SONY mirrorless interchangeable lens camera ? NEX-5N double zoom lens kit White NEX-5NY / W - International Version (No Warranty)

SONY mirrorless interchangeable lens camera ƒ¿ NEX-5N double zoom lens kit White NEX-5NY / W (Japan Import).

Sony DSCU60 2.0 Megapixel Digital Camera

The DSCU60 Features A 2 Megapixel Effective Resolution 1632 x 1224 Pixels A 1 inch Hybrid LCD Monitor And So Much More With The Rugged Design And One Handed Operation This Is A Camera With A Sport Lifestyle In Mind DSCU60 Is Waterproof It Can Be Taken To The Pool The Beach And Even Underwater Though Only To 1.5 Meters 5 Feet It Has An Underwater Scene Mode To Match The Shooting Conditions Under Water.


FEATURE :

• Durable for active lifestyle; waterproof up to 5 feet; one-handed operation.
• Fast start up (0.9 seconds); built-in flash with red-eye reduction; 1-inch LCD monitor.
• Includes 8 MB Memory Stick; compatible with Memory Stick Pro media.
• Includes rechargeable NiMH AAA batteries and charger; connects to PCs and Macs via USB 1.1.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) Does what it says - The U-60 is a gem. I bought it for water sports and to have a small rugged carry-anywhere digicam (I also have an Olympus C-700 for more technical and telephoto shots). I keep it in my pocket and often get those "I wish I had a camera right now" spontaneous shots that I used to miss. It's fast to start, easy to understand, very user friendly, small to carry, and gets decent resolution pics. It goes surfing every time I do. Especially fun and useful is the "burst mode" that takes five shots in a row. It addresses that frustration of "shutter lag" and "shutter timing" that can happen with digital action shots. More info:

PROS:
Small, cheap, rugged, easy to use, good software, good battery life, decent resolution, well waterproofed, cheap batteries, burst mode, battery-saving lowlight LCD mode, card reader unnecessary.
Cons: No viewfinder, tiny LCD, no opt. zoom, burst pics are only 600x400. (although I adjusted to all these shortcomings and didn't miss them!)
For it's intended use, it excels.

By Peter Bowman on September 19, 2003

2) Perfect for what it is. - Although the DSC-U60 has almost none of the features one has come to expect on a digital camera, it does what it does flawlessly. What it does is snap simple, hi-resolution photos in any environment without fail.

It has no zoom lens. What you see in the viewfiner is what you get, period. You point, you shoot, that's it.

It is (or at least mine is) really, truly waterproof. This is an absolutely essential feature for me, and is the raison d'etre of the DSC-U60. If you don't need a waterproof camera, look elsewhere. On the other hand, if you kayak, canoe, fish, or camp, it's really cool to have a camera you don't have to worry about getting wet. I've killed a number of cameras on river trips, and probably lost some great photos as a result. This puppy has been in rivers, lakes, and hot tubs, and hasn't skipped a beat.

The lens is great, the electronics are great, and the resolution is superb. Although 5 or 6 MP is becoming standard these days, the DSC-U60 takes extremely sharp, clear photos, good for printing or viewing on-screen.

If you need anything more or less than a waterproof point-and-shoot, you will be disappointed. This would be a really poor choice for a general-purpose camera. There are better, sharper, and easier-to-use cameras out there with way more features for much less money.

On the other hand, if (like me) you really need an indestructable camera for simple, high-quality snapshots, you couldn't ask for more.

By Adam Z on June 14, 2005

Sony DSC-P50 Cyber-shot 2MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Designed to be an affordable take-anywhere replacement for your film point-and-shoot, Sony's DSC-P50 combines compact dimensions with a high-performance 2-megapixel sensor and flexible power options.

Optics and Resolution

The DSC-P50's 2-megapixel CCD image sensor captures enough detail for sharp prints at sizes up to 8 by 10 inches. For the typical family photographer, 2 megapixels is a great balance between price and performance. If you're looking for a model with more resolution (so you can make even larger prints or crop your images and still have plenty of detail left for prints), Sony's DSC-P5 and DSC-P71 are similar models with 3-megapixel sensors.

A 3x optical zoom lens (41-123mm equivalent) helps you to capture exactly the picture you want, and an additional 2x digital zoom (6x total) further magnifies your image. Remember, however, that digital zoom tends to reduce the sharpness and detail of your image, so it's best used sparingly. In low-light situations (a particular weakness for many digital cameras), a focus-assist lamp sends out a small patterned beam to help the camera accurately determine distance.

To compose your images, either use the traditional camera viewfinder or the 1.5-inch LCD display (which is also used to review the shots you've taken). Having both types of viewfinders offers the best of both worlds: if you're used to using a film camera or want to conserve battery life, use the viewfinder. If you want to see exactly the picture you'll be capturing, use the LCD display.

More Features

The P50 is designed to be a point-and-shoot model, but more adventurous photographers will appreciate adjustable ISO and white-balance settings, exposure compensation, normal and spot metering, and the ability to shoot black-and-white, sepia, solarized, and negative images.

Power

When it comes to power, some photographers like cameras that use readily available AA batteries, while others prefer the superior capacity of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries specifically designed for a digital camera. The P50 provides both options, using either two AA batteries (included) or an optional NP-FS11 InfoLithium battery. The choice is yours--for occasional users, a set of disposable lithium AA batteries is the most affordable choice, offering a long shelf life and high capacity. For more frequent users, either the InfoLithium setup or a set of rechargeable high-capacity NiMH batteries is recommended. The InfoLithium setup offers the added advantage of estimating remaining battery life in minutes and displaying this on-screen. No matter which setup you choose, the wide availability of AA batteries ensures that missing a once-in-a-lifetime shot due to dead batteries won't be an issue.

Movie Mode

In movie mode, the camera captures silent video clips. Most digital cameras' movie modes are limited to 15- or 30-second clips, but the P50 can keep shooting until you've filled the memory card. The limited resolution of your movies guarantees that this feature won't replace your camcorder, but it's perfect for when you just want to capture a quick movie and e-mail it to a friend or relative.

