Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550
62 Imaging
76 Features
86 Overall
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63 Imaging
54 Features
65 Overall
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 24MP - Full frame Sensor
- 3.2" Tilting Display
- ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 102400)
- Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
- 3840 x 2160 video
- Nikon Z Mount
- 675g - 134 x 101 x 70mm
- Launched July 2020
(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
- Launched December 2009
- Superseded the Sony A100
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Overview
Its time to look more in depth at the Nikon Z5 and Sony A550, former being a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. There exists a considerable gap among the sensor resolutions of the Z5 (24MP) and A550 (14MP) and the Z5 (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or banThe Z5 was launched 10 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly large difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both of the cameras have different body design with the Nikon Z5 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving right into a in-depth comparison, here is a brief introduction of how the Z5 matches up versus the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Gallery
Below is a preview of the gallery images for Nikon Z5 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The complete galleries are provided at Nikon Z5 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A550
Z5 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Launched | July 2020 | December 2009 | Fresher by 130 months | |
Screen dimensions | 3.2" | 3" | Bigger screen (+0.2") | |
Screen resolution | 1040k | 922k | Clearer screen (+118k dot) | |
Touch friendly screen | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Nikon Z5
A550 | Z5 |
---|
Common features in the Nikon Z5 and Sony A550
Z5 | A550 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Focus manually | Dial exact focusing | |||
Screen type | Tilting | Tilting | Tilting screen | |
Selfie screen | Neither includes selfie screen |
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you are planning to carry your camera, you should consider its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z5 features outer dimensions of 134mm x 101mm x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") having a weight of 675 grams (1.49 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 Nikon Z5 and Sony A550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you are utilizing at that moment. Below is a front view overall size comparison of the Z5 and the A550.
Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and A550 is 62 and 63 respectively.
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
Typically, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizing only by going through a spec sheet. The visual below might give you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z5 and A550.
As you can see, both cameras have different megapixel count and different sensor sizing. The Z5 because of its bigger sensor will make achieving shallower depth of field simpler and the Nikon Z5 will provide extra detail utilizing its extra 10 Megapixels. Higher resolution will enable you to crop pictures a bit more aggressively. The more modern Z5 is going to have a benefit when it comes to sensor tech.
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder
Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison
Street Comparison
Sports Comparison
Travel Comparison
Landscape Comparison
Vlogging Comparison
Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Specifications
Nikon Z5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Company | Nikon | Sony |
Model type | Nikon Z5 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
Category | Advanced Mirrorless | Entry-Level DSLR |
Launched | 2020-07-20 | 2009-12-09 |
Physical type | SLR-style mirrorless | Compact SLR |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor | Expeed 6 | Bionz |
Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size | Full frame | APS-C |
Sensor dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
Sensor surface area | 858.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
Sensor resolution | 24MP | 14MP |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
Max resolution | 6016 x 4016 | 4592 x 3056 |
Max native ISO | 51200 | 12800 |
Max enhanced ISO | 102400 | - |
Min native ISO | 100 | 200 |
RAW data | ||
Min enhanced ISO | 50 | - |
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Touch focus | ||
AF continuous | ||
Single AF | ||
Tracking AF | ||
AF selectice | ||
AF center weighted | ||
Multi area AF | ||
Live view AF | ||
Face detect focusing | ||
Contract detect focusing | ||
Phase detect focusing | ||
Total focus points | 273 | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | Nikon Z | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
Available lenses | 15 | 143 |
Crop factor | 1 | 1.5 |
Screen | ||
Type of display | Tilting | Tilting |
Display sizing | 3.2 inches | 3 inches |
Resolution of display | 1,040 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch display | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | Electronic | Optical (pentamirror) |
Viewfinder resolution | 3,690 thousand dots | - |
Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
Viewfinder magnification | 0.8x | 0.53x |
Features | ||
Min shutter speed | 30 secs | 30 secs |
Max shutter speed | 1/8000 secs | 1/4000 secs |
Continuous shutter rate | 4.5 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manual mode | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
Set WB | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Built-in flash | ||
Flash distance | no built-in flash | 12.00 m |
Flash settings | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Max flash synchronize | 1/200 secs | 1/160 secs |
Exposure | ||
Multisegment | ||
Average | ||
Spot | ||
Partial | ||
AF area | ||
Center weighted | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM | - |
Max video resolution | 3840x2160 | None |
Video format | MPEG-4, H.264 | - |
Mic support | ||
Headphone support | ||
Connectivity | ||
Wireless | Built-In | None |
Bluetooth | ||
NFC | ||
HDMI | ||
USB | Yes | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
GPS | None | None |
Physical | ||
Environment sealing | ||
Water proofing | ||
Dust proofing | ||
Shock proofing | ||
Crush proofing | ||
Freeze proofing | ||
Weight | 675 gr (1.49 pounds) | 632 gr (1.39 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 134 x 101 x 70mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 2.8") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO Overall rating | not tested | 66 |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | 21.9 |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | 11.8 |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | 807 |
Other | ||
Battery life | 470 images | 480 images |
Battery style | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery ID | EN-EL15c | NP-FM500H |
Self timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
Time lapse feature | ||
Storage type | Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible) | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
Card slots | Two | 1 |
Cost at release | $1,399 | $749 |