Sony DSLT cameras took reflex cameras to a whole new level. In terms of features such as speed and sensor resolution model Sony DSLT-A77 refers to a professional camera high-end, but the manufacturer classifies it as a middle class. Let’s see why?
Digital SLR cameras featured in the review: Sony DSLR-A900, Sony DSLR-A850, Sony DSLR-A580, Sony DSLR-A450, Sony DSLR-A390, Sony DSLR-A290, Sony DSLT-A77, Sony DSLT-A65, Sony DSLT-A55, Sony DSLT-A35
Sony DSLR-A900
Specifications
Date of announcement: September 2008
Mount: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: Exmor CMOS, 35.9×24 mm
Krop Factor: 1
Sensor size: 24.6 million., 6048×4032 pixels.
LCD monitor: 7.6 cm, 921,600 pixels.
Autofocus: 19 points
Shutter speed: 30-1/8000
Continuous Shooting: 5 fps
Sensitivity: 200-3200 ISO extended up to 6400 ISO
Flash: External, hot shoe, sync, X-sync at 1/250 sec
Video: no
Memory Cards: CompactFlash I/II, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FM500H
Dimensions: 156.3×116.9×81.9mm
Weight: 850 g
Price: $4100
Sony’s flagship DSLR has been in production for a long time, and so far no rumors about a change of model have been heard. It is also very successful as a studio camera, with the highest resolution.
Camera is equipped with full-size sensor with a resolution of 24.6 million. pixels. Sensitivity sensor is relatively small, but in its professional niche camera is well established. The model has a very bright viewfinder, which fully realizes itself with high-aperture optics.
Coupled image processor, optical image stabilization system SteadyShot Inside, built into the camera and a durable magnesium housing with protection against dust and moisture have brought a well-deserved success Sony A900. Many features and high-quality images are enhanced by exclusive Carl Zeiss lenses.
Sony DSLR-A850
Technical Specifications
Date of announcement: August 2009
Mount: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: Exmor CMOS, 35.9×24 mm
Krop factor: 1
Sensor size: 24.6 million., 6048×4032 pixels.
LCD monitor: 7.6 cm, 921 600 pixels.
Autofocus: 19 points
Shutter speed: 30-1/8000
Continuous Shooting: 3 fps
Sensitivity: 200-3200 ISO extended to 6400 ISO
Flash: External, “hot shoe”, sync terminal, X-sync at 1/250 sec
Video: no
Memory cards: CompactFlash I/II, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FM500H
Dimensions: 156.3×116.9×81.9mm
Weight: 850 g
Price: $2900
Following its first full frame A900 camera, Sony has released a slightly simpler, but noticeably cheaper model.
Full frame camera A850 with a sensor resolution of 24.6 megapixels is equipped with dual image processor, which provides high-quality images, as well as a built-in optical image stabilization system SteadyShot Inside, a durable magnesium body and a variety of features.
The camera has many of the same features as the older model Sony A900. Slightly slower continuous shooting speed compensated by increased burst length. The camera offers 13 artistic styles of image processing.
It also does not belong to the category of reportage speed cameras, its purpose is studio, advertising, landscape photography, which requires thorough preparation of photo shoots.
Sony DSLR-A580
Scope of specifications
Date of announcement: January 2010
Mount: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: CMOS, 23.4×15.6 mm
Crope factor: 1.5
Sensor size: 14.2 million., 4592×3056 pixels.
LCD monitor: 6.7 cm, 230,400 pixels., Live View mode
Autofocus: 9 points
Shutter speed: 30-1/4000
Continuous Shooting: 7 fps
Sensitivity: 200-12,800 ISO
Flash: Built-in GN 12 , hot shoe, sync terminal, X-sync at 1/160 sec
Video: no
Memory Cards: SD, SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FM500H
Dimensions: 137x104x81 mm
Weight: 520 g
Price: $860
The first camera in Sony’s 400 series of amateurs. Looks similar to the 500 series models. Ultra-high-speed continuous shooting for an amateur camera, better than Sony’s professional DSLRs.
Wide sensitivity and effective noise reduction, Dynamic Range Optimizer and SteadyShot Inside optical stabilization.
It also has an HDR mode which automatically combines two consecutive frames to create a single image with a wide dynamic range, spotlight and shadow. Very useful for checking focus in Live View: one press of the button enlarges the image to maximum resolution and you can easily check sharpness. In the built-in editor you can apply 6 styles to quickly process your pictures.