Storage and Transfer

Images are stored on Memory Sticks, Sony's proprietary memory-card format. The included 4 MB stick holds approximately seven images at the camera's default settings. Memory Sticks are reusable, but if you tend to take more than seven images per outing, then you'll want a bigger card. A 64 MB stick is a great size for this camera, storing around 100 images. To transfer images to your computer, simply attach the included USB cable between your PC and your camera. Your computer should automatically recognize your camera and let you move the pictures to your hard drive. If you own a Sony desktop or laptop, your computer may already have a built-in Memory Stick reader.

Size

At 5 by 2.4 by 2.1 inches and 9 ounces, the P50 is not Sony's smallest digital camera, but it's still quite compact and portable.

Contents and Recommended Accessories

The package includes the DSC-P50 camera, two AA batteries, video and USB cables, wrist strap, 4 MB Memory Stick, and software on CD.

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, but we recommend these accessories to make the most of your camera: a carrying case, a higher-capacity memory stick, and an InfoLithium battery setup or set of rechargeable size AA batteries. Compatible accessories for this camera are listed near the top of this page. --Shane Burnett

Pros:

• Unlimited movie mode lets you make video clips of any length.
• Flexible power options let you choose the best battery solution for your needs.
• Point-and-shoot operation makes it easy for even beginners to get great results.

Cons:

• Movie mode lacks sound.
• Proprietary Memory Stick memory card format less common and more. expensive than other formats.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) The Sony DSC P-50 is a very good camera! - The P-50 and Canon A20 were my final two choices. I decided to go with the P-50 because it used only 2AA batteries and had the MPEG and Clip Movie recording features which is very neat.

I'm glad I went with the P-50. Here is my pro and con list for the P-50:
Pros:
* 3 optical zoom (it zooms fast)
* Uses 2 AA batteries. Don't get the battery pack. Just get 6 NiMh batteries with a rating of at least 1600mha, which are inexpensive. I got 4 Energizer 1600 mha NiMh batteries and a recharger at Target for only $... NiMH batteries last twice as long as alkalines and I haven't had to worry about my batteries dying.
* MPEG and Clip (GIF) movie modes are real fun. No sound on the MPEG, but spending an extra $... for a camera with sound wasn't worth it to me. For you who design web pages, you'll love the Clip (GIF) movie mode.
* Memory Stick, although expensive, is much more compact and stores more memory. However, the 4MB stick that comes with the camera is lame unless you plan to take only lower quality resolutions. I got a 64MB stick and at FINE quality (if using STANDARD quality, double all the numbers below) can hold the following: 67 1600x1200, 174 1024 x768, 400 640x480. As you can see that's alot of pictures.
* ISO flexibility and twilight mode. This helps when shooting in low light. The AF illuminator really helps the camera to focus in low light.
* Can crop pictures and cut MPEGs.
* If you change the Power Save mode to "off", then the camera lag time (a common complaint in these reviews) after you take a picture is very minimal. It's actually fast compared to other digital cameras I've used.
* Very fast transfer rate using the USB driver. The camera becomes another drive in Windows Explorer that you just drag to your hard drive. Very fast. I have Windows ME which allows Windows Explorer to view in thumbnail mode, so I can even preview all the pictures before moving them to the hard drive.
* The video out mode is cool. Just plug in the supplied jack cord to your P-50 and to your TV or VCR and see a slide show of your pictures you just took.
* If you auto-focus by pressing the shutter button half way, then the camera takes the picture very fast with almost no lag time, unlike other digital cameras in this price range,
* 37mm threads and the fact the optical zoom stays within the camera allows you to use an UV filter for better picture quality and as a lens protector.
* You can view your pictures taken also in thumbnail mode. Also, the camera tells you your settings (i.e shutter speed, iso, EV, etc.) of the picture.
* The camera allows the option to imprint the date onto your digital photos. This is a must for me as I never remember the date of the picture without this feature.
* The lens cap comes with a lens strap so you won't lose your cap.
Cons:
* 41mm lens. If you know photography, you will realize that most SLRs and point and shoots have 35mm lens. The lower the number, the better the wide angle, which allows you to take more area from the same distance making your objects also larger. However, the above pros by far outweigh this. If you're not a camera junkie like I am, you probably won't even notice this.
* The viewfinder only shows approx 70% of the actual picture taken and is slighty "skewed" to the left. If you think you got your object centered using the viewfinder, you'll will find out that the subject will be slightly left in the actual picture. The way around this is to use the LCD, which shows 100% of the actual picture and is not skewed.
All in all, in the 2.1 megapixel range and under $... as of 9/8/01, I feel this camera is the best one.

By Calvin (SF) on September 8, 2001

2) Great Camera !, I actually bought 2 more ! - The only thing I would like to see on AMAZON is better descriptions on items, this one has no details so ill give them to you all since I now own 3!, Sony 2.1-Megapixel Cyber-Shot Digital Camera Model: DSC-P50 3x optical and 6x digital zooms get you in close to your subject, while a high-speed, auto-focus illuminator lends sharp focus in the dark (this was really neat, sort of a night-vision option), Memory stick storage (comes with a 4-meg), LCD viewer and the older "peep-hole" style allowing you to shut the LCD off for longer battery life, on/off optional Flash, USB connections and even an mpeg video mode to let you capture and ceate your own movie shorts (no sound), Very simple to use once you get the buttons down, Only thing I didnt like was no rechargeable battery pack?? or power cord??, (they sell them seperately), a plus+ is that like I said the LCD can be shut off saving your AA batteries from drainage so fast like most camera do!, Smallest resolution 640x480 (real sharp) largest is 1600x1200, also SOLARIZE, B&W, SEPHIA & NEGATIVE ART Image modes when taking pictures// very neat, white balance controls and normal/fine picture modes, sharpness, flash level and ISO controls often ignored on other cameras are ON THIS ONE!, To me as a buyer.. WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!

