Sony Alpha a35 (SLT-A35) – Hands on Review, Photos Samples, HD Video Samples, ect…

Thanks Chuck

Thanks for the comments Uro As far as your question goes, there is a few variables I would consider.

The easy answer is the Nex-5n as it has a better sensor, and can record at 1920 x 1080/p. By the #’s the Nex-5n is definitely the better camera for video.

However, The SLR style camera vs the Nex style camera makes a significant difference in usability.

Another factor worth considering is the viewfinder. Recording video in the day is easy if you look through the viewfinder (OLED), but try using a LCD screen in daylight sun! Forget nailing your focus.

For around the house type stuff I’m sure either camera would do a fantastic job, but depending on your needs it depends.

Perhaps the Nex-7!!

A35 Video: 1920 x 1080/ 60i

Nex-5n Video: 1920 x 1080/60p

Best,
Jay

Thanks Bruce

That is awesome to hear! Thank you so much for your comments and taking the time explain what you liked about the review. I really try to approach my reviews from a photographer point of view and it seems to work out pretty well for most people. The ISO tip in particular is very important, and I’m really surprised Sony defaults the shutter speed so slow for a camera like this. It really makes it a little harder to use for the total beginner and I could see some people getting very frustrated from blurry pics if your taking pics like I did of the Dogs or whatever. Landscapes would probably be fine on AutoISO though

As far as the lens goes, I really think that the Carl Zeiss 16-80mm is the best all around A-mount lens for the money If you can only have 1 lens, this is a great choice!

Feel free to ask questions if you have any and I will try my best to answer them!

Best,
Jay

Hey Frank,

Thanks for your comments and kind words As far as your question is concerned the A35 is no good for studio work due to the OLED (electronic Viewfinder). The fact that your not actually looking through the lens is the issue. On a tradition SLR you can see through the actual lens and your not looking at a little TV like the a35. This allows you to use manual mode and have the camera set to whatever is needed for the studio environment and still be able to see through the camera to compose your scene, focus, etc..

A typical lighting set-up that I use in the studio is Manual Mode – f/8 @ 1/160sec, ISO 100. Now, if you could imagine what looking through the Sony a35 in Manual Mode set to those settings would look like??
The screen would be pitch black and you would not be able to focus or anything where as on my Traditional SLR Studio Camera I can see through the glass no matter what the camera is set to.

If you really want to use studio lights your going to need a traditional SLR like the Sony a390, or a580 for example.

I hope that makes sense??

Best,
Jay

No worries Frank Happy to help! As far asSony and the future for Pro’s, I wish I knew. I know there working on a new Full Frame 36 megapixel camera, but it’s unkown what the specs will be. Sony does offer the A580 though and that is Studio capable as it has a traditional Moving Mirror. I’ll be getting that camera at some point, but I would rather get the a77 first!!

Best,
Jay

@akshay

The big question what type of photography are you going to be doing?

Akshay,

Thanks for your comments and you raised a very good question that requirers a lengthly answer. So I decide to create an article on just your question. Which is better, the a35 or the Nex5n? Based on Quality, Usability, Cost.

Which is better, the Sony a35, or Nex-5n?? >>

Best,
Jay

Sorry about that Akshay, but I have it set so I have approve comments first to avoid spam etc..

I approved all the comments so it should be there, perhaps force your internet browser to rerfresh?

Awesome Andrew!! Great buy and your are gong to love that camera

Thanks for the comments and question also!! Unfortunately I don’t have any experience with a sony battery grip or any other brand for the sony. At some point Sony will come out with one I’m sure. I would recommend waiting for a good quality battery grip and get a bunch of extra batteries. Possible an extra charger as well, because it takes forever to charge Sony batteries for some reason.

Having the extra battery in a battery grip usually gives you about twice the life. Some cameras can use 1 battery or the other, and other cameras pull from both batteries at the same time. It depends on the camera etc.. Definitely a good investment if it’s available.

A small negative to a battery grip worth noting is the camera is more likely to shack on the tri-pod due to a higher center of gravity in relation to the mounting point. It’s noticeable on my 5D Mark II, so I would assume it would be on other cameras as well. The grip has a tiny bit of flex witch results in a bit of sag at the lens end. Really noticeable in Macro photography!!

Best,
Jay

Best,
Jay

Hey Marco,

Thanks for your comments and kind words! The Autofocus is really good on both cameras, but the a580 is a little better in my opinion. The A580 is also great in the studio environment if you ever want to do that sort of thing.

Best,
Jay

Hi Jill,

The ISO tip is in the review itself, but basically what I was saying was this:

Take the camera off Auto ISO and raise it up so your shutter speed is at least the focal length of the lens or more. Depending on how steady your hand is, and what lens your using, shutter speed is critical to getting sharp shots!! I ended up using ISO 400 a lot of the time for example in stead of Auto ISO which was picking ISO 200 for me.

I hope that helps,
Jay

Hello,

All the A-Mount Lenses available for the Sony A35 are located below in an organized fashion!!

Sony A-Mount Lenses >>
Sigma A-Mount Lenses >>
Tamrom A-Mount Lenses >>

Best,
Jay

Hi Ray,

Good stuff, what model grip did you end up going with if you don’t mind me asking??

Thanks,
Jay

Thank you very much!! I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to get the A37, because I’m still working on getting the Sony RX1, and the Sony Alpha A99. Those two cameras are my top priority after the Nex-6 review is done After that if I have time I will certainly try to get the Sony Alpha A37!!

Best,
Jay