It's all about speed and precision. Capture the decisive moment with the α55VL, Sony's top-of-the-line Translucent Mirror Technology™ DSLR. Now you can focus and shoot simultaneously for fast, precise performance. And because the mirror never moves, the time needed to raise and lower the mirror is eliminated. This all helps continuous shooting up to 10 frames per second, complete with continuous auto focus. Auto focus is also visibly faster in Live View and HD Movie modes. There's also built-in GPS photo tagging that lets you map your memories on your compatible computer. The α55VL comes with a DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 zoom lens.

• Translucent Mirror Technology
  Other DSLRs can shoot. Or they can focus with the speed and precision of Phase Detection AF. They cannot do both at once. The SLT-A55 is the world’s first DSLR with Translucent Mirror Technology that directs light to both the image sensor and the Phase Detection AF sensor simultaneously.
• Up to 10 frames per second continuous
  The translucent mirror makes it far easier to capture the decisive soccer kick or your baby at her absolute cutest. The Sony® SLT-A55V camera shoots full, 16.2 MP resolution pictures at up to 10 fps while maintaining continuous auto focus and auto exposure.
• Quick AF for Full HD Movie Capture
  When most DSLRs shoot video, their Contrast AF is slow and visibly “hunts” for focus. The Quick AF Full HD Movie retains the same fast, precise Phase Detection you enjoy for still images. It’s a decisive advantage for tracking fast-moving subjects and a major benefit of Translucent Mirror Technology.
• 16.2 megapixel resolution You get incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements. Thanks to the 16.2 megapixel APS-C sensor size and Sony® Exmor™ APS HD CMOS technology, the camera achieves high resolution with no penalty in low-light sensitivity or sensor noise.
• APS-C size HD CMOS image sensor With 19.5 times the area of the typical camcorder image sensor, APS-C makes the difference between amateur and professional-looking video, delivering an exceptional combination of high resolution, high sensitivity and gorgeous, blurred backgrounds.
• Sony® Exmor™ technology Conventional image sensors use only a handful of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters, which can slow you down. The Exmor™ sensor provides more than 4,000 column-parallel A/D converters. This helps enable continuous shooting at up to 10 frames per second.
• Full HD 1080/60i movies This is one of the very few DSLRs with 1080/60i Full HD, exactly the same resolution and frame rate as most broadcast and cable HDTV channels. Records in 1080/60i AVCHD™ format, 1080/30p high definition in PC-friendly MP4 format and standard definition 480/30p in MP4 format.
• Multi-frame NR
  Experience incredible low-light shooting without a flash. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data from all six, it creates a single image with a reduction in noise equivalent to two additional steps of ISO sensitivity. Sensitivity selectable up to ISO 25600. (Recommended for still subjects.)
• Hand-held Night Shot
  Get cleaner and sharper nighttime pictures—beyond the capability of traditional cameras—without using flash or a tripod. The camera captures six images in a fraction of a second. Combining the data with separate algorithms for still and moving parts of the picture reduces blur, minimizes noise and enables extraordinary detail.
• Auto HDR built into camera
  Captures more scene dynamic range than a single exposure can handle—and more range than photo film. Combines the best highlight detail from one shot, the best mid-tones from a second and the best shadow detail from a third for one incredible shot. Captures in a split second. (Recommended for still subjects.)
• 3D Sweep Panorama™ Mode3
  Capture vast scenic vistas and 16:9 shots in spectacular 3D. As you sweep across the panorama, the camera records separate right-eye and left-eye images that make landscapes come alive on your 3D television3. Records both JPEG and MPO file formats.
• Built-in GPS
  An integrated GPS receiver records the location and time of every shot you take and lets you view your images on a map with compatible computer and Internet applications, so you can remember where you took your favorite shots.10
• Eye-Level Electronic Viewfinder
