| Model: | Sony α55 |
| Kind: | Digital single-lens translucent camera |
| Sensor: | APS-C CMOS Sensor |
| Res: | 16.2 megapixels |
| Lens: | Interchangeable, A-mount |
| Shutter: | Electronically controlled, Vertical-traverse, Focal-plane Shutter |
| Shutterrange: | 30 – 1/4000 sec, bulb |
| Metering: | TTL full aperture exposure metering system 1200-zone evaluative |
| Emode: | Programmed AE (AUTO, AUTO – Flash Off, P), Aperture priority, Shutter priority, Manual, Scene selection |
| Mmode: | Multi-segment, Centre-weighted, Spot |
| Farea: | 15-point (12 line, 3 cross) phase-detection AF system |
| Fmode: | Single-shot AF, Automatic AF, Continuous AF, Manual Focus |
| Cont: | 10 FPS / 6 FPS |
| Viewfinder: | EVF, 100% coverage, 1.10× magnification |
| Speedrange: | ISO equivalency 100 to 12,800 in 1.0 EV steps, boost to 25,600 in Multi-Frame Noise Reduction mode |
| Flash: | GN 10 at ISO 100 |
| Flbkt: | +` |
| Wb: | Auto / 6 presets / Colour Temperature/Colour Filter / Custom WB |
| Rearlcd: | 3.0" TFT LCD, 921k dot resolution, variable-angle tilt/swivel |
| Storage: | SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Pro Duo |
| Battery: | NP-FW50 Lithium-ion battery rechargeable battery |
| Dimensions: | 124 × 92 × 85 mm |
| Weight: | 441g |
| Obp: | Unavailable |
| Madein: | Thailand |
| Footnotes: | dpreview |
The Sony α55 (model variants SLT-A55V with GPS, SLT-A55 without GPS depending on country) is a midrange-level SLT camera, released in August 2010.
Its design is novel due to its being the first digital single-lens translucent camera (SLT), along with the Sony α33. As an SLT it employs a semi-transparent mirror instead of an opaque mirror, which enables phase detection autofocus in live view.
The design also replaces the optical viewfinder present in conventional DSLR with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder. The translucent mirror is fixed in position so does not have to flip up to take a still image, enabling rapid continuous shots of up to 10 frames per second. The static mirror also eliminates "mirror slap", the noise produced by the movement of the mirror during a shutter actuation, making the A55 quieter than standard DSLRs.
The A55 is one of the first four Sony Alpha DSLR / SLT cameras with video mode included, capable of 1080i. It is also capable of shooting 1080p at 30fps. The SLT design means that it is capable of using phase-detection autofocus during video recording. It has body-integrated image stabilization, and a 16.2 MPx APS-C CMOS sensor.
The camera's body-integrated image stabilization produces heat, causing the camera to stop video recording after these recording times:
| Model name | Ambient temperature | Image Stabilization | |
|---|---|---|---|
| On | Off | ||
| α55 (SLT-A55V) | 9 min | Approx. 29 minutes | |
| 6 min | 13 minutes | ||
| 3 min | 5 minutes | ||
| α33 (SLT-A33) | 11 min | Approx. 29 minutes | |
| 7 min | Approx. 22 minutes | ||
| 4 min | 9 minutes | ||