Body upgrade progression for Alpha users ?

[wildman]

Recently I upgraded from an A200 to an A700. It was a relatively good deal as I sold my A200 with Meike grip + kit lens for 200 quid and got the A700 for 350 quid.

I am happy with my A700, but I think in a few months I might want to trade in again for something newer, but the caveat being I don't want to lose any performance.

Looking at the current range of Alphas out I am not sure where to go next. I think a FF body is probably overkill so that rules out A900. so that leaves A57, A65 or A77.

Would I be correct in assuming the A77 is the 'new / replacement' model for the A700 and if thats the case I guess the relationship between the A65 and the A77 is the equialent of the A850 to the A900 i.e a cut down version with a few less bells and whistles or is it all different compared to the old Axxx range now ?

 

[Columbo]

Would I be correct in assuming the A77 is the 'new / replacement' model for the A700 and if thats the case I guess the relationship between the A65 and the A77 is the equialent of the A850 to the A900 i.e a cut down version with a few less bells and whistles or is it all different compared to the old Axxx range now ?

Whether or not the A77 is a decent upgrade for you is entirely based upon you and how you shoot. Does the A77 offer you something that you think is missing from your A700?

Yes the A77 is a direct replacement for the A700 but I think you are wrong about the A77 / A65 relationship.

The A65 is a cut down A77, it basically has all the same features but doesn't have a mag alloy body, top LCD, dual control dials etc etc.

The A850 / A900 will be replaced shortly by the rumoured A99 which will be Sony's first full frame SLT. The chances are it will the same 36mp sensor that's in the Nikon D800.

One of my fellow tog's owns an A77 and in handling terms its ruddy superb. I love the flexible LCD on the back, the Live view system is excellent and something which I could seriously make use of and I could even get to grips with the EVF I think.

However one area which would seriously put me off is the ISO performance. At 3200 and above its nothing but awful when compared to similarly priced rivals.

It does have a handheld twilight mode that does actually work but for serious tog's such as wedding photographers who rely on good high ISO output the A77 is simply not an option.

If high ISO noise is something you are not worried about then I see no reason not to give one a go.

 

[Side5wipe]

I went from a700 to a77. I can say it is a worthy replacement. Once i got used to the EVF i dont even notice its EVF anymore. The high ISO is a bit of a let down but i dont tend to shoot higher than 800 anyway.
Can i ask why you feel the need to upgrade so soon, wasnt not to long ago you got your a700.

If you want some ideas of image quality from the a77 you can look in my sig. Everything apart from the Iceland set (used a700 for that one) are taken with my a77.

 

[wildman]

Whether or not the A77 is a decent upgrade for you is entirely based upon you and how you shoot. Does the A77 offer you something that you think is missing from your A700?

If high ISO noise is something you are not worried about then I see no reason not to give one a go.

I think the main offerings from the 77 over the 700 are the live view and higher mp and video. I know mp is not everything, but sometimes i PP when you do a very large crop more mp = more quality retained. I know the answer to this is probably I should spend the grand on decent glass rather than a new body.

I think the highest ISO I have shot at so far on the 700 was 3200 and I was quite happy with the results. This TBH is the part that I am the most unsure of in the new alpha range. I read the reviews in last months DSLR magazine and compared to other brands in the same price bracket the 77 did come out worse for high ISO

I went from a700 to a77. I can say it is a worthy replacement. Once i got used to the EVF i dont even notice its EVF anymore. The high ISO is a bit of a let down but i dont tend to shoot higher than 800 anyway.
Can i ask why you feel the need to upgrade so soon, wasnt not to long ago you got your a700.

If you want some ideas of image quality from the a77 you can look in my sig. Everything apart from the Iceland set (used a700 for that one) are taken with my a77.

I am quite happy with the 700 thus far, but I am thinking about the medium term future as the 700 is going to start showing its age quite soon against the newer models being released so I am trying to get my research in early