Sony Alpha A900

	Playback Summary
• On-screen Image magnification up to 19x, higher than rival cameras • Ability to browse through photos at same magnification level makes comparisons easy • Four on-screen displays available, though two different buttons control display choices • No in-camera cropping or image editing • Moderately useful software bundle better for RAW shooters than JPEG editors, though remote control via USB utility is valuable
	Sample Photos	Page 8 of 18	Hardware

Playback Mode (8.00)

There are four different playback displays, though unlike most cameras they're not all triggered by the same button. Pressing DISP while in playback mode cycles through three screen layouts.The first shows basic picture data: memory card location (CF or Memory Stick), folder name and file number, image format, quality and size, shutter speed and aperture, date and time, ISO and file number/total images on the card. The second display gets rid of the card and folder/file name information and replaces it with a five-image thumbnail display along the top, which can be navigated using the joystick or control dials. The third DISP press makes all on-screen information disappear, leaving a blank screen.

On the right side of the LCD, though, is the C button, programmable for a range of functions while shooting, but dedicated to bringing up a histogram display during playback. Memory card location, folder and file number are shown above a thumbnail image, shooting mode, aperture and shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, metering mode, focal length, date, time and image number out of total images are shown below, and to the right are four stacked histograms, showing overall luminance, and individual graphs for the red, green and blue channels. Over- and under-exposed areas are highlighted in the thumbnail image.

To see a navigable full-screen thumbnail image display, press the AEL button (its playback-mode function is indicated by a barely visible blue icon). Pressing the DISP button toggles between 4-, 9- and 25-image grids. There is no calendar view to organize files by date taken, a useful feature found on many SLRs today.

In-Camera Editing (0.00)

Nothing doing. You can gaze at your stored images as much as you like on the way home, but you can't adjust them in-camera at all.

Software (5.25)

The Sony A900 ships with four software applications, as described below. All but Picture Motion Browser are avaiable for booth PC and Mac. When it comes to organizing and viewing their precious photos, Mac owners will just have to muddle through with the far superior iPhoto.

Software
	Picture Motion Browser This is primarily an image organization program for use with both stills and videos (hence the "Motion" in the ungainly software monicker). Calendar and folder views are available, Files can be categorized with labels and rated using a star system. The one slick feature is the ability to analyze your photos automatically so they can be sorted according to the subject: scenery, people and smiling faces. As for image editing, functions are limited to the usual full-image brightness, contrast, saturation and sharpness controls, red-eye reduction and cropping, plus tone curve adjustment for more sophisticated users.
	Image Data Converter SR This RAW file program works with Sony's ARW file format. In-camera settings can be replicated in the software, including selecting a Creative Style, applying dynamic range optimization and adjusting white balance. Brightness, contrast, color, sharpness, and noise reduction adjustments are provided along with peripheral illumination correction, which counteracts vignetting in lens corners. JPEGs can also be opened, but the only supported functions are rotation, peripheral illumination correction and tone curve editing.
	Image Data Lightbox SR This moderately useful image viewing program displays up to four photos simultaneously in different screen layouts and supports synchronized scrolling, which makes it useful as a comparison tool. There are no built-in editing function, though, and while it will share images seamlessly with Image Data Converter SR, that program is primarily useful when working with RAW files.
	Remote Camera Control The fact that it's included free is nice, but this remote control utility has limited usefulness on a camera without Live View. With the camera connected to a PC or Mac via USB, shooting settings are displayed on the computer screen and can be adjusted directly using the mouse. Images shot this way are stored to your hard drive rather than the memory card, definitely a benefit when shooting 24.6-megapixel images. But without the ability to see what you're shooting on the computer, it's easier to shoot shake-free using the Remote Commander included with the A900.

Direct Print Options (3.00)

The Sony A900 supports direct computer-free output to a USB-connected PictBridge-compatible printer and the creation of a DPOF file to simplify ordering prints from a service bureau.

Direct Print Options
	PictBridge The provisions for output via USB directly to a PictBridge-compatible printer are adequate, but not extensive. You can set print quantity and paper size, select individual images or everything in a folder for printing, generate an index print and turn date imprinting on or off.
	DPOF When creating a Direct Print Order Form (DPOF) to provide instructions for printing by an outside service, you can mark individual images or choose to print all, request an index print and turn date imprinting on or off.

Sample Photos	Page 8 of 18		Hardware
Sony A900 Digital Camera Review Navigation
Intro	Product Tour	Color	Noise
Resolution	White Balance	Sample Photos	Playback
Hardware	Controls	Design & Handling	Speed & Timing
Canon 5D Mark II Comp	Canon 50D Comparison	Nikon D90 Comparison	Nikon D700 Comparison
Conclusion	Specs & Ratings