RA BETTER DJ AND PHOTOGRAPHER-ROCK LEGENDS PHOTOGRAPHERS

Band and concert photography and video

REVIEW SONY SLT-A77 SAMPLE PHOTOS

WHY WE CHOSE THE SONY SLT-A77 OVER THE SONY SLT-A65

First off, we are not camera techies, pixel peepers, or lab testers. We are simply professional photographers that personally shoot over 200,000 PHOTOS a year. We shoot WEDDINGS, CONCERTS, BANDS, PARTIES, and nature PHOTOS. We own PROBABLY the largest DJ and PHOTOGRAPHY company in the US.

We were dedicated PENTAX users for over 20 years but were enticed into using SONY by the “camera of the year” designation given by so many to the SONY A55 in 2010 and decided to try one. We were very impressed by all the new technology “bells and whistles” but at first we were not that impressed with the PHOTOS. Then we discovered that the legendary MINOLTA LENSES worked on the SONY cameras… what a difference! We immediately bought 2 more, sold all of our Pentax gear, and loaded up on some great MINOLTA LENSES.

We were torn between the new SONY A65 or the SONY A77 and were having a hard time justifying spending the extra $500 for the latter. We read every REVIEW we could find and went back and forth several times until I ran across a listing for the SONY A77 on ebay that was $71 cheaper than the US price. Adding in the 20 some ebay bucks I received it brought our net price down to $1300 vs $989 for the A65 so it became a sort of a no-brainer.

We were so excited about the new SONY cameras that we could not wait for the US release and ordered 1 from Hong Kong on Sunday 9-25 and actually received it on Wednesday morning 9-28.

(with the release delays at least 6 weeks before the US release)

I won’t go into all the technical data about the SONY A65 vs. the SONY A77, there are hundreds of websites doing that already, I’ll just simply list what made us finally decide to go the extra money. I think if we had to go the full $500 difference we would have gone with the SONY SLT-A65. We don’t keep our cameras past 30,000 clicks anyway.

· Double the shutter speed
· 3 way twist and tilt (in our business the 3^rd twist might just be the one that lets us get the shot!)
· 150,000 shutter click life (resale value)
· Weather sealing (we had that on our Pentax K20Ds and they did end up in the sand a few times)
· Metal body (you just never know what could happen during an active shoot)
· A bit larger (the SLT-A55 fit my wife’s hand nicely but is a tad small for my larger hands)

For those of you upgrading from a SONY SLT-A55 we didn't expect a huge difference in PHOTO quality (we were wrong), but those of you going from a 10/12MP SONY or coming from another manufacturer will see a huge difference. Do yourself a big favor… sell the 18-55 kit lens if you get one as brand new on ebay and get yourself some awesome MINOLTA LENSES or the SONY 16-50 2.8. IMO there is nothing worse than having a fabulous camera with tons of bells and whistles and having your “walk around lens” be a “kit lens” or a 3^rd party big range zoom LENS. You are not even close to realizing the potential of your camera! Sell those and get some great glass.

We've now shot 2 WEDDINGS with the SONY A77 and are absolutely thrilled with the resulting PHOTOS and no camera issues. The A77 did a fabulous job in dealing with much less than ideal lighting situations.

The 1st WEDDING we did the lighting was a dim yellow/orange color and we were able to shoot just over 700 beautiful PHOTOS with the factory battery that came with it. The PHOTOS here are from our SONY A77 with a MINOLTA 17-35MM 2.8-4 and our SONY A55 with a MINOLTA 28-135 4-4.5.
The 2nd WEDDING we did was a real eye opener. It was an outdoor WEDDING and RECEPTION and the weather was dark, gray, dreary, and rainy. Again the SONY A77 came through with excellent PHOTOS and we were able to take about 1500 PHOTOS with 1 1/2 aftermarket (2000 MAH batteries and external flash). Some of the PHOTOS are so outstanding that the background scenery looks like it was a back-drop. We shot this WEDDING exclusively with our SONY A77 and our MINOLTA 17-35MM. My wife was able to edit all 1500 photos in 5-6 hours and we are so please with the results that we decided to sell our last 2 SONY A55s and order a 2nd SONY A77 and try out the new SONY 16-50 2.8 lens.

