Customer reviews from sony.com
Sony - Alpha a99 DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Average customer rating
4.6
(41 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 41 reviews
5 Stars
33
4 Stars
4
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Star
1
91%of customers recommend this product.
(
31 out of
34)
Customer Reviews for Sony - Alpha a99 DSLR Camera (Body Only) - Black
Customer Rating
5
Beast of a Camera
on February 28, 2014
Posted by: sophot
I upgraded from the Sony a57 to this camera at the beginning of December, and so far I am blown away. I had demo'd my friends Canon 5D Mark III before purchasing this camera, and I feel that, while the Canon does a little better on the higher ISO's, this camera's features are on a completely different scale.
A main selling point for the Sony line is their inclusion of Image Stabilization within the body, making nearly any lens viable in a professional setting. I don't have to worry about IS in any lens that I buy because it is built into the body. Also, while not nearly as fast as my Sony a57, this body really utilizes the 35mm Full Frame sensor to produce high quality and sharp images. I have recently purchased the Carl Zeiss f2.8 24-70mm Lens, and that lens plus this body produces some amazing, nearly 3D photos.
Overall, while I sometimes get pressure from the market for not using the Canon or Nikon lines, I feel sorry for people that spend this amount of money on a camera of this quality, and then have to worry about whether or not the lens comes with IS. I am extremely pleased by the build quality of the Sony a99, and look forward to this years projects using this camera.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Absolutely Brilliant!
on November 12, 2012
Posted by: mdunlap
I have made the switch from Canon to Sony and I could not be happier. The a99 functions better than advertised. This camera is a notch above the D800 and 5DM3 as far as form meets.. well.. honestly amazing technology. I do feel as though with built in GPS, an Electronic Viewfinder, Auto Focus Range Control, Manual Focus Peaking, the additional video features such as the Silent Control Dial coupled with AF-D mode utilizing 102 focus points.. this full frame camera was built just for me. Bravo Sony.. This is the most advanced full frame camera on the market to date!
What's great about it: Light / Technologically advanced / Feature rich / Beautiful design
What's not so great: None
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
A Superior Full Featured Camera For The Long Run
on June 4, 2013
Posted by: Oldmanriver
I love my A77. But the A99 takes everything to another level in a very familiar operational format.
It solves for the biggest published complaint (which never bothered me) against the A77 with gorgeous clean images up to ISO 6400.
The dual sensor AF-D depth mapping mode is sheer genius. And the new DMF mode further capitalizes on the A77's excellent peaking feature for accurate and rapid manual focus.
The AF range limiter feature can be set to limit hunting on supported long focal length lens.
The fact that my existing SAL-70400G and SAL-70300G lenses are also supported by the new AF-D mode (like the SAL-2470Z) feels like a reward for being a loyal Sony photography enthusiast.
I had fantastic results with the A77 & the SAL-1680Z (and I am keeping them). By adding the massive SAL-2470Z with it's constant 2.8 aperture (coupled with the shallow depth of field of the A99 full frame sensor), I find myself exploring a wider range of available light photo opportunities on the fly.
The same excellent wireless ratio flash ability that I began to enjoy on the A77 is supported by the A99. Now that I have the more powerful HVL-F60M to augment my three HVL-F43AM units, I plan to move forward with improving my portrait photography technique. (The vertical grip with added battery support is finally en route this week.)
Early results show improved video quality with the A99, as well, aided by an improved articulated rear LCD screen.
At the end of the day, it's all about the image quality. Simply put, this discretionary purchase represents my intent to take the A77's excellent visual results to the next level. I have an intuitive feeling that this will be my primary camera and lens combination for the long run regardless of path Sony takes with the Alpha mount system in coming years.
I trust that future evolutionary firmware updates will make the utility of the A99 even better.
After all these years, starting with a Minolta SRT-101 in college, and with many innovative Sony digital cameras in between, my hobby has finally evolved into the passion that I had envisioned in my mind's eye.
It solves for the biggest published complaint (which never bothered me) against the A77 with gorgeous clean images up to ISO 6400.
The dual sensor AF-D depth mapping mode is sheer genius. And the new DMF mode further capitalizes on the A77's excellent peaking feature for accurate and rapid manual focus.
The AF range limiter feature can be set to limit hunting on supported long focal length lens.
