Sony A65 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only For Sale
- 2nd Generation Translucent Mirror Technology camera
- 24.3 MP for superb detail and amazing enlargements
- Ultra-fast up to 10 fps continuous shooting with Auto Focus
- World's first OLED viewfinder; big and bright
- World's first HD Movie mode with AVCHD 60p/60i/24p
Best Review: Sony A65 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only - This is a serially (and over time very extensively) revised review, as I have had a chance to spend lots of time with this camera over the last ten months and taken roughly 15000 pictures - for sure one of the best electronics purchases I have made in the last 10 years. Some of the initial problems I saw (flash overexposure for one) have been addressed in firmware updates (or require some user adjustments). JPEGs (Sony's default jpeg algorithm could use some tweaking/sharpening) print out sharply at 30 by 20 print sizes (as long as I stay under ISO 800). RAW images at low ISO will print tack sharp to 36x24 easily. When paired with the new Sony 16-50mm 2.8 lens (see separate review for this terrific lens), takes some of the best pictures this side of a FF pro camera) - if you stay to ISO 800 and under. The one Achilles heel of this camera is low light noise, but with flash, I mostly avoid shooting at anything over ISO 1600, so this weakness is really rendered a moot point. For those shooting in the virtual dark, see body text for comments (and confessions).And for those curious about the cryptic header (that this isn't a DSLR), it is a DSLT - meaning that a fixed translucent mirror that doesn't move replaces the standard SLR mirror that has to flop in and out of position in front of the sensor. That design difference is the key to the camera's unique strengths (and its weaknesses in the minds of many purists). However, that single design difference allows the much faster and more accurate phase detection autofocus system to be working all the time, including while shooting movies (something no other DSLR can do), and thus gives you full time live view, much faster hi-speed shooting, and a lighter body, but also requires an electronic (non-optical) viewfinder, and with a modest loss of light to the sensor (with some attendant noise penalty). The key issue is whether that balance of pluses and minuses works for you . . . . but for most people looking for the best possible still photography and video, this is, at least in IMHO, a truly brilliant stroke that in one fell swoop removes some of the chronic limitations of the classic DSLR environs. There are a few downsides, but with HUGE upsides. Whether its mix of features works for you might depend on what and where you shoot . . . .Pros:1) Best viewfinder in the sub-frame world (2.4 million dot OLED), as bright as any full frame viewfinder, and with far more useful information. Once you've used it, you may not be able to go back. Paradigm changing - once you see what you can do creatively with this new tool, optical viewfinders seem primitive and confining.2) Class leading 24 megapixel resolution (at low to medium ISO, yields remarkably detailed images, esp in RAW).3) Many useful shooting modes including panorama and high dynamic range modes (but see cons on panorama mode). Intuitive and yet deep & customizable operating system. But can be put in simple AUTO and AUTO+ modes for the less technical.4) Full-time live view system and full time phase detection AF for both stills and movies - FAR better than the clunky live view systems 'tacked on' in traditional DSLRs, and the contrast detection DLSRs have to use with mirror-lockup and movie shooting.5) Class-leading video resolution (1080 at 60p) with as good video capabilities as any camcorder. Takes as good or better video than any DSLR if shooting in 60p, and with option to use either viewfinder or LCD for framing video - something no other DSLR can do.6) Intuitive and well thought-out ergonomics.7) Fast and responsive operation. Fastest continuous shooting in class (10 frames per second). Fast focusing, decent menu speed (improved w/ new firmware)8) Excellent image stabilization system (and no more sensor overheating from the IS that plagued the Sony A55!).9) In-camera GPS (can be defeated).10) Decent battery life (significant battery upgrade from the Alpha 55) given that EVF sucks down a lot of battery.11) Best features/price ratio in the middle to high-end consumer/prosumer model DSLR group.12) Easy access to any Minolta lens and a decent selection of Sony lenses for reasonable money, particularly a superb new 16-50 mm 2.8 lens (see separate review).13) Ability to remove virtually all CA, distortion, and vignetting in increasing number of Sony lens (firmware-based). When used with the new 16-50mm 2.8 lens, produces very sharp images, w/out any visible classic optical distortions (CA, vignetting, barrel distortion, etc).Firmware correction of lens optical aberrations has to be one of most under-appreciated but valuable features of this new camera's operating system. These corrections work with many popular Sony lenses (now available