Updated 10-16-11
OK, so we've now completed shooting our 3rd WEDDING with our new SONY A77 and all I can say is WOW! We finally had the opportunity to shoot a WEDDING with our new SONY A77 in good lighting. Again all I can say is wow! RINA MARIE was lead WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER and she shot with her new SONY SLT-A77 with a MINOLTA 17-35 2.8-4 mounted. I shot as second shooter with our SONY SLT-A55 with a MINOLTA 28-135 4-4.5 (a much better LENS).

When we got home we downloaded the 2,000 plus WEDDING PHOTOS we took and we were amazed at how much better the PHOTOS were from the SONY A77 even though I shot with a better lens on the SONY A55. The colors were so vibrant that they popped like they had been PHOTO shopped and the sharpness was superb. The 19 point AF really does a great job at bringing everything in focus. The 12FPS does a wonderful job on things like a bouquet toss.
ABOUT THE CAMERA

A HANDS ON SONY SLT-A77 REVIEW

ABOUT THE SONY SLT-A77 CAMERA ITSELF:

The CAMERA is much larger than the SONY A55, but not too big for my wife's normal sized female hands. It is more of a natural fit for her and she's actually more comfortable with it than she was with the A55.

It is much heavier than the A55 but it is not too heavy to be uncomfortable for a 7 hour shoot. It is actually a bit lighter than the PENTAX K20D with battery grip we used to shoot with.

The construction of the CAMERA is impressive. It feels like if you drop it it won't break. The flash housing seems solid and the new 3 way tilt swivel screen mechanism feels like it was built to last, much stronger than the A55's tilt/swivel which feels like you have to kinda be careful with it. The weather/dust seals give us new confidence to shoot in rain or at the beach closer to the water. I would definitely compare the build of the SONY SLT-A77 to that of the PENTAX K20Ds we used to have.

The 3" LCD screen is large and bright and I love the way you can tilt/swivel to get any angle you want to shoot. I especially like being able to fold the screen almost flat on the top of the camera and being able to shoot low laying flowers straight on without having to actually get on the ground.

The new OLED EVF is incredible. There have been many posts from people saying it won't perform well in bright light and they are very wrong! It doesn't get much brighter than a Florida beach on a sunny day. RINA MARIE uses the EVF 100% of the time and she's very happy with it.

The many buttons and dials take a couple of days to get used to. At first impression it looks a bit overwhelming because there are so many of them. There are buttons for almost every feature. After a few days you not only get used to them, you even start thinking that SONY knew what they were doing when they placed them. Every button seems easy to reach and with all the functions available you rarely need to access the menu. As far as the menu, if you are already familiar with SONY's menu system you will notice lots of new goodies have been added. If you are coming over from another camera manufacturer you will appreciate the thought SONY has put into their menu layout.

The speed of the CAMERA is amazing. The AF is fast and true. The continuous shooting is like a machine gun, and so far we haven't had any issues of missing shots while the buffer unloads. This camera processes so fast that the photo is already showing on the screen before your subject has finished saying "cheese"! We haven't had an opportunity to shoot video yet but I'm confident it will be excellent.

The PHOTOS that come out of this CAMERA are nothing short of stunning. The speed, sharpness, and colors are phenomenal! Granted we use great LENSES but that should be a given with a high end CAMERA. If you buy one of these please don't insult your CAMERA by mounting an 18-55 kit lens or a 3rd party lens like Tamron or Sigma to save a few bucks. Buy some excellent glass (see our MINOLTA LENS page) so you can take full advantage of the professional quality PHOTOS this CAMERA can produce. Remember a crop from a great lens will be sharper than the zoom on a lousy lens!

SUMMARY

We are not SONY fanboys (again, we shot Pentax for over 20 years), but we are very well product educated professional consumers that have found a great thing. I highly recommend this CAMERA to anyone who is thinking about buying one, or just wanting a big upgrade to their CAMERA. With great glass I feel that this CAMERA will blow away any CAMERA in its class. At first we were hesitant on shelling out $1400 when we already had 3 SONY A55s that cost us less than $700 each. Now that we have experienced the wonders of this CAMERA we feel justified in selling all of our A55s and buying a 2nd SONY SLT-A77. I can't wait until it comes in so I can run tests on the new SONY 16-50MM 2.8 LENS!