By Rob Cummings Jr. on June 24, 2001

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX10 16.2 MP Waterproof from Japan

Key Features Camera Type:Point & Shoot Optical Zoom:4x Digital Zoom:4x Sensor Resolution:16.2 MP Screen Size:3" Optical Sensor:Sensor Size 1/2.3" Sensor Type:Exmor R CMOS Lens System: Focal Length Range 4mm - 18mm Macro Focus Range:1cm Focus Adjustment:Automatic Auto Focus type:TTL contrast detection Focal Length Equivalent to 35mm Camera:25 - 100mm Exposure: Max Shutter Speed:1/1600 sec Min Shutter Speed:2 sec Exposure compensation:±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps Light Sensitivity:ISO 125, ISO 1600, ISO 200, ISO 3200, ISO 400, ISO 800, ISO auto Light Sensitivity Max:3200 Camera Flash:Flash Type Built-in flash Red Eye Reduction:Yes Effective Flash Range:0.08 m - 3.7 m Camera Flash Features:AF Illuminator Flash Modes:Auto Mode, Fill-in Mode, OFF mode, Red-eye Reduction, Slow Synchro Memory / Storage:Supported Flash Memory Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo High Speed, Memory Stick PRO Duo Mark2, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo, SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card Viewfinder Viewfinder Type:None Dimensions Depth:0.7 in. Height:2.21 in. Width:3.76 in. Weight:4.16 Oz. Display Display Type:LCD Display Rotation:Built-in Screen Details LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3" Display Size:3" Manufacturer specific File Format Digital Video Format:AVCHD, H.264 Still Image Format:JPEG Resolution Max Video Resolution:1920 x 1080 Environmental Parameters Min Operating Temperature:-10 °C Max Operating Temperature:40 °C.

Sony a7K A7 Full-Frame DSLR 24.3 MP Interchangeable Digital Lens Camera FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens with Beginner Accessories Bundle Kit includes 16GB Class 10 SDHC Memory Card + x2 Replacement (1200mAh) NP-FW50 Battery + Home Wall Charger with Car and European Adapter + Professional 60" Inch Photo/Video Tripod + Ultra Violet UV High Definition Filter + Hard Shell Carrying Case + Wireless Shutter Release Remote + Camera Lens Cleaning Kit + Bonus $50 Gift Card for Digital Prints

The Alpha a7 Mirrorless Digital Camera with FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens from Sony incorporates a full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor into an E-mount body thus providing the light gathering capability and detail-rich imaging of a full-frame sensor with a compact, lightweight and versatile mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. The 24.3MP sensor enables high resolution images and low light effectiveness with its standard ISO sensitivity range of 100-25600. The new BIONX X image processor offers fast processing and operation speeds such as 5 fps burst shooting and front-end LSI (large-scale integration) improves the early stages of image processing resulting in more natural details and richer tones. 14-bit RAW output preserves the detail provided by the sensor.

Manufacturer Accessories:
28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens.
NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Battery (1080mAh).
AC-UB10 AC Adapter.
Lens Cap.
Shoulder Strap.
Body Cap.
Micro USB Cable.
PlayMemories Home App.
Image Data Converter Version 4 Software.
Limited 1-year Warranty.

Package Contents:
*Sony a7K Full-Frame DSLR 24.3 MP with 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (ILCE7K).
*(2) Extended High Capacity Replacement Battery Pack for NP-FW50.
*Home Wall and Car Battery Charger with European Adapter.
*Transcend 16GB Class 10 Flash Memory Card.
*60" Inch Professional Photo/Video Tripod.
*55MM UV Ultra Violet High Definition Filter.
*Vivitar Hard Shell Carrying Case.
*Wireless Shutter Release Remote Control.
*Digital Camera Lens Cleaning Kit, Tabletop Tripod, and LCD Screen Protectors.
*$50 Gift Card for Nations Photo Lab Online Digital Prints.
*47th Street Photo Cleaning Cloth.

To know More then Kindly Click above "Shop now" Button..

Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-T110 16.1 MP Digital Still Camera with Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x Optical Zoom Lens and 3.0-inch Touchscreen

You don't just take a picture with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T110 camera. Capture wider scenes with the 25mm wide angle lens, take the guesswork out with features like iAuto and Optical SteadyShot image stabilization and with a 3" touch screen, Sweep Panorama? mode, and HD movie, with DSC-T110 the best shot is just a click away.


FEATURE :

• 3.0-inch Touch screen for easy focus selection and photo viewing.
• Sweep Panorama Mode captures stunning panoramic images.
• Capture your videos in HD Movie mode (720p).
• Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar 4x (25mm) optical zoom lens.
• Optical SteadyShot image stabilization.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) Amazing camera for the size! - Love this camera. I selected it because I wanted a good camera that could live in my pocket because I don't like carrying around a camera case -makes you a target and you look like a tourist. You can't put a camera in your pocket that has one of those pop-out lenses because dust gets into them. Been there, don't that. Needs to be dust proof like this camera. Dont put anything metal in that pocket or you will scratch the thing to heck. Always use the wrist strap so you don't drop it while shooting.

Pictures and video are amazing for the size of this thing. Battery lasts about 45 min of continuous shooting/video. If you need more then get an extra battery for only $10. I did but I haven't needed it yet!

My only con: lens is right where my finger wants to be but I got used to it after a few days. But be sure to warn people when you hand it over to someone else.

By teds on June 27, 2011

2) Nice camera..grest value for its price...great quality... - This camera is awesome...

1. What's in the box:
*Multi Connector Cable
*Battery (NP-BN1)
*Paint Pen
*Battery Charger (BC-CSN)
*Wrist Strap
you can watch this video from Sony...it shows how the unboxing of the camera..
[...]
2. Size
what i love about it is its size...i was afraid the camera was too small for my big hands...but when i used it..i fell in love it..(93.0mm x 55.6mm x 16.8mm)..you can carry it around wherever you go..you can put it in your pocket..purse..etc...
3. Ease of use
i read some reviews about people complaining about the ease-of-use of this camera..or that the instruction manual is not that good..to be frank..i've never read it..cause it's very easy to get to know all the features in your camera and how to use them..just play around with it for a couple of hours..and believe me..you'll get to know everything:)
4. Touch Screen
The touch screen is awesome..and very responsive...i bought a protective cover for it (BoxWave Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T110 ClearTouch Anti-Glare Screen Protector (Single Pack) ) for 6.25$ and the touch screen was still very responsive even after i applied the cover to the touch screen..i recommend you buy one to protect your touch screen.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000KN1IC6/ref=oh_o06_s00_i00_details
5. Battery
The battery life is not that good..but you can always buy an extra battery, which i did (BestDealUSA NP-BN1 Battery for Sony CyberShot DSC-TX9 TX5 WX5 TX7) for about 6$
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J9YLAC/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details
6. Quality of pictures and videos
One word: awesome...HD movies...great pics when shooting at 16mp...
PS: when shooting at 16mp..you will not have full screen...unlike when shooting videos..
you can zoom while shooting videos..
what i like the most..is that the lens does not come out and in as most of the cameras...as this might cause lots of problems (some lenses freeze in cold and get stuck)
the pics quality was nice in low light places..the auto mode can make your life easier..even in dark places.
7. Features
i love the sweep panorama feature...there are 3 levels of smile detection..there are multiple modes...you can change the color of the menu (white, black, and pink)..and you can read the rest of the product details on the product details...
8. Notes
*The delivery took only 3 days.
*always use the wrist strap when shooting images or videos..you don't want your camera to fell down..
*Buy a carrying case for it..i recommend (Sony LCS-CST General Purpose Soft Carrying Case for Slim Cybershot Digital Cameras)which is great for the T110.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00091S0WA/ref=oh_o02_s00_i00_details
*I also recommend you buy (Sony 8 GB PRO-HG Duo HX Memory Stick MSHX8A (Black))which i also bought for my T110...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F8UWUM/ref=oh_o05_s00_i00_details

