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Sony Alpha SLT-A77 Translucent Mirror Digital SLR Camera - Body only (OLD MODEL)
Brand | Sony |
Model Name | SLT ALPHA A77 |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 24.3 MP |
Photo Sensor Size | APS-C |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Exposure Control Type | Manual |
Form Factor | Mid-size SLR |
About this item
- 2nd Generation Translucent Mirror Technology camera
- 24.3 MP for superb detail and amazing enlargements
- World?s fastest up to 12 fps continuous shooting
- World's first OLED viewfinder; big and bright
- World's first HD Movie mode with AVCHD 60p/60i/24p
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Important information
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This Item Sony Alpha SLT-A77 Translucent Mirror Digital SLR Camera - Body only (OLD MODEL) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $399.99$399.99 | $2,698.00$2,698.00 | $159.99$159.99 | $1,408.23$1,408.23 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | Get it Apr 11 - 19 |
Customer Ratings | ||||
Picture quality | — | 4.6 | 4.0 | 4.7 |
Sold By | Ace Photo | Amazon.com | Saneen Direct | BuyDirect & Save!!! |
display type | LCD | LCD | LCD | LCD |
display size | 3 inches | 3 inches | 4 inches | 2.95 inches |
lens type | zoom | Wide Angle | Fixed | Zoom |
zoom type | Optical | — | Digital Zoom | Automatic |
shooting modes | Scene, High dynamic rang, Automatic | Auto, Programmed, Aperture, Shutter speed, Manual, Movie | Manual | Single shooting, Continuous shooting (Hi+/Hi/Mid/Lo selectable), Self-timer, Self-timer (Cont.), Bracketing (Cont., Single, White Balance, DRO) |
connectivity tech | HDMI, USB | HDMI, USB | Wi-Fi, HDMI, USB | NFC, HDMI, USB |
video resolution | FHD 1080p | 4320p | 2160p, 2.7K | 4K UHD 2160p |
optical zoom | 3.1 multiplier x | 8 multiplier x | — | 1 multiplier x |
magnification | 1.1x | 0.78x | — | 0.70x |
wireless tech | EyeFi | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi | BuiltIn; 802.11b/g/n + NFC |
What's in the box
Videos
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Introducing the Sony A77
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True Finder Promotion
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Product Description
Product Description
Sony α (alpha) SLT-A77V Digital SLR. World’s fastest shooting DSLR. Get action photos, HD Movies and Live View shots that other cameras miss, thanks to Sony’s exclusive Translucent Mirror Technology. Enjoy 24.3 megapixel resolution - with the world’s fastest shooting - up to 12 frames per second - and the world’s first OLED electronic viewfinder.
From the Manufacturer
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Redefining the camera. Get action photos, HD Movies and Live View shots that
other cameras miss, thanks to Sony's exclusive Translucent Mirror Technology.
Enjoy 24.3 megapixel resolution—with the best in class shooting— up to
12 frames per second—and the world's first OLED electronic viewfinder.2 Spectacular 24.3 MP Resolution. HD Movies4 at 60p, 60i, or 24p. Translucent Mirror Design. Capture incredibly-detailed images that make for gorgeous enlargements thanks to an impressive 24.3 megapixel sensor - the world's first amongst APS-C DSLR cameras. With resolution this high, each shot captures a massive amount of detail for greatly reduced noise and vibrant images that explode with clarity and richness. Capture spectacular HD Movies. 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. Other DSLRs can shoot. Or they can focus with speed and precision of Phase Detection AF. They cannot do both simultaneously. Sony changes that with the award-winning Translucent Mirror Technology system. It directs light to both the image sensor and the Phase Dectection AF sensor simultaneously.
Technology Ultra High Speed Shooting Introducing best-in-class shooting.2 By harnessing the power of Sony's Translucent Mirror Technology, you can shoot at up to 12fps at full 24.3 megapixel resolution with continuous auto focus. It's ideal for capturing a sequence of photos or the defining moment in high-speed sports photography. World's First OLED Viewfinder There's never been anything like the Tru-Finder™ OLED electronic viewfinder. Boasting 2359K dots for ultra-high resolution, images pop with richness, clarity and detail. You can even see the results of camera adjustments in real time through
the viewfinder. Rugged Magnesium Alloy Body Don't let its pretty face fool you. With a strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy body, the α77 delivers on the promise of its good looks with the strength and rugged reliability your active lifestyle demands. Plus, all ports, doors and controls are weather-resistant for worry-free shooting, come rain or shine. Amazing HD Movies The choice is yours. Shoot super smooth 60p, standard 60i or cinematic 24p movies—all at Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution.4 Capture high-quality AVCHD™ video that looks great on your HDTV, or shoot MP4 videos to upload to the web. Full-Time Live View You can use both the LCD monitor and OLED Electronics View 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. Full array of accessories From vertical grip, to flash, to microphones and a wide assortment of lenses, you'll have all you need for the ultimate in creative freedom for video and still shooting.
Product description and full feature list The SLT-A77 Digital Camera is equipped with the latest technology to bring you
incredible entertainment quality. Explore the full range of features and options below.
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.
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 November 2012.
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 November, 2012.
World's first OLED viewfinder
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.
HD Movies4 at 60p, 60i, or 24p
Capture spectacular HD Movies. 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.