Update 10-23-11

We now have our 2nd SONY SLT-A77 (my copy) as well as the new SONY 16-50MM 2.8 LENS (REVIEW and SAMPLES link below). This one arrived with version 1.03 already installed. The new lens quickly was mounted on my wife's SONY SLT-A77 (we got it for her, she's the primary shooter) and I mounted my legendary MINOLTA 28-135 on mine. I then immediately headed out to the yard to shoot some flowers and the neighborhood. I did 6 short video clips and they are amazing. The video looks just like watching HD cable. I do recommend getting an external mic if you are shooting video with a screw type lens as the AF sound comes through in the video. The SSM motor in the 16-50 is silent in videos! I'm glad we had the foresight to buy lots of batteries, chargers, and high speed 32GB cards... these PHOTOS are huge! We are getting about 800 PHOTOS per battery but we use a SONY external flash.

The more you use these CAMERAS the more excited you get about another opportunity to shoot again!

Update 11-26-11

We've now had our 2 SONY SLT-A77s for 2 months and 1 month respectively and taken over 15,000 excellent PHOTOS! We still are convinced that this is the best CAMERA in this price range by far! We absolutely love shooting with these cameras.

Rina Marie shoots with the new SONY 16-50MM 2.8 LENS and I shoot with the MINOLTA 28-135MM 1:4-4.5 "secret handshake" LENS. Our PHOTOS have consistently been sharp, bright, and have excellent colors. The auto focus is amazing, we've even been able to take PHOTOS at a reception in total darkness. The only issues we've had with our SONY SLT-A77s is a very rare lock up which is quickly and easily fixed by removing and reinserting the battery. We hope the firmware version 1.04 that we downloaded yesterday has addressed that 1 issue.

I shot my first WEDDING VIDEO with the SONY SLT-A77 at a wedding reception last week. Although I have very little VIDEO experience and it was my 1st attempt at editing the raw footage. The 23 minute highlight MOVIE I made turned out excellent! The constant auto focus is a great help. I strongly recommend using an external mic with a wind screen if you plan on shooting VIDEO outside. The on-board mic is excellent in a controlled environment and the sound is very clear. The VIDEO from this camera is definitely good enough to put you right into the WEDDING VIDEO business!

2 weeks ago we had one of our WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS be second shooter at a WEDDING we did. She shoots with a Nikon 700D so we got the opportunity to compare the 2 CAMERAS taking the same shots. The NIKON 700D takes very sharp PHOTOS, but the color is just not right, especially with skin tones. The SONY SLT-A77 PHOTOS had much better color with equal sharpness. As I've always said all of the CAMERA manufacturers have their strong points... but I believe the SONY SLT-A77 has the whole package!

UPDATE 12-11-11

We just returned from our gig as official PHOTOGRAPHERS on the ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE. We took over 9,000 excellent photos and 4 videos with our 2 SONY SLT-A77s over a 4 day period. My wife's camera performed flawlessly and mine did excellent but I did have to reboot it 3 times while taking 5,000 photos. Neither camera over-heated and we never missed a shot because of the small buffer. To see the photos follow the links here

Update 3-11-12

We've now been enjoying our SONY SLT-A77s for a bit over 5 months. Without checking I would guess that we have shot over 50,000 photos (we are in prime wedding season now). The more we use these cameras the more we like them. Our wedding photos keep getting better and better as we get more used to the camera's features and settings. We are running about a 99% keeper ratio. We shoot mostly on program and adjust the EV as needed but we do switch to A,M, and S as needed for those special shots. The cameras are quick to respond to the changes and the EVF is invaluable for seeing changes you've made before you take the shot.

Although we have tried several other lenses we are still settled in with the Sony 16-50 2.8, the Minolta 28-135 4:4.5, and the Minolta 100-300 APO lens which is more for fun long distance shots. My wife's camera has experienced zero problems and I only have to reboot mine if I'm really doing a lot of shots. Since I'm 2nd shooter at weddings I've never had to reboot or missed a shot.

One discovery that we did make is that Energizer Ultimate Lithium batteries are excellent but do get hot and need to be rotated in and out if you are doing a lot of flash photography with an external flash.

