Sony Alpha A500

alaTest has collected and analyzed 203 reviews from magazines and websites. People are impressed by the design and focus. The portability and value for money are also appreciated, whereas many are negative about the software and performance.

usability, value for money, portability, focus, design

video, performance, software

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Sony Alpha A500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 92/100 = Excellent quality.

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Review analysis

(Based on 203 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (50% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (29% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (13% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (4% of reviews)
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Features

Usability
  Show positive (62%)None yet(Show all)
Value for money
  Show positive (26%)Show negative (2%)(Show all)
Video
  Show positive (3%)Show negative (50%)(Show all)
Portability
  Show positive (52%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
Focus
  Show positive (67%)None yet(Show all)
Design
  Show positive (41%)Show negative (24%)(Show all)
Battery
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Image quality
  Show positive (22%)None yet(Show all)
Viewfinder
  Show positive (46%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
Flash
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 67 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews
Showing 1 - 10 of 67 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (140)

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Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 (Body Only)

 

Generally above-average performance and solid raw high ISO sensitivity performance for its class; large, tilting LCD; fast Live View autofocus; wireless flash.

Awkward aspects to the design; no video.

Cheaper and with better photo quality than its sibling, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A500's quirky design is the only real flaw in an otherwise solid entry-level model with fast Live View shooting and a useful tilting LCD.

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Sony DSLR-A500

 

Sony has created a very interesting dSLR model and the A500 is likely to appeal to a variety of photographers looking for a unique camera with the ability to perform well in a wide range of conditions, thanks to it's excellent performance for a camera...

Friendly ergonomics ; Comfortable body size and weight ; Great performance in normal shooting modes ; Unequalled performance when using Fast Autofocus Live View ; Great Auto HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode ; Fast busrt frame rate for this class of camera...

No standard video out (mini-HDMI Port only) ; No included video cable ; No Depth of Field Preview or Mirror Lockup features ; Slightly slower burst frame rate when using AF-C (Continuous AF) in some conditions ; No video capture feature ; No way to...

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Sony A500 DSLR

 

If you're an advanced amateur, or maybe you're buying your second digital SLR, the Sony A500 makes a very good choice. It has a host of features, some unique, and is a cut above the entry level class of digital SLRs. So if you're ready for a more...

12.3 megapixels resolution18-55mm zoom kit lens3.0 inch tiltable LCDLive View autofocusEye-start autofocus

The Sony A500 digital SLR is a new 12.3MP digital SLR with included...

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Sony Alpha A500, Nikon D5000, and Canon EOS Rebel T1i- Compared

 

Here I am doing a quick comparison based on current market prices of these three popular DSLRS. Looking at these three cameras, makes an interesting market choice at the counter for a new to DSLR buyer. Canon and Nikon seem to be going head to head in...

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Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review

 

Sony's Alpha A500 enters the market with the worlds best overall DSLR live view experience (two kinds of live view), a new 12.3mp CMOS imaging sensor, ISO 12,800 capability, class leading 5 frames per second capture (only bested by the A550), hand held...

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Sony A500 and A550 Digital SLR Review: Field Test Report

 

very prolific manufacturer, Sony markets more DSLR models than any other company. The new A500 (Amazon: Sony Alpha DSLRA500 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera (Body only); B&H: Sony A500) and A550 (Amazon: Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 14.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body...

The A500 or the A550 would be a fine choice for DSLR novices thanks to the many digicam-style features, but the great versatility and advanced functions make it just as suitable for photo enthusiasts. The A550 would be my first choice because of its...

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Expert review by:

Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Announced

 

Well, the new cameras are here, and here is the first 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...

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Sony Alpha A500 and A550 APS

 

Two new consumer DSLRs from Sony

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Consumer review by:

"No Video but what a Performer!"

 

This is a tank of a camera that takes great shots! Especially in RAW. It's a little on the heavy side but it really does handle very well. I bought this as a backup camera to an A-33 but it quickly became my preferred camera for shoots. This is easily...