HD movies with full manual control
Now you don't need to surrender control when you shoot HD movies. Enjoy the full expressive potential of Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority or Manual (P/A/S/M) control in
HD movie mode.
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.
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.
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
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.
HDMI® output for HD viewing
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 remote.8
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.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dual control dials
Perfect for experienced shooters, dual control dials provide direct, hands-on access to two settings at a time.
Top mounted LCD
In addition to status displays on the LCD monitor and Electronic Viewfinder, Sony offers a top-mounted LCD with exposure information.
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.
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.)
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.)
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.)
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 television.1 Records both JPEG and MPO file formats.
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.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Graphic Display
Clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
1. Requires 3D HDTV, HDMI cable (at least 10.2 Gbps) and active 3D glasses sold sep.
2. Among interchangeable lens cameras with APS-C size sensors as of November 2012.
3. Among DSLRs as of November 2012.
4. Records in 29 minute segments.
6. Map service requires PC with internet. Service provided by Google and subject to change without notice.
7. Requires HDTV and HDMI® cable sold sep.
8. Compatible with BRAVIA® Sync or Theatre Sync™ HDTVs connected via HDMI®.
9. Actual performance varies based on settings, environmental conditions, and usage. Battery capacity decreases over time and use.
© 2012 Sony Electronics Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Sony is not responsible for typographic and photographic errors. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Sony, BIONZ, BRAVIA, Exmor, InfoLITHIUM, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, Smile Shutter, Stamina, SteadyShot INSIDE, Sweep Panorama, Theatre Sync, Tru-Finder, TruBlack, and Xtra Fine LCD are trademarks of Sony. AVCHD is a trademark of Panasonic Corporation and Sony Corporation. HDMI is a trademark of HDMI Licensing LLC. All other trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners.
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Product information
Auto Focus Technology | Phase Detection, Selective single-point, Face Detection, Multi-area, Single, Continuous, Live View |
---|---|
Display Resolution Maximum | 921,000 |
Photo Sensor Size | APS-C |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
Effective Still Resolution | 24.3 MP |
Maximum Webcam Image Resolution | 24.3 MP |
White balance settings | Auto, Flash torch |
Self Timer Duration | 10 seconds |
JPEG quality level | Fine |
Camera Flash | Built-In |
Image Stabilization | Sensor-shift |
Flash Sync Speed | 1/250_sec |
Supported Image Format | AVCHD |
Video Capture Format | mpeg-4;avchd |
Video Capture Resolution | FHD 1080p |
Video Standard | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
Viewfinder Magnification | 1.1x |
---|---|
Viewfinder Type | Electronic |
Screen Size | 3 Inches |
Display Type | LCD |
Display Fixture Type | Fully-articulated |
Model Name | SLT ALPHA A77 |
---|---|
Brand | Sony |
Model Number | SLTA77V |
Customer Reviews |
4.0 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #535,957 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #1,178 in DSLR Cameras |
ASIN | B005IHAICK |
Color | Black |
Included Components | Tripod, Battery, Remote, HDMI Cable, Instruction Manual |
Specification Met | No |
Assembly Required | Yes |
Age Range (Description) | Adult |
Processor Description | Bionz |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.63 x 3.19 x 4.09 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 1.61 Pounds |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Lens Type | zoom |
---|---|
Optical Zoom | 3.1 x |
Maximum Aperture | 3.5 Millimeters |
Zoom Type | Optical |
Autofocus Points | 19 |
Compatible Mountings | Sony/Minolta Alpha DT, Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Focus Type | Automatic with Manual |
Maximum Focal Length | 75 Millimeters |
Minimum Focal Length | 24 Millimeters |
Expanded ISO Maximum | 16000 |
---|---|
Expanded ISO Minimum | 100 |
Max Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds |
Min Shutter Speed | 30 seconds |
Exposure Control Type | Manual |
Metering Description | Multi, Center-weighted, Spot |
Shooting Modes | High dynamic rang, Scene, Automatic |
Batteries Required? | Yes |
---|---|
Number of Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
Are Batteries Included | Yes |
Rechargeable Battery Included | No |
Battery Cell Composition | Lithium Ion |
Battery Description | Rechargeable NP-FM500H battery & charger |
Battery Weight | 50 Grams |
Battery Life | 470 Photos |
Removable Memory | SDHC |
Target Gender | Unisex |
Connectivity Technology | USB, HDMI |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 12 |
Wireless Communication Technology | EyeFi |
Flash Memory Type | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Memory Storage Capacity | 1 GB |
Special Feature | Live View |
Water Resistance Level | Not Water Resistant |
Skill Level | Amateur, Professional |
Form Factor | Mid-size SLR |
Hardware Interface | USB |
Photo Sensor Technology | CMOS |
GPS | Built-In |
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, picture quality, features, value, and ease of use of the digital camera. For example, they mention that it's an impressive camera, takes great images, and has a useful electronic viewfinder. That said, some say it'll save them money.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are satisfied with the quality of the camera. They mention that the build is excellent, the body is well-composed, and the case is solid and weather resistant. The fit of the product and the quality the output is exceptional. The camera is rugged, dependable, full-featured, takes great pictures and movies, and is a reliable worker for serious amateurs. The IPS quality LCD has a very high resolution, and can see clearly from the lens.
