Since getting my Sony Nex-5 camera, photography has been a lot of fun. The Nex is wonderfully portable and takes so many different lenses via adapter like Leica and Voigtlander glass which take beautiful dreamy pics. I’ve been drawn in by Sony’s entire new line including the new translucent mirror a55 and a33 cameras.
Translucent Mirror Technology provides performance previously unattainable with traditional DSLR technology. Using the new technology, theα55 andα33 models can continuously and quickly focus (with TTL phase-detection) while shooting stills and recording video—even in full HD, allowing desired moments to be captured in tack sharp focus, high-definition video. They can shoot continuously at up to 10 frames per second on theα55 (and up to seven on the α33), achieving shooting speeds that are the fastest in the industry for an APS-C size sensor-equipped interchangeable lens cameras under $1000.
Because of its structure, the Translucent Mirror Technology does away with the motion of raising and lowering the mirror. The absence of the moving mirror mechanism contributes to making the whole body size significantly compact compared to traditional DSLR cameras.
By eliminating the need to raise and lower the mirror between shots, the technology makes it possible to achieve focusing while images are captured. Existing systems can only focus in the interval between image capture, limiting the ability to track fast moving subjects. The cameras also have continuous Advance Priority AE Mode and will automatically adjust for the best exposure to help you get the most professional looking results.
Along with the camera’s photo capabilities, the continuous phase detect AF also works in movie shooting for the first time in the world. The Translucent Mirror Technology also allows the α55 and α33 to be the first cameras to ever maintain continuous phase detection AF while recording Full HD AVCHD video. With fast, precise phase detection AF continually tracking subject movement, even fast action and subjects that move quickly towards or away from the camera are easy to keep in focus.
With a large 16.2 megapixel (for the α55) and 14.2 megapixel (for the α33) Exmor APS HD CMOS sensor, background defocusing effects can be easily captured. The APS-C sensor size is nearly 20 times larger than a traditional compact camcorders’ 1/2.88 type image sensor, providing more creative control.
Compatible with all A-mount lenses, video and photography enthusiasts alike can choose from macro to telephoto lenses to achieve their desired artistic effect.
These are just a few of the key points for the a55 and a33. I decided to grab an a33 body only as I didn’t want to bother with the kit lenses. The a33 has the slightly smaller 14.2 megapixel sensor and a smaller buffer allowing 7 shots per second as opposed to 10 in the a55 and the a33 lacks GPS. Other than that they are pretty much the same camera.
They are also much smaller than typical DSLR’s which is another reason I was drawn to them especially when paired with smaller lenses like the first lens I used today, the Minolta 50mm f1.7 RS. This lens is only 186g and sits at 38mm long. Paired with the a33 the combo barely exceeds 600g in total weight.
I received the camera this morning and decided to take it out during my walk with our Shiba Saku and maybe snap a few portraits of the dog and my wife and I didn’t really expect to be taking high action shots but that’s what ended up happening when we hit the open field near our house and ran into our neighbor and their Shiba . Even though the 50mm is not a great focal length for action shots it worked quite well and I was very happy with the lens’ quick focusing and vibrant warm colors which Minolta lenses are known for. Working with a prime is challenging in getting in the right position without a zoom so I found myself scrambling around for the shots but the a33 performed admirably thanks to its quick and accurate focus.
Glad to say this will be my camera for all our golf club shots in the next few months as well as the camera accompanying me to the Japan Golf Fair which is believe it or not less than 3 months away!
Here are some of the pictures I snapped today with this combo (note the last pic was taken with a Sony 30mm f2.8 Macro lens)
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Awesome pics T! In the 3rd pic is that a puppy?
Great pics
So how much do you get paid by Sony to say such nice things? :-p
I wish I got paid for saying nice things…. or at least some free lenses or bodies!
It’s weird though – a lot of the reviews say that these cameras are NOT good for fast action. May be Sony expects people to just use the HD video for the sports action type stuff instead of trying to capture good stills with it. It sure looks nice for normal stills, I like Sony’s plastic feeling with which I think everybody’s familiar. If I didn’t own over 2 dozen Nikon lenses I’d go for the Sony, as the Alpha mount will be good for their camcorders too, soon.
I wish Nikon would hurry up with its own mirror-less cameras.
Many of the reviews I read say the contrary about fast action which is why I got it, because of the alpha’s ability to focus on the fly it can capture the 10 shots per second in focus even as the action is moving towards the camera as the focus is constantly adjusting. I tried it yesterday using only continuous shooting with the dogs running like made everywhere and with the sun already set behind the trees and the results were awesome (I’ll post soon). One thing the Sony’s are doing very well in is high ISO performance.
Apparently even Nikon and Pentax are using the new Sony sensors so they must be doing something right.
I don’t mind the plastic in the camera… it means very lightweight and easy to handle.
@gocchin:
Yeah…….. read this here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sonyslta55/page18.asp
See the Cons? NOT good for fast action. And that’s the SLT55, the 33’s bigger brother. Not a good sign.
