So at length I would not like to do, and will do it in brief.
For me, the A55 is a second body on my a900. The A55 is primarily leisure or always with camera.
Therefore, the small size for me, contrary to many critics a positive feature.
With the GPS I do not work, 7 instead of 10 series of pictures would be me enough, and 14 instead of 16 MP it would have done - so I want to say that I the a33 the time of purchase, the A33 had taken when available, because these are the only three differences.
As the kit lens would have 18-55 brought no benefit from the focal range fro me, I bought the body only. Contrary to many "expert opinions" here you should know that the optical performance is very neat. Only the quality of workmanship is underground, but since it is almost a kit free gifts, one should be lenient here.
Here now my Stichpunkt rating:
++ Autofocus quickly
++ Very fast and accurate LiveView mode
++ With good lenses stunning picture quality
++ EVF (Electronic Viewfinder) electronic viewfinder covers 100% field of view from, sufficiently bright
++ Electronic Level
++ DRO Level individually optimized
++ Lowlight (ISO) capability very well, to 1600 ok until 6400 usable for small prints 13x18 (some "technical intelligence blockbuster" in so-called professional newspapers test the high ISO without adjusting the DRO level at DRO5 corresponding brightening of the shadow 3 Aperture 3 or ISO levels, then you have of course already clear at ISO400 noise in the shadow areas ...)
+ Feel, in this price range is plastic "state of the art", and that feels good on the A55 at
+ Small package size, as top holiday camera
+ Sufficient operating buttons for direct selection, ordinary menu structure
+ Panorama mode
+ (Easy) HDR in JPEG mode only
+ Swivel Display
+ Video mode produces very decent quality, the heat problem is due to design (image stabilization on), bucking is also physical reasons (Pull slowly or pan)
o Built-in flash is only good as a brightener or a control flash away from the camera, not pop up high enough
o GPS proprietary, unusable for professionals
o Noise Reduction settings to something "poor"
To buy cover for hot shoe as an accessory -
- Battery life, price as an accessory an insult
The weaknesses are relatively irrelevant for me, so they cost not from me.