Sony Alpha SLT-A55

538 reviews

May, 2013

Positive
Usability (58)
Color (19)
Stabilizer (14)
Design (14)
Portability (8)

Negative
Flash (2)
Battery (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 537 reviews from magazines and websites. People really like the image stabilizer and design. The color and viewfinder also get good feedback, but comments about the manual image adjustments and software are mixed. Some have doubts about the battery and flash.

usability, viewfinder, color, design, stabilizer

build quality, exposure, flash, battery

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital SLR Cameras the Sony Alpha SLT-A55 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 95/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Sony Digital SLR Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 538 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(57% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (31% of reviews)
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Features

Usability
Show positive (60%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

Viewfinder
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Color
Show positive (55%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)

Stabilizer
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Design
Show positive (47%)Show negative (3%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 313 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 313 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (229)

Expert review by: Ben Long (pcworld.com)

Sony Alpha SLT-A55

The first step in taking a photo is to point the camera in the right direction. But to know what that right direction is, you need a viewfinder. The problem with designing a viewfinder is that the lens on the camera is located in front of the image...

Can autofocus while shooting video ; Fast continuous shooting mode ; Very good image quality ; In-viewfinder level ; Multi-shot noise reduction

No program shift ; Electronic viewfinder only

Sony's first translucent-mirror camera offers impressive continuous-autofocus capabilities, an amazing burst mode, and excellent image quality to go with its smaller size. The major trade-off: no through-the-lens optical viewfinder.

Jan, 2011

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Expert review by: Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Alpha SLT-A55V (with 18-55mm lens)

With its SLT series of cameras, Sony spans a gap between mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras (ILCs) like the Olympus PEN series, Panasonic's Lumix G series, and Sony's NEX models and Samsung's NX series and traditional dSLRs. The defining...

Fast, especially for burst shooting; articulating display; relatively straightforward, streamlined interface; really nice virtual-level implementation

Poor battery life; limited manual video-capture controls

Expensive and probably a bit large for the typical point-and-shoot upgrader, the Sony Alpha SLT-A55V nevertheless delivers the performance and photo quality boost those shooters are expecting.

Nov, 2010

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Expert review by: Richard Baguley (digitalcamerainfo.com)

Sony SLT-A55 Digital Camera Review

The SLT-A55 is a new spin on the conventional SLR, with a translucent mirror that lets most light through, so the camera can shoot and focus at the same time. The result is a camera that has the advantages of an SLR (quick and flexible focusing and...

Sep, 2010

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EDITORS' CHOICE

Expert review by: David Elrich (digitaltrends.com)

Sony Alpha SLT-A55V

Sony's been on a roll this year with the introduction of NEX series of cameras, and now the Alpha A55V as well as its lower-priced sibling, the A33. Although they look like traditional DSLRs, the pair is radically different which we'll detail on the...

16-megapixel APS HD CMOS sensor ; Full HD video ; 10 fps shooting ; Accurate focusing ; Terrific EVF

Grip might be too small for some ; Button placement not totally intuitive ; Plan to go broke buying better lenses

Sony’s Alpha A55V shoots ultra-fast stills and the best HD video we’ve ever seen from a DSLR.

Aug, 2010

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

Sony Alpha55 (SLT-A55VL)

Excellent image quality. Extremely fast autofocusing in any mode. Continuous autofocus when recording video. Easy-to-use interface. High-quality LCD. GPS. HD video capture at 1080i60 in AVCHD (17Mbps). Choice of HD video codecs

No optical viewfinder. Single-focus autofocus not available while recording video. No control over aperture and shutter speed while recording video. Audible lens noise in video capture

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Expert review by: (dpreview.com)

Sony SLT-A55 Review

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Expert review by: Jason Saundalkar (itp.net)

Sony Alpha SLT-A55VL

Sony refers to the Alpha SLT-A55VL as a single lens translucent (SLT) device rather than a single lens reflex device

An innovative camera packing serious autofocus punch. It also offers decent image quality, a usable interface and great ergonomics.

Jun, 2011

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Expert review by: Eric Reagan (photographybay.com)

Sony A55

The Sony A55 is the next big step for Sony, which busted onto the scene with the A300 and A350 DSLRs almost 3 years go with their fast live view autofocus. The A55′s live view autofocus is a step above pretty much everything else on the market,...

As you have likely gathered by now, I think the Sony A55 is a great entry-level camera. Those who love the ability to frame photos using the live view display won’t find a more capable DSLR-type camera than the A55. And, if you are stepping up from a...

Apr, 2011

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Expert review by: Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

Alpha SLT-A55

is anything but. Normal D-SLRs have a mirror splits incoming light between the viewfinder and AF sensor. When you want to take a picture, the mirror flips out of the way, exposing the sensor to light. The same goes for live view -- a D-SLR has to get...

Very good photo quality ; Incredible continuous shooting performance ; Sensor-shift image ; stabilization ; Flip-down, rotating 3-inch LCD with excellent sharpness, very good outdoor/low light visibility ; Large, sharp electronic viewfinder ; Great...

Tends to overexpose; some highlight clipping and purple fringing ; Widescreen LCD not suited for 3:2 still shooting (you'll see black bars on other side of the scene when you're composing a shot) ; Electronic viewfinder has a strong "rainbow effect",...

Despite a few annoyances (which every camera will have, in one form or another), it's hard not to like the Sony Alpha SLT-A55. It's a great choice for those who want to capture fast action, instantly create panoramas, or just take great pictures...

Mar, 2011

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Expert review by: Sal Cangeloso (geek.com)

Field test: Sony SLT-A55 digital camera

Sony's A55 digital camera (along with its little brother, the A33) had a significant impact in 2010. They were lauded for their technology and gave Sony a notable presence in the sub-$1000 camera market, with the A55 at $849 and the A33 at $699 (kit...

Feb, 2011

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Product Specifications

The Sony SAT-A50 satellite receiver has a 32-bit microprocessor for fast on-screen menu operation and its RF input accommodates cable TV or local TV antenna to deliver local programming. One Button Record with VCR controller sets the digital satellite receiver's timer function to automatically start and stop the recording function of your VCR. The Remote Commander remote control also operates many brands of television sets, cable converter boxes and VCR's. And the On-Screen Menu System displays all the information you need on screen.