Since I still have a wide range of lens from my Minolta 7D / Alpa550 time, I looked at the Alpha 55 also risen to my PEN for high-quality recordings. The body is indeed Sony plastic, but fits comfortably in your hand. The controls are very easy to reach, the menu structure is well thought out and well understood. The viewfinder does not break one off the stool, the display, however, is excellent and very variable as swivel and rotate usable. For permanent Live View I hardly need the viewfinder anyway. The kit lens, the camera can not make fullest, yet provides satisfactory results. Here the Tamron 17-50 is a highly recommended alternative with 2.8. The AF is sensational, as is the Image quality ***** plus! The best thing I come across DX-format date. The Menu allows so many different settings and filters to-it just makes only a lot of fun with their photos to make. Panorama, continuous shooting (10), macro and HDR on Knopfdruck- what more could you want. The GPS works well and safely. The battery does not have the longest term, but may be supplemented by third-party (with chip). The built-in flash pops up high enough and provides a short lens good to very good performance. For a longer lens I need an external flash, otherwise the shade created from the pictures. Who shuns Sony because of the price, can calm resort to Metz. Full HD Movies have excellent quality. The heat problem does not interfere with me, because my clips are rarely longer than 1 minute. Also, I use a telephoto with OS for nature shots, I can turn off the internal OS and can then easily shoot over 20 minutes. When following-up and managing the software provides very good opportunities. With NX, Photoshop and Lightroom you can of course increase the results yet. As a storage medium I use a Sony 16GB stick with a transfer rate of 30MB larger single SDHC is also possible (but only one slot). My first prints in A4 photo paper with my PIXMA 4700 solved simply just enthusiasm! Currently there are increasingly due to the events in Japan delivery bottlenecks with manufacturers and suppliers, so do not wait any longer. Thoroughly recommended at this price!
Addendum: Since batteries from other manufacturers apparently problems bereiten- tip: It is up to the construction, the length! Here there seems to be a minimum deviation. Take an old SIM card and places it loose before closing the battery compartment cover on the bottom of the battery third-party batteries and the problem is solved! Or you bought for 60 euros the original save the SIM card. That everyone can decide for themselves. Finally: The camera prepares still great pleasure and makes excellent images and video clips. If you use a lens with stabilizer or tripod, you can switch off the internal stability. The heat problem has then done.