Sony Alpha a550 review
Review Date : Thu, 12 Nov 2009
Author : Mike Lowe
- Product Shots: View product shots of the Sony Alpha a550
- Sample Photos: View images taken with the Sony Alpha a550
The Sony a550 is the newest mid-level of Sony's recent releases, with an array of top features including high sensitivity to ISO 12800. We test out if the a550 is a true performer or more a gap-filler in the What Digital Camera Sony Alpha a550 review...
| Pros: | Tilt-LCD, improved image quality, excellent live view |
|---|---|
| Cons: | Build quality a bit ‘plasticy’, noisy AF with kit lens, no video mode |
Sony Alpha a550 review - Features
The Alpha a550 certainly isn't thin on the features front. At its core there's a new 14.2 Megapixel CMOS sensor - a notable change over the CCD sensors found in the more entry-level Alpha cameras. As per the top-end Sony a900, the a550's sensor borrows advanced processing algorithms handled by its BIONZ engine to deliver images up to a staggering ISO 12,800. This is clearly new ground for Sony, with the company pitching themselves as contenders against the best of the low-light performers out there.
With its Speed Priority mode, the a550 can shoot an impressive seven frames per second, or up to four frames per second when using live view. Speaking of which, there have been improvements to make Sony's already acclaimed Quick AF live view even faster than before, plus a Face Detection mode which can now focus on up to eight faces. There's even a smile detection mode which will add additional appeal to those looking for an easy to use, comprehensive DSLR camera instead of a compact purchase. Outside of live view mode the viewfinder offers 95% coverage, which does mean a small edge of the final image will not be visible in frame during composition - though this is a fairly common standard for DSLR cameras at this level.
Sony Alpha a550 review, full size sample image - click for full size gallery
Whilst there's still no sign of a video mode from Sony in any of its DSLRs, there is an HDMI output. Sony is very keen to push its other electronics products, with the ‘Bravia Sync' allowing for high definition playback of images on your Sony HDTV.
On the rear there's a high-resolution 921K-dot, two-way tilt LCD screen, which can tilt at any angle up to 90 degrees vertically to face up or down. Ideal for those unusual waist-level or over-the-head type of shots. It's all about getting that little bit more creative, and there are even subtle ‘Creative Styles' - from ‘standard' through to ‘vivid', ‘black and white' as well as ‘sunset', ‘portrait' and ‘landscape' to emphasise this approach even further.
Some extras features like the Quick Teleconverter - which sounds great on paper - make a 1.4x and 2x crop into frame, to allow for a perceived magnification. However, this only works in live view mode when shooting Jpeg only (no Raw files for this one). The D-Range Optimiser - which optimises for both shadow and highlight exposure - gets a rework too, now with five levels of prowess over the previous three. Stepping beyond that there's even an in-camera HDR (high dynamic range) mode, which takes two shots sequentially and combines them into one all in camera and without the need for a tripod. This clever mode is the first of its type to be effective handheld.
Despite the Sony brand name, the a550 is one in a line of many cameras picked up from its previous Konica-Minolta incarnation. Shrewdly, the Sony a-mount is the same fitting as those lenses of old, so any Konica, Minolta or, indeed, Konica-Minolta lenses lying around still maintain excellent value, especially with the SteadyShot Inside sensor-based image stabilisation too.
Sony Alpha a550 review - Design
Unlike the lower-end Sony models with smaller, sunken grips - such as the a380 - the Alpha a550 has a solid, protruding rubberised grip that fits comfortably to the hand. This gives the immediate feel of control and its finish ensures it holds well to the hand. The rest of the camera body, however, feels rather ‘plasticy' in finish. Furthermore the manual focus element of the kit lens is directly at the front, meaning grabbing fingers are in danger of touching the front lens element or getting in the way of shot should you work in this way. 
Menu-wise, the a550 is well equipped with a series of one-touch buttons to get you to the various controls fast. As well as the usual mode dial to the left, D-range, Drive mode and ISO buttons sit to the right behind the shutter release. Live view is controlled via a switch to the side of these, with a further Manual Focus Check Live View button to raise the mirror for an ultra-bright screen that's perfect for still life setups or similar. Exposure lock and Exposure Compensation of +/-2EV each have their own buttons on the camera's rear too.
The main menu offers the standard, slower way of getting to those more ‘behind the scenes' details, such as colour spaces, noise reduction and aspect ratios. It's good to see so many easy access routes into controls, as to not bog down the user with excessive menu digging. The bulk of controls are reached via the Function (Fn) button, and once things are set up the new user interface introduced by Sony shows your settings in an easy-to-understand display on the LCD. Change a setting and corresponding exposure controls will change respectively, as a visual means to demonstrate to more entry-level users what's happening to each aspect. It's easy to understand and not overburdening in any way - and certainly looks a lot better than Sony menus of old.
