Discover the Magic of Sony SLT-A33: A Versatile Camera for Every Occasion

This blog post explores the features and capabilities of the Sony SLT-A33 camera, highlighting its unique advantages that make it an ideal choice for photography enthusiasts everywhere. From its advanced autofocus system to its high-speed shooting capabilities, the Sony SLT-A33 is a versatile camera that can capture stunning images and videos in any situation.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Sony SLT-A33 article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 24 2010

Announced

14 megapixels

Resolution

BrandSony
Sensor TypeAPS-C
SensorCMOS
Weight500g
MSRP$649USD

Other similar cameras

Overview of the SLT-A33

Are you in the market for a new camera that can help you capture the perfect shot every time? Look no further than the Sony SLT-A33. This powerful camera offers a range of features and capabilities that make it an excellent choice for photographers of all skill levels. Whether you're interested in capturing stunning landscapes, portraits, or action shots, the Sony SLT-A33 has everything you need to take your photography to the next level. So, let's dive in and explore some of the key features and benefits of this amazing camera.

Sony SLT-A33 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Sony SLT-A33 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High-resolution
Fast autofocus
Good image quality
Swivel screen
Intuitive interface
Lightweight
High-speed continuous shooting
Accepts a variety of lenses
SteadyShot image stabilization
Affordable

Cons

Electronic viewfinder
Short battery life
Limited low-light performance
No built-in flash
No microphone input
No GPS
No weather sealing
Limited video capabilities
No touch screen
Limited dynamic range

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Sony SLT-A33

Weather sealed
Dimensions124 x 92 x 85mm
Weight500g
Thickness85mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Sony SLT-A33 is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeFully Articulated
Screen Resolution921k dots
Body typeCompact SLR

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fully articulated 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 921k dots. This makes the Sony SLT-A33 very suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you can view yourself while shooting selfies. Unfortunately, the camera does not have a touch screen, which may make it less user-friendly.

Viewfinder

SLT-A33 includes a electronic viewfinder with 1,150k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.73x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Sony SLT-A33 has a 14MP sized CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 14 pixels. Sony SLT-A33 has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - 25600. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Aug 24 2010

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

SensorAPS-C
Extended ISOnull - 25600
Max resolution4592 x 3056 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

70 / 102

Color Depth

22.8 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

12.6 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

591 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Sony SLT-A33 camera has above average color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also above average, allowing it to retain low amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is poor, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the SLT-A33 is average

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: APS-C

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Battery Life340 shots
Battery ModelNP-FW50
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Sony SLT-A33 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Sony SLT-A33 uses the NP-FW50 model of battery pack. This is rated for 340 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Sony SLT-A33 has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Sony SLT-A33 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/4000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Sony SLT-A33 includes phase detection autofocus (AF), with 15 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Sony SLT-A33?

The Sony SLT-A33 features a CMOS sensor

Is the Sony SLT-A33 weather sealed?

No the SLT-A33 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Sony SLT-A33 announced?

The Sony SLT-A33 was announced on Aug 24 2010

Does the Sony SLT-A33 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the SLT-A33 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Sony SLT-A33?

The SLT-A33 has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-25600 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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