"...ShootingQuite simply...I like it!It is solid, well-balanced, easy to grip and has a control set that grows familiar very..." Read more
"...My Sony a77 is rugged, dependable, full-featured, takes great pictures, has good continuous AF, and has an excellent electronic viewfinder...." Read more
"...The OVF was nice, but it was not something that I was attached to like "old school" photogs...." Read more
"...The camera feels good in the hands. IT is amazing to shoot with the image quality is great..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the picture quality of the camera. They mention that it takes great images, the focusing is fast, and the lenses are of quality. The OLED eye finder is great, and outdoor photos and flash photos are excellent. Another plus is that you can review the image for critical focus or exposure directly in the LCD. The resolution of the LCD is very high, and it can see clearly from the sides. The camera is perfect for both amateur and professional photographers, and its auto modes make for immaculate photos.
"...is the same size as the one on the A700 and has the same extremely high resolution but with improved brightness and contrast making it easier to see..." Read more
"...My Sony a77 is rugged, dependable, full-featured, takes great pictures, has good continuous AF, and has an excellent electronic viewfinder...." Read more
"...It displays all of your image settings in real time so you can easily see what ISO or shutterspeed your currently using, which is really handy when..." Read more
"...I liked the a77 at first. It took great photos, did everything I wanted it to do. About 6 months after owning it I noticed spots on my photos...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the features of the digital camera. They mention that it has an excellent electronic viewfinder, a large and useful viewfinder during video, and a rich feature set. Some say that the camera is easy to learn and provides a wide range of functions. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and functionality of the product.
"...up its sleeve that are more than marketing gimmicks and offer real functional value.Deeper Inside..." Read more
"...The GPS feature is GREAT, and I'm very disappointed that they've eliminated it on the a77 mark 2...." Read more
"...All in all this camera I found to be easy to learn but rich enough in features to provide a wide range of opportunities to explore with the depth to..." Read more
"...manual focusing, articulating LCD screen which is REALLY useful for low angle shots...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the value of the digital camera. They say it is excellent for the money, an affordable upgrade, and that the retailer didn't price gouge. They also say it has a lot of features for the price and is worth the wait.
"...into the sweat spot of price verses features, and that the purchase was worth the price...." Read more
"...about shooting high quality stills and video, want a DSLR for a reasonable price and are not intimidated by Canon/Nikon snobs this camera is really..." Read more
"...Very affordable for all the high tech bells and whistles this thing has. Waited a long time to purchase it and im glad i waited...." Read more
"Great camera with a ton of features for the price. I am a somewhat experienced amateur photographer...." Read more
Customers find the digital camera easy to use. They say it's far more easy to operate than the Sony Alpha 300, and easy to set up and use. Customers also say it makes a transition from an entry-level camera to a semi-pro camera. They also say the software interface is better than the 7D.
"...All in all this camera I found to be easy to learn but rich enough in features to provide a wide range of opportunities to explore with the depth to..." Read more
"...But if you want a solid camera, that takes great images and is easy to use...." Read more
"...great as the A700 is still very well thought out and the basic functions are easy to manage...." Read more
"...It meets and exceeds all my expectations that i could ask for. Very easy to use and everything i need to know to change the settings is basically..." Read more
Customers like the shutter speed of the digital camera. They say that it has excellent, extremely fast continuous shooting mode, and the autofocus works well. The 12 FPS burst is no joke, and it's a great camera for large high-speed shots. The performance of the camera is amazing, and its frame burs rate is awesome.
"...The fastest autofocus I have ever had the pleasure to use and it is accurate too...." Read more
"...You never take your hands off the keys,and it just goes faster, your train of thought isn't interrupted, you can just "go" faster...." Read more
"...The continuous shooting mode is extremely fast, and the auto-focus works really well...." Read more
"...viewfinder allows you to adjust the shot on the fly, you take pictures a lot faster. The 12 FPS burst is no joke...." Read more
Customers like the controls of the camera. They say the settings menu gives an excellent amount of control over the camera and image, it has lots of features, and is fun for beginner photographers. The control set grows familiar very quickly, and the customizable displays make it even easier to use. The EVF provides coverage through the lens and all of the information on camera settings. Customers also mention that the main controls are similar enough that they are comfortable with it. Overall, they are satisfied with the controls and the possibilities for set up and use of the product.
"...one of my lenses back- or front-focuses, there is a menu to compensate with micro adjustments that registers and saves the adjustments for up to 30..." Read more
"...All that being said the settings menu gives a excellent amount of control over the camera and you image...." Read more
"...You see more in low light. It lets you chose info, including showing you face detection focusing and a histogram...." Read more
"...It's a good thing too as there are a ton of possibilities for set up and use of the camera...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the brightness of the digital camera. Some mention that the viewfinder is huge and bright, making it easier to see in low light. They also say that the high resolution but with improved brightness and contrast makes it easier. However, others say that it isn't great in low-light situations and that the EVF needs to be brighter.
