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Sony SLT-A55 review
Model Features: 16.7MP, Live View, SteadyShot INSIDE™ image
stabilization, on-screen Help Guide, Graphic Display, tiltable 3.0"
TFT Xtra Fine LCD with TruBlack™, 18-55mm zoom.
Quick AF for Full HD Movie 1 Capture - When most DSLRs shoot video, their
Contrast AF is slow and visibly “hunts” for focus. The Quick AF Full HD
Movie 1 retains the same fast, precise Phase Detection you enjoy for still
images. It’s a decisive advantage for tracking fast-moving subjects and a
major benefit of Translucent Mirror Technology™.
Sony® Exmor™ technology - Conventional image sensors use only a handful
of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, which can slow you down. The
Exmor™ sensor provides more than 4,000 column-parallel A/D converters.
This helps enable continuous shooting at up to 10 frames per second.
Hand-held Night Shot - Get cleaner and sharper nighttime pictures—beyond
the capability of traditional cameras—without using flash or a tripod.
The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the
data with separate algorithms for still and moving parts of the picture
reduces blur, minimizes noise and enables extraordinary detail.
Built-in GPS - An integrated GPS receiver records the location and time of
every shot you take and lets you view your images on a map with compatible
computer and Internet applications, so you can remember where you took your
favorite shots.
15-point Auto Focus - To maximize the value of Translucent Mirror
Technology™, Sony incorporates Phase Detection AF of great
sophistication. Three cross sensors maximize precision.
Main Sensor Quick AF Live View - This the world’s first DSLR to combine
the optimum focus of Phase Detection with high quality Live View images
right from the main sensor. This is made possible by Sony® Translucent
Mirror Technology™. You get accurate images and 100% framing on the LCD
monitor or eye-level viewfinder.
ISO 12800 sensitivity - Incredibly clear low-light pictures without
sacrificing detail, made possible by the low-noise Exmor™ APS HD CMOS
image sensor and refined BIONZ® image processor.
Powerful creative control over movies - While the camera offers fully
automatic movie shooting 1 , you can also control aperture (A mode w/ MF
only), white balance and select Creative Style. During a movie shot, you
can change the metering mode and adjust exposure compensation.
Help Guide - Provides ready reference to advanced camera functions, helping
to develop your confidence and skills as a photographer.
Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO) - Improves results with backlit subjects and
recovers details hidden in shadows. Settings include Auto, Level with a
choice of five operating levels and Off.
SteadyShot™ INSIDE stabilization - Image stabilization reduces blur by
compensating for camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image
stabilization into selected lenses only. SteadyShot™ INSIDE image
stabilization is built into the camera body itself. You’ll reduce
blur with every a-mount lens, including macro and wide-aperture standard
zoom lenses.
Smile Shutter™ technology - Captures a smile the moment it happens.
Simply select the Smile Shutter™ mode and the camera takes the picture
automatically. You can prioritize children or adults and adjust the smile
sensitivity.
Six Creative Style settings - Control how the camera processes your images
with six finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, B&W, Sunset, Portrait and
Landscape. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness to
your personal taste.
Anti-Dust Technology - Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS sensor
clean, resulting in consistently clear pictures. First a static-free
coating on the sensor’s low-pass filter helps repel dust. Then
vibration automatically dislodges dust from the sensor.
Slot for two media types - For cost-effective, convenient storage and
sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Memory
Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC/SDXC media (Class 4 or higher recommended).
(Memory card is required. All are sold separately.)
Remote capability - Works with the RMT-DSLR1 Remote Commander® wireless
remote control, sold separately.
Translucent Mirror Technology™ - Other DSLRs can shoot. Or they can focus
with the speed and precision of Phase Detection AF. They cannot do both at
once. The SLT-A55 is the world’s first DSLR with Translucent Mirror
Technology™ that directs light to both the image sensor and the Phase
Detection AF sensor simultaneously.
16.2 megapixel resolution - You get incredible detail and gorgeous
enlargements. Thanks to the 16.2 megapixel APS-C sensor size and Sony®
Exmor™ APS HD CMOS technology, the camera achieves high resolution with
no penalty in low-light sensitivity or sensor noise.
Full HD 1080/60i movies 1 - This is one of the very few DSLRs with 1080/60i
Full HD, exactly the same resolution and frame rate as most broadcast and
cable HDTV channels. Records in 1080/60i AVCHD™ format, 1080/30p high
definition in PC-friendly MP4 format and standard definition 480/30p in MP4
format. 1
Auto HDR built into camera - Captures more scene dynamic range than a
single exposure can handle—and more range than photo film. Combines the
best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and
the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot. Captures in a
split second. (Recommended for still subjects.)
Eye-Level Electronic Viewfinder - The Tru-finder™ Electronic Viewfinder
(EVF) is super bright, easy to see with 1.1x magnification, ultra-sharp
with 1.44 million dots (1.15 effective) and provides 100% frame coverage.
Exposure preview and informative overlays make operation easy.
Tilt/swivel 3” LCD screen2 - Tilt it up or down to frame high- and
low-angle shots that would otherwise be hit-or-miss. Tilt and swivel under
the camera for self-portraits. Fold it flush to the camera with the LCD
exposed for shooting or protected for travel.
Live View in LCD or EVF - You can use both the LCD monitor and Electronic
Viewfinder for composing shots. Both provide a what-you-see-is-what-you-get
preview of white balance, focus, depth of field, exposure and 100% framing
accuracy, plus informative on-screen displays.
