Sony Alpha 550

The Alpha 550 is a DSLR from 2009 aimed at photographers who want the fundamentals done simply. Its APS-C CMOS sensor and Sony Alpha DT mount keep it firmly a stills tool, and the optical viewfinder gives the classic DSLR shooting feel.

In-body stabilisation is the standout practical feature, because it works with every lens you mount in the DT range. Video recording is absent, so this suits a buyer whose interest is photographs rather than hybrid shooting.

At 632g, it is a mid-sized body for a DSLR. Without Wi-Fi there is no wireless image transfer, and the tilting screen is a welcome touch for a camera of this age.

The 14.2MP APS-C CMOS sensor, handled by the Bionz processor, gives files with enough resolution for prints and moderate cropping. The ISO range spans 200 to 12800, covering bright conditions through to low light.

In-body stabilisation cuts camera shake no matter which DT lens is fitted, which makes slower handheld shutter speeds practical. It has no effect on subject movement, so anything moving still needs a fast shutter. The 7fps maximum burst rating is enough to grab a quick sequence around a decisive moment.

Nine autofocus points give a small set of focus positions. The 1/4000 top shutter speed is the fastest exposure on offer, and the base sensitivity of ISO 200 is the lowest setting.

An optical pentamirror viewfinder keeps the shooting experience immediate. The modest Optics score of 48, in the bottom 21% of cameras in our database for Optics, reflects this dated specification rather than an inability to take likeable pictures.

The Alpha 550 does not record video at all, and there is no built-in timelapse mode either. As a stills DSLR from 2009, it captures photographs only. Anyone who wants motion clips alongside stills will need a separate device.

The 3-inch LCD is the more flexible half of the shooting experience. It tilts, so waist-level and overhead framing are comfortable, and the 921,600-dot panel gives live view a detailed image. There is no touch input; adjustments happen through the camera's physical controls.

Both a built-in flash and a hot shoe are fitted. The pop-up unit covers casual indoor shots, and the shoe lets you add a more powerful external flash when you need it.

There is no Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GPS, so there is no wireless transfer and no built-in location tagging. The body has no weather sealing, so it deserves care in dust and rain.

That mix of dated connections and useful mechanical features gives the Features section a modest score of 41.

You can use SD/SDHC cards or Memory Stick Pro Duo and Pro-HG Duo media, which gives flexibility if you have older cards on hand, but only one card at a time. There is no second slot for backup or overflow.

Power comes from an NP-FM500H battery rated at 480 shots per charge, and a spare of the same type is worth owning for long shooting days.

There is no USB charging, so the battery cannot be topped up over a USB cable from the camera itself. That omission, along with the single card slot, feeds into the limited Storage & Battery score of 27.