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Sony 12.3 Megapixels Alpha DSLR-A500 Review by TrustedReviews With Rating 9/10

2010-02-20 06:52 | Tag:  Rating  Alpha  Sony  Megapixels  Review  | Source
Average Camera Review Rating [4 reviews]
On August 27 2009, Sony announces two mid-range APS-C-sensor DSLRs, the DSLR-A550 and DSLR-A500. Both cameras features the unique ability to create two-shot high-dynamic-range images automatically, producing images of high-contrast subjects with balanced shadow and highlight areas by combining two images taken a fraction of a second apart. Using a system calls 'positional interpolation' to compensate for slight changes in position between shots, these are the first cameras that provide in-camera HDR without a tripod.

The camera's metering system can determine how wide an exposure adjustment should be made between the two shots, or the user can specify bracketing values. In either case, the composite is created by the camera rather than using external software. Speedy shooting plays a role in making the HDR feature practical - minimal movement between exposures helps with precise alignment. The A500 and A550 also speed through continuous shooting assignments, with default burst rates of 5 frames per second shooting with the viewfinder and 4 fps in Live View mode.

The main difference between the two cameras are the sensor resolution with the A550 at 14.2 Megapixels, while the A500 comes with 12.3 Megapixels. The more expensive A550 comes with a high-res 3-inch display with 920,000-dot resolution, while the A500 screen is a 230,000-dot screen. The rest of the features are similar between the two new DSLRs. Both cameras offer articulated LCDs that tilt 90 degrees up and down. Both cameras use a 9-point autofocus system and use phase-detect sensor for focusing in Live View mode as well as viewfinder shooting. These new models add Manual Focus Check Live View, providing 7x and 14x views for precise manual focusing operations, including macro photography. Both cameras include pop-up flash, HDMI output and face and smile detection. Smile Shutter and Face Detection that is popular in the Sony's Cyber-Shot point and shoot are also included in these new DSLR models. The cameras can accommodate both Sony's Memory Stick PRO and standard SD/SDHC cards. The two bodies are essentially identical at 5.39 x 4.09 x 3.31 inches  (137 x 104 x 84mm). Here is the recent review of the DSLR-A500 camera by TrustedReviews, giving the camera a rating of 9 out of 10:

"The A500 features Sony's very effective Dynamic Range Optimiser system which we've seen before on other models, but takes it one step further, adding in-camera HDR imaging. Pentax introduced this technology in the superb K-7, and the results that it can produce were obviously enough for Sony to sit up and take notice. The A500 takes three shots in rapid succession then combines them into one image, adding at least a couple of stops of extra dynamic range to both shadow and highlight detail. It's best used with discretion, but can make a big difference to high contrast shots. 

The A500 is available in a bundle with Sony's recently introduced 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 standard zoom lens. This is a much better kit lens than the old 18-70mm, and produces excellent corner-to-corner sharpness, good contrast and plenty of sharp detail. It does suffer from a tiny amount of chromatic aberration toward the edges of the frame, but this is easily tidied up in Raw mode. Other aspects of image quality are also impressive. The A500 has much better high-ISO noise control than some previous models, producing good clean shots at 800 ISO and an acceptable level of noise at 1600 ISO. Colour rendition in standard mode is very natural, exposure metering and white balance are accurate and consistent, and the overall appearance of images is very pleasing. It is capable of producing picture quality as good as anything else in its price bracket. 

The Sony Alpha A500 is a well-designed mid-range camera ideal for anyone upgrading from an entry-level model. It is rather bulky compared to its main rivals, but it is solidly made and handles well. It has a good range of features, excellent performance and reliably good image quality. If the lack of a video mode is no handicap then it's certainly worth looking at."

Photo Album: Sony 12.3 Megapixels Alpha DSLR-A500 and 14.2 Megapixels DSLR-A550



Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Sample Photos on Flickr





Sony Alpha DSLR-A500 Camera Reviews Roundup

CNET: "While the A550 and A500 have very similar noise profiles, the A500's photos have much better color accuracy, and in fact, its JPEG color accuracy is a lot better than that of most of Sony's other consumer dSLRs. Its image colors are nicely saturated and pleasing, though it has a bit of trouble with the deep pinks. It still doesn't offer a natural/accurate color mode or a way to strip out all the color 'enhancement'..." - Jul 21 2010 More »
ePhotoZine: "By keeping the pixel count fairly modest (although I believe 12 megapixels is plenty enough for most applications) Sony have been able to keep the noise levels produced at high ISOs well within acceptable levels. As I've come to expect from the current crop of digital SLRs available today, noise is barely noticeable below ISO800. By ISO1600 a little colour and luminance noise has started to creep into the shadows, b..." - Jun 03 2010 More »
PhotographyBLOG: "The Sony A500 marks a return to form for Sony in the mid-range DSLR market after the backwards step of the A330 / A380 models, which although cheaper and lighter suffer from an un-intuitive control layout and poor handgrip. Live View mode is an area where we didn't expect too many improvements, but Sony have made several advances that puts their system even further ahead of their main rivals. Face Detection and Smil..." - Feb 22 2010 More »
AlphaMountWorld: "For A300 owners who are itching to upgrade I think the A500 might just be the camera you are looking for, and it's not a bad body for backpacker landscapers to carry either. It is a pretty lightweight DSLR that doesn't take up much room, takes excellent raw images, and hand held HDR's unlike any DSLR I've used to date (all other makes and other Alphas less the A550 require a tripod- as of the date of this article).&..." - Dec 17 2009 More »
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Photocrati: "The in-camera Steady Shot stabilizer was very effective. In low light, I consistently got sharp photos at 50mm (75mm equivalent) using a shutter speed of 1/15 sec. At a longer 1/8 sec., at least half my photos of New York night scenes were sharp. When bracing the camera against some solid object, I was able to make some technically good images even at 1/4 sec. In the conventional live view mode, the A500 and A5..." - Oct 13 2009 More »
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