Sony Alpha SLTA33 DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black)
by Sony
Our Price: Calculated in a shopping cart
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Category: Digital Camera
See more product details
Customers in the UK,
buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: SonyModel: SLTA33
Color: Black
Product features:
- Translucent Mirror Technology accelerates AF performance
- Continuous 7 fps shooting with continuous Phase Detect AF
- Worlds1st consumer HD video camera w/ cont. Phase Detect AF
- 14.2 megapixels with Sony's Exmor HD APS sensor
- Manfrotto 7302YB M-Y Tripod with Ball - Replaces 725B
- AmazonBasics SDHC Class 10 4 GB Secure Digital Card
- AmazonBasics SDHC Class 4 32GB Secure Digital Card
- AmazonBasics SDHC Class 4 16GB Secure Digital Card
- AmazonBasics 8 GB Class 4 SDHC Flash Memory Card
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sony Alpha SLTA33 DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black)
Customer Review: Sony Hits a Home Run
Summary: 5 Stars
The Sony a33 is an easy no-brainer recommendation, particularly for the entry-level "SLR" user, but actually also for the more experienced photographer. There is no real need for me here to reproduce all the micro-detail that you can read about the a33, and its "bigger brother," the a55, both of which are categorized as "SLT" (single lens translucent) designs, not "SLR" (single lens reflex) -- a resurrection of a technology employed first by Canon many years ago -- but I can throw in a few practical items I've noted items from my own field testing of the camera that may be of some use if you're considering this camera.
Pros - Things I've liked so far:
+1. High build quality - the camera feels "tight" and well-built
+2. Advanced sensor technology that permits a slew of advanced photographic and video options not available on most any other SLR ("hand-held twilight mode," 7 frames per second shooting, noise reduction mode using layers of sequential photographs, automatic panoramic stitching, etc.)
+3. EXCEPTIONALLY good price (the a33 can be found right now at $600, and other sales may soon follow; I'm truly surprised Sony did not release these at the $1,500 price point)
+4. Small and lightweight compared to equivalent competitors
+5. Uses both SDHC/SDXC and Sony Memory Stick - you are no longer locked in the Memory Stick world, if you don't care to be
+6. Large, detailed screen (1 million pixels)
+7. Electronic viewfinder with 1 million pixels - this technology may force a rethinking of the "optical" prismatic design used in most conventional DSLRs
+8. Articulated screen - and it's big, too ( 3 inches)
+9. "alpha" lens mount opens the world of Zeiss lenses to you, if you want to go that route
+10. Sony has recently released a series of "alpha" mount lenses that are extremely low prices and offer generally good performance (could this be a Sony "first"?) if you don't want to get into expensive lens options yet
+11. Relatively lightweight battery for its class
+12. Overall, great performance in turn on speed, menu system
+13. INSTANTANEOUS live view focusing for most lenses - incredible speed - I've not seen any other "DSLR" focus this fast in live view
+14. Built-in help in the menuing system
+15. Great image quality when paired with the right lenses
+16. Comfortable and "grippy" grip
+17. Awesome "horizon level" indicator overlaid on the screen (every camera should have this)
+18. Good control of noise way up into higher ISO levels - 1600 ISO should be very usable, and even higher levels under certain conditions
+19. SUPERB high def video in AVCHD format, and I mean REALLY superb
+20. Sweep panoramic mode actual works (I was skeptical until I tried it for myself - its amazing)
Cons - Some things I'm not too wild about:
-1. Somewhat noisy mechanism on shooting - this is not the silent model you have come to expect with point and shoots, and don't let the translucent technology lull you into thinking the camera is silent during shooting: it's NOT (even though the mirror does not move, there is noise from the mechanical shutter system)
-2. Battery life perhaps not what we would like to see in this model (you'll be lucky to get 400 shots on a single battery, and I would not count on more than that, in spite of what you've read)
-3. The "alpha" lens set contains some superb lenses - the Zeiss and the Sony G's are rated as amongst the best of any brand - but you still will not have the virtually unlimited options offered by brands like Canon and Nikon (although you can get all kinds of Minolta glass in the used market that will work fine with this camera, and many of the Minoltas are dearly loved)
-4. If you are coming from a Sony DSC-R1 with that gorgeous f/2.8 lens at 24mm, don't count on finding that for this camera unless you're willing to fork out $1,500 for that type of a lens (which also shows what a remarkable camera the R1 was, one of Sony's best, ever)
-5. Memory stick slot makes insertion of memory stick difficult at points - you can't just shove the stick in as usual, but need to carefully "work" it in - this is a real pain
-6. The small size of the camera may take some getting used to, particularly if you are used to the big, oversized grips of traditional SLRs (although this may actually be an ADVANTAGE, depending on your own preferences)
-7. No depth of field preview in live mode
-8. If you are used to waist-level shooting with an articulating screen (which is what I loved about the DSC-R1), note that the projection of the viewfinder, though making it much easier to use, covers up part of your view as you look down to the articulated screen (again, only if you are doing waist-level shooting close to your body)
-9. Reports of overheating, though probably highly overblown and over reported, are of some concern (but note that many of us with the cameras are not reporting this problem, and many SLRs actually have the same issue; I have not yet encountered it, but have shot only limited video thus far)
-10. Sound on video recordings not that great (serious videographers will want to look into external microphone options)
A note on the a33 and a55 differences. There are not really too much to mention here. The cameras are physically identical. One shoots at 10 frames per second, with a larger memory buffer, the other, at 7 frames per second. The a55 also adds built-in GPS. The a55 has a slightly larger megapixel count on the sensor. In truth, unless you have a specialized need or requirement, I doubt you'll see much difference in the results of the two cameras. Right now there is a world-wide shortage of the a55, and this means you can probably get this a33 without much problem, and possibly, on sale!
