Sony SLT-A57 - the GH2 killa?

S

sparky33

Well-known member
Now obviously this is pure speculation, but let's reflect on what this camera has that the GH2 doesn't (and I've owned 3 GH2's):

1. Focus peaking
2. In-body image stabilization
3. 60p video, for sweet slow motion 24p
4. Much faster continuous autofocus in video mode due to the SLT
5. The ability to change ISO during recording
6. (Arguably) better colors
7. Many more native Alpha lens choices
8. Drastically better IQ for stills

There reportedly is a zoom feature up to 2x that uses the center of the sensor like the GH2, and I have found a Youtube video with someone using it during video mode. Unfortunately it wasn't in HD so I can't tell how good or bad this is.

Downsides:
1. Video detail still not as sharp as GH2.
2. Sony limited to 29:59 if it doesn't overheat first

I have one on order; will report back in. 2 really nice things about the SLT-A57 over the A65/A77 is the fact that the video is not limited to ISO 1600 and it uses the tried and true 16 megapixel sensor.
Shawn
 
Well I finally found a manual. Apparently the "Clear image zoom" is not available during movie mode. So the GH2's ETC mode still reigns supreme.
 
sparky - I posted on this a few weeks ago here: http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthrea...-video&p=1986102935&viewfull=1#post1986102935

I like the fact that it shoots 1080/60p - and the lightning fast SLT video autofocus is awesome, but the 30 minute limit, lack of "ETC", and the tripod-unfriendly flip-out LCD keep me from buying it (and the jury is still out on moire and overheating...)

Please let us know how the camera performs - there hasn't been much buzz on the fora..

Cheers,

Bill
 
Bill, here's the video results for the SLT-A57 so far. It does have the 29:50 limit per "take", but I'm at 1 hour 35 minutes and it hasn't shut down due to overheating. The temp indicator came on at 1 hour 4 minutes though. Here's the specifics:

Settings:

1080p60, 28 mb mode (60 PS):
Tracking focus: ON
Shooting mode: P
Autofocus: On
Image Stabilization: ON
AWB, STD color profile
Lens: Sony 35mm F/1.8

Just got the camera tonight and didn't yet charge the battery all the way.

First run, battery began @ 47% charged:
Recorded for 29:50, no overheat indicator. End battery charge: 30%

2nd run, immediately hit record again
Recorded for 29:50, no overheat indicator. End battery charge: 12%

3rd run, immediately hit record again

Record for 4:00 then overheat indicator came on. Did not shut off though; continued to record until 29:50. Battery went from 1% indicator to the low battery icon @ 19 minutes of shooting.

4th run - what's interesting this time is the temp indicator did not immediately go away like my 5n does once you stop video recording. Beginning the 4th round with the low battery icon on; I am curious if it smartly writes the file to disk before completely running out of power.
Will report back very shortly.
 
Sparky, which do you think is better for video, this or the 5N? Are there any advantages to the 5N in terms of video capabilities? Is the A57 just as good as the A77/A65 when it comes to video? I've been impressed with some of the footage I've seen from those cameras. One thing I don't like, I seem to recall reading that what you see on the screen while filming is not exactly what you get.
 
One more thing sparky, how well do you think the image stabilization works? I see that you have the 35mm 1.8. With the IS turned on is handheld footage pretty smooth?
 
hgf4 said:
Sparky, which do you think is better for video, this or the 5N? Are there any advantages to the 5N in terms of video capabilities? Is the A57 just as good as the A77/A65 when it comes to video? I've been impressed with some of the footage I've seen from those cameras. One thing I don't like, I seem to recall reading that what you see on the screen while filming is not exactly what you get.
Click to expand...

I sold the 5n. For stabilized (ie on a tripod/monopod/stabilizer) manual focus low light the 5n is better due to no mirror. For AF and/or handheld the A57 is far superior, but you do get the 1.86x drop in video mode for the stabilization. I went back and viewed some of my GH2 footage from last summer (handheld) and realized how much better the Sony footage looks overall due to the stabilization.

I shot a video in 60p last night of me walking around my car; I was out testing the wind noise and NOT the stabilization (meaning I wasn't trying to be stable!). This is handheld; I will trim it enough to mask out my license plate number and you can pull down the video and tell me what you think. Will throw it up on Vimeo.
Shawn
 
You said that a57 is not limited to iso 1600 in video mode like a65 and a77. So whats the maximum iso for a57 in video mode?
I'm about to buy nex 5n but when i know that a57 can go higher iso in video mode i might interested to this new slt..

Thanks
 
The 5N gets to 3200, but that one is pretty useless, posterized noise in the shadows becomes a huge problem, I'd rather stay at ISO 1600 maximum
 
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