Cyber-shot camera. Sony presented its first ever digital camera in 1998 that employed the Memory Stick peripheral memory card. Prior to that time. most digital cameras used internal memory 

On the 19th of January, 2006, Konica Minolta made an announcement that it was selling a portion of it's SLR camera operations to Sony and getting out of the photo and camera business.

Minolta introduced the a lens type mount in 1986, first identified as the A-type Bayonet which was the planet's first autofocus camera system. As a consequence, nearly all Minolta AF camera lenses mount on Sony DSLR cameras, and a large number of Sony lenses also operate on Minolta film and DSLRs. In 2006 during the initial announcement of the a system, Sony revealed 19 lenses, plus 2 tele-converters, with the majority being Konica Minolta lenses rebranded as Sony. Updated Article Feb 15,, 2011

Sony Nex E-Mount Cameras

The Sony E Mount is designed with basic open specifications created by Sony and labeled the New E Mount Experience or (NEX) line of mirrorless cameras and camcorders. The mount was Initially implemented in the Sony NEX-3 and Sony NEX-5. Integration of the E mount into Sony camcorder products began with the Sony NEX-VG10 Handycam.It was August 24, 2011 when Sony announced, the NEX-5N replacing the NEX-5, adding a prosumer NEX-7 camera, along with the NEX-VG20 replacing the NEX-VG10. A replacement for the NEX-3 labeled NEX-C3 has subsequently been released.

Mount Sony Alpha Lenses on Next Cameras and Retain Autofocus
Could this be your Next Camera?Although misplaced in the uproar of Sony’s astounding new camera announcements was a tiny announcement of the Sony LA-EA2 A-lens mount adapter, This impressive lens adapter allows you mount the entire Sony Alpha stable of DSLR lenses onto NEX mirrorless camera bodies without losing autofocus functions by employing a translucent mirror with an autofocus system onto the adapter itself! New Review Announced Aug 26, 2011
Sony NEX-3 Sony NEX-3 is EVIL- Sony goes with the Interchangeable Digital Lens (DIL, aka mirrorless DSLR) camera position with the NEX-5 and NEX-3, both using a CMOS 14.2MP EXMOR APS HD sensor. The benefits are undeniable: DSLR image quality and accomplishment in a lighter, smaller body. The NEX5 also brings about a reduced distance of less than an inch from the image sensor plane to the lens moun (what many conventional DSLR camera makers have been advising us for a long time was technologically unfeasible). Announced May 11, 2010  Updated Review Dec 16, 2010 - Replaced by the Nex-C3
Sony NEX-5Sony NEX-5 is EVIL - It has all picture quality of a DSLR, yet it's about half the size, half the weight and far less complex5. Pulling off this minor miracle took some clever innovations in glass, silicon and software code. The NEX5 even accomplishes what many traditional DSLR camera manufacturers have been telling us for years was technically impossible to accomplish: a less than 1 inch distance from lens mount to image sensor plane. Sony Nex5 in Detail at Imaging Resource Replaced by the Nex-5N - Announced May 11, 2010
Sony NEX-5N APS-C mid-range mirrorless compactNewSony NEX-5N APS-C mid-range mirrorless compact - DSLR performance and features in nearly one half the dimensions and weight. The Sony NEX-5N is an exchangeable lens camera that actually fit in your pocket. You can Enjoy Full 1080/60p HD or 24p video, astounding poor-light photos, continuous shooting mode up to 10 frames per second, incredible panorama shots, plus a tilt able 3.0-inch Live View LCD touch screen monitor. New Review Announced Aug 24, 2011
NewSony NEX-7 high-end APS-C mirrorless camera - The Sony Alpha NEX-7 SLT 24.3Mp Micro Four Thirds extremely high resolution camera. You can begin shooting right out of the box with this included 18-55mm kit lens which of course is only one of the many lens options available for use this E-Mount Sony congruent camera. Non-Sony lenses also work with the NEX-7 as well employing an available adapter. New Review Announced Aug 24, 2011
Sony NEX-C3 Sony NEX-C3 - The Sony NEX-C3 is positioned is between Cyber-shot Compact point & shoot digital cameras and the full-sized Sony Alpha DSLRs. This Sony reasonably priced compact exchangeable lens camera is a step beneath the Alpha NEX-5 for video quality, although it has more megapixels @ 16.2MP compared to 14.2MP on the Sony NEX-3 and NEX 5 cameras. New Review June 8, 2011
Sony SLT Cameras
The 'SLT' designation means Single Lens Translucent (employs fixed translucent mirrors in place of traditional glass mirror). Sony SLT cameras can capture Full HD 1080p AVCHD videi files using continuous phase detection AF 
Sony A55 Left AngleSony SLT a33 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital Camera - The first Sony digital cameras to feature Translucent Mirror Technology showcased in a creative optical scheme that opens the doors to dramatic new photographing possibilities. Contrasted with traditional DSLR cameras, The Translucent Mirror Technology employs an unchanging, translucent mirror ‘splitting’ the optical path between the main sensor and a independent phase-detection AF sensor.  Updated Review Aug 17, 2011 - Announced Aug 24, 2010 - Discontinued
Sony alpha SLT-a35 12 MP Digital CameraSony alpha SLT-a35 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital Camera
Sony announces their new SLT A35, their newest addition to the innovative array of fixed-mirror DSLR cameras. The A35 displaces the A33 and comes with a brand new EXMOR 16.2MP APS-C CMOS image sensor. This sensor chip which been upgraded to enhance power usage, promising better battery and thermal operation. New Review June 8, 2011
Sony SLT a55 Sony SLT a55 SLT-A55V (with GPS), SLT-A55 (without GPS) - Announced Aug 24, 2010
Sony SLT-A65V DSLR Camera Sony SLT-A65V DSLR Camera with a massive amount of features, If you need a fresh new game-changing outlook, the A65V has it. The Sony Translucent Mirror Technology is where it stars. This mirror technology lets you both focus and shoot with precise high speed by pointing light to the camera's image sensor plus the Phase Detection autofocus sensor. Another really big advantage, possibly the most noteworthy - is the APS-C 24.3Mp sensor - this lets you make huge photo prints and to encounter absolutely outstanding detail.  New Review Announced Aug 24, 2011
Sony SLT-A77 flagship APS-C DSLR Sony SLT-A77 flagship APS-C DSLR - Introducing the Sony SLT-A77 DSLR Camera There are many things going for this camera, and the 24.3Mp image sensor is no small thing. Just imagine all the opportunities 24.3 MP of resolution can do, like mural capturing sized prints, astonishing detail, abounding color, plus much more! If you're star struck over the medium format camera back pixel power, although in a DSLR set up, your wait is now over. New Review Announced Aug 24, 2011
Sony APS-C DSLR Cameras
Sony A290 entry-level DSLR - Sony DSLR-A290 New entry-level Sony Alpha DSLR camera. The A290 replaces the A230 and revolves around a CCD sensor upgrade, from 10.2 to 14.2 MP. An ergonomic change was also made allowing the A290 to be marketed as easier to handle than its predecessor. The camera still behaves pretty much like the previous model and still features starter-level operation. which includes a high ISO 3,200 light sensitivity plus only 2.5FPS for continuous shooting. Although Sony is still tweaking the interface of these starter level versions - Announced Jun 9, 2010 Updated Review Aug 16, 2011
Sony A390 entry-level Exchangeable Lens Digital cameraSony A390 entry-level Exchangeable Lens Digital camera
As expected the Sony A390 just happened to be a beginner's DSLR camera. Sony added a touch of style, a few added pixels and presto, a ‘new’ Sony Alpha is born. By introducing the Sony a390 the Sony Alpha DSLR range expands further with an affordable, stylish beginner DSLR camera. Announced Jun 9, 2010 Updated Review Aug 16, 2011
Sony Full Frame DSLR Cameras
Sony A900 Full Frame Digital Sony Alpha a900 24.6MP Exchangeable Lens Camera The Sony A900 Exchangeable Lens Full Frame Digital Camera is a representation of professional high end performance value. although it has a somewhat conservative feature set as compared to its available peers. No live view, no video, although it offers perhaps the finest viewfinder with 100% coverage in an exchangeable lens camera, there's exceptional 24.6mp sensor resolution, the only stabilized full frame image sensor in the world. Announced Sep 9, 2008 Updated Review Aug 16, 2011

