And now for a review:
First of all, applies to the equipment and functions essentially what I said in my review of SLT 65 (see: Sony SLT-A65V Digital SLR Camera (24.3 megapixels, Live View, Full HD Video) body only black) , It therefore makes sense also to read this. The features panoramic image, Multi Frame Noise Reduction, HDR and aids Manual focus (Kantenhervorhebung- and zoom function), an image stabilizer, percent accurate battery indication, Live View with full autofocus function as the viewfinder operation !!! there is also in the SLT 99 and work there as well.
Where are the differences and what's new:
Most importantly, the image quality:
Fortunately, Sony has not raised the resolution immeasurably. She is 24 MP in the upper part and is still practical because of the size of the files. For questionable meaningfulness of 24 MP, I refer to my review of the A65.
The larger sensors to APS-C but the image quality is overall slightly better because the lenses must have a not quite as high resolving power to produce the same visual image impression. Above all, the image quality at high ISO speeds is significantly better than my A65. Compared to my A850 image quality (RAW) is below 800 ISO equal, over increasingly occurs much less noise. Noise in SLT 99 in RAW mode to IS0 6400 in the expression for the first time a non-issue. In addition succeed with a little post-processing such as in Lightroom still outstanding images. This is mainly because, in contrast to my A850 hardly any color noise and luminance noise is very fine. Entrauschungsprogramme (mind you, if at all only from ISO 6400) have very easy game.
Through the full-frame sensor you can of course better to play with focus and blur. Who but mainly only to ISO 1600 photographed and good lens for the APS-C format has (eg Zeiss 16-80) benefited from the full-frame mainly due to shallower range when the because wants.
For testing purposes, JPEG images shot confirm the above, in principle, but the difference is not quite as clear.
Viewfinder:
The is a stunner. Resolution had indeed been in the viewfinders of the A65, A77 never the issue. In my A65 viewfinder sometimes booze but the depths of a little, in the recording they have then drawing. Here Sony has touched up massively. The image in the viewfinder looks incredibly natural, so I was irritated at Fototouen with A850 and A99 often what camera I had just before the nose. As a fan of the A850 with the best viewfinders at the market, I regret to say, there is the optical viewfinder no good reason. The advantages of the electronic viewfinder, which displays the resulting image, rather than the scene in front of the camera are simply undeniable:
- You can see all settings of the camera in the viewfinder appears, including water level, Grid Line, Histogram.
- You can see the image, the result of these settings such as white balance, over-under exposure etc.
- One sees after recording the final result in the viewfinder and can even evaluate in bright sunlight. The same applies to the viewing of images already shot.
- The picture is brighter in very dark scenes so you can also reliably there to compose the image. While, under certain circumstances the image rushes quite strong, but though in my A850 virtually noise, but I also do not see anything.
Speed:
Strangely, the SLT 99 is slower despite having the same number of pixels, it creates in RAW mode "only" 5 to 6 frames per second, but this holds by approximately 3 seconds. In my photographic work that disturbs less, especially the multi-frame functions (HDR, noise reduction, panorama) occur quite quickly. For sports photographers that still a little "little" may be. But Sony has then installed a questionable telephoto zoom mode which can be selected directly via the Prgrammwahlrad. This crops the image to about 5 MP and increases the focal length accordingly (about 4 times) and shoots 10 frames per second. Although 5 MP for an image actually quite sufficient, I think that gimmick, but I'll buy any full-frame camera, then eizudampfen the sensor electronically at a fraction of the area. Had Sony 4 pixels made a while maintaining the surface and possibly again photosensitivity wg. increases the theoretically 4 times the sensor surface, which would be a useful feature. But so well.
Operation:
The camera comes in he hands of photographers for photographers who work with the camera often. The ergonomics is focused on the blind operation of the (experienced) photographers. All important settings can be, carry out their own buttons, which can still be largely parameterized. The special, however, is that these knobs and buttons are not only easily accessible. They also have all a sensory differentiator, which is a sublime, the other sunk, the next is in a depression, etc. In addition to the location of the buttons, you can also feel for the shape of what is being serviced. You would not know what that is a relief when you get the confirmation with the camera to the eye and a little practice in the printing of the button because of its shape, this is the right thing. In connection with the possibility of controlling the settings in the viewfinder produces a completely different Fotografiergefühl, you look a lot more and more concentrated through the viewfinder to the right moment to trigger and sets kamere not as often from. For me who has to wear reading glasses in addition a huge advantage.
Who has been photographed only with compact cameras or the Sony-Nexen, should allow a little time and practice with the camera.
The idea of the silent controller is just for filming probably not bad. Despite the lack of locking function can still find the settings for photography also good.
The 77 known from the SLT pivot mechanism of the screen does not bring so many advantages over the ball joint of the SLT 65 to my mind in practice.
Autofocus
I photograph in principle exclusively to the central focusing area. So I make sure that the focus is what I want to have sharp and then verschwenke shot. This works with this camera, as with virtually all other cameras, excellent and fast. This is true even for very old Minolta lenses with telephoto converter. Pleasant I feel the smallness of the central AF field, characterized, this precisely to the image Important (for example on the pistil) are positioned and not recorded yet Other, which would possibly lead to Fehlfokusierung.
These 100 or so additional AF points on the sensor and I need not, especially since I have not entered the lenses. But I can imagine that in fact is the area of the AF points is too small to me. It covers only the central ninth of the screen, much less as the AF points my A65. That should be enough for sports and nature photographers may properly because the subject with the AF tracking may then no longer finds sensor. This is also true for this 100 AF points on the sensor, do not cover much more area. Perhaps other reviewers may say something to. Who needs the AF tracking feature should definitely try before buying.
Compatibility:
Of course the camera with all Minolta AF and Sony lenses compatible. The new ISO-compatible hotshoe works with (enclosed) adapter on all old flashes of Alpha and Minolta Dynax digital series. Caution: Ancient Minolta flash units from the analog days, do not work if they fit mechanically. However, I personally mourn the old Minolta shoe after. Lightning strikes, flash down, Ratz Fatz, no Schrauberei with knurled screw etc. and the contact was sitting. Let's see how proven the fine contact strip in the new hot shoe in everyday life. So far there were no problems.
Flash:
A built-in flash does not exist unfortunately. Although Sony has the very compact HVL 20 the program goes well, but he is with the required adapter then unfortunately not quite as narrow and compact.
Video
Here, the camera is supposed to have made a huge step forward. The few videos that I made were great, but just gimmick, because I usually take pictures. As far as I can tell, there's really some progress towards the SLT 65 such as the possibility of Aussteuerns the tone and arguably the AF. For safety's sake, however, I refer times to other reviews.
Summary:
I'd like to give the answer to the question:
Has the 2800 - Camera
as the owner of an A850 VF camera and
one of the best APS-C cameras the market (A65) and
a number of high-quality new and old Minolta Sony VF-Objetive (Festbrennweite- and Zomm)
as well as non-filmmaker but constantly-Fotografierer
worth it?
I say:
Yes, because it now also for the full format is a stunning viewfinder and related cool stuff especially for manual focusing (Zoom Lupe, edge enhancement) and reviewing the image before and after shooting,
Yes, because I thus can play wonderfully with focus and blur with lichststarken fixed focal lengths
Yes, because I also in full frame finally a folding screen with Live View have now, where I can also shoot from awkward angles
Yes, because the operation is very clearly blind and especially
Yes, because the camera by far provides the best picture quality of all my cameras (also and especially in low light)
No, if I had this a different private project (eg buying a car, vacations, renovations) therefore need to reset.
The one or other superfluous gimmick I forgive you and therefore give convincing real 5 star.
