Sony Alpha A77 Review- The Final Word (Updated 3-30-2012)

November 2011, Carl Garrard Sony A77 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only

Sony Alpha A77 Review: As it turns out, all of  the A77's I used both prior to announcement by Sony and afterwards were final production cameras. At least they were in terms of  image quality (used 1.02 for most of the testing). In total I have used three separate A77's and know this camera quite well as a result. A new firmware upgrade (v1.03) gives a few tweaks to the overall operational performance of the A77 but from what I've seen first hand and gathered, they aren't substantial. Therefore, I offer to you my final review of the A77, as it stands today based on the current firmware version 1.03.

Sony A77 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only

Since I've already completed a couple articles on the A77 (First Impressions and Preview) there's not a whole lot more to go into regarding my final summary. However, a few key topics haven't been discussed which I shall do here, nor has my final conclusion about this camera been reached until now. So lets cover the topics I haven't yet with the two articles above, and get down to the conclusion of Sony's new flagship DSLT (as of today's writing).

Sony A77 24.3 MP Digital SLR with Translucent Mirror Technology - Body Only

Sony Alpha A33 SLT Review 

September 2010, Carl Garrard

Sony Alpha SLTA33 Automatic Best Price Check

There's been a lot of curiosity shown in the photographic industry about Sony's new Alpha A33 and A55 SLT (Single Lens Translucent) cameras. In reality, there's really only one new type of technology in these cameras that should garner a raised eyebrow. We review Sony's Alpha A33 SLT first here on AlphaMountWorld because it is the least expensive model of the two and quite frankly, the first available.

Sony Alpha A580 Review- (Parts I and II Combined)

December 2010, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-29-2011*)

A580 Review-Introduction

Sony announced no less than six new Alpha branded cameras in 2010, but only two of those cameras were actual traditional DSLRS. Of those two the Alpha A580 is the higher end model sporting a new 16.2 mp HD CMOS sensor and HD 1080p video capture. Just as well the A580 hosts many new improvements and additions compared to the DSLR it replaces in Sony's lineup, the Alpha A550. Sony's Alpha A580 retails at a lower initial cost than the A550 at introduction selling for $799.00 body only, and $899.00 w/the 18-55mm SAM kit lens in the US market. Although the NEX and SLT models have received most of the attention of the press this year, DSLR shooters shouldn't count out the A580 and A560 models or they could be looking over buried treasure.

Sony DSLRA580 DSLR Camera Body Only (Black)

Review- Sony DT 30mm f/2.8 SAM Macro

March 2011, Carl Garrard Sony SAL30M28 30mm f/2.8 Lens for Alpha Digital SLR Cameras (See all Digital Camera Lenses)

Review Intro- Sony's Sony DT 30mm f/2.8 SAM Macro represents one of a few bargain lenses they offer for the A-Mount that retails for about $229.00. This lens is marketed towards the budget buyer mainly that wants to venture out and away from the standard kit lens for creative options yet doesn't want to spend an arm and a leg to do so. Sony introduced the 30mm f/2.8 Macro SAM lens officially in August of 2009 and remains in the actively available list of lenses to purchase. What are you getting for your money?

Auto Makinon 135mm f/2.8 Macro (MD mount): Quick Review 

May 2010, Carl Garrard

(KM7D and A580 Sample Images Added)

P.S.- If this article was helpful to you and you feel like you're in the mood to spread some cheer, please feel free to donate any amount (even .25 cents is not unwelcome!) to my PayPal Donate account here: CLICK ME  

Surprise surprise? Some lenses I purchase have this power to totally surprise me. Especially when they are built as good as the Makinon is,  and perform so well. The Makinon 135mm f/2.8 was a very common lens in the 80's/90's and sold for about $79.99 retail (in fact the box I have still has the original price tag on it).  Needless to say I wasn't expecting much out of this lens but maybe it would perform well, sometimes its fun to play craps. I was able to find a brand new one in the box for $29.

Just wanted to let our readers know that Imaging Resource published thier full review of the Alpha A560. Here is a direct link, enjoy! 

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/AA560/AA560A.HTM

-C. Garrard

December 2010, Carl Garrard

Sony Alpha A580 Review- Part II 

Our A580 review is again a bit different than our other reviews. This is primarily because Sony made so many improvements to the A580 compared to the A550 that there was a lot to talk about this time in comparison to past models. So I felt it was my duty here on AMW to bring you the most comprehensive review I could, given my time and resource constraints. This means I had to break up the review in two parts in order to publish it in a decent amount of time. I've spent an extensive amount of time with the A580 (two copies of it) and since I've purchased mine It hasn't yet left my side. Truly, it is a fun camera to use.  Read on as the rest of the review commences starting with the General Performance of the A580. For part one of the review, go here: http://www.alphamountworld.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a580-dslr-review