Update 4-27-12
Everything is still wonderful with our 2 Sony A77s but after thousands of comparisons we decided as much as we liked the Sony 16-50MM 2.8 lens we preferred the photos and the extended range from our Minolta 28-135. We have resold the 16-50 and purchased another Minolta 28-135MM and a Minolta 20MM 2.8 to handle our wide angle and extreme close-up shots. This is our 3rd Minolta 20MM so it must be really good because we keep going back to it! The Minolta 28-135MM lenses are now the main lenses that stay on both cameras and we have the Minolta 20MM and the Minolta 100-300MM APO lenses in the bag.

We've recently shot 2 Marshall Tucker concerts in both stills and amazing video. The video from the A77 is nothing short of fantastic and the sound from the on-board mic continues to impress us. I shot the entire 2nd concert on video LINK. We have another shoot with Molly Hatchet coming up in May.

We also just ordered a Winer 2 DSLR camera bag from China on eBay LINK... it has excellent ratings and is about 1/4 the cost or comparable bags. It should both of all of our cameras with lenses attached, extra lenses, flashes, as well as all of our other gear in 1 bag. It will eliminate the need for us to bring a tub into gigs. It also has room for a laptop but we already have a great bag that holds both of the laptops that we bring. I will update if the quality is as good as the reviews as soon as it comes in.

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier posts is that you may need to upgrade your computer to handle the file size that comes from shooting at 24MP. My wife's computer only had 4GB of RAM and it wouldn't even download a card. We added 4 more gigs of RAM and now she can download the photos but it's not as fast as my puter at 16GB RAM. She also can not play the video straight off the card with Windows Vista.

We are still 100% satisfied with our cameras and still rate them a 10 after extensive usage!
LINK TO SONY A77 WEDDING PHOTO SAMPLES

LINK TO SONY A77 BAND AND CONCERT PHOTOS

Link to SONY A77 ASSORTED PHOTO samples

Link to our review and samples from the SONY 16-50MM 2.8 lens

Link to ROCK LEGENDS CRUISE PHOTOS
Features:

Step up to an incredible shooting experience with this α77 DSLR camera and included 16-50mm zoom lens. Featuring Sony's top-of-the-line Translucent Mirror Technology, you can focus and shoot simultaneously for fast, precise performance and continuous shooting of up to 12 frames per second, complete with continuous auto focus. Capture amazingly-detailed images that make for gorgeous enlargements thanks to an impressive 24.3-megapixel sensor. The world's first DSLR to offer a choice of super-smooth 60p, standard 60i or richly cinematic 24p movie modes all at Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, you can capture incredible, high quality AVCHD or MP4 videos of all your memorable moments (records in 29-minute segments). A Tru-Finder™ OLED electronic viewfinder offers remarkable resolution and high contrast for outstanding depth, plus allows you to view setting adjustments in real time for the best possible picture.

2nd Generation Translucent Mirror Design

Other DSLRs can shoot. Or they can focus with the speed and precision of Phase Detection AF. They cannot do both at once. Sony changes all that with the award-winning Translucent Mirror Technology system. It directs light to both the image sensor and the Phase Detection AF sensor simultaneously.

World’s first OLED viewfinder²

There’s never been anything quite like the Tru-Finder™ OLED electronic viewfinder. For size, speed and brightness even after sunset, this is a gem. It begins with 2359K dots for amazing resolution and high contrast ratio for incredible depth. OLED reduces motion blur to a bare minimum. You can also see the results of camera adjustments in real time with superb color and detail.

Full-time Phase Detection AF

You get fast, accurate auto focus in every mode—even HD Movie and Live View—thanks to Sony’s exclusive Translucent Mirror Technology. While Contrast Detection Auto Focus often hunts for correct focus, Phase Detection AF knows exactly where correct focus is, and goes straight for it.

Rugged, magnesium alloy body

The SLT-A77 is built for the real world with a magnesium alloy body that combines high strength with light weight. Ports, doors and controls are also weather-resistant for smooth operation under adverse conditions.

Three-way tilt/swivel LCD screen

Tilt it up or down to frame high- and low-angle shots that would otherwise be hit-or-miss. Tilt and swivel over the camera for self-portraits. You can even tilt it up and down when you hold the camera in vertical mode! Finally, the monitor folds flush to the camera with the LCD exposed for shooting or protected for travel.

