The DSLR-A550 (14.2 megapixels) is packed with advanced Sony technology that combine the spontaneity and freedom of Live View shooting with generous possibilities to realise your creative vision.
At the heart of the camera is a new Exmor CMOS sensor that ensures crisp low-noise images, packed with fine detail and vibrant colours. Dramatically reduced picture noise now allows super-sensitive shooting at up to ISO12800, allowing attractive results when shooting handheld in challenging situations like candlelit interiors.
The A550 features a superb (921k dot) 3.0 type Xtra Fine LCD screen for critical focusing and photo-quality viewing with class-leading colour, contrast and detailing.

Visit official product site

Reviews

Sony A550 review by DPReview.com

Existing Sony users hoping for a more up to date replacement for the Alpha 700 (which pre-announcement this was rumored to be) will be disappointed by the Alpha 550, and – unless you really want high speed burst shooting or the clever (but limited) auto HDR function – it doesn’t really provide enough justification for upgraders with Alpha 2XX/3XX models either. For those users the Alpha 700 (which is the same price) is probably still the best step up until when and if Sony finally retires it.

For anyone looking at their first SLR ( the best part of a thousand dollars burning a hole in their wallet) the Alpha 550 offers an interesting alternative to the more conventional enthusiast models from Canon, Nikon, Pentax and Olympus. It bests all of them for continuous shooting speed, has the only usable live view autofocus system (complete with tilting screen and face detection) and the Auto HDR is a clever trick, but it lacks photographic features considered standard on this class of camera.

This also means the value for money aspect will be totally skewed by your own priorities. For $900 you’re getting a lot of cool features (SteadyShot, great screen, 7fps, Auto HDR, dual live view systems), but Sony has decided that you can’t be trusted with equally useful, if slightly less headline-grabbing things like depth of field preview and Program Shift. If you already know you need those things this ain’t the camera for you.

Ultimately the Alpha 550 is the best APS-C camera Sony has produced since the Alpha 700, and is a significantly more interesting proposition than the rather dumbed-down models currently populating the 200 and 300 ranges. And at the end of the day I actually really enjoyed using it for everyday snaps (where the live view system really shines), and got some great results out of it.

It’s almost impossible to make a blanket recommendation regarding this camera: serious photographers will be put off by the paucity of high end features and controls, beginners will be frustrated by the rather uninspiring results you often get when everything is left on auto. If the standout features (SteadyShot, Live View, HDR etc) do appeal and you want the speed the A550 offers – and you’re prepared to put some work into getting the best results – it’s worth putting on your shortlist.

Conclusion – Pros

1. Capable of excellent results (especially in raw)
2. Good JPEG dynamic range
3. Far better high ISO performance than most other recent Alpha models
4. Fast and responsive operation – and up to 7 fps burst shooting
5. Excellent screen and improved viewfinder (though it still works better in Live View)
6. Class-leading live-view autofocus system and new high quality main sensor live view option
7. Improved user interface (though still no interactive control panel screen)
8. Effective in-camera image stabilization
9. Clever automatic HDR feature and DRO shadow adjustment
10. Improved handling and external controls over A3XX models
11. Probably the easiest ‘high end’ camera for the compact camera upgrader to use
12. Excellent battery life
13. Wireless flash capability built-in and optional remote control
14. Well-featured and usable software included
15. Decent 18-55mm kit lens

Conclusion – Cons

1. JPEG output doesn’t really do the sensor justice – shoot raw for the best results
2. Default output over processed: too much contrast, saturation (reds in particular often end up overdone) and noise reduction for our taste
3. Metering not reliable enough, easily fooled by unusual subjects and large skies (often over exposing)
4. More auto white balance errors than we’d expect at this level
5. Not enough control of noise reduction for JPEGs (high or really high)
6. No Program Shift or Depth of Field Preview
7. Very Limited customization options compared to competitors
8. Some shadow noise visible even at base ISO in certain shooting conditions
9. Despite improvements the viewfinder still not that great – hard to get your eye near enough
10. Button placement is less than optimal
11. In today’s market, at this price, lack of video has to be mentioned

Sony A550 review by alphamountworld.com

This is a camera I had high hopes for. The omission and addition of some features has me completely baffled. For example, I doubt a growing user would find a seven frame rate per second feature more valuable than mirror lock up when they do longer exposure images, when the camera already does a very decent and class leading five frames per second.

A lack of being able to see your depth of field in advance is really an omission of a classic and necessary photography feature. All Sony had to do is at least include it in MFCLV mode, with an auto gain feature to make up for the smaller aperture when checking for your in focus area, or just had included it with an optical view in the very least.

For its price the A550 should have more features. At least it should have more software features which I find a bit of a let down. Really there isn’t much exciting here. No monochrome color filters or editing options or electronic level, all features that budding photographers would love to play with and benefit from I’m sure.

Sony Alpha a550 review by WhatDigitalCamera.com

The a550 is quite the live view photographer’s camera – it ousts competitors at a similar level with class-leading, super-fast live view autofocus and quirky modes such as Quick Tele 1.4x or 2x crop factors. However, when lined up against competitors such as the Canon 500D, the build quality feels a little plasticy, which is a let down.

Thankfully the a550 adopts a proper DSLR-like grip, unlike the poor a380 and a230′s lack of any surmountable grip, so it feels good in the hand.

Modes such as in-camera HDR and expanded D-Range Optimiser will afford creative photographers more possibilities, as will the addition of higher-sensitivity to ISO 12,800. However, whilst the brand has been touting this high-ISO to be groundbreaking, it’s more an improvement over Alphas of old, the upper echelons of ISO sensitivity actually proving to be too noisy for most people’s use.

The tilt-angle LCD adds a new dimension to creative framing, though the continued lack of a video mode may isolate some new buyers looking for a stills and video hybrid.

Give it a couple of months and the price should drop to be a touch more competitive, and then the a550 will be quite the competitor to consider.