Reading mode: Light Dark

Just tried out the a77

Go to last post
F

Fish Tank

Leading Member
Messages
935
Reaction score
1
Location
GTA, CA
Sony rep was in a local camera store in Toronto. Had the a77, a65 and NEX5n (but no NEX7). Was very excited that I was excited about the camera, so got to play with it for 20 minutes or so. Feel is amazing - closest thing to my KM 7D (which I still use) as far as proportions, build and heft (both had the vertical grip, and felt GREAT). My buddy has an a33, so same shutter sound (i believe) - quieter than 7D, but not silent, and the viewfinder is remarkable. Can't remember if the a33 has that gyroscopy auto levelly thingie, but it even checks how level the camera is back/forth as well as side to side on screen. EVF is really good - better than a33, but (sadly) still not like a pentaprism (but I could easily get past that if I owned it, as others have, and that's not to say it's bad in any way, just not the same). She went through movie modes, and showed how versatile this thing is, and really was an amazing lady - but unfortunately (slyly) gave no clues as to what the future for fullframe holds (though we've all read the rumours).

The a77 is a BEAST, and right now is the frontrunner for next camera purchase. The NEX5N is so close, but not being able to use my 3 flashes with it are a big negative.

Sorry for the unprofessional review, was just excited, and even more stoked for the release.

BTW - All the staff were amazing, and even the Canon die-hards had to admit it's a killer product.

Cheers!
 
Thanks for the report. I can't decide if I should order an A77 or an A65 or stick with the A580 I have already. But these reports are enticing...

Will
 
Funny Will, I was about to buy the A580, as at the time felt it closest to the 7D. The 580 is awesome, but the video options on the a77 (including video AF) won me over. The price/value ratio is pretty amazing. The a65 is a great value, but weather sealing (have you seen the vids where they pour a glass of water over the a77 while shooting?), AF points, bigger size etc win me over.
William Porter said:
Thanks for the report. I can't decide if I should order an A77 or an A65 or stick with the A580 I have already. But these reports are enticing...

Will
Click to expand...
 
I'd lean towards saying both. 900 is ridiculously bright, and maybe I was so overwhelmed by my first viewing through the 900 that it has permanently tainted me. I should have tested both while there, but didn't want to press my luck ;-) The evf is a remarkable achievement, but you can tell it's digital (surprisingly not such a bad thing... just different).
AmaturFotografer said:
AmaturFotografer said:
Not like looking through the a900
Click to expand...
Regarding the size or the feel?
Click to expand...
 
Fish,

The weather sealing isn't one of the things that attract me to the A77. I am a convert from Pentax and before getting my Sony gear a little over a year ago I was shooting with weather sealed Pentax bodies. The weather sealing really never mattered to me. I just don't shoot in the rain or snow very often.

The two things that do matter to me about the A77 are (1) the two control dials and (2) the size. Well, it isn't the size of the A77 itself so much as the availability of a vertical grip.

In the past I had sworn never to buy a camera that didn't have two control dials. I used to shoot full manual most of the time. But since getting the Sony bodies (A550 and a580) I have gotten used to working with just one dial. I still shoot in M mode sometimes, but mostly I stay in A and everything works fine. So I'm not sure I truly need the a77's two dials. And considering the difference in price (about a thousand dollars by the time you add in the cost of the grip), getting an a65 and living without the grip seems like a very acceptable option.

And the more I compare the A65 to the A580, the more I wonder if I truly need a new camera at all this year. The A65's EVF sounds awesome and of course the A580's OVF is definitely not awesome -- more like awful. But there again I have adjusted. I never thought I would learn to like shooting with live view, but I have.

But as I said, these reports do tempt me. Be interesting to see if I can resist...

Will
 
comment on the weather-proofing? I had a 7D and an A700 (both with grips), and now own an A33, GH2. Really don't want to return to monster cameras. Even the A65 seems too big, but its abilities overshadow that.

Thanks for your thread and comments.
 
I enjoy reading subjective, non-technical first impressions from people who have actually used the camera and not just criticized it from afar. ;)

BTW, I share your desire for weather sealing, improved AF and size of the A77.
 
Love seeing messages like this! I've pretty much determined that I will be getting the a77 (I've been using my a33 professionally for horse comps over the past 6 months and while it is coping, lack of weather sealing, less-impressive (comparatively speaking) high-ISO capabilities and the lack of a VG simply means it can't compete) and it makes me so happy to hear all the people who have had a chance to feel and play around with the a77 giving it positive feedback :)

Wheeee so excited to give this camera a go. Wonder when it'll find its way to Melbourne!
 
Hey Fish,

You said you can tell its an EVF. Some have said they've been fooled into thinking it was an OVF and others like yourself have said they can easily tell its an EVF. I'm wondering, what are the most obvious giveaways that you're looking at an EVF?

In what ways is the EVF still behind a pentaprism?
 
Played with the a65 for all of 3 minutes. I'm really interested in the 77, but the 65 seems great as well. Viewfinder the same, feel was good - felt about 10-20 smaller. Guy behind the desk said he'd pick the 65, but of course that's personal. I was in a price point dilemma - is the price worth all the add-ons - I voted yes.

Check the a77 weatherproofing at 2:35
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0M4Hz-cKiA

Forgot to mention - the 16-50 kit lens seemed a teeny bit stiff - maybe that'll loosen up with use (?)
Corkcampbell said:
comment on the weather-proofing? I had a 7D and an A700 (both with grips), and now own an A33, GH2. Really don't want to return to monster cameras. Even the A65 seems too big, but its abilities overshadow that.

Thanks for your thread and comments.
Click to expand...
 
WHAT??? You mean "gyroscopy auto levelly thingie" isn't technical enough for you? ;-)
fanboy6 said:
I enjoy reading subjective, non-technical first impressions from people who have actually used the camera and not just criticized it from afar. ;)

BTW, I share your desire for weather sealing, improved AF and size of the A77.
Click to expand...
 
Lineypi said:
Love seeing messages like this! I've pretty much determined that I will be getting the a77 (I've been using my a33 professionally for horse comps over the past 6 months and while it is coping, lack of weather sealing, less-impressive (comparatively speaking) high-ISO capabilities and the lack of a VG simply means it can't compete) and it makes me so happy to hear all the people who have had a chance to feel and play around with the a77 giving it positive feedback :)

Wheeee so excited to give this camera a go. Wonder when it'll find its way to Melbourne!
Click to expand...
Post when you get it!
 
There's the initial fire-up/glow of the EVF when you put your eye to it. It's quick, but you notice. Makes me wonder if that would affect my spur-of-the-moment shooting. In other words, pulling the camera to eye and immediately shooting the guy in the business suit slipping on the banana peel. It was subtle, but there. I'm crazy picky when it comes to visuals, and there's an unquantifiable difference. Maybe it's still seeing that veeeeeeeery subtle pixelization. You see it on an iPhone 4's retina screen, even though it's approximately the same resolution. Some can't see it, though :-/ The only way I can say it is Pentaprism IS your eye (?)
Photohobbyfun said:
Hey Fish,

You said you can tell its an EVF. Some have said they've been fooled into thinking it was an OVF and others like yourself have said they can easily tell its an EVF. I'm wondering, what are the most obvious giveaways that you're looking at an EVF?

In what ways is the EVF still behind a pentaprism?
Click to expand...
 
no text
 
I dislike teh evf of the A55 and hope that this new one has better panning abilities and less balckout when shooting high speed.

What is it like?

F
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top