"...but with improved brightness and contrast making it easier to see in bright light. Unlike the A700 the A77's LCD is articulated. Very articulated!..." Read more
"...the online reviews are correct - this camera has a disability with low light photography. Every picture indoors higher than ISO 800 needs a flash...." Read more
"...There are no reflections, no glare to fight. You can see how the picture actually looks...." Read more
"...Although the NEX cameras have amazing low light capabilities, I just love the strobists' style of photography...." Read more
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Look and Feel
If you have never handled a pro or semi-pro camera body, the tactile difference between a polycarbonate and magnesium alloy shell is immediately noticeable. Even though the body only weighs a little over 1½ lbs (without lens), it feels solid. It has a rubber grip that extends around the back on the right to cover the thumb rest area. The grip itself is deep and fits my medium-wide hands comfortably with a secure feel when holding it one-handed. The body is a little taller than the A700 but more rounded with a matte finish that gives it a no-nonsense appearance. I wouldn't base a camera purchase on how pretty it was, but I appreciate the look of a well-made tool whether it is a Kitchen-Ad mixer, a drill press or a tripod. The A77 is a well-made tool and that makes it pretty to me!
It's What's Outside That Counts
The control layout is a bit different than the A700 but the main controls are similar enough that I was comfortable with it after only a few minutes of fiddling with them. Sony's Quick-Navi menu system from the A700 is gone but the replacement is not a step backward. All of the main functions except stabilization on/off can be accessed either with a dedicated button or on the LCD with a press of the function button. the The stabilization on/off being relegated to the menu instead of having a dedicated button was surprising at first, but after thinking it over, I decided that I really never switched it off unless it was for one of the rare times I was using a tripod (or by accident) and all too often I forgot to turn It back on. Having it on by default and being able to set the menu to come on in the same position that you left it is a workable alternative to having a dedicated switch. One addition is the movie button. Yes, movie. The A77 is the first DSLR I've owned that can do movies and in addition to a full movie mode on the mode dial, there is a record-it-now movie button that lets you start a recording of that unexpected UFO encounter with your default settings at a moment's notice. Now I just have to remember that my DSLR takes movies!
The LCD screen is the same size as the one on the A700 and has the same extremely high resolution but with improved brightness and contrast making it easier to see in bright light. Unlike the A700 the A77's LCD is articulated. Very articulated! The mechanism is very sturdy and can be tilted or swiveled into almost any forward, rearward or sideward position. It even allows you to flip the screen inward in the collapsed position for protection.
The top of the body includes the aforementioned dedicated function buttons plus a monochrome LCD with it own dedicated backlight button that displays the basic camera settings at a glance. The selection on the mode dial is a little different from the ones on the A700. The multiple scene modes are replaced with a single scene mode position and the various modes are now chosen on the rear screen using the joystick control. The additional scene modes have been replaced with settings for Movie mode, 12 fps shooting mode, Sweep Panorama and 3D Sweep Panorama.
The pop-up flash has a new mechanism that slides the flash forward and up to reduce the chance of the lens/shade blocking it. There is also a button to pop the flash up rather than the manual flip-up on earlier 7-series models. On top of the flash is another new thing for me...there's a microphone on my camera! Maybe I'll have to try this movie thing after all. The autofocus mode switch near the lens hasn't changed but the depth-of-field preview can now be programmed to show either depth of field or a preview of scene settings.
Inside counts too
The first "inside" part that I checked out was the viewfinder. After reading all of the doomsaying from the fear, uncertainty and doubt threads on the forums followed by nearly unanimous praise from people who had actually used the camera, I had to see for myself. I have had cameras with EVFs that were considered good. My Minolta D7i was hopelessly outclassed by the full VGA EVF on my Minolta A2 (yes, full VGA on a digicam bridge camera back in 2004!) and I was impressed by the A55 that I tried at a local store. About the new OLED viewfinder on the A77, all I can say is....wow! I imagine if you had 20-10 vision and were college-trained to pick flyspecks out of ground pepper, you might be able to see pixels in the image. I certainly can't. It's like looking at a good 17" XVGA monitor from about 2'-3' away. The image is sharp and contrasty with nicely saturated color. The only clear reminder that it is an electronic image is in areas of very bright highlights or deep shadows where the dynamic range of the display cuts off before you eye would through an OVF. If you pan quickly, there is a faint fuzzing of vertical edges, but no serious degradation and no color tearing at all. Following a moving object is no more difficult than it was with my A700. As light gets lower the image grains up and gives you video noise sparkle which worsens as available light decreases. but still lets you see to compose down past where it would be practical or even possible with an OVF. Those are the basics. The initial plusses and minuses, so to speak. Now for the cool stuff! The list of add-ons in the menu includes options for showing all info (OCD mode), no info (just basic shooting info at the top and bottom), graphic mode (like the NEX LCD info display), Histogram overlay and electronic level. On top of any of these you can add a grid with a choice of a 4x6 square grid, rule of thirds or diagonal lines. The real value is something I missed when I went from my Minolta A2 to the 7D DSLR, namely that the viewfinder can be set to display exactly what the sensor is set to capture. This is really helpful when you are working in mixed light or mixed shade where auto white balance will often fail. Too blue? You see it. A little green from fluorescents? You see it. You can tweak settings until it is corrected and check the results in real-time. Another plus is that you can review the image for critical focus or exposure directly in the viewfinder in the brightest light and see it perfectly. Speaking of critical focus... Most of the better DSLRs can magnify the live-view image for critical focus, but in the field it is often difficult to see clearly. Being able to look through the viewfinder and see a magnified image centered on any point in the frame is a real winner. Another great tool is focus peaking. This is a tool used in videography to highlight the parts of the frame that have the highest contrast (sharpest focus) so the cameraman can quickly determine where the focal point is while filming. What it does is create a colored halo (choice of red, yellow or white) on the edges of objects in the in-focus area that is very easy to see even if you are looking at a washed out LCD with the camera at an angle that makes using the viewfinder difficult or impossible. My bottom line? The A77 EVF exceeded my expectations. It offers a razor-sharp image that displays a larger, brighter view than any APS-C camera (the A700 is one of the best) and nearly as good as the full frame cameras. It also has some technological tricks up its sleeve that are more than marketing gimmicks and offer real functional value.
