Unique Features of the Sony Alpha A55

The Sony Alpha A55 has a long list of features – some of which you may find in a few other cameras and others that are unique only to the A55. But taken together they they make the A55 a very compelling piece of equipment.

In Part 1, I talked about the “standard” features of the A55.

In this part of the review, I’ll key in on several of these features that are both unique and innovative.

The first three features are possible because of the A55’s translucent mirror.

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Electronic Viewfinder

The first time I used the A55, I was surprised when I put my eye up to the viewfinder. In place of a conventional reflex viewfinder used in DSLRs, the A55 has an electronic viewfinder (EVF). The resulting image is somewhat similar to what I might see on a miniature television. A big advantage is that the image in the EVF can be overlaid with a variety of information as you can see below.
viewfinder displaying the level gauge in the center	viewfinder displaying histogram at bottom right	viewfinder showing changeable settings
Having used a dozen or more DLSRs extensively, it took me about a week to get used to the EVF. As a wearer of eyeglasses I was able to set the built-in diopter adjustment correctly for my vision. The image is bright and clear owing to the 1.1 megapixel viewfinder screen, a high refresh rate (60fps). The EVF also has 100% field coverage. I especially like the level gauge that helps to align the horizon.

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To protect it from scratches and help keep it clean, consider using a clear protective filter on your camera lens.

They’re an inexpensive (prices start around $13 depending on lens size) way to protect your lens. A filter also helps keep the lens clean from dust, smudges and the elements when you’re shooting in bad weather. A filter can help prevent damage caused by wind-blown debris, sand or salt spray such as when you’re shooting outdoors at the beach. Furthermore, it’s easier to clean the filter instead of cleaning the lens itself. It’s also less expensive to replace the filter when it’s damaged than a lens.

Now you might be thinking “isn’t that the purpose of a lens cap?” and you’d be correct. The problem with a lens cap, however, is that it’s so easy to lose or misplace it. A filter, unlike the lens cap, is actually attached to the lens so it cannot fall off or become lost. Also, you won’t lose an opportunity of snaping a once in a lifetime photo by fumbling with the camera to remove the lens cap.

Keep in mind as you consider using a filter that if you ask ten photographers whether they use filters, five may say yes and five may say never. In other words, there are many opinions on the value of protective filters. Some believe that a filter is unnecessary and therefore they rarely, if ever, use a protective filter. They may prefer using lens caps, lens hoods or simply handling their cameras very carefully.

Some photographers believe that lenses made today are already protected with special coatings against scratches and dust and, therefore, don’t need any protection from the environment in most normal photography conditions.

Other photographers keep a filter on each lens they use, perhaps taking the filter off during certain types of photography.

You’ll have to decide whether a quality clear filter is best for your shooting situations.

Note: instead of a clear filter, you may also consider an UV filter. It serves the same purpose as a clear protective filter but may be easier to find at your local camera dealer.

 

Written by Scott Slaughter

 

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A New Breed of Camera

I first laid my hands on the Sony Alpha A55 (and the smaller, less expensive Alpha 33) at the PhotoPlus Expo in New York City last September.

What interested me in this new camera was its fixed translucent mirror. In a conventional DSLR, the reflex mirror reflects the image into the viewfinder and then swings out of the way when you press the shutter to send the image to the “film” light sensor. In the Alpha 55, the translucent mirror sends a small portion of the incoming image to the viewfinder and the remainder to the “film” light sensor. This stationary mirror gives the camera several unique features that I’ll describe shortly. This technology isn’t new. In the early 1960′s Canon made a model called the Pellix using a similar scheme with a pellicle mirror. My uncle bought this camera back then, one of the first to have Through The Lens metering (TTL) and it served him well for many years.

The A55’s translucent mirror eliminates the reflex mechanism providing a space, weight and cost savings. Removing this mechanical assembly also allows for a higher frame rate. Next, the electronics measuring the auto exposure remain uninterrupted from frame to frame giving instant responses to varying changes in lighting. Similarly, the auto focus system stays 100% available – a very important consideration for high speed continuous shooting.

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