Clicky

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550

Portability
95
Imaging
33
Features
14
Overall
25
Olympus FE-45 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus FE-45
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 64 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 36-108mm (F3.1-5.9) lens
  • 142g - 94 x 62 x 23mm
  • Launched January 2009
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
  • Released December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Overview

Below, we are matching up the Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. There exists a crucial gap among the resolutions of the FE-45 (10MP) and A550 (14MP) and the FE-45 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor measurements.

Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

The FE-45 was manufactured 11 months earlier than the A550 and they are both of a similar generation. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus FE-45 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a detailed comparison, below is a simple overview of how the FE-45 matches up versus the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video
	
	

Reasons to pick Olympus FE-45 over the Sony A550

 FE-45 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus FE-45

 A550 FE-45 
ReleasedDecember 2009January 2009Fresher by 11 months
Manual focus Dial accurate focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus FE-45 and Sony A550

 FE-45 A550 
Selfie screen Lack of selfie screen
Touch display Lack of Touch display

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

When you are aiming to carry your camera often, you will need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus FE-45 comes with physical measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") and a weight of 142 grams (0.31 lbs) and the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you select at that time. Underneath is the front view overall size comparison of the FE-45 and the A550.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the FE-45 and A550 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its hard to visualise the gap in sensor sizing just by viewing technical specs. The visual below might offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the FE-45 and A550.

As you have seen, both cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The FE-45 featuring a smaller sensor will make achieving shallow DOF more challenging and the Sony A550 will provide you with extra detail due to its extra 4 Megapixels. Greater resolution will allow you to crop images much more aggressively. The older FE-45 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor technology.

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Portrait photography information
Sony A550 Portrait photography information
19
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
72
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus FE-45
Street photography with Sony A550
56
image stabilization (Digital)
no articulating screen
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Sports Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
26
image stabilization (Digital)
lack of shutter priority mode
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
low battery power (480 per charge)
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Travel Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Travel photography advice
Sony A550 Travel photography advice
51
has built in flash
does not have Time Lapse function
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
52
decent MP (14MP)
flash built-in
does not have Time Lapse function
low battery power (480 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Landscape photography details
Sony A550 Landscape photography details
27
image stabilization (Digital)
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
tiny screen (2.5 inch)
no manual control
megapixel count low (10MP)
sensor is small (1/2.3")
does not have RAW support
does not have Time Lapse function
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
low battery power (480 CIPA)
does not have Time Lapse function
Body cameras now worn by bakery staff to deter stealing

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus FE-45 Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
25
image stabilization (Digital)
wide angle not great (36mm)
sluggish max aperture (f3.1)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have mic socket
9
can't shoot video
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Olympus FE-45 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus FE-45 and Sony A550
 Olympus FE-45Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus FE-45 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Small Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2009-01-07 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.08 x 4.56mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 27.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 3648 x 2736 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 64 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch focus
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 36-108mm (3.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.1-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 5cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.9 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Fill-in, Red-Eye reduction, Off, On Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash sync - 1/160s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps) -
Highest video resolution 640x480 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 142g (0.31 lb) 632g (1.39 lb)
Dimensions 94 x 62 x 23mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 - 480 images
Battery format - Battery Pack
Battery ID - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (12 seconds) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media xD-Picture Card, microSD, internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single Single
Cost at launch $130 $749