Фотоаппарат Sony SLT A55

Arguably, the age of the consumer-level DSLR dawned in 2000 with the Canon EOS D30, and although a lot has happened in the intervening decade - higher and higher pixel counts, huge improvements in low-light image quality, speed and usability - much has remained the same. A surprising amount, actually. Mechanically, today's DSLRs operate in exactly the same way as their film predecessors. A Sony Alpha A900 might look very different to a Pentax Spotmatic, but the basic principles of their operation are the same. The Sony Alpha SLT A55 and A33 are completely new designs which offer several key advantages over 'traditional' DSLR technology. Their large, bright EVFs are at least a match for conventional optical finders in many situations (and better than the finders in the majority of entry-level DSLRs) and full-time phase-detection AF in movie mode is a revelation compared to the slow, clunky contrast-detection focusing that we've become used to in live view from some other cameras. The 'headline' 10fps shooting mode is useful in some situations, but ultimately we can't help feeling that it is something of a red herring. The A55 is an excellent camera but it is not the ideal tool for shooting fast action. The limitations of using the 10fps mode - (no live view updates, no aperture control if you want AF during the burst) limit its effectiveness, and although it is good for its class, the A55's 15-point AF system is not in the same league as higher-end cameras when it comes to predictive focusing. This shouldn't be taken as a serious criticism (the A55 is after all a mid-range camera), but anyone looking for EOS-1D Mark IV AF performance on a budget will be disappointed.

Reliably good image quality at lower sensitivities High ISO JPEG output usable up to ISO 12800 for smaller prints Excellent LCD and good EVF, with efficient automatic switch. Versatile and capable (for its class) 15-point AF system Accurate metering and focus Very Good JPEG resolution Very good (almost 9EV) dynamic range Good quality HD video output Swivel-screen useful for overhead- and video shooting Good ergonomics all around, good build quality, nice handling Very compact design Excellent digital level gauge in EVF/LCD Useful Fn menu allows direct access to many important settings Very usable manual focus mode (including up to 15x image magnification) Lots of cool features - 10fps, Auto HDR, Multi-shot NR etc., (automatically selected in Auto+ mode) Auto+ mode makes the various continuous shooting modes (see above) available to novices Efficient image stabilization system Built-in GPS handy for organising images (though it can struggle in built-up areas)

Limited control in 10fps and movie modes AF system not quite up to capturing fast action No live view in 10fps/6fps shooting makes panning almost impossible Slow (50 seconds) buffer clear time (RAW-mode) Little control over high ISO noise reduction in JPEG mode ('auto' or 'weak') Visible loss of detail at anything over ISO 400 in JPEG mode (noise reduction too strong) Menu system a little confusing (hard to orientate yourself sometimes) 'Ghosting' can be an issue in certain scenes (clipped specular highlights against dark backgrounds) EVF slightly more prone to RGB 'tearing' than competitors Image review not separately configurable for EVF and LCD Awkward to navigate between stills and movie playback modes LCD unusually prone to finger prints and smearing (reducing visibility in very bright light)

With the Alpha SLT A55 (and its near-relation the A33) Sony has thrown down the gauntlet to the other major manufacturers. These new cameras are both genuinely innovative, and very capable. Sony first introduced phase-detection AF in live view mode with the A350, but the A55 takes things to a completely different level, thanks to its fixed mirror design. Rather than being an optional mode with some disadvantages (less than 100% view, no magnification in Fast AF Live View mode) live view is absolutely integral to the A55's operation and works very well. Coupled with what appears to be an excellent sensor, and good ergonomics the A55 must count as one of the strongest contenders in its category, and one that in some respects completely re-aligns our expectations of what is possible in consumer-level equipment. Naturally though, we have some criticisms - when shooting fast action the A55's 15-point AF system cannot deliver on the promise of its 10fps shooting rate, and the lack of live view refreshes except at its lowest 3fps setting makes panning very hard to judge. The lack of aperture control in AF-C mode at 10fps is an inevitable but unfortunate consequence of full-time AF, too, and manual control over movie shooting is limited as well. Since publishing this review we have taken the opportunity to investigate the much-discussed 'ghosting' effect of the A55's semi-transparent mirror. Our conclusion - if you know where to look for ghosting, you might find it on close examination, but we don't consider it to be a problem in the vast majority of 'real world' shooting situations. Ultimately it is the 'bread and butter' stuff - the excellent all-round performance of the A55's key systems, its fluid ergonomics and largely hassle-free handling that really make it stand out, and we have no hesitation in giving it a gold award.

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