Decent burst mode, Build quality, features, battery life, design, lens options are cheap, tilt screen is a life saver!

heavy, no video, odd placement of a couple of buttons is weird. Mostly just the top ones.

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Consumer review by:

"Fast DSLR, with beautiful photos!"

 

Sony has built an inexpensive, fast, accurately performing DSLR, with many extra features, that will keep you intersted for quite awhile. Lots to like.

Fast, did I say that before? Renders beautiful colors, with little noise, in dim light. Low noise at high ISO. A Mount uses all of the excellent Minolta AF lenses, plus the newer Sony Alpha lenses. Built in HDR. Live view focus. Feels nice.

No video, but that's OK. That's what I use my Panasonic AVCHD video recorder for.

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Product Specifications

Unlike competing cameras, the DSLR-A500L is just as responsive in Quick Auto Focus Live View mode as in optical viewfinder mode. That's because, unlike the others, the A500L uses the same "phase detection" auto focus for Live View as for the optical viewfinder. While other Live View systems are severely restricted, Sony's performs superbly any time - even if you're shooting handheld or chasing after moving subjects like kids or pets. Even if you're completely comfortable with the optical viewfinder, Sony's tiltable LCD empowers your photography with a different point of view. Helps you frame high and low-angle shots that would otherwise be hit or miss. The LCD tilts up or down 90 degrees to capture a child's first steps or shoot over a crowd. The 3.0"LCD features 230,000 pixels and Sony's Clear Photo LCD display technology. High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography captures more scene contrast than a single exposure can handle by combining two exposures into one incredible shot. Until recently, you needed a computer and editing software to enjoy HDR. Now the A500L has Auto HDR built in. Handles severe backlighting and other high-contrast scenes. Captures in a split second. Connect your camera to a compatible HDTV and play back your images in stunning high definition. The A500L includes an HDMI output. In addition, the BRAVIA Sync system works with compatible Sony BRAVIA HDTVs to let you control camera playback using the television's remote.

Battery

Battery Form Factor:Manufacturer specific
Manufacturer Battery Name:Sony NP-FM500H

Camera Flash

Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Type:Pop-up flash

Digital Camera

Digital Camera Type:SLR
Supported Flash Memory:SD Memory Card / Memory Stick PRO Duo / SDHC Memory Card / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo

Dimensions & Weight

Depth:3.3in
Height:4.1in
Weight:1.3lbs
Width:5.4in

Display (Projector)

Diagonal Size:3in
Diagonal Size (metric):7.6cm
Display Form Factor:Folding
Technology:TFT active matrix
Type:LCD display

Exposure Parameters

Shooting Programs:Landscape / Portrait mode / Macro / Night portrait / Sports mode / Sunset

Header

Manufacturer:Sony
Model:DSLR-A500/DSLR-A500L
Packaged Quantity:1
Product Line:Sony a (alpha)

Lens System

Lens Aperture:F/3.5-5.6
Lens for SD:Body only/Sony DT 18-55mm lens
Max Focal Length:55mm
Min Focal Length:18mm
Optical Zoom:3
Type:Zoom lens

Optical Sensor

Optical Sensor Size:15.6 x 23.5mm
Optical Sensor Size (metric):15.6 x 23.5 mm
Optical Sensor Type:Exmor CMOS
Sensor Resolution:12.3Megapixel

Optical System

Built-in Optical Image Stabilizer: Yes
Image Stabilizer:Optical (SteadyShot INSIDE)

Optical Viewfinder

Type:Eye-level penta-dach mirror

Storage Floppy Drive

Type: None

Video Input

Face Detection: Yes
ISO (Max):12800
Light Sensitivity:ISO auto (200-1600) / ISO 200-12800
Special Effects:Black & White / Neutral / Vivid / Sunset / Landscape / Portrait
Still Image Format:JPEG / RAW / RAW + JPEG
Type:Digital camera

Viewfinder

Viewfinder Type:Optical
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