6-image layering

Leverages the fast BIONZ® processor to capture six images in a fraction of a second, and then combine the data. The result is one incredible single image that gets a cleaner result in Multi-Frame NR mode or sharper nighttime pictures in Hand-held Twilight mode.

Auto HDR built into camera

Captures more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle—and more range than photo film. Combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot. (Recommended for still subjects.)

Built-in GPS

An integrated GPS receiver records the location and time of every shot you take and lets you view your images on a map with compatible computer and Internet applications, so you can remember where you took your favorite shots.6

Main Sensor Quick AF Live View

Combines the fast focus of Phase Detection AF with high quality Live View images right from the main sensor. This is made possible by Sony® Translucent Mirror Technology. You get accurate images and 100% framing on the LCD monitor or eye-level viewfinder.

Graphic Display

Clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.

1200-Zone exposure metering

Reads exposure directly from the main image sensor. Choice of Multi, Center and Spot metering accommodates a full range of shooting situations.

Up to 530 Shots of battery life⁹

Take up to 530 shots on a single charge with Sony® Stamina™ battery power.⁹ Sony's InfoLITHIUM® battery system enables you to see the percent of power remaining, so you can keep shooting in confidence.

Built-in Flash (GN12)

To help you shoot more effectively, the camera includes a built-in flash (Guide Number 12) that can also trigger a wireless accessory flash (sold separately). The integrated hot shoe enables you to expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).

Sony® Exmor™ technology

Conventional image sensors use only a handful of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, which can slow you down. The Exmor™ sensor provides more than 5,600 column-parallel A/D converters. This helps enable continuous shooting at up to 12 frames per second.

Smile Shutter™ technology

Captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply select the Smile Shutter™ mode and the camera takes the picture automatically. You can prioritize children or adults and adjust the smile sensitivity.

World’s fastest up to 12 fps continuous²

The translucent mirror makes it far easier to capture the decisive soccer kick or your baby at her absolute cutest. Shoots up to 12 frames per second at full-resolution 24.3 megapixels with continuous auto focus (AE locked after first frame). This is the world’s fastest shooting speed for interchangeable lens APS-C cameras, as of August, 2011.

HD movies with full manual control⁴

Now you don’t need to surrender control when you shoot HD movies.⁴ Enjoy the full expressive potential of Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority or Manual (P/A/S/M) control in HD movie mode.

World’s shortest release time lag³

Helps ensure that the image you want is the image you get. Once auto focus occurs, release time lag is the delay between fully pressing the shutter release and when the camera actually starts taking the picture. Long lag makes it harder to capture fast-moving objects. The Sony A77 boasts the world’s shortest release time lag at only 0.05 seconds.³

19-point Auto Focus

To maximize the value of Translucent Mirror Technology, Sony incorporates Phase Detection AF of great sophistication. 19 sensors with 11 cross sensors maximize precision for both vertical and horizontal subjects.

Top mounted LCD

In addition to status displays on the LCD monitor and Electronic Viewfinder, Sony offers a top-mounted LCD with exposure information.

Handheld Twilight mode

Get gorgeous shots at night without a tripod. Combines six frames into a single image for smooth, low-noise evening shots. (Recommended for still subjects.)

Sweep Panorama™ Mode

Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter, sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest, continuously shooting images and stitching them together.

921K dot TruBlack™ LCD screen

Sony's 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor has 921K dots for superb resolution. The TruBlack™ screen includes a special resin layer to suppress internal reflections, increasing contrast compared to conventional LCDs. Sunny Weather mode boosts visibility even further.

AUTO+ (Advanced Auto) mode

Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. Unifies and simplifies Sony intelligent technologies. The camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode.

Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO)

Improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows. Settings include Auto, Level with a choice of five operating levels and Off.

HDMI® output for HD viewing⁷

Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images on a compatible HDTV.⁷ The camera includes an HDMI® output. In addition, the BRAVIA® Sync system works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs enabling you to control camera playback using the television's remote⁸.

Advanced Anti-Dust Technology

Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS sensor clean, resulting in consistently clear pictures. First a static-free coating on the sensor's low-pass filter helps repel dust. Then vibration automatically dislodges dust from the sensor.

