- Very high resolution 24.3 effective megapixels
- High speed continuous shooting up to 10fps
- Full HD video with fast subject tracking AF
The Sony SLT-A65 was launched alongside the SLT-A77 - the long-awaited replacement for the DSLR-A700. Although somewhat overshadowed by its higher-end stablemate at the time of its launch, the cheaper SLT-A65 has more mass-market potential and we believe there's every chance it's the A65 that will have the greater long-term impact.
There can be no doubt on picking up the plastic-bodied A65 that it is a camera intended to compete in a slightly lower class than the A77. The A65 lacks the A77's magnesium alloy construction and new AF sensor (it uses the same 15-point AF sensor that we saw in the original SLT-A55). It also does without the A77's top-plate LCD, rear control dial and uses a simpler hinge mechanism for the rear display, but importantly, it is built around the same 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor and the same 2.4M dot OLED viewfinder.
There are two reasons we believe the A65 has the potential to be the more significant camera in the SLT line-up: firstly because it is aimed at a much more popular segment of the market - many more people buy consumer-level DSLRs than buy enthusiast ones. And secondly, because despite a few missing specifications, the A65 includes many of the A77's core second-generation SLT features but at a lower price point. Unless the current market leaders bring something revolutionary to the party fairly soon, the A65 could just be the stand-out product Sony needs to get a proper foot-hold in the consumer DSLR/ILC market - something that despite impressive ambitions, it has thus far failed to do.
Offering 24MP capture, a 10fps continuous shooting rate, full-time live view and phase-detection AF as well as a raft of other innovative features, the A65 is unique in its market segment. On paper, the A65 is a significantly more interesting camera in some respects than peers like the Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100.
Offering 24MP capture, a 10fps continuous shooting rate, full-time live view and phase-detection AF as well as a raft of other innovative features, the A65 is unique in its market segment. On paper, the A65 is a significantly more interesting camera in some respects than peers like the Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i and Nikon D5100.
Sony's SLT design, with its ability to offer DSLR-style autofocus in live view and video, impressed us when the company launched the A33 and A55. However, the A65 takes the technology considerably further, most crucially with the introduction of the high-resolution OLED viewfinder. The 'TruFinder' design offers a 64% increase in resolution and, more importantly, offers progressive screen updates rather than refreshing one color after another, which gives a much smoother, more life-like shooting experience. The viewfinders in the A33, 35 and 55 are excellent, but the new unit in the A65 and A77 is significantly better. Quite an achievement. Read on to find out how all the new features and improvements on the A65 translate into real-life performance.
Technical specificationsSLT-A65
Features SLT-A65
- 24.3 effective megapixels - Ultra-high resolution Exmor™ APS HD CMOS Sensor plus 2-step noise reduction for flawless, low noise still images and HD video
- Revised BIONZ processor - Enhanced processing engine handles enormous amounts of sensor data to allow very high-speed shooting of superb, low-noise images
- Translucent Mirror Technology - Replaces DSLR moving mirror with fixed translucent mirror: enables ultra-fast shooting with speedy, accurate phase detection AF
- Class-leading shutter lag time - Ultra-fast shutter lag of just 50msec rivals the performance of high-end professional cameras: ideal for high-speed action shots
- DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM lens - Includes high quality, general purpose telephoto zoom lens - ideal for everyday shooting
- Ultra high-speed continuous shooting - Capture fast-moving action at up to 10fps with Full-time Continuous Autofocus for razor-sharp tracking of moving subjects
- Quick AF Full HD movie - Shoot 1920x1080 video with full-time AF tracking of moving subjects: now with 24p/50p progressive shooting for cinematic results
- Creative Full HD movie functions - Manual focus allows beautiful defocus effects (bokeh) during HD video shooting; PASM exposure modes offer total creative control
- Advanced Quick AF Live View - Real-time full-resolution image display from main sensor on LCD or in viewfinder with fast, accurate phase-detection autofocus
- Object Tracking AF - Keeps faces or other selected objects in sharp focus, even if the target is obscured momentarily by another passing object
- Sweep Panorama with 3D Sweep Panorama - Press the shutter and sweep the camera to capture extra-wide panoramic images: also capture 3D panoramas to view on 3D TV
- Wide sensitivity range from ISO 50-16000 - High maximum sensitivity allows natural, low-noise images, even in low light: expansion mode extends sensitivity down to ISO 50
- 15-point phase-detection AF system - With 3 cross sensors for accurate, non-stop autofocusing - effective with Viewfinder or live view on LCD
- Adjustable 7.5 cm (3.0") Xtra Fine LCD - 2-way adjustable high resolution (921k dot) widescreen LCD: with TruBlack technology for superb detail and contrast
- XGA OLED TruFinder™ - Precision electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million dot resolution, high contrast and 100% frame coverage for precision framing, manual focus and shot review
- High-resolution information display - Select from a choice of digital leveling gauge, shooting parameters, grid lines and graphic exposure display options
- Smart Teleconverter - Digitally zooms centre portion of image for high-resolution 12 megapixel images with 1.4x or 2x magnification
- Shot Result Preview - Touch a button to preview effects of adjusting aperture, shutter and DRO settings on depth of field, motion blur and dynamic range
- AUTO+ Mode - Automatically analyses scene and shooting conditions, adjusting camera parameters for excellent results with any scene
- Face Detection with Face Registration - Recognises up to 8 faces in a scene, optimising optimum exposure, white balance, flash and other settings for beautiful portraits
- Smile Shutter - Automatically fires shutter when subject smiles with an adjustable smile detection sensitivity
- Picture Effect Modes - Produce impressive creative effects with no PC needed - including Posterise, Partial Colour, HDR Painting, Soft Focus, Miniature
- Enhanced HDR Auto - Automatically merges three successive exposures to create a single image with an effective dynamic range even wider than film
- Multi-Frame Noise Reduction - Automatically combines a burst of six exposures to create a single ultra-low noise image
- Handheld Twilight Mode - Automatically combines a burst of six exposures to create a single image with supressed blur and reduced noise in low light
- GPS for easy geotagging - Automatically tags images with location information: enjoy map views with PMB software or on BRAVIA TV with Photo Map function
- Creative Styles - 6 selectable image finishing options to suit range of shooting situations - can be customised for even greater creative control
- D-Range Optimiser - Analyses image in real time, adjusting brightness and contrast for more natural, evenly exposed backlit scenes
- Versatile drive modes - Drive modes include Continuous advance, Self-timer, exposure bracketing and White balance bracketing
- Customisable buttons - AEL, ISO, and AF/MF buttons can be reassigned for quick access to a choice of 24 functions
- SteadyShot INSIDE - In-body image stabilisation offers 2.5-4.0 steps anti-shake performance with A-mount lenses by Sony or Konica Minolta
- Shading and aberration compensation - Intelligently corrects vignetting (peripheral shading), lateral chromatic aberration and distortion for each A-mount lens
- Dual anti-dust system - Reduces build-up of dust on sensor during lens exchange
- HDMI® output - HD connector for image display on HD TV (requires optional cable). Photo TV HD enhances still image viewing on compatible BRAVIA®
- BRAVIA® Sync - Allows direct control of camera playback functions via BRAVIA® TV’s remote
- Supplied software - Includes Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR and Picture Motion Browser
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