- Extremely fast continuous-mode shooting at full resolution/image quality
(High-speed shooting isn't just for sports; is a real benefit for candid/kid photography as well)
- Live phase-detect autofocus during video recording
- True (100% frame-accurate) main-sensor live view system
- Competent 15-point AF system, better than average for its class
- Good AF tracking during high-speed shooting and video
- Excellent EVF image quality; among of the best we've seen
- Very large, spacious viewfinder image in the EVF
- EVF Data readouts, AF points, grid, and unique dual-axis level indicator are all excellent
- Nicely-done digital level gauge; nice that it's available in EVF (difficult to do with conventional optical viewfinder)
- Excellent rear-panel LCD, with swivel for down-low and overhead shooting
- "Sunny Weather" brightness setting on LCD is first time we've really been able to see LCD images in bright sunlight
- Handheld twilight and multi-frame NR modes are real breakthroughs in available-light SLR photography
- Good body-based image stabilization system further extends low-light capabilities
- Compatible with the full range of Sony Alpha-mount lenses as well as Konica Minolta AF lenses
- Built-in flash can wirelessly control remote slave flashes
- New Auto+ mode makes multi-shot exposure modes accessible for novice users
- Very good resolution/detail overall
- Excellent image noise characteristics (very similar to NEX series), but noise suppression loses detail at higher ISOs
- Very good dynamic range, especially in RAW files
- Sweep Panorama is great for landscape and other vacation photography
- 15x magnified live view option is great for checking focus
- Quiet, unobtrusive shutter sound (no mirror slap)
- Very good movie quality, in both MPEG and AVCHD modes
- Stereo microphone jack
- Good function menu layout; settings changes via control dial is nice/efficient
- Very compact yet comfortable body design, even for larger hands; sculpted thumb rest makes for a secure grip
- Solid body feel, good build quality
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- More exposure variability than we like to see
- Overexposure bias in metering system under bright/high-key conditions
- Maddening black-screen delay (15 seconds) after filling buffer, before you can review any photos, total buffer clearing time is very slow.
- Short battery life
- Best-of-breed EVF still doesn't match optical viewfinder for highlight/shadow visibility
- Succession-of-stills viewfinder images can make subject tracking difficult during high-speed shooting sequences
- Time-multiplexed EVF display sometimes produces RGB "rainbows" with rapid eye, camera, or subject movement
- Autofocus a little quick to jump to the background, if the AF point leaves the subject momentarily
- Limited/no aperture control during high-speed burst or video recording
- Translucent mirror reduces the amount of light reaching the sensor, so high ISO performance not quite as good as mirrorless or true SLRs with same sensor
- Internal mirror reflections can appear in images in certain situations (mainly occurs in night shots containing small, bright lights)
- Lens AF actuation noise very prominent in audio track of videos
- Sunny-Weather LCD brightness setting does lose highlight detail (hard to avoid, though, given how bright it is)
- Modal playback showing only stills or videos (but never both together) is awkward
- Viewer software (Image Data Lightbox SR version 2.2) is very buggy under Mac OS X 10.6
- Fixed screen brightness in magnified live view can make it difficult to check focus on highlight and shadow areas
- Video frame rate from sensor is 30p, frame-doubled to 1080/60i output
- Very good body/grip design, but the small body can still be tiring when shooting with large lenses
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