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Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 · Photo source
Sony · Alpha
Alpha DSLR-A900
A 24.6 MP full-frame DSLR with sensor-shift stabilisation, a 100% optical viewfinder and 5 fps continuous shooting.
- Type
- DSLR
- Sensor
- Full frame
- Megapixels
- 24.6
- Lens
- Sony A-mount
- Video
- –
- Body weight
- 850 g
What reviewers say
Both reviews praised image detail, colours, the viewfinder and robust build, while noting missing live view and high-ISO noise. PhotographyBlog praised intuitive controls and considered noise less important at ordinary print sizes; TechRadar criticised finish and price, and found ISO 6400 too compromised. PhotographyBlog also reported limited AF coverage and persistent sensor dust.
From photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com, photographyblog.com and techradar.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specImage and sensor
- Camera type
- DSLR
- Sensor format
- Full frame
- Sensor type
- CMOS
- Sensor dimensions
- 35.9 × 24 mm
- Effective resolution
- 24.6 MP
- Largest image
- 6048 × 4032
- RAW recording
- Yes
- Standard ISO range
- 200–3200
- Sensor detail
- Exmor CMOS; approximately 25.7 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and sensor-shift dust removal
- Image formats
- JPEG, RAW (Sony ARW 2.1), compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; 3:2, cropped 16:9 and approximately 11 MP APS-C crop. Sony’s Hong Kong launch PDF says ARW 2.0; the exact Japanese spec sheet and press table specify ARW 2.1.
- ISO detail
- Standard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3-stop steps, with expanded ISO 100–6400; Auto ISO 200–1600 with selectable limits
- Image processor
- Dual BIONZ image-processing engines
Lens and shooting
- Lens mount
- Sony A-mount
- Stabilisation
- Sensor shift
- Maximum continuous burst
- 5 fps
- Lens detail
- Interchangeable Sony A-mount; compatible Sony, Minolta and Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT lenses trigger APS-C crop, but Sony does not guarantee full exposure performance with APS-C-only DT optics.
- Autofocus
- TTL phase detection with nine selectable points (centre dual-cross) and ten non-selectable assist points; additional F2.8 precision sensor; single-shot, automatic and continuous AF, direct manual focus and manual focus; EV 0–18 detection at ISO 100; LED AF-assist lamp. AF micro-adjustment stores up to 30 lenses; no Eye-Start AF according to Sony’s exact Japanese table, despite the Hong Kong press table listing it.
- Shutter
- Electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second plus Bulb; flash sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with it on; mirror-up drive mode
- Burst detail
- Up to 5 fps Hi or 3 fps Lo; maker buffer claims 285 Standard JPEGs, 105 Fine JPEGs, 11 Extra Fine JPEGs, 12 RAW/cRAW or ten RAW/cRAW+JPEG frames; depends on memory card and shooting conditions
- Stabilisation detail
- SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; Sony claims approximately 2.5–4 stops depending on lens and shooting conditions; excludes Minolta AF Macro Zoom 3X–1X F1.7–2.8
- Flash
- No built-in flash; proprietary Alpha flash shoe and PC sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL with compatible external units. Wireless control requires an HVL-F58AM and another compatible flash.
- Exposure controls
- Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual and Auto; no scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb, centre-weighted or spot metering; ±3 EV compensation in 1/2- or 1/3-stop steps; D-Range Optimizer, 13 Creative Styles, Quick Navi and three saved shooting setups
Screen and viewfinder
- Viewfinder
- Optical
- Screen size
- 3″
- Screen dots
- 921,600
- Display detail
- Fixed 3.0-inch Xtra Fine LCD, 921,600 dots (640 × 480 RGB subpixels), with anti-reflection coating; separate small top status LCD
- Viewfinder detail
- Fixed eye-level pentaprism; approximately 100% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; built-in eyepiece shutter; user-replaceable G/L/M focusing screens; optical depth-of-field preview
Connections and design
- Battery life (maker's claim)
- 880 photographs
- Body weight
- 850 g
- Release detail
- Sony Europe’s spokesperson told Photography Bay that main-market availability began at the end of September 2008; month precision retained. Regional maker announcements give October 2008 for Hong Kong and 23 October 2008 for Japan.
- Recording media
- Separate CompactFlash Type I/II (UDMA Mode 5) and Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo slots; Microdrive support; user selects recording medium, without simultaneous dual-card recording (PhotographyBlog)
- Ports
- USB 2.0 Hi-Speed; HDMI mini for still-image playback; NTSC/PAL video output; wired remote-release connector, flash sync and DC input; supplied software supports computer remote control
- Battery life detail
- NP-FM500H; Sony CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs per charge; optional VG-C90AM grip holds two batteries. PhotographyBlog achieved barely half the claim during its review use.
- Charging
- Supplied BC-VM10 external charger; optional AC-VQ900AM adaptor/charger
- Dimensions
- Approximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 mm (width × height × depth), excluding protrusions
- Weight detail
- Approximately 850 g without battery, memory card, lens or accessories; PhotographyBlog describes just under 930 g with battery, without providing a precise loaded figure
- Materials
- Magnesium-alloy front, rear and upper covers with aluminium internal chassis; seals reduce dust and moisture ingress. Sony explicitly says the camera is not waterproof or splash-proof.
- Colours
- Black
- In the box
- NP-FM500H battery, BC-VM10 charger and power cord, RMT-DSLR1 wireless remote, USB and video cables, shoulder strap, eyecup, remote clip, body and shoe caps, software CD
Video
- Video detail
- Still-image DSLR without video recording or rear-screen live view; Intelligent Preview captures a temporary image for exposure, white balance and D-Range Optimizer simulation rather than a live feed
Pros and cons
Pros
- Sensor-shift stabilisation for full-frame photography
- Optical viewfinder with approximately 100% coverage
- Separate CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo slots
Cons
- No live view or video recording
- No built-in flash
- 850 g body weight before battery and lens
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Sensor | Megapixels | Lens | Video | Body weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSLR | Full frame | 24.5 | Nikon F mount | – | 1220 g | Dec 2008 | |
| DSLR | Full frame | 12.1 | Nikon F mount | – | 995 g | Jul 2008 | |
| DSLR | Full frame | 12.1 | Nikon F mount | – | 1240 g | Nov 2007 |
Sources
- sony.jp/ichigan/products/archive/DSLR-A900/spec.html
- sony.jp/CorporateCruise/Press/200809/08-0910
- sony.com.hk/press/pdf/20080910_01e.pdf
- photographybay.com/2008/09/20/qa-with-sony-on-the-a900
- photographyblog.com/pages/reviews/reviews_sony_a900.php
Photo: sony.jp
- Sony Alpha A900, black body, rear display and controls: Sony Japan; A900 product-photo section, black body, rear display and controls.
