Review Date: July 4, 2011
Category: Family DSLR – Beginner Amateur
Sony SLT-A35
USER’S EXPERIENCE
Friday, June 10, 2011 – Here’s what I receive in the box:
- Sony Alpha SLT-A35 with body cap
- Kit lens DT 18-55/F3.5-5.6 SAM Ø55mm with Lens cap, Lens Rear Cap
- No memory card
- Li-ion Battery NP-FW50 7.2V 1080mAh 7.7Wh
- BC-VW1 Battery Charger
- USB Cable
- Documentation:
- Software CDs:
Note: This is a preview of a pre-production model and not all the items that usually come with a production model are therefore included. I will update this list when I get a production model.
The Sony SLT-A35 should be the DSLR every point-and-shoot digicam user upgrades to. It combines the best of both worlds: all the advantages of a DSLR, including performance, image quality and flexibility, plus the added convenience of lightnng-fast Live View AF.
You also get the advantage of interchangeable lenses on a body that’s smaller and lighter than traditional DSLRs. Since the SLT-A35 has sensor-based image stabilization, every lens attached immediately benefits from image stabilization.
The buttons placement and functionality are not “standard” so if you are already a DSLR user, you may get a little bit flustered at first. But if you are a compact digicam user, it should make no difference to you. Sony is banking on its target market being the latter.
What I really miss is a tilt LCD. I have come to expect it on every camera these days and cannot imagine not having one. In fact, I spent a good 2 minutes trying to get the LCD to tilt (there are two notches at the bottom of the LCD that seem to indicate it could) and had to eventually admit it just won’t. Why should all cameras now include a tiltable LCD? Unless you are an inveterate viewfinder user, most of your shots using a LCD is easier on the neck and eyes if you can simply tilt the LCD up. This is especially true if you use a tripod a lot and/or do a lot of macro shooting.
What I like about the SLT-A35:
- A really enjoyable camera.
- Very good to excellent image quality with low noise up to ISO 800.
- Very good handling and feel.
- Fast and precise AF, even in low light.
- Best Live View experience on a DSLR: AF is as fast as you should expect from a DSLR.
- Viewfinder extends far behind LCD screen avoiding ‘oily nose’ syndrome
No review is complete without a couple of improvement suggestions:
- A tiltable LCD screen would be ideal.
The Sony SLT-A35 provides the best migration path for a compact digicam shooter to an entry-level DSLR. Its unique translucent mirror makes Live View practically useful on a DSLR and should make the SLT-A35 easy to use and not too overwhelming for those coming from the point-and-shoot world. The instant AF lock of the Phase-detect sensor in Live View is an experience all in itself and if you give it a try, you may find yourself quickly convinced that this is the right DSLR for you.
Next: Panasonic A35 QuickFact Sheet / Buy