  The Tru-finder™ Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) is super bright, easy to see with 1.1x magnification, ultra-sharp with 1.44 million dots (1.15 effective) and provides 100% frame coverage. Exposure preview and informative overlays make operation easy.
• Eye-level finder for HD Movie
  The eye-level finder is one of the reasons people love DSLRs. But that finder goes dark whenever you shoot HD Movies. Until now. The Sony® SLT-A55V enables you to shoot movies with the added stability you get holding the camera up to your face and using the eye-level finder for framing a scene and focus.
• 15-point Auto Focus
  To maximize the value of Translucent Mirror Technology, Sony incorporates Phase Detection AF of great sophistication. Three cross sensors maximize precision.
• Tilt/swivel 3” LCD screen
  Tilt it up or down to frame high- and low-angle shots that would otherwise be hit-or-miss. Tilt and swivel under the camera for self-portraits. Fold it flush to the camera with the LCD exposed for shooting or protected for travel.
• 921K dot TruBlack™ LCD screen
  Sony's Xtra Fine LCD™ monitor has 921K dots for superb resolution. The TruBlack™ screen includes a special resin layer to suppress internal reflections, increasing contrast compared to conventional LCDs. Sunny Weather mode boosts visibility even further in bright sunlight.
• Main Sensor Quick AF Live View
  > This the world’s first DSLR to combine the optimum focus of Phase Detection with high quality Live View images right from the main sensor. This is made possible by Sony® Translucent Mirror Technology. You get accurate images and 100% framing on the LCD monitor or eye-level viewfinder.
• Live View in LCD or EVF
  You can use both the LCD monitor and Electronic Viewfinder for composing shots. Both provide a what-you-see-is-what-you-get preview of white balance, focus, depth of field, exposure and 100% framing accuracy, plus informative on-screen displays.
• Phase Detection Auto Focus
  While Contrast Detection AF often hunts for correct focus, Phase Detection AF knows exactly where correct focus is, and goes straight for it. The Sony® SLT-A55V is the world’s first consumer camera to provide Phase Detection AF when capturing HD movies as well as during still image capture, either using the viewfinder or Live View on the LCD.
• ISO 12800 sensitivity
  Incredibly clear low-light pictures without sacrificing detail, made possible by the low-noise Exmor™ APS HD CMOS image sensor and refined BIONZ® image processor.
• AUTO+ (Advanced Auto) mode
  Get cleaner, more dynamic pictures and fewer missed shots. Unifies and simplifies Sony intelligent technologies, the camera automatically recognizes the correct scene mode, then quickly shoots and combines up to six shots to produce images with greater clarity, optimum dynamic range using Auto HDR technology and lower image noise using 6 shots layering technology.
• Sweep Panorama™ Mode
  Capture expansive landscapes automatically. Press the shutter and sweep vertically or horizontally. The camera does the rest, continuously shooting images and stitching them together. Up to 23 MP image size.
• Help Guide
  Provides ready reference to advanced camera functions, helping to develop your confidence and skills as a photographer.
• Pro-style “rack focus” movie effect
  A hallmark of today’s movies is the “rack focus” effect, when the cinematographer changes focus between background and foreground subjects. This usually involves careful planning, a tape measure and dedicated a crew member for “pulling” focus. With the SLT-A55V, you can perform this pro-style effect simply by changing the selected AF Area within the frame.
• Compact, lightweight deign
  Eliminating the moving mirror also reduces the camera’s size and weight. It’s not just remarkably advanced; it’s notably small and light.
• Dynamic Range Optimizer (DRO)
  Improves results with backlit subjects and recovers details hidden in shadows. Settings include Auto, Level with a choice of five operating levels and Off.
• Graphic Display
  Clarifies the relationship between aperture and shutter speed, as well as the effect each has on photographic results.
• BIONZ® image processor
  The brains of the camera is a refined version of Sony's BIONZ® image processor. Its chroma noise reduction delivers high-resolution, low-noise photos even at ISO 12800 sensitivity. Also enables up to 10 fps continuous shooting at full resolution, Sweep Panorama™ mode and more.
