Sony A500/A550

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kayakingRob

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Rob
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I currently use an A100, which I am looking to upgrade. As I have a few lenses etc already I've been looking at the new Sony bodies. Has anyone used one? Any opinions? I will head into a Sony Centre or something to try one after Christmas, but was hoping someone might have some proper experience of them?

Cheers,

Rob
 
they have some things about them that are very good & some that could possibly be seen as omissions/drawbacks - it all depends on what your needs are & you haven't told us those.
 
heidfirst said:
they have some things about them that are very good & some that could possibly be seen as omissions/drawbacks - it all depends on what your needs are & you haven't told us those.
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I mainly shoot whitewater kayaking, so I guess most of my photos (at least those in the UK) are in dull/flat/low light and with a lot of action. I often use continuous shooting, so need a reasonable fps rate. Other than reasonable lowish light performance, I don't rally have any other specific requirements, and my photography isn't good enough to show up the small differences between bodies that a better user could achieve.

This isn't my first hobby (that's the kayaking!), and without a huge amount of money to spend I don't need a really fancy camera. I'm not interested in the new gimics such as live view and video modes, but they wont put me off a camera if it happens to have them.
 
what is it about the a500 (/any upgrade) that you are hoping to gain from your current A100? (genuine question, I'm conscious that may have come across wrong)
 
The biggest point for me is I'd like to get higher ISO for the lower light shots (the A100 will only give me 1600). Also this summer I had a few issues with an error message (think it was #59) which seem to have stopped now, but they were a pain at the time. Also I think the sensor could do with a clean, so am justifying the upgrade instead of a service.

I also think I get 3fps in continuous burst, whilst the A500/550 give 5 I think? - which would make a difference on some of my shots.
 
I think you just need to find the difference between the A500 and A550 i think in general they are very similar. I think it might be the A550 has HD video and the A500 does not, Not exactly sure as i was looking into them when i was researching for a Dslr.

Do be honest not seen a A550 yet, but Currys and Jessops have the A500, So don't know if they just not carrying the A550 yet or it's not out in UK yet.

Also do your research on Sony site the prices can vary from Sony centre to Centre.

As example i bought a TV last week 2 of the local centres had it on for 799.00 and the other local one had it on for 949.00 exact same tv and package

If you visit the sony site thats why it asks which store when you want prices and the same is true for the A550 one store is showing as 749.00 and the other as 699.00 and both within like 15 / 20 miles of each other if that
 
kayakingRob said:
I mainly shoot whitewater kayaking, so I guess most of my photos (at least those in the UK) are in dull/flat/low light and with a lot of action. I often use continuous shooting, so need a reasonable fps rate. Other than reasonable lowish light performance, I don't rally have any other specific requirements, and my photography isn't good enough to show up the small differences between bodies that a better user could achieve.

This isn't my first hobby (that's the kayaking!), and without a huge amount of money to spend I don't need a really fancy camera. I'm not interested in the new gimics such as live view and video modes, but they wont put me off a camera if it happens to have them.
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Both should give you much improved high ISO.
A500 will give you 5fps & A550 has a 7fps mode (focus & exposure locked from 1st shot). A550 also has a better rear screen & of course higher res. sensor.
I would have thought that Liveview in conjunction with the pivotable rear screen could have come in handy for taking water level shots?

How wet is your camera likely to get?
I'm wondering if you might be better off trying to track down an A700.
 
heidfirst said:
I would have thought that Liveview in conjunction with the pivotable rear screen could have come in handy for taking water level shots?

How wet is your camera likely to get?
I'm wondering if you might be better off trying to track down an A700.
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A pivotable rear screen and live view would be useful for that sort of shot, but it is something that I have been able to live without until now, and so I don't think that it should be something that I actively look for in an upgrade. Also it's quite rare that I find myself holding the camera at water level - often zooming from below will produce a similar effect.

My camera has been known to get quite damp - mainly due to using it in the rain though! The splash from the water is something that I can usually avoid, and when it isn't in use it's kept nice and dry in a peli case.
 
Went out this morning and had a play with the A500 in the shop. Tried a few others, but liked the A500 better, and bought it :thumbs: Thanks to you all for your helpful comments.
 
A550 is availible in Jacobs Digital as I got one for myself few days ago.
Been playing with it..
Even the kit lens 18-55 giving good quality images.
ISO performance is good as well as I set auto ISO and it is from 200-1600..
havent tried ISO 3200/6400 as 1600 currently is enough for me to use....
unless in very dark condition.
 
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