Sony A99 SLT: It's $2800. How is it in real life performance in low light, higher than 3200 ISO, and use for amateur sports photography vs the Canon 6D for $1000 less. Which is...

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

It's $2800. How is it in real life performance in low light, higher than 3200 ISO, and use for amateur sports photography vs the Canon 6D for $1000 less. Which is "better" for image quality, sports, etc.? What would be better for me to consider, other than the D800/ 800e? Thanks!

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

I own the SONY Alpha 99, and I love it so far. I shoot mostly landscape and street scenes, etc so I can't comment on how it compares with the Canon 6D for sports photography. So far, honesty, the quality at higher than 3200 ISO (mostly at 6400) has been fine. I love the EVF rather than the optical. Whether it is $1,000 better than then Canon 6D, I don't know. Really, at these levels of quality, you are going to get outstanding photographs whichever you use. In my opinion, it becomes a choice of how it feels, handles, features (ie: EVF), etc that will make the difference.

JPL

lukan wrote:

It's $2800. How is it in real life performance in low light, higher than 3200 ISO, and use for amateur sports photography vs the Canon 6D for $1000 less. Which is "better" for image quality, sports, etc.? What would be better for me to consider, other than the D800/ 800e? Thanks!

Have you googled comparisons for those cameras? That may help you a bit. But I think you should look for D800 refurb. That is the best value for money.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

JPL wrote:

Have you googled comparisons for those cameras? That may help you a bit. But I think you should look for D800 refurb. That is the best value for money.

I have; and for some crazy reason I'm attracted to the Zeiss lens/ A99 combo for a FF experience. I'm still noodling through all the alternatives vs cost, and certainly experienced photogs on this forum will help guide me toward or away from this Sony.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

lukan wrote:

It's $2800. How is it in real life performance in low light, higher than 3200 ISO, and use for amateur sports photography vs the Canon 6D for $1000 less. Which is "better" for image quality, sports, etc.? What would be better for me to consider, other than the D800/ 800e? Thanks!

Here's a comparison of the specs.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Sony-SLT-A99

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

jerryc41 wrote:

Here's a comparison of the specs.
http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-EOS-6D-vs-Sony-SLT-A99

Thanks, Jerry, yes I saw that. It's looking more and more like it'll be the 6D and the Canon 24-70 f2.8L Mk2 for my FF rig, and essentially save $1000. That new Canon L glass is stellar in its own right.

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

The a99 has been declared by some pro photographs as the best DSLR available today.

klcrfa Loc: Virginia

I have the A99 it is simply an amazing camera!

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

klcrfa wrote:

I have the A99 it is simply an amazing camera!

What lenses do you recommend, quality being an issue.

rizer Loc: Long Island, NY

Two nice lenses are the SONY 28-75mm ($900), or the Zeiss 24-70 ($1900).

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

chapjohn wrote:

The a99 has been declared by some pro photographs as the best DSLR available today.

I actually just saw the article that said that in this company of pro photogs where they can shoot with anything they want (Canon, Nikon, etc.), they all scramble for the sony a99 first. Interesting, because they say that the colors are perfectly beautiful with skin tones leading the way.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

rszer57 wrote:

Two nice lenses are the SONY 28-75mm ($900), or the Zeiss 24-70 ($1900).

Those Zeiss lenses are special and fortunately they autofocus on this body. I have some deciding to do, as this is probably the SLT/ DSLR trend of the future. I'd love to see one in person to hold it, check it out, etc., but where are they to be had? Who sells them?

pauleveritt Loc: Erie, Colorado

Look at the new A7 and A7R.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

Didn't have to work on MLKing day, so I sold some gear, added cash, and bought the a99 with the 24-70 f2.8 Zeiss. I took the plunge; now I'm into ff AND m4/3s.

Carl 383 Loc: Southampton UK

I "only" have the Alpha 77 but I am very satisfied with it, I am sure you will not regret choosing the A99.