Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55
88 Imaging
39 Features
48 Overall
42


92 Imaging
37 Features
28 Overall
33
Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 125 - 6400
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1920 x 1080 video
- 25-600mm (F3.0-6.9) lens
- 269g - 112 x 63 x 42mm
- Introduced January 2013
(Full Review)
- 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
- 3" Fixed Screen
- ISO 80 - 3200
- Optical Image Stabilization
- 1280 x 720 video
- 25-250mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
- 200g - 103 x 58 x 29mm
- Introduced June 2010

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Overview
Here, we will be evaluating the Olympus SH-50 and Sony H55, one is a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Small Sensor Compact by competitors Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the SH-50 (16MP) and the H55 (14MP) is relatively close and both cameras posses the identical sensor dimensions (1/2.3").

The SH-50 was revealed 2 years after the H55 which is a fairly serious gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras feature the same body design (Compact).
Before delving straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a quick summary of how the SH-50 matches up against the H55 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Gallery
This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus SH-50 and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55. The full galleries are available at Olympus SH-50 Gallery and Sony H55 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Olympus SH-50 over the Sony H55
SH-50 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Introduced | January 2013 | ![]() | June 2010 | More modern by 32 months |
Manual focus | ![]() | More precise focus | ||
Screen resolution | 460k | ![]() | 230k | Sharper screen (+230k dot) |
Touch friendly screen | ![]() | Quickly navigate |
Reasons to pick Sony H55 over the Olympus SH-50
H55 | SH-50 |
---|
Common features in the Olympus SH-50 and Sony H55
SH-50 | H55 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen type | Fixed | ![]() | Fixed | Fixed screen |
Screen size | 3" | ![]() | 3" | Same screen sizing |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Lacking selfie screen |
Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Physical Comparison
For those who are going to carry around your camera, you need to factor in its weight and size. The Olympus SH-50 comes with outside dimensions of 112mm x 63mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") accompanied by a weight of 269 grams (0.59 lbs) and the Sony H55 has specifications of 103mm x 58mm x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") with a weight of 200 grams (0.44 lbs).
Compare the Olympus SH-50 and Sony H55 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ depending on the lens you are using during that time. The following is a front view over all size comparison of the SH-50 against the H55.

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the SH-50 and H55 is 88 and 92 respectively.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Sensor Comparison
Usually, it's tough to envision the contrast in sensor sizes simply by viewing specs. The image here may give you a greater sense of the sensor sizes in the SH-50 and H55.
As you can plainly see, both of those cameras feature the identical sensor size albeit not the same resolution. You should count on the Olympus SH-50 to render more detail because of its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop photographs way more aggressively. The more recent SH-50 will have an advantage with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Olympus SH-50 vs Sony H55 Specifications
Olympus SH-50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 | |
---|---|---|
General Information | ||
Manufacturer | Olympus | Sony |
Model type | Olympus SH-50 | Sony Cyber-shot DSC-H55 |
Class | Small Sensor Superzoom | Small Sensor Compact |
Introduced | 2013-01-08 | 2010-06-16 |
Body design | Compact | Compact |
Sensor Information | ||
Processor Chip | TruePic VI | Bionz |
Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | CCD |
Sensor size | 1/2.3" | 1/2.3" |
Sensor dimensions | 6.17 x 4.55mm | 6.17 x 4.55mm |
Sensor area | 28.1mm² | 28.1mm² |
Sensor resolution | 16 megapixel | 14 megapixel |
Anti alias filter | ||
Aspect ratio | 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 | 4:3 and 16:9 |
Full resolution | 4608 x 3456 | 4320 x 3240 |
Max native ISO | 6400 | 3200 |
Min native ISO | 125 | 80 |
RAW pictures | ||
Autofocusing | ||
Manual focusing | ||
Autofocus touch | ||
Continuous autofocus | ||
Autofocus single | ||
Tracking autofocus | ||
Autofocus selectice | ||
Autofocus center weighted | ||
Autofocus multi area | ||
Live view autofocus | ||
Face detect autofocus | ||
Contract detect autofocus | ||
Phase detect autofocus | ||
Total focus points | - | 9 |
Lens | ||
Lens support | fixed lens | fixed lens |
Lens zoom range | 25-600mm (24.0x) | 25-250mm (10.0x) |
Highest aperture | f/3.0-6.9 | f/3.5-5.5 |
Macro focusing distance | 5cm | 5cm |
Focal length multiplier | 5.8 | 5.8 |
Screen | ||
Display type | Fixed Type | Fixed Type |
Display diagonal | 3 inch | 3 inch |
Display resolution | 460k dot | 230k dot |
Selfie friendly | ||
Liveview | ||
Touch function | ||
Viewfinder Information | ||
Viewfinder | None | None |
Features | ||
Slowest shutter speed | 15s | 30s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1/2000s | 1/1600s |
Continuous shooting speed | 12.0 frames per second | 10.0 frames per second |
Shutter priority | ||
Aperture priority | ||
Manually set exposure | ||
Exposure compensation | Yes | - |
Custom white balance | ||
Image stabilization | ||
Integrated flash | ||
Flash distance | 4.00 m | 3.80 m |
Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync | Auto, On, Slow Syncro, Off |
Hot shoe | ||
Auto exposure bracketing | ||
WB bracketing | ||
Exposure | ||
Multisegment metering | ||
Average metering | ||
Spot metering | ||
Partial metering | ||
AF area metering | ||
Center weighted metering | ||
Video features | ||
Supported video resolutions | 1920 x 1080 (60fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 480fps (176 x 128), 240fps (384 x 288) | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) |
Max video resolution | 1920x1080 | 1280x720 |
Video file format | MPEG-4, H.264 | MPEG-4 |
Mic jack | ||
Headphone jack | ||
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 | 269 gr (0.59 pounds) | 200 gr (0.44 pounds) |
Physical dimensions | 112 x 63 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.5" x 1.7") | 103 x 58 x 29mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 1.1") |
DXO scores | ||
DXO All around rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Color Depth rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Dynamic range rating | not tested | not tested |
DXO Low light rating | not tested | not tested |
Other | ||
Battery ID | SLB-10A | NP-BG1 |
Self timer | Yes (2 or 12 sec, Pet Auto Shutter) | Yes (2 or 10 sec, portrait1/ portrait2) |
Time lapse recording | ||
Storage media | SD/SDHC/SDXC | Memory Stick Duo / Pro Duo/ PRO HG-Duo, SD/SDHC, Internal |
Storage slots | One | One |
Pricing at launch | $300 | $235 |