Sony SLT Alpha 99 review: New full-frame sensor is Sony’s best yet

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Added by LeCoq |  January 22 A99 and D600 Hi I have a quick question. Does the d600 has built-in body image stabilization when shooting video? I am getting either the d600 or the a99 primarily to shoot field video for documentaries, then the body image stabilization is very important to me, but it disappoints me the price and the loss of light that the a99 has, any one knows if the d600 has any type of body image stabilization when shooting video? thanks in advance! Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by ferrera |  January 08 Sony A99 What is the source to mention that in A99, 50 to 60% of light is spent to drive the dual AF system ? If so, why doesn't it affect the color depth & dynmanic range (both scores same as D600) ? after the tranmission of light is reduced by half ? Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by digiman69 |  January 05 A99 vs A850 Checking to compare A99 vs A850, I noticed the real iso measured on the A99  are vastly inferior to the nominal one and inferior to those of the A850. If you take this in the right account even considering the iso 50 setting not available on the A850/900 the noise performance of the A850 equals the one of the A99 up to the 6400iso barrier (with reference to raw files only). The only real advantage is the greater dynamic range of the A99 since the gain in colour depth is less than marginal. The above just refers to sensors comparisons done by DxO obviously the A99 adds many feat. vs the previous generations of Sony DSLR FF. Anyway since I'm interested on the photo side only, I don't see this new camera as a real step up from my trusty A850 which raw files are a pleasure to work with DxO. SW. I will buy tomorrow an updated version of the A850 with an integrated grip plus live view for photo only, multi frame noise reduction, in camera HDR, peak focus and the panoramic capture. Such features are a joy to use on my second body the A65 Reply

Added by evilthought |  December 29, 2012 databsae Why A99 scores are not in database yet, two weeks after this review was posted? Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by M7 |  December 24, 2012 Semi Pro camera? Come on now DXO. How's that the 5D III that scored lower by your own admittance, is a pro camera and the Sony A99 is a semi-pro camera? Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by alzurzin |  December 23, 2012 this seems incorrect Well, high ISO may be important to some, but the difference in DR is not significant: in fact, to my eyes, the A99 has better DR at the lower ISOs I prefer to use.  Other features of the A99 are more important.  DxO is very subjective, and overly biased for ISO.  2 factors are very important to me: chromatic aberration and clipping.  The A99 produces the least of these flaws than any other camera. DxO completely ignores these factors, yet they are the most important for photography.  The D800 has a great amount of noise, CA, and clipping.  The D600 has less than the D800, but still much more than the A99. The A99 may be the first digital camera to capture all the nuances of the Zeiss lenses (maybe Leitz too, if a mount adapter can be found).  This is a great advancement. Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by lightdreamer |  December 22, 2012 Please recheck your Low Light ISO Result for A99 I have compared the A99 against the A900 and the A99 is for sure 1 EV better in this regard. I made my comparisons in M-Mode and used dcraw without any sharpening or noise reduction. The A99 should reach the 2000+ level easily. Regards Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by thalas |  December 22, 2012 I still wonder about ISO score I still wonder about ISO score, Every one know that a99 and d600 are using same sensor. Even dpreview still proved these two got same ISO score which are better than D800E and 5D MK III. Why A99 on DXO got ISO score only half of D600? This gap is too big. Could you let readers know? Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Added by fashaoding |  December 22, 2012 I still can't see the mearement ofa99 I guess dr in high iso is to low so  it's only 1555 Reply

Added by ferrera |  December 22, 2012 DXO mark score of Sony a99 A900 – ISO scores 1431 A99 – ISO only scores 1555 ??? But the real ISO performance of A99 is obviously much better in …. It expects A99 to score over 2K but under D600 & MKIII I really doubt the accuracy of the test Reply  | Read all replies for this comment

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Further readings for the Sony SLT Alpha 99 review: New full-frame sensor is Sony’s best yet

To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.