What I can say here, though, is that if you are an entry level photographer wishing to learn the craft, the a33/a55 are probably the easiest recommendations I can make. They are high quality, high performance, and very inexpensive. They offer fantastic, computer based options (like some that I've listed above), and because the camera is still roughly physically modeled in the traditional SLR scheme, the cameras can serve as an entry point to really learning how to shoot. But that's not to say these cameras are only for amateurs - they certainly are not - because the platform is sufficient to turn out some truly great photos. The camera is also fun to use. It offers the features of the big units in a much smaller and lighter package, and you just can't say enough about the ability to have an articulated screen (many people really like this for shooting video, but I use it quite a bit in still photography.)
I've been purchasing Sony equipment for many, many years, and I've watched in horror with some of the things that has been done with the Sony line over the years. These a33/a55 cameras truly represent "real" Sony products in the Sony tradition. They are groundbreaking technological devices, are built very well, and seem like they will last a long time while turning out good performance. That they are so reasonably priced (some might even say cheap) is just icing on the cake. Five stars for technology, five stars for build, five stars for price.
Some Lenses of Interest:
Sony SAL-1680Z 16-80mm f/3.5-4.5 Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T DT Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Camera
Sony SAL70300G 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 SSM ED G-Series Compact Super Telephoto Zoom Lens
Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/Lens Hood
Sony SAL30M28 30mm f/2.8 Lens for Alpha Digital SLR Cameras
More Sony Alpha SLTA33 DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black) reviews:
1 2
1 2
Description of Sony Alpha SLTA33 DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black)
Capture your perfect moments with the world?s first Translucent Mirror Technology DSLR enabling simultaneous focusing and capture. Continuous shooting is 7 frames per second, complete with continuous auto focus. Auto focus is also visibly faster in Live View and HD Movie modes.Digital SLRs
Digital Cameras and Photo Categories
Bestsellers in Digital SLRs
Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera + Nikon 18-135mm AF-S Lens + Extra Nikon EN-EL3e BatteryNikon; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Leica DIGILUX 3 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera with Leica D 14-50mm f/ 2.8-3.5 ASPH Lens with Optical Image StabilizationLeica; Release date: 2006-11-15; Digital Camera
Best price: $3,999.00
Remanufactured Olympus EVOLT E500 8-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with 17-45 mm and 40-150 mm Zuiko LensesOlympus; Release date: 2009-11-30; Mac; Digital Camera
Best price: $999.77
Price in other shops:
Olympus Evolt E330 7.5MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)Olympus; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Canon EOS 20D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5Canon; Digital Camera
NIKON D2HS SLR 4.1 Megapixel Digital Camera - BODY ONLY (Refurbished by Nikon U.S.A.)Nikon; Digital Camera
Canon Digital Rebel XT 8MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (Silver)Canon; Release date: 2009-11-30; Digital Camera
Best price: $749.00
Pentax *ist DS 6.1MP Digital Camera with Pentax DA 18-55mm f/ 3.5-5.6 AL Digital SLR LensPentax; Digital Camera
Price in other shops:
Nikon MF27 Databack for F5 35mm SLR Camera (4665)Nikon; Digital Camera
Nikon D300 inBrief Laminated Reference Cardby Blue Crane Digital
Blue Crane Digital; Blue Crane Digital; Published: 2008-03-07; Pamphlet; Book
Best price: $9.99
Price in other shops:
Similar digital cameras and accessories
Sony SAL18250 Alpha DT 18-250mm f/ 3.5-6.3 High Magnification Zoom Lens w/ Lens HoodSony; Digital Camera
Tiffen 62mm UV Protection FilterTiffen; Digital Camera
Best price: $5.99
Price in other shops:
Battery And Charger Kit For Sony Alpha A55, A33, DSLR SLT A55, SLT A33, NEX-3, NEX-5, NEX-5N, NEX-C3, NEX-7 Includes Replacement Extended NP-FW50 (1500 mAH) Battery + Ac/ Dc 110/ 220 Travel Charger + LCD Screen Protectors + BP MicroFiber CleaningButterflyPhoto; Digital Camera
Best price: $24.95
Price in other shops:
Sony PCKLM1AM Semi-Hard Plastic LCD Screen Cover Protector for NEX-3, NEX-5, SLT-A33, and SLT-A55 Alpha Camera ModelsSony; Digital Camera
Best price: $5.40
Price in other shops:
Sony Alpha SAL35F18 A-mount Wide Angle Lens (Black)Sony; Digital Camera
Best price: $218.00
Zeikos ZE-NPFW50 2200mAh Li-Ion Rechargeable Battery for Sony NP-FW50 (Black)Zeikos; Digital Camera
Best price: $10.99
Price in other shops:
Sony 50mm f/ 1.8 SAM DT Lens for Sony Alpha Digital SLR CamerasSony; Digital Camera
Best price: $168.00
Tamron AF 18-200mm f/ 3.5-6.3 XR Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro Zoom Lens for Konica Minolta and Sony Digital SLR CamerasTamron; Digital Camera
Best price: $299.00
Sony NPFW50 Rechargeable Battery Pack - Black - Retail PackagingSony; Digital Camera
Best price: $52.17
Price in other shops:
David Busch's Sony Alpha SLT-A55/ A33 Guide to Digital Photographyby David D. Busch, Alexander S. White
Course Technology PTR; Published: 2011-02-28; Paperback; Book
Best price: $17.55
Price in other shops: