Photo Review Reviews section

Sony DSLR Alpha 55

9 Rating

A capable and compact DSLR camera with some interesting and useful shooting modes and Full HD video recording.In Sony’s about-to-be-released 16.2-megapixel SLT-A55V (which will be known as the A55) DSLR camera, the traditional SLR mirror is replaced with a semi-transparent pellicle mirror that is fixed in place instead of flipping up and down with each exposure. This Translucent Mirror Technology (TMT) technology underpins the new camera’s fast TTL focusing and high burst speeds and makes the new models smaller and lighter than previous models in the Alpha.

Sony DSLR-A850

8.5 Rating

Sony’s 24.6-megapixel pro-sumer ‘full frame’ DSLR offers many features of the company’s flagship model for $1000 less.Sony’s DSLR-A850 provides most of the features of the company’s flagship full frame DSLR A900, but for $1000 less. The sensor is the same 24.6-megapixel CMOS chip and includes the A900’s sensor-shift image-stabilisation mechanism plus Dual Bionz processors. It is also equipped with the same 3.0 inch 921,000-dot transflective Xtra Fine LCD monitor. However, the viewfinder on the A850 provides only 98% frame coverage against A900’s 100%.

Sony DSLR-A550

8.8 Rating

A capable DSLR camera for photo enthusiasts who don’t require support for video recording.Following the release of the entry-level A230, A330 and A380 models in May, Sony announced two slightly more advanced models – the A500 and A550 – in late August at the same time as it unveiled its advanced DSLR-A850 model. We’ve already reviewed the A230, A380 and A850 so it’s interesting to look at the ‘intermediate’ A550, which is pitched at photographers who want a capable, high-resolution DSLR without paying the high price demanded for the ‘full-frame’ models.

Sony DSLR-A350

9 Rating

A competitively-priced, feature-rich DSLR with high sensor resolution plus a tilting LCD and live viewing facilities.Announced shortly after the DSLR-A200 model, Sony’s DSLR-A350 offers higher resolution and a variable-angle LCD that supports live view shooting. This makes the camera body slightly thicker and heavier than the A200 – although it’s still significantly smaller and lighter than the DSLR-A700. Otherwise the two cameras have almost identical control layouts and functions, although we found the A350’s grip slightly more solid and comfortable than the A200’s. The review camera was supplied with the new Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 ZA lens, which proved to be a much better performer than the kit lens.

Sony DSLR-A230

8.5 Rating

An entry-level DSLR with straightforward controls and body-integrated image stabilisation that works with all lenses.Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A230 is a modest update of the A200, which we reviewed in January 2008. Although this camera was one of three models announced in mid-May, it has taken until mid-September for a review unit to reach us, which is a pity as we were able to review its ‘sister’ model, the A380 back in July. (Let’s hope it doesn’t take as long to get the A500, A550 and, importantly, the 24.6-megapixel A850, all of which were announced in late August.)

Sony DSLR-A200

9 Rating

An affordable, easy-to-use DSLR camera with some useful functions to ensure high quality pictures.Sony’s new DSLR-A200 model replaces the A100 and is targeted at entry-level buyers, for whom it provides all the functions a keen photographer requires. Most of the features that were introduced with the A100 model are provided, including the 10.2-megapixel sensor. However, many have been upgraded or enhanced to make the new model a more Sony-like product. Live view shooting is not supported.

Sony Alpha SLT-A65

8.5 Rating

Most of the features of Sony’s new SLT-A77 in a smaller, lighter and more affordable body.The SLT-A65 is the second of two SLR-style interchangeable-lens cameras announced by Sony on 24 August, 2011. Like the SLT-A77, which was unveiled at the same time, it features Translucent (pellicle) Mirror Technology, a 24.3-megapixel APS-C-sized sensor and new BIONZ image processor. Many other features of the A65 are the same as in the higher-featured A77, including the superior XGA OLED Tru-Finder and movie recording capabilities.

Sony Handycam HDR-SR12

8.8 Rating

A hybrid, high-definition video camcorder that can also capture 10.1-megapixel still images.Sony’s HDR-SR12 camcorder – and its sister model the HDR-SR11 (RRP $1999) – differ only in the capacity of their built-in hard disk drives (HDD), with the SR12 having twice the capacity of the SR11. Both models include some of the technologies developed for Sony’s still cameras and both support AVCHD video recording with a maximum video resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Sony Handycam HDR-CX12

8.5 Rating

An HD camcorder that records only to flash memory and is designed for point-and-press video photographers.The Handycam HDR-CX12 is similar in size and styling to the HDR-CX7 model, which it replaces. One of a rapidly-growing class of camcorders that record exclusively to flash memory (in this case Memory Stick Pro Duo), it’s also the first camcorder with Smile Shutter technology. This feature already appears in some digital still cameras that, like the CX12, are designed primarily for point-and-press shooters. Automatic Face Detection technology is also provided with the ability to identify up to eight human faces.

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-P150

Available in blue, silver or black, Sony’s DSC-P150 sports a 7-megapixel sensor and Carl Zeiss Vario-Tessar zoom lens. Both multi-pattern and spot metering are supported, but exposure adjustments can only be made in the P and scene modes. However, only two aperture settings are provided; f2.8 and f5.6 at the wide position, and f5.2 and f10 for tele. Flash output levels are adjustable in P, M and scene modes and exposure compensation of +/- 2 EV in 0.3 EV steps is provided.