Review

The positioning of the Sony’s Alpha A550 in its DSLR line-up is a bold move. At this price point the company has left off some features that most manufacturers are offering as must-haves, namely, HD Video and customisation of picture profiles. What the A550 has instead are features more suited to still photography, with a continuous shooting at a much higher than average capture rate and shadow detail adjustment by two different means.

Stills only: Sony's Alpha A550

On the face of it, the Alpha A550 is a camera for people wanting interchangeable lenses on a simple DSLR, and many of these interested buyers know, deep down, that they are never likely to delve into the intricacies of operating a complex modern camera. In fact, they might never change the lens, which in this instance is a very capable DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Smooth Autofocus Motor (SAM) zoom. It covers a very useful range from decent wide-angle shots to a reasonable tele-photo.

Actually the term 'simple DSLR’ might be a little harsh. After all, this camera utilises a 23.4 x 15.6mm, 14.2Mp CMOS Exmor sensor, which gives you all the preset programs for different situations (sport, portrait, mountains etc), as well as Program-Aperture-Shutter and Manual. Shutter speeds span from 1/4000th – 30secs and the A550 has a decent ISO range of 200-6400, with a stretch to 12800 through an option in the menu. However, just like with any other camera, don’t expect good results at that far end of the scale.

There is also a No Flash setting on the top dial, which is ideal for a no-nonsense, second chance at a shot having taken one full auto flash. It’s easy to find next to full auto, just one click away. Metering is good even with tough backlit subjects, though it helps knowing when to switch to the Spot Metering mode, or when to use the Auto Exposure Lock (AEL).

The images themselves are on the punchy side - a little more saturated, very good and clear with a tendency to be overexposed on darker subjects. Yet, like most systems, you can simply bracket with the Exposure Compensation and make the camera yield.

With no LCD display on top, there's room for useful dedicated function buttons

With Speed Priority Mode you you can capture seven frames a second. That is fast, and to be honest, unexpected and almost seems out of place on here. While both focus and exposure are set on the first frame of the sequence – and remain for the subsequent frames – this is fine at this level. After all, this is a camera for people dabbling, not making money from motor sport. You can also opt to capture at 3fps and 5fps. The A550’s image buffer can handle taking 14 RAW frames before it has a pause.

Another function is for making the most of overcast or difficult situations, where there is large latitude of light in the frame – Bright sky and shawdowy foreground. With a dedicated button D- Range and High Dynamic Range (HDR) are the options for controlling how much film type latitude you have. They work in slightly different ways with both offering an Auto option and manually setting by degrees.

Both Memory Stick and SD card storage formats are supported

First off, the D-Range Optimiser alters the brightness in the shadows and out of the two methods offers more subtle changes, especially in Auto. This lighter touch is fine though, because this option could easily be left on all the time. Indeed, it’ll suit people who definitely want all processing done in-camera and rather than doing it in software later.

The manual mode offers five stages of adjustment, so plenty of choice; however I think most users would opt to make these adjustments in software, it is just so final writing a JPEG, that already has processing and compression applied. Yet choose to operate the camera in RAW mode and you can tweak afterwards anyway, so that decision can be made during the processing stage.

More interestingly, the second method has the ability to take two images very quickly together, to create HDR images in camera. Again, there’s an auto mode or three stop in manual mode, in half stop steps. The camera merges the images together into a single shot. What sets this camera apart is the in-built stabilisation. Shots can be taken hand held as the processor can compensate for any small movements between the shots with acceptable amounts of shake being dependent on the shutter speed.

The results don't really compare with some artists using ten or more shots to create unique looks; but for landscape/architecture use it is great for pictures with huge latitudes; bright skies, not having to be compensated (blown out) for shadowy foregrounds.

The rechargeable lithium battery life is excellent and capable of around 950 shots

There are two ways of composing your shot. One is through the optical viewfinder in OVF mode; this allows you to shoot traditionally. Visible are two sliding scales of shutter speed and aperture constantly moving in Program modes – showing graphically the difference in exposure in a scene, and in Manual mode, showing how incorrect it thinks your settings are -2 to +2 EV. There are two different layout versions of this screen and important information about all parameters is displayed on the rear panel.