Bottom line: great camera..worths the 150-170$...easy to use..easy to carry around...nice features...HD movies..great quality pics...i highly recommend it.

By A10 on December 26, 2011

Sony A390 Digital SLR Camera - Black (Discontinued by Manufacturer)

The Sony A390 is a new 14 megapixel DSLR camera featuring a restyled design to make it easier to use. That’s exactly what we said about the the A390’s predecessor, the A380, which had one of the most uncomfortable handgrips that we’ve ever used on a DSLR. Sony have gone back to the drawing board and released the A390, essentially exactly the same as the A380 with a larger more traditional handgrip. The A390 retains all of its predecessor’s key features, with 14.2 megapixel sensor, a 2.7 inch tilting LCD screen, Live View, anti-dust system, ISO range of 100-3200, anti-shake system that’s built into the body, eye-start auto-focus system and Dynamic Range Optimiser.


FEATURE :

• Live View with Quick Auto Focus.
• SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization.
• 14.2 MP resolution for ultra-fine detail.
• Lightweight and stylish body for improved handling.
• Integrated on-screen Help Guide for easy operation.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) Great Camera but lacking a few key features - I want to start by saying this is a great camera. However there are a few things that made me return it and get a different camera:

1. Continuous shooting. VERY slow. Almost too slow. They say it's 2.5 per second, but it felt like maybe 1.5 per second. It's not a huge issue, but my expectation was such that I thought it would be faster. It was really surprising and i couldn't get over it.
2. Battery. I took it out one afternoon and only got 50 shots before the battery died. Which takes me to my next point:
3. Accessories- i saw some accessories, but none of them where really clear as to whether or not they fit this model. Also-there where two types of accessories, expensive and bottom level. Other brands had a full range and clearly specific to models. Case in point: look for a battery grip for this model camera and you'll see what i mean.

Now, onto the Good-
1. you can use Minolta lenses with this camera. There are literally thousands upon thousands of lenses to choose from.
2. Superb optics, even for the obligatory 18-55mm kit lens. See the pictures i loaded with the basic kit lens.
3. it uses both Sony cards as well CS, and has two slots. This is awesome.
4. The price alone makes this the top pick for beginners. I bought the kit from Adorama and it came with a bag, a card, and lens all for $465.

At the end of the day- if you don't care about the continuous shooting issue (and it's not an issue per se) then this is a really hard camera to pass up.

By R. Fernandez on March 16, 2011

2) Beats Canon and Nikon Basic SLRs - This is an excellent camera with many cool features! I compared this with the Nikon D3000 and the Canon Rebel XS, and ended up with this one due to the extra megapixels (14.1 vs. 10.1) and features. The image stabilization is actually in the camera, not in the lenses as with the other 2 cameras mentioned (and then only in the more expensive lenses). Very easy to use. Nice to have the "guide book" with you at all times built into the camera. The tilting live screen is also very handy when taking photos over a crowd or down low and not wanting to get down on your knees to take it. Just remember to purchase a higher speed memory card with the camera. Excellent photo quality - definitely worth the money!

By J. Lah on December 22, 2010

Sony NEX 5k 14.2 Mp Digital Camera Black Body Only

The performance of a DSLR, in about half the size and weight.5 The NEX-5 is the interchangeable lens camera that goes wherever you do. Enjoy Full HD 1080/60i movies,2 astounding low-light pictures, continuous shooting up to 7 fps, incredible panorama shots, and Live View on a tilting 3.0-inch6 LCD.


FEATURE :

• The quality of a DSLR in about half the size, weight - World's smallest, lightest interchangeable lens camera.
• Same APS-C sensor size, same resolution as Alpha DSLRs.
• 14.2 MP; up to 7 fps shooting; ISO 12800 sensitivity.
• World's first in class1 with 1080/60i Full HD movies.
• Body Only - No Lens Included.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) I say glad, picture is best - I say glad, picture is best.

By VENNIE - LOUISVILLE, KY. on March 8, 2015

Sony A77II Digital SLR Camera with 16-50mm F2.8 Lens

Capture the moment more decisively than ever before. Sony’s α77II delivers the world’s fastest¹ shooting at 12 fps, while amazing 79-point Phase Detection AF keeps fast-moving subjects in focus and a 24.3MP sensor delivers stunning and detailed imagery. Even sharing is fast thanks to built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.


FEATURE :

• Superb subject tracking.
• Astonishing image quality.
• OLED Tru-Finder.
• Superior movie performance.
• Wi-Fi/NFC connectivity.

