Sony's video-friendly A99 full-frame camera
Sony pulls out all the stops with its re-entry into the full-frame pro camera market.
I admit, I really didn't like Sony's first full-frame cameras, the DSLR-A900 and its stripped-down sibling, the DSLR-A850. I used to use them as examples of poor noise reduction and for before-and-after examples for the virtues of third-party raw-processing software. But that was three years ago, and just before Sony had its "aha!" moment and started churning out excellent sensors. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing what the company has wrought with its fixed-mirror, long-overdue replacement for those models, the Alpha SLT-A99.
Priced aggressively against its two major competitors, the A99 doesn't lack for features. Though it doesn't have an antialiasing-filter-free model, it incorporates a new selectively applied low-pass filter as a compromise for increased capability to resolve detail, along with new noise-reduction algorithms that ostensibly reduces fat noise only where you need it for improved results.
Though it doesn't use a hybrid sensor to combine phase-detection and contrast autofocus, it has a dual phase-detection AF system that the company claims improves tracking AF considerably, and a new AF Range control lets you specify near and far distance limiters for the focus range. The latter sounds especially nice if you shoot scenes where people are likely to pass between you and the subject while shooting.
Because of the fixed-mirror design, Sony has long had much better contrast autofocus during video shooting in its SLR-style SLT line than Canon and Nikon have yet been able to achieve, and in the A99 Sony is pressing its advantage by enhancing the camera's video friendliness. It incorporates a camcorder-like multicontroller dial on the front for silent exposure adjustments, offers full-time continuous autofocus, clean HDMI output, and a headphone jack that can be set to sync for either live monitoring or playback. And if you want, you can equip the A99 with the optional $800 XLR-K1M, which adds dual XLR jacks and a shotgun mic.
Finally, if you're a Sony A series shooter disgruntled by the company's lack of tethering support for most of its modern models, the company will be updating its Remote Camera Control software to support the A99. While it would be lovely if RCC would support models shipped between the A700 and A99, Sony's not commenting on it.
Here's the current pro full-frame field:
| Canon EOS 5D Mark II | Canon EOS 5D Mark III | Nikon D800/ D800E | Sony Alpha SLT-A99V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 21.1-megapixel CMOS 4-channel readout 14 bit | 22.3-megapixel CMOS 8-channel readout 14-bit | 36.3-megapixel CMOS n/a 14 bit | 24.3mp Exmor CMOS 14-bit |
| 36 mm x 24mm | 36 mm x 24mm | 35.9 mm x 24mm | 35.8 x 23.9mm | |
| Focal-length multiplier | 1.0x | 1.0x | 1.0x | 1.0x |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 50 (exp)/100 - ISO 6400/25600 (exp) | ISO 50 (exp)/100 - ISO 25600/102,400 (exp) | ISO 50 (exp)/100 - ISO 6400/ 25600 (exp) | ISO 50 (expanded) / ISO 100 - ISO 51200 / ISO 102400 (expanded, via multishot NR) |
| Continuous shooting | 3.9fps 14 raw/310 JPEG | 6fps 13 raw/65 JPEG | 4fps n/a (5fps with battery grip) | 6fps 13 raw/14 JPEG |
| Viewfinder magnification/ effective magnification | Optical 100% coverage 0.71x/0.71x | Optical 100% coverage 0.71x/0.71x | Optical 100% coverage 0.70x/0.70x | OLED EVF 0.5-inch 2.4 million dots 100% coverage 0.71x/0.71x |
| Autofocus | 9-pt AF 1 cross type | 61-pt High Density Reticular AF 21 center diagonal to f5.6 5 center to f2.8 20 outer to f4 | 51-pt 15 cross type; 11 cross type to f8 | dual phase -detection system 19pt 11 cross type; 102pt focal plane |
| AF exposure range | -0.5 - 18 EV | -2 - 20 EV | -2 - 19 EV | -1 - 18 EV |
| Shutter speed | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/200 sec x-sync | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync | 1/8,000 to 30 secs; bulb; 1/250 sec x-sync |
| Shutter durability | 150,000 cycles | 150,000 cycles | 200,000 cycles | 200,000 cycles |
| Metering | 35-zone TTL | 63-area iFCL | 91,000-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering III | 1200 zones |
| Metering exposure range | 1 - 20 EV | 0 - 20 EV (est) | 0 - 20 EV | -2 - 17 EV |
| Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Optical | Sensor shift |
| Video | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/25p/24p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/60p/50p | H.264 QuickTime MOV 1080/30p/ 25p/24p; 720/60p/50p/ 25p/24p | AVCHD 1080/60p @ 28, 24Mbps, 1080/24p @ 24, 17Mbps, 1080/60i @ 17Mbps; H.264 MPEG-4 1440x1080/30p @ 12Mbps |
| Rated estimated max HD video length at best quality | 4GB (approx 12 minutes) | 29m59s | 20 minutes | n/a |
| Audio | mono; mic input | mono; mic input; headphone jack | mono; mic input; headphone jack | Stereo; mic input; headphone jack |
| LCD size | 3 inches fixed 920,000 dots | 3.2 inches fixed 1.04 megadot | 3.2 inches fixed 921,000 dots | 3 inches articulated 921,600 dots |
| Memory slots | 1 x CF (UDMA mode 7) | 1 x CF (UDMA mode 7), 1 x SDXC | 1 x CF (UDMA mode 7), 1 x SDXC | 2 x SDXC |
| Wireless flash | No | No | Yes | No |
| Battery life viewfinder/Live View (CIPA rating) | 850/ n/a shots (1,800mAh) | 950/200 shots (1,800mAh) | 900/ n/a shots (1,800mAh) | 410 shots (1,650mAh) |
| Dimensions (inches, WHD) | 6.0 x 4.5 x 3.0 | 6.1 x 4.6 x 3.0 | 5.7 x 4.8 x 3.2 | 5.9 x 4.5 x 3.1 |
| Body operating weight (ounces) | 32.9 | 33.5 | 31.7 (est) | 25.9 (est) |
| Mfr. price | $2,499 (body only) | $3,499 (body only) | $2,999.95/ $3,299.95 (body only) | $2,799.99 (body only) |
| n/a | $4,299 (with 24-105mm lens) | n/a | n/a | |
| Ship date | November 2008 | March 2012 | March 2012/ April 2012 | October 2012 |
My one instant gripe is the camera's sad-beyond-belief battery life, likely due to the power-sucking OLED EVF and underamped battery. This is a pro camera, folks -- it should last more than a couple of hours without requiring the optional battery grip. the grip brings the total number of available batteries to four, and presumably raises the effective battery life to 1600 shots. But much as I like the design of Sony's vertical grips, they make the cameras a lot bigger. And full-resolution continuous shooting maxes out at 14 JPEGs? Ouch.
Sony also announced a new HVL-F60M flash that preserves the clever multidirection twist design and adds a bank of LED video lights (with diffuser) and an updated user interface. It fits into the new Multi Interface Shoe that replaces the ages-old proprietary A-mount shoe; you'll be able to get an adapter to use your old equipment in it, though. There's a new version of the 300mm f2.8 lens with updated coatings, faster focus drive, and enhanced dust-and-moisture resistance. And finally, Sony announced that Zeiss is working on a new Planar T* 50mm f1.4 ZA SSM lens for the spring. That should have some folks saving away in anticipation.