Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 user reviews (with 18-55mm lens)

5.0 stars

"Excellent Advanced Entry-level Camera!" on September 12, 2011 by Informed_Buyer

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 use

Cons: - 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 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).
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

Edit Broken Link:

I suggest for best deal at: http://beam.to/A550