Sony Alpha A900 DSLR Review
Sony Alpha A-900 DSLR Review and Reliability Report
July 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 7-24-2009 added image gallery and specifications)
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When deciding to write a review on the A900, I realized that this camera has already been reviewed, previewed, and examined from many different media and photography sources. So, instead of writing the stereotypical format review where I would just end up repeating much that has already been said about this camera, I decided instead to write a review from a photographers standpoint rather than a reviewers standpoint. This means much less writing on technical analysis and is indeed a deviation from the normal format I do here. This is intended to be a more casual read, where I do a basic tour of the camera and include my impressions of its handling and performance. I have hopes that those who read this review might take something new and unique from it, and one I hope you will enjoy a little bit. |
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Sony Alpha A900- Modern Technology Meets Conservative Archetype
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Introduction and Overview
Ultimately the Sony Alpha A900 was built for Minoltan's; those who wanted a digital upgrade path to the discontinued KM 7D. In a sense, this camera is a confluence of that camera, the Sony A700, and the Minolta Maxxum 9 film camera that never saw a digital equivalent come to life. Sony's Alpha A900 represents that equivalent, and is a value packed 24.6mp full frame DSLR.
The Alpha A900 boasts an overall impressive feature list. It will shoot 5 frames per second at full 24.6mp resolution on Jpegs until the memory card is used up, ISO sensitivity ranges from 100-6400, it has an excellent low light autofocusing illuminator, intelligent preview function for making changes to exposure value-white balance-DRO etc. prior to final exposure, lens micro autofocus adjustment (with internal memory for up to 30 lenses), HDMI output, dual memory card slots, sensor based dust reduction, APS-C capture mode and viewfinder framing, 1/300th sec flash sync, built in viewfinder shutter (to black out light on long exposures), user changeable focus screens (with 3 total optional screens), a 3" 920K dot LCD screen, a top deck illuminated LCD panel, and comes with a wireless remote.
When I first heard of the A900 through leaks on the internet etc. nearly a year ago now, I initially feared it would be a camera that would be a bit intimidating and complicated to get to know and use. Instead, I've found the A900 to be quite the opposite really. It is reliable, responsive, and easy to use with controls that take nearly all hesitation or complication out of the photography process. Without a doubt the A900 is the easiest advanced DSLR I have used to date (in a two way tie with its smaller cousin, the A700).
One of the characteristics I think is important about the A900 is that it is built to last. The Sony Alpha A900's framework is built with modern and very lightweight high tech magnesium alloy body panels, and fit and finish are pretty much top notch. The grip is exceptional, and begs you to wrap your hand around it and hold it. I particularly like how the finger groove indents aid your hold in a portrait composition. Below you can see the exceptional magnesium allow skeleton of the A900, including the frame of the vertical grip (sold separately).
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From its rooted Minolta heritage, to its conservative yet modern look and advanced design, the A900 seems to be both a camera that has the ability to charm and impress an old school photographer yet still somehow manage to satisfy the modern day gear head. How the A900 achieves this is revealed through a very simple yet somewhat radical and practical design philosophy from Sony. I say radical because in this day and age 'technology' seems only to get more and more complicated; DSLRS continue to become evermore packed with catchy prosumer headliner sales-brochure style features. The A900 is a rebel in this regard, steering clear of video, art filters, fancy scene modes and the like and just getting back to basics.
Instead, Sony designed the A900 to focus its technologies where they are needed most. They start with an easy to use and navigate Quick Navi user interface, and the worlds only image stabilized full frame sensor/camera body. Handling is excellent and intuitive carrying over many of the Maxxum 7D's design philosphy, yet adding some new refinements and changes as well.
The A900 is also built to handle an wide range of weather conditions with an excellently sealed and durable magnesium alloy body and frame. The external buttons are designed to be larger on purpose, and spaced out so that it can be used with gloves on in cold weather situations (it definitely passed my tests in the Sierras). The A900 is by all practical means, a straight forward no bull camera design.
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The Sony Alpha A900 has a list of specifications that transfer into practical magic, starting with a 100% .74x full frame coverage optical viewfinder (the pentaprism on the upper left image) and industry leading DSLR resolution by way of a Sony Exmor 24.6mp CMOS image sensor (center image). Images are processed by not one fast Bionz processor but two (right image), ensuring five frames per second capture and fast image review and overall speed.
Yet, the A900 is at a price that is much easier to swallow than cameras it competes directly (well, sorta) against. The A900's optical viewfinder has spoiled me. I recommend you do not try out for yourself, that is unless you are willing to shell out the current retail price of $2,700.00 for one. The viewfinder and build will leave a lasting impression that will haunt you repeatedly otherwise. This has been said before, but I'm saying it again anyways.
The A900 does not offer live view or video, instead it offers arguably the best 100% coverage viewfinder in a DSLR to date. I particularly like how the multi-coatings keep glare and optical aberrations in check, and of course the movie theater sized view I am afforded. If I have only one small quibble about the viewfinders physical specifications, it could be perhaps that the eye relief could be extended just a bit further out, but as is, and with my eyesight, I am just fine with it.