The fact that my existing SAL-70400G and SAL-70300G lenses are also supported by the new AF-D mode (like the SAL-2470Z) feels like a reward for being a loyal Sony photography enthusiast.
I had fantastic results with the A77 & the SAL-1680Z (and I am keeping them). By adding the massive SAL-2470Z with it's constant 2.8 aperture (coupled with the shallow depth of field of the A99 full frame sensor), I find myself exploring a wider range of available light photo opportunities on the fly.
The same excellent wireless ratio flash ability that I began to enjoy on the A77 is supported by the A99. Now that I have the more powerful HVL-F60M to augment my three HVL-F43AM units, I plan to move forward with improving my portrait photography technique. (The vertical grip with added battery support is finally en route this week.)
Early results show improved video quality with the A99, as well, aided by an improved articulated rear LCD screen.
At the end of the day, it's all about the image quality. Simply put, this discretionary purchase represents my intent to take the A77's excellent visual results to the next level. I have an intuitive feeling that this will be my primary camera and lens combination for the long run regardless of path Sony takes with the Alpha mount system in coming years.
I trust that future evolutionary firmware updates will make the utility of the A99 even better.
After all these years, starting with a Minolta SRT-101 in college, and with many innovative Sony digital cameras in between, my hobby has finally evolved into the passion that I had envisioned in my mind's eye.
What's great about it: Clean high ISO pics, AF-D & DMF modes, AF range limiter, silent multi-controller, quick navi, uncompressed 1080p video
What's not so great: Not all lenses support AF-D mode, Pundits have criticized central position of focus sensor matrices, battery life
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Northern Lights from Iceland
on July 23, 2013
Posted by: LAfur
A full Frame camera with a Punch.
This Sony FF camera is really excellent in every way.
this is a camera is designed too make you wanna work with it more.
Color, detail´s, sharpens and weather proof camera is a great choice too have when you are traveling and taking photo´s here on Iceland.
This Sony FF camera is really excellent in every way.
this is a camera is designed too make you wanna work with it more.
Color, detail´s, sharpens and weather proof camera is a great choice too have when you are traveling and taking photo´s here on Iceland.
Best camera i ever had.
Lafur Photography
What's great about it: A excellent FF camera with a Puch
What's not so great: little-noise
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
A99 is better than advertised
on November 5, 2012
Posted by: JoeStealthmode
As a proud owner of the A900 and A77 I was waiting for the best of both worlds. The beauty of the full frame A900 combined with the speed and power of the A77. The A99 does well to mix the best of each. It is not as fast as it's little sister, the A77, but it is fast nonetheless. The button layout is almost identical. The first thing I tested with the A99 was a high ISO value. I started with 6400. I was impressed by the quality. Not only is the noise fixable, if you are one to take advantage of the high ISO noise, it is a very pleasing noise. A little bit of Luminance and the ISO 6400 shot looks amazing. I can now feel comfortable in ISO 1600 or even 3200 with the A99. The response time on the A99 could use some work, just as the A77 needed in the first firmware revisions. Other than that, I am really happy through a thousand actuations. Hoping for much more.
What's great about it: High ISO RAW Shooting, Build Quality, Button Layout
What's not so great: Speed not as fast as the A77, Firmware obviously v1.0
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
4
Appealing but expensive technology showcase
on October 9, 2012
Posted by: TechnoGuy
It's been a long and at times painful 4+ year wait for Sony fans looking for an update to the classic but clearly aging A900/850 full frame professional cameras, with many hoping that Sony would finally become a significant factor in the professional full frame market. The promise of a serious full frame camera was clearly seen in the predecessor model - the Sony A900 undercut the Nikon D3X by almost $5000, while offering similar resolution and features, albeit poorer low light performance at least in JPEG (not in RAW) - and with no video capability at all - making the camera a real throwback to pure stills photography, a feature that inspired more loyalty than aversion among its loyal user base. This is also the first full frame camera Sony has put out in the last four or five years - in that same interval Canon and Nikon together have put out at least eight. This suggests that Sony is taking some risks by moving into areas where it frankly has not been terribly successful or perhaps terribly interested/motivated.
