• 24.6 Megapixel
• Full-Frame (24x36mm) CMOS Sensor
• Dust & Weather-Resistant
• In-Camera Image Stabilization
• 3.0″ 921,600-Pixel LCD Display
• ISO 100-6400
• 5.0 fps Burst
• 100% Coverage, 0.74x Viewfinder

Introducing the α900. A camera whose stellar image quality eclipses everything you have known before.
At its heart is a 35mm full-frame Exmor™ CMOS sensor that represents the culmination of a dream. With 24.6-megapixel* resolution that captures details so fine, and color so rich and natural, you will never be satisfied with anything less again.
The α900 digital SLR from Sony. In truth, it is a camera like no other.

The a900 digital SLR from Sony sets a new benchmark for serious photo enthusiasts who demand the unrivaled quality and creative possibilities of full-frame imaging.

The flagship of the a DSLR range features the industry’s first ever 24.6 effective megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor. Developed by Sony, this groundbreaking sensor’s ultra-high pixel count and large size – equivalent to a 35mm film frame – deliver extraordinary image detail and wide dynamic range.

The new-generation sensor captures flawless images with unprecedented fidelity, characterized by vibrant colours, ultra-real textures and subtle tonal gradations. Complementing the extremely high native resolution of the sensor, Exmor™ performs on-chip analogue/digital (A/D) signal conversion and two-stage noise reduction. This guarantees ultra-low noise image files that take advantage of the superb resolving power of high-precision a lenses.

Realising the immense creative potential of the 24.6 megapixel full-frame sensor, the new advanced dual BIONZ™ processors handle massive amounts of image data at extremely high speed. Powerful noise reduction algorithms are applied prior to RAW data conversion and then again during image processing, yielding flawless, detail packed images with an absolute minimum of noise. The dual BIONZ™ processors also underpin the camera’s razor-sharp shooting responses, allowing sustained 5fps continuous shooting at full 24.6 megapixel resolution.

Reviews

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 review by imaging-resource.com

Sony started the year promising a lot for their flagship camera. We didn’t have a name, nor a long list of features, but we did know that the sensor would be a 24.6-megapixel design that was expected to impress. It certainly has done that.

The Sony A900 is a formidable camera. It’s big, which won’t work for everyone, but I found it more than bearable with my medium-sized hands, and even my daughter had no trouble hefting the A900 with the 24-70mm f/2.8 attached and firing off a few frames.

If you want the most pixels in a small package, the Sony A900 is where you’ll find it. It’s bulky, but less so than the more expensive 1Ds Mark III, and that makes it easier to bring along. I enjoyed shooting with the 24-70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss so much that I recommend it if you can afford it. I recently attached the 18-70mm kit lens that comes with the A200, and the A900 felt quite a bit more bearable, though I can only imagine that high-res sensor would reveal all the flaws in that less-expensive lens.

Image quality is Sony’s best so far; not just in terms of resolution, but also in controlling their impulse to squelch all noise at the expense of detail. You can even turn off the high-ISO noise suppression that was once inaccessible.

Not only is the viewfinder so big and beautiful that you think you might fall in, the image quality has the same effect when you view the images on your computer. With the ability to capture full frame images at a high clip, the Sony A900 is one impressive image maker, and a certain Dave’s Pick.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 Review (October 2008, Simon Joinson) by DPReview.com

The biggest challenge to the Alpha 900 is probably the as yet untested Canon EOS 5D Mark II, which promises a similar resolution and a bag full of features (live view, video mode and so on) at a price that’s around 10% lower. There’s no doubt that existing Sony SLR and legacy Minolta film SLR users now have a fitting flagship model to salivate over and save up for, but in the face of such strong competitors the Alpha 900 may have a tough job persuading anyone to switch systems for it.

