Sony Announces Alpha DSLR-A550 And DSLR-A500 Digital SLRs

August 27th, 2009 by

Photo-John

Sony adds two new cameras to their Alpha digital SLR line today. The new Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 is a 14.2-megapixel camera and the Alpha DSLR-A500 is a 12.3-megapixel camera. Both use brand new Sony Exmor CMOS imaging sensors, which are supposed to deliver better image quality at sensitivity settings up to ISO 12,800. The new Alpha A550 and A500 also offer in-camera High Dynamic Range (HDR), combining multiple images to create one with a wider tonal range - even without a tripod. The new cameras also have improved Live View functions and new 3-inch, tilting Live View LCD displays.

The new Sony A550 has a class-leading 7 frames per second capture rate. That kind of speed is usually only available in cameras costing close to $1500. I believe cameras under the $1000 mark max out at 5 FPS or less. Both the A550 and the A500 have Sony’s SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera image stabilization. That means you don’t have to buy special lenses to see the blur-reducing benefits of mechanical image stabilization. Both cameras also use Sony’s unique two-sensor auto focus system so that auto focus performance is the same whether you’re using the optical viewfinder or Live View.

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The 14.2-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 and 12.3-megapixel Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 will be available in October for approximately $1050 and $850, respectively. Sony is also introducing a new 30mm f/2.8 macro lens, the DT 30mm F/2.8. The new lens will be available at the same time and should sell for about $200.

Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 And A500 Press Release

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