Sony SLT-A35 Pro Reviews

The Alpha 35 is a fast-shooting entry-level D-SLR that is capable of grabbing photos in subpar lighting conditions. It is held back by a so-so electronic viewfinder, which makes it a tough sell compared to D-SLRs with traditional optical finders.

A full complement of features, compact body, speedy overall performance, and Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology make the SLT-a35 a good option for entry level users who want a highly functional, lightweight camera that offers some of the benefits of a megazoom (EVF that’s usable during video capture), but retains all the plusses of a DSLR.

Given the current street price of the Sony SLT-A35, it's a real bargain and a camera suitable for both beginners and enthusiast photographers. If kitted out with better (and pricier) optics such as the Sony's Carl Zeiss options, then I daresy this little gem could easily become a back up, travelling choice for the pros. Indeed, it is a camera that is difficult to fault and one that really surprised me.

Overall it's hard to fault the A35 in any area. The body is sturdy and well laid out, the camera's functionality highly impressive for the low price range and the image quality excellent. The only downside, per se, is user preference as to whether an electronic viewfinder is acceptable in use instead of an optical viewfinder typical in DSLRs. Beyond that the A35's a superb camera that'll more than give the current crème of the entry-level DSLR market a run for its money, not least based on the top notch sensor at its heart. Highly recommended.

There's a lot to say about the Sony A35. Considering that it's the baby of the range, it certainly packs a punch. The 16 megapixels should produce moderately good pictures, but they're stunning. The build quality should be noticeably lower at this price point, but it's solid and the camera is nicely styled. Sure, the small size means you have a little finger curled under the base plate but is that a bad thing considering the weight reduction? The amount of buttons could be reduced on the top plate and back of the A35, but DSLR users generally appreciate buttons over touch screens. The screen is lovely and bright and works very well in direct sunlight. If you decide to get the kit lens, don't expect too much in terms of build quality but it produces sharp pictures which is the important thing.

With a higher resolution sensor, but lower specification body than the model it replaces (the A33), the A35 should give a more accessible product through a lower price. It's a shame that the 7fps is now at a reduced resolution (8.4mp) whereas the A33 could shoot at 7fps at the full 14 megapixels. 5.5fps is still good at full 16 megapixels, and the camera's ultra fast focusing speed and responsiveness is impressive. Video quality is very good recording full HD video with continuous focus and stereo sound. Image quality is excellent, and the camera feels great, working as expected with a good number of controls and buttons giving quick access to settings.

Like the previous SLT models the A35 is an excellent all-round performer. It gets all the basic stuff right most of the time, and the refined ergonomics make it fun to work with, for both beginners and advanced photographers. With fast continuous shooting, sweep panorama, picture effects, HDR mode and multi-frame noise reduction the feature set is quite impressive (especially given the A35's price point), and the compact dimensions make it a good alternative for those who prefer to travel light.

The Sony Alpha A35 is a viable alternative for its entry-level Canon EOS 600D and Nikon D3100 competitors. It doesn’t have any special surprises in picture quality or usability, although we think the build quality of the bundled lens isn’t great and the buttons could be easier to press. The A35 is very compact and has effective built-in image stabilisation and excellent Live View.

While attention is naturally drawn to the super-fast AF and continuous shooting abilities of the A35, what really impresses is overall image quality. Sony has made great strides with its Exmor sensors, and the result here is a camera that performs exceptionally well in low light, producing images with plenty of contrast and punch straight from the camera. The big question is whether you can live with the EVF and its inherent flaws. If you can then the A35 remains worthy of serious consideration.

In terms of performance, the SLT-A35 is highly responsive, while image quality - whether you're shooting JPEGs and/or RAW files - is equally as impressive. When it comes to finding fault with this camera, there's little for us to complain about: it's an excellent potential choice for amateur photographers and as such comes highly recommended.

A solid camera for point-and-shoot upgraders who want to be able to shoot action and video, the Sonly Alpha SLT-A35's bulk may still be a turn-off for some.