Deeper Inside
Really deep inside is a somewhat controversial Exmor sensor. It is 24MP which is far and away the highest pixel count of any APS-C camera on the market today. Why controversial? If you have been following the build-up to the release of the A77 and the initial reviews, you have surely seen endless threads on whether Sony should have put so many pixels on an APS-C sensor or spent their efforts on making a lower pixel-count sensor with stellar high-ISO performance. There are also thousands of images with accompanying text declaring its image quality is anywhere from better than medium-format to worse than a cheap compact. In truth, it is neither. Rather it is an advancement in sensor technology that trades some high-ISO performance for some pretty remarkable low-ISO resolution. It also makes a couple of steps ahead in color accuracy and dynamic range.
I am not one to snap a photo and peer endlessly at each pixel blown up to 100% on my monitor, searching for something to b1tch about. I prefer to look at the images as I expect to display them and determine if they will look good. So far, the A77 looks good. Real good.
Tools to Get Those Images
In the past, having "special" modes on a DSLR other than P-A-S-M (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual) was pooh-poohed as a sure indicator of an entry-level camera that catered to photographers without a clear understanding of basic settings. Though this sounds a little snotty, it was generally true with helper modes like "Sunsets", "Sports" and "Landscapes" to preset the beginner's camera for best-bet shutter and aperture combinations for those subjects. I always thought that some of the more advanced cameras might benefit from some presets that would quickly get you near the optimal settings or add functionality that would be hard to set up manually. As I mentioned earlier, the A700 had a selection "special" settings on the mode dial for just that purpose and after checking them out when I got it, I never actually used any of them. That may change with the A77. While diving into the scene mode menu on the A77, it earned guaranteed return visits when it revealed a hidden gem in the Hand-Held Twilight mode. This first appeared on the higher end Sony compacts and is quite a useful feature. It fires off a series of shots in rapid succession then matches and stacks them to reduce noise and enhance detail in low-light situations. Image stacking has been available in Photoshop and other dedicated programs for years, but having it done for you in-camera is pretty cool. Some of the other features that have migrated from the compacts to the NEX and now to the DSLRs are Auto HDR and Sweep Panorama. The Auto HDR is similar to the Auto Bracket feature found on many DSLRs to trigger a series of exposures with ascending values to be used to create an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image. Auto HDR goes one step farther by actually combining and processing the images in the camera. Maybe not as "pro" as sitting in front of a computer and processing/tweaking the files in expensive software for an hour to get a natural-looking dynamic range enhancement, but Easy and Good trumps Hard and A Tiny Bit Better any day. If you want to do more than natural and create HDR art, the auto-bracketing covers up to a 6 EV span and there is always manual. The list goes on...
Shooting
Quite simply...I like it!
It is solid, well-balanced, easy to grip and has a control set that grows familiar very quickly. I originally chose the A700 for its control ergonomics and the A77 may end up being a bit better! There's the huge, bright viewfinder and an acrobatic LCD that makes low, high and odd angle shots easier than ever before.
The fastest autofocus I have ever had the pleasure to use and it is accurate too. If one of my lenses back- or front-focuses, there is a menu to compensate with micro adjustments that registers and saves the adjustments for up to 30 lenses. Technological assist for critical manual focusing is very useful.
Fully metered, focus tracking continuous shooting at up to 8 fps is probably more than I will ever need and if it isn't, the more restricted 12 fps mode should cover it.
Image quality is pretty amazing. I haven't tried out the RAW files yet but the JPEGs are quite good. If they improve the JPEG engine with firmware like they did with the A700, I may never use RAW.
And then there is the movie mode...up to 28mbs 1080p60 recording with full-time autofocus or manual focus assisted with peaking...
The features and combination of features fills a 240 page manual and rather than plod through them here ad nauseum, I'm going to go enjoy the rush of photographic inspiration that always comes with a shiny new tool!
Down The Rabbit Hole...?
Is the SLT design with a high-quality electronic viewfinder the wave of the future? Maybe, maybe not. There is personal preference and user inertia involved as with any major change. Remember, it wasn't until digital capture surpassed the film in working quality the it was widely accepted by working photographers and it took years after that to pry film out of some of those cold, dead cameras. The usability of the A77 viewfinder certainly has captured my interest and the interest of a lot of people that would have (and did) scoff at the idea.
Is 24MP too much for APS-C? Some would say yes and I might have been one of them. Certainly the high-ISO performance would have been improved with fewer and larger pixels but for print sizes up to 12x18, the ISO 6400 images are pretty darn good and that places it at least two stops better than the A700 even with double the pixels. At ISO 100 to 400 in good light (which covers portraits and most landscapes) the level of detail is truly amazing and rivals the current crop of full-frame cameras. If you add the improved dynamic range and better color fidelity I might still say that 24MP is too much, but with a lot less conviction than before.
I hope this answered a few questions, I will add more images and perhaps some comments as I get more familiar with my new friend.
