The Sony A55 camera accepts interchangeable lenses and uses translucent mirror technology, allowing faster shooting and a more compact design.
Translucent Mirror Technology utilizes a fixed, translucent mirror that splits the optical pathway between the primary image sensor and a separate phase-detection autofocus sensor. This allows for a simplified mechanical design that makes the camera more petite than a conventional DSLR.
The 16.2 megapixels A55 is equipped with a burst shooting speed of up to 10 frames per second, an integrated GPS tracking system, 1080i HD Movies with continuous autofocus during shooting, a 15-point phase-detection autofocus system, Quick AF Live View, a 3-inch free-angle LCD, a Tru-Finder (Electronic Viewfinder) with 100% coverage, 3D Sweep Panoramas, Auto HDR, and Multi-frame Noise Reduction. Additionally,
Sony a55 Build Quality.
The Sony A55 is quite similar to the company’s more conventional mid-range DSLR portfolio, with models such as the A390 looking identical from an exterior point of view. This is one of the many ways the Sony A55 is comparable.
The A55, on the other hand, is considerably different on the inside. Instead of an optical viewfinder, it has an electronic one, and instead of a moving non-translucent mirror like a DSLR does, it has a fixed semi-translucent mirror.
Because the mirror of the A55 is translucent, sufficient light can pass through it to the sensor, enabling it to remain fixed at all times. The A55’s mirror also can reflect some of the light onto a phase-detection auto-focus array located at the top of the camera’s body.
Because of this combination, the A55 can offer full-time DSLR-like focusing speeds, even while recording video. Additionally, it can provide an excellent Live View system with 100% scene coverage and an impressive fast continuous shooting rate of 10 frames per second, all while being physically smaller and lighter than a comparable DSLR.
Sony a55 Image Quality
During this evaluation, the Sony A55 captured photographs of exceptionally high Quality. The ISO range of the Sony A55 is highly useable and stretches from 100 to 12800. There is no noise between ISO 100 and 800, while ISO 1600 and 3200 yield more than satisfactory results, and even ISO 6400 and 12800 may be used successfully in an emergency. Chromatic aberrations are extremely well managed; you will only see them in places with much contrast.
A practical Dynamic Range Optimizer function will extract additional data from an image’s shadow and highlight sections without adding any noise or other artifacts that aren’t intended.
The High Dynamic Range mode combines the results of two separate images taken at various exposures into a single image. The result is an image that has a higher dynamic range than what would be produced by a single photograph. However, it does yield some excellent effects even though it can only function with JPEGs and stationary subjects.
The 16-megapixel photographs come out of the camera slightly soft when using the default creative style. For the best results, you should sharpen them some more by utilizing an application such as Adobe Photoshop; alternatively, you may adjust the degree of sharpening that the camera applies automatically.
The built-in flash performed admirably indoors, preventing red-eye and producing photographs with adequate exposure overall. The night shot turned out well thanks to the camera’s maximum shutter speed of 30 seconds and its Bulb mode, which allow lots of room for creative experimentation during nighttime shooting. In addition, the built-in SteadyShot anti-shake feature performs quite well, shooting at slower shutter speeds while holding the camera by hand.
Sony a55 Specs
| Body material | Plastic |
|---|---|
| Sensor | • APS-C “Exmor” HD CMOS • 16.7 million total pixels • 16.2 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
| Image sizes | • 4912 x 3264 (3:2) • 3568 x 2368 (3:2) • 2448 x 1624 (3:2) • 4912 x 2760 (16:9) • 3568 x 2000 (16:9) • 2448 x 1376 (16:9) |
| Image sizes (Video) | • AVCHD: • 1920 x 1080, 59.94i (from 29.97fps sensor output) • MP4: • 1440 x 1080, 29.97p or 25p, depending on region • 640 x 480, 29.94 fps |
| Aspect ratios | • 3:2 • 16:9 • variable (Sweep Panorama) |
| File formats | • RAW • RAW + JPEG • RAW + JPEG Fine • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) – Standard • JPEG (EXIF 2.2) – Fine |
| File formats (Movie) | • AVCHD Ver. 1.0 compliant Video: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 • MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 |
| Lenses | • Sony A-mount • Konica-Minolta AF mount |
| Focus modes | • Auto Focus (15-point phase-detection AF system) • Manual focus • Face Detection • AF Tracking |
| AF assist lamp | Yes, a dedicated lamp |
