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!!!