• SteadyShot INSIDE? stabilization
  Image stabilization reduces blur by compensating for camera shake. Typical DSLR systems build image stabilization into selected lenses only. SteadyShot INSIDE?i mage stabilization is built into the camera body itself. You'll reduce blur with every a-mount lens, including macro and wide-aperture standard zoom lenses.
• 1200-Zone exposure metering
  Reads exposure directly from the main image sensor. Choice of Multi, Center and Spot metering accommodates a full range of shooting situations.
• RAW image capture
  Saves your pictures as compact JPEG files or ultra-high quality RAW files or both. RAW files save images prior to de-mosaicing, white balance, sharpness and color enhancement. This retains maximum latitude for enhancing the image on your PC.
• Smile Shutter™ technology
  Captures a smile the moment it happens. Simply select the Smile Shutter™ mode and the camera takes the picture automatically. You can prioritize children or adults and adjust the smile sensitivity.
• Powerful supplied software
  To help you refine and manage your images and video, the camera is equipped with computer software including Image Data Converter SR, Image Data Lightbox SR and Picture Motion Browser (PMB).8
• Face Detection technology
  The camera can automatically detect up to eight individual faces and adjust focus, exposure, white balance and flash to help deliver crisp, properly lit images of family and friends. Can prioritize children or adults.
• Six Creative Style settings
  Control how the camera processes your images with six finishing styles: Standard, Vivid, B&W, Sunset, Portrait and Landscape. You can even fine-tune contrast, saturation, and sharpness to your personal taste.
• HDMI® output for HD viewing
  Enjoy HD movies and stunning still images on a compatible HDTV. The camera includes an HDMI® output9. In addition, the BRAVIA® Sync system works with compatible Sony® BRAVIA HDTVs enabling you to control camera playback using the television's remote4.
• Eight Scene Selection Modes
  These help you get the shot by optimizing the camera for specific shooting situations. Select from Portrait, Sports Action, Macro, Landscape, Sunset, Night View, Night Portrait and Handheld Twilight Shot modes.
• Anti-Dust Technology
  Anti-Dust Technology helps keep the CMOS sensor clean, resulting in consistently clear pictures. First a static-free coating on the sensor's low-pass filter helps repel dust. Then vibration automatically dislodges dust from the sensor.
• Up to 330 Shots of battery life5
  Take up to 330 shots on a single charge with Sony® Stamina™ battery power.5 Sony's InfoLITHIUM® battery system enables you to see the percent of power remaining, so you can keep shooting in confidence.
• P/A/S/M exposure modes
  The camera offers a full range of controls from the beginner's AUTO+ mode to P/A/S/M: Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. On-screen prompts help you refine your skills, build your confidence and exercise greater creative control.
• Slot for two media types
  For cost-effective, convenient storage and sharing of your images, the camera accepts Memory Stick PRO Duo™/Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo™ and SD/SDHC/SDXC media (Class 4 or higher recommended). (Memory card is required. All are sold separately.)
• Built-in Auto Pop-Up Flash
  To help you shoot more effectively, the built-in flash automatically pops up and fires as needed when the camera is set to certain scene selection modes. The built-in flash can also trigger a wireless accessory flash (sold separately). The integrated hot shoe enables you to expand your lighting options with a range of accessory flashes (sold separately).
• Versatile on-screen displays
  Informative displays in the LCD monitor and electronic viewfinder include digital level gauge, graphic display of exposure settings.
• Remote capability
  Works with the RMT-DSLR1 Remote Commander® wireless remote control, sold separately.
• PhotoTV HD compatibility6
  Optimizes compatible BRAVIA® televisions for gorgeous display of digital pictures.6
• Index and Slide Show Display
  Quickly review your photos using 6- or 12-frame index views, or as an automatic slide show with fade-in/fade-out effect.

Supplied Accessories

• SAL-1855 SAM lens, lens cap
  
• Shoulder Strap
  
• Battery Charger (BC-VW1) y
  
• Body Cap
  
• USB Cable