| Image stabilization | Super SteadyShot INSIDE |
| Extended optical zoom | N/A |
| Digital zoom | N/A |
| Exposure modes | • Program AE • Aperture-priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual • Auto • Auto + • High-speed mode (10 fps) • Sweep Panorama (2D/3D) • SCN (see below) • Flash off |
| Scene modes | • Portrait • Sports Action • Macro • Landscape • Sunset • Night view • Hand-held Twilight • Night portrait |
| Scene modes (movie) | • Portrait • Sports Action • Macro • Landscape • Sunset • Night view • Hand-held Twilight • Night portrait |
| Sensitivity | • Auto • Intelligent ISO • ISO 100 • ISO 200 • ISO 400 • ISO 800 • ISO 1600 • ISO 3200 • ISO 6400 • ISO 12800 • ISO 25600 (multi-shot NR mode – JPEG only) |
| ISO steps | 1/3 or 1.0 EV |
| Metering range | -2 to 17 EV |
| Metering modes | • 1200-zone multi-segment • Center-Weighted • Spot |
| AE Lock | • AEL/AFL button • With shutter release half-press |
| AE Bracketing | • three frames • in 1/3 or 2/3 |
| Exposure compensation | • -2 to +2 EV • 1/3 EV steps |
| Shutter speed | • 60 -1/4000 sec. • Bulb • Flash X-sync 1/160 sec |
| White balance | • Auto • Daylight • Shade • Cloudy • Incandescent • Fluorescent • Flash • Kelvin temp (2500 – 9900K, 100K steps) |
| WB fine-tuning | Yes (magenta/green bias) |
| WB Bracketing | N/A |
| Color space | • sRGB • Adobe RGB |
| Image parameters | • Creative Style (Standard, Vivid, Portrait, Landscape, Sunset, B/W) • Saturation (5 levels) • Contrast (5 levels) • Saturation (5 levels) • Sharpness (5 levels) |
| Drive modes | • Single • Continuous Hi (6 fps) • Continuous Lo (3 fps) • ten fps via high-speed mode |
| Continuous buffer | • 35 JPEG Fine images • 39 JPEG Std images • 20 RAW images • 20 RAW+JPEG images |
| Self-timer | • 2 sec • 10 sec |
| Flash | • Manual pop-up • TTL auto/manual • Guide no. 10 (ISO 100) • Sync modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Slow sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction on/off, Wireless • Flash exposure compensation: Up to +/- 2EV in 1/3 EV steps |
| Flash X-sync speed | 1/160 sec |
| External flash | • Hot shoe |
| Viewfinder | • Electronic Viewfinder • Color LCD Viewfinder • Field of view 100% • Eye point 19mm • Magnification 1.1x • Dioptre adjustment -4 to +4 dioptre • 1,440,000 dots (of which 1,152,000 are used) • Field Sequential (RGB) |
| DOF preview | Yes |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| LCD monitor | • 3.0″ TFT LCD monitor • Multi-angle swing and tilt (180°swing, 180° swivel)* • Low-temperature Polycrystalline TFT LCD • 921,600 dots • Approx 100% frame coverage • Auto / Manual (5 steps between -2 and +2) / Sunny Weather |
| Playback functions | • Single (with or without shooting information • RGB histogram & highlight/shadow warning) • 6/12-frame index view • Enlarged display mode (L: 11.8x, M: 8.8x, S: 6x) • Image orientation (On/Off selectable) • Slideshow • Panorama scrolling • Auto Review (10/5/2 sec Off selectable) • Folder selectable (still image) • Slow-forward (movie) • fast-forward/fast-rewind (movie) |
| Connectivity | • USB 2.0 (High Speed) • HDMI type C |
| Print compliance | • Exif Print • Print Image Matching III • DPOF setting |
| Storage | SD/SDHC/SDXC/MemoryStick Pro Duo |
| Power | • NP-FW50 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery • Supplied charger / AC adapter (sold separately) |
| Dimensions | 124 x 92 x 85 mm (4.8 x 3.6 x 3.3 in) |
| Weight (camera body) | Approx. 441g (0.97lb) |
| Weight (camera body, card, and battery) | Approx. 500g (1.1lb) |
Conclusion
The Sony A55 flips the script on conventional design to deliver what is, in many respects, a superior user experience than what standard DSLRs can achieve. Moreover, it does it at a price range that must cause concern for Canon and Nikon.
Suppose you can get over your apprehensions regarding electronic viewfinders. In that case, the Sony A55 is an excellent option for novice photographers and those who take a more measured approach to their hobby. On the other hand, suppose you don’t need the additional 2 megapixels, built-in GPS, or continuous shooting mode that’s three frames per second quicker. In that case, the cheaper A33 is an option that’s worth thinking about as well.
Sony a55 FAQs
Is Sony A55 a good camera?
The Sony A55 was a well-liked camera when it was first introduced, and despite its advanced age, it still retains some functional capabilities; however, fresher versions may provide superior performance.
What year did the Sony A55 come out?
2010 saw the introduction of Sony’s A55 model.
What resolution is Sony A55?
There are 16.2 megapixels worth of resolution packed into the Sony A55.
What lens mount is Sony A55?
The lens attachment for the Sony A55 is known as the Sony A-mount.