(S3) New messages from Sony A77 testers…
Image on top: Sony A77 and A700 overlay made by Ron (www.goldeneraphoto.com).
Our sources confirmed that the A77 is under heavy testing. Two anonymous testers contacted us to share the first impressions over the A77:
1) “I am the photographer that reported earlier about the A77/A800 and I’d like to say that paired with the Zeiss lenses the images are very sharp, the 24MP res is good for big closeups, although I can’t reveal anything about the ISO noise. The focusing system is quite fast and accurate.”
2) The second photographer said that resolution is amazing and they measured an 60% improvement over the Sony A55. The A77 is the best APS-C camera he ever tested. And the electronic viewfinder is also a huge step forward compared to the one used for the Sony A55. He said that you hardly will miss the optical viewfinder.
I am preparing a few new SR5 rumors over the next NEX and A77 cameras. So stay tuned on SonyAlphaRumors!
Reminder (SR = Sonyrumor):
SR1=probably fake rumor
SR2=rumor from unknown sources
SR3=50% chance it is correct
SR4=rumor from known sources
SR5=almost certainly correct!
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Comment from alibarnack: Way too little , way too late for Sony. ...
Comment from David: My A55 is also in at the Sony hospital -...
Comment from Maveric19: I meant no disrespect to the Japanese pe...Comment from pancanikonpus: we named it cold blood...
SonyA77
2 years ago |“the 24MP res is good for big closeups”
What? You mean cropping?
admin
2 years ago |I also didn’t understand it that’s why I post it here. I hope he will answer me soon. What’s good to know is that a known source told me that there is a real big improvement.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Get those SR5′s done!
john
2 years ago |Ask them how the 500F4 performs on the new cam.
PhotoNut
2 years ago |I don’t really believe these comments came from actual testers of the “A77″. They have not said anything that shows access to this upcoming camera. Everything said is general and non-specific.
Here are some simple questions they can answer that will lend some credibility to their comments.
#1. What is the max frame rate?
#2. Does the camera work with all Sigma lenses or does the camera have the same incompatibilities with Sigmas as the A33/A55?
#3. Describe the HDR functionality?
#4. Describe the transparent mirror. In particular, describe the mechanisms on the camera that relate to lifting that mirror.
Thank you!
gigino
2 years ago |Those questions are too specific to be answered by anybody under NDA.
#2 cannot even be a concern for a tester. do you think Sony will provide sigma lenses to the tester? LOL
MF
2 years ago |are you serious??? lol if im testing a camera, why does describing the transparent mirror be of any importance to me? sounds like you work for Nikon or something… trying to get as much info as you can.. lol
Ranger 9
2 years ago |I suspect I know what he means; it is an interesting bit of perceptual psychology.
If you make a very large print of a distant scene, people will be satisfied to see only a moderate amount of detail… because they subconsciously expect to see the same amount of detail they would see if they were looking at the actual scene from a distance.
On the other hand, if you make a very large print of a close view, people expect to see a lot of detail, just as they would see if they were examining the actual subject from a very close distance.
So, the viewer’s expectations depend not only on print size and pixel count, but on the viewpoint from which the picture was taken.
Ever Fresh Photography
2 years ago |It’s getting hot & hot, eechhhhh….. can’t wait to get my hands on…
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |I’m sure he means crops.
Andrea, I know that your rules require that these be called S3, but these comments seem like genuine stuff! And the comment by the first one that he cannot reveal anything about high-ISO noixe says to me that Sony has authorized him to reveal what he has. And it may just hint at terrific improvement re noise.
And, yeah, get those SR5s done!
knurd
2 years ago |If they are correct about the EVF then I point and taunt in the general direction of all the OVF fans nay-saying the EVF
But I guess we’ll have to wait and see…emphasis on the WAIT. Good to hear they like the camera so far.
Alpha 4711
2 years ago |Or he doesn’t want to complain about bad noise from a camera that has preproduction firmware. lol
knurd
2 years ago |Ha, bad noise or even the opposite – too much noise reduction. I can’t stand that they don’t have the option of turning it off on my a55.
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |Andrea, do I detect, in the picture you have appended to this post, an actual A700 shadowed behind the translucent A77? If so, & I think I do, my senses were right: I think that this camera maay be taller & deeper than the A700, at least proportionally to the width.
john
2 years ago |“Image on top: Sony A77 and A700 overlay made by Ron (Ren http://www.goldeneraphoto.com).”