Happy shooting!
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2011
Look and Feel
If you have never handled a pro or semi-pro camera body, the tactile difference between a polycarbonate and magnesium alloy shell is immediately noticeable. Even though the body only weighs a little over 1½ lbs (without lens), it feels solid. It has a rubber grip that extends around the back on the right to cover the thumb rest area. The grip itself is deep and fits my medium-wide hands comfortably with a secure feel when holding it one-handed. The body is a little taller than the A700 but more rounded with a matte finish that gives it a no-nonsense appearance. I wouldn't base a camera purchase on how pretty it was, but I appreciate the look of a well-made tool whether it is a Kitchen-Ad mixer, a drill press or a tripod. The A77 is a well-made tool and that makes it pretty to me!
It's What's Outside That Counts
The control layout is a bit different than the A700 but the main controls are similar enough that I was comfortable with it after only a few minutes of fiddling with them. Sony's Quick-Navi menu system from the A700 is gone but the replacement is not a step backward. All of the main functions except stabilization on/off can be accessed either with a dedicated button or on the LCD with a press of the function button. the The stabilization on/off being relegated to the menu instead of having a dedicated button was surprising at first, but after thinking it over, I decided that I really never switched it off unless it was for one of the rare times I was using a tripod (or by accident) and all too often I forgot to turn It back on. Having it on by default and being able to set the menu to come on in the same position that you left it is a workable alternative to having a dedicated switch. One addition is the movie button. Yes, movie. The A77 is the first DSLR I've owned that can do movies and in addition to a full movie mode on the mode dial, there is a record-it-now movie button that lets you start a recording of that unexpected UFO encounter with your default settings at a moment's notice. Now I just have to remember that my DSLR takes movies!
The LCD screen is the same size as the one on the A700 and has the same extremely high resolution but with improved brightness and contrast making it easier to see in bright light. Unlike the A700 the A77's LCD is articulated. Very articulated! The mechanism is very sturdy and can be tilted or swiveled into almost any forward, rearward or sideward position. It even allows you to flip the screen inward in the collapsed position for protection.
The top of the body includes the aforementioned dedicated function buttons plus a monochrome LCD with it own dedicated backlight button that displays the basic camera settings at a glance. The selection on the mode dial is a little different from the ones on the A700. The multiple scene modes are replaced with a single scene mode position and the various modes are now chosen on the rear screen using the joystick control. The additional scene modes have been replaced with settings for Movie mode, 12 fps shooting mode, Sweep Panorama and 3D Sweep Panorama.
The pop-up flash has a new mechanism that slides the flash forward and up to reduce the chance of the lens/shade blocking it. There is also a button to pop the flash up rather than the manual flip-up on earlier 7-series models. On top of the flash is another new thing for me...there's a microphone on my camera! Maybe I'll have to try this movie thing after all. The autofocus mode switch near the lens hasn't changed but the depth-of-field preview can now be programmed to show either depth of field or a preview of scene settings.
Inside counts too
The first "inside" part that I checked out was the viewfinder. After reading all of the doomsaying from the fear, uncertainty and doubt threads on the forums followed by nearly unanimous praise from people who had actually used the camera, I had to see for myself. I have had cameras with EVFs that were considered good. My Minolta D7i was hopelessly outclassed by the full VGA EVF on my Minolta A2 (yes, full VGA on a digicam bridge camera back in 2004!) and I was impressed by the A55 that I tried at a local store. About the new OLED viewfinder on the A77, all I can say is....wow! I imagine if you had 20-10 vision and were college-trained to pick flyspecks out of ground pepper, you might be able to see pixels in the image. I certainly can't. It's like looking at a good 17" XVGA monitor from about 2'-3' away. The image is sharp and contrasty with nicely saturated color. The only clear reminder that it is an electronic image is in areas of very bright highlights or deep shadows where the dynamic range of the display cuts off before you eye would through an OVF. If you pan quickly, there is a faint fuzzing of vertical edges, but no serious degradation and no color tearing at all. Following a moving object is no more difficult than it was with my A700. As light gets lower the image grains up and gives you video noise sparkle which worsens as available light decreases. but still lets you see to compose down past where it would be practical or even possible with an OVF. Those are the basics. The initial plusses and minuses, so to speak. Now for the cool stuff! The list of add-ons in the menu includes options for showing all info (OCD mode), no info (just basic shooting info at the top and bottom), graphic mode (like the NEX LCD info display), Histogram overlay and electronic level. On top of any of these you can add a grid with a choice of a 4x6 square grid, rule of thirds or diagonal lines. The real value is something I missed when I went from my Minolta A2 to the 7D DSLR, namely that the viewfinder can be set to display exactly what the sensor is set to capture. This is really helpful when you are working in mixed light or mixed shade where auto white balance will often fail. Too blue? You see it. A little green from fluorescents? You see it. You can tweak settings until it is corrected and check the results in real-time. Another plus is that you can review the image for critical focus or exposure directly in the viewfinder in the brightest light and see it perfectly. Speaking of critical focus... Most of the better DSLRs can magnify the live-view image for critical focus, but in the field it is often difficult to see clearly. Being able to look through the viewfinder and see a magnified image centered on any point in the frame is a real winner. Another great tool is focus peaking. This is a tool used in videography to highlight the parts of the frame that have the highest contrast (sharpest focus) so the cameraman can quickly determine where the focal point is while filming. What it does is create a colored halo (choice of red, yellow or white) on the edges of objects in the in-focus area that is very easy to see even if you are looking at a washed out LCD with the camera at an angle that makes using the viewfinder difficult or impossible. My bottom line? The A77 EVF exceeded my expectations. It offers a razor-sharp image that displays a larger, brighter view than any APS-C camera (the A700 is one of the best) and nearly as good as the full frame cameras. It also has some technological tricks up its sleeve that are more than marketing gimmicks and offer real functional value.
