Sony's recent announcement of the Alpha SLT-A55 and A33 is perhaps one of the most exciting new cameras this year. The duo are the world's first dSLRs to utilize Pellicle mirrors and this implementation lets the cameras gain a faster continuous shooting rate--in the case of the A55, it's 10fps. This is pretty impressive for an advanced entry-level shooter, but this model has much more to offer than just a quick burst mode. The A55 has onboard GPS for geotagging of images, a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) and the 3D Sweep Panorama mode which first debuted in the NEX-5 mirrorless snapper. What's also significant about this camera is that together with the A33, A560 and A580, it is among the first Sony dSLRs to have HD video-recording function.
We got hold of a prototype unit of the A55. Here are our first impressions.
Design
The front of the A55 is nothing to shout about. It looks similar to most other dSLRs with a rubberized handgrip on the right side, which feels a tad small for us to hold comfortably. Users with smaller hands will, however, appreciate the petite form factor of the Alpha. The command dial is housed below the shutter button for quick access with the index finger.
On the top left of the A55 is the mode dial, which can be rotated 360 degrees. On the right are controls for toggling between the EVF and LCD, D-Range optimizer, shutter button and power switch. There are more keys positioned on a slant, which can be activated by the thumb easily. There is also a pair of stereo microphones located behind the popup flash.
At the rear of the Alpha you'll find a swivel LCD, as well as a four-way navigation pad which doubles as shortcutsfor functions such as ISO, white balance and drive modes.
The left side of the A55 has ports for mini-HDMI, USB, remote control and 3.5mm microphone output.
The bottom of the Sony camera houses the battery and memory card slots.
On its own, the A55 feels well-built despite the polycarbonate body construction. When paired with the solid 24mm F2.0 Carl Zeiss lens, the whole package feels even better, though the combined weight of approximately 1kg may feel a tad heavy for some users. But we feel it's a small compromise for us considering the build quality of both the camera body and optics.
As mentioned, the compact A55 may be a little small for shutterbugs with larger hands, and the fact that it won't have an optional vertical grip (due to the swivel LCD that flips down) can put some users off.
Features
The single, most important feature of the A55 is its translucent mirror, which allows light to filter through to the imaging sensor as well as be reflected to a phase-detection autofocus (AF) sensor at the top of the camera. Here's a look at the insides of the shooter. (Click here to see the mirror and a "blown up" view of the dSLR.)
Interestingly, the A55 uses an electronic viewfinder over an optical one. We are guessing this is because the amount of light reflected may be insufficient for a proper view with an optical viewfinder. In this case, the EVF can digitally enhance the view, even in dim environments.
The EVF on the Alpha is one of the best we've seen so far. The refresh rate is pretty fast and movements seen through the viewfinder are smooth. It has a resolution of 1.44-megapixel, which is similar to the one Olympus uses for the E-P2. A Sony representative told us that the EVF in the A55 is designed and manufactured by Sony.
The A55 is neither a midrange dSLR nor a basic entry-level camera. Instead, it's targeted at advanced amateurs who want a fast-performing shooter. The Alpha is competing with other models such as the Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS 550D. Here's a specifications comparison chart for the three snappers.
| Specifications/model | Sony Alpha SLT-A55 | Nikon D5000 | Canon EOS 550D |
| Sensor resolution | 16.2 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 18 megapixels |
| Dimension/weight | 124.4 x 92 x 66mm/440g | 127 x 104 x 80mm/560g | 128.8 x 97.3 x 62mm/530g |
| LCD size | 3-inch swivel | 2.7-inch swivel | 3-inch fixed |
| Viewfinder | 1.44-megapixel EVF | Optical | Optical |
| Max. video resolution | 1,920 x 1,080 pixels | 1,280 x 720 pixels | 1,920 x 1,080 pixels |
| Audio | Stereo | Mono | Mono |
| Burst mode | 10fps | 4fps | 3.5fps |
| ISO range | ISO 100 to 6,400 (expandable to 12,800) | ISO 100 to 6,400 | ISO 100 to 6,400 (expandable to 12,800) |
| Image stabilizer | Sensor-shift (in-body) | Optical (via lens) | Optical (via lens) |
| Memory media | SD/SDHC/SDXC and Memory Stick PRO Duo | SD/SDHC/ | SD/SDHC/SDXC |
| Related links | Review | Review |
The Alpha is also the world's first dSLR to have an onboard GPS (other models required an additional module) for tagging pictures with geographical data. But as with most GPS devices, we found the camera worked best under a clear sky and with no obstruction from tall buildings.
An interesting feature of the A55 is the onboard leveling system which helps shutterbugs ensure the camera is level with the horizon. The leveling system can be seen on either the LCD or viewfinder, and it looks akin to the navigation tool used on airplanes for pilots to check if the aircraft is level or tilted.
Outlook
Without a doubt, the A55 is a promising dSLR that has innovation written all over it. From the utilization of a translucent mirror for a faster burst mode to the EVF and onboard GPS, this Alpha is clearly differentiated from the competition. This is good news for Sony who wants to beef up its market share in the dSLR market.Pricing for the A55 in Asia wasn't available at press time, but Sony told us the camera will be in retail stores from late September.
Below are some sample pictures taken with the A55 and its new 24mm F2.0 Carl Zeiss lens (also a prototype unit), so take note they are not be representative of the final product.
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