Canon 550D vs Sony A380
70 Imaging
57 Features
63 Overall
59


68 Imaging
53 Features
54 Overall
53
Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Key Specs
(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
(Full Review)

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).

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.

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Gallery
The following is a preview of the gallery images for Canon EOS 550D and Sony Alpha DSLR-A380. The entire galleries are provided at Canon 550D Gallery and Sony A380 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Canon 550D over the Sony A380
550D | A380 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | April 2010 | ![]() | August 2009 | Newer by 8 months |
Screen dimensions | 3" | ![]() | 2.7" | Bigger screen (+0.3") |
Screen resolution | 1040k | ![]() | 230k | Crisper screen (+810k dot) |
Reasons to pick Sony A380 over the Canon 550D
A380 | 550D | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Tilting | ![]() | Fixed | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Canon 550D vs Sony A380 Specifications
Canon EOS 550D | Sony 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 |