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Sony DSLR-A550

Sony DSLR-A550
Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550Sony DSLR-A550
alaScore 89

276 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 276 reviews of Sony DSLR-A550. The average rating for this product is 4.3/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Comments about the size and image quality are on the whole positive. The usability and screen are also mentioned favorably. Reviews about the zoom and flash are mixed. The exposure and reliability get less positive opinions.

performance, screen, usability, image quality, size

viewfinder, video, reliability, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony DSLR-A550 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 276 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (34% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (53% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (7% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (3% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

performance
  Show positive (84%)Show negative (16%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (81%)Show negative (19%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (82%)Show negative (18%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (60%)Show negative (40%)(Show all)
color
  Show positive (58%)Show negative (42%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (56%)Show negative (44%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (31%)Show negative (69%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (54%)Show negative (46%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (54%)Show negative (46%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (58%)Show negative (42%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (67%)Show negative (33%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (45%)Show negative (55%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (64%)Show negative (36%)(Show all)
video
  Show positive (44%)Show negative (56%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (25%)Show negative (75%)(Show all)
low-light
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
stabilizer
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
exposure
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
memory
  Show positive (50%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
control panel
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
Show more features

Showing 146 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 15 of 146 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (130)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony DSLR-A550

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 2 user reviews of Sony DSLR-A550 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.5/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. People really like the portability. The image quality also gets good opinions.

image quality, portability

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Sony DSLR-A550

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Sony DSLR-A550 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers really like the size and design. The performance and durability are also appreciated.

price, durability, performance, design, size

100% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Ben Pitt (expertreviews.co.uk)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550L review

 

Seriously fast and packed with interesting features, but the lack of video is disappointing and automatic exposures could be better too.

Mar, 2010
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Expert review by : Claire Gillo (digicambuyer.co.uk)

Sony Alpha 550

 

At the top of the step up Sony range can the A550 be as good as its competition?

For the enthusiastic novice photographer looking to improve their skills, this is the ideal partner. The lack of video mode is off putting when compared to its major rivals.

Apr, 2010
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Expert review by (gadgetheaven.co.uk)

Sony DSLR-A550

 

The DSLR-A550 has a 3-inch LCD screen that lets you determine what your final shot will look like. This screen can tilt to about 90 degrees, giving a wide eye for focus and zoom. It has a clear resolution of 14.2 megapixels that will allow you to...

This Sony camera comes with a Memory Stick slot that will allow you to add up to 8 gigabyte extra memory that will let you shoot away without fear of low storage capacity. The rechargeable lithium battery will allow for uninterrupted power supply no...

Apr, 2010
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Expert review by : James Cumpsty (reghardware.co.uk)

Sony Alpha A550

 

The lack of video will raise a few eyebrows given its rivals but, as a stills camera, it has many compensating features.

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...

Jan, 2010
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Expert review by : What Digital Camera (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Sony Alpha a550 review

 

The Sony a550 is the newest mid-level of Sony's recent releases, with an array of top features including high sensitivity to ISO 12800. We test out if the a550 is a true performer or more a...

Dec, 2009
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Expert review by : What Digital Camera (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6

 
Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : Mike Lowe (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Sony Alpha a550

 

The Sony a550 is the newest mid-level of Sony's recent releases, with an array of top features including high sensitivity to ISO 12800. We test out if the a550 is a true performer or more a gap-filler in the What Digital Camera Sony Alpha a550 review...

Tilt-LCD, improved image quality, excellent live view

Build quality a bit 'plasticy', noisy AF with kit lens, no video mode

The a550 is quite the live view photographer's camera - it ousts competitors at a similar level with class-leading, super-fast live view autofocus and quirky modes such as Quick Tele 1.4x or 2x crop factors. However, when lined up against competitors...

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by : LensTip.com (lenstip.com)

DT 16-105 mm f/3.5-5.6

 

very high vignetting at 16 mm,, high distortion at 16 mm,, the image quality at 105 mm could have been better,, visible chromatic aberration at the extremes of the range,, visible coma at shorter focal lengths.

The Sony DT 16-105 mm is difficult to assess. On the one hand, when we look at its performance from the perspective of a very good Zeiss’s 16-80 mm result we don’t like it much. In fact it loses practically in every category and offers instead the...

Nov, 2009
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Expert review by (photoanswers.co.uk)

Sony a550

 

For those looking to step-up beyond an entry-level model, the 14.2MP Sony a550 with its 7fps and 3in tilting LCD is a technology-packed temptation.

This 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...

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Expert review by (photoanswers.co.uk)

Sony Alpha 550

 

The Sony Alpha 550 can reach an ISO of 12,800, but can only drop down as low as ISO 200, which can be limiting for long exposures and studio work.

Read the full review
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