Ren
2 years ago |Hi, I am the one who overlayed the two pictures. The a77 APPEARS to be taller because it was shot from slightly above, where as the a700 was shot from directly on. I lined up the lens mounts so that we could get an idea of the size of the a77 compared to the a700. I was, as I am sure most of you are, VERY happy to see that the new camera isn’t the smaller a55 size.
If the a77 had been shot from the exact same front on position, I think we would all see that the two cameras are nearly identical in overall dimensions.
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |Thanks, Ren. Btw, I’m in Virginia, but my son studied architecture in Eugene.
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |Upon further reflection, Ren, the A77 does not appear to have been shot from above, for two reasons:
1. The very large top LCD is perpendicular to the front of the camera, and should therefore be slightly visible were the picture taken from slightly above–and it isn’t.
2. Were the picture taken from slightly above the camera, the front of the camera would be slightly foreshortened–that is, it would appear shorter than it really is. Instead, both the top and the bottom of the A77 extend beyond the A700, which, if you carefully sized the lens mounts to be equal, should mean that the A77 is somewhat higher.
mafiosito
2 years ago |I’d like to test one I’ll give it back promess… maybe lol
00aeiou00
2 years ago |glad to hear this!! strange he cant talk about the iso thought…
Cheers, J
Dirk
2 years ago |There are only a few reasons to do so:
1) iso perfomance is (in the testingphase) not as good as they wish
2) it is like a nightvision (iso hundredsofthousands)
3) there is no noise up to let’s say iso 12800
4) ?
Dulaney Ward
2 years ago |or Sony could have told him he could reveal certain things, but not others
Thomas
2 years ago |Me like!
Also, SR5′s are awesome
Ren
2 years ago |Dirk –
No noise up to 12800 would be a HUGE game changer! Especially in an aps-c sensor camera. My guess is that it will perform very well to 3200, acceptable at 6400, and 12800, and the rest will be dependent on features like twilight mode and the multi-shot mode. Unfortunately, these modes only really work with still subjects, so they won’t benefit people like me who shoot weddings and other low light events.
That being said, a camera that performs decently at 6400+ would be welcomed with open arms by me! I can’t shoot much beyond 1600 with the a700 unless I shoot RAW and I am prepared to manually remove the noise. Unfortunately that’s just not practical with 1500 or more shots from a wedding. I need better high ISO performance.
albin
2 years ago |I’d love to have clean shots at 6400.
my a200 has a new life with lightroom 3, now I can use ISO 1600 without much fear, the grain is actually pretty, and in some occasion has a film charm to it.
on your a700,I know what you mean, however removing manually noise on 1500 shots is pretty easy, just do some stack processing, I did it on 1200+ shots for a time lapse video of my girls having a messy lunch.
I shot 2Mp 16/9 shots, ok, not RAW and no variation in light.
just take similarly lighted shots and apply the noise reduction in stack processing mode, you may repeat the same process numerous time but it is fairly fast.
the faster your computer the better (i.e. not mine!)
Owen
2 years ago |I tried out the A900 and A55 at focus on imaging show. A900 viewfinder is beautiful as you would expect, while the A55 was bright and just as large as my A200, it just wasn’t up to the job IMO.
Henrik
2 years ago |Now that’s more like it!
My A700 is still going strong but I plan to upgrade this year.
After buying a fine copy of the excellent Minolta 400/4.5, I finally started longing for higher resolution. The same goes for the Minolta macro lenses, I’m really looking forward to see if they are able to out-resolve the mighty 24mpix sensor.
Carl
2 years ago |The 400/4.5 is an awesome lens.
acolyte
2 years ago |Is it final that A700 successor has no CF support?
JB
2 years ago |+1
Dane
2 years ago |As Panasonic has just released information on an upcoming 80 Mb/S SD card (http://www.sciencetodaynews.com/panasonic-gold-sdhc-uhs-i-memory-cards.html) the problem with not having a CF will be smaller. But of course the sturdiness of the SD card is as good.
Dane
2 years ago |I meant “But of course the sturdiness of the SD card is NOT as good.” of course
JB
2 years ago |“He said that you hardly will miss the optical viewfinder”
I hope so because we have no choice anyway.
acolyte
2 years ago |+1 back.
northof60
2 years ago |What percent of the total number of photons is being captured in the A700? How far away is 100%? I saw an analysis of the minimum theoretical time for a 100 m race, and this led me to wonder how far cameras are from perfect in terms of photon capture.
Leon
2 years ago |Did anyone make a comparison with A580?