SOME OF THE SAMPLE CUSTOMER REVIEW FROM AMAZON :

1) Back In Front As The Best Prosumer APS-C Camera? - The A77II is a solid upgrade to its predecessor (which was no slouch) with a number of solid functional improvements from the previous generation Alpha 77/65 models. These include a better sensor, a deeper operating system, a much better AF system, a better JPEG engine from a better central processor, and several other tweaks. Sony really did their homework on this upgrade to the A77, and they have done an excellent job squeezing at least another full f-stop or more out of the sensor relative to its predecessor - at least in JPEGs (but see the - typically - contentious debate in the comments section over this question of how much low light functioning has been improved). I wouldn’t be surprised if the excellent Toshiba sensor in the (now replaced) Nikon 7100/5300 was their design target. This means that the A77ii is now only ~ 0.7-1.5 f-stops below the Sony full frame 24 megapixel sensor (in the Sony A99 and Nikon 600/610), instead of its previous ~ 2+ stop disadvantage (the 610 being almost a full stop less noisy than the A99 presumably due to the effects of putting PD on chip as well as the SLT mirror). The A77II is perhaps just under 3 stops below the phenomenal Sony A7S. While that sounds like a lot, read on to see why this number can be misleading if taken too literally (and is also effectively reduced by several technologies in the A77II). The short form of a long story on noise (discussed in detail below and in the comments sections) is that DxO numbers on noise (treated as canonical by many) aren’t the last word, and are only one (albeit valuable) metric on this important issue. Additionally, the noise from this sensor has much less of the wormy chroma component, and more luminence, makng it visually less toxic. So while DxO suggests perhaps only a third of a stop better, the real bump is more like a full stop in terms of visual image quality. Is it as good as the NX1 and Nikon 7200. No but it's way better than its predecessor, and the DxO numbers shouldn't really been seen as reflecting how much better. Where I used to cringe shooting over 800-1600 on the older gen sensor, I feel pretty comfortable going to 6400 if I am shooting RAW and doing post processing (using DxO Optics Pro 10.4 which has a great NR algorithm). So, while it's no low light phenom, it's decent, and a lot better than the older gen because of the real reduction in chroma noise.

For those not familiar with the difference between Sony’s approach to SLR technology vs. the traditional moving mirror, 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, 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 ~30% loss of slight with some attendant noise penalty of roughly 1/2 F stop. Although a few purists bemoan the loss of a `true’ optical VF, and few others the 1/2 stop noise penalty, 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. If that noise penalty is a big deal, you are looking at the wrong camera (or you just have ‘noise OCD’).

The A77 Mark II falls in the highly competitive territory of `prosumer’ or semi pro-cameras in the APS-C class, a class with features and capabilities just short of “all-out” full frame pro-cameras. These semipro APS-C cameras are still plenty big, but not quite as big and hefty as the current full frame pro cameras by Sony, Canon and Nikon, particularly when you hang typical glass on them. The full frame Nikon 810, Canon 5DIII, or even the Sony A99 (with a Canon L, Nikkor or Zeiss 24/70 mm lens in front of it) is overall a monster to tote around, for any extended period of time. I had one of these (the A99) for a brief period of time, and as much as I loved its pictures, I decided that it was just too heavy to lug around, and my neck and back voted it out, even though it was a phenomenal camera (see Tim Naff’s review of the A99 on Amazon). If you want to take a very modest step down in low light ability without giving up anything else and saving some not-inconsiderable size and weight - to say nothing of cost - this class of camera might be a best compromise solution. This camera basically hits the sweet spot for me, making very small concessions in functionality to full frame equipment, while offering many professional grade features.

Let’s talk history. If you can put aside fan boy loyalties, a recent history of this class of cameras suggests that the Big Players have taken turns leapfrogging each other in relationship to what might be the best semi-pro camera. When it came out in 2010, the Nikon 7000 was probably the best camera in this prosumer group. When it first appeared in 2011, the Sony A77 probably displaced the Nikon 7000 as the best semiprofessional camera (although its low light performance was undeniably poor). Olympus may have snagged the crown for a brief period with its OM-D E-M5 in 2012. In 2013, Nikon returned the favor, with the Nikon 7100, which received high marks from Digital Photography Reviews and several other professional reviewers, and likely bumped both the previous generation A77 and the OM5 off the top spot. I think that Sony has responded in kind and `held serve’. As undeniably great as the Nikon 7100 is, I believe that overall, it still is not quite as good a camera as the A77ii, particularly if the A77ii is equipped with the Sony 16-50 2.8 lens (see my Amazon review of this very fine lens). Competition has really been good for the class. All this leapfrogging drives the real progress and just how far the prosumer group has come in four years. The cameras keep getting better (more resolution AND more low light ability), while the price stays about the same. Of course, this is happening in virtually all sectors of the DP world, as sensor design improvements keep moving the goalposts. Compared with even a state of the art pro camera from 10-12 years ago, any of these APS-C or m4/3 cameras simply would be a revelation in detail, low light ability and features. Indeed, any of the current generation APS-C or FF 24MP sensors will be equal with (or slightly out-resolve) Kodachrome 64 in bright light (my all time favorite film) while demolishing it in low light.

Let’s talk pesos. If you drop down from FF to APS-C, you’re saving a little over $1200 relative to a full frame camera body like the A99 (~ $2K if you are talking about a Nikon 810/Canon 5DIII). You are saving another $1250 on the best walk-around lens ($750 for the Sony 16-50 2.8 vs. the Zeiss 24-70 2.8 at $2000), and yet your only real sacrifice is about one F-stop in noise, but picking up an extra 6 frames per second and a waaaay deeper buffer for continuous shooting. That’s an almost $2500-3300 cost for that ~ 0.7 (SonyA99) to 1.5 (Nikon610/SonyRX1) f-stop of noise relative to most FF bodies. Sony’s in-body IS can effectively eliminate that margin if you are shooting FF on a non-stabilized lens (and may even exceed FF w/o IS). That looks to me like a LOT of money for fairly slim margins. As someone once said, it’s all about trade-offs - every technology is a series of compromises. Outside of low light image quality, I’m simply not convinced that the A99 is a meaningfully better camera than the A77II - and the A99 is even surpassed by its little brother in several key functional areas: 1) better AF system, 2) way deeper buffer and 3) doubling up from 6 FPS on the A99 to 12 FPS. It’s thus - arguably - a better sports camera than the A99. Would I trade an A77II for an A99 even up? Perhaps. But in terms of a price (and especially weight?) dependent preference, the A77II with its 16-50 wins for me, as it is ~50% of the cost of an A99 with the CZ 24-70. Again, slim margins for a lot of money. (But if I was shooting for a living, those margins might suddenly be worth it . . .)

