Review based on a production Sony SLT Alpha A55V with firmware version 1.0
Sony's latest interchangeable lens cameras, the SLT Alpha A33 and A55 represent a significant technological milestone - not just for Sony but for the enthusiast camera market as a whole.
The company has rejected the traditional DSLR design and instead created a hybrid that, like a compact camera, is from the ground up built around live view, but one that is also capable of offering full-time DSLR-style phase-detection autofocus. The combination means they can offer features such as phase-detection AF during movie recording and extremely fast continuous shooting rates (10 frames per second on the A55), previously unthinkable at this price.
This is made possible by adopting an approach that has more in common with a mirrorless camera (like the Panasonic G2, for example) than an SLR by removing the bits that pretty much define such cameras: the optical viewfinder and moving mirror.
The designation 'SLT' stands for single lens translucent and it's the 'translucent' bit that's the key to what differentiates these new models both from conventional DSLRs and mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. The SLTs do have mirrors, but they're mirrors that let the majority of the light pass straight through to the sensor, rather than having to swing out of the way to allow exposure. As a result they are fixed in position, always reflecting a portion of the light emerging from the back of the lens onto a phase-detection AF array housed in the top of the camera. (A newly-developed 15-point array in the case of these two cameras).
The A33 features the same 14 million APS HD CMOS sensor as the NEX-3 and NEX-5, but the sensor in the A55 is brand new, with 16.2 million effective pixels - Sony's highest-resolution APS-C format sensor yet. In another first for Sony's large-body interchangeable lens models, both cameras can shoot movie files as well, at 1080p HD resolution. Technically this review was conducted with a SLT A55V: the GPS-enabled variant of the camera that will be sold in most markets - only in a handful of countries (notably Japan), will a non-GPS version of the A55 be sold.
 Sony Alpha A33  |
 Sony Alpha A55 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | • APS-C 'Exmor' APS HD CMOS sensor • 14.6 million total pixels • 14.2 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
•APS-C 'Exmor' APS HD CMOS sensor • 16.7 million total pixels • 16.2 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array |
| Continuous shooting |
• Continuous Advance Priority AE: max 7fps • Continuous: 6fps |
• Continuous Advance Priority AE: max10fps • Continuous: 6fps |
| GPS |
N/A
|
• Built-in - records orientation and elevation data. |
| Buffer in continuous shooting |
• JPEG Fine: 16 frames • JPEG Standard: 20 frames • RAW: 7 frames • RAW + JPEG: 7 frames |
• JPEG Fine: 35 frames • JPEG Standard: 39 frames • RAW: 20 frames • RAW + JPEG: 20 frames |
| Battery life (approx - CIPA) | • EVF: 270 images • LCD: 340 images |
• EVF: 330 images • LCD: 380 images |
| Weight (body only) | 433g |
441g |
If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read some of our Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).
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Dpreview use calibrated monitors at the PC normal gamma 2.2, this means that on our monitors we can make out the difference between all of the grayscale blocks below. We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X,Y and Z and ideally also A, B and C.
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Sony a55 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm zoom lens | $598.00 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A57M 16.1 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 18-135mm Lens | $949.99 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A55V DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 3D Sweep Panorama (Camera Body only) (Black) | $829.32 |
Sony SLT-A58K Digital SLR Kit with 18-55mm Zoom Lens, 20.1MP SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black) | $498.00 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A37K 16.1 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology and 18-55mm Lens (Black) | $498.95 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A65 Translucent Mirror Technology Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-55mm Lens with 70-300mm Zoom Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Filter + Backpack + Telephoto & Wide-Angle Lens + Accessory Kit | $864.95 |
Sony A65 24.3 MP Translucent Mirror Digital SLR With 18-55mm Lens | $692.99 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A58 Digital SLR Camera Body & 18-55mm Lens with 16GB Card + Case + Filter + Flash + Flex Tripod Kit | $499.95 |
Sony SLT-A58K A58 A58K SLTA58K Digital SLR Kit with 18-55mm Zoom Lens, 20.1MP SLR Camera with 3-Inch LCD Screen (Black) Ultimate Bundle with 32GB High Speed SD Card, Gadget Bag, Spare Battery, Filter Kit, SD Card Reader, 6ft. Micro HDMI Cable + More! | $519.99 |
Sony Alpha SLT-A57K 16.1 MP Exmor APS HD CMOS Sensor DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology, 3D Sweep Panorama and 18-55mm Zoom Lens | $664.95 |
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