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Sony DSLR-A550 reviews
You can find here the most interesting reviews / ratings from the well-known expert sites about the Sony DSLR-A550 Camera. Here are the reviewers:
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- 11 February 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 08 February 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 25 January 2010 - |
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- 4 |
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- 14 January 2010 - |
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- 0 |
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- 27 December 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 17 December 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 13 December 2009 - |
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- 0 |
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- 09 December 2009 - |
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- 4 |
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- 18 November 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
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- 26 October 2009 - |
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- 4.5 |
Steves Digicams 's conclusion / rating - 11 February 2010 |
“ The Sony A550 is a camera with a wide variety of interesting features, including very fast Autofocus when using Live View (something you don't find with competing dSLR models), and a unique Hand Held Auto HDR mode. Yet, the A550 still offers a number of features that appeal to first time dSLR owners, too (including a variety of scene modes, and easy to navigate screens for other camera settings). We only had a smaller number of complaints, and found that the A550 was a lot of fun to use with it's pleasing ergonomics, easy to understand control layout, and performance oriented features, making it a great choice in it's market niche for virtually any type of still photography. With a current street price of only $949, we can easily recommend this camera to dSLR owners looking for a unique product in this already crowded dSLR segment. Make sure to compare the A550 with our review of the lower priced A500. Is the A550 worth around $200 more compared to the lower priced A500? If you're looking for a model to use in tougher conditions with the best possible results in mind, in our opinion, yes. It's higher resolution CMOS sensor (14.2 Megapixels versus the A500's 12.3 Megapixel CMOS Sensor) with virtually no difference in noise levels at a given ISO speed, higher quality LCD with 922k pixels (compared to the A500's 230k), combined with a faster frame rate in tough conditions (with a larger buffer size for more photos in continuous mode without any performance degradation) makes the A550 stand out as a class leading camera... ”
Steves Digicams's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DCResource 's conclusion / rating - 08 February 2010 |
“ All things considered, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 is a competent but not spectacular digital SLR. It takes nice-looking photos (especially if you shoot RAW), performs well, and offers features that will be familiar to point-and-shoot users. That said, it's rather pricey for what it offers, and enthusiasts may frown on the lack of custom functions, the small viewfinder, and the fairly strong noise reduction. Regardless, the A550 is absolutely worth looking at, as is the A500, which offers most of the same features as its big brother... ”
Complete review here
RegHardware 's conclusion / rating - 25 January 2010 |
“ There is much to like with the Sony Alpha A550. It has great autofocus, image stabilisation, quirky but effective HDR and a nice big sensor. If you want a DSLR because you are upgrading from smaller forms, this has auto modes for you to use it with confidence. Overall, it’s an extremely capable point and shoot camera with appeal for advanced users who want the functions that set it apart and for people setting off on the DSLR route, who don't want anything too daunting... ”
RegHardware's rating: |
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- 4 |
Complete review here
DigitalCameraReview 's conclusion / rating - 14 January 2010 |
“ Sony's Alpha DSLR-A550 offers beginners and advanced shooters alike an instrument that each can embrace. On the newbie end of the equation the A550 offers automatic and scene modes that require little input from the user, as well as the opportunity to explore the more advanced shooting modes and have the camera explain the nuances of each to them as they go. For those folks who are inclined to shoot at a more advanced level, the camera offers a 5 fps motor and dynamic range management tools to exert some serious creative input into the process.
No matter which end of the spectrum they're at, any user will appreciate a quick start up and responsive shutter along with a reasonably quick AF system. For those who just can't divorce themselves from using the monitor for image capture, the A550 offers a live view system that's quick and easy to use.
Image and color quality is good, and if shooting in the manual or semi-automatic modes there are substantial user established settings available to tailor output to virtually any taste. Noise performance is about par for the class, the plastic on the body might look a bit cheap for the price point and the battery charging cycle is odd, but these are really minor gripes for a camera that goes about its business in a very capable manner... ”
DigitalCameraReview's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
CameraLabs 's conclusion / rating - 27 December 2009 |
“ Sony’s Alpha DSLR-A550 may not have video recording, but becomes one of the fastest DSLRs in its class, not to mention one which delivers the most-rounded and usable Live View experience to date. The ability to capture fast action while framing with the screen sounds like a simple request, but it’s one which eludes the majority of DSLRs. Not so with the A550, and its cheaper sibling the A500, which manage it with ease.
Depending on your requirements, this may be all you need to know. DSLRs which shoot at 5fps or quicker are necessary for serious action photography, but normally carry semi-pro price tags. The A550 and especially the A500 bring this capability to a more affordable price-point, making them a top choice for anyone who wants to shoot action on a tighter budget. The ability to switch into Live View in an instant and still enjoy fast continuous shooting, along with continuous autofocus too, is the icing on the cake.
Factor-in built-in stabilisation which works with any lens you attach and a large detailed screen which tilts to face up or down, along with a beginner-friendly user interface, in-camera HDR and an HDMI port, and you’ve got a highly compelling, not to mention fairly unique mid-range DSLR.
