Olympus 550WP vs Sony RX1

In this article, we will be reviewing the Olympus 550WP and Sony RX1, one being a Small Sensor Compact and the latter is a Large Sensor Compact by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. There exists a big gap among the sensor resolutions of the 550WP (10MP) and RX1 (24MP) and the 550WP (1/2.3") and RX1 (Full frame) enjoy different sensor size.

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The 550WP was manufactured 5 years earlier than the RX1 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras offer different body type with the Olympus 550WP being a Compact camera and the Sony RX1 being a Large Sensor Compact camera.

Before we go through a thorough comparison, below is a quick summation of how the 550WP grades vs the RX1 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

This is a preview of the gallery photos for Olympus Stylus 550WP and Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1. The entire galleries are provided at Olympus 550WP Gallery and Sony RX1 Gallery.

For those who are aiming to carry your camera, you are going to need to factor its weight and volume. The Olympus 550WP has outer measurements of 94mm x 62mm x 22mm (3.7" x 2.4" x 0.9") accompanied by a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony RX1 has sizing of 113mm x 65mm x 70mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 2.8") and a weight of 482 grams (1.06 lbs).

Check out the Olympus 550WP and Sony RX1 in the latest Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool.

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at the time. Below is the front view scale comparison of the 550WP versus the RX1.

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 550WP and RX1 is 94 and 79 respectively.

More often than not, its hard to imagine the gap in sensor sizing purely by checking out technical specs. The graphic below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the 550WP and RX1.

As you can tell, both the cameras enjoy different megapixels and different sensor sizing. The 550WP featuring a smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow DOF more difficult and the Sony RX1 will show greater detail due to its extra 14MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop pictures far more aggressively. The older 550WP will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.