Sony DSLR-A390/A290
Specifications
Date of announcement: June 2010
Mount: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: CMOS, 23.5×15.7 mm
Krop factor: 1.5
Sensitivity: 14.2 million., 4592×3056 pixels.
LCD: 6.7 cm, 230 400 pixels., Live View mode, swiveling touch screen in DSLR-A390
Autofocus: 9 points
Shutter speed: 30-1/4000
Continuous shooting: 2.5/3 frames per second
Sensitivity: 100-3200 ISO
Flash: Built-in flash GN 10 , hot shoe, syncro, X-sync at 1/160 sec
Video: no
Memory cards: SD, SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FH50
Dimensions: 128x97x71.4/79.6 mm
Weight: 490/456g
Price: $600/$500 kit 18-55
The A390 and A290 are designed for amateurs who like to be creative photographers.The main difference between the cameras is the presence of a rotary touch monitor on the A390. What sets this model apart is the Quick AF Live View system, which allows you to easily compose your shot by rotating the monitor screen and supports Quick AF mode.
In other respects these cameras are very similar. Dynamic Range Optimizer D-Range Optimizer helps to get quality photos in difficult conditions. Cameras equipped with dual sensor cleaning function antistatic coating and sensor shift mechanism .
Like some other entry-level cameras, these models come with a built-in instruction manual that works in prompt mode. The good ergonomics and great design of the cameras also make them worth looking at.
Sony DSLT-A77
Specifications
Date of announcement: August 2011
Bayonet: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: Exmor CMOS, 23.5×15.6 mm
Krop Factor: 1.5
Sensor size: 24.3 million., 6000×4000 pixels.
LCD monitor: 7.6 cm, 921,600 pixels., Live View mode
Autofocus: 15 points
Shutter Speed: 30-1/4000
Continuous Shooting: 10 fps
Sensitivity: 100-16,000 ISO
Flash: built-in flash GN 12 , hot shoe, sync, X-sync at 1/160 sec
Video: 1920×1080, 50 fps, AVCHD/MP4 H.264/MPEG-4
Memory Cards: SD, SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FM500H
Dimensions: 132.1×97.5×80.7mm
Weight: 543 g
Price: $1150
When looking at the two cameras, the A77 and A65, it’s hard to tell the difference, but it becomes very noticeable when you put them side by side.
The difference in the size of the cases is obvious, the body A65 in addition is made of plastic, not magnesium alloy, as in the older model. Other differences: A65 monitor only rotates on two axes, maximum shooting speed of 10 frames versus 12 on the A77, shutter speed limited to 1/4000 sec, autofocus limited to 15 points, of which only 3 are cross-shaped.
Other differences refer to less significant parameters. The difference in image quality between the two cameras is practically absent, as both the sensor and image processor are the same, but the price differs markedly. Though of course you should consider that cheaper model has notably less resource and endurance.
Sony DSLT-A55/A35
Technical Specifications
Date of announcement: August 2010/June 2011
Mount: Sony A, Minolta Konica Minolta A
Sensor format: Exmor CMOS, 23.5×15.6mm
Krop factor: 1.5
Sensor size: 16.2 million., 4912×3264 pixels.
LCD: 7.6 cm, 921,600 pixels., Live View mode
Autofocus: 15 points
Shutter speed: 30-1/4000
Continuous Shooting: 10/7 fps
Sensitivity: 200-12,800 ISO
Flash: Built-in GN 10 , hot shoe, syn-
Time lapse, X-sync at 1/160 sec
Video: 1920×1080, 50 fps, AVCHD/MP4 H.264/
MPEG-4
Memory cards: SD, SDHC, Memory Stick Duo/Pro Duo 2 slots
Power: Li-Ion NP-FW50
Dimensions: 124.4x92x84.7 mm
Weight 441/415 grams
Price: $670/$610
Formally DSLT cameras are mirror cameras, but sharpening and sighting by the matte screen is impossible simply because they have no such screen. Sighting is done through the optical electronic viewfinder.
The absence of a moving mirror simplifies the mechanics and makes high-speed continuous shooting quite easy. At first photographers were wary of the new technology, but the dramatic results in real-life photography have paid off, and the cameras are now hugely popular with amateurs.
Both cameras are functionally very rich: high-resolution video shooting, the company’s signature panorama shooting mode the most convenient of those implemented today , a very trendy 3D mode, the Face Detection Focus function, etc. d. They are similar in performance, but the A55 is quicker.
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