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Canon 550D vs Sony A380

Portability
70
Imaging
58
Features
63
Overall
60
Canon EOS 550D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A380 front
Portability
68
Imaging
54
Features
54
Overall
54

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Key Specs

Canon 550D
(Full Review)
  • 18MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400 (Push to 12800)
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 530g - 129 x 98 x 62mm
  • Announced April 2010
  • Additionally referred to as EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4
  • Replaced the Canon 500D
  • Replacement is Canon 600D
Sony A380
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 519g - 128 x 97 x 71mm
  • Announced August 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A350
  • Later Model is Sony A390
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Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Overview

Its time to look more closely at the Canon 550D and Sony A380, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by companies Canon and Sony. There is a crucial difference among the resolutions of the 550D (18MP) and A380 (14MP) but both cameras offer the same sensor size (APS-C).

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The 550D was manufactured 8 months after the A380 and they are of a similar generation. Both of these cameras have the same body design (Compact SLR).

Before getting straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a quick introduction of how the 550D scores vs the A380 in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Sony A380

 550D A380 
AnnouncedApril 2010August 2009Newer by 8 months
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution1040k230kCrisper screen (+810k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Canon 550D

 A380 550D 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Canon 550D and Sony A380

 550D A380 
Focus manually Dial accurate focusing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to travel with your camera frequently, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Canon 550D features exterior measurements of 129mm x 98mm x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") with a weight of 530 grams (1.17 lbs) while the Sony A380 has dimensions of 128mm x 97mm x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8") along with a weight of 519 grams (1.14 lbs).

Compare the Canon 550D and Sony A380 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary based on the lens you are using at the time. Below is a front view size comparison of the 550D against the A380.

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the 550D and A380 is 70 and 68 respectively.

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 top view buttons comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be hard to visualise the contrast in sensor dimensions only by checking out technical specs. The pic here should offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the 550D and A380.

As you have seen, each of these cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same resolution. You should expect the Canon 550D to show more detail due to its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots more aggressively. The newer 550D is going to have an edge in sensor technology.

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 sensor size comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 550D Portrait photography advice
Sony A380 Portrait photography advice
74
focusing manually
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detect focus
saves RAW files
72
has manual focus
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Canon 550D as a Street photography camera
Sony A380 as a Street photography camera
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen does not articulate
does not have image stabilization
77
tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Canon 550D as a Sports photography camera
Sony A380 as a Sports photography camera
54
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
continuous shooting slow (4.0 frames per second)
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (470 shots)
60
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon 550D
Travel photography with Sony A380
55
good resolution (18MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse recording
bad battery (470 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
54
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Timelapse function
terrible battery life (500 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 550D Landscape photography details
Sony A380 Landscape photography details
63
focusing manually
switch lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
good resolution (18MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
does not have image stabilization
bad battery (470 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
61
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
tiny screen (2.7 inches)
terrible battery life (500 per charge)
no Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 550D as a Vlogging camera
Sony A380 as a Vlogging camera
31
offers face detect focus
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
has mic support
display isn't selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
9
no video shooting
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Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 550D and Sony A380
 Canon EOS 550DSony Alpha DSLR-A380
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model Canon EOS 550D Sony Alpha DSLR-A380
Also Known as EOS Rebel T2i / EOS Kiss X4 -
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2010-04-01 2009-08-24
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip Digic 4 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 22.3 x 14.9mm 23.6 x 15.8mm
Sensor surface area 332.3mm² 372.9mm²
Sensor resolution 18 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest Possible resolution 5184 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 6400 3200
Maximum enhanced ISO 12800 -
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW files
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3" 2.7"
Screen resolution 1,040k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Screen tech TFT color liquid-crystal LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.55x 0.49x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter rate 4.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 13.00 m 10.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize 1/200s 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30, 25, 24 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 50 fps), 640 x 480 (60, 50 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 530g (1.17 lbs) 519g (1.14 lbs)
Physical dimensions 129 x 98 x 62mm (5.1" x 3.9" x 2.4") 128 x 97 x 71mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 66 67
DXO Color Depth score 22.0 22.6
DXO Dynamic range score 11.6 11.8
DXO Low light score 807 614
Other
Battery life 470 shots 500 shots
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LP-E8 NP-FH50
Self timer Yes (2 sec or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $599 $899