A57 or A65

This will be my first SLT (although I have a working knowledge about apertures, shutter, and manual focusing). If not for the lack of supply a month ago, I should have already bought the A65, now came the A57 lol.

Questions:
1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

2. Lens – if I have to invest in my first lens for either of these cameras, what will be the first that I should buy to be the all around lens? I was thinking of the 16-50mm?

Use: Mostly personal use, family gatherings, travel (about 60/40 ratio)

I guess I have enough time to wait for the A57 as our travel plans will be on May. Thank you all for your comments/suggestions.

check out the newer Sony primes...35mm 1.8, and the wonderful 85mm 2.8. Light and very good optics. Also, affordable. Then, go on ebay and get a Minolta 50mm 1.7. The latter is lousy for video due to focusing noise (but so is the Sony 50mm 1.4), but the other two are okay.

Sigma makes a great lens for about $200 - 18-50. It is okay for video and covers the same area as the Sony 16-50, which I returned when I realized it wasn't noticeably better than my current lenses, and was also very heavy. It was faster (all 2.8) than the Sigma, but for my kind of shooting, not worth $400 more.

If you really need something by May, get the A65. It has the newer sensor, which has been shown to be very good. We don't know about the sensor (tweaked) in the A57 yet. Probably also good, but we can't just assume it is better at noise control than the A77/65 sensor, and who really cares about ISO 1600 anyway?

I think that the A57 is a great deal, but your May deadline is a problem.

Note: I own the A33 and an A77, plus a GH2, GF1, DP2. All great cameras.

You miss the superior viewfinder, though at least one reviewer says he doesn't see a practical difference. Perhaps you need to try both before buying.

Less Mpixels - not an issue unless you intend to crop drastically and/or print very large.

You get better pictures under marginal conditions - allegedly.

It's possible that some of the a65's less-appreciated MMI features will have been improved in your eyes. Early days to develop a view on that one. You are wise to wait.
--
Ian

FiloD said:

1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

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Nothing of real significance, as far as I can see. To me, 24 mp is more of a drawback than a plus. For normal photo printing, you don't need that much resolution. Storing such bigger files takes up more storage, takes longer to transfer, and will be slower to edit on a computer.

FiloD304310 said:

2. Lens – if I have to invest in my first lens for either of these cameras, what will be the first that I should buy to be the all around lens? I was thinking of the 16-50mm?

Click to expand...

Definitely DO NOT get the current version of the Sony 18-55mm kit lens, as it is so noisy focusing, that it ruins the sound when recording video. That Sigma lens that corkcampbell mentioned is indeed a very good buy. It is a bit smaller size and lighter than the Sony 16-50mm, so it better fits the camera and balances with it.

If you live in the USA, you can pick up this Sigma from B&H Photo here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/622374-REG/Sigma_861205_18_50mm_f_2_8_4_5_DC_OS.html

Because the Sony Kit lens is so awful regarding its focusing noise, Sony is working on replacing it with a new 18-55mm kit lens very soon that will have silent autofocus. It may well be available by the time the A57 is shipping. For now, though, B&H is only accepting pre-orders for it. Its main advantage over the Sigma is that it is dramatically lighter and smaller, and thus would be more comfortable to travel with.

You can read out it on the B&H website here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/831214-REG/Sony_SAL1855_BQ_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_DT_AF.html

FiloD304310 said:

I guess I have enough time to wait for the A57 as our travel plans will be on May.

Click to expand...

Sony says that that A57 will be available in April. So I don't see any reason why you should not be able to buy it then, barring any acts from God destroying factories. I think that we have already filled our quota for that happening last year.

FiloD said:

This will be my first SLT (although I have a working knowledge about apertures, shutter, and manual focusing). If not for the lack of supply a month ago, I should have already bought the A65, now came the A57 lol.

Questions:
1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

Click to expand...

I don't know all the details but the 2 things that stand out are 16mp vs 24mp and, probably more importantly, you get a significantly better viewfinder with the A65. For me the viewfinder alone is worth it but the one on the A57, which is similar to the A55, is pretty good.