Maveric19
2 years ago |Wonderful news. All I need now is a final release date and I’m good to go. I have allocated the money for the camera and 3 primes. Providing all reports are as close to accurate as can be at this time, this camera will rock and change the whole photography game. All we need after this is for Sony to start respecting the pro segment and allow us more input in the future.
I know, wishful thinking.
Peter
2 years ago |please ask the testers how long last the battery ! thanks
for how many shots
Trev
2 years ago |I’m with Ren, for weddings 1600 ISO is tops for me. You can still get they shot but the noise needs to be better controlled. I’m sure the A77/800 will have that sorted, especially if the A580 is anything to go by.
Coincidently I just got another A700 today, so with two, I’ll wait for dust to settle after release of the successor.
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |I think many of you still curious about the LCD screen, will it like old design or like 60D design. curious about the testers didnot disclose it…
2.5 monthes to go. perhaps SAR can start the countdown at the top page at the web
Ren
2 years ago |Trev, what lens do you use for weddings? I typically use my 50mm 1.7 during the ceremony just so that I can keep the shutter speed high enough.
I agree that the ISO performance of the a580 does give me hope, as does the a55 since it seems to be pretty close to the a580 in terms of ISO performance. And since the a55 is SLT like the upcoming a77, it is a good sign. What makes me nervous is this rumor that the a77 is supposedly a 24 mpix sensor. Sounds like an extremely high pixel density on an aps-c sensor, in my humble opinion. The a900/a850 are 24 mpix FF and neither performs well in low light, so I wonder how Sony has addressed that considering they haven’t even issued a firmware update for the FF cameras that improves noise issues.
So many questions, and so few answers.
SonyA77
2 years ago |It’s a new sensor, so you can’t compare the A850/900 to it.
Remember that a Sony rep said that the noise on the new 24mpix sensor would be as good as current smaller mpix sensors. Of course he could have just been referring to the multi-shot high ISO thing.
Either way, I am looking forward to a 24mpix camera that is much cleaner than my A700′s ISO.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Note: Why are Photoradar claiming that the A77 will have 18mpix not 24mpix????
b shaw
2 years ago |“resolution … measured an [sic] 60% improvement over the Sony A55″
By using the word “improvement” it sounds like he’s talking about resolution tests. If so, is he saying that LPH is about 4800?
I would be skeptical of his report if this is what he meant.
That is, DPReview claims A55 has resolution of 3000 LPH, so a 60% increase of 3000 LPH is 4800 LPH http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/page10.asp
(3000 LPH X 1.6 = 4800 LPH)
Perhaps he just means that 24MP is a lot more pixels than 16.2MP and he isn’t good at math.
For what it’s worth, the standard test charts that DRP use, 4000 LPH is the limit.
Also note, other folk use a different way to measure LPH and get about about 2100 LPH for the A55. Nevertheless, by their different method a 60% improvement over 2100 LPH would be just as unbelievable.
gigino
2 years ago |beside. the a900 got about 3400 lines. an apsc sensor at 24mp, cannot have more or may have just a little more than that. I would say if it reaches 3500 lines it is already a big achievement.
the 12mp apsc a700 resolved a little less lines than the Canon 5d with 12mp ff.
I would expect the same from this 24mp apsc sensor compared to a FF.
b shaw
2 years ago |Although I could be wrong, the new quote from the first “tester” makes me lean back to the idea that he is an American. He uses a phrase that is common in spoken American English, but, (from what I’m told), is not typically taught in English Language Schools in Japan.
With that assumption, I think he’s just a kid writing these emails as a practical joke. Again, I could be wrong, but without any reasonable amount of detail in his “reports”, I couldn’t put my trust in him.
Even without provenance of these “testers”, I’m still excited about the upcoming A77.
apamau
2 years ago |“I can’t reveal anything about the ISO noise. The focusing system is quite fast and accurate.”
“Quite” – Which means is still not good enough , appreciate sony to spend more time again to make it into “extreme” or Very fast..
we have wait for long, so don’t wanna expect to get something sub a700 standard..
Ren
2 years ago |I actually agree, and more importantly, this “tester” doesn’t say anything that is even remotely significant.
gigino
2 years ago |comments like yours do not make sense.
the AF from the a55 is already leaps and bounds better than the old a700, which had a good af, at least better than most competition on the same price range and a bit above.
gigino
2 years ago |BTW. We al should know that normally the testers are not highly rated photographers, but jus gear head low profile pro or quasi pro, that have time to test cameras for free.
high end professionals, that could deliver good feedback, they do not have time and will to share their know how for the money cameras makers are willing to spend.
At least the ones that Canon and few others makers have always been using are like that.
