Seriously, don't let it stop you. The A550 is a fun camera.
Sony A550 review
- Thread starter rontth
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Seriously, don't let it stop you. The A550 is a fun camera.
1st, you're lucky if you still get bonus this year after all the uncertainty of economy and boss complaint about slow sales
2nd, you're lucky if you can get a A550 since some stores already out of stock (dunno recently)
3rd, even if you get a replacement of A700, you still lucky
just join the club ASAP!
Go for the A550 - it is indeed an excellent camera.
From my personal experience, the A550's focusing accuracy (on par with A900 and better than the A700, especially for wide-angle and fast lenses eg. 50/1.4, 28/2.8, etc.), Advance DRO, live-view, great High-ISO performance, built-in image stabilizer, and improved viewfinder (over the A2xx & A3xx series) are a really powerful selling points, that's why I now use it in place of the A700.
However, when compared to the A700/A850/A900, the ergonomics, viewfinder, focusing speed and menu system is inferior.
Warning: the "feel" of the A700 in your hand is sufficient to get you to buy one.
Galdor
Senior Member
Actually I don't really read such reviews nowadays. They are all somewhat bias. I would rather see and feel the actual cam to see if I like it and I can afford it. If both are satisfied, I'll just buy without looking back.
Just a thought. If the cam is really that bad, why was it that the stock depleted so fast in the stores? :dunno:
Just a thought. If the cam is really that bad, why was it that the stock depleted so fast in the stores? :dunno:
History proves otherwise you know =)
But I feel 550 is not a good camera.
Like its name, its a step down from 700
The only 'good' camera from sony is 850/900 .
Next yr is photokina there will lots of new goodies.
Galdor
Senior Member
:nono:
The best APS-C in Sony is the A700 currently and the best FF cam in Sony is the A900. These are at the extreme end and it doesn't mean that the A2X0, A3X0 and A5X0 are lousy or 'not a good camera' as you have indicated. Instead they are the lower range cameras to suit the budget and needs of people who do not need certain features (e.g. MLU). Of course the interface is pretty different as well as most common features will have a dedicated button on the higher end bodies or at least can be easily accessed and some of these features will be in the menu in the lower end bodies.
Good thing is that Sony does not take out important features like spot metering and other useful features in their entry level cameras. :thumbsup:
boombox
Senior Member
Well, having a good/bad camera is like having an expensive daler rowney brush or a cheap popartz brush... It's how you use it. Even though I don't agree with the review, it's the reviewer's own opinions. The reviewer does prefer some features and performances and he measures stuff against benchmarks he sets, and it varies according to each individual.
The most important thing is to get it to integrate and work properly in your work flow.
A camera can be well reviewed, but it's useless and unwise to buy it just because of some words and impressions of a writer - and it winds up not working well with you. So what's the use of the camera if that's the case? Do you trust the words of a stranger who probably writes more than he shoots, or do you trust your own hands and intuition?
Many people concentrate on the cameras and forget about the photography.
The most important thing is to get it to integrate and work properly in your work flow.
A camera can be well reviewed, but it's useless and unwise to buy it just because of some words and impressions of a writer - and it winds up not working well with you. So what's the use of the camera if that's the case? Do you trust the words of a stranger who probably writes more than he shoots, or do you trust your own hands and intuition?
Many people concentrate on the cameras and forget about the photography.
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Galdor
Senior Member
The master has spoken once again. :bsmilie: :thumbsup:
Whose history? I have seen pictures taken by old KM5D/7D to be jaw-droppingly fantastic. I have also seen picture taken with A850/A900 to be quite bad.
Your "feeling" is noted, and, should we care?
Huh? From its name, is a step up from A3xx.
Ya right... In terms of features, A7xx/A8xx/A9xx does give a lot of controls. But, I don't think I would bring my A900 for a simple business trip. My A550 would be a 'good' camera for this.
For those who has a lot of money, and still being affected by BBB virus, go ahead! Hey, someone must help the economy. So, I guess, you should... :bsmilie:
:think: can the 'MF Check Live View' used as MLU? will the mirror flip when taking photo in this mode?
maxwell207
New Member
i really love Sony Body-IS and Live View AF.. those cannot be found in other brand.. in this world , you ll get what you pay for .. i m sure A550 is really good camera for its price... just buy it if you can effort 
boombox
Senior Member
:sweatsm:
Unfortunately... in MF Check LV, when taking the photo, the mirror goes down first as the MF Check LV ends, then does a normal shutter cycle: Shutter Close (Sensor LV Ends), Mirror Down, Mirror Up, Shutter Actuation, Mirror Down.
:sweat:
Heard that the mirror's actually heavy enough to shift the camera slightly when a shot's taken, making long exposures slightly unsharp because of camera movement. without MLU, the MF Check LV that gives critical sharpness might be kinda redundant for those macro shooters.
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Not really. Even hand-held it's still sharp.
boombox
Senior Member
Really! that's good to hear..
Yes the mirror does flip in any mode... that's the annoying thing I guess for some more advanced users looking for a cheaper DSLR than the A700 but without the MLU... I guess it's difficult to please everyone... or to have too many segments in the DSLR market...
But seriously I have seen very well-composed pictures even with a point & shoot... ultimately it's the photographer behind the camera that is of critical importance... the camera's features merely makes it easier for you to capture the shot in the way you want it rather than having to jump through many hoops to get the shot...
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