- Conclusion Get the lowdown
- Features How it compares
- Performance Real world benchmarks
- Differences Technical showdown
- Reviews Word on the street
- Competition Others to consider
- Discussion Answers and opinions
Sony SLT A65
- 24 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
Released August, 2011
Rated 90% by by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)Image quality is excellent, with results from the 24.3 APS-C sensor easily rivalling the DSLR competition.
Conclusion Check out the Sony SLT A65
First reviewed December, 2011
Features Key features of the Sony SLT A65
24 MP
APS-C
Rated 100% by by Ty--DVS-1 (Dec, 2012)I love the HD Movie capability, and am now considering a second camera body to use for multi camera music video production.
megapixels
| 0 MP | 16 MP    | 30 MP |
SLT A65 by Photography Blog (Nov, 2011)The Sony A65 can shoot full-resolution 24.3 megapixel pictures at up to 10fps whilst maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure, an impressively fast rate for such an inexpensive camera.
SLT A65 by J.-Donaldson--Cal-diver (Apr, 2013)Not only is the image quality very good but I also find that photo processing algorithms work better on my computer with these high pixel count images.
sensor size
SLT A65 by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattIf you are willing to trade some of the low light ability for 1) more compact lenses/body; 2) much less money than a full frame system; 3) the best video you've ever seen from a DSLR camera, then this system is for you . . . and is a very good deal.
SLT A65 by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattIf you are willing to trade some of the low light ability for: 1) a more compact lenses/body; 2) much less money than a full frame system; 3) some of the better video one can get from a DSLR camera, then this system is for you . . . and is a very good deal.
viewfinder size
SLT A65 by Eric-Tessmer--Honolulu-Hawaii (Mar, 2012)Unlike optical viewfinders, the size of an EVF doesn't have to be constrained by the size of the camera's sensor, which means it's possible to offer a finder much closer to the size photographers enjoyed when they shot film SLRs.
SLT A65 by Greg-R. (Jun, 2012)The EVF - While you do lose 1/3 of the light to the fixed-mirror design, you make up for it with the amazing EVF and the camera's speed.
body size
132 x 97 x 81 mm
120 x 67 x 43 mm
143 x 104 x 81 mm
SLT A65 by J.-Donaldson--Cal-diver (Apr, 2013)The truth is the three lenses I have add so much weight that the overall weight difference with the new body isn't really that much.
SLT A65 by Damian-P.-Gadal (May, 2012)This camera isn't heavy and bulky, so it's easy to carry around and have some fun with.
focus points
| 0 | 39  | 100 |
SLT A65 by jstover33 (Nov, 2011)Yeah, I guess it has a couple more focus points, but in real world I don't think that matters.
SLT A65 by J.-Donaldson--Cal-diver (Apr, 2013)Third it has more focus points which I now understand makes it focus faster.
Performance Real world tests of Sony SLT A65
DxOMark image quality
SLT A65 by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattSony made a clear decision to trade low light ability for speed, resolution and detail in better light.
DxOMark low light performance
SLT A65 by J.Xu (Apr, 2012)Great features such as handheld twilight that work wonders in low light situation (it actually works)!
SLT A65 by Heath--batman_7 (Mar, 2013)This camera is awesome in low light, average light, good light, etc..
shutter lag
| 0 ms | 269 ms   | 200 ms |
SLT A65 by Damian-P.-Gadal (May, 2012)It is solid, with no real noticeable shutter lag, and the results are often stunning.
continuous shooting
SLT A65 by J.Xu (Apr, 2012)It is the only camera on the market with 24mp and 10fps burst mode for under a grand.
SLT A65 by sfreez (Nov, 2011)* After 10-12 pic burst at 10 fps, slows to 1.5 fps while buffer is clearing.
battery life
560 photos
315 photos
360 photos
SLT A65 by Eddison-O-Neal-Fowler (Dec, 2012)The battery life is better than I expected for a 24 mp camera with so many qualities.
SLT A65 by S.-Vogt (Apr, 2012)Battery life: Okay, but I would buy a spare if you're out shooting for long periods of time.
Our analysis How does it stack up against its top 10 competitors
pros
-
Phase detection focusing system -
HD video -
Generic -
10 fps -
APS-C -
Gives you more flexibility when framing your shot -
HD video -
Records the location of your photos automatically -
138 ms -
24 MP -
0.71x -
Sensor shift -
Create 3D photos to view on a 3D TV -
Translucent -
100% -
Great for recording movies -
Stitches together multiple photos into a single ultra-wide view -
88.04% -
For that film look
cons
-
2,800 ms -
3 -
717 ISO -
Aug, 2011 -
Use buttons to access features and menus -
You'll have to protect your camera from the elements -
1/4000 s -
81 mm -
132 x 97 x 81 mm
Reviews Word on the street
 |  
|
|---|---|
 | Rated by 71 users at amazon.com Rated 100% by by Alex-Parker (Nov, 2011) Rated 80% by by S.-Vogt (Apr, 2012)  Rated 100% by by Greg-R. (Jun, 2012) |
Lens
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by jstover33 (Nov, 2011)I also compared these lens to the kit lens...the kit lens is no POS.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by RAS--RAS (Feb, 2013)Although the lens was almost as expensive as the camera body, it's much better quality than most lenses that come with camera package deals.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by bored99 (Aug, 2012)Bigger aperture numbers-like 20-have more depth of field, and smaller apertures have smaller depth of field.
