Manage updates with the Download App  Play video Remove |  Play video Remove |  Play video Remove |  Play video Remove |  Play video Remove | |
| Product | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 (with 18-55mm lens) | Canon EOS Rebel T3i (with 18-55mm IS II lens) | Nikon D7000 (Body Only)  | Nikon D3100 (with 18-55mm lens, Black) | Sony Alpha SLT-A37 (with 18-55mm lens) |
| Price | $1,151.80 to $1,410.89 | $599.00 to $848.00 | $896.95 to $1,199.95 | $446.95 to $449.99 | $472.12 to $499.99 |
| CNET editors' rating | 3.5 stars | 3.5 stars | 4 stars | 3.5 stars | 3.5 stars |
| Average user rating | 4 stars | 4.5 stars | 4 stars | 4 stars | 0 stars |
| Release date | November 1, 2009 | March 7, 2011 | October 15, 2010 | September 1, 2010 | Info unavailable |
| 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. | For the money, the Canon EOS Rebel T3i is a great choice for dSLR videographers--though the cheaper T2i can still suffice if you don't need the articulated LCD--and it's a solid choice for creative still shooters. But though the image quality and general shooting performance are top-notch, if you're upgrading to capture sports, kids, or pets, the T3i may not be able to keep up. | An excellent dSLR for experienced shooters or Nikon professionals looking for a relatively cheap option, the
Nikon D7000 delivers on almost all counts, including the company's best shooting design to date. | A very good entry-level dSLR, the Nikon D3100 delivers excellent photo quality in a body that's streamlined for experienced photographers, but relatively unintimidating for the less advanced. Its only weakness is performance; though solid, it nevertheless lags behind the competition. | A good option if you're looking for something fast with a viewfinder and tilting LCD, the Sony Alpha SLT-A37 is a solid but not outstanding sub-$800 dSLR-style camera. |
| Type | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | Info unavailable |
| Product Type | Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode | Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode with Movie recording | Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode with Movie recording | Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode with Movie recording | Info unavailable |
| Light sensitivity | ISO 200-12800 ISO auto (200-1600) | ISO auto (100-6400) ISO 100-6400 ISO 12800 | ISO auto ISO 100-25600 | ISO 6400 ISO 12800 ISO 100-3200 ISO auto | Info unavailable |
| Optical sensor type | Exmor CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | Info unavailable |
| Dimensions (W x D x H) | 5.4 in x 3.3 in x 4.1 in | 5.2 in x 3.1 in x 3.9 in | 5.2 in x 3 in x 4.1 in | 4.9 in x 3 in x 3.8 in | Info unavailable |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs | 18.2 oz | 1.5 lbs | 16 oz | Info unavailable |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
|
|
|
|
|
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 compare (with 18-55mm lens)
%20-%20Digital%20cameras%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/sony-alpha-dslr-a550/4540-6501_7-33770085-4.html&x_breadcrumb=6451:6501){kind=small}