| |
Sony SLT-A33 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Sony SLT-A33 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
|
- 30 April 2011 - |
|
- 0 |
|
- 29 March 2011 - |
|
- 0 |
|
- 14 March 2011 - |
|
- 4 |
|
- 20 February 2011 - |
|
- 4.5 |
|
- 06 December 2010 - |
|
- 4.5 |
|
- 04 November 2010 - |
|
- 4.5 |
|
- 29 October 2010 - |
|
- 0 |
|
- 18 October 2010 - |
|
- 4.5 |
|
- 30 September 2010 - |
|
- 4.5 |
|
- 26 September 2010 - |
|
- 0 |
DigitalCameraInfo 's conclusion / rating - 30 April 2011 |
“ The Sony Alpha SLT-A33 did not blow us away in any specific area, but the camera did a passable job in all of our tests. If you’re overly concerned about image performance, then there are plenty of other cameras that will please you more than the A33 (like the Sony A55V). But, we found the A33 to be a handy shooter with a good set of controls, an intuitive menu system, and some fun features to boot.
Performance
The A33 will not grant you the sharpest images on the planet, nor will it even come close. The camera tops out with a 14.2 megapixel resolution, which is significantly lower than most DSLRs offer these days. We also saw quite a bit of lens distortion in our testing, as well as problems with white balance both in auto and manual modes. Like the Sony A55V before it, the A33 did an excellent job in our speed tests where it was able to shoot full-resolution images at 7 frames per second. This wasn’t quite as impressive as the A55V’s 10fps performance, but it was close.
Video Performance
The benefits of Sony’s translucent mirror design on the A33 really come to the forefront during video recording. The autofocus is both quick and will continue for the duration of your video recording—without the need to press or hold a button. The focus is still quite noisy, however, so we would not consider it to be as good as the focus systems you find on a regular camcorder. Besides the focus system, the A33 also did a good job in our video performance tests. Our only complaint: the camera needs more manual controls in video mode as well as a dedicated movie mode to make the interface less complicated.
Components
Like the Sony A55V, the A33 feels solidly constructed, has a good button layout, and includes a good amount of ports and terminals (the external mic jack is a fun bonus). The articulated LCD is one of our favorite features on the camera, as it makes the A33 much easier to use with a tripod or when shooting video. Some users may not like the fact that the camera has an electronic viewfinder rather than an optical one, but that’s something that comes with the turf with Sony’s translucent mirror design.
Handling:
We like the mid-range size of the A33. The camera is large enough to look and be professional, but it is small enough to control with one hand if the situation warrants it. The right grip is strong, and its ribbed texture enables you to get a good handle on the A33.
Controls:
The shooting modes and features on the camera are plentiful, although we were occasionally confused by the cameras dual auto modes and lack of a dedicated video mode. Manual users should be satisfied with what the A33 has to offer, although we found some of the special modes, like 3D panorama, to be more gimmicky than anything else... ”
DigitalCameraInfo's rating: |
|
- 0 |
Complete review here
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 29 March 2011 |
“ The Sony A33 is a bold new camera design with a wide variety of interesting features, including very fast Phase Detect Autofocus that works while shooting still images or video. This is all thanks to Sony's decision to launch a new Single Lens Translucent (SLT) camera design with a full time Live View feed. This Translucent Mirror Design eliminates the blackout time other dSLR model's Phase Detect AF Sensors would have due to due to mirror flipping, offering fast Autofocus Performance with Live View that's far superior to the performance you'd have using Live View with competing cameras.
As with Sony's more traditional dSLR models, the Super Steady Shot stabilization is also appealing to many users, since any lens you use on it (including bright primes and older Minolta Autofocus lenses) will benefit from this technology. In addition, this camera has some really neat features like Hand Held Auto HDR, Sweep Panorama and Multi-Frame Noise Reduction. The A33 would make a great choice for both experienced photographers and first time dSLR users looking for a camera offering performance oriented features and versatility in a smaller package; thanks to full time live view with fast Autofocus, easy to navigate screens for camera settings, combined with great ergonomics and button placement for frequently used settings. With a list price of approximately $599 US for the A33 camera body (or approximately $649 US for a kit with the A33 Body and an 18-55mm zoom lens) this camera should appeal to wide range of photographers, with Sony's new SLT (Single Lens Translucent) System design offering a unique product in an already crowded interchangeable lens market segment... ”
Steves Digicams's rating: |
|
- 0 |
Complete review here
Photozone 's conclusion / rating - 14 March 2011 |
“ The SLR idea has been around for ages and it's concept has never really been questioned till the EVILs came around. It's probably not surprising that an electronics company is actually going to evolve the DSLR and not one of the classic and more conservative manufacturers (although Canon offered a couple of translucent camera during the film SLR era). The Sony Alpha SLT-A33 (and A55) is a milestone for sure. Its translucent mirror technology allows high-speed photo shooting and Full HD video with fast and reliable auto focus ... without a mirror design.