Well done...
First... thanks again for providing a pretty detailed review from the perspective of a photographer first and a gear head second.
I agree with most of your thoughts here; especially the decision not to include video on this model. I am sure that this is not the flagship, and with the "rumored" release of 3 more bodies, I will happily continue using my A700 until enough new models have been launched to drop the price of the A900. I have fine copies of vintage FF Minolta glass, I would like to add a few of the newer ones before the A900.
I am looking at it like picking up the A900 will be like taking out my Minolta film body; minus all the hassle and wait with film...
H
Thanks Ed
"I am looking at it like picking up the A900 will be like taking out my Minolta film body; minus all the hassle and wait with film..."
Couldn't have said it better myself.
Carl
Carl, we need a second opinion
So if you would pass that A900 to the address I will shortly send you and I will offer my in depth review!! hehe
Nice job, great info!!
I must say once the A700 got the v4 update it was like a new camera and I found myself enjoying it even more. I can at this point imagine what joy it is to shot with the A900. I was planning on getting one but I must say now that we see a couple of new bodies coming I feel that I don't want to rush into it just yet. I can see the price of the A900 dropping in fall and we don't yet know the specs on the A850.
Only thing Sony needs to do is release a firmware update to help with higher iso's for the A900.(imho)..
Happy Shooting!!
Kevin
Ok whats your address?
Wait, don't put that here ;).
Cool, understood on waiting. Review is up for whatever reason people would like to read it for. For some information, for some on the fence, some with envy (canon owners... just kidding ;)...).
And, ... thank you.
Carl
Carl...my A900 all my lenses + a Sony card!
Dear Carl!
Thanks so amazing & sincerely review...bravo!!!
Here my Picasa link with photos that I shoot using my lovely Panasonic Lumix LX-3 P&S remarkable camera!.
http://picasaweb.google.com/Alex.Cozac/MyA900AllMyLensesCard#
Peace,
Alex!
Suggest adding another challenge: manual focus lens support
Nice work Carl! Personally I'd add one more item to the challenges list: in the lead-up to its release, I had really hoped that the A900 would go one better than the A700 in terms of effectiveness with manual focus lenses, by not only supporting shutter unlock in aperture priority but also enabling focal length programming (a la Pentax) to ensure that sensor stabilization can truly be used with any lens that can be mechanically adapted to the alpha mount. So I'm pretty disappointed that Sony not only failed to include focal length input, but even decided to strip out the option to use chipless lenses in aperture priority mode. For me those are important enough omissions that I will most likely stay away from the A900 and I'm not too hopeful that any newer high-spec models will buck the new trend away from versatility with non-AF lenses. Unless of course there might be salvation in a future A900 firmware upgrade - you never know :)
Excellent balanced review
Thanks Carl for an excellent and well balanced review. I think this review will help potential purchasers of the A900 to see that the advantages of the full frame system outweigh the disadvantages and that the Sony A900 is an excellent choice if you want the best possible quality images. In addition, the A900 has been very well designed and has lots of new features designed to help you achieve the best results.
Regards
Rob
http://www.robsphotography.co.nz/Sony-A900.html
Hi Rob, Excellent
Hi Rob,
Excellent quality...AT LOWER ISO SETTINGS!!! Above 800...it's another issue!!!. Maybe (I really hope so!)...a newer/update firmware MAYBE...MAYBE...will correct this "Noise/Grainy"...syndrome above 800 ISO!
Peace,
Alex!
To be fair Alex
The 'issue' is in the eye of the beholder, first of all, correct? And the A900 is no better or worse than the A700 is at higher ISO's there are just more pixels to look at when you view them at 100% on a monitor. Printed results tell a much different story than you have just told.
Carl
Carl, till yet NO prints!
Hi Carl,
I said ONLY viewing trough my Laptop monitor...as till today NO prints...but this coming weekend I will snap some photos of my Daughters & give them to be printed..."Twice Postcard" size. Only that I also own a Nikon D300.18-200mm VR lens & at 3,200 ISO...such "Grainy" looking (Same Laptop of course!), it's almost NON existing at all.
Anyway...I brought ONLY because the "HUGE" viewfinder...make a mistake with the Sony black, series 2 4Gb color memory card...is really "S..L..O...W...L...Y!!!. Lucky to me that I can wait till the RAW is wrote inside the card!!!.
But...again my dear Carl...I really hope that Sony will improve the "Noisy/Grainy" high ISO issue with a firmware!.
Peace,
Alex!
Alex
I didn't see anything in your reply where you were talking about monitor only viewing.
Raw files look much better than Jpegs as well and if properly processed can look just dandy at high ISO's. The improvement lies solely in the Jpeg engine which we *hope* can be improved with a fw upgrade. We, don't know that it can we just think it can.
Anyways I think I get your point, and you get mine.
Carl
Carl...Sorry for my bad English!
