Sulhan Photography

Sony A55 SLT – A hands on review - by M Sulhan Juman

The DSLR world has been seeing many new breakthroughs in the recent months – improvements such as low light performance at higher ISO, more frames per second capable cameras and more.  In 2010, Sony surprised the photography scene with their introduction of the SLT cameras.  The SLT camera uses a new fixed non-movable mirror box design using pellicle-type semi-translucent mirror.  We will look more into this technology later in this write-up.  Sony expanded the range of their Alpha cameras by introducing the Sony A33 and A55 – new cameras offering video recording functionality.  Thanks to Sony Australia, I manage to get hold of a Sony A55 to experience myself on what this camera has got to offer.

Key Specification of the A55:

- 16.2 Mega Pixels (APS-C Sized Sensor)
- Interchangeable A-mount – Accepts all Alpha and legacy Minolta AF lens
- New Pellicle-type Non-movable mirror system
- Electronics viewfinder
- In camera built-in GPS
- ISO rating of up to ISO 12800
- 3 inch LCD screen on an articulated joint
- Full HD – 1080p AVCHD capture mode
- 2 X Electronics Teleconverter effect (magnification)
- Single Slot – Multi card-type reader – Accepting Memory stick and SD cards

We received the twin lens kit. Consisting of the 18-55mm and the 55-200mm SAM type lenses.  In this review, I’ll be paying more attention to the newer features such as the HD video and the panorama mode.  In my own personal opinion, since the launch of the Sony A550, the image quality of the Sony Alpha range have been really great ever since.

The newer DSLR cameras spot newer image sensors that performs really well to most situations.  Though there might be some specific image quality that might not meet the needs of some professional photographers, well then again these range of cameras were not designed not intended for the professional market anyway.  Surely for the Sony A550, it surely performs really well in higher ISO with good low noise performance.  Okay, lets now look at the Sony A55 in greater detail.

 

1.  The Sony A55 Body and design

The Sony A55 SLT family (A55 and A33) of cameras fits itself into the middle category of cameras between the Sony NEX series cameras and the Alpha A-series cameras.  The size of the camera will appeal to those moving from the smaller NEX series camera into the SLR type camera.  The Sony A55 and A33 also inherit the smaller battery pack used in the NEX series.  It seem to be a miniaturization effort by Sony to make these type of camera with interchangeable lenses appealing to those with smaller hands.

The size of the camera itself is much smaller than the earlier A-series DSLR. The architecture of these new cameras are build upon the new SLT system that does not have moving flip up mirror type mirror box.

Here is a short description on what the SLT system looks like comparing to the traditional SLR.  In a traditional SLR (Single Lens Reflex) camera, there is the flip up mirror that diverts light to the viewfinder.  During an exposure of a photograph, the flip-up mirror is flipped up and allows two things to happen:

a) Flip up to cover the top and seal any light that might leak from the back through the viewfinder

b) Allow all light from the light source through the lens to fall onto the imager – film or image sensor.

In the illustration below describes the way the flip up mirror is flipped up during exposure.  The action of flipping up of the mirror in some cases introduce some vibration which may affect the camera – if not properly managed.

Sony implemented a Translucent glass that reflects some light up to the image capture device for the electronics view finder while letting most of the light enter straight through into the sensor.  Sony call this SLT which stands for Singe lens Translucent.  The use of SLT technology allows them to achieve the following:

a) Reduce the overall mirror-box which allows them to reduce the size of the camera.

b) Reduce the effects of vibration with no flipping action.

c) Reduce potential mechanical wearing failures due to flip-up mirror assembly or parts failure

d) Reduce the weight of the camera

The illustration below describes the SLT technology in use.   Instead of the usual prism (mirror type or Optical glass Prism) on the top, the SLT cameras have a image sensor to capture live view image that is displayed onto the EVF – Electronics view finder.

 

 

You can see clearly the SLT’s Pellicle mirror in the image above with the image sensor visible at its rear.

The overall size of the camera is significantly smaller than its predecessor DLSRs in the Alpha Series.  This can be clearly seen here with the camera placed side by side with the Sony A550 and the Sony A900. The smaller size and light weight camera body is favoured by many first time users, family and children.

Obviously the size of the grip is significantly smaller made possible by the use of the smaller NP-FW50 battery.

2.  New implementation found on the A55

a) Video Capture in HD

The Sony SLT A55 offers full HD Video.  The camera captures Full HD videos at 1080p in AVCHD capture format.  The overall quality of videos captured on the SLT A55 is really very good with colour-rich high definition movie even with the 18-55mm kit lens.  My personal experience with the video function of this camera has been really good with the fact that one can have interchangeable lens capability on an APS-C sized sensor video capture.  Here are a couple of short video clips put together on Apple’s iMovie.  No colour tweaks or  corrections were made – and footage taken straight out of camera and pieced up together.

This short clip uses both still shots and video form the A55.  The A55 was used here for focus point transitions.  Indoor in a kitchen setting.

This clip was to test outdoor performance with natural light and depth of field control.  Mainly used manual focusing.  Use of EVF was essential due to hand held and camera tucked closely to face hence improved stability.