Deeper Inside
Really deep inside is a somewhat controversial Exmor sensor. It is 24MP which is far and away the highest pixel count of any APS-C camera on the market today. Why controversial? If you have been following the build-up to the release of the A77 and the initial reviews, you have surely seen endless threads on whether Sony should have put so many pixels on an APS-C sensor or spent their efforts on making a lower pixel-count sensor with stellar high-ISO performance. There are also thousands of images with accompanying text declaring its image quality is anywhere from better than medium-format to worse than a cheap compact. In truth, it is neither. Rather it is an advancement in sensor technology that trades some high-ISO performance for some pretty remarkable low-ISO resolution. It also makes a couple of steps ahead in color accuracy and dynamic range.
I am not one to snap a photo and peer endlessly at each pixel blown up to 100% on my monitor, searching for something to b1tch about. I prefer to look at the images as I expect to display them and determine if they will look good. So far, the A77 looks good. Real good.
Tools to Get Those Images
In the past, having "special" modes on a DSLR other than P-A-S-M (Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual) was pooh-poohed as a sure indicator of an entry-level camera that catered to photographers without a clear understanding of basic settings. Though this sounds a little snotty, it was generally true with helper modes like "Sunsets", "Sports" and "Landscapes" to preset the beginner's camera for best-bet shutter and aperture combinations for those subjects. I always thought that some of the more advanced cameras might benefit from some presets that would quickly get you near the optimal settings or add functionality that would be hard to set up manually. As I mentioned earlier, the A700 had a selection "special" settings on the mode dial for just that purpose and after checking them out when I got it, I never actually used any of them. That may change with the A77. While diving into the scene mode menu on the A77, it earned guaranteed return visits when it revealed a hidden gem in the Hand-Held Twilight mode. This first appeared on the higher end Sony compacts and is quite a useful feature. It fires off a series of shots in rapid succession then matches and stacks them to reduce noise and enhance detail in low-light situations. Image stacking has been available in Photoshop and other dedicated programs for years, but having it done for you in-camera is pretty cool. Some of the other features that have migrated from the compacts to the NEX and now to the DSLRs are Auto HDR and Sweep Panorama. The Auto HDR is similar to the Auto Bracket feature found on many DSLRs to trigger a series of exposures with ascending values to be used to create an HDR (High Dynamic Range) image. Auto HDR goes one step farther by actually combining and processing the images in the camera. Maybe not as "pro" as sitting in front of a computer and processing/tweaking the files in expensive software for an hour to get a natural-looking dynamic range enhancement, but Easy and Good trumps Hard and A Tiny Bit Better any day. If you want to do more than natural and create HDR art, the auto-bracketing covers up to a 6 EV span and there is always manual. The list goes on...
Shooting
Quite simply...I like it!
It is solid, well-balanced, easy to grip and has a control set that grows familiar very quickly. I originally chose the A700 for its control ergonomics and the A77 may end up being a bit better! There's the huge, bright viewfinder and an acrobatic LCD that makes low, high and odd angle shots easier than ever before.
The fastest autofocus I have ever had the pleasure to use and it is accurate too. If one of my lenses back- or front-focuses, there is a menu to compensate with micro adjustments that registers and saves the adjustments for up to 30 lenses. Technological assist for critical manual focusing is very useful.
Fully metered, focus tracking continuous shooting at up to 8 fps is probably more than I will ever need and if it isn't, the more restricted 12 fps mode should cover it.
Image quality is pretty amazing. I haven't tried out the RAW files yet but the JPEGs are quite good. If they improve the JPEG engine with firmware like they did with the A700, I may never use RAW.
And then there is the movie mode...up to 28mbs 1080p60 recording with full-time autofocus or manual focus assisted with peaking...
The features and combination of features fills a 240 page manual and rather than plod through them here ad nauseum, I'm going to go enjoy the rush of photographic inspiration that always comes with a shiny new tool!
Down The Rabbit Hole...?
Is the SLT design with a high-quality electronic viewfinder the wave of the future? Maybe, maybe not. There is personal preference and user inertia involved as with any major change. Remember, it wasn't until digital capture surpassed the film in working quality the it was widely accepted by working photographers and it took years after that to pry film out of some of those cold, dead cameras. The usability of the A77 viewfinder certainly has captured my interest and the interest of a lot of people that would have (and did) scoff at the idea.
Is 24MP too much for APS-C? Some would say yes and I might have been one of them. Certainly the high-ISO performance would have been improved with fewer and larger pixels but for print sizes up to 12x18, the ISO 6400 images are pretty darn good and that places it at least two stops better than the A700 even with double the pixels. At ISO 100 to 400 in good light (which covers portraits and most landscapes) the level of detail is truly amazing and rivals the current crop of full-frame cameras. If you add the improved dynamic range and better color fidelity I might still say that 24MP is too much, but with a lot less conviction than before.
