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Any REAL photographic advantage of an SLT?
- Thread starter jsis
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- sony alpha dslr-a700
Additional advantage of SLT which comes to mind is the fact that there is no issue with mirror slap and the resultant vibrations which theoretically improves IQ especially when shooting at faster frame rates. Additionally the continuous AF and fact that you don't have a mirror flipping up and down is conducive to allowing faster frame rates, however whether or not this is an advantage for you depends on your style of shooting.
Bare in mind too that the latest SLTs (especially the A77) are an evolutionary improvement over Sony's earlier SLRs in many ways, regardless of whether or not they are SLT e.g. faster overall operation, higher-res LCD, GPS, features such as sweep panorama. And even though the SLTs are not the best for low light / high ISO (though they aren't nearly as bad as some repetitive posters will have you believe) they are still a significant improvement over the A700 - again just a result of evolution in low light capabilities over the past few years across the Sony range.
Glenn
Veteran Member
well for one thing with the lack of mirror and electronic first curtain you will get sharper images.
is that enough?
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is that enough?
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kumori
Well-known member
I upgraded from my KM-7D. One of the things I enjoy is the swiveling LCD. I usually keep the LCD closed to protect it, but flip it down and can take photos from the waist like a TLR camera. It's a nice angle that I am normally too lazy to try using when I am looking thru the viewfinder.
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Barron Fujimoto
http://www.takoyaki.org (blog)
Hughesnet
Leading Member
No real advantage in IQ but advantages in speed and AF.
Nordstjernen
Veteran Member
- Much better tools for critical manual focusing
- Faster and more reliable autofocus
- Higher frame rates
- More reliable flash exposure
- No mirror vibrations
- First electronic shutter curtain
- Live View with a very flexible screen
- Very high resolution
- Dust and moisture protection
Nordstjernen
Veteran Member
Don't quite agree. There are many tools that help you get more keepers, and resoultion is also much higher. Here are some images that demonstrates manual focusing with the A700 OVF vs the A77 magnified view. The A77 image is downscaled to the same size at the A77 files, which are 100 % crops:
That is a good point, but practical-wise it makes no difference to me when the body is image stabilized. I'm not a sports shooter so higher FPS is not a priority for me. Responsiveness yes, the EVF may be laggy in low light conditions which is a concern, but frame rates are not really important for me.
True, but those features are probably going to go obsolete fast. I'm an available light and low-light photographer so most of those features (3D, panorama, GPS) I find really gimmicky.
I don't really know if speed is really an advantage with EVF because EVF are laggy in less than ideal conditions when compared to OVF. However, the faster frame rate (shot-to-shot FPS times) is nice for a sports photographer but makes someone "lazier" to figure out when is the best moment to capture a shot.
How is that so? As far as I know the A700 also use phase detection. Manual focusing is probably better with an OVF because of its infinite resolution, whereas EVF is limited by the number of pixels.
Nordstjernen
Veteran Member
EVF lag is problem for me when shooting action with the A77, and no problem when photographing indoor when low light.
Nordstjernen
Veteran Member
The A77 evf is clearly better for manual focusing than the A700 small and dim ovf.
Then you can use "peaking" for even better focus control, and loupe view for a magnified view. Works very well handheld, and is excellent for ultra-critical focusing.
Look at the images with focus examples I posted earlier in this tread.
Yes, the A77 uses phase detection, but the AF module is much better. With SLT design the autofocus works continious, also when the shutter is open.
chlamchowder
Senior Member
Ah, but you can also do this via the rear screen of a DSLR with live view. It works very well, and you keep the option of using an optical finder. You'd get the advantages of an EVF (manual focusing aids, exposure preview for JPGs, flexible information overlay) whenever you want, and the advantages of an optical finder (infinite resolution, no lag, much lower power consumption) whenever you want.
I've been looking for a while but I haven't been able to find anything saying that the a55 and a65 autofocus better than the a580. Theoretically the a55/65 should have an advantage, but I haven't seen any controlled tests (or even anecdotal evidence).
dlkeller
Veteran Member
In your description of the A700 OVF as "small and dim" I think you may be confusing it with the Sony Penta Mirror models. You seem a little prone to exaggaration with this and you "slamming mirror" remarks in your other post.
I'm not disputing you basic remarks but these exaggerations don't speak well toward credability.
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Dave
I'm not disputing you basic remarks but these exaggerations don't speak well toward credability.
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Dave
TrojMacReady
Veteran Member
Anything but infinite resolution, especially with the DSLR's optimized for (fast) LV, which I wouldn't recommend as a replacement to anyone used to a larg(er) and bright(er) OVF.
sye46
Senior Member
live view technology without SLT uses contrast detection and not phase detection.
not the same thing.
not the same thing.
tbcass
Forum Pro
For me the primary advantage of the SLT design is full time live view with PDAF. Full time LV allows you to see real time effects of adjusting white balance and exposure. The adjustable LCD allows photographing in tough spots by allowing you to hold the camera over your head or low to the ground. If you need precise focusing for things like macro the ability to magnify the image is very useful.
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Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/
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Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/
tbcass
Forum Pro
??? Please elaborate. The SLT's do have flexible swivel screens.
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Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/
tbcass
Forum Pro
Incorrect. The OVF of the A700 is viewed on ground glass which does not have infinite resolution although it is more than an EVF. Modern OVF's are designed for the brightest possible view but are lacking when judging when something is in focus. The view in the EVF can be magnified to closely judge when something is in focus.
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Tom
Look at the picture, not the pixels
http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/
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