Does it live up? Well, based on my admittedly brief and limited experience with this model with production firmware (1+ hour of shooting of both stills and video and then hours of hi-res monitor time on color corrected monitor) mostly yes, but there are some issues . . . . including where Sony has set its price point on this. Overall, this is an appealing choice for individuals looking to upgrade from Sony APS-C models or other subframe DSLRs to full frame cameras - provided they are willing to pay the hefty cost and modest weight penalties, in order to get the extra picture quality at high ISO, along with somewhat better speed of operation and an improved autofocus system. Dynamic range may also be somewhat better than corresponding APS C models - hard to say if dynamic range equals the current very high benchmark set by the Nikon D800.
But . . . .Is it really worth the $2000 premium on the already excellent Sony A65 or the nearly $1200 premium on the Sony A77? That's actually a tough question, and mostly for a typical consumer, the answer is probably going to be 'no' - but for professionals (or enthusiasts with lots of money that they are eager to part with) needing the high ISO capabilities of a full frame model, the answer is probably 'yes', given that picture quality on the APS-C chips can't compete with a full frame chip of the same resolution as light declines. But in bright light, the differences are going to be probably too subtle to see, even for the most obsessional pixel peeper. At ISO 100 in RAW with comparable lenses, I really can't tell the difference between the picture this camera generates (even blown up to 100%), and what a Sony A65 can generate - and this was going over identical scenes shot with both cameras at 100% view. But at ISO 1600, the difference is fairly clear, and by 3200, it's not even close - the A65 is a pretty noisy mess, and prints are only usable at small sizes like 4x6. At ISO 3200, the A99 is capable of generating remarkably clean and smooth pictures with minimal noise and much detail. ISO 6400 on the A99 is roughly equivalent to ISO 1600 on the A65 (the last really useable RAW setting for the A65 before being forced to use heavy-handed post-processing NR). So it's way better in low light - but it should be with the much bigger pixels. Usable 6400 is really a plus - esp. when you want to use telephoto to shoot action and need high shutter speeds. Sports shooting will be worlds better compared to even the best m4/3 and APS-C sensor performance at high ISO and long telephoto. But again, this is what a FF sensor should deliver for its cost (and weight) penalties.
But one basic question facing the professional user is still "why buy this camera" given the better developed and established pro-camera ecosystems of Canikon? That's also a tough question. I believe the answer is not one single overwhelming advantage, but you have to like the SLT environs and value what it might offer over more traditional DSLR technology. One aspect of this might be the better video due to full time PD (phase detection) auto focus, already demonstrated in several APS-C models like A65 and A77. Another selling point might be just the overall excellence of both video and stills combined. I believe this camera will probably have as good if not better video than anything else in the 35mm DSLR world due to the better autofocus system (PD on both the chip and from the light directed to the AF sensor) - and Sony built-in lots of high-end video features and thoughtful support for all kinds of video accessories that would appeal to the professional videographer or the primary stills photographer looking to occasionally shoot the best possible (broadcast quality) video. First of all, its 1080 60p specification right now puts it ahead of Canon and Nikon, and its full-time phase detection (including phase detection functionality on the sensor itself) means that the camera can continually autofocus using the more accurate PD approach (vs. the slower contrast detection method) while taking movies - something no other DLSR can do.
Here's my parsing of the pros and cons of this new camera - again based on limited shooting experience and hands-on time - I probably will change this list as I get a production model I can spend much more time with (just put in my order for one!):
Pros:
1) Probably the best video this side of a professional broadcast video camera - and likely well ahead of Canon and Nikon on this one. Video shot in 60p is typically spectacular, and the camera appears particularly good at maintaining tight focus on high-speed subjects and challenging scenes with minimal to no hunting. Uncompressed HDMI output to external recording devices is another plus (shared with D800 but not on the 5DMIII).
2) Great overall image quality for photos - esp. as light declines - equals the great low light performance of the Canon 5DMIII and just a touch more noisy than the Nikon D600.
3) High-resolution EVF gives the photographer lots of relevant control information (but see cons for flip side of this).
4) High resolution 24 MP sensor with good to excellent dynamic range and very accurate color (but again see cons).
5) Able to use Alpha mount APS-C lenses (via sensor crop - but see cons again).