Let’s talk weight. Compared to an A99 with the Zeiss 24-70, the A77 with a 16-50 drops about 1.3 lbs of weight relative to its FF big brother, and ~ 2+ lbs if you comparing with a Nikon 800/810 with its 24-70 2.8. That weight REALLY adds up over time. Carry the A99 with the 24-70 vs. the A77ii with the 16-50 for a full day while shooting, and you may feel that the weight penalty is WAY more punitive than the $2500 cost penalty. Plus the A99 (and many other FF pro cameras) have no built-in flash, so you can add yet another lb at least, tacking on a flash unit if you need extra light. That’s again a lot of weight for the same slim margins.

Let’s talk about Sony’s recent track record in DP. Since buying Konica Minolta only 8 years ago, Sony has put out over 40 IL (interchangeable lens)cameras of various types, based on three fundamental design approaches: (initially) conventional DSLRs, but then transitioning to the SLT and the mirrorless E-mount models. They didn’t stop there - offering three additional groundbreaking cameras with fixed lenses - the RX1 and then the RX100/RX10 - which raised the bar in terms of performance relative to camera size, followed up by the A7 series, which continued Sony’s approach in the RX line of stuffing the largest possible sensor in the smallest possible body. Since 2010, many, if not most of these cameras have received Gold Awards by DPR totaling 11 Gold Awards in FOUR classes (3 RX models, 1 A7 model, 5 SLT models, 2 E-mount models), and three have won Pop. Photo. Camera of the Year (A55, NEX-7, A7r) - Sony taking this honor 3 out of the last 4 years by producing a camera in 3 of the 4 different classes. To achieve this run of awards on just ONE class like the SLT models would be pretty impressive, but to do this in such quite different models of digital camera is clearly unprecedented.

Let’s also be clear that I am not interested in promoting any version of `brand wars’, and that Olympus, Nikon, Fuji, Panasonic, and Canon all make great cameras (it’s a surfeit of riches in DP these days). But whatever brand loyalties you might feel, one has to admit that this is an astonishing run of good form, almost out of nowhere, and starting from well behind the established players. Although they started with major expertize in sensor design, as a major driver of this great run, Sony has also been more willing to take risks than any other DP player, while Nikon, and Canon even more so, seem relatively content to plod along with well-established formulas and take far fewer risks, and both have been more reluctant to move away from time-honored concepts of DSLR operation - witness their slow response to the explosion in mirrorless ILC, which is now being dominated by other players beside Canikon (specifically Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung and Fuji). Very little has changed from these two dominant players in terms of the basic DSLR template in the last 15 years, excepting the basic addition of video ability, and while Canikon has sold over 85+% of all DSLRs, sales of this type of camera have been declining by roughly 10% per year over the last 3-4 years. This suggests that some tweaking of these time honored formulas might be badly overdue. So if you are open to a brave and refreshing new approach in DLSR photography, you might carefully consider the A77ii.

PROS (not rank ordered):

1) Upgraded sensor, competitive with Toshiba sensor in the Nikon 7100/5300 and identical to the highly rated chip in the A6000 (presumably minus its phase detection circuitry). Depending on one’s metric, between 1/3 and 3/4 stop (more or less) better in terms of noise relative to the 2011 24MP Sony chip in the previous generation A65/77. Combined with improved JPEG engine, at least a full stop if not 1.5 stops, less noise and/or loss of detail in JPEGs (see PRO #14).
2) Upgraded autofocus system with 79 PD autofocus points, fast, and accurate. Highly configurable within menu settings. One of the best autofocus systems in the industry? “Lock-on expand flexible spot” AF setting is a revelation for reliable object tracking.
3) Excellent OLED EVF (2.4mp), quietly improved over from previous generation A77/65 (less over-contrasted, better low light functioning). One of the best viewfinders in the digital world, with a big, bright and detailed view of your subject (but see cons). Using this EVF is a revelation, compared to the sense of looking down a narrow, dark tunnel in any subframe OVF, esp. in low light, where the EVF simply separates from OVFs, even FF viewfinders. Offers live and immediate feedback on how your picture composition is going to change as shooting parameters are modified, and with many configuration options, including a great level, and all kinds of other useful information.
4) Operating system can be heavily customized to individual preference with deep feature set (including excellent high dynamic range, low light and panorama modes). Fine aperture priority mode (my personal preference), but camera can be easily run in full auto for those who are slightly technophobic and conversely can be tweaked to the Nth degree for the technophile. Basic ergonomics are well thought out and mostly seamless with a deep menu system (but see cons).
5) Decent lens options (although clearly less than CanNikon), particularly a very strong 16-50 2.8 Sony lens (see formal testing on Imaging Resource). The 16-50 2.8 is one of the world’s best walk-around zoom lenses (with a 24-75mm equivalent view) out there, and a good reason in itself to buy a Sony Alpha camera. Compares favorably with Canon L, Zeiss, Nikkor, and any other pro-grade glass. Sony makes a fantastic 70-400 G2 SSM telephoto. Makes a great two lens kit that covers from 24-600mm equivalent. Many great Minolta legacy lenses offer great value (if increased PF/CA relative to modern optics).
6) Full-time live view - leagues better than the tacked-on-afterthought version of live view on classic SLR mirrored cameras. Way more responsive, way faster, and simply way better. Again once you’ve used one of the Sony SLT systems, it’s hard to go back to the old way of doing live view, which seems hopeless clunky by comparison.
7) Full-time phase detection autofocus in movie mode, not available on most DSLRs (although an increasing number of manufacturers are using phase detection on chip to get around this limitation). Sony’s approach is still better and the auto focus module (in certain modes) is quite effective at tracking moving subjects, and its parameters can now be user customized.
8) Under-rated low light abilities, effectively belied by 2 major issues impacting low light performance: IS and MFNR. In-camera image stabilization means that EVERY lens you put on this camera is automatically image stabilized - IS system is worth ~ 2 stops . This allows the camera to equal or exceed full frame low light ability (FF on a non-stabilized lens) by ~ a full stop (more or less). In addition to IS, there is a great multiframe noise reduction mode (4 shots in rapid succession with ~ 2 stops of noise smoothing/reduction). Put together, they translate into a combined ~ 3-3.5 stops of noise reduction between the IS and MF NR functionality (low light performance is not all DxO ISO RAW test numbers in other words - those numbers don’t reflect a single stop of this ~ 3-3.5 stop functional advantage).
9) Camera firmware corrects in JPEG for classic lens problems of chromatic aberration, barrel/pincushion distortion, and vignetting. Most popular Sony lenses, including all the primes, the 16-50 2.8, and all the G lenses have built-in correction profiles. Underrated plus (becoming a more common feature, but originally pioneered by Sony).
10) In highly critical shooting, you don’t have to worry about mirror shake, mirror lockup and all of that nonsense. This is a deceptively significant issue for the full frame cameras (was a big issue on the Nikon 800 Nikon addressed in the 810 but also in the APS-C camera group such as Nikon 7100 when trying to get maximum resolution out of the current generation of high-resolution sensors 24-36 megapixels).
11) Everything on this camera is fast, not just its maximum burst rate (a class leading 12 frames per second) but its autofocus, menu operation, picture preview/scrolling, etc.
12) Improved buffer depth means that that continuous shooting speed is now a meaningful statistic (as opposed to just advertizing), and you can capture a full 5 seconds at 12 frames per second (~60 shots in JPEG and ~24 shots in RAW). Previous generation was hampered by very poor buffer depth which meant that its high shooting speed was really more academic than meaningful (a real plus over the Nikon 7100 which is hampered by the same design limitation.) Combined with its improved autofocus tracking, now a real sports camera.
13) As an adjunct to the great autofocus system, you can adjust the AF for lenses that are back- or front-focusing. Almost every lens can benefit, and this fixed a chronic problem for me with two lenses.
14) A much better JPEG engine - this applies both sharpening and noise reduction in a more context-dependent fashion. Combined with a less noisy sensor, this allows for usable JPEGs at ISO settings where the previous gen A77/65 images were just a blotchy mess. I would estimate that AT LEAST a full f-stop, if not 1.5 stops of extra usability. I used to cringe at having to shoot past ISO 1600, now I feel comfortable going to 6400 for smaller prints or if I’m working in RAW. (Part of the debate over how much the new camera is really better at low light emerges from confusion and conflation of RAW noise (where the A77ii appears 1/3 to 1/2 stop better in DXO testing), vs how much JPEGs are noisy/blotchy and/or losing detail from heavy NR.) Sony’s new JPEG engine is now simply a notch better than Nikon’s or Canon’s, and approaches (but probably doesn’t quite equal) the benchmark Olympus engine in creating useful and clean JPEGs. (Skeptics - please feel free to look at test images on DPR - pull up their image comparometer tool and look at Nikon 7100, Canon 7Dii, Olympus OMD1 and Sony A6000 JPEGs at ISO 6400). The JPEG engine is also easily adjustable - contrast, sat and sharpness easily tweaked for personal preference. And speaking of sharpness, given that Sony sets the engine on a rather smooth default, it’s easy to go to 2+ sharpening without any artifacts (3+ starts to show some sharpening halos).

