Sony SLT-A77
The day is finally here. The long-awaited Sony A700 replacement has arrived.
The Sony A77 and its little brother, the A65, are the latest in DSLR-alternatives from the consumer electronics giant. Packing an APS-C format 24.3MP CMOS sensor, the A77 and A65 use Sony’s translucent mirror technology to keep the autofocus fast while displaying a live feed to the rear-panel display screen or the electronic viewfinder.
Sony SLT-A65
Check out the key specs and press release for these new cameras below.
Sony A77 Key Specs
- 24.3MP APS HD CMOS Sensor
- 1080p AVCHD 60p/24p
- 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF
- ISO 100-16000 (exp. to ISO 50)
- 3-inch 921k-dot resolution 3-way articulating LCD
- XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder
- 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors
- Priced at $1399 (body only)
Sony SLT-A77
Sony A65 Key Specs
- 24.3MP APS HD CMOS Sensor
- 1080p AVCHD 60p/24p
- 10 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF
- ISO 100-16000
- 3-inch 921k-dot resolution 2-way articulating LCD
- XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder
- 15-point AF with 3 cross sensors
- Priced at $899 (body only), $999 (w/ 18-55mm kit lens)
Sony SLT-A65
Sony A77 and A65 Availability
Sony A77 (body only) – Amazon
Sony A65 (body only) – Amazon
Sony A65 w/ 18-55mm kit lens – Amazon
Sony A77 and A65 Press Release
SAN DIEGO, Aug. 24, 2011 – Blazing speed, enhanced image quality, high resolution and incredible performance are just some of the features advanced amateurs and photo enthusiasts will find in Sony’s newest alpha cameras, models SLT-A77 (?77) and SLT-A65 (?65).
Sony’s latest refinements to its Translucent Mirror Technology make these new cameras the fastest, most responsive interchangeable lens cameras in their class, as well as set new performance benchmarks that even professional DSLRs have yet to achieve. The ?77 and ?65 both feature a newly developed Exmor™ APS HD CMOS sensor with 24.3 effective megapixel resolution, as well as the world’s first XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder. The sensor teams with the next generation of Sony’s BIONZ® image processing engine to handle huge amounts of high speed data from the camera sensor, enabling unprecedented response times and flawless image quality with ultra-low noise when shooting still images or Full HD video.
“We feel that these cameras are not only a significant evolution of our breakthrough Translucent Mirror Technology,” said Mike Kahn, director of the alpha camera business group for Sony Electronics. “They’re also a revolution in terms of redefining how this unique technology can be put to use by enthusiasts.”
The much anticipated successor to Sony’s acclaimed ?700 DSLR, the ?77 boasts the world’s fastest continuous autofocus (AF) shooting performance (among DSLRs in Aug 2011), capturing a burst of full resolution, 24 megapixel images at 12 frames per second with full-time phase-detection AF. The ?65 achieves a similarly impressive 10fps shooting speed.
Precision AF tracking of moving subjects is more precise with the ?77 due to a new 19-point autofocus system with 11 cross sensors. The ?65 boasts 15-point AF with three cross sensors. Tracking Focus maintains accurate focus lock on a moving subject – even if the target is momentarily obscured. Additionally, a new electronic front shutter curtain achieves a minimum release time lag of approximately 50 milliseconds, comparable to much more expensive professional-class DSLRs.
The ?77 and ?65 further refine Sony’s acclaimed Fast Continuous AF Full HD Movie shooting, already featured on previous Sony Translucent Mirror cameras. Phase Detection maintains accurate focus during video shooting of portrait subjects, even when they’re moving at fast speeds.
Unprecedented image quality and creative options
A broad sensitivity range of ISO 100-16000 expands (?77 only) down to ISO 50. At the highest sensitivities, both cameras can freeze fast action or capture atmospheric low-noise shots without flash. Low ISO settings are ideal when used with a long exposure to create expressive shots, such as splashing water.
Both cameras showcase a remarkably crisp OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder, the world’s first of its kind. With a 2359k dot (XGA) resolution, this precision electronic viewfinder offers a bright, highly detailed, high contrast image with 100 percent frame coverage and a wide field of view comparable to the most advanced class optical viewfinders.
However, unlike optical viewfinders, users have expansive customization capabilities through the XGA OLED Tru-Finder™ viewfinder and can preview the effects of adjusting exposure, white balance and other settings in real-time. Photographers can also make fine focus adjustments via a zoomed-in portion of the image.
The Smart Teleconverter displays an enlarged central portion of the image sensor, allowing compositions to be displayed clearly on the OLED viewfinder and captured as 12 megapixel images with a digital zoom factor of 1.4x or 2x.
In another first for DSLR cameras, both new models can capture Full HD video at 60p (progressive) frame rates – incorporating the recently introduced AVCHD™ Progressive (Ver. 2.0) format. Also, 24p shooting is available for capturing beautiful cinematic video footage. Manual focusing and P/A/S/M exposure modes, familiar to creative filmmakers, also can provide enhanced control during video shooting.
