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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550

Portability
93
Imaging
37
Features
37
Overall
37
Olympus TG-610 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus TG-610
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 190g - 96 x 65 x 26mm
  • 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
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Overview

On this page, we will be evaluating the Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550, one is a Waterproof and the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by brands Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-610 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively well matched but the TG-610 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) have totally different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-610 was manufactured 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-610 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go straight to a in-depth comparison, here is a concise summary of how the TG-610 matches up versus the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-610 over the Sony A550

 TG-610 A550 
IntroducedJanuary 2011December 2009More modern by 14 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-610

 A550 TG-610 
Manually focus Dial accurate focusing
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k920kClearer screen (+2k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-610 and Sony A550

 TG-610 A550 
Screen dimensions3"3"Equal screen sizing
Selfie screen Neither includes selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither includes Touch friendly screen

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you are looking to carry around your camera frequently, you should take into account its weight and volume. The Olympus TG-610 features physical measurements of 96mm x 65mm x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") along with a weight of 190 grams (0.42 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

See the Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you choose at that time. Underneath is a front view over all size comparison of the TG-610 and the A550.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-610 and A550 is 93 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, its hard to visualise the contrast between sensor sizes simply by reading through a spec sheet. The image underneath may provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the TG-610 and A550.

Clearly, the 2 cameras provide the same resolution albeit not the same sensor sizes. The TG-610 has the tinier sensor which is going to make getting shallower depth of field more challenging. The fresher TG-610 is going to have a benefit in sensor technology.

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-610 as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
33
resolution is good (14MP)
has face detection focus
lack of manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
72
has manual focus
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
62
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather sealing
screen does not articulate
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-610
Sports photography with Sony A550
40
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
has tracking autofocus
weather sealing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 fps)
no shutter priority
very small sensor (1/2.3")
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
has no phase detect auto focus
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect AF
bad battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-610 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
64
weather sealing
resolution is good (14MP)
flash built-in
relatively wide (28mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have a selfie friendly display
slow max aperture (f3.9)
52
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
built-in flash
no Time Lapse recording
bad battery life (480 CIPA)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A550 Landscape photography highlights
43
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
resolution is good (14MP)
weather sealing
lack of manual focus
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
no manual control
very small sensor (1/2.3")
has no RAW format
not so great battery pack (210 CIPA)
does not have Timelapse recording
66
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen is a decent size (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
bad battery life (480 shots)
no Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-610 Vlogging information
Sony A550 Vlogging information
30
relatively wide (28mm)
built in image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
has face detection focus
slow max aperture (f3.9)
does not have a selfie friendly display
low quality video (1280 x 720 pixels)
does not have external microphone support
9
no video shooting
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Olympus TG-610 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-610 and Sony A550
 Olympus TG-610Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-610 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2011-01-06 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip 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 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW images
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
AF continuous
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens support fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 28-140mm (5.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 3cm -
Total lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 3 inch 3 inch
Resolution of screen 920k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Screen technology TFT Hypercrystal III Color LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 secs 30 secs
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 1.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated 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
AEB
WB bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic input
Headphone input
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
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 190 gr (0.42 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 96 x 65 x 26mm (3.8" x 2.6" x 1.0") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 210 images 480 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $223 $749