2 Attachment(s)
The switch from switches - more menu-diving
Thanks, Frank, for posting this.
Attachment 58092
This camera Looks just like a common Nikon or Canon lack-of-original-concept camera. There's no serious distinction between this and any other SONY body! Nice... does SONY want me to go to Canon or Nikon? What advantage do I have staying with a camera that just subtracted a lot of practical functionality and turned itself into an iPhone with a removable lens?
With that movable LCD, I would have put some additional recessed switches under it, not removed any (see below)... so that us "not particularly-keen-on-using-a-menu" types would not have to use a drop-down solution for a shot. I figure they could have gotten 6 bi-functional switches under that thing. Maybe some lighting control for the RF-sync that is STILL missing from the camera.
I put "?" marks on them ... so people could maybe figure their own custom "mapping" of them and not be left to SONY's outstanding decision-making. :D
Anyway, camera body-space or 'real estate' that is that clear and devoid of anything just... well, it makes no sense to me. I say, fill it up! It is a protected area.. no accidental finger strikes (unlike the other crowded switch locations). Most advanced photographers just love switches... and they are cheap. This is an α7xx-series camera... without switches, it kind of sucks. SONY(Minolta) is not Canon or Nikon. Quit looking like them. Fire those design guys... get the original Minolta-squad back. Make mine "bristle" with creative control that I do not have to hunt through. Some photography simply is not that patient, my friends.
The menu should be for static settings... not "on-the-fly" image decision-making. That is what separates a "photographer" from "some guy with a camera."
C'mon, folks... let's have some practical thinking with this advanced technology... not a bunch of also-rans. Geesh. Design-guys, go get a sandwich. Your baby is NOT UGLY ENOUGH. :D
Here's the promo video from Amazon
Amazon a77 video
12fps ... 19pt quick AF with 11 cross-sensors @ 24MP APS HD CMOS Sensor
60p video capture
$1,399... dig deep, folks :(
I feel this is an import excerpt from a review done by Carl Garrard, over at AlphaMountWorld.com
What A700 upgraders will gain:
* Higher sustained metered/w/autofocus frame rate (8fps vs 5), 12fps program AF (metering and most manual control is locked)
* More resolution 24.3 mp vs. 12.3mp
* Full time phase detection Auto Focus
* More AF points and double cross points (19 total 11 cross vs 9 total 1 center cross)
* Face Detection
* Smile shutter
* 11 Artistic Jpeg Art Filters, 26 variations
* Live View (and all of its wonderful advantages)
* Multi Angle LCD Screen (same resolution)
* Top Mounted LCD w/Illumination
* 1.09x 2.35 Million Dot OLED EVF viewfinder (and all of its wonderful advantages)
* ISO range slightly increased (100-25,200 with MFNR, without 50-16,000)
* Lens Autofocus accuracy adjustment/correction
* Lens distortion correction (CA/distortion/vignetting) for Alpha lenses only
* Greater bracketing range 1/3 - 3 ev (Adds a 2 ev setting)
* Movie recording HD full/w/Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
* Focus Peaking (relatively new Sony-only live view AF assist)
* Rear Magnesium Body Panel (yes the A700's was plastic)
* Claimed 1 stop improvement in Image Stabilization
* Sweep Panorama (3D as well)
* Multi-Frame Noise Reduction (MFNR)
* Auto HDR
* On Board GPS
* Three Customizable Buttons
* Shutter Rating at 150,000 Cycles
What A700 upgraders will lose:
* Battery life (rating with EVF is 470 shots, LCD is 530 shots (both CIPA)
* An Optical Viewfinder (and all its wonderful advantages)
* Buffer Size (per Sony's specs) 11 shots only raw+jpeg, 13 raw, 18 jpeg
* Noise Reduction OFF setting for Jpegs (only low available now)
* Direct Manual Focus
* Extra card slot (only one total on the A77)
* 1/3rd stop of light gathering (due to fixed mirror)
What Remains the Same:
* Program Auto Mode (no program shift)
* No weather/dust resistant lenses
* Dust reduction system
* No PC control (Tethering)
* Temperature range rating (still 32-104 degrees)
* Kelvin WB low still 2,500
* Flash Sync Speed
* Low light AF sensitivity (still -1ev)
* Flash system overall
* 1/8000th Max Shutter Speed
* Quick Navi Menu System Stays with the A77
--> I have to hand it to them... they snuck the Customizable buttons in on me. Way to go... this time.
For the current economy... the SLT-a65 may be the better deal
Frank,
After reading Carl's review of the two cameras, the α77 ($1399) and the α65 ($899), and what they offer... pound for pound, the α65 actually sounds like the "real deal."
The rather minor reductions in what the α65 offers...
*24.3mp Resolution
*2.35 Million Dot OLED EVF w/1.09x Magnification 100% View
*Quick-Navi Menu System
*11 Picture Effect Jpeg Filters, 15 variations
*15 Point AF system w/3 cross points
*Auto-HDR
*Multi-Frame Noise Reduction
*ISO 100-16,000 (w/MFNR enabled to 25,600)
*1/4000th Second Max Shutter Speed
*1/160th Max Flash Sync Speed
*10fps Cont. Adv. Priority AE mode/8fps sustained in any mode
*60/24fps 1080p AVCHD Video w/manual control
*Handheld Twilight
*Host of auto scene modes
*510evf/560lcd rated battery life (higher than α77 per specs from Sony)
*Price- $899
*Tough Polycarbonate Body w/stainless steel internal frame
*Two buttons are customizable
*Weight is 543 grams (empty) vs. 653 grams (empty) for the α77
versus the massive $500 price difference between the two offerings... almost makes it a no-brainer, IMO, for the cost conscious shooter. Hell, even I am torn if I do go for this... "upgrade" in the APS-C sensor camera. The "deal breaker" for me is the VG-77 "Vertical Grip"... I gotsta have it! The α65 does not have a VG.
There's nothing like a little controversy...
Man, they sure do have the field covered... α77, α65, NEX 7.