With 24 megapixel, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and fixed semi-transparent mirror – Sony goes a slightly different way with the new models A77 and A65 than the classic camera manufacturers Canon, Nikon and Pentax. The core feature is the “Translucent Mirror” technology (SLT) introduced a year ago: a semitransparent, fixed mirror permanently drops about 70 percent of the light onto the sensor. This then provides the live view image for the monitor and the electronic viewfinder. The remaining 30 percent steer the mirror to the autofocus sensors. Thus the fast live AF is available with the live view as well as in the video mode. With prices of 1300 euros for the A77 and 900 euros for the A65, both models belong to the upper middle class and fill the gap left by the A700.
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Equipment In a direct comparison, the A77 is a good bit bigger than the A65. The A77 with aluminum housing is just over 100 g heavier than the A65 with a plastic housing weighing 620 g. The housing cover of both models is made of plastic, but makes a solid impression. Both lie well and safely in the hand. The A77 is also protected against dust and moisture.
Sony also has the more ambitious A77 model with an additional LC display on the top of the case for the direct display, which the A65 does without. The integrated flash of the A77 with LZ 9 illuminates up to 24 mm wide angle, the A65 flash with LZ 8 only up to 28 mm wide angle. The cordless control of external system flash units is possible with both cameras.
Exmor sensor and Bionz image processor are good in the A65 for ISO values from 100 to 16000, while with the A77 sensitivities are already adjustable from ISO 50. In addition to the maximum value, a "multi-image noise reduction" also makes it possible to use ISO 25600. The Sony's six recordings add up to a photo with less noise. Image stabilization is via sensor shift.
The CCD line sensor of the TTL phase detection system of the A65 is well equipped with 15 focus points including 3 cross sensors, the A77 with 19 focus points including 11 cross sensors is even better. The sensors, which are arranged in three groups centrally, right and left, can be used in different configurations from the large multi-field to the targeted single spot. The sharpness tracking in the lateral image movement takes place not only in the area of the marked sensors, but also in the edge areas of the image which are moreover outlined.
With manual focusing, the practical "peaking" function, which emphasizes the focus areas red, yellow or white - however, always only refers to the open aperture, thus without visual sharpening depth control. Alternatively, the center focus field will turn green. In addition, the electronic viewfinder, together with the very effective viewfinder, allows a clean manual focus.
There is no traditional SLR with optical viewfinder to keep up. For the exposure measurement, multi-field, mid-range concentra- tion and spot are available. In the exposure control, the photographer also has the full selection: "Auto +" - automatic with automatic subject selection, automatic program with shift or automatic time and aperture control as well as manual time / aperture selection. Features such as DRO dynamics optimization in five and HDR auto- function in three stages, as well as 2D and 3D swingpanorams owe the A77 and A65 the combined abilities of the fast Exmor sensor and Bionz processor. The 3D swingpanorama probably belongs to the category Features.
A77 and A65 allow the fastest image series of this comparison with 7.9 and 7.7 RAW-B / s respectively. The A65, however, creates only four images, and the A77 has 14 images at a time. At the shutter speeds, the A65 waits with a minimum of 1/4000 s and x = 1/160 s, the A77 comes to 1 / 8000s and x = 1 / 250s. The A77 is equipped with 5 or 3 exposures, the A65 with only 3 exposures.
One of the special features of the models is the integrated GPS function with time synchronization. The first SLRs take Sony A77 and A65 full-HD video 1920x1080 in 1080p progressive mode with 50 full-frame images, providing even better edge definition. The video recording can be started at any time via a direct start button, stored in the AVCHD format
More important, however, is the clean tracking system: in the first SLT models a year ago, the live autofocus continued the sharpness too jerky. Now the phase autofocus provides on the one hand for much more speed than the contrast solutions of Canon and Nikon, but at the same time it draws the sharpness but now softer. When it comes to video, Sony can not offer the maximum sharpening depth of an EOS 5D Mark II, but the most practical overall package. If you do not want to invest in expensive special solutions for manual tracking, the new Sonys will get the best SLR videos.