CONS (rank ordered in descending order of seriousness IMO):

1) No 4K video - and no option for the new highly efficient H.265 (HEVC) codec (~ half the file size of the previous gen H.264). The lack of support for 4K is my #1 real disappointment (see Canon FF and Panasonic GH4). Not fixable in future firmware due to data pipe line restrictions as sensor simply isn’t fast enough in getting data off to the CPU for 4k. Given that Samsung’s new flagship NX1 supports 4K onto SD cards (along with several Canon and Olympus models), this looks like a major omission, although Sony has plenty of company on this point (Nikon and Canon). Only new Sony A7rii/A7sii, and Samsung NX1 have in body 4k in either an APS-C or FF body. Lots of Panasonics and several Olympus m4/3 do also.
2) Despite upgrade to the Bionz X processor used in all their new cameras, video still uses `line skipping’ of previous generation cameras (not to be confused with interlacing). This essentially means that the Sony RX 100 III (which samples the full frame to generate a 1080p image instead of the older line skipping approach) will still have better video than the Sony A77II. This also emerges directly from the data pipeline limitations.
3) Less rich system ecology for the professional photographer compared to Canon-Nikon. In particular, lens options are considerably less impressive than CanNikon, particularly as you get into telephoto zooms. But support not bad (excellent battery pack/grip, external mic, and other accessories for pro-level shooting and videography).
4) Still no low light phenom in RAW and at least 1 f-stop or more from many FF cameras (but not counting the 2 stops from IS and the 2 stop reduction possible in MF NR).
5) Sony’s Play Memories smartphone interface software, at least its current generation, can only be described as a pathetic effort with little real functionality, due to its forcing the camera into a very vanilla AUTO mode where you have absolutely no control over anything. Even after updating my phone operating system (previous generation OS rejected all efforts at Wi-Fi pairing with camera), connection is not very reliable, including a relatively unstable connection with Wi-Fi enabled TVs - see extended discussion of these issues in the last section.
6) Lack of true complete control over shooting parameters in movie mode. Still can’t fully control ISO and aperture unless in manual focus? WUWT?
7) EVF can still struggle under exceptionally bright conditions, although now with a greater range of brightness adjustment, this usually can now be accommodated. (In low light, this EVF is actually easier to see your subject through than OVF due to gain provided)
8) Loss of GPS and IR focus assist in low light (the latter presumably not needed as much). Balanced by WiFi and NFC? A good tradeoff for most but a bummer for those who loved the GPS feature.
9) Another tradeoff around the adoption of the ISO standard hot shoe - good for everybody new to the brand, except those of us with the old Minolta type flash mounts? Fixable with neat little Sony adapter.
10) No touch screen functionality. Bigger issue for some than for others. Might have been nice to have lock on AF points/tracking adjustable from touchscreen.
11) Rather big and heavy for APS-C camera? Not far in weight from Nikon 750, which offers significantly better sensor/low light ability.
12) Menu structure is complex, not well explained by the manual, requiring menu diving. Gary Friedman is best resource for learning complex OS. In particular, the AF settings are both complex and counter-intuitive.

AREAS WHERE THE A-77II SERIOUSLY NEEDS WORK/UPDATES.

