Sony Alpha A55 review

The first DSLR to use a translucent mirror is part of a new breed of digital cameras

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Sony Alpha A55
Those who use live-view will appreciate the fast autofocus and articulated swivel screen

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As part of our review process we've implemented a new testing procedure. To test the Sony Alpha A55 image quality, we shot our resolution chart, each with the Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM kit lens.

If you view our crops of the resolution chart's central section at 100% (or Actual Pixels) you will see that, for example, at ISO 100 the Sony Alpha A55 is capable of resolving up to 26 (line widths per picture height x100) in its highest quality JPEG files. Examining images of the chart taken at each sensitivity setting reveals the following resolution scores in line widths per picture height x100:

Resolution chart

Sony A55 Review: 0.4secs at f/8, ISO 100

JPEGs

ISO 100

Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 200

Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 400

Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 800

Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 – 24 (Click to view full size)

ISO 1600

Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 – 22 (Click to view full size)

ISO 3200

Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 – 20 (Click to view full size)

ISO 6400

Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 – 18 (Click to view full size)

ISO 12800

Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 – 18 (Click to view full size)

Raw files

ISO 100 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 100 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 200 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 200 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 400 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 400 – 26 (Click to view full size)

ISO 800 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 800 – 24 (Click to view full size)

ISO 1600 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 1600 – 24 (Click to view full size)

ISO 3200 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 3200 – 22 (Click to view full size)

ISO 6400 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 6400 – 20 (Click to view full size)

ISO 12800 raw

Sony A55 Review: ISO 12,800 – 20 (Click to view full size)

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