Hi, I'm new in this thread....

I intend to become an Alphanatic or Aplhanian whichever applicable lah... 

I went to Sony Style at The Curve and testing out A580 & A55 last saturday and I'm undecided which model to go.  Each has pros & cons...

A580 
- Nice grip....felt comfortable & solid immediately but could be tiring after a while because it's heavier especially if I'm into traveling or wondering around for photos.
- Somehow I like the control better than A55, don't know why?
- comfortable OVF. A bit dim and only 95% coverage.  Still ok to me but I need to go back to see if whether ISO info there or not..... Anyone?
- No AF in video but this is not a concern as I own a Full HD videocam also from Sony....
- 7 fps is good enough and I think I won't be using it that often....
- IQ is said to be better than A55 after 200% cropping!! Not an issue in real world.
- Marginally more expensive than A55...
- Better battery life!!

A55
- Grip Ok but not as comfortable as A580 but very nice to carry around.
- Nice EVF....brighter than A580 OVF!! 100% coverage!! Dark when ISO turn to i.e. ISO 100. When panning, can see some "rainbow" effect but this is not a problem for me lah.
- Efficient video AF although is all automatic.  Nice thing to have lah....
- 10 fps is very good. Also nice thing to have lah....
- IQ is said to be lower than A580 after 200% cropping!! Also not an issue in real world.
- Marginally cheaper than A580...
- Extra batteries required!! (counter with extra batt about the same price as A580)
- Awkward when pair with external flash!! Big head small body!!! 

As you can see, video & the burst rate are not the concerns here...I'm more into landscape, portrait & candid and will venture into Studio photography. I will take the kit lens 18-55mm SAM & 55-200mm SAM first and may get the 50mm 1.4 or 1.8 for portrait & 70-200(or G may be) later when budget permitted.  As for landscape probably Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 fast lens.

My initial model was A55 and I read reviews that A55 has studio setup problems and need to work "around" to get the desire results.  But I'm not sure about A580 studio setup but I think it's the same as A550.  I read that A55 will not have a vertical grip.  A55 also has compatibilities issue with Sigma lens and must make sure A33/55 sticker must be on the box before purchase (not an issue but need to be extra alert).  Heat issues also another problem I read in forums for A55 in video and stills!!! But I have not experience it when I done the testing (20 minutes). Anyone of you ever experience the heat issue?

Due to the above, with all the pros & cons (both models are really good!!), I think I will likely to choose A580 over A55.  I need a camera that can last me longer.  I think I can work around with the available kit lens for better pictures and will budget for primes, telephotos and studio strobes later. I know investing in glass is better in a long run.  But then again, reading forums make me intoxicated (too much poisons) and need a urge to find cure!!  By the way, all my friends & enemies are into Canikon & some Olympus!! Their Sonys are all P&S type.

I still keep my SLR Yashica FX3 2000 & kits. Bought a Sony DSC V1 P&S & HD videocam few years back and now itching for my first DSLR!!! Now making my choice, Sony DSLR A580..... is this the camera for me or A55?  With all the sifus & veterans here, what say you?  

Thanks in advance!!! 

pic #1 is nice.....but maybe can use higher F to get the light into star shape...hehe..

i talk about aperture u ask me shutter speed...  

use aperture like F11-13..

if wan get best stunning result, put on a ND110 and use 20-30 sec shutter....   ..

=.="..new body u can buy...ND u say no money..  

i wan sp90 also cant afford..  

wat setting u use to shoot video till 1 hour? HD or normal video format only ah? if HD, really good..i not yet try mine..maybe i should! 

beside tamron.. i found 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro..
why not many prefer it?

new macbook air 11.6"
with sony A550 & 1.8F lens









image quality low due to facebook compression

photo taken during my friend's wedding day =)

brother, anyone using a external Flash?

can share me about ur camera model, flash model, price?

what shall i do and research and aware to get a flash?

thanks~! (this saturday go go go for A580 + 1855 for sure)!!

+1 i agree... but not everyone who buys a DSLR wan to jump to seasonal shooter. some are just family shooter looking for better iso and iq then compacts and before jumping into good gear, why not master the basics first?
F20 can be anything, or any reason... noone is stopping anyone from buying... all u need to know, the uses of F20 and weakness/thing that it cant do, then u will know why or why not u need the flash

(anyhow, i got my F20 for 299 new unit... that why i got it)
i tried it once, not really helpful on my A300, it also deactivate the eye-start AF...

mastering89: Switch to manual focus and you can record at whatever aperture you have set.

Anly: Yes true; with AF, the aperture sets to F3.5 while recording video.

fansoption: Live View better for macro mah.

eddybeh: Bummer, I was looking forward to the new Tamron 60mm F2.0 DiII Macro!

The 60mm will be tighter than the 50mm, but it will seem magically more ngam. There is a difference. I used to use 50mm on APS-C a lot, which is like 75mm on FF, but when I use 85mm on FF to shoot on the streets it seems to be correct!

wen r u going? i wan to join oso if got time

japanese & botanical garden

Same here, I want to join as well.

LOL, you should teach me instead