Sony Alpha A550

Sony is on a roll when it comes to digital camera innovation. We applauded when the ultra-zoom HX1 introduced sweep-your-arm automatic panorama shooting and multiple image compositing to combat blur and image noise (see review here). Now, with the A550 (and its lower-cost, lower-resolution brother, the A500), the company delivers in-camera high dynamic range images that successfully combine two exposures to create a single image with enhanced detail in both the highlight and shadow areas. We've seen in-camera HDR before, but it was limited to handheld shooting. With the A550, you can handhold the camera and, as long as your subject isn't moving, the system works like a charm, adjusting for the inevitable tiny camera movements between shots through a software algorithm.

Another outstanding feature is fast burst-rate shooting. Let the camera keep the same autofocus and exposure setting between shots and you can fire off nearly 7 frames per second, an excellent result (even allowing for continued between-shot adjustments you get nearly 5 fps). And while it's not new to the Sony Alpha line with this camera, the ingenious dual-imager Live View system, which allows fast phase-detect autofocus even when shooting in Live View, makes this mode practical even when shooting fast-moving subjects,

Overall, the A550 is a solidly built camera with decent imaging performance across the board, and a few features that stand out clearly from the pack. It strikes us as a bit expensive, particularly since it lacks the video shooting capability that's increasingly becoming standard for gear in this price range. However, between in-camera HDR and fast burst-rate shooting, you can grab shots that would be lost otherwise, and that certainly makes this a camera worth considering

Performance:
In most of our performance tests the A550 delivered acceptable but not outstanding results. The standout areas are dynamic range and, of course, shot-to-shot speed. Color accuracy wasn't great, due in large part to oversaturation in every color mode, but overall image quality was acceptable across the board. Burst mode shooting is a definite strength: if you're alright with having focus and exposure set with the first shot you get nearly seven shots per second and, if not, you still get almost five.

Components:
The A550 sports a handsome articulated 3-inch LCD, hinged at the bottom (not our favorite configuration) but useful for overhead and down-low shooting. We also like the way the information display pivots to match the camera orientation when you hold the camera vertically. The variety of lenses available isn't as broad as for Canon and Nikon SLRs, but there are enough choices for most practical purposes, and compatibility with Konica and Konica Minolta lenses is a plus. We also appreciate the HDMI port for output to an HDTV, but are baffled by the inability to connect to a standard-def television. We'd also prefer a dedicated autofocus assist light instead of blasting our subjects with bursts from the built-in flash in low-light conditions.

Handling:
The A550 has a very comfortable, rubberized grip and thumb rest, making it easy to hold securely even when moving quickly. The buttons and dials are well positioned, though the four-way controller is a bit too compact for our tastes.  

Controls:
In some respects, the A550 is surprisingly limited, particularly when it comes to in-camera editing, scene modes and direct printing options. For core capabilities, though, the camera provides all the basics, though light on customization options. There are three areas where the A550 truly shines, though. The HDR shooting mode works very well, and produces results that offer practical advantages in difficult shooting situations. The high burst rate shooting speeds are particularly welcome in a consumer-priced camera. And if you like shooting in Live View mode, the fast autofocus system is worth its weight in gold.