Sony A55: 16 MP, HD Video and 10 FPS w/AF, Built in IS, GPS, Swivel Screen

mpix345 wrote in post #10971789
I think that is the most spot on comment I've read about the Axx cams. It would be quite the battle between those claiming that Canon has shown us the future of photography and those who just don't understand why anyone would put video in a camera.

While the Axx are very interesting to me, the more I think about switching sides the more I wonder if those cameras/features/tech are ready to be used as your everyday DSLR. Not that I'm a pro paying the mortgage (or anything) with my camera, but I am fond of the automatic nature of my Canon gear.

While I may have ordered an A33 the other night if B&H and Adorama weren't closed, now I'm thinking hard about letting more performance data bubble to the surface, and maybe waiting for gen2 SLT options.

This is what people are forgetting about! Yes, these features are great headlines, but does the camera work in the real world? Does its image quality stand up to the early reviews? Everyone is so hot to trot on saying that this is the camera that's going to kill Canon (though that may be a bit of an exaggeration on my part ) but it hasn't even hit the market!

Like I've said before, bravo to Sony for putting out a camera like this, but I genuinely believe its more a headline grabber than anything else.

Like I've said before, bravo to Sony for putting out a camera like this, but I genuinely believe its more a headline grabber than anything else.[/QUOTE]

No one is comparing it to Canon. Canon has nothing like it.. I can say that if Canon did and you put an L lens on it, it would be better IMHO than Sony..

I not pre-ordering it, but if the reviews are positive on it, I'll buy an A55 in a minute. And, I certainly won't compare the IQ to an EOS and I probably wouldn't compare it to even a G10,11 or 12... All it will do is replace my Sony DSC-HX1 and I'll take HX1 and leave it my car..

My Local Frys has them on demo. I got a chance to play around one (A33). I am impressed. Rebels have a long way to catch up. Few things I liked :
+ Electronic View finder appeared BIG (even larger than 5D viewfinder).
+ 10FPS is awesome
+ Really nice size and weight (tiny)
+ With EVF, manual focus is a breeze. (much better than Rebels)
Dont know about IQ.

I also just got a hands on, just hands on, with an a33 at a box store.
The EVF was way better than I thought it would be. No problems and great info you can display and if I recall correctly I saw the exposure and other changes such as WB take live effect right there in what I saw in the EVF. This also goes for the incredible rear LCD, I was stunned at how much it looked like a real print.

It fit just fine in my large hands. Again surprised. I've had Pentaxes with good one handed design but this was also very good.

The auto HDR was fun. I suppose all are.

I do wish the magnification buttons didnt sit on an angled shoulder. Made reaching up a bit tougher to zoom in. Speaking of zooming, the ability to do that in the EVF was great.

This this was customizable beyond what you'd expect for the price point.

Now that it's at the box stores I think this may sell well with the typical Rebel crowd.

does it have audio output and aperture control in video mode?

I really like the projected viewfinder... I have a big nose.

I think it can easily compete with the rebel line. It's only a little more expensive, but you have features found on canon and nikon semi-pro models. I mean how many rebels shoot 7-10 fps? You don't think a lot of soccer moms and dads would like that ability without having to fork over $1500 for a 7d?

The 60d is it's only real competition. And I don't think people will have difficulty seeing the A55 has more for less.

I'm sure this thread will be resurrected as the a55/33 are starting to be tested in person by potn members as shown above.

Although I may still purchase one in the next few (this depending on my next lens as I'm looking for 5d) I want to see some more posts about it, etc..

What I don't want to do is invest in Sony lenses... I may just get it with a kit lens and like I mentioned in an earlier post, replace my DSC-HX1 with the 55/33. Take my old sony p&s that sits in my car (just in case) give it to a friend and replace it with DSC-HX1.

Then wait for Canon to make a 5D MK (?) that has the 7D AF and the video capability of the a55 as I'm not a cinematographer, just want to shoot video of the family and on vacation with a DSLR body.

A55 has the best sensor in the APS-C class according to DxOMark.
http://dxomark.com …sensors/Sony/SL​T-Alpha-55

jpc271 wrote in post #11169896
I really like the projected viewfinder... I have a big nose.

I think it can easily compete with the rebel line. It's only a little more expensive, but you have features found on canon and nikon semi-pro models. I mean how many rebels shoot 7-10 fps? You don't think a lot of soccer moms and dads would like that ability without having to fork over $1500 for a 7d?

The 60d is it's only real competition. And I don't think people will have difficulty seeing the A55 has more for less.

I agree. If you are not invested in glass it would be awful tough to choose a Rebel over the A55. The exception might be if you knew you were going to want to upgrade in a big way in the future, but the soccer mom crowd generally does not fit that description.

To be honest, the already exceptional D7000 looks to be an A55 sensor with slightly less luminance NR.

My friend is about to purchase a D7000 as it's video capability includes Auto Focus when shooting and you don't have to hold an AF button to focus, etc..

That is what the 7d, 5d mk ii and 60d(?) lack and the a-55/33 has.

I still feel the Sony is the best bang for the buck if you want to have speed and full auto video in a body.

Photon Phil wrote in post #11223173
To be honest, the already exceptional D7000 looks to be an A55 sensor with slightly less luminance NR.

In fact, D7000, Pentax-K5 and Sony-A55, they all use same exmor sensor made by Sony.
Do expect similar sensor performance. From DXO report, it looks even 7D is way behind.
Sample images from K-5 also amazing..(looks much better than my 5Dc)

Cool

Is that the real Ken Rockwell??