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Sony Alpha A550

Digital Camera Review
November 24, 2009 By Steve Morgenstern 0 Comments (add your own)

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Introduction

Next: Page 2

Design
Page 1

Sample Photos

Sample Photos

In the following sample images, clicking on the larger image will download the full resolution original. Each photo is accompanied by four actual-size crops.

Landscape Sample

Focal length: 18mm
Aperture: f/9
Shutter: 1/320 second
ISO: 400

This shot was taken in aperture priority mode using the Landscape Creative Style, with automatic white balance and the dynamic range adjustment system turned off.
HDR Samples

Focal length: 35mm
Aperture: f/9
Shutter: 1/125 sec
ISO: 200

Shot with multi exposure metering, the top version was taken with dynamic range adjustment turned off. The middle photo has the high dynamic range function set to Auto, allowing the camera to determine the exposure for the two shots. In the final image, we manually set the exposure difference to the maximum 3 EV.

HDR Auto The recovered detail in the dark areas is nicely balanced here.

HDR +3 Ramping up the exposure difference gains even more detail, but has the artificial look we associate with poorly conceived HDR photography.
Signage Sample

Focal length: 24mm
Aperture: f/10
Shutter: 1/250 second
ISO: 200

Shot with center-weighted metering in aperture priority mode, with -0.7 EV exposure compensation.

The colors here are oversaturated, particularly that bluer-than-blue sky, but the stitching on the flag and the crazed paint came out well.
Close-up Sample

Focal length: 55mm
Aperture: f/18
Shutter: 1/320 second
ISO: 200

Shot in aperture priority mode with the camera handheld, using the Standard Creative Style.

The different textures are captured nicely here, and even in bright daylight the shadowed areas still show some detail.
Low Light Sample

Focal length: 45mm
Aperture: f/9
Shutter: 1/800
ISO:200

We experimented with high ISO settings by shooting this clock face in a very dark room, with indirect light coming through the window on an overcast day, using manual white balance. The effect of digital sharpening is apparent, especially as we reach the highest ISO levels.

ISO 1600

ISO 3200

ISO 6400

ISO 12800

Still Life Examples

In the following sample images, clicking on the larger image will download the full resolution original.

Still Life Comparisons
Sony Alpha A550
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Nikon D5000
Olympus E-30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO Low
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 100
ISO 100
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 200
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 400
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 800
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 1600
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 3200
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 6400
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1
ISO 12800
Sony A550 Canon T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic DMC-GF1

NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.

Noise Examples

The following are 100% crops taken from the still life photos above. You can click on the thumbnails above to view a full-size version of the entire photo.

Noise Comparisons
Sony Alpha A550
Canon EOS Rebel T1i
Nikon D5000
Olympus E-30
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
Sony Alpha A550 Canon EOS Rebel T1i Nikon D5000 Olympus E-30 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO Low
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 100
ISO 100
ISO 100
ISO 200
ISO 100
ISO 100
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 200
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 400
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 800
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 1600
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 3200
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 6400
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1
ISO 12800
Sony Alpha A550Canon EOS Rebel T1iNikon D5000Olympus E-30Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1

NOTE: The images above are not used in our testing or scoring, but are included here to show real-world examples of the differences between cameras at the various ISO settings.

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Sony Alpha A550
Digital Camera Review
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Introduction

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Design