Sony today inotrduced the a NEX-5T compact system camera, the a3000 interchangeable lens camera as well as three additions to its line of E-mount interchangeable lenses.

The a3000 features a 20.1 MP Exmor APS-C HD CMOS sensor, a bright electronic viewfinder and the same lens mount as Sony's popular line of E-mount cameras. The 20.1 MP APS-C sized image sensor in the a3000 is the same size sensor found in most traditional DSLRs, and is the key to capturing highly-detailed still images and Full HD videos (1080/60i or 1080/24p). The large sensor also boosts sensitivity, grabbing more light and cutting image noise to produce better quality content in low-light conditions.

The new camera features an electronic Tru-Finder viewfinder with 100% field coverage allowing easy framing. The viewfinder can also display a variety of key shooting information and shows a live preview of the composed image to illustrate the effect of any setting adjustments. This same "Live View" shooting experience is also available through the rear LCD screen.

The new a3000 model features a classic DSLR-style design with a standard P/A/S/M mode dial and several customizable control buttons for making common adjustments to settings.

Creatively, the new a3000 camera offers a total of 15 different Picture Effect settings including Retro Photo, Miniature Camera, Partial Color and much more. The camera also has Auto Object Framing, which neatly trims portraits, close-ups and even moving subjects for tighter, more professional results. When this feature is engaged, the camera saves both the original and cropped images for review.

With the a3000's Multi Interface Shoe terminal, users can broaden their shooting experience by adding external accessories like flash, video lights, or microphones.

The new a3000 interchangeable lens camera will be available in early September for about $400, paired with a black 18-55mm zoom kit lens (model SEL1855).

The Sony a NEX-5T compact system camera combines an ultra-compact design and the creative capabilities of interchangeable lenses with large-sensor image quality, speedy Auto Focus (AF) and the convenience of NFC (Near Field Communication) one-touch.

Inside the new camera is a high-resolution 16.1 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor.

The camera will come in a kit with the compact SELP1650 motorized zoom lens, which measures only about 1.2 inches thick when fully retracted. The lens contains built- in Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and has a smooth power zoom dial that is particularly useful during video shooting.

The new a NEX-5T camera is the first Sony interchangeable lens camera to feature NFC, giving the extra convenience of one-touch wireless connectivity with compatible

Android smartphones and tablets. A connection is activated automatically as soon as the mobile device touches the camera, allowing for immediate image and video sharing between devices. Content is then safely stored on the connected device and can be shared via social media and other common applications.

For devices without NFC one-touch capabilities, users can wirelessly transfer images and videos between compatible devices through use of Wi-Fi and Sony's PlayMemories Mobile application, available for both the iOS and Android platforms. Additionally, a "Smart Remote Control" feature on the NEX-5T utilizes Wi-Fi to send a live image preview to a wirelessly connected camera or tablet, allowing it to act as a remote viewfinder, adjust common photographic settings and release the shutter button.

In line with last year's NEX-5R model, the new NEX-5T camera also features Fast Hybrid AF auto focus technology, which combines phase-detection and contrast- detection methods to ensure accurate autofocus in any shooting situation. The focusing system uses 99 phase-detection AF points arrayed on the image sensor to detect a subject's distance and quickly lock focus. Then, contrast-detection AF confirms precise details.

In Speed Priority mode, the camera will switch automatically to phase detection tracking AF to track fast-moving action accurately in each frame up to 10 frames per second.

The range of downloadable PlayMemories Camera Apps add more fun and features to the NEX-5T camera. There are 15 apps currently available, including "Direct Upload," which allows photos to be uploaded directly to Facebook and now Flickr as well, with support for additional services scheduled for the future. Other fun applications include "Motion-shot" which can combine several different shots from an action-series into one creative photo, "Time-Lapse" which takes several photos over a series of time and stitches them together to create time-lapse photography, and several other creative and teaching tools.

The new NEX-5T camera features a fully programmable control dial and Fn (function) button - a combination for photographers accustomed to the flexibility and directcontrol of a DSLR camera. The camera?s touch-screen LCD can flip downwards for high-angle shots over crowds, or upwards up to 180 degrees for easy arm's length self- portraits. It also has a touch-shutter function for added convenience.

The NEX-5T compact system camera will be offered in silver, black and white for about $700 in a kit with a compact, versatile 16-50mm motorized zoom lens (model SELP1650) or as a body-only for about $550. It will be available for purchase in early September.

Sony has also announced three new additions to its line of E-mount interchangeable lenses, including a mid-range zoom (16-70mm F4) by Carl Zeiss, a power-zoom G lens (18-105mm F4) optimized for video - Sony's first ever G Lens for E-mount cameras - as well as a new black finish option for the 50mm F1.8 portrait lens.

The new Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T 16-70mm F4 zoom lens gives photographers the opportunity to experience Carl Zeiss optical excellence in a compact zoom lens. A 4x zoom range of 16-70mm (24-105mm in 35mm full-frame equivalent) makes this model ideal for a wide range of everyday photo situations, from landscapes and portraits to informal snapshots and everything in between.

This lens promise to provide outstanding contrast and resolution at all zoom settings, and it has a renowned T coating on optical surfaces that reduces glare and ghosting. Lens size and weight are minimized thanks to Advanced Aspherical lens (AA lens) technology, which combines four aspherical elements with one ED glass element.

Additionally, the new Carl Zeiss E-mount lens maintains a constant F4 maximum aperture at all focal lengths, reducing the need for high ISO settings when zoomed in and allowing the use of high shutter speeds to freeze fast-moving action. It also has an extra refinement in the circular aperture which enables naturally smooth background defocus, and features Optical SteadyShot image stabilization for reducing the effects of hand shake.

The new E 18-105mm F4 G power zoom lens is the first ever G lens created for Sony's E-mount line of cameras. The all-around lens covers a generous 5.8x zoom range from 18mm - 105mm (full frame equivalent 27mm - 157.5mm).

The optical design of the new zoom reflects its G Lens pedigree. Two ED glass elements are combined with three aspherical elements for high resolution and contrast throughout the entire zoom range.

Featuring a smooth autofocus and powerzoom operation, the premium G lens is particularly suited for video shooting. The zoom lever on the lens barrel allows fixed or variable-speed power zooming, with easy fingertip operation to reduce unwanted camera shake. Further, the overall lens length remains unchanged during focusing and zoom operation.

Like the new Carl Zeiss zoom lens, the E 18-105mm F4 G model has a circular aperture that enables smooth background defocus, and maintains a constant F4 maximum aperture for plenty of brightness at all zoom settings. It also features Optical SteadyShot to cut the effects of camera shake while shooting.

The new Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar T* 16-70mm F4 zoom lens will be available in late September for about $1000.

The new E 18-105mm F4 G Series zoom lens will be available in December for about $600

The new E 50mm F1.8 portrait lens in black will be available in late September for about $300