Sony Alpha A550 vs A330

[kaipium]

Thinking of getting a Sony Alpha.

Anybody like to discuss about whether it is worth the additional S$400 for the A550 compare to the A330?

 

[MintChoco]

I'd choose the A330 and used the money saved on other stuff like maybe a flash or perhaps an extra lens. That's just me though, ultimately it's your money and it's up to you to decide.

 

[kelvinlin]

Yes its worth it if u need to use the high iso of a550 and i find that the grip of a550 is better ... the battery for a550 is more lasting than a330...

 

[Rashkae]

Absolutely (for me). The image quality of the A550 is noticeably better than the A330, the screen is awesome, longer battery life, faster FPS, auto-HDR, face detect, bigger grip, etc.

But depends on you, really. Some find the A330 grip more comfy than the A550 one.

 

[android17]

I feel its dependant on whether u wan better high iso performance or not. If u think u will be using high iso often, get the a550 or a500.

 

[kaipium]

would it make any difference if I am a typical "auto" mode user?

I actually have the Nikon D70 for some years now and am thinking to change to something less bulky/heavy. WIll definitely be getting the 18250 lens to replace my existing nikon 18200.

 

[hoppie]

u got D70, with the budget you have for A550, my as well get a D90? if not you end up selling lens. If you want small get A330. I got A330 leh, but i like A550 for the ISO performance! why don you buy my A330, i go buy A550!

 

[Rashkae]

would it make any difference if I am a typical "auto" mode user?

I actually have the Nikon D70 for some years now and am thinking to change to something less bulky/heavy. WIll definitely be getting the 18250 lens to replace my existing nikon 18200.

Yeah it will... Even in Auto mode, there's a noticeable difference. And the face detect/smile shutter/auto-hdr are fun features.

 

[kaipium]

Yeah it will... Even in Auto mode, there's a noticeable difference. And the face detect/smile shutter/auto-hdr are fun features.

okay thanks...... will definitley consider the A550 next to the A330 and see how it goes.....

 

[shadowoflight]

Here's the diff:

Sensor:
a550 - Exmor CMOS, 14.2mp
a500 - Exmor CMOS, 12.4mp
a380 - CCD, 14.2mp
a330 - CCD, 10.1mp

Grip:
a5xx - manly grip
a3xx - ladies' grip (no offence to the guys who bought it..all bery manly k ;p )

Max Shooting speed:
a550 - 7fps
a500 - 5fps
a3xx - 2.5fps

LCD (tilt measured from upright position |/ ):
a550 - 3" 921,600 pixel, 90degree tilt
a500 - 3" 230,400pixel, 90degree tilt
a3xx - 2.7" 230,400pixel, 65degree tilt

Battery Charge:
a5xx - 1600mAh - srp $110
a3xx - 900mAh - srp $129 (using the small Handycam battery)

Those above, + other features like MF check live view (bery kool), higher ISO will be the main difference.

The general consensus is that becasue a5xx has a better sensor, the overall result is better as well (noise control, colour, etc etc)

If budget is an issue, just stick to A330.

If can up a bit, prefer larger grip with a better sensor, get a550.

If you like a5xx, don't need 14.2mp and dun need a LCD that makes you drool, save the $100 and get the a500.

Hopefully this super-compressed-yet-detailed comparism is useful :sweatsm:

 

[bruce lee]

Go for the A550 if your budget allows. It is better to have a camera with more features. Those features will come in handy when you need it, especially so for high ISO.

 

[alphaboy]

get A550 .. i wont happy with my A300 noise and auto iso capped at 400 . ll upgrade in near future

 

[Shoooters]

A550 vs A330 ? ofcoz A550 wins.. :thumbsup::thumbsup:
,u will not regret buying A550.

 

[android17]

If u got budget constrain, why not consider 2nd hand a500? saw a few of them going for around $900 in BnS, so its around the price of a brand new a330... worth considering.

 

[alphaboy]

i like to see A550 ISO comparison against D90 and 500D still cant find ... will it beat D90 ISO ?

 

[Rashkae]

i like to see A550 ISO comparison against D90 and 500D still cant find ... will it beat D90 ISO ?

Wait for more reviews to be out...

 

[hoppie]

i like to see A550 ISO comparison against D90 and 500D still cant find ... will it beat D90 ISO ?

yeah i would want to see that too, have seen my colleague's D90 high ISO performance and it's simply awesome with Auto ISO going up to 2000+ damn cool i would say.

 

[Titan10k]

i like to see A550 ISO comparison against D90 and 500D still cant find ... will it beat D90 ISO ?

Might be slightly better or might be slightly worse. Can safely say that Sony is around C/N in high ISO performance now, nothing to worry about.

 

[Rashkae]

yeah i would want to see that too, have seen my colleague's D90 high ISO performance and it's simply awesome with Auto ISO going up to 2000+ damn cool i would say.

You rank a camera by it's auto ISO range? :dunno:

 

[hoppie]

You rank a camera by it's auto ISO range? :dunno:

err.......i just say it's auto iso can go up to 2000+ which is quite cool. Did i say i rank it higher because of this? The fact is D90 is really a good cam. Anyway i am just a noob, you so pro i think you comment better lar, i keep quiet better if not wait say wrong thing again :dunno: