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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-310 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus TG-310
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Released January 2011
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
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Previous Model is Sony A100
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Overview

Let's look more in depth at the Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by manufacturers Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-310 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively comparable but the TG-310 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) boast totally different sensor size.

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The TG-310 was brought out 14 months after the A550 which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have different body design with the Olympus TG-310 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise synopsis of how the TG-310 scores vs the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-310 over the Sony A550

 TG-310 A550 
IntroducedJanuary 2011December 2009Newer by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-310

 A550 TG-310 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimensions3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kCrisper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-310 and Sony A550

 TG-310 A550 
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For those who are aiming to travel with your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-310 enjoys external measurements of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) while the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Take a look at the Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is a front view size comparison of the TG-310 versus the A550.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the TG-310 and A550 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be hard to envision the gap in sensor dimensions only by going through technical specs. The pic below should provide you a much better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-310 and A550.

As you can tell, the two cameras have the same resolution albeit not the same sensor dimensions. The TG-310 comes with the smaller sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher. The fresher TG-310 will have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
33
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides face detection autofocus
no manual focus
manual exposure not possible
can't use external flash
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
saves RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-310 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
66
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment sealing
lighter than average in class (155 grams)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-310
Sports photography with Sony A550
40
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
provides tracking autofocus
environment sealing
max frames per second very slow (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority mode
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
not so great battery life (150 CIPA)
lacks phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
low battery (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
67
lighter than average in class (155 grams)
environment sealing
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
pretty wide (28mm)
lack of Timelapse recording
not so great battery life (150 CIPA)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
has built in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
low battery (480 per charge)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-310 Landscape photography info
Sony A550 Landscape photography info
39
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
environment sealing
no manual focus
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
small screen (2.7 inches)
manual exposure not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery life (150 per charge)
lack of Timelapse recording
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't have Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus TG-310
Vlogging with Sony A550
32
pretty wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
lighter than average in class (155g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.9)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
low video resolution (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of external microphone jack
9
can't shoot video
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Olympus TG-310 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-310 and Sony A550
 Olympus TG-310Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-310 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-06 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
AF continuous
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing distance 3cm -
Available lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.7 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 1.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 4.20 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video data format Motion JPEG -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 155 gr (0.34 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 96 x 63 x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" 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 150 photos 480 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-42B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $0 $749