| Remove from comparison | Remove | Remove | Remove | Remove | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Product name | |||||
| Price | $449.95 to $1,499.95 | $649.00 to $899.95 | $649.00 to $1,099.00 | $689.00 | $624.99 to $1,071.99 |
| CNET editors' rating | |||||
| Average user rating | |||||
| Release date | November 01, 2009 | March 07, 2011 | April 15, 2011 | November 01, 2009 | March 06, 2010 |
| 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. | 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. | Though it doesn't rank first based on any individual aspect of the camera, the Nikon D5100 delivers a solid combination of image quality, performance, features, and design that puts it out in front if you're looking for a well-rounded option under $1,000. | Cheaper and with better photo quality than its sibling, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500's quirky design is the only real flaw in an otherwise solid entry-level model with fast Live View shooting and a useful tilting LCD. | A great follow-up to the T1i, if you want the best photo and video quality in a dSLR for less than $1,000, the Canon EOS Rebel T2i is hard to beat. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | |||||
| Type | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - Low Temperature Poly-Silicon (LTPS) - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color | LCD display - TFT active matrix - 3 in - Color |
| 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 | Digital camera - SLR with Live View mode with Movie recording |
| Light sensitivity | ISO 200-12800 ISO auto (200-1600) | ISO auto (100-6400) ISO 100-6400 ISO 12800 | ISO 100-6400 ISO 12800 ISO 25600 ISO auto | ISO 200-12800 ISO auto (200-1600) | ISO auto (100-6400) ISO 100-6400 ISO 12800 |
| Optical sensor type | Exmor CMOS | CMOS | CMOS | Exmor CMOS | CMOS |
| 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 in x 3.1 in x 3.8 in | 5.4 in x 3.3 in x 4.1 in | 5 in x 2.4 in x 3.8 in |
| Weight | 1.3 lbs | 18.2 oz | 19.8 oz | 1.3 lbs | 16.8 oz |
| Lens System | 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 II Canon EF-S | 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 G Nikon AF-S DX VR | 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 DT SAM | 3 x x Zoom lens - 18 mm - 55 mm - F/3.5-5.6 Canon EF-S |
| Video capture | Info unavailable | MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1280 x 720 - MOV - 1280 x 720 - MOV - 640 x 480 - MOV - 640 x 480 - | MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1920 x 1080 - MOV - 1280 x 720 - MOV - 1280 x 720 - MOV - 1280 x 720 - MOV - 640 x 424 - MOV - 640 x 424 - | Info unavailable | H.264 - 1920 x 1080 - H.264 - 1920 x 1080 - H.264 - 1920 x 1080 - H.264 - 1280 x 720 - H.264 - 1280 x 720 - H.264 - 640 x 480 - H.264 - 640 x 480 - |
| Battery technology | Info unavailable | Info unavailable | Lithium ion | Info unavailable | Info unavailable |
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices | | | | | |
| Remove from comparison | Remove | Remove | Remove | Remove | Remove |
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&x_arw_bkts=MAD:high_wireless_switcher){kind=small}