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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550

Portability
62
Imaging
76
Features
86
Overall
80
Nikon Z5 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Nikon Z5
(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
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
  • Launched December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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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.

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The 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.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z5 over the Sony A550

 Z5 A550 
LaunchedJuly 2020December 2009Fresher by 130 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution1040k922kClearer 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 typeTiltingTiltingTilting 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. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

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.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z5 and A550 is 62 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

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 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z5 Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
85
manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides face detection autofocus
supports RAW formats
72
focusing manually
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect focus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z5 Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
supports RAW formats
includes focus via touch
environment sealing
above average high ISO (51,200)
heavier than others (675 grams)
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z5 Sports photography details
Sony A550 Sports photography details
82
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 shots)
has phase detect autofocus
low fps (4.5 frames per second)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect auto focus
terrible battery pack (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z5 Travel photography highlights
Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
68
good battery pack (470 per charge)
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
includes focus via touch
good MP (24MP)
heavier than others (675 grams)
does not offer selfie friendly display
52
MP count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse function
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
display is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z5
Landscape photography with Sony A550
86
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24MP)
sensor size is big (Full frame)
above average high ISO (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment sealing
good battery pack (470 per charge)
two card slots
66
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
good sized screen (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count good (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
missing Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z5 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
34
screen is touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
provides face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external mic socket
does not offer selfie friendly display
heavier than others (675g)
9
can't shoot video
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Nikon Z5 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z5 and Sony A550
 Nikon Z5Sony 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