Sample Shots

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Sample Shots

Continuous shooting captured at 7fps
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Wide-angle
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Tele-photo
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Wide-angle
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Tele-photo
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Close-up
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ISO 1600
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Auto white balance example
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Sample Shots
HDR and D-Range Optimiser

HDR mode 3

HDR mode 2

HDR mode 1

HDR mode auto

Normal: no HDR or D-Range processing

D-Range mode auto

D-Range mode 1

D-Range mode 2

D-Range mode 3

D-Range mode 4

D-Range mode 5

ISO Tests

ISO 200
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ISO 400
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ISO 800
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ISO 1600
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ISO 3200
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ISO 6400
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ISO 12800
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The other way is the slightly 'catch-up' Live View. There are several things that you can do in this mode but not with the viewfinder. In Smart Teleconverter mode, a quick press and further press of the button next to the viewfinder crops the image size 1.4x or 2x zoom but only when shooting JPEG. Assume that image quality won’t be paramount here, yet on screen it looks very acceptable. Clearly not to be used all the time, though it doesn't automatically reset after every frame, so not discouraged by the manufacturer.

The 3in LCD panel supports Live View mode and displays additional details when OVF is used

Speaking of previewing images, it's made very easy to zoom and move around the image using cursor keys; so critical focus can be checked quickly. An alternative is the Manual Focus Check LV. Basically, in Live View mode you can use this feature from the button before you shoot to utilise the sensor in the highest resolution.

Quite rightly Sony has decided that if you are checking focus with an excellent 14x zoom into the pixels, you might as well focus it yourself. It's a Pro feature really so don't sully it with an Auto and complicate matters. Assuming you are shooting on tripod with the subject not moving, use this feature and achieve critical focus.

One thing to do when hand holding the camera, above you head, for instance in crowds is to use the Flip Out Screen; it pivots from the bottom of the screen 90 degrees. That 3in LCD screen sure is pretty; with 920k dots it gives you a sense of pride about the shot you just took. With the functions and integration of Live View being very much a part of this system, it may not be attached to one's face very often.

The Function button in camera mode takes you to the most useful parameters you may want to change. It also provides a helpful note when each is selected. A genuine help, no doubt, if you are attempting to understand cause and effect of changing ISO, flash compensation or different metering modes.

The tilting LCD panel is one of those niceties that helps compensate for the lack of video

There is no top screen. This takes no time to adjust to, and for most newcomers will make absolute sense. With the advent of Live View, why look anywhere else but the back of the device? So all information is displayed here, or duplicated in the viewfinder. In place of a top screen are buttons for ISO, drive mode, and D-Range with the four-way controller on the back for AF-point selection. Everything else is handled by the function menu including AF point behaviour, autofocus mode, white balance or metering mode.

As with many DSLRs, the A550 includes a built in Flash and delivers an even exposure in all focal lengths. Overall, it would be preferable to knock it down a notch, to reduce the flash look, although, this can be done from the function menu. The high ISO on offer actually might encourage less use, and that can only be a good thing for people wanting to learn about using available light. The hotshoe up top is the Minolta standard.

An interesting feature set for die-hard stills fans

Auto focus is really fast and responsive in both modes in Single shot, but particularly in Live View mode. It also does face detection. It can be set to start focusing as the camera is lifted to the eye – getting it in the 'ball park' for you. There’s an AF/M switch on the body must be for other lens types, as it does not override or have any effect on autofocus lenses with their own switch.

On the left hand side there's the obligatory HDMI port, for looking at your images on your flat screen, plus a USB port for data transfer and a remote shutter release. Thankfully, Sony doesn't twist your arm to use their proprietary Memory Stick/HG Duo format only. It is here but the A550 also accepts SD/SDHC cards and you can choose between them with a physical switch inside the door on the right hand side.

Choosing the Alpha A550 outright is slightly difficult, only in that there are things missing in comparison to its rivals. You can’t avoid the fact there are other cameras in this price range that offer Movie modes and more tweaking of parameters. Yet they don't have the moving rear screen or the high quality preview. Are they good trade offs? Maybe. Although movie mode is, currently, very much en vogue, perhaps the Alpha A550 is here to remind us that these are stills cameras first and foremost and armed with its shadow detail and fast shooting functions, it seeks a new breed of purist?

Verdict

There is much to like with the Sony Alpha A550. It has great autofocus, image stabilisation, quirky but effective HDR and a nice big sensor. If you want a DSLR because you are upgrading from smaller forms, this has auto modes for you to use it with confidence. Overall, it’s an extremely capable point and shoot camera with appeal for advanced users who want the functions that set it apart and for people setting off on the DSLR route, who don't want anything too daunting. ®

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