APS-C size HD CMOS image sensor

With 19.5 times the area of the typical camcorder image sensor, APS-C makes the difference between amateur and professional-looking video, delivering an exceptional combination of high resolution, high sensitivity and gorgeous, blurred backgrounds.

Face Detection and Registration

The camera can automatically detect up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of people. Can prioritize children or adults. Face Registration can remember friends and family members and prioritize them.

24.3 MP; best-in-class resolution²

You get incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements thanks to a 24.3 megapixel sensor. It’s the highest resolution among APS-C DSLRs, as of August 2011.

HD Movies⁴ at 60p, 60i, or 24p

Capture spectacular HD Movies⁴. This is the world’s first DSLR to offer a choice of super-smooth 60p, standard 60i or cinematic 24p, all at Full HD 1920x1080 resolution. AVCHD™ codec delivers stunning picture quality. MP4 codec offers smaller files for easier upload to the web.

Full-Time Live View in LCD or EVF

You can use both the LCD monitor and OLED Electronic Viewfinder for composing shots in Live View. Both provide a what-you-see-is-what-you-get preview of white balance, focus, depth of field, exposure and 100% framing accuracy, plus informative on-screen displays.

Object Tracking AF

Locks onto a specified object and maintains focus even as the subject moves. Unpredictable subjects stay in focus even while zooming. You can concentrate on composition without worrying about focus.

Dual control dials

Perfect for experienced shooters, dual control dials provide direct, hands-on access to two settings at a time.

Multi-frame NR

Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity selectable up to ISO 16000. (Recommended for still subjects.)

3D Sweep Panorama™ Mode

Capture vast scenic vistas and 16:9 shots in spectacular 3D. As you sweep across the panorama, the camera records separate right-eye and left-eye images that make landscapes come alive on your 3D television¹. Records both JPEG and MPO file formats.

Shot Result Preview

See the results before you take the shot. This preview takes the guesswork out of camera settings by showing the effects of the aperture, shutter and DRO settings on the depth of field, motion and dynamic range.

ISO 16000 sensitivity

Incredibly clear low-light pictures without sacrificing detail, made possible by the low-noise Exmor™ APS HD CMOS image sensor and refined BIONZ® image processor.

Upgraded BIONZ® image processor

The brain of the camera is a Sony’s BIONZ® image processor substantially upgraded for the demands of 24.3 megapixel photography. Chroma noise reduction delivers high-resolution, low-noise photos even at ISO 16000. Also enables fast processing for up to 12 fps continuous shooting of data-intensive 24.3 MP images, 2D/3D Sweep Panorama™ modes and 6-image layering.

SteadyShot INSIDE™ stabilization

Image stabilization reduces blur by compensating for camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image stabilization into selected lenses only. SteadyShot INSIDE™ image stabilization is built into the camera body itself. You'll reduce blur with every A Mount lens, including macro and wide-aperture standard zoom lenses.

P/A/S/M exposure modes

The camera offers a full range of controls from the beginner's AUTO+ mode to P/A/S/M: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. On-screen prompts help you refine your skills, build your confidence and exercise greater creative control.

Slot for two media types

For cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC/SDXC media (Class 4 or higher recommended, sold separately).

11 Picture Effect modes

Discover innovative ways to make your images and videos pop. These include Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow), Soft High-key, High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, and Miniature.

Product Specifications

Recording

Media Type : Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Pro-HG Duo™ media; SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card
Color Space : sRGB, AdobeRGB
Still Image Mode : JPEG (Standard, Fine, Extra Fine), RAW, RAW+JPEG
Still Image Size 16:9 : L size: 6000 x 3376 (20M) M size: 4240 x 2400 (10M) S size: 3008 x1688 (5.1M)
Still Image Size 3:2 : L size: 6000 x 4000 (24M) M size: 4240 x 2832 (12M) S size: 3008 x 2000 (6M)
Panorama Still Image Size : Horizontal Wide: 12,416 x 1,856 (23M) Horizontal Std.: 8,192 x 1,856 (15M) Vertical Wide: 2,160 x 5,536 (12M) Vertical Std.: 2,160 x 3,872 (8.4M) 3D Sweep Panorama: Horizontal Wide: 7152 X 1080 (7.7M) Horizontal Std.: 4912 X 1080 (5.3M) 16:9: 1920 X 1080 (2.1M)
Video Format : AVCHD / MP4 (MPEG-4 AVC (H.264))
Video Mode : AVCHD: PS - 1920 x 1080/60p@28Mbps FX - 1920 x 1080/60i@24Mbps FH - 1920 x 1080/60i@17Mbps FX - 1920 x 1080/24p@24Mbps FH - 1920 x 1080/24p@17Mbps MP4: HD - 1440 x 1080/ 30p@12Mbps VGA - 640 x 480/ 30p@3Mbps
Video Signal : NTSC color, EIA standards
Audio Format : Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC
Microphone/Speaker : Built-in Stereo Microphone
Still Image File Format : JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), RAW (Sony ARW 2.3format), 3D MPO (MPF Extended compliant)