Sensor
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattBest high ISO performance outside of a FF sensor (and full weather sealing - unheard of at this price point), but limited movie mode support (no options for external mic, no dedicated movie button, no still shooting during movies) - Pentax was really thinking about stills when they made this camera, and although its low light abilities are clearly better than the A65's - and anything else in the sub-frame world - if you are not shooting in low light much of the time, the Sony is the more `balanced' choice.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattThe Olympus OMD 5 has fantastic high ISO performance for a micro 4/3 sensor (better than either the Nikon 3200 or the Sony A65), underscoring that manufacturers are continually moving the goalposts in terms of improving both high ISO performance and resolution at the same time.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by D.-F.-Watt--dfwattThe Olympus OMD 5 has fantastic high ISO performance for a micro 4/3 sensor (better than either the Nikon 3200 or the Sony A65 frankly) and also offers better JPEG definition than either Sony or Nikon (to the point where RAW post processing typically yields little).
Video
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by Heath--batman_7 (Mar, 2013)It's so good at video, that I may use it more for video than I intended.
Image quality
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by JJ-MacCrimmon--JJ-MacCrimmon-Photography (Jun, 2012)In each case, the camera admirably adjusted for light conditions on automatic, auto+ and scene settings while producing excellent color saturation, sharp focus and great image resolution.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by Sandy (Aug, 2012)The picture quality is far more superior than my old camera.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by AG--SoonersBased on the picture quality, it really deserves that gold award it got on Dpreview.
Focus
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 100% by by TAPDSGN (Jan, 2013)Auto-focus during video is pretty good and having image stabilization built into the body is such a large benefit that that feature alone makes the camera worth a lot more (depending on what lenses you shoot with).
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 80% by by mwmcginnis (Nov, 2011)While the continuos autofocus in video mode is great, the built in mic picks up every little noise the kit lens makes while adjusting focus.
Sony SLT A65 | Rated 80% by by brenco (Oct, 2012)The good point is the speed, the AF is also a big step over the a200...Recomend?
Competition What else you should consider
 | 1 | Sony SLT A77 OK cross-type focus points A77 vs A65 |
 | 2 | Sony SLT A57 Rated the best by consumers A57 vs A65 |
 | 3 | Pentax K-30 Largest sensor Pentax K-30 vs Sony SLT A65 |
 | 4 | Nikon D3200 Quite high resolution Nikon D3200 vs Sony SLT A65 |
 | 5 | Canon Rebel T4i Highest resolution screen Canon Rebel T4i vs Sony SLT A65 |
 | 6 | Nikon D5200 Best image quality as rated by DXOMark Nikon D5200 vs Sony SLT A65 |
 | 7 | Sony Alpha NEX-6 Fastest to start up Alpha NEX-6 vs SLT A65 |
 | 8 | Canon PowerShot SX50 HS Fastest rapid fire mode Canon PowerShot SX50 HS vs Sony SLT A65 |
New duel?
Let the battle continue or dare to compare.
Popular Questions
July 3, 2012
Which to buy??
Hi Guys! Reading such controversial feedback from both cameras I just can't make my mind up which to buy! My first dslr, I want to take nice shots when on holidays and when at gigs in low So...
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Answers Unanswered Questions
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Taking indoor action shots such as swimming or basketball
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I am a beginner film student and cannot make up my mind between Cannon Rebel T4i and Sony A65, or Sony A77 please help!
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Image Quality, Low Noise at High ISO
I am a professional Photographer. I choose Nikon as a complete system. Nikin D5100 offers most of the features available in 3 times expensive camera like Sony SLT-A65. It only lakes in 2 major in...
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Answers Community Find out what the Sortable community is saying about the Sony SLT A65
31
people have recommended the
Sony SLT A65Top Sony SLT A65 experts at Sortable
Diego-Tony-Silva 
Intermediate II
Peter-Berardi 
Intermediate I
Philip-Davis 
Expert III
Chan-Kwang-Jie 
Beginner II
Nikon D7000
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
4 more Sortable users recommended the Nikon D7000 over the Sony SLT A65.
View all discussions | View comparison Intermediate II
1
vote Sony A65 has biger viewfinder, and better, cus you can see better than your eye, I checked, cus i have an A65, you can shoot at 10fps at 24 MP with continuous focus between shoots !! A65 has a is...
- 0 comments
- October 17, 2012
- Reply to: To take great photo in any conditions
Pentax K-5
- 16.1 MP
- APS-C CMOS
- 3" LCD
2 more Sortable users recommended the Pentax K-5 over the Sony SLT A65.
View all discussions | View comparison Beginner II
0
votes Although its not weather sealed but the sony has a high megapixel rate and fast autofocus with 15 points of AF with 3 cross type.
- 0 comments
- November 6, 2012
- Reply to: Image Quality an dLow Light Pictures