I hope this answered a few questions, I will add more images and perhaps some comments as I get more familiar with my new friend.
Happy shooting!
I've been using the a77 for a year and three months. I resisted it and continued using my a700 because I hated the idea of an EVF. However, after about 30 seconds of trying out the a77, I was hooked, and I cannot go back to an OVF. Occasionally I use a Nikon, and it's just awful. An EVF has REAL advantages -- big advantages.
I am a professional photographer, and I'm shooting 4-6 days a week, most weeks. About 70% of my assignments are sports, and about 20% are club event photography. The other 10% are group pictures, studio work, on-location "people at work" photos, etc.
For sports especially, the EVF is incredibly useful. I shoot in manual mode. With an optical viewfinder, if you change from f/2.8 to f/11, the view doesn't change. If you change from 1/50 to 1/2000, the view doesn't change. The picture will be drastically different, but you won't see it until you actually take a picture. With outdoor sports, the lighting is constantly changing -- sun going behind a cloud, light diminishing during sunset, front-lit, side-lit, or back-lit faces. With an electronic viewfinder, you see exactly how the picture will look. If you change the shutter speed, film speed, or aperture, the image in the viewfinder will change. This is a huge help while shooting.
Also, after you take a picture, the picture usually shows up on the back of the camera for a few seconds, right? Well, since the viewfinder is a tiny computer screen, you can have the picture show up there, instead. That is also great. You don't have to take the camera away from you eye and look at the back of the camera -- you can be shooting pictures and reviewing them, all without moving the camera. It's kind of like the difference between using keyboard shortcuts and clicking with the mouse. Yes, you can type, then use the mouse to click on the next field, then type some more, then use the mouse to click on the next field. But it's much faster to just hit "tab" to go to the next field. You never take your hands off the keys,and it just goes faster, your train of thought isn't interrupted, you can just "go" faster.
For example, when I take group photos, I need to check to see if anyone was blinking, and take another picture if they were. With an EVF, I take the picture, then the image immediately appears on the screen in the viewfinder, and I can very quickly see whether I need to take another picture or not. I know -- it doesn't sound like a big deal. None of these things would have made much impression on me, before I bought an a77 and got hooked. I would have said they were all small things, and really not very important.
Just try it. Borrow or rent one for a week, and then try to go back to an optical viewfinder. You won't be able to do it.
One more benefit of an EVF: you know how, when it's sunny outside, it can be hard to see the screen on the back of the camera? Too much glare, too bright outside? Well, the EVF is inside the camera, in a deep dark cave. There are no reflections, no glare to fight. You can see how the picture actually looks.
Ok, so obviously I think the EVF is the big selling point with this camera. But there are other good things.
The 12 fps is kind of a lie. The real burst rate is 7 fps. 12 fps only works in "P" mode. If you are a serious photographer, you don't use P. But 7 is plenty. If you're the person who has to cull all the photos after an event (and I am), then...7 fps is more than enough to wade through... I do use the 12 fps setting when shooting golf, just because the club and ball move SO FAST. And I also use it in baseball, to get the "ball on the bat" picture. But otherwise, 7 fps is plenty.
The camera is rugged. I shoot sports. Most sports don't stop because of rain, sleet, snow, heat, or cold. So I can't, either. I've used this camera in all types of weather, and it survives admirably. It's built tough.
People say the Sony alpha cameras have bad high-ISO noise, and I agree. HOWEVER, I work for a large photography company. I am (obviously) the only Sony shooter. Most of the other photogs shoot Nikons, and a few shoot Canon. The head of sports photography sees ALL pictures, from everyone, before the pictures go onto the website. And he raves about my camera's noise performance. He's comparing my a77's noise to pictures from Nikons and Canons, and he thinks the a77 is excellent. He's a die-hard Nikon fan (a member of their professional photographer group), but my pictures have almost won him over to Sony. I honestly don't understand how my pictures are so much better than pictures from Nikon and Canon, but he swears they are. So much so that I have become my company's top photographer for low-light assignments.
The GPS feature is GREAT, and I'm very disappointed that they've eliminated it on the a77 mark 2. It's another feature (like EVF) that you don't realize how useful it is until you actually have it. I will be very sad to lose it. Very.
The Minolta/Sony hotshoe is a non-issue. Were you planning to use a Canon flash on your a77? No, of course not. So what does it matter? Sony, Sigma, etc make flashes with our mount. It's true, pocketwizard does not. But I use cowboy studio triggers, and guess what? They work equally reliably as pocketwizards, and they cost a small faction of what pocketwizards do. Perhaps a cowboystudio trigger wouldn't work from 100 meters away, and perhaps a pocketwizard would. But I don't work that far from my lights. In normal studio conditions, my cowboystudio triggers work as reliably as my company's pocketwizards. And the cowboystudio triggers allow my camera to fire my Canon 430 EXII flash remotely. (Ok, so I WAS planning on using a canon flash with my a77...)
My Sony a77 is rugged, dependable, full-featured, takes great pictures, has good continuous AF, and has an excellent electronic viewfinder. I use the camera 4-6 days a week, and I'm glad I chose Sony, not Canon or Nikon. It's an excellent camera.
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Your next day delivery is too good.
And a very nice gift raped too.....the camera now i use