Another video advantage is the electronic viewfinder: With classic SLRs, the mirror must be folded up in the film rotation. Only then the light falls from the objective to the sensor for video recording. This leaves the optical viewfinder dark, and the film is limited to the monitor. In the case of the Sonys, (electronic) viewfinders such as monitors are also active in video mode.
Operation Knurling wheels at the top of the cameras allow fast selection of basic recording functions. In detail, the operation of the A65 is strongly monitor-oriented. The concept is similar to the A77, but the numerous buttons and buttons as a kind of second level also offer adequate direct access possibilities. Targeted presets for recording, playback and camera management are made with seven models with up to three sub-screens on both models after pressing the menu button. Current settings of the important recording function are possible by pressing the "Fn" button after pressing the "Fn" button, using the 4-directional joystick on the A77 or the corresponding rocker on the A65.
Many settings such as time and aperture or exposure compensation, ISO value, white balance, standard image function or viewfinder can be performed on the A77 but also by pressing the direct dial and rotary on the classic dial. The A65 is equipped with an additional one for the release finger and the A77 with a second for the thumb. The switching between the live viewfinder or monitor image can be performed automatically when the eyepiece is approached or removed from the eyepiece. The "Eye-Start" function for the AF, once invented by Minolta, can also be found in A77 and A65.
The display button can be used to call up differently sized display planes overlapping the actual monitor image one after the other, including histograms and electronic water scales. Overall, the operation of both models has proved to be well-thought-out and practical after a short familiarization.
Viewfinder / Monitor With their electronic viewfinders, A77 and A65 set new standards. The OLED viewfinder with 786432 RGB pixels convince in color and sharpness. Added to this is the search magnification of 0.72x, which guarantees excellent overview. Only in fast movements jerks the viewfinder picture. Thus, the Sony viewfinders are not quite the quality of an optical professional search, but are the rather small solutions in the cheap SLRs superior. Another plus is its functional advantage with a viewfinder with manual focusing and support for the video function. The brightness of the moving 3-inch LCD monitors from A77 and A65 with 307200 RGB pixels resolution can be adjusted in five steps, on request automatically. The screens are differently articulated. With the A65, the monitor can be folded down by 180 °, then turned 90 ° to the right or 80 ° to the left. The A77 monitor can also be pulled out of the rear wall along with the required degrees of freedom, together with the swivel beam carrier, and can then be shifted in parallel at a variable angle, placed on the top of the camera or directed forward. The photographer gets something like a light shovel, without a shaft.
Image quality Soft detail images, problems with higher sensitivities - in the past, the Sony signal processing could not always convince. This is no longer the case for the new "As". The resolution is as high as expected and up to ISO 1600 also very constant, but not exaggerated high. It remains somewhat under the potential of a 24-megapixel sensor, which benefits the images as a whole.
Despite smaller pixels, noise and fine-tuning are at the same level as the test results of the competitors. Only Pentax is clearly ahead of the kurtosis values. Only from ISO 1600 and more clearly still at ISO 3200 the measured values then decrease significantly. The ISO 3200 images are still usable, but they are no longer good.
The DeadLeaves values are noticeable with poorer results at ISO 100 compared to ISO 400. Obviously, Sony has the lowest sensitivity softer - as the NEX-5 result in this issue shows. Overall, Sony has not only brought the established manufacturers to the picture quality, but also partly overtaken them.
Pentax still scores with the most gentler signal processing, but Sony has clearly caught up, so the smaller pixels only lead to drawbacks in fine-tuning at very high sensitivities. Actually a RAW test was also planned, but we must push, since the RAW converter of Sony still has its quirks. So now the JPEGs are better than the RAWs, and up to the delivery could also give an update also with the internal firmware.
Conclusion: The second generation of the SLTs convinces on the whole line with an improved electronic viewfinder, the best video function, good picture quality and operation. For the top model, the better housing and the much more numerous direct access to important functions speak. With the same searcher and the minimal better test results of the cheaper model, however, many customers will save 400 euros and choose the A65.
Sony Alpha 77
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