Well today I have a try and look on the Sony DSLT A33 camera ...
Yes finally arrived on Sony Style at The Curve :D !! for A55 I have ask the promoter, he says that will arrive around end of September which is good news.
Some of my thought on this camera and whats really new or special that some reviews doesn't actually pitching out clearly
A33 is using the translucent technology (A fixed transparent mirror) for taking the picture instead of the tradition yet complicated yet limited life (around 100k shutter) time mechanism mirror. Well people would felt strange of why need a transparent mirror for EVF(Electronic View Finder) instead of EVIL because both also able to access EVF like the Panasonic G-1/GH-1/G-2/G-10 and the Samsung NX-10? Well this is still a question for me ... but the facts for now is this technology allows you to shoot 6FPS(fully controllable on PASM) and 10FPS on the A55/ 7 FPS on the A33 with CONTINUOUS AUTO FOCUS (but uncontrollable on aperture + shutter speed)
Unlike all the DSLR which you can only get this burst speed when you view through the viewfinder, on A550 it makes the break though of 7FPS on Live View without Continuously Focus but comes to A33/A55, you can hit the FPS until 7 (for A33)/10 (for A55) for Live View with continuously auto focus which non of the DSLR, EVIL camera can do right now.
Likewise you will get the quick phase detection on Movie Mode, it is not so perfectly accuracy all the time (somehow on par with contrast detection on the NEX cameras?) but the speed is definitely as fast as the Sony Alpha phase detection Live View.
Sony also improves the SSS (Super Steady Shot) in terms of visual, on previous Sony Alpha camera you have the Built-In IS (Image Stabilization) but you will never saw it the effect through viewfinder nor live view when you half press the shutter which those In-Lens IS can do. In A33/A55 you can finally have it the visual effect on Live View and EVF by half-press the shutter, a huge bonus where you can use whatever lens with free IS and no wobbles on your viewfinder and live view anymore! SSS not only works on photos but on movie as well and it works great and steady enough.
However now it comes the problem, overheating issue will occur especially when you use to recording movie while active the SSS. It will only last 9 minutes and also it makes your camera very hot as well so plan wise to use SSS on movie because when it overheats, the camera will NOT FUNCTION for at least a few minutes. On the other hand using SSS on burst also will cause overheating but that could be only happen when you use movie mode before with SSS On
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In Handling
Handling wise ... well if you take for casual or short period travelling shooting or perhaps going light with prime lenses would be fine but for serious sports photographer or serious photographer who much prefer tough body with OVF(Optical Viewfinder) would not put much interest on this cameras because it is very small .... although the size is similar like the Canon 550D with slightly shorter and ticker body however it is featured pack and for obviously it is targeting against entry-level users who much prefer point and shoot
So lets put high hope on the upcoming A77 and A7xx successors if you need a pro body (some people who cant wait idle might be stay or jump)
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ISO Performance
Here's some small comparison of the ISO performance:
(I choose Photoshop RAW to edit and adjust the noise for you to do comparison)
RAW With NO Noise Reduction -
LINK (Folder Name: RAWJPEGHIGHISO) : - http://picasaweb.google.com/wingstergraphy/RAWJPEGNONR?authkey=Gv1sRgCKSurtyFpNb0kQE#
RAW With Heavy Noise Reduction from ISO800~ISO12800 -
LINK (Folder Name: RAWJPEGHIGHISO) : - http://picasaweb.google.com/wingstergraphy/RAWJPEGHIGHISO?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3fh8T86avZVw#
Multi Frame Noise Reduction -
LINK (Folder Name: ISO-MRJPEG) : - http://picasaweb.google.com/wingstergraphy/ISOMRJPEG?authkey=Gv1sRgCL-Co-2rrsCEggE#
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Questions Everything (???)
Differences between these 2 little camera?
Differences between A33/A55? ... well not much for me ... just the resolutions, onboard GPS (for A55 only), FPS speed and also burst fire buffer. For RM400 differences .. I would pick A55 simply because the extra onboard GPS and the extra Burst shooting buffer (paired up with 10 FPS) capacity widens up your shooting capability.
Battery Life?
Well not much differences, A33/A55 uses same battery as the NEX-3/NEX-5 but surprisingly they have longer battery compare to the NEX-3/NEX-5.
I have test through the battery life, it drains around 15% battery from 100% for 45 minutes of shooting (5 snaps shot + 10~25 burst shot and 20 second movie respectively) so I assume it can last for half a day but also depends weather condition as well.
No Manual Control on Movie?
So far No manual control for Movie mode, you cannot adjust anything expect exposure compensation during video. For Aperture you can only adjust it under Manual mode before recording the video buts thats only effect under Manual Focus.
In AF mode, the aperture will always wide open or fixed at F3.5 all the time which may be an issue for those using bright aperture prime lens or outdoor shooting with extremely bright condition?
Future firmware might add on the control for live control on Aperture,ISO, Shutter Speed during recording on MF mode so another HIGH HOPE on this :]
Despite the limitation, the quality never piss me off at least it perform really well and sharp, a little bit under saturated but others wise is fantastic fast and good.
7/10FPS Limitation?
Similar to movie mode but this time it goes with max aperture, during 10FPS you cannot control shutter speed nor aperture and it will never let you go below F3.5 even you have the lens which have more faster the aperture than F3.5
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Conclusion [: ?
Well A33/A55 is an awesome A350 alike shaped camera but with more feature packed and also awesome performance on burst shooting and movie! If you don't consider the limitations, it actually is an ideal camera for beginners and some euthenics who wants to go lights but not that small as the NEX cameras.
Downside would be the limitation in Movie mode and 10FPS mode which still need to be improved. The battery life is weak but not too worse (at least it can last for 400~500 shots depending on conditions)
It has all the nice features that everyone wants but sadly it doesn't full filled all the handling and customization freedom for those expertise wants. In the range and money, I think it is reasonable and good value enough for new comers to DSLR/EVIL/DSLT camera.
