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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550

Portability
94
Imaging
36
Features
34
Overall
35
Olympus TG-630 iHS front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus TG-630 iHS
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.9-5.9) lens
  • 167g - 98 x 66 x 22mm
  • Released January 2013
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
  • Launched December 2009
  • Old Model is Sony A100
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we will be analyzing the Olympus TG-630 iHS versus Sony A550, former is a Waterproof while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by rivals Olympus and Sony. The resolution of the TG-630 iHS (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is pretty well matched but the TG-630 iHS (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

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The TG-630 iHS was announced 3 years after the A550 which is quite a sizable difference as far as technology is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Olympus TG-630 iHS being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting through a comprehensive comparison, below is a short introduction of how the TG-630 iHS grades vs the A550 when considering portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-630 iHS over the Sony A550

 TG-630 iHS A550 
LaunchedJanuary 2013December 2009More modern by 38 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-630 iHS

 A550 TG-630 iHS 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen resolution922k460kSharper screen (+462k dot)

Common features in the Olympus TG-630 iHS and Sony A550

 TG-630 iHS A550 
Screen sizing3"3"Equivalent screen sizing
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch screen Neither features Touch screen

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is going to carry around your camera, you are going to need to think about its weight and size. The Olympus TG-630 iHS enjoys exterior dimensions of 98mm x 66mm x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" x 0.9") with a weight of 167 grams (0.37 lbs) and the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Olympus TG-630 iHS versus Sony A550 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing at the time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the TG-630 iHS compared to the A550.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the TG-630 iHS and A550 is 94 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, its tough to picture the difference between sensor sizes merely by checking technical specs. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the TG-630 iHS and A550.

As you can tell, both of the cameras offer different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The TG-630 iHS having a tinier sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field tougher and the Sony A550 will resolve extra detail with its extra 2MP. Higher resolution can also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The more modern TG-630 iHS provides a benefit when it comes to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
27
features face detection focusing
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
72
manual focus
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Photography Glossary

Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Street photography with Sony A550
62
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
no moving screen
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
74
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Sports photography with Sony A550
34
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
max frames per second low (5.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
low resolution (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
not so great battery power (220 per charge)
lacks phase detect AF
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
low battery (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Travel photography info
Sony A550 Travel photography info
59
weather proof
has built in flash
decently wide (28mm)
does not have Time Lapse recording
not so great battery power (220 CIPA)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f3.9)
52
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Timelapse recording
low battery (480 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Olympus TG-630 iHS
Landscape photography with Sony A550
39
decently wide (28mm)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
weather proof
focusing manually not possible
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
lack of manual mode
low resolution (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
lacks RAW files
not so great battery power (220 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
66
manual focus
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
MP count decent (14 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low battery (480 per charge)
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-630 iHS Vlogging details
Sony A550 Vlogging details
33
decently wide (28mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detection focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f3.9)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have external mic port
9
no video shooting
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Olympus TG-630 iHS vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-630 iHS and Sony A550
 Olympus TG-630 iHSSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Olympus Sony
Model type Olympus TG-630 iHS Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2013-01-08 2009-12-09
Body design Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor measurements 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 3968 x 2976 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 6400 12800
Min native ISO 100 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
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) -
Highest aperture f/3.9-5.9 -
Macro focusing range 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 5.8 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 3 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 460 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 5.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance - 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
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60 fps), 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 180 (30fps) -
Max video resolution 1920x1080 None
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None 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 167 grams (0.37 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 98 x 66 x 22mm (3.9" x 2.6" 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 220 pictures 480 pictures
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID LI-50B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec, pet auto shutter) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Cost at launch $200 $749