FiloD304310 said:

2. Lens – if I have to invest in my first lens for either of these cameras, what will be the first that I should buy to be the all around lens? I was thinking of the 16-50mm?

Click to expand...

For all around use the Tamron 18-270 is possibly a better choice for about the same amount of money. The 16-50 is better in low light but obviously has a much smaller zoom range. You decide which appeals to you more. Both I understand have quiet AF motors, something that is valuable if you use the built in mic.

--
Tom

Look at the picture, not the pixels

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/

tbcass said:

FiloD said:

This will be my first SLT (although I have a working knowledge about apertures, shutter, and manual focusing). If not for the lack of supply a month ago, I should have already bought the A65, now came the A57 lol.

Questions:
1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

Click to expand...

I don't know all the details but the 2 things that stand out are 16mp vs 24mp and, probably more importantly, you get a significantly better viewfinder with the A65. For me the viewfinder alone is worth it but the one on the A57, which is similar to the A55, is pretty good.

Click to expand...

The viewfinder is not exactly the same. A57 has more effective pixels

lancespring said:

Because the Sony Kit lens is so awful regarding its focusing noise, Sony is working on replacing it with a new 18-55mm kit lens very soon that will have silent autofocus. It may well be available by the time the A57 is shipping. For now, though, B&H is only accepting pre-orders for it. Its main advantage over the Sigma is that it is dramatically lighter and smaller, and thus would be more comfortable to travel with.

You can read out it on the B&H website here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/831214-REG/Sony_SAL1855_BQ_18_55mm_f_3_5_5_6_DT_AF.html

Click to expand...

I'm not sure that is any different from the current kit lens, is it? I don't remember hearing anything about a replacement kit zoom and the existing version is already badged SAM.

Richard - dpreview.com

The A65 finally appeared in retail stores here in Atlanta. I must say the OLED EVF on that camera is much improved over the A55's LCD EVF. Marketing says the A57's LCD is improved over the A55 as well.

I think I'd prefer the 16mp sensor over 24mp, but I'd "suffer" with the 24mp to get the OLED on the A65.

I'm still hanging onto my A700 for now and considering all the options out there now.

ET2 said:

tbcass said:

FiloD said:

This will be my first SLT (although I have a working knowledge about apertures, shutter, and manual focusing). If not for the lack of supply a month ago, I should have already bought the A65, now came the A57 lol.

Questions:
1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

Click to expand...

I don't know all the details but the 2 things that stand out are 16mp vs 24mp and, probably more importantly, you get a significantly better viewfinder with the A65. For me the viewfinder alone is worth it but the one on the A57, which is similar to the A55, is pretty good.

Click to expand...

The viewfinder is not exactly the same. A57 has more effective pixels

Click to expand...

It's the same panel, but with new optics that allow use of more of the panel's optics.

That diagram isn't correct, I don't think. Because, although the a55's EVF used fewer pixels, it also offered a magnification of 1.1x, rather than the a57's 1.04x. So presumably the a57's viewfinder appears slightly smaller but more detailed.

Some people don't notice (or at least, don't get distracted by) the rainbow tearing effect of the LCD panel. I do so, for me, that would be the great advantage of the OLED finder in the a65. But if you can get on with the LCD, it's pretty good.

Richard - dpreview.com

ET2 said:

tbcass said:

I don't know all the details but the 2 things that stand out are 16mp vs 24mp and, probably more importantly, you get a significantly better viewfinder with the A65. For me the viewfinder alone is worth it but the one on the A57, which is similar to the A55, is pretty good.

Click to expand...

The viewfinder is not exactly the same. A57 has more effective pixels

Click to expand...

Not to be picky but I said similar not "exactly the same". They are similar in that they both use the same LCD technology, not the OLED tech of the A65. Since the LCD is 3:2 I suspect the viewfinder is also 3:2 in the A57. The A55 has a 16:9 ratio in both the LCD and EVF. When you transpose the 3:2 still image on the 16:9 EVF you lose some resolution.

