Sony DSLR-A900 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: The 24.6 Megapixel Sony A900 is the highest resolution sensor in the full-frame DSLR class. Does high ISO noise mar the picture?

Award: Highly Recommended!

Review summary: In the cut-throat digital camera market it's increasingly unusual for products to be shown in prototype form or announced more than a matter of weeks before they hit the stores. There's several reasons for the manufacturers' habit of playing their ...

Pros: Class-leading resolutionv (as long as your lenses are good enough), incredibly solid build quality, environmental sealing, Intuitive operation and uncluttered control and menu system, Excellent out of camera JPEG results with superb tonality, dynamic ...

Cons: Noise reduction settings applied to raw as well as JPEG files - cannot be 'turned off for raw but left on for JPEGs' (as is normal practice), Relatively high levels of noise at anything over ISO 400 (ISO 6400 is of very, very limited use), Destructive ...

Review summary: The Sony A900 is the flagship DSLR in the Alpha range. Announced in September 2008, it's the first model from Sony to feature a full-frame sensor, and the first full-frame DSLR in the world to boast built-in image stabilisation. The Alpha A900 also ...

Pros: Technically highest resolution to date., Built-in image stabilisation., Superb viewfinder with 100% coverage., Quick handling and 5fps shooting., Technically highest resolution to date., Built-in image stabilisation., Superb viewfinder with 100% ...

Cons: More noise than rivals above 400 ISO., No Live View or movie function., Upper information screen very basic., More noise than rivals above 400 ISO., No Live View or movie function., Upper information screen very basic.

Verdict: Another benefit of full-frame sensors are the large optical viewfinders which go with them. Sony's excelled itself here by delivering 100% coverage which compares favourably against its similarly-priced rivals. Completing the specification are a VGA ...

Review summary: Three new image stabilized Canon Powershots. They replace the A570is (4x zoom), the A720is (6x zoom and one of my favorites) and the SX100is (10x zoom).

Review summary: The Sony Alpha 900 is Sony's new full-frame, flagship SLR. It shoots 24.6 megapixel (6048 x 4032) shots at a maximum burst rate of five images per second. This impressive feat is courtesy of the new design for the shutter, and the dual BIONZ ...

Pros: - Full frame for a reasonable price - Solid, weather resistant construction - Well laid out controls and settings - Unique buttons for most common settings

Cons: - Heavy (2 lbs before battery and lens) - Still costs $3000

Verdict: The Sony Alpha 900 offers a full frame SLR at a reasonable price. In the short time we got to use it, it appeared sturdy, well designed, with clearly labeled buttons and a logical menu structure. It also fits well into the hand and is comfortable to ...