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Sony Alpha a500

Sony Alpha a500
Sony Alpha a500Sony Alpha a500Sony Alpha a500Sony Alpha a500Sony Alpha a500Sony Alpha a500
alaScore 89

215 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 215 reviews of Sony Alpha a500. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. People really like the image quality and screen. The usability and price are also appreciated. The exposure and contrast get less positive comments. Opinions are divided on the flash.

performance, price, usability, screen, image quality

video, viewfinder, shutter, contrast, exposure

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Sony Alpha a500 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 89/100 = Very good quality.

See all Sony Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 215 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (49% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (37% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (12% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (1% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (2% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

performance
  Show positive (79%)Show negative (21%)(Show all)
price
  Show positive (90%)Show negative (10%)(Show all)
usability
  Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)
screen
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
image quality
  Show positive (86%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)
design
  Show positive (75%)Show negative (25%)(Show all)
portability
  Show positive (65%)Show negative (35%)(Show all)
lens
  Show positive (71%)Show negative (29%)(Show all)
durability
  Show positive (59%)Show negative (41%)(Show all)
flash
  Show positive (53%)Show negative (47%)(Show all)
focus
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
size
  Show positive (77%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
video
  Show positive (31%)Show negative (69%)(Show all)
reliability
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
color
  Show positive (58%)Show negative (42%)(Show all)
battery
  Show positive (89%)Show negative (11%)(Show all)
sensor
  Show positive (57%)Show negative (43%)(Show all)
viewfinder
  Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)
shutter
  Show positive (43%)Show negative (57%)(Show all)
zoom
  Show positive (80%)Show negative (20%)(Show all)
contrast
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
finish
  Show positive (100%)None yet(Show all)
exposure
  None yetShow negative (100%)(Show all)
More features

Showing 108 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 32 of 108 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (107)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Sony Alpha a500

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 3 user reviews of Sony Alpha a500 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the battery and portability. The usability and price also get good views, whereas the video and durability get less positive reviews.

performance, price, usability, portability, battery

durability, video

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 Alpha a500

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 19 user reviews of Sony Alpha a500 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. Reviewers are impressed by the lens and portability. The price and usability also get good reviews, but some have doubts about the size.

performance, usability, price, portability, lens

size

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

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

 

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

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.

Jul, 2010
Read the full review

Expert review by : William Chambers (steves-digicams.com)

Sony DSLR-A500 Review

 

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

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 turn off...

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

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by (electronicsme.com)

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...

Dec, 2009
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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Sony A500 Review

 

The Sony A500 is a new mid-range 12.3 megapixel DSLR camera offering enhanced Live View, Auto HDR functionality and high-speed continuous shooting capabilities. Slotting in above the A3- series cameras and below the A700, the Sony Alpha A500 employs a...

The Sony A500 marks a return to form for Sony in the mid-range DSLR market after the backwards step of the A330 / A380 models, which although cheaper and lighter suffer from an un-intuitive control layout and poor handgrip. Live View mode is an area...

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by : Peter K. Burian (photocrati.com)

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...

Oct, 2009
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Expert review by (bobatkins.com)

Sony Alpha A500 and A550 APS

 

Two new consumer DSLRs from Sony

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Expert review by : Cliff Smith (trustedreviews.com)

Sony Alpha A500

 

We take a look at Sony's latest mid-range DSLR

The Sony Alpha A500 is a well-designed mid-range camera ideal for anyone upgrading from an entry-level model. It is rather bulky compared to its main rivals, but it is solidly made and handles well. It has a good range of features, excellent...

Feb, 2010
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com.au)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

 

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.

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

Via CNET

Aug, 2010
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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com.au)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

 

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500

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.

Jul, 2010
Read the full review

Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.co.uk)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 review

 

Out of the 5 consumer models in Sony's dSLR product line, stuffed into the rather tight price range between $500 and $750, the Alpha DSLR-A500 is probably the biggest value of the lot. It has the best photo quality, good performance, and the tilting...

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.

Jul, 2010
Read the full review
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Price comparison for Sony Alpha a500

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