Clicky

Canon A810 vs Sony A550

Portability
93
Imaging
39
Features
26
Overall
33
Canon PowerShot A810 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Canon A810
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F2.8-6.9) lens
  • 171g - 95 x 62 x 30mm
  • Revealed February 2012
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Older Model is Sony A100
AI-Powered Photo Editing Tools Could Be Added to WhatsApp

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Overview

Here, we are evaluating the Canon A810 versus Sony A550, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Canon and Sony. The resolution of the A810 (16MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very close but the A810 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) offer different sensor sizes.

Apple patent reveals improved iPhone camera durability

The A810 was brought out 2 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly serious gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Canon A810 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a in-depth comparison, here is a simple overview of how the A810 grades versus the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Ulanzi's Tripod Ensures Ultra Smooth Filming
	
	

Reasons to pick Canon A810 over the Sony A550

 A810 A550 
IntroducedFebruary 2012December 2009Fresher by 27 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Canon A810

 A550 A810 
Manual focus Very exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Canon A810 and Sony A550

 A810 A550 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly display Neither contains Touch friendly display

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera, you need to consider its weight and size. The Canon A810 has got physical dimensions of 95mm x 62mm x 30mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") and a weight of 171 grams (0.38 lbs) while the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") accompanied by a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check the Canon A810 versus Sony A550 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising during that time. Below is a front view measurements comparison of the A810 against the A550.

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the A810 and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Sometimes, it is difficult to imagine the gap in sensor sizing only by looking through specs. The graphic here may give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the A810 and A550.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The A810 because of its smaller sensor is going to make shooting shallow DOF harder and the Canon A810 will render extra detail having its extra 2MP. Greater resolution will help you crop photos way more aggressively. The more modern A810 should have a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Google AI Gemini Could Enhance iPhone Experience, Talks Suggest

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Canon A810 Portrait photography information
Sony A550 Portrait photography information
34
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
features face detection focus
no manual focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
Europe Approves Revolutionary AI Legislation

Street Comparison

Canon A810 Street photography info
Sony A550 Street photography info
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
74
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
Fujifilm accuses Eastman Kodak of patent violation in new lawsuit

Sports Comparison

Canon A810 Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
40
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
features tracking autofocus
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
lack of shutter priority mode
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (480 shots)
Nikon Coolpix camera search on Google skyrockets by 8,500%

Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Canon A810
Travel photography with Sony A550
65
resolution is good (16 megapixels)
has built in flash
fairly wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
display isn't selfie friendly
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
52
MP count good (14MP)
flash built-in
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
bad battery power (480 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
TikTok Developing Photo App to Challenge Instagram's Dominance

Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Canon A810
Landscape photography with Sony A550
38
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (16MP)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
screen is somewhat small (2.7")
manual mode not possible
small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW files
does not have Time Lapse mode
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW files
bad battery power (480 shots)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
Leica struggles with L-Mount camera sales, tougher than Q or M

Vlogging Comparison

Canon A810 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
31
fairly wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
features face detection focus
slow maximum aperture (f2.8)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
9
can't record video
Peek Behind the Lens of 'Photographer' and Their Go-To Cameras

Canon A810 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Canon A810 and Sony A550
 Canon PowerShot A810Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Canon Sony
Model Canon PowerShot A810 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Revealed 2012-02-07 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4608 x 3456 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 9 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.8-6.9 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display diagonal 2.7 inch 3 inch
Display resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 15s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 3.00 m 12.00 m
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1280 x 720 (25 fps) 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format H.264 -
Mic port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 171 grams (0.38 pounds) 632 grams (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 95 x 62 x 30mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 1.2") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 220 photographs 480 photographs
Battery type AA Battery Pack
Battery model 2 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Custom) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Retail pricing $99 $749