Sony DSLR A550 Review

Ok, first, let me point out that I love this camera.

However, I do not think it is as ergonomic as my A100 at all. This is disappointing. However, the pictures it takes is superior. They are clearer and sharper. Even w/ cheaper lenses. I wish, though, that it had ISO 100. It only has ISO 200 and up. I think that stinks!

The view screen is so handy and so monuvorable, but it is so delicate that I will say it is an absolute MUST to get a screen protector for it. It also juts out slightly so it is hard to use the eye piece so I also recommend getting an eye piece extension so you're not always ramming your face into your viewfinder screen.

Setting it up is easier than w/ the A100, but I wish it had that extra dial that they did away w/ in all other versions of the camera line. I liked that dial. It made things that little but more understandable and easier to work w/. That is part of the ergonomics I think, which is another reason I think it's bad ergonomically.

I also think they should make it easier to hold in two hands. Perhaps adding a left hand holding area to it. That's been an issue w/ all of the Sony DSLR's though.

I also don't think the body feels as tight as the A100. It is actually a bit lighter. However, the material feels a little cheaper. Still, it has more modern functions I have read than ever the A700 so it is a lot of bang for the buck in terms of features.

I have yet to use and explore all of the features, but if you look on my main site, you can tell which pictures were taken w/ the newer camera, because they are much better so in my opinion it is well worth the money, but saying that. It is well worth keeping the A100, if you have one, on hand for use when you need that ISO100 setting.

Oh, and on a final note, the battery lasts forever. I loved that about the A100 too. They actually take the same battery, but they, made the shape different so that you can't use them interchangeably. Nor can you use the recordable disks that way either. Still, you can use the same charger for the A100 and the A550.

I think the battery life is important to mention, because I had a friend w/ the A230 or something and their battery life was just terrible. So, if you want the best battery life go for the A100 or the A500 or A550 and you wont be let down by that battery!

Oh, and another final note. It does not take video, but I don't care about that. If I want to get video I use an actual video recorder not a camera. Well, maybe my small hand held camera, but not for great outstanding video's, just random stuff. I don't see a need for it in a big camera like a DSLR though. I want that to focus on picture quality and photo features, not video recording, but if you must have video recording capability do not get this camera as it will not do it at all.