The small camera size and articulated LCD display pivoted closer to the base of the camera have made this hand-held panning video capture all more convenient.

The overall video capture was very good, although extra care needs to be taken in areas where panning motion from side to side is made.  The rolling shutter “jelly” like effect is quite obvious especially during transition form stationary to panning action.  The ability to control aperture and shutter speeds really opens up the flexibility of use of this camera for better creativity.

Just like all other digital cameras in its class, the Sony A55, with sensors not built to do lengthy video footages, runs into the “Overheating” cycle one in a while.  As a measure to avoid permanent damage and shortened sensor life, Sony has implemented “Overheating” warning that prompts users to power down the camera – to cool the sensor down.  As I’ve mentioned earlier, this is common problem with the current class of DLSR video-enabled cameras out there.

b) Articulated single point pivoted LCD Display

The Sony SLT A55 uses a new single point pivoted Articulated LCD display which is functionally optimised for “Self-video capture”.  Unlike the previous Alpha series camera with flip out LCD display, this new implementation allows more degree of freedom with a simpler actuation – also providing option of fully closing the  LCD inwards to protect the LCD display when the circumstances arise.

 

c) Dual card reader combo card reader & battery compartment in-one

As a space saving effort, the card slots have been combined into a single combo card reader.  This allows user to insert either the Memory Stick (MS) or the Secure Digital (SD) cards – only one card at a time.  The Sony A55/A33 does not accept two cards at one go like the other larger Alpha DLSR cameras.   The card slots and the battery compartment is now housed within the grip area sharing one common compartment cover(door).  This configuration is very similar to the Sony NEX-Series cameras and also the Sony consumer camera ranges.  This helps in saving space and manufacturing cost of another door part.

The battery compartment lid/cover implemented here is also good – as its naturally facing the user as the battery compartment is opened.  Note how the “Yellow Sticker” face the user as the battery compartment lid is opened.

d) Other welcoming design improvements

The Sony A55 inherited the great image quality of the Sony Alpha series cameras and some new design improvements.  The rubberised grip on this small camera helped to improve the grip and handling of the camera.  Hence maintaining a positive grip in-spite of the small camera overall size.  The Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) though may look a little protruding on the back of the camera, actually makes viewing through the viewfinder a little more natural and comfortable – with more nose space.  Keeping the TruBlack LCD display on the Sony A55 just like the Sony NEX Series camera is a good idea – enabling better viewing in bright lighting condition.

Next, we’ll look at some areas where I personally felt that Sony could make some improvements on – to make the smaller Alpha series cameras better.

 

3.  Possible future improvement/s

a)  Marking for Mode Dial

The mode dial position indication on the A55 is only a silk-screen painted marking right on the sides surface next to the pop-up flash (see image below).  This could be improved by implementing a molded bump and have it painted or marked.  This little improvement can improve the user experience.

There isn’t any other burning areas that I think that need to be addressed at this pint of time.  The new implementations surely did show the level of details the design team have looked into.

4.  Basic Stuff is still there – Wireless flash

One of the first things I tried on the Sony A55 is to check if the wireless flash works.  I did a quick test by selecting the Wireless flash mode in the menu and had the flash setup for wireless.  Simply pop up the on-board flash and fire away.  No frills wireless flash the Sony Alpha way.  Here is a mirror shot taken of the Sony A55 with the HVL-F42AM flash – on wireless.

More on information to use Sony Alpha wireless flash – do visit www.alphastrobist.com

 

I managed to try out some of the features of the camera to make sure that they really perform up to expectation.  The following are some still shots taken with the Sony A55.

5.  Sweep panorama – Panoramic Photography – In-camera stitching!!!

The Sweep Panorama mode is one of the standard feature in the Sony newer cameras.  Found in the Sony NEX 5-series cameras, Sony seem to have have made it a standard feature included in the newer DLSR and SLT cameras.  Maybe we’ll see the Sweep Panorama feature in the soon to be released Sony A77.   Here area couple of unaltered/unedited outdoor panoramic shots taken using the sweep panorama mode on the Sony A55.

The algorithm for the Sweep Panorama did a good job doing an in-camera stitching.  The seams are well stitched although there might be some tricky edges to join – especially with wide angle lenses.  However, overall I’m happy with the results and a welcoing feature to make its way into even the higher spec’ed cameras.

6.  Conclusion

The Sony A55 SLT camera sets a new bench mark for cameras in its price range.  Great still images and high quality HD-video recording truly make itself one of those cameras that is suitable for families on the go.  Not to big for its size and great pair of lens – if bought with the twin kit set.  I would certainly recommend this camera to anyone out there who loves photography and likes to try their hands on doing some video clips – for Youtube sharing maybe.

The above review is just my personal experience with this camera and hope it has helped you in giving some idea on the performance of this camera.
Thank you for spending time checking out this short user review.

Regards,
Sulhan

(The reviewer is the Creative Director and Photographer at Mobistudios - A Photography, Videography, Multimedia & Branding Business here in Melbourne Australia )

 

 

 

 

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