As described above, the downsides are a lack of features which enthusiasts take for granted (such as a depth-of-field preview, broad customisation and Program Shift), along with the absence of a movie mode. As such, the A550 misses out on our top award, as many enthusiasts or those who simply want video recording will be more comfortable with a different camera, such as one of those listed above. No doubt Sony will also address these requirements with a revitalised A700 series in the near future.
But once again if you want fast continuous shooting at a reasonable price, or a fuss-free Live View experience, the Alpha A550 is one of the most compelling options around right now. Indeed there’s only one other model we can name which comes close in these respects – and that’s the Alpha A500. With these two models, Sony’s significantly enhanced its DSLR range and thrown down the gauntlet for handling in the mid-range category. So long as you’re happy to trade video and the features mentioned above for speed and fuss-free operation, the A550 easily comes Recommended. But like the A380 before it, the cheaper sibling - in this case the A500 - could end up being the preferred choice... ”
Complete review here
PhotographyBay 's conclusion / rating - 17 December 2009 |
“ Sure, the A550 is more expensive that the baseline entry-level cameras; however, it offers some features that other cameras in the same price range and below just can’t match. Up to 7 fps shooting speed and even 5 fps with autofocus and auto exposure engaged. The Live View and HDR features simply cannot be ignored when comparing the A550 to other cameras in the entry-level range either.
When I say “more expensive” though, you must consider that the current entry-level crop of cameras are flirting with a price point just above $500 or so. As a result, the A550 seems to really out-price them – but considering where entry-level cameras were priced a couple of years back and the feature set packed into the A550, it doesn’t sound like too bad of a deal at around $1000.
The A550 is not a camera for everyone. It is missing a handful of manual control features that will cause some experienced shooters to pass it by. It out prices the very capable A330 and A380. However, there is a group whose budget and curiosity will allow them to explore the A550 and make use of the creative and convenience aspects found in the A550.
If you can live without some of those manual controls, you want a functional Live View display on your DSLR and your budget allows you to look above the A3xx series, I can easily recommend the A550 as a solid camera to grow with... ”
PhotographyBay's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
AlphaMountWorld 's conclusion / rating - 13 December 2009 |
“ For A300 owners who are itching to upgrade I think the A500 might just be the camera you are looking for, and it's not a bad body for backpacker landscapers to carry either. It is a pretty lightweight DSLR that doesn't take up much room, takes excellent raw images, and hand held HDR's unlike any DSLR I've used to date (all other makes and other Alphas less the A550 require a tripod- as of the date of this article).
One very important mention, is that the A500 is the reigning champ of battery life of any Alpha camera and probably over any DSLR in its class in the marketplace. For one charge, I shot nearly 1,000 images with 50% battery life remaining. You do the math. This trumped even the Alpha A550. It's not a camera you'll need to worry about in terms of battery life obviously, even when using live view on and off. Using the main sensor live view seems to draw a bit more power because of the bigger sensor, but that was mixed in the first 1K shots as well. Not too shabby.
Considering I have now used almost every DSLR under the sun and own quite a few of them, I find the A500 to fit a very specific niche in my stable. I find that for its price - which is worth swallowing- the A500 begs you to experiment with HDR photography (which I believe is one of the goals in the future of still imaging) and, has the best live view experience of any DSLR to date that has a real practical, accessible, and methodical application even for enthusiast/professional photographers. I noted/hinted in the A550 review that I wasn't quite sure I'd want it for a personal camera or not, yet this Alpha indeed I will be keeping after all.
While most of my conclusions here also translate to the A550, there are some that do not. The A500 overall is the best DSLR Sony has made this year (less the Alpha A850) for its price point, which I am unable to say the same re: the A550. I think the A500 competes well in the marketplace against other DSLRS such as Canon and Nikon, Pentax, and Olympus, and gives a buyer a real unique and alternative product when looking at the market as a whole.
It's bright spots strike a blow across the bow of all other manufactures, and if these are important to you as a buyer, the A500 should be your clear choice. If you'd like more features and control such as video and other menu items, look elsewhere. As a photographic instrument that takes great snaps and is fun and easy to use (for the most part), the A500 earned a smile and a bit of respect from me. I can honestly say that I like using it as an alternative way of shooting along with my A900, doing tasks as a tool that the A900 cannot do nearly as easily, or fluidly which mostly revolve around using live view to achieve.
While I do have my frustrations with the menu system in terms of hitches in the work flow and ease of use department at times (just as I did with the A550), I have grown used to them by now and find that overall the A500 isn't that difficult to use. After all, no camera is going to keep me from getting a shot, but the path to that shot could certainly be easier to walk at times.
The Alpha A500 (and A550 ignoring the price) strike me as fun to use DSLRS that are generally easy to operate in live view mode, that are capable of impressive results in certain image quality categories (raw is best but raw shooting doesn't appeal to the majority of shooters in the world). These cameras are not a stand alone recommendation for enthusiast shooters who for the most part desire much more control over the photography process as possible, and, that demand a well heeled list of advanced (and traditional) DSLR features to boot. This opinion is of course dependent on whether or not you are adding the A500 as a secondary body to your system.
