Photo answers review
Photo answers rating 
Features & handlingTechnology is food and drink for Sony and this 14.2MP DSLR is absolutely packed with a three-course meal of features. It’s not just the obvious headline technology like the built-in stabilisation, dust protection and the BIONZ processor that stand out on the specification sheet, but more the creative elements like a tilting 3in LCD and extended sensitivity to ISO 12,800. On the inside there’s even more to tempt you, with quick AF Live View and creative features like Face Detection and Smile Shutter. You also have some impressive tools like built-in HDR and D-Range optimiser for those that enjoy being more creative in-camera, rather than on a computer.
The a550 is a chunky product and arguably not the most attractive camera that you will discover on the shelves of your local retailer. But don’t let that distract you from the positive elements, as Sony knows what it’s doing when it comes to technology. The features that this camera possesses are certainly benefits rather than gimmicks and the type of consumer that is likely to head for the Sony brand will appreciate that varied offering.
Live View works best on a big screen, so the 3in offering is certainly suited to the job. This LCD offers great resolution at 921k dot, and can be tilted out from the camera so that you can change the angle you view it from. Another great feature that is found on all Sony Alpha cameras is the in-built SteadyShot INSIDE optical image stabilisation. This provides you with stabilisation whatever lens you have attached to the camera. Sensitivity has been ramped up on this model to a maximum of ISO 12,800 and the a550 has the Sony BIONZ processor providing the calculations to manage the image quality and reduce problem noise.
Creative styles are certainly not new to DSLR models, but for the a550 there is added interest thanks to a great HDR mode. This mode enables you to take HDR images without the need for a tripod and additional software as it is done in-camera. You simply frame up and press the shutter, and the camera then takes three shots and combines them to create your HDR image. D-Range optimiser is the perfect tool for improving the tonal range of your image, while for portraits Face Detection is great for acquiring focus and exposure for faces in portraits. Smile Shutter does exactly what it says on the tin, quite literally taking a shot when the subject smiles. As for Smart Teleconverter, this is a digital zoom function that crops the image and thus degrades the image quality. You can crop by a 1.4x or 2x magnification, but it’s no substitute for an optical magnification.
Performance & image qualityFor a camera in this price bracket, the a550 captures high resolution files from that 14.2MP sensor. The 7fps shutter is impressive but you can only use this speed in speed-priority mode, so you are actually looking at a performance of 5fps in normal operation and down to 4fps in Live View. All the controls of this camera are very simple, which makes it easy to use and navigate around. The menus are impressive and very helpful to the less confident photographer.
We expected more from the a550’s images than what was delivered. The metering was very accurate and well balanced, but the image definition was the element that let the image quality down. For such a high-resolution sensor we would have expected crisper detail and more vibrant images, but all we got was average pictures that lacked any real impact. You can certainly argue that the camera delivers to a standard that a £580 price-tag deserves, but for us it was just average.
Sensitivity performance on the a550 is actually quite good. The normal operating range from ISO 200-3200 delivers some excellent noise control and is easily usable in low light. The expanded setting at ISO 12,800 clearly demonstrates lots of noise, but it is not a disastrous level, and it will enable you to get a shot in conditions you may otherwise have not tried.
VerdictThis is a camera that does a good job but doesn’t excel, and image quality is a letdown from a sensor that should deliver more. The a550 is hardly lacking in features, so if you want value for money then you certainly get that. Elements like the tilting LCD screen are real positives for the camera’s design too, but for us it keeps coming back to that disappointing image quality.
SpecificationStreet price: £580 (body only)
Effective resolution: 14.2MP
Sensor type: 23.4x15.6mm CMOS
Crop factor: 1.5x
Lens mount: Sony Alpha
Exposure modes: P/A/S/M
Metering modes: 40-segment honeycomb-pattern
ISO range: 200-3200 (12,800 expanded)
Shooting speed: 7fps (JPEG), 5fps (RAW)
Card type: SD and MS
LCD monitor size: 3in 921k dot
Live View: Yes
Autofocus: 9-point
Integrated cleaning: Yes
Built-in stabilisation: Yes
Weight/size (wxhxd): 599g/137x104x84mm
