Sony Announces A77 DSLR - First Impressions

sonya77 Sony has officially made one of the most anticipated announcements of the year. The A77 has been announced as a game changer and contains one amazing spec list for the price. With a 24MP APS-C cmos sensor, 12fps full resolution burst shooting, a 2.4 million dot high resolution (highest i've seen) EVF, and 19 point focus system (11 cross type), it is difficult not to get excited. All of these features would typically be seen in top of the line $5,000 Nikon and Canon cameras, but today, we are seing it on a $1399 Sony. We will be updating you with more information when available.

Sony A77 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only

Sony A77 24.3 MP Translucent Mirror Digital SLR With 16-50mm F2.8 lens

Hands on Previews:

Engadget

DPReview

First Impressions:

After reading through many of the reviews, spec lists, and first impressions, I would say there are many things I am impressed with but several items that leave me with reservations. On the photography side, I have few worries with the performance and quality of the camera. My initial worries about the EVF viewfinder appear to be a non issue as most comments on the system were very positive. Although we will still await photo testing for quality and ISO performance, initial reports were great. On the video side, a place where Sony has put a large emphasis, there were some issues I noted. The amazing live view auto focus of the A77 offers the best of any DSLR currently available. However, this technology is not available during manual, shutter priority, or aperture priority shooting. This is a big issue for most videographers as control of the shutter is vastly important, especially for fast moving video, and many also love aperture control for extreme depth of field. Another limitation is the auto only audio recording. It seems that there will not be any manual override for audio controls, even with the external mic input. This is an item that I love on the Canon 60D because it allows me to leave my audio recorder at home in most cases and not have to worry about syncing audio with video in post. One of the largest bonuses however is the 1080P video at 60fps!!! This will allow amazing slow motion results at unbelievable resolution and currently is the best on the market. I would have liked to have seen a 1080P @ 30fps though for smaller file size video when slow motion is not needed and a 720P with 120fps would have been a great added bonus. These issues will likely keep the A77 from being my next video DSLR although photographic features still appear top notch. Combine that with the relatively low price and Sony has created a monster.

Demo Video

24 August 2011

Translucent Mirror Technology line-up broadens appeal to photo enthusiasts

World’s fastest*12 fps full-resolution continuous burst shooting with phase-detection AF (α65: 10fps)
Newly developed 19-point AF system with 11 cross sensors (α77)
24.3 effective megapixel Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor and enhanced BIONZ processor
World’s first** XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ with versatile information display
Quick AF Full HD Movie with AVCHD Progressive compatibility, and flexible P/A/S/M exposure control in manual focus mode
New design and ergonomics with world’s first* 3-way tilt Xtra Fine LCD and ruggedized, reliable handling (α77)

Sony extends the appeal of its Translucent Mirror camera range with two new A-mount models appealing to advanced amateurs and serious photo enthusiasts.

Latest refinements in Translucent Mirror Technology by Sony make the SLT-A77 (α77) and SLT-A65 (α65) the quickest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class. Revised ergonomics on both cameras include a comfortably contoured new grip design and tactile new button layout for ‘eyes off’ operation while viewing via the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™.

A long-awaited successor to the acclaimed α700 DSLR, the α77 adds further refinements in performance and ruggedized construction to handle gruelling photo assignments with ease.

SLT-A77

Ultra-responsive shooting
The α77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous AF shooting performance*, capturing a burst of full-resolution images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection autofocus. The α65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed, outpacing virtually all semi-professional cameras.

Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is crisper and more responsive than ever, thanks to a newly-developed 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. (α65: 15-point AF with 3 cross sensors). Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a designated moving subject – even if the target’s momentarily obscured by the motion of another object.

Razor-sharp responses are reinforced further by a new electronic front shutter curtain that achieves a pro-class minimum release time lag of approx. 0.050 seconds.

Unprecedented image quality and creative options
The α77 and α65 both feature a newly-developed Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor by Sony with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution.

The sensor is teamed with the latest revision of Sony’s BIONZ image processing engine that handles huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor. This unique combination of sensor and BIONZ processor delivers unprecedented shooting responses, plus flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.

A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 is expandable (α77 only) down to ISO 50. At highest sensitivities, both digital cameras can freeze rapid sporting action with very quick shutter speeds, or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when teamed with a long exposure for creating expressive shots of moving water.

Both cameras showcase the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™. With an unprecedented 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, detail-packed, high contrast image with 100% frame coverage that is 10 times higher than conventional electronic viewfinders and provides a wide field of view to rival pro-grade optical viewfinders.

Detailed shooting information is displayed with a choice of five display modes. The effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings are previewed in the Tru-Finder™ in real time. Fine focus tweaks can also be confirmed via a zoomed-in portion of the image.

At the touch of a button, the Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor. This allows compositions to be displayed clearly on the high-resolution XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x. There’s no need to remove your eye from the Tru-Finder™ from composition to checking final results – allowing photographers to concentrate on their creative flow.

Stills and video can also be composed and reviewed on the adjustable-angle 7.5 cm (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the α77 introduces the world’s first 3-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (α65: 2-way adjust LCD).

Full HD video
The α77 and α65 bring further refinements to the acclaimed Quick AF Full HD Movie shooting as already featured on previous Translucent Mirror Technology from Sony. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving.

In another first for consumer-oriented APS-C cameras, Full HD video is now supported at 50p (progressive) frame rates – reflecting recent enhancements to the AVCHD (Ver. 2.0) format. 25p shooting is also available for beautifully ‘filmic’ video footage. Creative video options are extended further by the addition of manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes familiar to still photographers.

α77: Translucent Mirror Technology refined for photo enthusiasts
A natural successor to the enthusiast-oriented α700 DSLR, the α77 adds double control dials for intuitive fingertip operation and a separate top-mounted LCD data display. The durable body features magnesium alloy panels for strength and lightness. Key controls are sealed against the effects of dust and moisture, complementing similar levels of protection offered by the new SAL1650 lens, VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for α77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.

Underlining the camera’s rugged credentials, a new shutter unit is tested to 150,000 cycles and supports an ultra-fast minimum 1/8000 sec shutter speed (1/250 sec flash sync). On-board GPS allows automatic geotagging of photos and video clips with location data.

New DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM zoom lens and accessories
The growing range of compatible A-mount lenses for both cameras now includes the quiet, bright DT 16-50mm F2.8 SSM standard zoom with 16mm wide angle coverage that’s ideal for portrait and everyday shooting.

The high performance lens features a dust- and moisture-resistant design, and offers a zoom range of approximately 3x range at constant maximum aperture F2.8. Optical performance is assured by two aspherical elements and three ED glass elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal SSM (Super Sonic wave Motor) drive assures fast, quiet autofocus.

Available as an option, the dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM batteries, doubling shooting stamina to approx. 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media.

The compact yet versatile HVL-F43AM external flash is optimised for superb results with all A-mount cameras with a powerful output of GN43, Quick Shift Bounce adjustment, wireless ratio control and dust/moisture resistant design. This is complemented by other new A-mount system accessories that include a back pack, soft carrying cases, LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.

The α77 and α65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens digital cameras by Sony are available from October 2011.

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