I’ve read the dpreview many times – and the entire article not just the pros and cons. They can be pretty critical for many cameras sometimes. They are not the only source of reviews to rely on though I do respect them very much.
DC Resource for example says it’s great for fast action: http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/sony/slt_a55-review/compare
Don’t just read the cons as DPreview in the actual review says within their price range, the high speed shooting is actually pretty good (How many DSLRs under 800.00 can do 10 16mp raw images in a second or autofocus on the fly during those images) . The list those items in the cons only because the system is new and the high speed functionality is not as robust as it should be. It’s simply not developed. The bottom line is every camera has its weak points and negatives. People always nit pick at these points but the bottom line is if you’re happy with your camera that’s what counts. I’m sure you know that better than anyone as you own several.
So far I’m happy as it does what I want and I’m able to get good shots with it and at a very good price. I actually don’t use the 6 or 10 shots per second but rather use continuous drive as the live view continues to work and the buffer can handle 2-3 bursts here and there without blacking out. It’s been very effective.
So no shutter sounds since there’s no moving mirror to flip up and down? A boon for avid golf photographers who don’t want Stevie pounding them in the face LOL.
Need to explore more Sony equipment
@gocchin:
Yeah, OK, what I think they mean on DPReview when they mean “FAST” for the cameras of this type is that they don’t think it’s not fast enough to capture Formula 1 racing type of “FAST” of things ZOOMING by at tremendous speeds trying to capture it all perfectly for that mega-poster on the wall by a professional, without actually considering that most of these smaller cameras are geared for the consumer who wants to have a bit more fun than with their normal, smaller, Point-N-Shoots.
KnowwhatImean?
The very well respected Steve Huff’s a33 review is up on his site:
http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/11/09/the-sony-a33-digital-camera-review/
Remember this is a camera under 700.00 we’re not talking a professional megaposters on the wall 5000.00 camera but a more entry level great for all purpose use performer. But as we all know, it’s the photographer not the camera… though a nice camera is nice to have.
Gocchin, I hope you get this:
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/sony_a33_review/conclusion/
see where it says
“the almost complete inability to pan with your subject, limited creative control over movies, and rather noticeable jumps in focus if using continuous auto-focus during video recording” ?????
That’s why you were finding it difficult to do, just that, as you were describing!
Shame. I was hoping to tinker with it too. But I guess I’ll just get a Camcorder.
Yeah but can any DSLR in that price range do any of those things or even match the a33? Nope.
It’s not meant to be a camcorder, but the video is certainly a very nice extra.
But you can’t PAN with the video on it! THAT’s the problem. You could do it with the Nikon D7000 or the Canon 60D, but yes, you do pay a little more. I understand it’s not mean to be a camcorder, but what’s the point of having video when you can’t PAN with the subject you’re trying to follow? Pointless. It’s like watching soccer on TV with only one angle.
I personally was hoping for better from Sony myself. I really was. It almost seems like an experimental camera to me, just to get the SLT technology out into the world to test it. Shame they had to take YOUR money to test it.
I think you misread what they wrote… of course you can pan during video… what camera can’t? That is the whole purpose of the a33 being the fastest to autofocus on the fly during video taking of any moving subject while you’re following the object. I think they mean panning during shooting images as in that paragraph they are referring to both stills and videos. Have you checked out all the videos on youtube and vimeo from a33/a55 cameras? I don;t think any of them are from one angle!
You keep making it sound like it was a bad investment… don’t be so negative (^_^). You mentioned all the negative comments from that article but none of the good comments which there were many including their final paragraph:
“The Sony A33 is a great marriage of new and old, competitively priced to take on the best that mid-range DSLRs and Compact System Cameras can offer, and surpassing both in many ways. Highly Recommended.”
Every camera has its strong and weak points man. I’m sure you are fully aware of that as I am. I’m pretty happy with the camera.
My camera looks like its panning for me here http://vimeo.com/17365234
and that is seriously high speed action that no other mid range dslr or camera can focus on.
As a matter of a fact, DPReview talks about the panning issue clearly. It’s not that it cannot pan, it’s the way the 10fps/6fps (7fps/3fps in the case of the a33) is captured that makes it difficult during panning for stills:
“The second major issue with the A55’s continuous shooting is that it cannot maintain live view in 10fps and 6fps capture. In 10fps mode the A55 shows a constantly updating slide show of the image you just took, which means that you can’t accurately tell where you subject is, – only where it just was. This can be rather disconcerting when panning as you keep being given the impression that the subject is further back than it now actually is.”
Perhaps though you should read a real world review, by the highly respected Steve Huff: http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/2010/11/09/the-sony-a33-digital-camera-review/
I like the autumn colors. This camera really captures it.
Do you people have a facebook fan page? I looked for one on twitter but could not discover one, I would really like to become a fan!
Great. I have subscribed to your RSS to keep updated