Sony A99 Official Topic

ahbleza

Specifications:

24.3MP full frame CMOS Exmor sensor
Translucent mirror technology
ISO range: 100-25,600 (ISO-low 50 is also available)
14 bit RAW output
1/8000 minimum shutter speed, shutter life: 200,000 shots
10 fps
AF: 102 points AF system
2360k dots XGA OLED viewfinder (same as NEX 7)
3″ tiltable 921k dots LCD screen (nothing new, not camera style like GHx)
Auto HDR capability
Video Modes : 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
Uncompressed HDMI Output (24p, 60i and 60p, suitable for recording!)
Built-in stereo mic
Built-in flash with guide number of 12
Clear Image Zoom increases the effective focal length of your lens up to 2x.
Digital Zoom : Still images: 4x Movie: 4x
Two memory slots: SD and SD+MS cards
Built-in GPS
Very light, weather sealed magnesium alloy body
Optional accessory RMT-DSLR2 Remote Commander® for movie shooting that includes a dedicated movie record button.
Headphone Jack : Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)
Microphone Input : Yes (3.5 mm Stereo minijack)
Weight: 730 g.
Price: $2800
Availabe from 11/02/2012

Availabe at:

Reviews and previews:

Samples and videos:

Sony are starting to target the same market for professional DSLR filmmakers that the Canon 5D/7D and Nikon D800/D4 have been addressing.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.robertevans.com/2012/12/shooting-with-a-sony-alpha-camera/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Review by DPReview

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-alpha-slt-a99

Vitaliy_Kiselev

woof

Yes, I meant FF equivalent, I should have said that instead of "solution". To get a similar image to that 35mm 1.8 on the nex, you could just use a 2.8 zoom on the A99. Will need less ND in bright light, and I am sure the A99 is powerful enough to make up for the aperture difference in low light.

I DO think do that those Nex primes with IS are unique and attractive solutions themselves in a lower price range, though. I am surprised that the 50mm 1.8 IS is currently not more popular than it is.

adventsam

@woolhats, for FF! nex35mm 1.8= 52mm 2.7!

woolhats

"There is no 50mm 1.8 with IS lens solution for any system besides the A99! Repeat for a bunch of other primes". Thats´s not true..The sony Nex e50mm 1,8 has is in the lens..and soon Sony release the 35 mm 1,8 with is

woof

First post, great forum! I was more interested in the VG900 than the A99 at first, but after trying them in the store, I have changed my mind.

The VG900 is pretty much only for video and OCCASIONAL static photography, where the A99 does both greatly. Taking photos on the VG900 just plain sucks. You have to switch modes in the same way as when you switch from video to playback, it's very slow. And when you want to playback a photo, you have to dive into the folders in the playback menue, very cumbersome. Also the shutter lag is similar to taking an photo on a Canon DSLR with live view on. Maybe I missed out on some shortcuts, by I was immediately cured of my lust for putting my M lenses on this camera.

The A99 however was great in my hands, I am a big EVF/LCD fan when it comes to composing photos. Because of this alone I have pretty much ruled out Canon and Nikon. It is the future.

Even for video I would prefer the A99! It has built in IS, so it can be used for all (prime!) lenses. This is unique for full frame. It is also weather sealed. Moreover, when using a monitor (like I do), the a99 becomes more ergonomic than the VG900, in which the hdmi port is ON THE HANDGRIP! The worst possible place.

Anyway, yes the alpha mount sucks, but there are plenty good lenses to choose from, even affordable ones. And IS makes all lenses even more attractive. There is no 50mm 1.8 with IS lens solution for any system besides the A99! Repeat for a bunch of other primes.

Video Cameras are getting a boost in performance from now on. But photo cameras have past this phase. The a99 will give industry strength images for years from now. It is the first camera for me that does both video and photos properly on digital. The VG900 will be a "mediocre" video camera pretty soon, and is already a lousy photo camera.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.nikolaovcharski.com/2012/09/photos-from-sony-alpha-a99/

Vitaliy_Kiselev

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/dslrs/1294723/sony-alpha-a99-review-hands-on

Vitaliy_Kiselev

ISO test:

http://www.focus-numerique.com/test-1567/reflex-sony-alpha-99-bruit-electronique-12.html

Vitaliy_Kiselev

ahbleza

Blunty's review of the A99

One of the best features is its focus peaking, and its image stabilization is class leading.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

A99 handbook - http://pdf.crse.com/manuals/4438654111.pdf

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Sony Alpha A99 Field Test Report

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/sony_a99_field_report.shtml

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@ghkqn

If you like something FF and for video, get VG900. Really, it is proper thing.

ghkqn

I wonder how the Sony A99 will fare against the other FF Nikon D600 in the marketplace. Both are 24mpx (I do not know but it may be the same sensor). Yes, the Sony does have better video capabilities on paper but there is a $800 price tag difference. Obviously those who have Alpha lenses will stay with Sony and the same goes for those with Nikkor lenses but for folks who do not?

Dazza

Wow that AF restriction is a great feature, has that ever been in a DSLR before?

Aria

@robbie75vr, from what i've heard about the Nikon D800's HDMI out that footage looks great and is highly gradable, so perhaps 4:2:2 8 bit is enough to work with. If you want to see just how good 4:2:2 8bit looks when heavily graded you can check out this video.

ahbleza

Here's another preview of the Sony Alpha A99. I like the option that you can specify a range of focus in which the AF will hunt, i.e., you can tell it to search only between 6 and 10m distance -- this would make focus faster. As a bonus, there's a brief preview of the Sony VG900 camcorder at the end.

robbie75vr

They say that with an external recorder (Ninja) I can record 422 from a 8 bit output, isn't that like making a Tiff from a Jpg ? I should have 10 bit to record real 422 right ? If not please explain a bit and let me learn something new...

Thanks

2mp evf is good, it's full HD evf with peaking ! this is a very good featur imho.

danyyyel

Video from Sony Australia. Don't know what to make out of it. I don't know if it is good to film such motion with a full frame camera when a lot of shots are out of focus. I really did not like the look of the footage, seems very hash, not good DR and very soft. But all these could be due to the shooter style and youtube video.

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