Sony DSLR-A550

276 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
performance (58)
screen (34)
usability (26)
image quality (18)
size (12)

Negative
viewfinder (11)
flash (6)
video (5)
reliability (3)
exposure (2)

General overview
Price comparison

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. People really like the size and image quality. The usability and screen are also mentioned favorably, but views about the zoom and flash are different. 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.

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Review analysis

(Based on 276 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Features

performance
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screen
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usability
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image quality
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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. Reviewers are impressed by the portability. The image quality also gets good views.

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 are impressed by the size and design. The performance and durability also get good opinions.

price, durability, performance, design, size

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

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : DP Review (dpreview.com)

Expert Review

The Alpha 550 might be the most impressive Sony SLR for a long time, but for all its fancy gadgetry you can't help feeling the whole isn't as great as the sum of the parts, and it's hard to see who it's aimed at. There aren't many faster cameras in...

Capable of excellent results (especially in raw), Good JPEG dynamic range, Far better high ISO performance than most other recent Alpha models, Fast and responsive operation - and up to 7 fps burst shooting, Excellent screen and improved viewfinder...

JPEG output doesn't really do the sensor justice - shoot raw for the best results, Default output over processed: too much contrast, saturation (reds in particular often end up overdone) and noise reduction for our taste, Metering not reliable enough,...

Aug, 2010

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Expert review by : PJ Jacobowitz (pcmag.com)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

If you can look past its missing video-capture capability, Sony's Alpha DSLR-A550 is a very impressive (and very fast) D-SLR.

Speedy 7 fps burst mode. Terrific image quality, even in low light. Tilting 3-inch LCD. Well-designed, newbie-friendly user interface.

No video capture—not even standard definition.

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Apr, 2010

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 review: Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550

Generally above-average performance for its class; excellent high ISO sensitivity profile relative to competitors; large, tilting LCD; fast Live View autofocus.

Poor color accuracy; Live View provides only 90 percent coverage; awkward design for shooting via optical viewfinder; no video.

If you're a Live View-oriented shooter who doesn't care about color accuracy, the Sony Alpha DSLR-A550's good performance and decent noise profile make it attractive for the money. Otherwise, you can find a better camera.

Feb, 2010

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

Sony DSLR-A550 Review

Terrific performance in normal shooting modes; Unequalled performance when using Fast Autofocus Live View; Very comfortable body size and weight; Great ergonomics; Pleasing control layout; Unique Auto HDR (High Dynamic Range); Class leading frame rate...

No way to turn off high ISO Noise Reduction (Normal or High options only); No video capture feature; No standard video out (mini-HDMI Port only); No included video cable (an HDMI cable is optional); No Depth of Field Preview or Mirror Lockup features;...

Sonyhas created yet another pleasing dSLR model that is likely to appealto many photographers looking for a unique camera with the ability toperform well in a various shooting conditions. We were veryimpressed with the A550's abilities during our...

Feb, 2010

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Expert review by : Mark Goldstein (photographyblog.com)

Sony A550 Review

The Sony A550 is a mid-range 14.2 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 A550 employs a new...

Virtually identical to the A500 model, the Sony A550 marks a return to form for Sony in the mid-range DSLR market after the backwards step of the A330 / A380 models, offering more megapixels, faster 7fps burst shooting and a better LCD screen than its...

Aug, 2010

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Expert review by : Pop Photo (popphoto.com)

Lens Test: Sony DT 16-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

Mar, 2011

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Expert review by : Susan McGlaun (i4u.com)

Sony A550 Review

Photography Blog published a Sony A550 Review.

Aug, 2010

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Expert review by : George Schaub (shutterbug.com)

Sony’s Alpha A550; 14.2 Megapixels And Built-In HDR

The Sony Alpha A550 (with kit 18-55mm lens, $1049 list; body only, $949 list) takes us another step forward with in camera processing of HDR and DRO functions. While these items, to me, are the headliners for this camera, other camera amenities add to...

Speaking of Auto settings, I generally avoid Auto White Balance (AWB) and leave the camera on Daylight to record the color cast I see, but I found that relying on AWB for bizarre lighting conditions, like fluorescents in bleak office and railway...

May, 2010

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Expert review by : Steve Morgenstern (washingtonpost.com)

Sony Alpha A550

Sony enthusiastically embraces technological innovation when developing digital cameras, and that's a very good thing. In fact, many camera manufacturers are Sony customers, particularly when it comes to buying image sensors. With the A550, the company...

HDR photography is a technique that combines multiple images shot at different exposure settings to produce a composite with plenty of detail in both the bright and shadowy areas of a high-contrast scene. This is usually accomplished using software...

Mar, 2010

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Expert review by : Ricky (etechreviews.net)

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 – Excellent Live View Auto-focus

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 comes in two different kits: body only version for $949.99 and another with 18mm-55mm lens for $1049.99. The DSLR-A550 has larger sensor resolution and faster burst option than its sibling, the A500. However, its resolution is...

Above-average performance; perfect higher ISO levels output; fast Live View auto-focus; large and tilting LCD display

Awkward design for shooting through optical viewfinder; no video recording; poor color accuracy; Live View only gives 90% coverage

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 offers poor color rendering and awkward design; still it offers good performance and midsection noise profile. If you want to be a Live View shooter and do not care about its awkward design, then you can buy this camera. However,...

Mar, 2010

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