Manage updates with the Download AppSony Alpha DSLR-A550 (with 18-55mm lens)
Manufacturer: Sony Part number: DSLR-A550L
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Exp. date: 1/31/2013
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- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- If you're a Live View-oriented shooter who doesn't care about color accuracy, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550's good performance and decent noise profile make it attractive for the money. Otherwise, you can find a better camera.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 (with 18-55mm lens) price range: $1,203.00
- Reviewed by: Lori Grunin
- Reviewed on: 02/08/2010
- Released on: 11/01/2009
The good: Generally above-average performance for its class; excellent high ISO sensitivity profile relative to competitors; large, tilting LCD; fast Live View autofocus.
The bad: Poor color accuracy; Live View provides only 90 percent coverage; awkward design for shooting via optical viewfinder; no video.
The bottom line: If you're a Live View-oriented shooter who doesn't care about color accuracy, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550's good performance and decent noise profile make it attractive for the money. Otherwise, you can find a better camera.
User reviews
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Excellent Advanced Entry-level Camera!
by Informed_Buyer on September 12, 2011
Pros: + Autofocus is very fast and accurate
+ Continuous frame shooting is blazing fast
+ LCD is beautiful
+ Battery life is amazing
+ Built in HDR
+ Better built in flash
+ Built in Image Stabilization
+ Great low light performance
+ Easy to useCons: - No video
- Lack of MLU (Mirror Lock Up)Summary: I also upgraded to this camera from the DSLR-A300, hoping for some evolutionary changes improving on what was already a solid and reliable entry level camera. I am an experienced ...
Summary: I also upgraded to this camera from the DSLR-A300, hoping for some evolutionary changes improving on what was already a solid and reliable entry level camera. I am an experienced shooter, like to manually control exposure, and tend to shoot a lot of wildlife and action shots, as well as low light photography. The A550 was perfectly suited to my needs - ergonomically, a wonderful fit similar to the A300 but with better button control and menu functionality. Image quality as good at low ISO as the solid A300, but a whole different league at higher ISOs (I was able to use up to ISO1600 on the A300, whereas I can comfortably push to ISO6400 with the A550).
Edit Broken Link:
Autofocus is very fast and accurate, tracking focus on moving subjects quite good, continuous frame shooting is blazing fast at 5fps with focusing or 7fps without, LCD is beautiful, optical viewfinder finally even with competitors, stabilization even more effective, advanced dynamic range much more useful with 5 settings and auto, and the HDR function not only useful for dynamic range, but also as a tool to use image stacking for lower noise and greater detail at higher ISOs. The battery life is amazing, and kudos to Sony for displaying battery life in accurate percentages on their entry cams unlike competitors. The live view is simply the best available on the market, period.
I shoot mostly OVF, but on occasion where I need live view, the quick live view mode functions as would any P&S camera in the world - no delay in focus or shutter speed at all. This is 100% functional live view for the average user, not a specialized slow tripod-only type live view as is common elsewhere. For those who DO want that manual focusing ability and accuracy, the MF Live View mode provides that option, with up to 14x zoom on the excellent 920K LCD providing utmost accuracy even in near-total darkness. I bought this camera body-only, as I already had the excellent Sony 18-250mm F3.5-4.5 lens, as well as a Sigma 30mm F1.4, Tamron 10-24mm F3.5-4.5, Tamron 200-500mm F5-6.3, and Minolta 50mm F1.7.
Those looking for a semi-pro camera will likely find the A550 too limiting in overall controlability and a few key features for particular types of pro or enthusiast photography...but those looking for either an excellent entry-level DSLR camera, or a suitable upgrade for a basic entry-level DSLR camera, may find the A550 to be a marvelous choice.
And lastly, if you will buy the A550 I suggest you have to compare prices before you decide at --> www.amazon.com/exec/******/****/B002MPPRN6/engadget.com-20
Updated on Sep 29, 2011
I suggest for best deal at: http://beam.to/A5507 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great, until the shutter button fell off!!
by BPHW on August 9, 2010
Pros: I have been an avid Nikon user but decided to give Sony a shot. I enjoyed the ease of the action photography the a550 possesses. The a550 is very user friendly and I would have recommended this camera to a beginner to intermediate photographer
Cons: The a550 is entirely plastic. The shutter button fell off the camera 30 minutes in to it's first use. The a550 has potential but the poor quality of its' manufacturing forces me to recommend against this purchase.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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It's the best camera I ever owned in my life.
by maria Morris on July 19, 2010
Pros: I happen to think that the colors that this camera takes are really good to me. I took wedding pictures in St. Thomas on the beach and the pictures are beauiful. The camera is easy to use so far I haven't had any problems with it.
Cons: I'm taking to many pictures and i can't keep up with printing them and putting them into books and giving them out as gifts.
Summary: Don't let Lori's cnet stop you from buying this camera its really a great camera. I brought my camera bag from Sony so it fits the 550 just ...
Summary: Don't let Lori's cnet stop you from buying this camera its really a great camera. I brought my camera bag from Sony so it fits the 550 just right.
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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best for photography
by Manish4Raj on July 15, 2010
Pros: photograph and look
Cons: Its carry bag. it should atleast carry one additional lens.
