Sony A99 review by BBC cameraman Johnnie Behiri (Good Dynamic Range and not so good moiré)
Mr. Stekovics (Shot with Sony A99) from Johnnie Behiri on Vimeo.
BBC cameraman and editor Johnnie Behiri posted a first [shoplink 14165]Sony A99[/shoplink] review including three new vimeo videos. The other two videos are here:
Sony A99-Aliasing test on vimeo
Sony A99-Dynamic Range test on vimeo
So what does he think of the Sony A99? Here is his conclusion (Source vimeo):
“Spending a day with the Sony A99 left me with mixed emotions. Sony listened very carefully to some of our need as documentary run&gun shooters but failed short delivering the “ultimate” picture….Why having aliasing and moiré in an advanced generation of HDSLR is beyond my understanding. (vimeo.com/50980422)
Camera strengths:
-Clean HDMI output (on Ninja 2, camera must be set to “HDMI resolution-Auto” and not 1080p).
-Peaking
-Green dot at the center of the picture as an additional focus aid tool
-Dynamic range looks good ( non scientific sample :) vimeo.com/50982162)
-Front camera wheel which can be assigned to control aperture or audio levels (not when the XLR kit is connected, then use the level wheels on the kit).
-Monitor and control audio levels while recording
-Good EVF and LCD allowing shooting in minimize configuration
-Dual SD card slots
Camera weakness:
-The A99 produced a decent image although moiré and aliasing is clearly there!
-No histogram in video mode
-No “zoom function” for accurate focusing
-Audio meters have no db levels and there is no change in meters color when sound is clipped.
-No 1080/50p recording is possible to Ninja 2.”
While it’s pity to have some quirks on the A99 the good news is that in theory most of the mentioned weakness could be fixed via firmware update. So let’s hope Sony is listening. By the way Sony, where is our NEX-7 firmware update??? :(
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Sony preorder list:
A99 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex UK, Wex Germany, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
A99 with kit lens links Alphacameradeals.
RX1 Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 body Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Wex Germany Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-6 with kit lens Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Jessops, Wex Uk ,Wex Germany and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG900 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, Wex Uk and more links at Alphacameradeals.
NEX-VG30 Adorama, Amazon, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 16-50mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals .
Sony E-mount 35mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony E-mount 10-18mm Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, Wex UK, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH, and more links at Alphacameradeals.
Sony A-mount 300mm f/2.8 Amazon, BHphoto, Sonystore DE–UK–FR–IT–ES–NL–SE–FI–CH.