6) At least equal low light performance compared to its two main FF competitors. Comparisons that I did of identical scenes head-to-head with the Canon 5D Mark 3 suggest that the Sony at least equals that camera's truly great low light noise performance. It might be just a nose ahead in this area of low light noise compared to the Nikon D800. Credit extra work on the micro-lenses and getting as much light as possible to each pixel in the sensor - apparently a big focus for Sony in developing this particular sensor. Even ISO 6400 was pretty clean.
7) Configurable menu system similar to Sony's popular A77.
8) With two phase detection systems (one on the chip and one receiving light from the fixed mirror) this offers probably the fastest and most reliable autofocus of any DSLR. In my one hour of shooting with the camera, I was never able to get an out of focus shot either with video or stills, even though I tried (fast-moving subjects, panning, etc.).
9) Having image stabilization built into the sensor instead of the lens has some major advantages - making lenses potentially less expensive and lighter, and giving you the full advantage of IS all the time with any lens in your bag.
10) SLT approach enables full-time live view and phase detection autofocus even when shooting movies, and saves weight too, compared to more conventional DSLR technology.
11) Many neat touches and thoughtful extras, with abundant options for direct control (3 dials and a host of buttons dedicated to a single function (five of which are customizable) and a slick and smoothly silent control wheel in the front of the camera that allows quick access to video settings).
2) Great overall image quality for photos - esp. as light declines - equals the great low light performance of the Canon 5DMIII and just a touch more noisy than the Nikon D600.
3) High-resolution EVF gives the photographer lots of relevant control information (but see cons for flip side of this).
4) High resolution 24 MP sensor with good to excellent dynamic range and very accurate color (but again see cons).
5) Able to use Alpha mount APS-C lenses (via sensor crop - but see cons again).
6) At least equal low light performance compared to its two main FF competitors. Comparisons that I did of identical scenes head-to-head with the Canon 5D Mark 3 suggest that the Sony at least equals that camera's truly great low light noise performance. It might be just a nose ahead in this area of low light noise compared to the Nikon D800. Credit extra work on the micro-lenses and getting as much light as possible to each pixel in the sensor - apparently a big focus for Sony in developing this particular sensor. Even ISO 6400 was pretty clean.
7) Configurable menu system similar to Sony's popular A77.
8) With two phase detection systems (one on the chip and one receiving light from the fixed mirror) this offers probably the fastest and most reliable autofocus of any DSLR. In my one hour of shooting with the camera, I was never able to get an out of focus shot either with video or stills, even though I tried (fast-moving subjects, panning, etc.).
9) Having image stabilization built into the sensor instead of the lens has some major advantages - making lenses potentially less expensive and lighter, and giving you the full advantage of IS all the time with any lens in your bag.
10) SLT approach enables full-time live view and phase detection autofocus even when shooting movies, and saves weight too, compared to more conventional DSLR technology.
11) Many neat touches and thoughtful extras, with abundant options for direct control (3 dials and a host of buttons dedicated to a single function (five of which are customizable) and a slick and smoothly silent control wheel in the front of the camera that allows quick access to video settings).
Cons:
1) Price - at least $400 above where it should be.
2) EVF is not for everybody - some people simply can't transition from optical viewfinders (what do they know :-) !)
3) EVF really needed a contrast adjustment on A77/65, as images sometimes either had blown highlights in the viewfinder or areas where image too dark to see details - Sony failed to include this badly needed contrast adjustment in their new flagship camera - a major omission in my judgment.
4) only 24 MP - clearly out-resolved by Nikon D800.
5) only 6 FPS with autofocus is really disappointing for a SLT design - their APS C designs were all class-leading in terms of frames per second in high-speed shooting. Canon does the same 6 FPS number while still having to move the mirror up and down, and even the D800 manages 4 frames per second with its much higher megapixel throughput demands on the imaging pipeline, while the $800 Sony A65 does 10 FPS . . . . so what happened here?
6) APS-C lenses will automatically result in a significant drop in resolution - no option to simply allow full frame vignetting (which some users might not mind in some contexts).
7) Shorter battery life relative to its two main competitors (the cost of the excellent EVF)
8) Despite all the emphasis on video, maximum bit rate is only 28 Mb per second, significantly under the new Panasonic GH3 and the Canon 5D Mark 3.