More info:
Sony Alpha a550 performance
Sony Alpha a550 image quality and value for money
Sony Alpha a550 review verdict
Use our compare tool to compare the Sony Alpha a450 with other DSR's
Verdict
The a550 is quite the live view photographer’s camera – it ousts competitors at a similar level with class-leading, super-fast live view autofocus and quirky modes such as Quick Tele 1.4x or 2x crop factors. However, when lined up against competitors such as the Canon 500D, the build quality feels a little plasticy, which is a let down. Thankfully the a550 adopts a proper DSLR-like grip, unlike the poor a380 and a230’s lack of any surmountable grip, so it feels good in the hand. Modes such as in-camera HDR and expanded D-Range Optimiser will afford creative photographers more possibilities, as will the addition of higher-sensitivity to ISO 12,800. However, whilst the brand has been touting this high-ISO to be groundbreaking, it’s more an improvement over Alphas of old, the upper echelons of ISO sensitivity actually proving to be too noisy for most people’s use. The tilt-angle LCD adds a new dimension to creative framing, though the continued lack of a video mode may isolate some new buyers looking for a stills and video hybrid. Give it a couple of months and the price should drop to be a touch more competitive, and then the a550’ll be quite the competitor to consider.
Have your say!
Latest comments
December 24 13:20
bigdaveg40
Just got the latest edition of WDC, and tbh can't see why you bothered to do an A500 review, I've never read something so negative, even though "it's certainly a good bit of kit" ???. The average is £100 between the A500 & A550, I only paid £459 (body only), show me a similar camera capable of 5fps & on board IS etc for the same money. The A300 was better than the A350 (but strangely "never" got reviewed by wdc), The A330 is probably better than the A380 and I'd imagine that the A500 will sell quickly. Mainly because for those of us that do buy the camera, £100 is quite a difference and for me the wonderful extra's (as with the A350), ain't worth it; The A550's faster burst rate can only be used in one mode, the resolution is higher but where's the noise comparison that we saw in the A330/A380 review (where the A330 was better), the A500 battery life (only 520 images ??????) "is" better and as for being a compact camera lcd, it's definetly an improvement over the A300 and far better than my Samsung PL70 (which IMHO is far better than the WDC acclaimed Tz3), and the same resolution as the 87% rated Pentax K-X, as with the mega-pixel race is'nt quality more important than quantity ?. Bigger buffer yes, but bigger memory card for the increased file sizes ?. Alphamount world would seem to prefer the A500 and for some reason (probably as it is good bit of kit), several other reviewers have group tested it against the likes of the D90, D300, 7D & a 50D, all exceptional camera's, not bad for a WDC rated 82% camera ?. Any chance of an A550/A500 noise comparison test please?. I'd imagine the A700's replacement will be "beefed up", if it had live view would there be a need for it to be replaced or for that matter the D90, not bad for Sony's first true d-slr. Given that the A550 will be competing with the likes of the D5000 and 500d, will the A500 be competing with the D3000, or is that the A380's job ?.
January 21 20:06
Xiang
I believe there are other factors which to be considered when reading these kind of reviews. Reviewers want money from camera manufactures and they are not fool that they would review one's camera without getting anything from them. Think about it first. Almost all reviewers blamed Sony DSLR except Alpha users. I found they always come to the point of High ISO performance and hiding other great qualities which Alpha Offers. Why Canon and Nikon Bodies are highly priced than Sony/Olympus etc???? Where does those extra money goes? Remember every manufacturer almost spends same amount of money for same class products. You need very good marketing to sell your products. That means you have to spend money for marketing. You have to pay somebody to advertise your products. the more you spend, the better advertisement you would get. Thats it!!! I believe Sony must spend more money for its products for advertising, in different way. Because people buy products by looking at these reviews/ comments etc. Good Luck Sony!!!
April 07 18:50
Tom Hughes
i prefer the sony thn the canon, d500, if i want is lenses canon charge me for it,, i think canon overprice the lenses to begin with,,i had minolta rokkor lenses 20 years ago , they was more than a match for the big companies then,go sony
October 02 12:26
Lee
I use Sony myself. They really need to sort it out and stop concentrating on churning out model after model of sub £600 plastic crap-really!!!!! Buy a shit camera or buy an 850/900 or a discontinued 700. Not an ideal situation-or maybe that's all part of their plan?