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |Spec rumor can be as general as simple words such as MP, ISo#, features, etc
Performance (ISO, speed, accuracy,etc) rumor cannot be so general. it must having certain technical explanation to support it rumor. although it is just a rumor. somemore it is claimed came from “photographer tester”. few persons having the same thought that we also can says the same rumor like what the so call tester says …lol
btw, anyone know what is the exact data sony to be announce A77/Nex on June?
clivengu
2 years ago |Im more excited with the following”
“I am preparing a few new SR5 rumors over the next NEX and A77 cameras.” !!! please show us nowwwwww cant wait
!
The testers comments are very general… ” Best APSC ever tested, quite fast focusing, good resolution, improved EVF, better than A55″ IT SHOULD be at least as good as that!! Sony allow them reveal these information… on purpose? A marketing technique perhaps… Keep us update with the info. Thanks
kevin
2 years ago |Whee!
SonyA77
2 years ago |Looks like Sony might have something more to worry about than a camera release…my thoughts go out to Japan and all others hit.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Any comments on Photoradar in February saying this:
“A Sony spokesperson told us that recent reports that the Sony Alpha 77 or Sony Alpha 800 release would boast a 25-megapixel sensor are untrue.”
and
“…reports that the Sony A700 replacement could boast 25 megapixels as well as high ISO settings in the hundreds of thousands, are untrue.”
Marek
2 years ago |Well, “only” 24Mpx sensor is being rumoured. A77 actually may have ISO settings in the hundreds of thousands, but I seriously doubt it will be useful. APS-C sensor can have 24Mpx but it can’t have good high ISO performance. At least with current CMOS sensor tech we can’t expect this. We may expect noise-less jpegs but at expense of loss of detail. But RAW ISO performance is to be expected lower than A580.
SonyA77
2 years ago |Photoradar claim it to be 18mpix.
admin
2 years ago |Yes I read that. But I am SURE I am right and I told them to the guy from Photoradar. Anyway I will post more info about the A77 next week!
Richard
2 years ago |I bought an Alpha 55 and it’s still under repair after 10 weeks. It just stopped. Dead. Ask Sony why and you get no answer in return. Think I’ll buy another, even more expensive, Sony SLT??
David
2 years ago |My A55 is also in at the Sony hospital – 2 weeks so far. The options in both the menu and the function are impossible to select as the camera is on constant high speed scroll through – meaning I have lost control of the camera completely. Other than this I love the camera and will give the A77 is real hard look when/if it eventuates.
LEdgars
2 years ago |“The standard zoom lens suitable for intermediate unit” – what a standard?
“Hundreds of thousands” also coming from Sony spokesman…
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |omg, i believe the launch date for A77 and nex will be delayyy due to massive earthquake and tsunami hit Japan right now…
I pray for the great japan can survive for this time…Amen!
Iliah
2 years ago |Both reports are huge exaggeration, to the point of being misleading if you ask me.
Maveric19
2 years ago |I hope this natural disaster does not give Sony any excuses to not release the a77 anytime soon.
I wish all the Japanese a fast recovery from this tragic event.
Ren
2 years ago |The Japanese people have suffered untold numbers of lives lost, homes destroyed and personal tragedies and some people are worried that the tsunami will delay the release of a camera? Really? Seriously?
Unbelievable.
pancanikonpus
2 years ago |we named it cold blood
Maveric19
2 years ago |I meant no disrespect to the Japanese people. I believe as do a lot more that the a77 is already in the U.S.A. and ready for distribution. We might encounter the same shortages as with the a55 though.
alibarnack
11 months ago |Way too little , way too late for Sony. Their products, lens selection is few and far in between. Many camera stores barely stock their stuff. Their prices are same if not more expensive then canon or nikon, yet they are not in the top 2.They still have only 3 lenses out for their nex system. If and when they get the Zeiss lenses in, most people wont be able to afford them and those who can, usually spend their money on other brands. they are the embodiment of the mind of minolta.the have NO DIRECTION.one year this, one year that. First, it was dslrs, then its dslt’s. first it was full frame , now their not sure or even saying if they will make more ff cameras. one year they had nice entry level mid range dsr’s, the next, they seem to disappear. That camera division has absolutely no sense of timing and product support.Just wait, if the sales for their a77 doesnt go so well..it will be either a new gimmick or a gradual abandonment of the whole entire dslr dslt line. old habits dies hard, look at olympus, that company has a history of abandoning systems. if you care about your money, your investment in the future of your hobby, or if you just care about your bottom line in general, stick with nikon or canon…sometimes, it pays to be on the safe side.