Sony Alpha DSLR A550 Announced- Brief Hands On Report

Update 11-14-2009: Full Alpha DSLR A550 Review Completed HERE

August 2009, Carl Garrard

Today Sony has announced another barrage of DSLR news, this time with much larger artillery than fired earlier in the year when it announced the entry level triage of Alpha DSLRs- the Alpha A230, A330, and A380. Sony's Alpha A550 14.2mp DSLR is one of two new mid-tier models aimed at the enthusiast category, which is considered the next tier up from its entry level DSLRS. I had a chance to meet up with Sony and get my hands on the Alpha A550 DSLR and was able to get a crash course overview of its long list of new features. The Sony Alpha A500 shares a similar platform with a sibling the Alpha A550 (also previewed here), but there are some key differences in the model design that I will share with you in this article. It is worth noting I left the meeting with information overload.

Overview and Brief Hands On Report

Well the new cameras are here, the big news. We now officially have "5 series cameras" in the Alpha lineup. Not only are they big news, they should also help clarify the intention and placement of the entry level models announced earlier this year that left some wondering just where Sony were headed. The A550 is packed with a blizzard of new features, Sony firsts, and performance enhancements that I will go into more detail on next.

The all New Sony Alpha A550 shares a similar platform with its sibling, the Alpha A500 (also previewed here) but there are some key differences in the model design and performance. The Sony Alpha A550 is a brand new design from the ground up. One look at the images below and you can see that it is peppered with external buttons clearly identifying this camera as a more advanced design. Underneath it has a brand new higher sensitivity 14.2 CMOS Sensor (not a CCD like the A350/380) with sensitivity capabilities now reaching ISO 12,800 and a new Bionz Processor specifically developed for these cameras. Sony has stated that the A550/500's new sensor output are highly impressive in terms of noise control and detail retention at higher sensitivities in comparison to previous designs.

The processing is now configured to separate chroma and luminescence noise into two separate channels where the new Bionz makes an emphasis on reducing chroma vs. luminescence noise. I've been told this process makes for large improvements in noise grain in higher sensitivities with an emphasis on retaining detail. This is an all new system and noise control approach by Sony. But don't worry, I have also been assured that Raw files remain untouched. Sound good? I haven't even started yet. Lets talk a bit about the body.

The body style is rather nice and I'd consider as mid-sized, slightly larger than the KM 5D/A100/200/350 DSLRS of past and what I'd consider as a true replacement for the 5 series camera (and Alpha A100). The grip design has ample room for all four fingers, it's sturdy and very comfortable. The body is covered all over in rubber, and has a nice rubber thumb rest on the back of the camera. It's a bit of a chunky DSLR but not quite as large as the A700. Build feels very solid although it's not made metal like the higher level cameras. Yet I don't think perceived quality will be an issue here with buyers at all. It is a dense well built camera which exceeds normal 5 series level expectations. And, theres a lot more.

The optical viewfinder assembly has been improved over the other live view entry level cameras from Sony. It has been increased in magnification to .80x with 95% coverage. This should please those who spend a lot of time behind the OVF, as it doesn't suffer as a result of the unique Quick Live View implementation that Sony offers with this model. My impression was that there was no visible difference in the viewable area compared to the A100/200/KM 5D cameras of past. It is very bright and didn't seem to suffer any internal reflections. It is a large step up from the entry level Alphas. Throw a eyepiece magnifier on it, and you have nearly the same magnified view as the A700 DSLR optically.

I will comment more on the new features in detail when I do the final review, but what I will say is that I had a chance to briefly try out the A550 in the following modes: HDR Doubleshot mode, Speed Priority Mode, Face Detection mode, and Manual Focus Check Live View (main sensor live view). First of all, speed is the word here. All were impressively fast or effective. This camera is definitely not a slug. I was quite taken aback at just how fast/effective these functions not only worked, but how accurately and/or gracefully. Worth noting that it is quite nice that the A550 incorporates both types of live view.

