Sony Alpha SLT-A99

alaTest has collected and analyzed 33 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the screen and usability. The portability and image quality are also mentioned favorably. Comments about the viewfinder and value for money are mixed. The lens and exposure get less positive views.

video, image quality, portability, usability, screen

battery, performance, exposure, lens

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Sony Alpha SLT-A99 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 97/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 33 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (40% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (45% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (10% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (no reviews)
    (5% of reviews)
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Features

Video
  Show positive (62%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
Performance
  Show positive (63%)Show negative (38%)(Show all)
Battery
  Show positive (29%)Show negative (71%)(Show all)
Image quality
  Show positive (78%)None yet(Show all)
Portability
  Show positive (83%)Show negative (17%)(Show all)
Screen
  Show positive (71%)None yet(Show all)
Usability
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
Color
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
Software
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
Exposure
  Show positive (33%)Show negative (67%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 17 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 17 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (16)

Expert review by:

Sony Alpha SLT-A99 (Body Only)

 

I admit, I really didn't like Sony's first full-frame cameras, the DSLR-A900 and its stripped-down sibling, the DSLR-A850. I used to use them as examples of poor noise reduction and for before-and-after examples for the virtues of third-party...

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99V has a lot going for it, including excellent photos and very good video, a well constructed and designed body, solid performance, and a great feature set.

For some folks, things like the lack of CompactFlash, poor battery life, and compromises on video autofocus may not be reasonable trade-offs.

The Sony Alpha SLT-A99V is a generally great camera that's equally adept at both stills and video, but with a few caveats.

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dpreview.com - GOLD AWARD

Expert review by:

Sony SLT-A99

 

The Sony SLT-A99 is the Japanese camera maker's flagship model, aimed squarely at DSLR enthusiasts who will settle for nothing less than a full frame sensor in a rugged body with a plethora of external and customizable controls. It arrives almost four...

Very good JPEG output at default settings ; Excellent high ISO output in both JPEG and Raw images ; Wide dynamic range Raw files ; Pleasing metering and white balance results ; Solid build quality, light weight and good ergonomics / handling ; In-body...

Small coverage area of AF array compared to its peers ; Autofocus not compatible with manual exposure control in video mode ; No histogram available in video mode ; Live view not available with continuous shooting above 3 fps (an image review is...

The SLT-A99 is a feature-rich camera that still provides a wealth of easily accessed manual user controls. It stands out as the only full frame camera to offer in-body stabilization, an EVF and articulated rear screen. Budding videographers will enjoy...

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha SLT-A99 review

 

After a four-year wait, Sony has brought out a replacement to the full-frame Alpha a900 camera, the 24.3MP Sony Alpha a99.

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Expert review by:

Sony A99: Camera Test

 

We took a preproduction version of the Sony Alpha 99 ($2,798, street, body only) out for a field test a couple of months ago. We thoroughly enjoyed the various innovations that Sony built into its latest transmissive-mirrored camera body—the first of...

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha SLT-A99

 

Sony's new flagship is built with video in mind.

24.3 megapixel full-frame sensor; Full-time double phase-detection autofocus; Lighter than competing full-frame SLRs

Translucent mirror has some inherent light-gathering disadvantages

The Alpha series has been on an upswing since Sony launched its first translucent-mirror camera in 2010, but the superiority of the A77 really surprised us this year. So to get what is essentially a full-frame version of that camera is big news.

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TOP TEN REVIEWS - EXELLENCE

Expert review by:

Sony Alpha A99

 

The Sony A99's body is built to be durable, and it includes several impressive features, such as a large sensor, an image stabilizer and a dynamic range optimizer. We are disappointed with the battery life, but overall, this is a great DSLR for the...

The high resolution, 24.3 megapixels, is one of the many highlights of this camera

This DSLR has a shorter battery life than most cameras of this caliber

Although there are some issues with the shorter battery life, this is an affordable, solid and professional DSLR.

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha SLT-A99 REVIEW

 

After a run of compact digicams it sure was a change of scenery to grasp this major one for review.

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Consumer review by:

"What to Expect if Upgrading from an A57 or A65"

 

I got the a99 and spent about 35 hours shooting in 20-30F degree weather all weekend long. As a street fashion photographer it is customary for me to carry around a camera in my hand for 6-10 hours a day, so my review will be based with these...

I say everything in summary

I say everything in summary

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha A99 review

 

We knew the Sony Alpha A99 - the first full-frame single lens translucent (SLT) camera - was on its way, having played with it extensively back in 2012. Sony's transition from the traditional DSLR space to the SLT fold has seen the company make the...

Fast burst mode beyond its rivals, continuous autofocus in good light, movie mode, silent adjustment dial, electronic viewfinders don't come any better, full-frame image quality, vari-angle LCD mount, teleconverter mode, AF Range option

Centralised AF point arrangement, autofocus system not as fast or customisable as competition, AF point adjustment shows in black which can be hard to see, battery life really doesn't cut it, limited buffer feels inconsistent with burst feature,...

The first full-frame SLT has plenty of strengths such as a fast burst mode, great movie mode and quality pictures, but comes up a little short elsewhere. The battery life isn't good enough, the burst mode is hindered by the buffer's limitations,...

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha a99 review

 

Updated Sony's first full-frame camera for four years uses its novel SLT technology, but is the world ready?

24.3MP ; Noise under control ; AF Range control ; Articulating screen

AF slower than rivals ; Poor non-cross type AF ; Object Tracking mode is limited

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Product Specifications

Configuration

Autofocus: Yes
Built-in Flash: Yes
Changeable Lens: Yes
Image Stabiliser:Optical Image Stabiliser
Integrated GPS Module: Yes
Touchscreen: No
View Finder Type:Optical / Electronic Viewfinder + LCD

Connectivity

Bluetooth: No
HDMI: Yes
PictBridge: No
WiFi Connectivity: No

General Features

3D: No
Chip Type:CMOS
Sensor Size:35.8 x 23.9 mm

Lens

Longest Shutter Speed in s:30
Shortest Shutter Speed in s:1/8000

Memory

Compact Flash Card: No
Memory Stick / Memory Stick Pro: No
Memory Stick Duo / Duo Pro: Yes
Micro Drive: No
Multimedia Card: No
SDXC Card: Yes
Secure Digital Card: Yes
Secure Digital High Capacity Card: Yes
XD Card: No

Power Supply

Battery Model:Sony NP-FM500H

Recording

Aperture Priority: Yes
Face Detection Mode:Face + Smile Detection
Movie / Voice Recording:Movie + Voice
RAW Format: Yes
Serial Shot Mode: Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes
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