Summary: good for photography for biggner and photographer
Summary: good for photography for biggner and photographer
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony
- Part number: DSLR-A550L
- Description: Step up to the Sony α550. Enjoy the spectacular imagery of 14.2 megapixels with ISO 12800 sensitivity. Experience the versatility of Quick Auto Focus Live View or MF Check Live View on the tiltable 3.0" LCD screen . Discover the superb response of up to 7 fps of continuous shooting.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode
- Resolution 14.2 megapixels
- Optical Sensor Type Exmor CMOS
- Total Pixels 14,600,000 pixels
- Effective Sensor Resolution 14,200,000 pixels
- Optical Sensor Size 15.6 x 23.5mm
- Field of View Crop Factor 1.5
- Sensor Features Dust Reduction (image sensor vibration),
Anti-Dust coating - Optical Zoom 3 x
- Image Processor BIONZ
- Image Stabilizer Optical (SteadyShot INSIDE)
- Auto Focus TTL phase detection
- Auto Focus Points (Zones) Qty 9
- Image Recording Format JPEG,
RAW,
RAW + JPEG - AV Interfaces HDMI
Exposure & White Balance
- Light Sensitivity ISO 200-12800,
ISO auto (200-1600) - Exposure Metering Multi-segment,
Center-weighted,
Spot - Exposure Metering Zones 40
- Exposure Modes Program,
Bulb,
Automatic,
Shutter-priority,
Manual,
Aperture-priority - Shooting Programs Sports mode,
Sunset,
Night portrait,
Macro,
Portrait mode,
Landscape - Special Effects Portrait,
Landscape,
Vivid,
Black & White,
Neutral,
Sunset - White Balance Automatic,
Presets,
Custom - White Balance Presets Daylight,
Shade,
Fluorescent,
Incandescent,
Cloudy,
Flash - Max Shutter Speed 1/4000 sec
- Min Shutter Speed 30 sec
- Exposure Compensation ±2 EV range, in 1/3 EV steps
- Auto Exposure Bracketing 3 steps in 1/3 or 2/3 EV steps
- White Balance Bracketing Yes
- X-sync Speed 1/160 sec
- Exposure Range EV 2-20 ( ISO 100 )
Lens System
- Type 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 DT SAM
- Focus Adjustment Manual,
Automatic - Min Focus Range 9.8 in
- Zoom Adjustment Manual
- Filter Size 55 mm
- Lens System Mounting Minolta A-type
- Features Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM)
Camera Flash
- Camera Flash Pop-up flash
- Guide Number (m / ISO 100) 12
- Flash Modes Rear curtain sync,
Fill-in mode,
Slow synchro,
Auto mode,
Flash OFF mode,
Red-eye reduction - Features Flash exposure bracketing,
Wireless off-camera control,
Flash +/- compensation,
AF illuminator Additional Features
- Continuous Shooting Speed 5 frames per second,
4 frames per second,
7 frames per second - Self Timer Delay 2 sec,
10 sec - Flash Terminal Hot shoe
- Additional Features Digital image rotation,
Display brightness control,
PRINT Image Matching,
Saturation control,
Smile Detection technology,
Date/time stamp,
Exif Print support,
AF lock,
DPOF support,
Face detection,
RGB primary color filter,
Digital tele-converter,
Quick AF Live View,
Auto HDR mode,
AE lock,
Digital noise reduction,
Histogram display,
Automatic display brightness adjustment,
Dynamic Range Optimizer,
Highlight point display,
Camera orientation detection,
LCD live view mode,
PictBridge support,
Shadow point display,
Built-in help guide,
Sharpness control,
Contrast control,
USB 2.0 compatibility,
Direct print,
Eye-Start AF system Viewfinder
- Viewfinder Type Optical - Eye-level penta-dach mirror
- Field Coverage 95%
- Magnification 0.8x
- Dioptric Correction Range -2.5 to +1
Display
- Type 3 in LCD display
- Display Features Folding
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x HDMI output,
1 x USB
Software
- Software Sony Image Data Lightbox SR,
Drivers & Utilities,
Sony Image Data Converter SR,
Sony Picture Motion Browser System Requirements for PC Connection
- Operating System Support Apple Mac OS X 10.1.3 or later,
MS Windows 2000 Professional,
MS Windows XP SP2,
MS Windows Vista - Peripheral Devices USB port,
CD-ROM drive Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Battery charger,
USB cable,
Lens cap,
Shoulder strap,
Dust cap,
Body cap Battery
- Supported Battery Sony NP-FM500H
- Supported Battery 1 x Li-ion rechargeable battery ( Included )
Memory / Storage
- Memory Card Slot SD card,
Memory Stick PRO Duo card - Supported Memory Cards SDHC Memory Card,
SD Memory Card,
Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo,
Memory Stick PRO Duo - Image Storage 4592 x 3056,
4592 x 2576,
3344 x 2224,
3344 x 1872,
2288 x 1520,
2288 x 1280 Dimensions & Weight
- Width 5.4 in
- Depth 3.3 in
- Height 4.1 in
- Weight 1.3 lbs
Environmental Parameters
- Min Operating Temperature 32 °F
- Max Operating Temperature 104 °F
Product series
-
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 (with 18-55mm lens)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: SLR,
14.2 megapixels,
3 x,
15.6 x 23.5mm,
Exmor CMOS,
Optical (SteadyShot INSIDE) -
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 (Body Only)
Manufacturer: Sony
Specs: SLR,
14.2 megapixels,
15.6 x 23.5mm,
Exmor CMOS,
Optical (SteadyShot INSIDE)
Accessories
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:Sony
- Address:
16765 W. Bernardo Dr., San Diego, CA 92127 - Phone: 1-877-865-SONY
- Email: contact@sel.sony.com
- Fax: 941-768-7790
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