9) Despite the flagship technology (and price!), the A99 still has too shallow a buffer for much high-speed shooting - if shooting RAW plus JPEG, buffer fills up in 18 images or just 1.5 seconds. Can't believe that with all the noise about this issue in previous APS-C models that Sony did so little differently in their flagship camera.
10) Disappointment that USB 3.0, Wi-Fi support and at least some kind of built-in flash all not included in feature set.
11) Price?
2) EVF is not for everybody - some people simply can't transition from optical viewfinders (what do they know :-) !)
3) EVF really needed a contrast adjustment on A77/65, as images sometimes either had blown highlights in the viewfinder or areas where image too dark to see details - Sony failed to include this badly needed contrast adjustment in their new flagship camera - a major omission in my judgment.
4) only 24 MP - clearly out-resolved by Nikon D800.
5) only 6 FPS with autofocus is really disappointing for a SLT design - their APS C designs were all class-leading in terms of frames per second in high-speed shooting. Canon does the same 6 FPS number while still having to move the mirror up and down, and even the D800 manages 4 frames per second with its much higher megapixel throughput demands on the imaging pipeline, while the $800 Sony A65 does 10 FPS . . . . so what happened here?
6) APS-C lenses will automatically result in a significant drop in resolution - no option to simply allow full frame vignetting (which some users might not mind in some contexts).
7) Shorter battery life relative to its two main competitors (the cost of the excellent EVF)
8) Despite all the emphasis on video, maximum bit rate is only 28 Mb per second, significantly under the new Panasonic GH3 and the Canon 5D Mark 3.
9) Despite the flagship technology (and price!), the A99 still has too shallow a buffer for much high-speed shooting - if shooting RAW plus JPEG, buffer fills up in 18 images or just 1.5 seconds. Can't believe that with all the noise about this issue in previous APS-C models that Sony did so little differently in their flagship camera.
10) Disappointment that USB 3.0, Wi-Fi support and at least some kind of built-in flash all not included in feature set.
11) Price?
What's great about it: See review
What's not so great: See review
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
GREAT CAMERA
on January 25, 2015
Posted by: BOBBYLENS
THIS IS MY FIRST CAMERA BUT AFTER DOING EXTENSIVE RESEARCH BETWEEN SONY, CANON AND NIKON IVE CHOSEN SONY. IT WAS THE ONLY CAMERA THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE THE SETTINGS WHILE ADJUSTING THE APERTURE, ISO, SHUTTER SPEED, AND WHITE BALANCE. THIS IS HUGE FOR ME SINCE I AM A NEW COMER TO PHOTOGRAPHY. IN FACT, THIS HAS HELPED ME UNDERSTAND AND APPLY THE NECESSARY SETTINGS TO TAKE A PICTURE. I WENT SHOOTING WITH A FRIEND WHO IS AN ADVANCED HOBBY PHOTOGRAPHER AND USES A CANON 5D MARK III AND AFTER SHOOTING WITH MY SONY A99, HE IS NOW TRYING TO SELL HIS CAMERA IN ORDER TO BUY A SONY A99 OR A SONY A7S. I ATTEMPTED TO UPLOAD A PHOTO TO SHOW RESULTS BUT IMAGES WERE TOO LARGE.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Way To Go, Sony!!!
on January 7, 2013
Posted by: ckapp
Unbelievable. Stunning images right out of the box. Got it all set up with my settings and the images are through-the-roof beautiful! It is so well laid out that a beginner could just leave everything in auto and have a blast. Dig in to the menus and start playing and capture becomes magical. I bought the 70200G when I bought the body, have a CZ2470 on the way and two old Minolta Rokkor primes with adapters coming just for kicks. Just ordered three HVL-F60M speedlights too! WooHoo!
I bought my A99 and 70200G at the Sony store in Tampa FL. I flew in from Costa Rica. The level of customer service there was way beyond my expectations. Everyone was knowledgable, professional and fun to work with. I commend Sony for their quality regarding customer service. My buying experience online with the flashes was extremely personable and equally enjoyable.
I commend Sony for going outside convention with the Alpha line up. Yeah, I could have easily bought a 5DIII or D800, but given the fact that Nikon buys their sensors from Sony, I would much rather support the parent company to the key part in the imaging chain. Plus, the articulating screen is a no-brainer. Thank you Sony for leading the way!
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Haven't found one yet
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com