Technically an electronic viewfinder has many advantages including a live-histogram, instant WB control, instant exposure control, an amplified view in dark situations and playback review without external light interference. However, the technology is still not perfect - the viewfinder resolution is still something to be improved and the refresh rate could also better. Nevertheless the technology is now matured enough to be ready for prime time. In the field we had no major issues with it.
The 14.2 megapixel sensor delivers a remarkable image quality at lower ISO sensitivities and the articulating display leaves nothing to be desired - the same applies of course to the good electronic viewfinder. Apart from the more conventional feature set the Sony SLT-A33 offers lot's of more or less useful options from smile detection over panorama to a HDR functionality. Despite its very small size the camera handling is excellent. Subjectively we didn't really like the camera's finish due to the amount of plastics but objectively it did the job during the tests and that's where it counts after all... ”
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 20 February 2011 |
“ Sony's innovative use of a fixed semi-reflective mirror in the SLT-A33 was always going to have pros and cons, but on the whole it delivers a very satisfying experience which in aspects like autofocus during video, is simply leaps and bounds ahead of traditional DSLRs.
Here's a camera with a large sensor and broad catalogue of lenses which really can continuously autofocus during video and deliver an experience close to that of a camcorder. It also presents one of the best Live View experiences to date with a high resolution viewfinder, detailed articulated screen and quick autofocus which lets you get on with picture-taking.
Like Sony's recent models, the SLT-A33 also boasts faster-than-average continuous shooting, which is exploited by a variety of cunning multi-frame modes which combine handheld images to deliver lower noise, higher dynamic range or broad panoramas. We may have seen these before from Sony, but they still impress today and are made all the better on the A33 with its new Multi Frame NR option which lets you manually choose the exposure and ISO.
As discussed in detail above, there are downsides to the system, including a loss of light from the mirror, potential inconsistencies with the phase-change AF sensor, and a reliance on electronic composition which traditionalists, low light or action shooters may not get on with.
Even if you decide a hybrid camera with electronic composition is for you, it's important to remember the Sony SLT is not the only game in town. Panasonic's Lumix GH2 delivers more sophisticated movie capabilities, arguably superior displays and quieter autofocusing from standard lenses. But it also suffers from restrictions regarding continuous AF on many lenses and crucially costs around 50% more.
That's the bottom line with the Sony SLT-A33: it simply delivers terrific value. There may be more sophisticated models available, but few if any match its capabilities at this price point. Sony's thrown down the gauntlet here not just in price but also technology innovation. While most rivals continue to tweak traditional DSLR concepts, Sony's re-invented the hybrid camera, and done so at a highly competitive price-point. If you understand the pros and cons of electronic composition and are happy with the mostly automatic movie mode, the SLT-A33 is very hard to beat and easily comes Highly Recommended... ”
CameraLabs's rating: |
|
- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotographyBLOG 's conclusion / rating - 06 December 2010 |
“ The Sony A33 turns conventional design on its head to provide what is in many ways a better user experience than traditional DSLRs can achieve, at a price point that Canon and Nikon must be worried about. If you can overcome your reservations about electronic viewfinders, the Sony A33 is a great choice for both beginners and more cautious enthusiasts alike.
The A33's translucent mirror and EVF open up a world of possibilities for Sony, with headline grabbing burst shooting speeds, fast auto-focus for both stills and video, and 100% scene coverage, all for the price of a mid-range DSLR. There are some limitations of this ambitious design, most notably 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, but overall the first-generation A33 feels remarkably mature.
Image quality is very good, with results from the APS-C sensor rivalling the DSLR competition and in most cases surpassing the Compact System Camera alternatives, especially if you're after shallow depth-of field effects. Noise doesn't rear its ugly head until ISO 3200 for JPEGs, although the A33 does apply some pretty aggressive noise reduction to keep the files clean, resulting in loss of fine detail. The myriad of creative effects such as HDR, Dynamic Range Optimisation, creative styles and the innovative sweep panorama mode help to get the most out of the A33.
Despite its cutting-edge internal design, the Sony A33 is a wisely more refined version of many other Alpha cameras in terms of handling, offering a tried and trusted approach with few real drawbacks that both new DSLR users and the more experienced will warm to. 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... ”
PhotographyBLOG's rating: |
|
- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 04 November 2010 |
“ Buy this camera if:
- You're looking for an affordable, lightweight DSLR that can shoot high-resolution stills and Full HD video clips.
- You're prepared to shoot and edit both JPEG and ARW.RAW images.
- You could utilise some of the multi-frame and high-speed shooting modes.
- You want body-integrated image stabilisation that works with all lenses.
Don't buy this camera if:
- You're a point-and press photographer who isn't prepared to explore the camera's full capabilities.
- You want a built-in GPS receiver.
