Sony A900 Full-Frame: Hands-On Preview
by Wesley Fink on September 12, 2008 12:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
A900 Specifications
Convenience
- Burst Mode: 5 fps
- Color Mode(s): Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia (All other color modes use the sRGB color space)
- Red-Eye Reduction: N/A
- Self Timer: Yes (10 seconds, 2 seconds with mirror-up function)
- White Balance: Auto plus 6 Modes (Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash); +/- 3-step adjustable Kelvin temperature control (2500-9900k w/19-step Magenta/Green compensation)
Hardware
- LCD: 3.0" TFT Xtra Fine (921k pixels) LCD
- Microphone: N/A
- Viewfinder: Optical: TTL, 0.74 x, Diopter -1m-1 100% coverage of 35mm Full-frame area
Power
- Battery Capacity: 7.2V, CIPA standard; approx. 650 pictures
- Battery Type: NP-FM500H Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
General
- Imaging Device: 24.6MP (effective) 35mm full-frame Exmor CMOS image sensor; RGB primary color filter
- Megapixels: 24.6MP
Convenience Features
- AF Illuminator Light: Yes (Built-in LED)
- Movie Mode(s): N/A
- Multi-Pattern Measuring: Switchable; 40 segment honeycomb pattern, Center Weighted, Spot
- Scene Mode(s): Standard, Vivid, Neutral, Clear, Deep, Light, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, Night view, Autumn, B/W, Sepia
Optics/Lens
- Focus: Autofocus: TTL Phase Detection, Dual-cross 9-point AF w/ 10 assist focus points for Wide AF
- Focus Mode: Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, Direct Manual Focus, Manual focus
- Focus Area: Wide focus (Auto - 9 areas), Spot focus, Local focus (9 local areas selection with the multi-selector)
- Lens Type: Interchangeable A-mount
- Shutter Speed: 1/8000 second - 30 seconds, bulb
Software
- Operating System Compatibility: Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Home and Professional, Vista; Macintosh OS X (v 10.1.3 or later) OS must be installed at the factory.
- Supplied Software: Image Data Converter SR (Windows & Macintosh), Image Data Lightbox SR (Windows & Macintosh), Remote Camera Control (Windows & Macintosh), Picture Motion Browser (Windows only)
Operating Conditions
- Flash Effective Range: No Built-in Flash (Compatible with Sony System Flash)
- Flash Mode(s): Auto, Fill-flash, Rear flash sync, High Speed Sync, Wireless off camera flash (with Flash HVL-F56AM, F36AM)
Inputs and Outputs
- HD Output: Yes (w/ optional HDMI cable)
- Output(s): Video and HMDI: NTSC/PAL Selectable
- USB Port(s): Yes, Supports USB 2.0 Hi-speed
Weights and Measurements
- Dimensions (Approx.): (WHD) 6 1/8" x 4 5/8" x 3 1/4" (156.3x116.9x81.9mm) (excl. protrusions)
Accessories Supplied
- M-series Lithium-Ion Battery (NP-FM500H)
- Battery Charger w/cord (BC-VM10)
- Wireless Remote Commander (RMT-DSLR1)
- Video Cable
- USB Cable
- Shoulder strap with eyepiece cap and Remote Commander clip
- Body cap
- Accessory shoe cap
- Software/USB Driver CD-ROM
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53 Comments
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chiew - Sunday, September 14, 2008 - link
If all you want is 24mp...Nikon's D700 is priced equivalently, doesn't have the 24mp...but it has more ISO range and a pro AF system. I don't see why you're crying.
Lord 666 - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
More than likely same MP in sensor, but same or better outstanding ISO performance as D3.I've never held a Sony DSLR yet, but question the build quality. Additionally, I find it interesting that when other camera companies market their cameras, they almost always exclusively show the pics taken with them, but no cameras inside those pictures as subjects. Sony on the other hand releases pictures "in the wild" of people using the camera almost as models. Check out http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12902">http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=12902
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
Sony announced the A900 with both studio setups surrounded with 2x3 feet enlargements of images taken with the A900. The brochure for the A900 is around 8x12" and filled with double page photos(12x16 inches). Both studio setups were tethered to huge Bravia HD TVs. The photographers in both settings were shooting, displaying on screen and doing 6.5x zooms to show detail. A large number of A900 cameras were available for us to shoot both scenes.In the Sony A900 launch event the emphasis was clearly on images captured with the the A900. As for build quality you should examine an A900 to answer your questions about build quality. Feel and Build Quality certainly appear superb. I also own a D3 and D700 and the Sony A900 belongs in that league IMHO.