In conclusion this is, more than anything else at this end of the market, a true photographer’s camera, with at least one totally unique feature (the Super SteadyShot stabilization) and one that offers the best viewfinder and highest nominal resolution (and the lowest ‘cost per megapixel, incidentally) in its class. It’s capable of stunning results at up to ISO 400 (and is fine at ISO 800-1600 as long as you’re not printing posters), and it is incredibly fast and responsive in use. If Sony had managed to keep the price nearer to the $2000 mark (even if this meant fewer megapixels) I think it would be flying off the shelves. As it stands it will, I fear, struggle to make a serious impression on anyone other than the Sony/Minolta faithful. One thing is clear, however: anyone who thinks a consumer electronics giant can’t make a heavyweight photographic tool is seriously misguided.

As long as you take into account our reservations about the high ISO image quality (which we’d more easily forgive on a camera that wasn’t the best part of $3000), the Alpha 900 is a camera that just, by the skin of its teeth, offers enough to gain our highest award.

Sony A900 Field Report by luminous-landscape.com

As far as image quality is concerned, bear in mind that I had to look quite closely at the files – serious pixel-peeping really – to see the differences. I always figure that if I have to look this closely then the differences are probably so close as to be insignificant.

The system is a bit limited, but there are two new lenses, a 16-35/2.8 and a 70-400/4-5.6 both with SSM focussing. The new HVL-F58AM flash looks good too; with it’s unique swivelling head the problems of shooting vertically are overcome by the simple solution of tilting the whole flash head up into a vertical position – very clever.

The lens range is getting wider with the staple zoom lenses available – 16-35/2.8, 24-70/2.8 and 70-200/2.8. The exotics are lacking, no dedicated macro or tilt/shift lens and only one supertelephoto (300/2.8), but whether this is an issue will depend on the photographer. Certainly those lenses that are availably are of top quality optically; this is a priority for many people who want to squeeze the last drop of image quality out of their images.

All things considered I’d have to give this camera a big thumbs up.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 review by CameraLabs.com (And comparison to Canon EOS 5D, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III and Nikon D700)

There’s no doubt the Sony Alpha DSLR-A900 delivers an impressive specification for the money, and one which stands-up well against its rivals. You get very high resolution images, quick continuous shooting, a superb viewfinder and built-in image stabilisation which works with any lens you attach. This is all packaged-into a unique-looking DSLR which has a superb match in the form of the excellent Carl Zeiss 24-70mm f2.8 lens.

But while the A900 does have HDMI and a VGA screen, it’s lagging behind in other modern features. There’s no Live View, and hence also no movie mode. There’s no Wifi accessory, nor a GPS option that’s dedicated to the A900. Then there’s that incredulous top information screen which doesn’t do a flagship model any favours. All are odd decisions and omissions given Sony’s reputation as an electronics giant and gadget leader.

Then again you may not care for modern gadgetry on a DSLR and find Sony’s approach with the A900 refreshingly traditional. Certainly if you’re in the market for a full-frame DSLR at this price point and aren’t bothered about these additional features, then the A900 potentially heads to the top of your list – although if you shoot at higher sensitivities, you may prefer the output from one of its rivals.

As always it’s crucial to honestly weigh-up which features you really need while also handling each model in person and considering the system as a whole. If you don’t need Live View and are happy to shoot at lower sensitivities, then the A900 could be your best choice of the three, while uniquely also boasting built-in anti-shake facilities.

Ultimately Sony has created a worthy flagship for the Alpha range that not only boasts high resolution full-frame performance, but delivers it with a responsive and enjoyable photographic experience. It’s also managed to produce the first and so far only full-frame body with built-in image stabilisation, and some of the latest Sony lenses are also looking very strong. As such we can award the A900 our Highly Recommend rating, although again compare very closely with its rivals – both Canon and Nikon have very compelling alternatives that need to be carefully considered.

This is all great news for anyone in the market for an ‘affordable’ full-frame model, as unlike the Canon EOS 5D for much of its lifespan, there’s now three models competing for your money – and that has to keep their pricing keen.