Sony SLT-A65

Sony SLT A65
Entry-level DSLR Entry-level DSLR
August, 2011

Summary Sony SLT A65

Prices Price
Body only $587 - $698 With 18-55mm lens $798 - $1,005
all SLT A65 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #2 of 9 Among similar cameras #6 of 15
details details
Specifications Key specs
Sensor size Help APS-C 23.5x15.6mm Screen resolution Help 921k dots
Megapixels Help 24 MP Movie format Help 1080p @ 60fps
Screen size Help 3.0" Light sensitivity Help 16,000 ISO
see all specifications
Lenses Lenses
Browse all Sony SLT-A65 lenses at LensHero
Sony SLT-A65Sony SLT-A65

Videos

First Look: Sony SLT-a77 and S...

Sony SLT-A65 | The power to ex...
First Look: Sony SLT-a77 and SLT-a65 HDSLRs
  • Review
  • Amateur
  • Preview
  • Ergonomics
 Sony SLT-A65 | The power to express your creative vision from Sony SLT-A65
  • Review
  • Promo

Browse all Sony SLT A65 videos

Pros

The Sony SLT A65 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Image stabilization Image stabilization Help
Sensor shift
Viewfinder size Large viewfinder Help
0.71x
True resolution High true resolution Help
24 MP
Continuous shooting Rapid fire Help
10 fps
Autofocus Phase detection video autofocus Help
fast and accurate
Shutter lag Short shutter lag Help
138 ms shutter lag
Viewfinder coverage Above average viewfinder coverage Help
100%
GPS Built-in GPS Help
Great for travel
Supports 24p 24p movies Help
For that film look
Light sensitivity Good maximum light sensitivity Help
16,000 ISO
Screen flips out Flip-out screen Help
Great for movies
Panorama In-camera panoramas Help
Stitches together multiple photos into a panorama
Movie continuous focus Movie continuous focus Help
Makes it easy to get in-focus movies
Sensor size Slightly larger than average sensor Help
APS-C 23.5x15.6mm
3D Takes 3D photos Help
View photos in 3D on 3D televisions

Cons

The Sony SLT A65 vs other recent entry-level DSLRs

Low light performance Noisy at high ISO Help
717 ISO
Startup delay Poor startup delay Help
2800 ms startup delay
Lens availability Slightly fewer lenses available Help
92 lenses
Size Slightly large Help
Professional size 132x97x81 mm
Thickness Thick Help
3.2"
Fastest shutter speed Slow shutter speed Help
1/4000 of a second
Weather sealed No weather sealing Help
Need to shelter it from weather
Viewfinder Uses battery, see less detail Help
Digital
Announced Old Help
August, 2011
Weight Heavy Help
622 g
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users

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Discussion What do you think about the Sony SLT-A65?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 18 comments

Inquisitive One (11:17 PM, March 03, 2013)
I'm actually thinking of getting this camera, mostly for making videos. Do you think it would be worth it for someone who plans on vlogging?
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:25 PM, December 18, 2011)
Thanks guys, we've fixed that up finally!
 
Darkpawn99 (2:57 PM, December 18, 2011)
That's what I figured. A few web sites (including this one) list the a65 as having two.
 
Darkpawn99 (2:54 PM, December 18, 2011)
Thanks Simbarashe!  They sort of buried it in there! I wouldn't think to look for a sharpness control under 'creative styles' you think it would be under a general setting menu. Thanks again!
 
Avatar for Simbarashe Cha Simbarashe Cha (6:34 PM, December 14, 2011)
You can adjust the sharpness by going to the FN menu to the right of the LCD panel. It will let you set sharpness, contrast and saturation on NORMAL and custom modes. From here you can also access the metering mode and customisable focus priorties; basically the stuff that distinguishes normal photos from ones taken by people who know what they're doing. I also found it curious that they don't really articulate this but am happy that it's all basically in one place and easy to get to while using the EVF. 
 
Avatar for Simbarashe Cha Simbarashe Cha (6:32 PM, December 14, 2011)
There's no 2nd storage slot, that's on the 77. 
 
Darkpawn99 (4:13 AM, December 14, 2011)
Also I think the specs are wrong on the a65. I own one but I'll be damned if I can find that 2nd storage slot.
 
Darkpawn99 (4:17 PM, December 13, 2011)
I bought the a65 about a month ago and so far so good, but the photo's are a little soft staright out of the camera. I've read several reviews that said the sharpness level can be adjusted on the camera but I can't find anything in the menu's to adjust the level. Is anyone aware of how to do this. If I could get the images a little more crisp it would save me time in photoshop adjusting every image.
 
Avatar for Simbarashe Cha Simbarashe Cha (10:00 PM, November 29, 2011)
I didn't save any of the photos with the A55 because I shot using the same memory card (it didn't occur to me at the time that I would be posting spec comparisons for everyone!) .. That said I should mention that on the function menu for the A65 you can up the sharpness on the camera body; I've seen a decided increase in sharpness since. In an edit to my original post, I've been able to control background blur on low light images up to 3200 ISO. At 3200 it's a little noisy for my taste but Lightroom can correct that level ISO on Sony pics with perfectly acceptable results. Anything past 3200 is unacceptable for me though and in this regard only I do miss the Nikon body.
 
camerabuyer (1:21 AM, November 22, 2011)
Thanks for your insights.  Were these pictures taken with the A65?  Could you post comparison photos taken with the A55 and A65?
 
Avatar for Simbarashe Cha Simbarashe Cha (2:46 PM, November 18, 2011)
I love the A65. I purchased the A55 and A65 at the same time since the A65 was in short supply and figured I'd sell or return it if I didn't think it was a better value than the A65. Things I love about the A65: dedicated ISO button, continuous video recording does not overheat the sensor to shutdown like the A55, it is bulkier and feels more substantial in my hands. Things I didn't love so much: at low light (I use the DT 35/1.8), background details get mushy at ISO 800 or better (overall picture quality though is decent up to 1600 ISO as advertised), and on a side by side comparison the A55's photos come out slightly sharper, though the A65 produces more accurate color and balance. I don't think everyone will find the A65 to be $200 more valuable than the A55, especially if you don't care about the video function, but all in all, the camera with a good lens takes ridiculously good photos, and when I'm out using it I don't feel like I'm missing out on not having a Canon or Nikon, which is huge. 
 
Mirajx (9:54 AM, November 04, 2011)
Is it available now in UK ?
 
MonkeyAss (10:57 AM, September 25, 2011)
when will you add the remaining specs?
 
Avatar for Fabrizio Lungo Fabrizio Lungo (4:38 PM, August 26, 2011)
No problem. Really want this camera but it depends on price in the UK.
 
Avatar for Fabrizio Lungo Fabrizio Lungo (4:33 PM, August 26, 2011)
That's fair enough.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:48 PM, August 24, 2011)
We're quoting the camera as weight 622g including battery and memory card.  
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (3:45 PM, August 24, 2011)
Thanks for pointing out those mistakes Fabrizio, I rushed a bit to get the new cameras up on the site, I'll get those fixed up asap!
 
Avatar for Fabrizio Lungo Fabrizio Lungo (3:41 PM, August 24, 2011)
There are a lot of mistakes on the specs here.

The A65 shoots at 10fps
I am fairly certain it has continuous AF during video
It weight 543g

I think this needs updating. full specs: http://www.sony.co.uk/product/dsi-body-and-1-lens/slt-a65vk#pageType=TechnicalSpecs