LCD Display

LCD Type : 3.0” TFT Xtra Fine™ LCD (921,600 pixels) w/TruBlack™ technology
Angle Adjustment : Tilt angle: Up: 150 degrees; Down: Approx. 180 degrees Rotation angle:180 degrees clockwise and 90 degrees counterclockwise.
Brightness Control : Auto, Manual (5 steps between -2 to +2)
Coverage : 100%
Live View : Continuous Live View (LCD/EVF Auto, selectable)
Real-time image adjustment display : Yes(On/Off)
Histogram : Yes (On/off)
Grid Display : Yes (Rule of thirds, 4x6 Square, Diagonal & 4x6 Square Grids, Off)
Customization : Grid, Histogram display, Digital Level Gauge, Grid Line, Magnified display for playback

Drive System

Burst Buffer : JPEG Standard (17 shots) JPEG Fine (17 shots) JPEG Extra Fine (13 shots) RAW (13 shots) RAW+JPEG (11 shots)
Continuous Shooting Speed : Continuous (Hi: up to 8fps,Low: up to 3fps) Continuous Priority AE (12fps)
Drive Mode : Single-shot, Continuous shooting (Hi/Lo selectable), Self-timer (10/2 sec delay selectable), Bracket (Continuous/Single/WB/DRO), Remote commander (RMT-DSLR1 Sold Separately)
Self-timer : 2-sec. or 10-sec. delay,
Shutter Speeds : 1/8000 to 30 seconds, bulb
Shutter Type : Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter

Interface

Accessory Shoe : Yes (Alpha)
BRAVIA® Sync™ : Yes, via HDMI® with compatible BRAVIA HDTV
DVDirect : Yes, via USB
HD Output : HDMI® (TypeC mini)
Memory Card Slot : Dual compatibility slot: Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Pro-HG Duo™/PRO-HG HX Duo™ media - SD, SDHC and SDXC memory card
PhotoTV HD : Yes, with BRAVIA Sync enabled HDTV and HDMI® cable
USB Port(s) : USB2.0 Hi-speed (mass-storage, MTP)

Software

Supplied Software : PMB (Picture Motion Browser) v5.2; Image Data Converter SR v3.2; Image Data Lightbox SR v2.2
Operating System Compatibility : Windows XP SP3 (32-bit), Windows Vista SP2, Windows 7 SP1; Mac OS X (v10.3-?10.6), PMB is not compatible with Mac OS. Camera (via USB), Image Data Converter, and Image Data Lightbox software are compatible with Mac OS.

Camera

Lens Compatibility : Sony A-mount lens
Camera Type : Sony A-mount interchangeable lens digital camera

Focus Control

Focus System : TTL phase detection AF (CCD line sensors)
Focus Points : 19 points (11 points cross type)
AF Modes : Single-shot AF(AF-S), Continuous AF(AF-C), Automatic AF(AF-A) selectable, Direct Manual Focus (DMF), Manual Focus
Focus Area : Wide (auto,19 points)/Zone/Spot/Local selectable
Focus Sensitivity : EV -1 to 18 EV (at ISO100 equivalent, with F2.8 lens attached)
Focus Features : Predictive control(AF-A, AF-C), Focus Lock, Eye-start AF
AF Illuminator : Built-in LED, Range: approx. 3' - 21' (1m-7m)

