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
all the best
on January 15, 2013
Posted by: BradVT
I own the Sony Rx-1, Rx-100, A99, and Nex 7. Also have owned the Nex 5 and A77. Have had many Nikon SLR's as well. I shoot JPEG and don't want to be bothered with raw, photoshop, etc. I found that the Nikon JPEGs were blurry and poor in quality due to their in camera conversion, I suppose. All of the Sony models have been great, but the A99, RX1 and RX100 are all the greatest. Best of all from my point of view is the RX1, but if you want to carry the weight, the A99 is the way to go. From my point of view, the RX1 is the perfect combination of quality and portability.
What's great about it: everything
What's not so great: nothing significant
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Meld of Adv Amateur and Pro Features
on September 17, 2012
Posted by: TheEnthusiast
This is a pre-release comment on advertised specs only. I'm comparing the A99 to the A77 and A900/850.
I see this camera as, in many ways, an A77 with much better noise characteristics and a need for full-frame lenses. The cons that I list above are key things that the A77 has that the A99 does not. (That's right, Sony, you're now competing with yourself.) While I like the lens correction, it does not output to a lossless format. I almost never use super high fps. I'm only disappointed that there's no flash. (I know, no flash is the mark of a PRO camera, but I'm not a pro.)
In RAW mode, the A850 and A580 beat the A77 in noise performance, with the A850 being the best. If the A99 had the same sensor as the A850, it would be within one-half stop (due to the mirror) of A850 (RAW) noise performance. My guess is it's better than that. The A77 does a much better job than the A900/850 when it comes to balancing sharpening and noise reduction. That will carry over to the A99.
I love the fact that the A99 includes auto HDR and multi-frame noise reduction. They both help manage noise, although in very different ways. It's not just hype: they are dynamite features that do what the ad copy says they do. The ad copy seems to be saying that there is a new mode that combines both of these features. For me, this could be a really big deal. (I do wish they could output a lossless format -- Sony giveth and Sony taketh away.)
The A99 has been criticized for short battery life. On the A77, I've found that the electronic viewfinder all but eliminates the need for the rear display. I keep my A77 display folded inward so that it is shut off except when I need it. (I can flip it open in a millisecond.) The result is MUCH longer battery life. And often, when I do use the display, I use the three-axis articulation. It is very, very handy. Note also that when the rear display is closed against the body, it's protected. The display is by far the most easily damaged part of the camera body. If you end up with an A99, try keeping the display folded inward.
The A900/850 had none of the specialty features of the later Sony pro-sumer models. The A99 has almost all of them and appears to add a few more. Just remember that you can't use DT lenses on an A99. The good news is that you can use the Minolta AF lenses if you need to start on a budget. The A99 is an exciting option.
What's great about it: Mostly best of both worlds
What's not so great: No flash; apparently no lens correction; slower fps
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
It is the king!
on January 7, 2013
Posted by: sonyinstead
I love it. It is the most successfull camera Sony ever made. Forget about NC, forget about the cons of A900, forget about awful photos. Just buy it, and you would not regret!
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: a little difficult to fully understand all functions
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Groundbreaking Technology
on January 11, 2013
Posted by: mpirela
Amazing camera, I love it! Definitely Sony is decided to be a leader in the DSLR market.
I just want to see a wide angle Sony lens compatible with this camera.
I just want to see a wide angle Sony lens compatible with this camera.
What's great about it: AF, Image Quality, video...
What's not so great: none so far
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
Have owned none better
on November 21, 2012
Posted by: AlanS
Expensive, but worth every penny!
What's great about it: Hi-ISO performance; exceeds a850/a900 & incorporates SLT advantages
What's not so great: none
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
2
Great Potential - Crippled US version
on October 18, 2012
Posted by: newadam
I want so much to purchase several of these for my small business. Everything looks great from the early reviews. Maybe some issues with moire. But here is the catch. Apparently they are releasing a crippled version to the US that is limited to US 60/30/24p rates. The version sold outside of the US will switch between PAL50p/25p and US rates. I am sure it is the same camera, just with crippled firmware. Sorry in 2012, this does not make sense. Although most of my work is in the US, I do get 50P PAL jobs from time to time. Maybe for consumer cameras, but this is supposed to be professional! I already bought some ZA Zeiss lens for my FS100 and NEX7 waiting for this camera. But now you go an cripple this camera in the US for no reason.
What's great about it: 1080P, audio, focus, size
What's not so great: Crippled US version without World Framerates
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
I Love It
on May 3, 2014
Posted by: drmrsy
I wanted to upgrade from my a350 to a newer camera, if possible a full frame. After doing some research, I decided on the a99.
I like how it takes still shots. The view finder is clear & easy on my eyes. I like how easy it is to see all the info in the view finder. All the choices are great helps, like the: level, rule of thirds grid, etc. It's easy to handle.
I am still learning what this camera will do.
I haven't tried the video yet, but that is not important to me at this time.
I like how it takes still shots. The view finder is clear & easy on my eyes. I like how easy it is to see all the info in the view finder. All the choices are great helps, like the: level, rule of thirds grid, etc. It's easy to handle.
I am still learning what this camera will do.
I haven't tried the video yet, but that is not important to me at this time.
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com
Customer Rating
5
on April 24, 2013
Posted by: Anonymous
This is my 2nd SLT-A99V, unfortunately my 1st one went for a swim (reason for the only con) even though expensive it is worth every penny
What's great about it: Everything
What's not so great: Not waterproof!!!!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting sony.com