Dear Carl,
Always I transfer all my "Digitally" photos directly from the camera to my Picasa Photo organizer...(The last version recognize A900 Raw!), & convert it to JPG...so Not a problem. But as I live in Terra Santa...Israel...higher ISO..."IT'S" not imperative outside...the "Base" 200 ISO is Super OK.!.
I will wait till some update firmware...(As happen to the A700!), till then 200 ISO...satisfies my needs 100%!.
Thanks so much, for your responses, appreciated very much!.
Peace,
Alex!
thank you
very serene, detailed and balanced analysis. Helpful for my choice to buy this one (knowing its limits, surely).
Bye,
sandro
Excellent review
I'm new to photography and to the forum but I have found your website very informative! My goal is to learn more about photography and to lose the newbie title. I downloaded this book awhile ago but I haven't had a chance to read it. Based on your review I need to get a day off from work, grab get a drink, and learn more about my camera. I appreciate all comments, positive and negative, as I learn about the craft you love so much!
Thanks,
Carna
Equipment:
Sony a350 body
Sony 18-250 lens
Sony F42 flash
a900
Hi, nice personal review here. You can see some pictures I took with my a900 on this site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bullet76/sets/72157617669768959/.
Thanks,
Andre
The a900 gripes
Hi Carl
Like you i could not wait to get my hands on an a900 ever since seeing it in a shop.
Earlier this month i got a chance to get one at a very good price here so i did. I have an a350 with some very good glass. Sony SAL1680Z, Sony SAL16F28 Fisheye and a Sony SAL70400G all of which i tested on the a900 and seemed to work fine.
After getting the a900 and with 2 days to prepare i went out on a shoot at a kids concert. I quickly notice that the heads were getting chopped off with the 16-80 lens on and adjusted for this.
It was later that i got home and found out it was shooting in APS-C mode and at only 11mpx it was worse than the a350. There doesn't seem to be any way to turn this mode off and crop later.
I also notice that the top of my 2nd finger was sore after about 2hrs of shooting hand held, this didn't happen with the a350 with the same lens on. It could be that the a350 is lighter or it has more rubber in this spot.
The last thing i think it misses is a built in flash, the simple reason is to act as a remote trigger for Sony's flashes. I had to purchase a HVL-F58AM just to trigger my HVL-F42AM and sometimes you don't want that full forward flash.
I did a lot of night work with the a350 ( see http://www.redbubble.com/people/puggs ) which seem to excel in that area (even compaired to my mates Nikon). I hope to get out soon and compair the a350 and a900 at night shots...
Puggs
16-80Z
Hey Puggs,
I believe the 16-80Z is strictly an APS-C lens, it isn't full frame. I could be wrong though, as I don't have one.
16-80 APS-C correct
You are correct the SAL1680Z is APS-C and you can see the barol in the view finder, but it doesn't show up in the shots. This is because the a900 switches to APS-C mode and the is no way to overide this.
I got a Minolta 24-105 AF-D lens for the a900. I am hoping they bring out a 24-135 Carl Ziess or a 16-105 Carl Ziess. As the 16-35 or 24-70 don't seem value for money to me...
Puggs
Own the earlier 24-85mm Minolta!
Hello Puggs,
Yes for the same reason...decided NOT to invest on the Sony 24-70mm 2,8...as can afford them being a invalid/pensioner...my older Minolta + third part glasses satisfies my need today!.
Enjoy your Minolta lenses...are good also!.
Peace,
Alex!
minolta lenses are the best
minolta lenses are the best for me.
all these are made clear in many places on the web
I'm sorry your disappointed in the camera. It is made clear in the documentation and many web sites that an aps-c lens will have severe vignetting and will automatically be cropped. The size and weight of the camera is also well documented. The lack of a flash is also no secret.
I wish people would do their research as it is a good camera.
Very Happy with a900
Hi
Seems you got the impression that i don't like the a900, this is far from the truth, i carry it every where i go. I have got some amazing shots from it. of course with anything there are things i think it could do better or differently.
1. is over riding the APS-C forced mode on DT lenses (most 3rd part lenses don't force APS-C and other brands of bodies can turn this off)
2. remote flash trigger without having a flash on camera (i have got around this by using a off shoe flash lead.
But it's a great camera and i would not give it up...
PS. A lot more has been written about this camera now than when i first researched it and then brought it. You have come in very late with you comentery...
Puggs
Concerning Minolta lenses...
Agreed...for me also Minolta film lenses are OK with me!. Pity only that all of them have ONLY 5 contacts...so NO "D" issue with my Sigma flash!; for so trough the Minolta adapter from "Normally" used in all the others brands to the "Specifically" Minolta/Sony,one hot shoe...decided to use my "Vintages" Metz/Sunpak at "AUTO" settings trough the internally flash sensor that "Cuts' the light when the flash/subject distance is "Plus/Minus' good...(Not as with Film bodies...that you see the results ONLY after that the film is processed!). "Sensor "OLDIES & CHEAPEST !!! Low Trigger Voltage" ones...works well for ALL my needs!.
Alex!