Flash

Flash Compensation : ±3.0 EV (switchable between 1/3 and 1/2 EV steps)
Flash Coverage : FOV coverage up to 16 mm (in the focal length)
Recycling Time : Approx. 3 sec.
Flash Bracketing : 0.3/0.5/0.7/2.0/3.0EV steps, 3/5 frames(2.0/3.0EV : only 3 frames) selectable
Flash Metering System : ADI flash / Pre-flash TTL / Manual flash
Flash Modes : Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed sync., Red-eye reduction (on/off selectable for Autoflash and fill-flash mode), Wireless, Off
Flash Type : Built-in, Pop-up Auto
Guide Number : 12 (in meters at ISO100)

Weights and Measurements

Dimensions (Approx.) : Approx. 5-3/4 × 4-1/8 × 3-1/4" (142.6 x 104 x 80.9mm) (W/H/D) excluding protrusions
Weight (Approx.) : Approx. 1 lb 7 oz (653g) (excl battery, lens & media) Approx. 1 lb 9.8 oz (732g) (w/battery & media)

Service and Warranty Information

Limited Warranty Term : 1 Year Parts & Labor

Imaging Sensor

Imaging Sensor : Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor (23.5 X 15.6mm)
Processor : BIONZ™ image processor
Anti Dust : Charge protection coating on Low-Pass Filter and electromagnetic vibration mechanism
Pixel Gross : Approx. 24.7 megapixels
Effective Picture Resolution : Approx. 24.3 megapixels
Focal Length Conversion Factor : 1.5x
Color Filter System : RGB primary color filters

Viewfinder

Type : 0.50" XGA OLED EVF (Electronic viewfinder) (2,359k dots)
Diopter Adjustment : -4.0m^-1 to +3.0m^-1
Field of View : 100%
Magnification : 1.09x (with 50mm lens at infinity, -1m^-1 )

Exposure System

Metering : Advanced 1200-zone evaluative metering
Metering Modes : Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot
Metering Sensitivity : -2EV to 17EV (at ISO 100 equivalent w/ f/1.4 lens)
Exposure Compensation : +/-5.0 EV(1/3EV,1/2EV steps selectable)
Exposure Settings : AUTO,AUTO Advanced (AUTO+), Scene Selection (SCN), Sweep Panorama, 3D Sweep Panorama (3D), Continuous Advance Priority AE (12fps), Movie, Programmed AE (P), Aperture priority (A), Shutter-speed priority (S), Manual (M)
Scene Mode(s) : Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports action, Sunset, Night portrait, Night View, Handheld Twilight
Picture Effect(s) : 11 types (15 variations): Posterization (Color, B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R,G,B,Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera, Soft High-key, Soft Focus, HDR Painting, Rich-tone Monochrome, Miniature
D-Range Optimizer : Yes: (Auto, Level, Off)
Auto Exposure Lock : Yes (AE Lock button)
Color Temperature : 2500 - 9900 k with 15-step each Magenta/Green compensation (G7 to M7), Amber/Blue (A7 to B7)
Creative Style : Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait , Landscape, Sunset, Night Scene, Autumn leaves, Black & White, Sepia (Contrast (-3 to +3steps), Saturation(-3 to +3steps), Sharpness(-3 to +3steps))
Exposure Bracketing : Bracket: Cont./Bracket: Single, 3/5 frames selectable
ISO : Auto (ISO 100-12800, selectable the lower limit and the upper limit ); Selectable ISO100 - 16000 equivalent (ISO numbers up from ISO50 can be set as expanded ISO range)
Noise Reduction : Long Exposure NR: (On/Off, available at shutter speeds longer than 1 second) High ISO NR: (High/Normal/Low)
White Balance Mode : Auto,Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (Warm White, Cool White, Day White, Daylight) , Flash, Setting the color temperature, Color Filter, Custom

Advanced Features

Auto High Dynamic Range : Yes, (Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step), off)
Embedded GPS : Yes
Sweep Panorama : Horizontal (Wide/Standard), Vertical, and 3D Panorama
Face Detection : On/On (Regist. Faces)/Off
Smile Shutter™ technology : Smile shutter (selectable from 3 steps)
Image Stabilization : SteadyShot INSIDE™ in-body image stabilization

Power

Battery Type : InfoLITHIUM® NP-FM500H (7.2V)
Number of Still Images : Approx. 470 images with viewfinder, 530 images with LCD monitor (CIPA standard)