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Canon 80D vs Sony A550

Portability
59
Imaging
67
Features
92
Overall
77
Canon EOS 80D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Canon 80D
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 16000 (Boost to 25600)
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Canon EF/EF-S Mount
  • 730g - 139 x 105 x 79mm
  • Launched February 2016
  • Succeeded the Canon 70D
  • Replacement is Canon 90D
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Released December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we will be reviewing the Canon 80D vs Sony A550, one is a Advanced DSLR and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Canon and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap between the image resolutions of the 80D (24MP) and A550 (14MP) but they feature the same exact sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The 80D was introduced 6 years after the A550 which is quite a large gap as far as technology is concerned. Each of these cameras offer different body type with the Canon 80D being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting straight into a thorough comparison, below is a short overview of how the 80D grades vs the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Canon 80D over the Sony A550

 80D A550 
ReleasedFebruary 2016December 2009Newer by 76 months
Screen typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating screen
Screen resolution1040k922kClearer screen (+118k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Canon 80D

 A550 80D 

Common features in the Canon 80D and Sony A550

 80D A550 
Focus manually More accurate focus
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen measurements

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to travel with your camera often, you have to think about its weight and measurements. The Canon 80D offers physical dimensions of 139mm x 105mm x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") with a weight of 730 grams (1.61 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Canon 80D vs Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilising at the time. The following is the front view physical size comparison of the 80D compared to the A550.

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability score of the 80D and A550 is 59 and 63 respectively.

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by reading through a spec sheet. The pic here will provide you a far better sense of the sensor sizes in the 80D and A550.

Clearly, both of these cameras offer the same exact sensor sizing albeit not the same MP. You should count on the Canon 80D to give extra detail using its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern 80D is going to have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon 80D Portrait photography information
Sony A550 Portrait photography information
80
focusing manually
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
saves RAW formats
72
you can focus manually
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
includes face detection focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Canon 80D as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
69
screen articulates fully
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
boasts touch focus
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Canon 80D Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
megapixel count decent (24 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers tracking autofocus
weather proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
low battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Canon 80D Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
77
weather proof
boasts touch focus
megapixel count decent (24MP)
flash built-in
screen is selfie friendly
52
good megapixels (14MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse function
low battery life (480 per charge)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Canon 80D as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
76
focusing manually
swap lenses (Canon EF/EF-S mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
megapixel count decent (24MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
weather proof
lack of image stabilization
66
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (480 shots)
no Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Canon 80D Vlogging advice
Sony A550 Vlogging advice
70
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
offers face detection focus
video resolution high (1920 x 1080 pxls)
includes external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
9
can't shoot video
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Canon 80D vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon 80D and Sony A550
 Canon EOS 80DSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Canon Sony
Model type Canon EOS 80D Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2016-02-18 2009-12-09
Body design Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip DIGIC 6 Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 22.5 x 15mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 337.5mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 24 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 6000 x 4000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 16000 12800
Max enhanced ISO 25600 -
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Total focus points 45 9
Cross type focus points 45 -
Lens
Lens mount type Canon EF/EF-S Sony/Minolta Alpha
Amount of lenses 326 143
Focal length multiplier 1.6 1.5
Screen
Range of display Fully Articulated Tilting
Display sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 1,040k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.6x 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 7.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 12.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/250 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 30p) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 730 grams (1.61 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 139 x 105 x 79mm (5.5" x 4.1" x 3.1") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 79 66
DXO Color Depth rating 23.6 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 13.2 11.8
DXO Low light rating 1135 807
Other
Battery life 960 pictures 480 pictures
Form of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LP-E6N NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I support) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Retail price $1,199 $749