Sony A500 DSLR Review | 108 Data compared

The Digitalkamera.de review highlights the Sony Alpha 500 as a mid-range DSLR featuring a secure, ergonomic handgrip, a 12.3-megapixel sensor, and effective body-integrated image stabilization, alongside a tilting 3-inch display. Notable pros include the "Manual Focus Check LiveView" and a fast, secondary-sensor-driven Live View system, with the camera sharing core design elements with the higher-end A550. Conversely, the review notes cons such as a lower-resolution 230,000-pixel screen, the lack of video capabilities, and ergonomic compromises like the deep-set control wheel and missing rear thumb dial. Additionally, it lacks the high-speed continuous shooting found on the premium model and features a plastic body that feels less premium.

The CHIP review evaluates the Sony Alpha 500 DSLR as a mid-range camera that offers exceptional value for money, earning a top spot in the publication's price-to-performance rankings. It is positioned as a significantly cheaper alternative to the Alpha 550, saving buyers roughly €150 while retaining almost all core capabilities. The camera delivers natural color reproduction and excellent image quality across its ISO range (up to 12,800), with noise handling at ISO 1,600 that slightly outperforms its higher-priced sibling due to its lower-resolution 12-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor. If you plan to use this camera, are you looking to use it primarily for action photography, or are you more focused on still landscapes and portraits where the RAW buffer size matters less?

Sony Alpha 500 Review Summary The Sony Alpha 500 is a highly capable entry-level DSLR that stands out for its impressive low-light performance and robust mechanical features. A major strength of this camera is its sensor-shift image stabilisation built directly into the body, which effectively reduces blur by 2.4 exposure stages even when using budget, non-stabilised lenses. The camera boasts a high maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800, delivering low-noise, highly detailed images up to ISO 1600. It is exceptionally user-friendly, offering an adjustable tilting LCD screen, helpful on-screen guide texts, a fast 1-second startup time, and a swift 0.40-second shutter delay. Additionally, its battery life is exceptionally long, yielding over 4,000 shots on a single charge while supporting simultaneous JPEG and RAW recording across dual Memory Stick and SD card slots. Despite these strong features, the camera has notable limitations regarding optics and media capabilities. Photos tend to turn out slightly too dark without manual exposure compensation, and image resolution drops off significantly toward the edges with noticeable distortion when shooting wide-angle. The most significant drawback is its complete lack...

The Sony Alpha 500 review highlights the camera as a highly capable entry-level DSLR that stands out for its strong image quality and advanced live-view functionality. It features a 12.3-megapixel CMOS sensor, a built-in mechanical image stabilizer (Steady Shot), and a unique dual-sensor Live View system that preserves rapid phase-detection autofocus through 9 focus points. Key advantages include its tilting 3-inch monitor, which facilitates shooting at high or low angles, an intuitive interface that automatically adjusts to portrait or landscape orientations, and an intelligent "Eye-Start-AF" feature that initiates focus as soon as the user looks into the viewfinder. Furthermore, the camera excels in low-light performance, demonstrating low image noise, strong dynamic range, and highly usable image output even at elevated sensitivities up to ISO 6400.

The review evaluates the Sony Alpha 500, an entry-level to mid-range digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera priced at €700, positioning it competitively in the market. The camera features a 12.3-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which is highlighted for producing very good image quality even under overcast conditions. Structurally, it is praised for its high-quality, comfortable grip, and reisetauglich (travel-ready) design, weighing just 575 grams. Key built-in functionalities include a sensor-shift image stabilisation system, a clear and user-friendly menu navigation system, and dual storage slots supporting both SD(HC) cards and Sony Memory Sticks. Additionally, it features a 3-inch tilting screen, an HDMI output for Full-HD slideshows, and a standard continuous shooting speed of 5 frames per second. However, the review outlines several specific drawbacks when comparing the camera to its more expensive sister model (the Alpha 550). The display resolution on the Alpha 500 is notably low, offering only 230,000 dots compared to the 921,600 dots found on the upscale model. While the camera provides an autofocusing Live View mode, the review notes that focusing performance is significantly faster when using the...

The DigitalPhoto comparative review of the Sony Alpha 500 and 550 highlights their exceptional high-ISO, low-noise performance up to 6,400 using Exmor CMOS sensors. Key strengths include a fast, dedicated secondary sensor for Live View autofocus and in-camera Auto HDR, though the Alpha 500 features a lower-resolution screen compared to the 550. Conversely, both models are criticized for lacking video recording functionality and essential advanced controls, such as a depth-of-field preview or a second dial. Additionally, the Quick AF Live View system necessitates a small, cramped optical viewfinder, and the included 18-55mm kit lens fails to deliver optimal performance.