X

Sony SLT-A99: A body built for stills and motion (pictures)

The company wants you to feel equally at home shooting photo and video with the A99.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
a99-1.jpg
1 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Light but large

The A99 is one of the lighter mirrored interchangeable-lens full-frame bodies, but it's still rather large. Of course, that makes it more comfortable to use when you're shooting with a fast, quality lens. It has similar construction to competitors, with a magnesium alloy chassis, dust-and-moisture seals, and a 200,000-cycle shutter.
a99-2.jpg
2 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Control synergy

If you've ever used one of Sony's prosumer camcorders you'll recognize this multicontroller dial, which allows you to quickly and quietly change settings such as aperture and exposure while shooting video.
a99-3.jpg
3 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Connectors

In addition to offering an almost complete set of connections, the implementations seem very nice. For instance, via the headphone jack you can monitor audio either live or synced to playback, and the camera can output uncompressed, clean HDMI.
a99-4.jpg
4 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Dual card slots

While I prefer a combination of CF and SD card slots -- you can still get faster CF cards -- dual SDXC slots are welcome.
a99-6.jpg
5 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Rube Goldberg's LCD

The A99 has the same complex articulating LCD design as the A77's. It's more flexible than the typical flip-out-and-twist versions, but I also find it takes more concentration to get it properly positioned than I like to devote to an LCD.
a99-5.jpg
6 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Back controls

While the A99 has a complete set of direct-access controls that are laid out for streamlined shooting, I've never been fond of the bubbling-tar bulbous look of them.
a99-8.jpg
7 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Mode dial

The locking mode dial features the basics plus a few extras: three slots for custom settings, a manual-control movie mode, Continuous Priority AE shooting, and panoramas. The A99 also has a built-in stereo microphone on top of the camera.
a99-9.jpg
8 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

Top LCD

Like other cameras in its class, the A99 has a status display on top.
a99-10.jpg
9 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

New hot shoe

The A99 incorporates Sony's new Multi Interface Shoe, which uses some extra custom connectors on the inside in addition to ISO standard hardware. Sony will offer an adapter so that you can use your old Konica Minolta flashes with the new shoe. The extra connectors make add-ons like the XLR Adaptor kit possible.
a99-11.jpg
10 of 10 Lori Grunin/CNET

AF Range Control

The A99 provides a new control that lets you specify a distance range to limit the autofocus system.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos