Sony Alpha SLT-A55V user reviews (with 18-55mm lens)

Pros Burst mode 10fps, 16 MP, light weight, small, fits my lenses. easy to use, panorama works great.

Cons not the best video recording, limited accesories. Has a learning curve. Standard kit lens is just not good.

Summary 4 years ago I bought the minolta A2, and I loved it, some of my best pictures to this day are from that camera. I have tried to replicate the photos acheieved with many other cameras, including micro 4/3, Canon G10, Canon T2i, and many more, its just not possible, and frankly expensive. This camera has been the first to do so, and it took a lot of fine tuning. The preset menus are bad, and dont pull accurately, but some small fine tuning and pictures turn amazing. Hook this up to a 50mm f/1.8 and you are really talking about quality photos. Zeiss glass also works perfectly on this camera and really gives you picture quality abound. The Kit lens isn't worth it, in my opinion, maybe I got a bad one. Most people say that you have to get a really expensive camera, but I think its more in the lens, and the user. Last you should really find reviews from people who have photos that you like. I personally haven't agreed with Lori Grunins reviews, and I don't like her photography or her gripes. People take good photos with cameras that they love, I know people who will not give up there point & shoot, and I loved my really old Minolta. I'm just glad to have something that feels the same and gives me the same results.

Pros 10 frames per second, continuous live view, relatively light weight and compact for DSLR, fast focusing and shooting, great panorama and HDR modes with dynamic range optimization, decent lowlight performance, competitive with Nikon and Canon while providi

Cons rapid overheating of sensor in movie mode when image stabilization turned on, limited options for movie files and almost no options for movie playback (no option for frame by frame review of movie files), when shooting 10 frames per second, buffer fills u

Summary Does anyone have any confidence in CNET's camera reviews when almost every single one of them gives 3.5/5 stars to the camera no matter how good or how bad the camera is? I also believe that CNET is censoring user reviews that are critical of CNET. I have submitted three reviews of this camera, and every one of them has been censored. Is that the behavior of an outfit that can be trusted? sorry but CNET is simply out of their depth in relationship to digital photography.

1) Has won numerous awards (a rare Gold Award from Digital Photography Review, 2010 Camera of the Year from Popular Photography, rave review from Imaging Resources) due to its great feature set, performance, and value for the money
2) Great movie capability (excepting one major and one minor issue)
3) Great photo capability with many useful modes and special features (including a super panorama mode and a 10 fps high speed mode)
4) Easy to use for someone with modest technical ability
5) Flexible and powerful for someone with more technical ability willing to master the multiple modes and functions
6) Best LCD panel in the price range, fully articulated
7) Sony's lenses are relatively cheap and fairly light weight with decent optics and performance (compared with Canon & Nikon)
8) Good (and fast) autofocus
9) Neatest feature (among many) - automatic activation of electronic viewfinder and deactivation of LCD by proximity to the eyepiece -- EVF turns on as you get near it)

Pros Speed, HD Video, Superior Phase Detection Autofocusing, Small Size, Light Weight, GPS, In-Body Image Stabilization, Relative Value, Accepts High Quality Minolta Lenses (available on eBay for a fraction of new), Nifty Panorama Feature (it works)

Cons Poor Battery Life, Still IQ Not Equal to the Best SLRs, Underwhelming Build Quality (versus Nikon), Uncertain Longevity of Translucent Mirror (will it darken over time?), In-Camera Microphones Reveal Autofocusing Noise (there's a jack for that)

Summary Tough to locate in the United States. Fortunately, in stock at Fry's Electronics throughout late November and December.
I'm not a pro photographer, but a budding enthusiast stepping up from a great little Nikon point and shoot camera. What set this apart from the Canon and Nikon almost-equivalents (DSLRs versus the Sony SLT) for me were it's amazing 10 shots per second speed (yes, ~9 out of 10 in focus), instant HD Video focusing, relatively small size, built in GPS and strong value versus competition.
The sensor in this camera is the same as the Nikon D7000 and Pentax K5....both terrific cameras at higher price points. Nikon and Pentax probably do a better job of processing the image versus Sony, but the sensors are the same. In my opinion, the Sony offers better focusing, so action shots and HD Video come out way better. Sony has the edge on sports photo and HD Video image quality when the subject is on the move.
I matched this camera with a used Minolta 70-210 MM F4 "Beer Can" Lense and took some terrific, professional-looking photos on Day 1. I highly recommend this lense...available on the used market and well worth it if you can get a good one.

Pros 10fps to capture the perfect moment.
Good dynamic range.
Great high iso performance.
Continuous auto focus during HD video.
Fun consumer modes like sweep panorama, face detection, smile shutter.
Unique multi-frame noise reduction mode for low light.

Cons EVF suffers in (very) low-light.
Small design might not be for everyone--especially for extended use.

Summary For the price, you can't beat the functionality this camera affords. If you are an amateur or a professional that wants a second body, then this is a very fun camera that delivers great results. It is the perfect camera for anyone coming from a point-and-shoot who decides they want to get some professional quality pictures on a budget.