New stuff from Sony...

This could be something in the future, but I am holding on to my cash for now.

A55 seems like an interesting camera, however the review stressed about the limitation of 10fps mode, shortcomings of Sony AI-servo AF, and the lack of optical viewfinder. For example, Panasonic EVF made me feel sick, and that one is supposed to be the best of the breed.

I personally think sensor should play the key role in AF (contrast detect). Phase detect systems are inherently inaccurate, however little, and have limited scope for evolution. Optical viewfinder should stay as is or modified, but not replaced with the current gen EVF.

I can't imagine handling that small body either.
 
It's interesting that LL say that the vf is...

"preferable to any of the reduced frame optical viewfinders that I've used"

But of course we'll all have our own opinion and would need to try it for ourselves.

I think that the lack of a moving mirror would be an advantage for hand held low shutter speed shooting, that would interest me, and any loss in light could be overcome by increasing the ISO speed a little, probably with little real effect on noise.

Time will tell....but I've got too many Canon lenses to think about jumping to Sony.
 
Looks nice and compact etc but reading dpreview's comments would put me off getting one.
 
Really?

They seem quite positive, this is how they close...

"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.

Ultimately though 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."

This bit reads well...

"and one that in some respects completely re-aligns our expectations of what is possible in consumer-level equipment."

I'm not going to rush out and buy one but I think that it might be a big seller, especially considering that the NEX and Panasonic EVIL are selling very well.
 
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woof woof said:
Really?

They seem quite positive, this is how they close...

"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. .
Click to expand...

There were more serious limitations listed in the review, and this is all for 850 euro camera. I am wrong at thinking D90 or 7D / D300 for a little more offer much more of a camera than this?
 
Dunno, but I think that some of those cameras actually cost a lot more.

I just find these developments interesting and I do think these will sell but I've just been reading about ghosting due to the mirror. If it's true I doubt it'll show up in every shot but it's something that will raise concerns.

PS. As I said, I'm not going to run out and buy one but if I was interested it'd be for single shots as that's how I use my 20D and therefore frame rate etc wouldn't be a factor. I'm sure that these cameras will interest others like me who don't need a high frame rate and who don't pan.
 
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It sems to miss the boat - the one it's designed to catch. That is, the whole purpose of the translucent mirror is to enable phase-detect AF to function at very high frames rates, like 10fps.

But in servo mode the AF can't keep up with most subjects, and the electronic viewfinder blacks out :shrug:

Seems to be a nice enough camera and respect for the innovation, but it seems to perform well despite the trick mirror rather than because of it. I'd like more information about what effect a translucent mirror at 45 degrees in the light path has on the image. It was image degradation and loss of light that killed the original Canon Pellix all those years ago, plus the delicate semi-mirror in that camera was very prone to damage.
 
I'm thinking of trading my A200 for the A55 or A33. I think it would be a good upgrade.

For the people that aren't a fan of the size of the A55 and A33 and the EVF, Sony have also released at the same time the A560 and the A580 which offers a larger body and an optical view finder

For me I'm not majorly bothered about the fast frame rate but it would be handy I suppose. I think it would be a good step up from the A200. It would also mean I can carry on using my existing lenses so I would buy body only.

Check them out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MardQiu-3wg&feature=youtube_gdata_player


The video quality is also stunning!

See:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dASmzrGswc8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
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