Shooters can compose and review stills and video on the adjustable-angle three-inch Xtra Fine LCD™ display that offers high resolution (921k dot) and TruBlack™ technology for superb detail and contrast. As an extra refinement, the ?77 introduces the world’s first three-way adjustable screen that tilts and pivots freely for effortless framing at any angle (?65: two-way adjust LCD).
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™ viewfinder.
The ?77 adds front and rear 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 ?77 and HVL-F43AM flash unit.
A new shutter unit on the ?77 is tested up 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 geo-tagging 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 both 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 wide F2.8 aperture. Optical performance is assured by aspherical glass and three ED (Extra Low Dispersion) lens elements to minimize aberration at all focal lengths. An internal Super Sonic wave Motor (SSM) drive enables fast, quiet autofocus.
An optional dust- and moisture-resistant VG-C77AM Vertical Grip for ?77 assures comfortable handling in vertical shooting positions. It can house up to two NP-FM500H InfoLITHIUM® batteries, doubling shooting stamina up to approximately 1060 shots (via LCD monitor)/940 shots (via Tru-Finder™ viewfinder) when using Memory Stick PRO Duo™ media. Other new A-mount system accessories include a back pack (LCS-BP2), soft carrying cases (LCS-SC21 and LCS-SC8), LCD protectors and eyepiece cups.
The new ?77 is compatible with Sony’s Memory Stick PRO-HG™ DUO HX series as well as Sony’s full line of SD memory cards. Available in capacities up to 32 GB, both media enable necessary transfer speeds for stable and optimal performance of Sony’s hardware features, such as full HD movie shooting.
Pricing and Availability
The new ?77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $2000, and offered as body-only for about $1400. The SAL1650 lens will also be sold separately for about $700.
The new VG-C77AM vertical grip, designed for the ?77 camera, will be available in October for about $300.
The new ?65 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available in a kit with a standard 18-55mm lens (SAL1855) for about $1000, and offered as body-only for about $900.
Both the ?77 and ?65 cameras kits and the new SAL1650 lens will be available this October at Sony retail stores (www.store.sony.com) as well as other authorized retailers throughout the Sony dealer network.
Wow…this is a bigger A55…with bigger power. But one thing I dislike about my A55 is the battery life. How’s the battery life on this one? Hope they make Vertical Grip available on this one…unlike the A55.
I’m currently in the process of selling my Sony (A300) so i can move to Nikon (D7000) but I genuinely see a future that involves the exact opposite for many people, although not to the A300….
Each camera maker has had its less than ideal times, I speak with people who wouldn’t touch Nikon with a barge pole, like-wise for the others, this wil always be the case, but I reckon that Sony will look back one day and be able to say “We told you so”
Remember, Sony bought Minolta’s photo division years ago. Minolta was a camera company that was always on the leading edge. I’m glad to see Sony is attempting to do the same thing. I have been waiting on the sidelines for years to purchase a DSLR. During this time I’ve been using a KonicaMinolta Dimage A2 camera with very good results. I wish Sony would design a DSLR camera with a tilting electronic viewfinder like my Dimage A2 has. This is one of the main reasons I wont give up my Dimage A2. The A77 and A65 cameras are very tempting to me now, but I think I will still wait for the next generation of these cameras. Also, Sony has to introduce more quality lenses and accessories.
Robert, It sounds like you’re at the stage with DSLR that I was a while ago. I was regularly saying , “perhaps the next one” each time a new camera came out, bite the bullet, it doesn’t matter what you get, within 2 years there will be (most probably) a replacement. Despite my move to Nikon, I’m sure that I will not be able to spot the difference between the results of these Sonys or my new camera.
Regards.
Robert, I’ve just viewed the sample photos for the Dimage A2 on DP Review, even at ISO 200 they are quite noisy, although the detail is quite good. You WILL be amazed at the clean, detailed photos you will get from any of these new generation SONY cameras, SONY are doing wonders with their sensors, Pentax and Nikon seem to think so, that’s why they use SONY sensors.
Regards.
John, you are absolutely right about the noise regarding the Dimage A2 but that is why I shoot RAW and I never go above ISO 200. Plus, I use Topaz labs DeNoise software which I prefer over Noise Ninja. I know this can create some limits but I deal with them. I know I will buy a Sony DSLR someday because I believe the Sony cameras deliver exceptional value, especially with the refined built in camera body anti-shake feature but before I plop down several thousand dollars of my hard earned money on a DSLR system, ( I had Nikon and Canon systems in film days) I want to feel truly satisfied with my choice of camera and develop an inuitive and second nature interaction for what my camera system can do. It’s not just about image quality. I know to reach that state takes time and practice but it has to be worth the time, money and effort to get to that point. Thanks for your feedback.
We have 2 of the SONY A77s and they are more amazing than we expected from the previews. These cameras are well worth the money and a big upgrade from the A55s we shot with for the past 11 months. We use MINOLTA lenses and the new SONY 16-50. Both yield incredible results from the A77. It is so fast that the phot is already showing on the LCD screen before the subject finishes saying “cheese”! We have posted lots of photo samples on our site at http://www.abetterdj.net just got to the SONY|MINOLTA tab