for virtually all the Sony kit and telephoto zooms and most Sony primes), w/ more included in future firmware (wish Sony would make that full list more available to SLT owners!). This software correction makes a VERY discernible difference in large prints, and means that these classic distortions are basically a non-issue for corrected lenses (see DP Reviews treatment of this in their A65 review).Cons:1) Some increase in noise at higher ISO, particularly in RAW images without NR (noise reduction). Not surprising in view of increased pixel density (see #9 below). But this is clearly the camera's one major weakness, and no sense in glossing over it.2) Early firmware bugs - some have been improved, but still room for more improvements? (i.e., Sony's HVL-F42 flash yields still badly overexposed pictures - this happens mostly with bounce flash. Other firmware bugs and weaknesses (like JPEG definitions) could also be improved.3) As great as the EVF is, sometimes the view is too contrasty, yielding either blown highlights or 'blackout' regions - needs contrast adjustment function.4) Not as svelte as the Alpha 55 (but for those with big hands, the extra heft and size work). A bit porky with the 16-50 2.8.5) Limited control options in high-speed shooting modes and in movie modes.6) Screen blacks out once you fill up the buffer in high-speed shooting and you have to wait until all the images are dumped onto your card with poor buffer depth (common problem across all Sonys - even the new A99). Why can't Sony get this better implemented????7) Resulting loss of live view in high-speed shooting modes can make aiming the camera a bit tricky.8) Switching between viewing photos vs. videos is still a bit cumbersome and awkward.9) Default JPEG settings are both too soft (need sharpening), and too noisy at higher ISO - requires users understand menu options and make adjustments to get best possible JPEGs (set NR to high on high ISO, and sharpening to 3+ gives you the best JPEGs).10 Sweep panorama modes distinctly poor in resolution (because of having to remove panning effects and image smear with very high shutter speeds/high ISO?) compared to stitching together your own panorama images (i.e. using Microsoft ICE). Sony should really fix this as it limits a very useful mode.BEST IN CLASS SPECIFICATIONS?Although the Sony Alpha 65 might have flown under the radar in the context of the simultaneous release of Sony's flagship Alpha 77, I believe it's actually the better deal for everyone who's not interested in a pro-style body. It contains most of the high technology of the flagship model Alpha 77, minus the top LCD panel and the 12 frame per second shooting rate (you'll have to suffer along with a measly 10 frames per second), a slightly less complex AF system, and a few other minor 'downgrades'. But the sensor and the EVF (in my judgment, the most important innovations of the A77) are intact. All this for a significant reduction in Price ($949 for body only versus $1449 for the Alpha 77). Unfortunately, it's very tough to get this model right now - minimal supply and lots of demand.If you're interested in video, there is nothing right now that beats the video specification of this camera as most DSLRs will only shoot in 60i (often times interpolated from 30p), whereas this camera will shoot a true 60 frames a second in progressive scan. Still pictures are spectacular, and with more resolution than virtually anything outside of the full frame 24 megapixel Nikon D3X. A large 19x13 printout of a standard test image shows the A65 very, very close in detail to the Nikon D3x (the current resolution king in 35mm photography and able to resolve detail comparable to 35mm Kodachrome 64 (remember that stuff??). (UPDATE - the new full frame Nikon D800 will have a 36MP sensor - but will cost $3000 - and will really compete with Sony's new A99 full frame pro camera.) Nothing in the subframe APS-C market will outresolve the A65 in fair to decent light - or provide better video.LOW LIGHT PROBLEMS?Although the recent Digital Photography Review (the closest thing to a definitive source on digital cameras on the web) slammed the Alpha 77 (same sensor and basic image engine as the A65) for its high noise particularly in RAW, and its somewhat 'mushy' JPEG rendering, I generally agree, but think some clarifications are called for. First of all, the default JPEGs can be significantly sharpened. I run the camera in the standard mode (one among several 'creative modes') but with sharpening maxed out. You wouldn't want to do this with a Canon (they are already a bit crunchy in terms of their default JPEG settings), but there is no artifact effect that I have been able to find, and it gets much closer to the maximum detail out of the 24MP sensor. Also, you have the set the HIGH ISO NR to high, instead of its default. This combination gets much more out of the sensor than its default settings. Read more ›
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For Sale Sony A65 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only For Sale
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