It's not clear whether you performed one of the most important tests on
the Sony which is to see how fast and accurately it can focus in low
light. The behavior of the Sony says clearly that it is using an
interline sensor (ala P&S and live view cameras) vs a full frame sensor
as typically found in DSLRs. (full frame in this context does not refer
to the sensor size). That live view sensor gives you marvelous feedback
on focus and exposure but has a big drawback in that it depends on
contrast measurement on the image sensor vs. phase detection in a
separate autofocus sensor. Phase detection has historically been much
faster and more accurate than contrast detection.
That said, from what I read it appears that Panasonic has figured out
how to do contrast detect autofocus with speed and accuracy approaching
(but not yet equaling) that of phase detection systems. It also appears
that Olympus has not yet done so. I have no idea where Sony's
technology is on contrast detection focusing. It might be great but I
think you'd better give it a good working over in low light before you buy.
The Minolta A1 is a superlative camera. One of it's greatest features
is that it uses a P&S type interline sensor and gives that same sort of
instant feedback on focus and exposure. But one of its worst features
is that it uses a P&S type interline sensor and is totally unable to
focus in low light conditions. Notice I did not say focuses slowly... I
said it's unable to focus. The only thing that saved it in certain
conditions is that, due to its very great depth of field, one could use
hyperfocal methods, pre-focus the lens and then tape it in place. The
A1 is at least 6 year old technology. The Sony should be far superior.
I hope it is.
Chuck Norcutt
On 4/17/2011 1:01 PM, Willie Wonka wrote:
> First the disclaimer:
>
> I honestly dont see any rational reason why the viewfinder should
> exist. I came to this conclusion during film days after acquiring
> Yashika D TLR which had a ground glass that you can stare at with
> both eyes from whatever distance you like.
>
> Back on topic. The rest of the family forced me to go to the mall
> and we stopped at Best Buy where I made initial evaluation of several
> cameras.
>
> There were 8 cameras on display:3 Canons, 4 Nikons and 1 Sony. I
> couldnt turn one of the Nikons on. First thing I did was to put them
> all in manual. Second, was to evaluate how easy the controls were
> placed and how the cameras feel in my hands. Third was to see which
> one has the feature I value most in a camera-seeing how the exposure
> affects the picture in real time.
>
> In all accounts, the Sony A33 won hands down. What a little jewel.
> The way it handles, it looks and feels is a light years ahead. I
> also found that the Nikons are better in ergonomics looks and feels
> than the Canons. The 60D is ok I guess, but the Rebels feel like
> disposables. The low end Nikons, such as, the 3000 feel kinda like
> the Canon 60D, but the more expensive models feel well...more
> expensive...:)
>
> When it comes to what you call "Live View", I have no idea why it is
> implemented into the Nikons...and in the Canons it is kinda like an
> afterthought. No wander why some even in the pro circles are still
> talking about "chimping", they havent caught up with the technology
> yet.
>
> If you rely on the viewfinder, the A33's viewfinder wont convince you
> to switch, as you see that it is an electronic viewfinder. Barely,
> but you see it. I could draw an analogy with when you watch
> something on a really good quality HD TV. You know that it is not
> like being at the scene, but see amazing detail. If it were me, I
> would eliminate it. You should see that fantastic articulating LCD.
>
> Wifey asked me why I put the camera in M. So I showed her what the
> most important feature is to me: I pointed the camera towards a
> darkish desk and let it fill the lower third of the frame. Above it
> were bright showcases and at the top one could see the bright walls
> of the store. I adjusted the camera exposure to expose correctly the
> walls and showcases, which caused the lower third of the screen
> showing the desk to become black. Then I started adjusting the speed
> and showed her how the exposure changes in real time. I stopped
> right before the lights in the showcases were blown out and that gave
> me enough detail in the lower third, as I was able to see the desk
> features. I also explained to her that in some pictures you want to
> use the low and high key techniques in order to achieve the desired
> effect and this gives you a chance to see the amount of
> over/underexposure you apply in real time as if you were looking at
> the final print.
>
> I was able to "chimp" after taking the picture with the most
> expensive of the Nikons. I liked what I saw, but the LCD isnt up to
> par with the one found in the Sony. The LCDs that the Canons use are
> just plain horrid. They are three times the size of the one on my
> A200, but you can really see the level of detail, thats how horrible
> they are.
>
> It appears that their engineers got the hint and attempted to
> implement the kinda of live view as found in the Sony, but one can
> adjust it to +/- 2fstops only. It is really slow as it takes about a
> second to refresh the screen. If you overexpose, the screen looses
> contrast to the point that you barely recognise the outlines of the
> subjects. In the opposite direction, they become muddy and fuzzy. I
> dont think anyone in the Canon camp is using it or has no idea that
> it even exist. The playback images were bad too, they look like very
> noisy images.
>
> Turning any of the dials on the Nikons resulted in no changes on the
> LCD, with the exception of an indicator how much the image has been
> under/over exposed, but you dont have an idea what the final image
> looks like until after you take the picture and "chimp".
>
> So this is it, this is the test. Everything else could be determined
> from the reviews online. It also showed me, that my initial gut
> feeling was right, the A33/55 are prolly the best for me. Last step,
> before I make the final decision would be to do the same to the GH2.
>
> You know what I am looking for and if you have any suggestions about
> other cameras, let me know. I would like to make a purchase within
> couple of months.
>
> HTH
>
> Boris
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