Progress is not always as tangible as with Sony’s new professional model with full-format sensor: The SLT-A99 is well-proportioned and clearly less clumsy than an Alpha 850/900. It weighs a good 100 grams less, but is at least as good in the hand. This is ensured by an ergonomically shaped handle and rubber coatings in the right places.
Sony promises longevity
Unlike the A77, however, one misses a built-in flash unit for subtle brightening or wireless lighting of an external system flashing device. The camera is about 2.800 euros cost, the light-weight standard zoom SAL-2470Z (2.8 / 24-70 mm) around 2.000 euros. Parallel to the A99, Sony is also launching the 300mm lens SAL-300F28G2, also with initial opening 1: 2.8, for about 7,700 euros.
Good ideas for ergonomics
For Sony's SLT cameras, the mirror is rigidly installed in the housing and is transparent. It allows light to pass continuously in the direction of the image sensor and only directs it to the phase AF modules by only about one third. This allows the sensor to constantly produce a signal for the live view, while the phase AF remains active.
New dual AF system
Live-view is possible with the SLT models either on the monitor or in the electronic viewfinder. The magnesium housing of the camera is solid and impeccably processed, also comprehensively sealed against dust and splash water. Sony also explicitly points out that the housings and controls are "worked so that they can not be affected by an intensive, long-lasting use" - as the manufacturer should take the word.
Better pictures than A77
Buying advice Sony system: All SLT cameras compared
The built-in electronic viewfinder corresponds technically to the state of the A77: With a resolution of 786,432 RGB pixels, a 100% image field coverage and an effective magnification of 0.71 fold, it is very close to the performance of the best SLR viewfinders, keeping noise and jerks in low light To be within limits.
In very bright ambient light, however, the viewfinder image is darker than you are used to from a SLR viewfinder. The 3-inch monitor resolves 307 200 RGB pixels and provides a contrast-rich image with additional white pixels thanks to RBGW technology. It can be folded out of the case and pivoted about its axis so that it can be used in virtually any meaningful position.
The designers have obviously devoted a great deal of time to optimizing the ergonomics: position and styling of the controls make "blind" operation considerably easier, since someone has really thought about it. Two dials and a joystick with directional button function enable quick settings and navigation in the menus.
In addition, Sony has the camera to the front left of the Bayonet another dial. This multi-controller, which is also known by Handycams, is non-cracking and therefore virtually silent, which is especially useful when you want to change settings.
In addition, thanks to the integrated confirmation button, the new multi-controller creates a further setting level next to the Quick menu, which is called via the Fn button. There you can navigate the desired menu point by means of the joystick, then use the rear dial to change parameters or functions. A different camera model can hardly be used more easily and more flexibly.
The dial for the exposure programs can only be turned after pressing a release button, which prevents unintentional adjustment. Standard programs (Auto, P, A, S, M) as well as scene modes (8 scenes), video, high-speed telephoto mode with reduced resolution and panpanorama as well as three user-defined program memories are offered. There are two slots for SD cards to store the images, one of which also contains Pro Duo memory sticks.
The full-HD camera records a maximum of 50/60 full-screen images, while the continuous autofocus operates with three-step object tracking. The sound to the film can be manually adjusted in 31 steps, a headphone jack is on board. With the optional XLR-K1M kit, professional microphones with XLR connection can also be adapted.
A new feature of the A77 is the dual AF system: A phase-AF system with 102 measurement points is connected directly to the image sensor by the 19-point (11-cross) detector module in the camera housing To a measurement matrix of 121 fields. Specifically designed for the dual AF system, AF-D focusing mode is ideal for fast-moving subjects. The 19- and 102-point AFs should be seamlessly intermeshed to prevent the lens from being focused.
Conclusion
Buying advice: What to look for when purchasing a DSLR
This is currently only supported by six Sony lenses: SAL-2470Z, SAL-2875, SAL-50F14, SAL-300F28G2, SAL-70400G and SAL-500F4G. In the course of an early firmware update, further lenses are also to enable this functionality. Manual edge adjustment helps you display edges in three selectable colors (red, yellow, white).
With a triggering delay of 0.40 / 0.42 s at 1000/30 lux, the A99 achieves good results but is no better than the sister model A77 (0.29 / 0.39 s). In this point one would expect more from the SLT top model. To increase the AF tempo, the AF work area can be limited. The desired near and far points can be easily set by pressing the AF-Range button with two wheels at a distance scale on the monitor. At full resolution, the A99 achieves a continuous image speed of just 6 frames per second.
In the A99, a new low-pass filter is to provide better picture performance, according to Sony a more effective noise reduction by the new Bionz image processor. In fact, the noise is maintained even at high sensitivities within narrow limits (VN 1.4 at ISO 6400/12 800). The Exmor CMOS with 24 MP rated resolution creates a high resolution limit of 1628 LP / BH at ISO 100 and a good performance between ISO 400 and 6400, the resolution only decreases by about 100 LP / BH
Looking at the test images and dead-leaved diagrams, it is noticeable that the camera is less aggressive than the A77, especially the portraits appear much more natural. The color accuracy is above all better at ISO 100, and at higher ISO figures, the A99 generally has the nose ahead. However, kurtosis values between ISO 1600 and 6400 might be lower.
On the other hand, the high dynamic range of 10 screens at ISO 100/200 and 9 screens at ISO 800/1600 is pleasing, even at ISO 12 800 there are almost 8 screens available. The bottom line is that the A99 has a slightly higher quality reduction to higher ISO settings than the Nikon D600 or Canon EOS 5 Mark III with comparable resolution.
With the A99, the company Sony is delivering its previous masterpiece within the SLT and SLR series: as far as the equipment and operating concept are concerned, the camera plays in the first league, haptics and processing are on a professional level.
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The overall picture quality is very good, even if the level of the top models of Canon and Nikon is not reached at all ISO levels. However, Sony has turned its nose in the ergonomics as a package of control concept, switch arrangement, monitor and the excellent viewfinder.
Sony Alpha 99
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