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Discontinued Sony Interchangeable Lens Cameras

See also

The lens mounts listed below can be used on the Sony E-mount by using of various adapters from third-parties:
  • Alpa mount
  • Sony A-mount (Sony LA-EA1, LA-EA2 and 3rd part adapters with aperture ring)
  • C-mount
  • Canon EF and Canon EF-S
  • Canon FD-mount
  • Contax G
  • Contarex
  • Contax/Yashica bayonet (adapter variant with tilt available)
  • Exakta lens mount
  • Fujica X bayonet
  • Hasselblad Xpan
  • Konica AR (bayonet)
  • Leica M-mount (bayonet)
  • Leica M39 lens mount (LTM/L39) (screw)
  • Leica R-mount (adapter variant with tilt available)
  • M42-mount (screw) (adapter variant with tilt available)
  • Micro Four Thirds
  • Minolta SR-mount
  • Minolta/Konica Minolta A-mount (Minolta/Konica Minolta AF/Alpha/Dynax/Maxxum and Sony Alpha DSLRs) (Sony LA-EA1, LA-EA2 and 3rd party adapters with aperture ring)
  • Nikon F-mount (adapter variant with aperture ring for G lenses available, adapter variant with tilt available)
  • Olympus OM-mount
  • Olympus Pen F
  • Pentax Auto 110
  • Pentax K-mount (adapter variant with aperture ring for DA lenses available)
  • Rollei-mount
  • T2-mount (screw)