Sony’s first foray into DSLRs, particularly the Alpha series, began in 2006 with the a100. The camera was distinct, with its successor, the a900, being the most sought-after full-frame DSLR of its time. From there on, they continued to create several such cameras and even had some great partnerships with Minolta for its lenses. However, when Sony chose to go completely mirrorless, a decision that was accurate for its time, people didn’t know that they would soon cease the creation of its SLR technology. Today, we take a look at some of the models that have stood out and why they have stood out.
Sony a55
An APS-C camera, the Sony a55 features a 16.2MP Exmor CMOS sensor, 15 AF points, a BIONZ image processor, and comes with image stabilization. Some of its features include sweep panorama, which allows you to make panoramas in-camera; Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO), which helps to preserve details; and scene selection mode, allowing you to take images in really low light. It is lightweight and compact and a perfect device for both new to photography and serious enthusiasts.
Sony a580
Launched in 2011, the Sony a580 features a 16.2 MP sensor, ISO sensitivity up to 12,800, 7fps continuous shooting rate, 11-point AF spread, and can record full HD videos. For its time, the camera has pretty quick autofocus, something that we see even in recent mirrorless successors. In addition, the Minolta lens helped provide sharp image quality and good color rendition and can work well in low light areas. Overall, we rated it to be a good option for photographers in varied genres, from weddings to events to travel and portraits.
Sony a37
The Sony a37 is part of the company’s SLT system, which switches an optical viewfinder with an electronic one and has a translucent mirror. This also comes with a 16MP sensor, 15 autofocus points, a 3-inch swivel LCD, ISO sensitivity of 12,800, and 5.5 fps continuous shooting speed. The overall image quality is great, but if you push the ISO high, you will notice visible noise. Since the camera is designed for entry-level users, the design is simple, but autofocus, despite being snappy, can create issues due to all the focus points being at the center area. This one is for those who want to make images, without getting involved in technical aspects.
Sony a99
Designed for high-end enthusiasts, the Sony a99 features a 24MP CMOS sensor, 14-bit RAW, 19 autofocus points, an electronic viewfinder, and a 6fps continuous shooting mode. Users can also record full HD videos. Some of its pros include excellent image quality, good detail retention even at higher ISOs, lightweight, great EVF, a stabilized sensor, and a great manual focus system. It also features a fast and accurate autofocus system. It’s one of the best DSLRs that you can still go back to.
Sony a77 Mk II
The Sony a77 Mk II features a 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS sensor, a 3-way tilting LCD screen, 1080p video recording, and a 79-point phase-detection AF system. It is capable of ISO 25600 and has a continuous speed of 12fps. Some of the things the a77 Mk II is good at are its bright viewfinder, stellar focus peaking, super fast AF, and great JPEGs and RAW files. This device is also a great companion as a second camera and a great choice for anyone just starting out.
Sony a99 II
The last one on the list, the Sony a99 II, comes with the most number of pixels. It has a 42.4 MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, 5-axis in-body image stabilization, 12 fps continuous shooting, 4K video recording, and 79 hybrid cross-AF points. The camera boasts incredible autofocus, great ergonomics, best battery life, and the 4K will be liked by hybrid shooters. There are also some great lenses for this camera, which will further help serious enthusiasts to expand their portfolio.