Sony Alpha A580 Review (Part I)

December 2010, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-29-2011*)

A580 Review-Introduction

Sony announced no less than six new Alpha branded cameras in 2010, but only two of those cameras were actual traditional DSLRS. Of those two the Alpha A580 is the higher end model sporting a new 16.2 mp HD CMOS sensor and HD 1080p video capture. Just as well the A580 hosts many new improvements and additions compared to the DSLR it replaces in Sony's lineup, the Alpha A550. Sony's Alpha A580 retails at a lower initial cost than the A550 at introduction selling for $799.00 body only, and $899.00 w/the 18-55mm SAM kit lens in the US market. Although the NEX and SLT models have received most of the attention of the press this year, DSLR shooters shouldn't count out the A580 and A560 models or they could be looking over buried treasure. 

September 2010, Carl Garrard

When reviewing the Tamron AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro lens the question that kept popping into my head before, during, and after this review was; Is this the ultimate one stop multi-purpose lens for your full frame and APS-C Sony DSLR's and SLT's? Certainly no one lens could fit that role realistically and expect to out perform all other lenses, otherwise we wouldn't have such a diverse selection. However, there are some lenses that do many things very well and the Tamron AF28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is certainly one of them. As of this writing, Tamron still makes them for the Alpha mount and provides a screw driven alternative to Sony's rebadged model for about $450-$550 retail USD.

Canon EOS 7D Review

August 2010, Brian Murphy (Foreword by C.Garrard)

Foreword- Brian Murphy is an excellent photographer and one of AlphaMountWorlds most knowledgeable contributors to our forums. Today we share with you Brian's user review of his new Canon EOS 7D DSLR, a camera which Brian purchased to compliment his Alpha gear initially and since has become his main DSLR workhorse of choice.

Ricoh CX3 Review (Full Size Sample Gallery)

August 2010, Barry Fitzgerald

Just about every camera maker now has a super zoom compact out in the market, but Ricoh were one of the earlier camera companies to have longer zoom models in the shape of the “Capilio R” models. Over time the R series turned into the “CX” series of cameras, this is the third version sporting the “CX” badge.

Pentax K7 Review (Updated 7-29-2010: Catch-In Focus/Fine Tune LCD Color, FIRMWARE 1.10 Section Added, Reverse Film Mode Samples)

May 2010, Carl Garrard

Review-Ricoh GR Digital III 

August 2009, Carl Garrard (Updated 9-30- New Firmware V1.21 Available!, 7-26-2010 Reliability Report)

Is the Ricoh GR Digital III the best digital Ricoh Camera to date? This question almost immediatley popped into my mind while I handled the pre-production copy of the GR III, and the same question was repeated after using the final production version of this camera for this review. If you think the GR Digital III looks simliar to the camera it replaces, it does. From the front image of the GR Digital III it is hard to distinguish it from the GR Digital II it replaces, less one very important detail on the front of the lens housing- the 1:1.9 designation.

GXR P10 Unit Review- (Part I Samples and Initial Impressions, Part II ISO Test, Part III Speed/Buffer, Part IV Macro Performance, Part V VF-2 Electronic Viewfinder, Battery Life, Lens/Test @ 300mm, P10 vs S10 )

June 2010, Carl Garrard (Updated 7-05-2010)

Ricoh GXR Interchangeable Unit Digital Camera System with 3-Inch High-Resolution LCD and P10 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VC Lens with 10MP CMOS Sensor (See all Digital SLRs)

Today the Ricoh GXR P10 Unit arrived for review so as soon as the battery charged and I set up the GXR body to my personal preferences, I set out to get a few samples. For those unaware about the new camera unit, the P10 is a 28-300mm f/3.5-f/5.6 lens and Back Side Illuminated CMOS 1/2.3"sensor combo, topped off with Ricoh's newest Smooth Imaging IV Processing Engine. From my understanding this configuration is newly designed and although similar to Ricoh's CX3 in specifications, the lens has been designed specifically for the new unit housing, and the image processing has been fined tuned as well. With the battery charged, I set outside to snap a few shots to see how this combo would do (like you, I've been waiting a long time for this one).

Infrared Photography II- Panasonic DMC-L1

July 2010, Carl Garrard

Summer is here. Lots of sun, and that means a lot of infrared light to play with. Not long ago I decided to get another camera converted to Infrared from Spencer's Camera in Utah, this time with a 665nm Color Amplified filter which is just a tad "weaker" than the filter we used for the A500. This filter will allow a bit more color light spectrum to pass through to the sensor, and gives me more options for infrared creativity. As you can see by the image inset to the left, I also have more options for the types lenses I can use on the L1. Add that the L1 has a couple of neat tricks up its sleeve during the live view exposure process, and this makes one heck of a good body for Infrared Conversion.