--
Tom

Look at the picture, not the pixels

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63683676@N07/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25301400@N00/

Agree, if you don't mind the viewfinder I will get the A57. Cheaper body and buy better lens. Don't understand why ppl talking about the translucent mirror but slap a 18-55 kit lens and cheap filter in front of A65/77.

Although a quieter faster focusing kit lens would be welcome. Also one that has improved build quality.

Carl

http://photographic-central.blogspot.com/

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude; nothing can help the man with wrong one."
-Thomas Jefferson

Add the A-55... Not just A-57 or A65. I actually don't see any reason to buy an A-57 over an A-55 except to have the bragging rights of having the new one.

I am also debating this;

A57:
$200 less that can be used towards a better lens
Less MP, meaning less disk space

A65:
GPS
Better EVF

Use: mostly indoors, with kids, and some outdoors as well.

I am leaning towards the A65 for the better EVF, but since i haven't seen either, would this be an issue? I don't really care for 24MP; I am more concerned about low light performance (not high ISO).

What is clear view zoom? Is it the same as the 1.5X and 2X zoom function on the A65?
--
Nick P

NPPhoto said:

What is clear view zoom? Is it the same as the 1.5X and 2X zoom function on the A65?

Click to expand...

Check the preview on DPR. They covered this and many other things.

I did find it on the A57 preview but not in the A65 review.

--
Nick P

NPPhoto said:

I did find it on the A57 preview but not in the A65 review.

Click to expand...

Because A65 doesn't have it?

The A65 has this feature, I didnt see it in the A57's preview. It will only work for jpegs, it works really well at that also. I love my A65 but I wouldnt have a problem saving 200 and buying the A57 then putting more into lenses. I know this camera is way more then I need as is. If the option would have been there I would have taken it.

That is a tough choice! I suspect that saving $200 is quite a valid choice considering the very good performance of the A57.

For some more considerations:

My three immediate 'handling' bugbears when I've picked up an A55 in store have been
1. Small EVF - Luckily this is addressed so not an issue on the A57
2. Small body size - Again sorted in the A57

3. The EVF uses colour/field sequential rendering, i.e. blue then red the green images in quick sucesssion, if you pan around I can see the slightly weird effect this creates (I believe the same as 'rainbows' in DLP projectors) - The A57 still uses this method, so I'd like to see one in the flesh.

Other then that, it's 24MP vs better High ISO Noise, but the thing there (with High ISO) is that the A65 isn't exactly terrible. In JPEG if you look at the studio comparison, the A65 still also captures a great deal of detail that is not far behind at all even at ISO6400, it's the Raw Chroma noise (with NO NR) that looks 'worse', but if the Jpegs are indicative of the worst case detail after PP, then it's really a case of how often you want ISO12800+ (where the difference is very marked) and won't be using Mutli-frame ISO modes (which does a fantastic job).

Regarding 24MP, I expected it to be overkill and 'too much' etc, but I've been surprised, file sizes for the default settings (on an A77) only yield 4-6MB and seem to have great pixel level detail and I've found it more useful for cropping some 'snapshots' into more interestingly framed shots then my previous D5100 (16MP). But 16MP is plenty enough, it's like reduced high ISO noise, there will always be times when you can benefit from having more..

I've recently posted my initial A77 thoughts with detail/MF High ISO shots which far exceeded my expectations, (A65 would be identical)
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1037&thread=40899176

I can't say with conviction either is a better choice, but do think saving $200 and not losing much (even gaining in some areas) sounds tempting, as long as the A57 colour sequential EVF isn't as detracting as I found the A55 (The A65 OLED EVF is pretty much flawless).

FiloD said:

This will be my first SLT (although I have a working knowledge about apertures, shutter, and manual focusing). If not for the lack of supply a month ago, I should have already bought the A65, now came the A57 lol.

Questions:
1. What will I miss saving $200 if I buy the A57 instead of A65?

2. Lens – if I have to invest in my first lens for either of these cameras, what will be the first that I should buy to be the all around lens? I was thinking of the 16-50mm?

Use: Mostly personal use, family gatherings, travel (about 60/40 ratio)

I guess I have enough time to wait for the A57 as our travel plans will be on May. Thank you all for your comments/suggestions.

Click to expand...