AUTO+ (Advanced Auto) mode - Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer
missed shots. Unifies and simplifies Sony intelligent technologies, the
camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots
and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity,
optimum dynamic range using Auto HDR technology and lower image noise using
6 shots layering technology.
Pro-style “rack focus” movie effect - A hallmark of today’s movies is
the “rack focus” effect, when the cinematographer changes focus between
background and foreground subjects. This usually involves careful planning,
a tape measure and dedicated a crew member for “pulling” focus. With
the SLT-A55V, you can perform this pro-style effect simply by changing the
selected AF Area within the frame.
Graphic Display - Clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter
speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
1200-Zone exposure metering - Reads exposure directly from the main image
sensor. Choice of Multi, Center and Spot metering accommodates a full range
of shooting situations.
Powerful supplied software - To help you refine and manage your images and
video, the camera is equipped with computer software including Image Data
Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR and Picture Motion Browser (PMB). 8
HDMI™ output for HD viewing - Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images
on a compatible HDTV. The camera includes an HDMI™ output 9 . In
addition, the BRAVIA® Sync system works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA
HDTVs enabling you to control camera playback using the television’s
remote 4 .
Up to 330 Shots of battery life 5 - Take up to 330 shots on a single charge
with Sony® Stamina™ battery power. 5 Sony’s InfoLITHIUM® battery
system enables you to see the percent of power remaining, so you can keep
shooting in confidence.
Built-in Auto Pop-Up Flash - To help you shoot more effectively, the
built-in flash automatically pops up and fires as needed when the camera is
set to certain scene selection modes. The built-in flash can also trigger a
wireless accessory flash (sold separately). The integrated hot shoe enables
you to expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold
separately).
PhotoTV HD compatibility 6 - Optimizes compatible BRAVIA® televisions for
gorgeous display of digital pictures. 6
10 frames per second continuous - The translucent mirror makes it far
easier to capture the decisive soccer kick or your baby at her absolute
cutest. The Sony® SLT-A55V camera shoots full, 16.2 MP resolution pictures
at up to 10 fps while maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure.
APS-C size HD CMOS image sensor - With 19.5 times the area of the typical
camcorder image sensor 7 , APS-C makes the difference between amateur and
professional-looking video, delivering an exceptional combination of high
resolution, high sensitivity and gorgeous, blurred backgrounds.
Multi-frame NR - Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash.
The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the
data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise
equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity
selectable up to ISO 25600. (Recommended for still subjects.)
3D Sweep Panorama™ Mode 3 - Capture vast scenic vistas and 16:9 shots in
spectacular 3D. As you sweep across the panorama, the camera records
separate right-eye and left-eye images that make landscapes come alive on
your 3D television 3 . Records both JPEG and MPO file formats.
Eye-level finder for HD Movie - The eye-level finder is one of the reasons
people love DSLRs. But that finder goes dark whenever you shoot HD Movies.
Until now. The Sony® SLT-A55V enables you to shoot movies with the added
stability you get holding the camera up to your face and using the
eye-level finder for framing a scene and focus.
921K dot TruBlack™ LCD screen - Sony’s Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor has
921K dots for superb resolution. The TruBlack™ screen includes a special
resin layer to suppress internal reflections, increasing contrast compared
to conventional LCDs. Sunny Weather mode boosts visibility even further in
bright sunlight.
Phase Detection Auto Focus - While Contrast Detection AF often hunts for
correct focus, Phase Detection AF knows exactly where correct focus is, and
goes straight for it. The Sony® SLT-A55V is the world’s first consumer
camera to provide Phase Detection AF when capturing HD movies as well as
during still image capture, either using the viewfinder or Live View on the
LCD.
Sweep Panorama™ Mode - Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press
the shutter and sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest,
continuously shooting images and stitching them together. Up to 23 MP image
size.
Compact, lightweight deign - Eliminating the moving mirror also reduces the
camera’s size and weight. It’s not just remarkably advanced; it’s
notably small and light.
BIONZ® image processor - The brains of the camera is a refined version of
Sony’s BIONZ® image processor. Its chroma noise reduction delivers
high-resolution, low-noise photos even at ISO 12800 sensitivity. Also
enables 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution, Sweep Panorama™
mode and more.
RAW image capture - Saves your pictures as compact JPEG files or ultra-high
quality RAW files or both. RAW files save images prior to de-mosaicing,
white balance, sharpness and color enhancement. This retains maximum
latitude for enhancing the image on your PC.
Face Detection technology - The camera can automatically detect up to eight
individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to
help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Can
prioritize children or adults.
Eight Scene Selection Modes - These help you get the shot by optimizing the
camera for specific shooting situations. Select from Portrait, Sports
Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night View, Night Portrait and Handheld
Twilight Shot modes.
P/A/S/M exposure modes - The camera offers a full range of controls from
the beginner’s AUTO+ mode to P/A/S/M: Program, Aperture Priority,
Shutter Priority and Manual. On-screen prompts help you refine your skills,
build your confidence and exercise greater creative control.
Versatile on-screen displays - Informative displays in the LCD monitor and
electronic viewfinder include digital level gauge, graphic display of
exposure settings.
Index and Slide Show Display - Quickly review your photos using 6- or
12-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out
effect.
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