Considering A99? -- ONE week experience from a NON-PRO -- jpeg only (part 1)

Got the A99 on Day 1 in Hong Kong, shooting ONE whole  week in DAILY  situations (not pro, not testing shooting charts, not pixel peeping), printed to A3, some in A2 by Epson 3885 on Epson premium glossy paper (sorry, no time to show photos here, not trying to be authoritative but just want to contribute  A SMALL BIT TO THIS FORUM)

Lens : CZ 18-35/2.8 , 24-70/2.8

Sony 70-400 /4.5-5.6, 20/2.8, 500/8 reflex

Minolta 85/1.4G, 70-200/2.8G SSM, 28-135 macro, 600/4

Tamron 90/2.8 macro,

Present BODIES using - A900, A77, Nex 7, Nikon D3s

ISO Performances

MUCH MUCH better than A900  which I would not use > ISO 800. A99 allows daily use up to at least ISO 3200.

Print to A4 - 6400 is NO DOUBT

ISO 12800 - definitely usable up to A4  UNLESS fine details needed in SMALL areas. NOT just as savage. One inside page of a A4 magazine? Shouldn't be of any problem for bigger scenes but definitely not for fine details such as small words and small eyes etc.

Compared to A77 -- no more "plastic " look. A77 looks really really bad compared to A99. Only usable up to ISO 1600 -  to me, though may not be to u, don't shout at me.

DRO added too much noise in enhanced areas ?

Again MUCH better -- can be used up to 3-4. 5 is a bit noisy and plastic

A900 and A77 -- below 3

Auto one more or less equals to 3-4 in camera performance, recommended if not sure about what value to set, will give acceptable results.