I never thought I'd be a face detection fan, let alone in a DSLR, but because of the A550s phase detect face detection (say that ten times fast, I dare you), it makes it not only the worlds first DSLR with this feature, but also the worlds fastest face detection capture speed. Even in the lower lit dungeon where I was located and held against my will, the A550 almost instantaneously found faces and auto focused on them. Honestly, I was pretty shocked to see how fast it worked and do believe this camera will re-define what face detect can not only do, but with the speed that it is done. I think many people are going to be really impressed with this feature alone. But, there is more.

HDR Double Shot mode is also impressive in its implementation. It is adjustable in an exposure value range up to 3EV as well. The design compensates for some movement between shots (if any) and interpolates the two images at a pixel level when combining them in camera. This is a superior system to the K7's HDR feature in one respect, you don't have to put it on a tripod to use it. Of course you can't wave the camera all over the place and expect to get two images aligned perfectly, there are limitations to the design. But hand hold with a bit of care, and HDR imaging instantly becomes a much more accessible feature for users because they don't always have to rely on a tripod. That's just cool.

Speed Priority Mode finally breaks the 5 (5.5) frame per second barrier that Sony and Minolta have endured for years. At a max 7 frames per second, the A550 is faster than any camera in its category or price range currently in the DSLR industry. I had a chance to fire off some consecutive frames in this mode and yes it is fast. Although autofocus and exposure are set during capture there are still plenty of uses for this mode that immediately came to mind. The Auto focus system while very fast can't quite keep up accuracy to the degree that is should at 7 frames per second, but will in the normal 5 frames per second category. This is why Auto Focusing is locked. Exposure is also locked because the speed of processing different exposures at 7 frames is just too much for its new and fast processor to handle. Those limitations aside, it is a viable feature for Alpha shooters I think exceeds expectations for a camera in this category. And yes, there's more.

Manual Focus Check Live View is a way to get 100% view framing off of the 3" 921K pixel LCD monitor, great for landscapers and portrait photographers. But it has another trick, you can magnify your view up to 14x normal viewing to get precise focusing that is superior to any optical system that I can think of. It is limited to 15 seconds but that is ample time to set up your focus, and if you need more time just simply press the dedicated button on top of the camera for another go. Also in this mode, the LCD will auto gain for dark composition circumstances to further aid in focus control, increasing brightness automatically (if you so choose). This is further development in the system that the entry level A330/380 use for auto gain. I used it, I love it. I'm an instant fan. I must caution however that there are more details I need to iron out about its further capabilities such as aperture based relative depth of field (depth of field preview) etc. I'll get into everything more on the final review. For now I just wanted to provide you with my first impressions and time with this (these) camera(s).

The A550/500's also share a new user interface system, which is basically a much more upgraded user interface than that of the entry level Alphas. As a first, when using Quick AF Live view, many settings are available with the function button as an overlay over the live view image, if you so choose it to be. Live histograms etc. are also displayed during live view. It is a more versatile system overall. In some ways perhaps superior than Quick Navi and some ways not, but overall just a completely different system and way of navigating around. It's quite unique. And, theres more.

There are way too many details to discuss and report here without having cameras in my hand, but I will get into every detail possible in the final review(s). Looks like I have my work cut out for me!

As always, be safe, and happy shooting.

-C.Garrard

P.S. What is clear to me now is the four levels of users Sony are targeting. Entry Level (A230/330/380), Enthusiast (A500/550), High Amateur (700 series), and Semi-Professional/Professional (A850/900). Also worth noting is that the very last gap to be filled for an entire newly refreshed lineup is the A700 series camera. Based on what clues that lie in perfect view with these two new cameras we have here, I think we are going to get a real exciting replacement to the A700. And I don't think it is going to be too much longer till we do. (As also stated in the A500 Preview)

Press Release of the Alpha A500/550 and Sony SAM 30mm Macro are available on the next page.