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Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550

Portability
94
Imaging
37
Features
33
Overall
35
Olympus TG-320 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus TG-320
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-102mm (F3.5-5.1) lens
  • 155g - 96 x 63 x 23mm
  • Released January 2012
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
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Overview

Here is a in depth analysis of the Olympus TG-320 versus Sony A550, one being a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The sensor resolution of the TG-320 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is pretty comparable but the TG-320 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) possess totally different sensor sizes.

Photography Glossary

The TG-320 was introduced 2 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-320 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight into a step-by-step comparison, below is a brief summary of how the TG-320 matches up vs the A550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-320 over the Sony A550

 TG-320 A550 
IntroducedJanuary 2012December 2009Fresher by 26 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-320

 A550 TG-320 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen sizing3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kClearer screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-320 and Sony A550

 TG-320 A550 
Selfie screen Missing selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Missing Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera frequently, you need to factor in its weight and proportions. The Olympus TG-320 has got outer measurements of 96mm x 63mm x 23mm (3.8" x 2.5" x 0.9") along with a weight of 155 grams (0.34 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has measurements of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Check out the Olympus TG-320 versus Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view measurement comparison of the TG-320 against the A550.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the TG-320 and A550 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is hard to visualise the contrast in sensor sizing simply by checking out a spec sheet. The visual underneath should provide you a better sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-320 and A550.

As you can see, the 2 cameras offer the same exact megapixels albeit not the same sensor sizing. The TG-320 uses the smaller sensor which will make getting shallow depth of field more challenging. The younger TG-320 will have an advantage in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-320
Portrait photography with Sony A550
33
good resolution (14MP)
has face detect focusing
manual focus not available
no manual control
can't use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
72
manual focus
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-320 as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
66
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
environment proof
lighter than competition in class (155g)
no articulating screen
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
has a tilting screen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-320 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
40
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
environment proof
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames/s)
no shutter priority
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
low battery power (150 per charge)
has no phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
terrible battery (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-320 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
67
lighter than competition in class (155g)
environment proof
good resolution (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
low battery power (150 shots)
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
megapixel count good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse function
terrible battery (480 CIPA)
display isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-320
Landscape photography with Sony A550
39
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (14 megapixels)
environment proof
manual focus not available
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
no manual control
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
low battery power (150 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a good size (3")
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
megapixel count good (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW files
terrible battery (480 per charge)
does not have Timelapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-320 Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
32
relatively wide (28mm)
has image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detect focusing
lighter than competition in class (155 grams)
slow max aperture (f3.5)
display isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
doesn't have microphone jack
9
no video
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Olympus TG-320 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-320 and Sony A550
 Olympus TG-320Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Olympus Sony
Model Olympus TG-320 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2012-01-10 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic III+ Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detect focus
Contract detect focus
Phase detect focus
Number of focus points - 9
Cross focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 28-102mm (3.6x) -
Highest aperture f/3.5-5.1 -
Macro focus distance 3cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 2.7" 3"
Display resolution 230k dots 922k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display tech TFT Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type 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 per sec 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation - Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 5.80 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
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash synchronize - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone support
Headphone support
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 sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 155 gr (0.34 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
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 score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life 150 photos 480 photos
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-42B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) 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
Price at launch $0 $749