Sony Alpha SLT-A33 Digital Camera with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black)

I've only owned this camera for a few days and I can't say enough good things about it. My lens is the 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 Cameras . I also own Pentax K7, Pentax Kx and Panasonic G1. I'm an enthusiast and not even a semi-pro. But this camera performs well beyond my expectation and the features are incredible. I don't shoot video so this review does not cover any of the video attributes of the camera. The electronic view finder is the best I've seen. The panorama feature is amazing and the HDR images are magical even hand held. I've compared similar photos under same conditions with the Pentax and the Panasonic and the Sony photos as good if not better than the other cameras. They are sharp, noise free and show virtually no fringing even under the worst conditions (black tree branches under a bright sky). The tilt-out LCD is real plus. There have been a lot of comments about short battery life. That may be true but I've found that one battery carries me for a full day of shooting and with a spare in my pocket, I have no fear of runnning out of juice. Perhaps the short battery life reputation is only a myth since this is the first camera I've owned that continuously displays a numerical percentage of battery power left. I definitely rate this with 5 stars with no reservations.

Although I like the Sony brand, this camera didn't stand to the company's reputation for quality and reliability. Soon after I purchased this camera I went on a cruise in the Caribbean and while on vacation the camera started shutting off for no reason. When I tried to take a video, it shuts down because the camera will over heat after about 7 minutes of filming. Upon my return I quickly put it back into the box, and request a refund, which, Amazon was happy to do. But I didn't let that experience damper my enthusiasm about Sony products because once my refund was complete I turned around and bought the Sony A65 which I am still using today. Would I recommend this camera to a friend. No. No. No. And if you really want to buy this camera, just Google first it and see what comes up.

I upgraded from a Sony R-1 because I wanted a faster camera with an equivalent lens (Carl Zeiss zoom lens, note review of same). The camera is fast indeed. Coupled with facial recognition, photographing active people is a whole new exerience. The auto + setting recognizes back lit scenes, hand held twilight and other modes automatically and correctly. After a couple of tries I was able to take a perfect panorama photo with all the stiching done by the camera software, without using a tripod. The hand held twilight setting takes multiple photos and combines them for the best shot (great shot of the neighbor's eleaborate Christmas lights). The auto + recognition of back light scenes worked extremely well. In short the camera allows the photographer to focus on the subject and composition, and pretty much takes care of anything else. The sensor works extremely well in low light, I initially believed the built in fash was not working before I realized the camera had much better low light sensitivity than did th R-1. As a result I purchased the lowest powered Sony stroble for bounce flash, saving considerable weight as well as cost. As the R-1 had a fixed Carl Zeiss lens, my comments on backwards compatibility do not apply to lenses. However, the A-33 uses a different battery and a different hot shoe for the strobe. The strobe uses Triple A batteries instead of AA battereis as well requiring a new battery charger (which Sony does not market). I did not buy the camera for its movie making ability, but the feature works extremely well, with continuing autofocus and live view. I will now be exploring this capability, which will require a whole new skill set. The built in mike does pick up on the noise generated when the camera refocuses, so a separate (and stereo) mike is a future accessory if I get serious about movies. I opted for the A-33 vs. the A-55 because I wanted fewer megapixels on the larger sensor, and did not want a GPS unit constantly searching for satellites (as the power saving feature and infrequent shooting makes it operation intermittent at best). The A-33 also clears its buffer faster, and allows longer movie shooting before overheating. I expect a little bit better battery life. Battery life is one of the few things that the R-1 did better, and I have ordered a second battery to have on hand. I have not mastered the menu system (which is also changed from the R-1). The viewing mode and movies recording mode are both external buttons, a plus. Given its versatility in Auto + it will be awhile before I gain this proficiency. Both the electronic view finder and live view are much improved from the R-1. The LCD screen is sharp and vivid although I have not tested it in bright sunlight (I live in Ohio and bought the camera this November). The view finder provides 100% of what the camera sees, and has plenty of room for data. I do like the "level" feature available in both views, and the indicators telling me where the camera is measuring light. No doubt some of my enthusiam reflects the general advances in digital camera over the last 4 years. But I am really happy with this camera. I look forward to photographing cycling events this summer and playing with the continous shooting mode. The capabilities of this camera, both known and as yet unexplored, has stimulated my life long interest in photography. The camera is small, but I have large hands and no difficulty with it although it took some getting used to.I use a Carl Zeiss 16-80 zoom, making this a two handed operation.

Camera stopped working while at SeaWorld, the main board was fried. I took it to a local shop since I bought it 15 months ago and they told me it would be over 400 dollars to fix, took it to another shop for a second opinion with the same results. , I can get a new camera for a little more. After a quick internet search it seems that this is a common issue in this camera. I took great care of the camera and loved it when it was working but will not by another Sony DSLR, I have friends with Cannons and Nikons that put their cameras trough torture and they are still working after 3 years. The only good news is that I had the camera insured so I am not out of pocket!