In terms of product value for price, the A500 gets a much higher score from me, and I believe is a better product for Alpha on the market than the A550 as a result of that. That goes a long way with me. Beginners will appreciate the fun to use A500 and some of the characteristics this camera has will undoubtedly inspire them to use the camera.
I can't help but wonder though how well this camera would have done on the market given it had some additional features that appealed to enthusiasts, a bit better button and control wheel layout/placement, and a higher quality plastic that gave it a more quality feel overall. As is though the A500 should do well on the market, and my hope is that it is considered first between it and the A550 because I feel it targets its intended audience better. Throw some nicer glass on the front of it and have a ball... ”
AlphaMountWorld's rating: |
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- 0 |
Complete review here
DPReview 's conclusion / rating - 09 December 2009 |
“ Existing Sony users hoping for a more up to date replacement for the Alpha 700 (which pre-announcement this was rumored to be) will be disappointed by the Alpha 550, and - unless you really want high speed burst shooting or the clever (but limited) auto HDR function - it doesn't really provide enough justification for upgraders with Alpha 2XX/3XX models either. For those users the Alpha 700 (which is the same price) is probably still the best step up until when and if Sony finally retires it.
For anyone looking at their first SLR ( the best part of a thousand dollars burning a hole in their wallet) the Alpha 550 offers an interesting alternative to the more conventional enthusiast models from Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Olympus. It bests all of them for continuous shooting speed, has the only usable live view autofocus system (complete with tilting screen and face detection) and the Auto HDR is a clever trick, but it lacks photographic features considered standard on this class of camera.
This also means the value for money aspect will be totally skewed by your own priorities. For $900 you're getting a lot of cool features (SteadyShot, great screen, 7fps, Auto HDR, dual live view systems), but Sony has decided that you can't be trusted with equally useful, if slightly less headline-grabbing things like depth of field preview and Program Shift. If you already know you need those things this ain't the camera for you.
Ultimately the Alpha 550 is the best APS-C camera Sony has produced since the Alpha 700, and is a significantly more interesting proposition than the rather dumbed-down models currently populating the 200 and 300 ranges. And at the end of the day I actually really enjoyed using it for everyday snaps (where the live view system really shines), and got some great results out of it.
It's almost impossible to make a blanket recommendation regarding this camera: serious photographers will be put off by the paucity of high end features and controls, beginners will be frustrated by the rather uninspiring results you often get when everything is left on auto. If the standout features (SteadyShot, Live View, HDR etc) do appeal and you want the speed the A550 offers - and you're prepared to put some work into getting the best results - it's worth putting on your shortlist... ”
Complete review here
PhotoClubAlpha 's conclusion / rating - 18 November 2009 |
“ I think the Alpha 550 definitely has a place in my system, but may not be used very much. It would make a neat, lightweight travel camera with the CZ 16-80mm if only the ISO 200 results were just that little bit better. Ideally, ISO 100 with a corresponding improvement over 200 would fix the issue.
It would make a better low light camera at 1600-6400 than the 700 or even the 900, but it doesn’t have the bright viewfinders or ability to use faster and more accurate focus with f/2.8 and wider lenses, which both these models offer.
The features I am most likely to use include MF Check LV for macro work or studio shots with continuous light. I’ve been looking at LED light sources and wondering whether the Sony ring light is the terrible idea most people who have not used it think it must be. Daylight quality LED sources could replace flash for many types of studio work soon, certainly for most macro/micro and close-ups. But without mirror lockup, I guess the typical exposure times given by that Sony ring-light will be a recipe for guaranteed blur.
The HDR JPEGs could also be something explored further, and the 7fps fixed settings burst. A possible application for the 380 could be extended to the 550 – highpod, remote or aerial mast photography with viewing via the HDMI connection on a mini HDTV monitor. The Quick LV CCD camera in the prism unit appears to be improved to use the higher resolution rear screen; sadly, there is no way of triggering the MF Check LV remotely, so the very high resolution HDMI video feed offered by this could not be used... ”
PhotoClubAlpha's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
PhotoReview 's conclusion / rating - 26 October 2009 |
“ Buy this camera if:
- You want an affordable interchangeable-lens camera with fast autofocusing regardless of whether Live View or the viewfinder is used for shot composition.
- You want body-integrated image stabilisation that works with all lenses.
- You'd like a wide range of user-adjustable controls and functions.
- You require fast burst speeds and a generous buffer capacity.
- You could make use of the extended sensitivity range, despite its associated image noise.
Don't buy this camera if:
- You'd like the ability to shoot both still pictures and HD video clips.
- You require high resolution and low noise levels at ISO settings over 1600.
- You prefer converting raw files with Adobe Camera Raw (the current edition doesn't support raw files from the A550).... ”
PhotoReview's rating: |
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- 4.5 |
Complete review here
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