The 16-50mm lens is a pleasure to behold and to use. Adhering to the straight, cylindrical design of other Sony lenses, the lens looks somewhat incongruous against the A77's smooth organic shape, but the two work together very well. The stout, perfectly ridged rubber rings turn smoothly, though the action requires a little more pressure than normal. It gives a sense of solid design, with tight weather-sealing and a robust internal mechanism. Though there's a lock switch to hold the lens at 16mm, I have yet to experience any lens creep. Point the lens down all you want, it won't creep.
The mode dial is plastic with a knurled rubber band around it. It's comfortable to turn, and yet doesn't turn too easily for my taste. Front and rear control dials are also rubber, and both comfortable and responsive. Between the pop-up flash and hot shoe is a curved grille that conceals the stereo microphone. The grille is designed to minimize noise from the lens focus mechanism.
The Status LCD is handy to have, something the A700 lacked. All of the buttons are either smooth domes or concavities and give with clean, clear pops when pressed. Top deck buttons essentially mirror what you'll find on older Canon SLRs, including Drive mode, White Balance, ISO and EV. Since all of these are adjusted via the Status LCD, it makes sense. The shutter button has a fairly clear half-press, followed by uncertain mush. I quickly learned when it would fire, though.
The mode dial is plastic with a knurled rubber band around it. It's comfortable to turn, and yet doesn't turn too easily for my taste. Front and rear control dials are also rubber, and both comfortable and responsive. Between the pop-up flash and hot shoe is a curved grille that conceals the stereo microphone. The grille is designed to minimize noise from the lens focus mechanism.
The Status LCD is handy to have, something the A700 lacked. All of the buttons are either smooth domes or concavities and give with clean, clear pops when pressed. Top deck buttons essentially mirror what you'll find on older Canon SLRs, including Drive mode, White Balance, ISO and EV. Since all of these are adjusted via the Status LCD, it makes sense. The shutter button has a fairly clear half-press, followed by uncertain mush. I quickly learned when it would fire, though.
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