Sony Alpha DSLR-A900

    65
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    Highlights

    • 24.6 MP Full Frame CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 6,400 Native ISO
    • 9 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 3.0" 922k dot Fixed Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Disclosure: We earn money from the affiliate links to products associated with content in this article.

    Overview

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 was announced in 2008 and is a Full Frame (35.9 x 24 mm) DSLR camera with 24.6 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 6,400. The camera has a Fixed 3.0" screen with 922k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Screen and Viewfinder
    4. Sensor
    5. Photography Features
    6. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    7. Other Features
    8. Physical Parameters
    9. For Different Types of Photography
    10. Evaluation
    11. Specifications  

    Here is the Sony Alpha DSLR series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Sony Alpha DSLR series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A580
    Compare
    		May
    2011    		 16.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A560
    Compare
    		August
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A390
    Compare
    		July
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A290
    Compare
    		June
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A850
    Compare
    		April
    2010    		 24.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 200 - 3,200 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A450
    Compare
    		January
    2010    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A550
    Compare
    		December
    2009    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A500
    Compare
    		August
    2009    		 12.3 MP
    APS-C    		 200 - 12,800 Tilting 3.0"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A380
    Compare
    		August
    2009    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A230
    Compare
    		May
    2009    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A330
    Compare
    		May
    2009    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A900 October
    2008    		 24.6 MP
    Full Frame    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    922k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A200
    Compare
    		July
    2008    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A350
    Compare
    		June
    2008    		 14.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A300
    Compare
    		January
    2008    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 3,200 Tilting 2.7"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A700
    Compare
    		December
    2007    		 10.24 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 6,400 Fixed 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Sony DSLR-A100
    Compare
    		July
    2006    		 10.2 MP
    APS-C    		 100 - 1,600 Fixed 2.5"
    230k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Sony Alpha DSLR-A580 vs Alpha DSLR-A560 vs Alpha DSLR-A390 vs Alpha DSLR-A290 vs Alpha DSLR-A850 vs Alpha DSLR-A450.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

    PROS

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   HDMI Output
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   Sensor Resolution - 24.6 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   DxO Overall Score - 79
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 880 shots

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fixed screen

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 922k dot resolution.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 0.74x magnification.

    Sensor

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 features a 24.6 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 24 mm and a total area of 861.6 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 6,400.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Sony Alpha DSLR-A900's Full Frame sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame35.9 x 24 mm861.6 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.4 x 13 mm226.2 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with BIONZ processor and can take pictures up to 6048 x 4032 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 4400 x 2936, 4400 x 2936, 3024 x 2016, 6048 x 3408, 4400 x 2472, 3024 x 1704, 3924 x 2656, 2896 x 1928, 1984 x 1320 with 3:2, 16:9 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has Sony A lens mount. Due to Full Frame sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 1x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Sony Alpha DSLR-A900.

    Sony DSLR-A230
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A300
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A380
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A560
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A290
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A550
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A700
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.24 MP

    Sony DSLR-A500
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    12.3 MP

    Sony DSLR-A200
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A390
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A100
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    10.2 MP

    Sony DSLR-A450
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    14.2 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input and HDMI Output

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer. There is a Mini Type C HDMI connector for video signal output.


    Battery

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 comes with NP-FM500H battery pack with battery life of 880 shots.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has two card slots - one for Compact Flash (Type I or II), Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo and one for .

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has Electronically controlled Vertical-traverse Carbon Fiber Focal-plane shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected via Proprietary Hot Shoe (compatible w/ Sony & Minolta flashes). The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 has dimensions of 156 x 117 x 82 mm (6.14 x 4.61 x 3.23"). It weighs 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    156 mm (6.14")

    117 mm (4.61")

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    117 mm (4.61")

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    82 mm (3.23")

    Image cannot be displayed

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 dimensions

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    68

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 68 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Battery Life - 880 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    69

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 69 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Battery Life - 880 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    78

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 78 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    81

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 81 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   9 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Live View
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    80

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 gets a score of 80 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 880 shots

    Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Evaluation

    We evaluate Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 and give score of 65 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    65

    Sensor

    GOOD
    74

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 74 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Large Sensor
    •   Sensor Resolution - 24.6 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   6,400 Highest Native ISO
    •   DxO Overall Score - 79

    Photo

    GOOD
    76

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 76 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    GOOD
    71

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 71 for Focusing parameters.

    •   9 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    73

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 73 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fixed Screen
    •   Screen Size - 3.0"
    •   Screen Resolution - 922k dot

    Connectivity

    AVERAGE
    57

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 57 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    74

    We give Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 a score of 74 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 895 g (1.97 lb / 31.57 oz)
    •   Battery Life - 880 shots
    •   2 Storage Slots


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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