Sony A55

[sony_photographer_jake]

So what does everyone think about this camera. I had a look at the specs and it looks pretty impressive. 16.2 MP 10fps, I believe it's Sony's highest APS-C resoltion sensor to date. Also continued auto focus for each image at 10fps and a lot quicker to focus in video than competitors. Also the big thing for Sony users is that the high ISO problem looks to be rectified. I would happy to use ISO 3200 no problem and possibly 6400.
This looks promising for Sony. I heard somone say don't buy Sony because they will drop out of the SLR market. Well have they, No they haven't they've invested heavily.

[chris-p]

It's a 50/50 split for me...

First of all, 10fps is pointless the way it's been implelemted here. While the camera can focus between frames it cannot alter the exposure. You can set the camera to adjust the exposure between frames, but the you loose AF. Less than ideal. If you shoot in RAW (like I do) you get 19 frames (less than 2 seconds) and then the camera is locked for nearly a minute while it dumps it's buffer to the memory card. You also loose the image in the EVF and on the LCD which means you can't actually track something moving when shooting at 10fps.

It's good to see a better implementation of video on an SLR - something Sony always said they would make sure they had before they actually put video in, but it's not exactly new technology (the pellicle mirror has been around for decades) and it's given them all sorts of problems, not least with the overheating sensors mentioned a few weeks ago...

The higher ISO output does look to be better than previous offerings from Sony, so it's certainly a step in the right direction there.

The problem for me, and not with this camera specifically, is that Sony seem to have a habit of releasing 3 new cameras every time they come up with a new bit of technology. I'd much rather they got several new bits of technology together and put them into one camera. Just one, new, upgraded camera. Then I might look at the Sony range of cameras and think "I like the aXX model, rather than the current confusion I get over the sheer number of almost identical cameras that I usually find.

As for long term prospects, Sony are in it for the long haul. The rumour that they were being bought by Apple was rejected 2 days ago (now the rumour is Apple will buy Adobe). And you're right, they are investing heavily. I just wish they'd concentrate a little more!!

[sony_photographer_jake]

Yes they should put all of the new features and ideas into one new camera. I'm sure it won't be long before they release some new lenses. I heard there is a Sony 500mm f4 coming out soon.

[jessica_swan]

Hello Jake,
I have a Sony A55 and it really is an awesome camera. Takes you a while to get used to the electronic viewfinder though.

[Lepach]

You can have all these Gizmo's, but at the end of the day you need the quality lenses. Unless you have the Zeiss or G range or some old Minolta's you are not going to get the versatility. The lens is more important than the camera IMHO.

[Bpzzr]

I upgraded from an earlier Alpha, and I am most impressed. I have a Tamaron 17-50 f2.8 lens and the results are very good.
I agree that the buffer speed can become an issue, especially if you shoot in raw and jpeg.
The menu and fn buttons are good, the anoying thing with the HELP can get in the way.
All round I think the A55 is a good lower mid level camera with a lot of potential.

[hillsamuelhill]

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