Lord 666 - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
So you have finally come over to the Nikon side with those investments in the D3 and D700? Don't you also have/had a D300?Wesley Fink - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
I sold my D300 and all my DX lenses when I went for the D3/D700, and I particularly like the size, capabilities. and value of the D700. I also own other cameras and have some lenses for every system we review since they are needed for testing.My main APS-C since the exit of the D300 is the Sony A700 which is the same sensor and LCD as the D300, but obviously not the same electronics/post processing as the Nikon. Sony has continued to improve their post-processing and finally have the option to turn off NR completely in RAW with firmware 4. JPEGs are also further improved in 4. THe A700 is very nice with the in-body IS that works with lenses like the Tamron 18-250mm (or Sony 18-250mm), which is a really terrific lens for when I need small and compact.
I am also testing a Sony A200 right now, which at less than $500 for camera with body IS and 18-70mm kit lens is looking like a heck of a buy.
davidaspart - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
"Same Pricey Battery- The same proprietary NP-FM500H battery used in the A700, A350, A300, and A200 is also used in the A900. Great consistency, but you can still only buy it from Sony and you will still pay $55 to $95 for a spare. Sony insists on pimping their battery manufacturing even if their stubborn insistence on a proprietary battery drives some users away in a market where they need to win new users."Oh come on!
Thats like saying someone who buys a Ferrari worries that it takes premium fuel.
The camera costs $3000!
Koing - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
Indeed. How much are OEM Canon cameras?If you drop $3000 on a camera and $500 on a flash $100 for a battery isn't a big deal...
The MS is a Sony thing...
Koing
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
The less than $500 A200 kit uses the same battery as the A900, which is great consistency. Frankly so did the A100, but you could buy generic A100 batteries if you chose for less than $8. When Sony introduced the A700 they added a groove to the center of the battery so A100 batteries would no longer fit and apparently patent4ed the revised design. In fact A100 chargers still work just fine with the new Sony A700/A900/A350/A300/A200 battery.Many would definitely stick with the manufacturer's battery, but my complaint is about choice. I can choose which battery with Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Olympus batteries as generic options are readily available. You can not choose another battery with any of the new Sony cameras. Sony is a huge battery maker and they have locked up choice. You are forced to buy the Sony overpriced battery as there are no other choices in the market.
As an aside Sony STILL will not allow the use of AA batteries in their grips. Many like the versatility of using rechargeable AAs to power their grips instead and other companies include the AA insert or offer it as an option. There is also the issue of flexibility. If you get caught with a dead proprietary battery in the field it is reassuring to know you can continue shooting with AAs that are readily available anywhere - but that is not an option with Sony DSLR cameras.
KorruptioN - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
I've mentioned this before - the battery incorporates InfoLithium technology which relays exact info in terms of a percentage remaining, instead of a graphic battery meter with five different levels. This feature is fantastic and is worth the money (to me).Serious question now, does Nikon's battery in the D300/D700/D3 relay that same percentage info even if you get a generic battery? I know that you have to dive deep into a menu to get that information.
Wesley Fink - Friday, September 12, 2008 - link
The D300/D700 use the same EN-EL3e battery as the D80, which does not provide a percentage. With optional accessories you can add the BL-4(a) high capcity battery to the MB-D10 battery grip and it does indeed report the percentage - at least when charging and on the D3. That battery though is 2500mAh and not the lower capacity 16500mAh of the Sony battery.Generics for the EN-EL3e used in the D700 and D300 generally perform the same and there are many with higher capacity and longer life. The EN-EL4(a) used in the D3 and D2x is tougher for finding generic replacements. Some I have seen do work but it is much more a question mark than the 3e and the generics generally don't report percent.
The Sony NP-FM500H charges just fine to 100% in the old chargers for the A100, but the groove prevents them fitting in any of this generation Sony cameras. The Info-Lithium is useful to me but it is not worth the 700% to 1200% premium to me that Sony charges for the FM500H compared the generics. I appreciate that it is worth it to you, but I would prefer to be able to use some of the 2000mAh batteries I used with the A100.