- You don't like electronic viewfinders... ”
PhotoReview's rating: |
|
- 4.5 |
Complete review here
Imaging Resource 's conclusion / rating - 29 October 2010 |
“ While I found enough to quibble about to justify my role as a reviewer, I also found the Sony A55 and A33 to be uniquely compelling cameras. The most telling point was how hard I found it going back to an "ordinary" SLR after just a day of shooting with the A55. I've long been an avowed EVF-hater, but the viewfinder display on the Sony A55 is good enough that I found myself sorely missing it when I returned to shooting with a conventional sub-frame SLR with a typically small optical viewfinder. The Sony A55's shooting speed matches that of professional models costing literally thousands of dollars more thanks to the unique pellicle mirror design, and its uniquely Sony features (Handheld Twilight/Multi-Frame NR and Sweep Panorama modes in particular) take the A55 places no other SLR has gone before. I was also pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the Sony A55's grip was, given the tiny body size. I still prefer having more to wrap my fingers around, but this is as good a grip as I've seen on an SLR body this compact to date. While its primary target clearly is not the entry-level shooter, the Sony A55's Auto+ mode takes it closer to true "just push the button" simplicity in auto mode than any other camera we're aware of, enabling novice-level users to enjoy the multi-shot and other Scene modes without having to worry about which to use when. At the other end of the spectrum, for the enthusiast with time to become acquainted its capabilities and familiar with its quirks, the Sony A55 expands the realm of amateur photography further than any SLR to date. In the A55 and A33, Sony has used outside-the-box thinking to deliver a uniquely capable, functional, and well-designed SLR. Hot on the heels of their category-redefining NEX-3 and NEX-5, Sony's engineers have now likewise redefined what consumers can expect from an SLR... ”
Imaging Resource's rating: |
|
- 0 |
Complete review here
AmateurPhotographer 's conclusion / rating - 18 October 2010 |
“ No longer restricted to optical viewfinders or the mechanisms required for film transportation, camera manufacturers have gone back to the drawing board to
see how digital technology can evolve camera design.
Sony has made a bold choice by using a fixed mirror and
an EVF, which may alienate some purists. However, the system works well, and it can only get better in future cameras as the technology is further refined.
There will be fears about the loss of around 30% of the light hitting the sensor, but the metering and processing take this into account and it doesn’t have a negative effect on image quality. As a result, the usable sensitivity range of ISO 100-1600 is on a par with the Alpha 33’s competitors.
Although the Alpha 33 may seem a little pricey at £649 with an 18-55mm lens, it is crammed full of features, many of which aren’t found it its competitors, such as the 3D sweep panorama and the HDR shooting mode. However, it is obviously the high frame rate and phase-detection AF in Live View and video that steal the show.
While the image quality may be better from the Canon EOS 550D, for those who want to photograph moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife, the Alpha 33 is an excellent camera. In fact, it can’t be bettered for its price... ”
AmateurPhotographer's rating: |
|
- 4.5 |
Complete review here
WhatDigitalCamera 's conclusion / rating - 30 September 2010 |
“ The A33 undoubtedly opens new doors and Sony's clear-cut commitment to pushing new technology into the photo market is
an interesting angle for a company looking for new approaches to capture today's demanding audiences. Digital technologies are changing and it has to be said so are consumer's expectations. While a year or
so ago many noses would have turned at the mere suggestion of an Electronic Viewfinder the technology has come on
in leaps and bounds. It may still not be perfect and, indeed, the EVF may be the A33's greatest challenge. Though that sounds rather cynical as, in actuality, the A33 is an innovative, super-fast and top quality camera that feels much the same as using a ‘new age' DSLR camera. There are one or two small improvements that could be made, but all things considered, this is new technology pushing the boundaries. The super-fast autofocus in live view and continuous focus burst modes actually work a treat. An exciting development that looks to be a step further towards the end of DSLR cameras as they once were - and not in a negative manner... ”
WhatDigitalCamera's rating: |
|
- 4.5 |
Complete review here
AlphtaMountWorld 's conclusion / rating - 26 September 2010 |
“ Sony's new A33 and A55 SLT (Single Lens Translucent) cameras are a bold proposition and one with much potential on future designs. My experience with the A33 though was some what lack lustre in comparison to other cameras on the market for about the same price range. While there are features of the A33 that I like quite a bit (auto HDR, video, and the EVF/LCD) the amount of niggles I can recite or painfully remember makes it a one step forward, two step back type of camera in the scope of its usability.
I can appreciate some of the design improvements over recent Alpha offerings (better ergonomics, worked over on/off switch and front dial, inclusion of a depth of field button, better build quality and fit and finish) but when compared to other cameras in this price range (about $750.00 w/kit lens) I can think of others that I'd recommend to budding photographers instead knowing they will have room to grow and expand as they get more advanced.
The A33 seems eager to jump out of its skin with performance and intrigue, but is instead is hampered by a big brother style design team that does a lot of telling you how and when you can use the A33. It ruins the experience for many of the features. What a pity.
The A33 is a camera for someone who doesn't want excess clutter, and doesn't mind being told what they can and cannot do with the rather bold and fun headline features. It does video very well within it's limitations, and has par-for-the-course still image quality when compared to recent Alpha offerings by Sony, but it leaves a lot to be desired in the Jpegs especially for a newer design (I expect still images to improve with new designs, not stall)... ”
AlphtaMountWorld's rating: |
|
- 0 |
Complete review here
|
|
Comments (9)
Video reviews (2)
Camera info
Digg
del.icio.us
Reddit
Google
Home