First on the list of fixable items (as the lack of 4k and pixel binning in video are not fixable on this generation chipset) is the dismal performance of the Play Memories software - software which generally gets very poor marks on Internet reviews. Now that I actually have it working after updating my phone OS, I can see why. After working with the PlayMemories Remote Control by Smartphone feature, I have to conclude that whoever designed this was well, to put it bluntly, an idiot. On the A77II, but not the RX100iii (the version for the RX100 has WAY more functionality and is actually far more useful!!), you can’t ever shoot from the operational mode you’re in, and it defaults to the most vanilla AUTO mode possible. This comes complete with total loss of control over ISO, f-stop, etc. including any adjustment you might have made to the flash exposure problem - so if the flash comes out - you guessed it automatically - count on overexposed pictures. AND, you can’t EVER delete pictures - and to boot, Sony hides the captured files in their own folder, doesn’t allow you to change that folder assignment (like putting them in one of your existing picture folders (!) or anything common sense that like that, so you can’t surf through your pictures with the normal Android picture viewing tools. So the functionality of “PlayMemories” as anything more than just a remote viewing screen (or as a `gee wiz’ feature to impress your non-technical spouse or friends) is just about ZERO from my perspective. It’s simply a pathetic effort by Sony and makes me wonder if beta testing on this was done by photographic amateurs, as anyone with even a passing competence in the camera’s operating system would have nixed such a regression to pure vanilla AUTO mode, to say nothing of the dismal file handling. To have such a poorly thought out software interface offered on Sony’s flagship APS-C camera is truly a shock - and it suggests that this software package was cobbled together, in a rush, and at the last second, to get something out with the camera so Sony could claim the A77II is Wi-Fi friendly. It is evidence that the more things change, the more they seem to stay the same with Sony. Brilliant and innovative hardware design in the SLT-EVF concept paired with (occasionally) infuriating lack of attention to operational details - esp. on the software side. It is a painful contrast with, for example, Apple’s ability to integrate software and hardware seamlessly. Sometimes these operational bugs don’t intrude or get trimmed out, but when they exist, they are often very frustrating. I am stunned that the Play Memories software functionality for the RX100III is orders of magnitude better and is genuinely useful. What is Sony thinking, in producing a highly useful version (!) on their smallest serious camera while shorting their APS-C flagship?

Conclusions:

Sony, despite mixed reviews on this point in relationship to some past products, appears to have been actually listening in relationship to the SLT line. Sometimes other dubious design decisions appeared impervious to user feedback, but in relationship to the Alpha 77, they apparently listened to user complaints and addressed almost every single issue, improving its low light noise, its autofocus, and its buffer depth, while keeping and even enhancing the previous generation camera’s considerable feature set and strengths. It still gives up a little bit of resolution to the FF Nikon 800/810 and Sony A7ri (and a bit more to the brilliant A7rii), and concedes a little bit of lowlight ability to all the full frame cameras, but only ~ one stop now instead of ~ 2 stops. With some non-stabilized lenses on full frame, the A77ii with full time IS is going to exceed those FF low light abilities by ~ a full stop, give or take (not counting low light phenoms like the Sony A7S and the Nikon D4S). This IS system, particularly combined with the multiframe noise reduction mode, largely mitigates the camera’s main physical performance limitation relative to FF (with IS alone, it beats my RX-1 in low light by almost a stop). Those stuck to quoting DxO numbers as canonical (see debate on this in comments section) miss completely how many effective f-stops worth of noise reduction are created by IS conjoined with MFNR (~ 3+ stops), which means that instead of being forced to use ISO 12800 for a low light shot using an non-stabilized lens on a FF, I can shoot at ISO 1600. This camera at ISO 1600 beats (or at least ties) SNR of even the Sony A7S at 12800. So all you noise-phobic types out there (I count myself in that group) concerned about the poor low light reputation of the previous gen A77/65, RELAX. Once you learn how to exploit the full potential of all the technologies in this system, you will be astonished at what low light shooting you can do. Obviously, it’s still no Nikon D4S or Sony A7S, but indoor and night shooting (without flash) have been surprisingly productive options for me, with many excellent images using either just IS, or IS conjoined with MF NR.

My one major disappointment is the apparent failure to upgrade the CPU and sensor data line to support the full frame sampling seen in the RX100iii and RX10 and the associated absence of an 4K video capability (as I think 4K is going to explode over the next two years, as 4K sets are already entering the mainstream). I am also seriously disappointed that Sony released a version of PM (Play Memories) smartphone control interface for the camera that is notably inferior to what’s available on the RX-100III, and I remain puzzled by Sony’s ongoing difficulties with flash exposure control and apparent bright light overexposure.

None of this detracts from the great pictures, but one wishes that Sony sweated the operational details a bit more in this first firmware release, and reduced the complexity of the AF settings to a ‘case’ approach instead of the overly confusing parametric approach. Most of these various issues can be fixed by firmware updates and/or updates to PlayMemories software, or at least let’s hope so.

Despite these issues, if the tradeoffs of APS-C make sense to you, I have to believe that you will love the A77ii. Highly recommended overall, as perhaps the most well-rounded APS-C camera. Real competition for the Canon 7Dii, the Nikon 7100/7200 and the Samsung NX1 as the elite players in the APS-C field. Samsung appears poised to drop the NX1, after creating a brilliant design, making it clear that innovative designs, and market success are not synonymous. Sony – are you paying attention? This is a constricting field (big body cameras), given the enormous reach and penetration of better and better cell phone cameras into almost every sector of digital photography excepting the very high end. It may be that at some relatively near point in the future, we will have cell phones, and high end bodies, and nothing else. Perhaps even APS-C itself will be extinguished by this trend. Let’s hope not.

By D. F. Watt on August 7, 2014

2) A Truly Exceptional Camera - I'm going to keep this review short because, if you're seriously looking at buying an $1,800 camera, you already have a pretty good idea of what you want and are probably just reading reviews for moral support before you hit the "purchase" button! That said, I am extremely happy with the performance of my new A77ii. I have had the camera for almost a month and have shot several sessions with it including senior portraits, graduations, and a family event. The results have been exceptional and the camera is a joy to shoot with. Pros include, nearly instant (and accurate) auto-focus, seemingly endless buffer capacity, exceptional image quality, and vastly improved high ISO performance. All I can say about the EVF is WOW! It is brilliant and silky smooth! Battery life has been surprisingly good. My first battery charge lasted for 1,300 shots and I was down to about 30% capacity. I honestly have no complaints so far, simply a fantastic camera IMHO.

By UG on August 1, 2014