Along with the new sensor the Sony SLT - A77 includes their Translucent Mirror technology recently reviewed in the Sony SLT A35.
It is the sensor that sets their new Digital SLT apart from the rest. The A77 has a small APS-C sensor yet tests in the DxOMark lab show the Alpha 77 rivals, and in some aspects outperforms more expensive top line full frame DSLRs.
“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.”
DxOMark Sensor Scores
The comparison summary in the table at below the article has the A77 pitted against the Pentax K-5 and the 21.1 Megapixel Canon EOS 5D Mk II. The Pentax K-5 is the highest scoring APS-C sensor camera so far tested by DxOMark and the Canon 5D is one of Canon’s best high resolution full frame DSLRs.
The overall results are very close withe Pentax K-5, using a Sony 16Megapixel sensor, coming out on top due to its amazing low light ability. This is the relative weak point of the Sony A77 and it just puts it behind the Canon 5D. The Sony is not bad, the other two are excellent in low light. This shows the design compromise of making a high resolution small, or cropped, sensor.
In other important areas the Sonly Alpha 77 out performs its full frame rival. In the portrait score the Sony is helped by its resolution advantage over the full frame Canon 5D and the Pentax K-5 to come out just on top.
In the Landscape category the Canon fares rather poorly for a camera aimed at portrait and landscape photographers. This is mainly die the ability of two Sony sensor cameras to capture a greater range of light from dark to very bright, this is called dynamic range. In the dynamic range test results from DxOMark at lower ISO settings, most common for portrait and landscape photography, the Sony SLT -A77 has a huge advantage over the Canon 5D.
Video Autofocus
The Translucent Mirror technology offers a big advantage to photographers interested in DSLR video. The Sony SLT-A77 can use the preferred phases detection method for fast accurate autofocus in while making movies as the translucent mirror reflects light to the autofocus sensor array all the time because the mirror does not move.
Electronic Viewfinder and Battery Life
This is the flip side of the Translucent Mirror technology. The cameras do not have an optical viewfinder, instead they have an electronic version. The biggest drawback here is reduced battery life.
Sony says the SLT A-77 can take approximately 470 photos with the viewfinder and 530 photos with the rear LCD screen in CIPA standard tests. Sony’s Alpha 900 uses the same battery and with an optical viewfinder, can take 880 photos under CIPA test conditions.
Value for Money
According to Sony the new α77 Translucent Mirror interchangeable lens camera will be available this month, October, in a kit with the new SAL1650 f2.8 lens for about $US2000, and offered as body-only for about $US1400.
This compares to the Canon 5D MkII that is readily available for a body only price of around $US2400.
With image stabilisation built into the camera body the Sony Alpha 77 saves you money very time you buy a lens because lenses without IS or VR are cheaper. It also means all your lenses benefit from stabilisation.
Landscape Photographers will appreciate the rugged construction of the SLT-A77 with a magnesium alloy body that gives high strength with light weight. Ports, doors and controls are also weather-resistant.
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