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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550

Portability
90
Imaging
39
Features
54
Overall
45
Olympus Tough TG-6 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Olympus TG-6
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 12800
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-100mm (F2.0-4.9) lens
  • 253g - 113 x 66 x 32mm
  • Introduced May 2019
  • Replaced the Olympus TG-5
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
  • Earlier Model is Sony A100
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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Overview

Below is a detailed analysis of the Olympus TG-6 vs 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-6 (12MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively close but the TG-6 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) provide different sensor size.

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The TG-6 was introduced 9 years later than the A550 and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both the cameras feature different body design with the Olympus TG-6 being a Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a complete comparison, here is a simple summation of how the TG-6 scores vs the A550 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

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Reasons to pick Olympus TG-6 over the Sony A550

 TG-6 A550 
LaunchedMay 2019December 2009More recent by 116 months
Screen resolution1040k922kSharper screen (+118k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Olympus TG-6

 A550 TG-6 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Olympus TG-6 and Sony A550

 TG-6 A550 
Manually focus More precise focus
Screen size3"3"Same screen size
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're going to lug around your camera, you will want to factor its weight and measurements. The Olympus TG-6 comes with exterior measurements of 113mm x 66mm x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") and a weight of 253 grams (0.56 lbs) whilst 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).

See the Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 in the all new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you are using at that time. Here is a front view proportions comparison of the TG-6 against the A550.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the TG-6 and A550 is 90 and 63 respectively.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is tough to imagine the contrast in sensor measurements only by researching technical specs. The visual here should provide you a clearer sense of the sensor measurements in the TG-6 and A550.

As you have seen, each of these cameras feature different resolutions and different sensor measurements. The TG-6 using its smaller sensor is going to make getting shallower depth of field trickier and the Sony A550 will provide you with greater detail using its extra 2 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also let you crop photographs way more aggressively. The fresher TG-6 provides an edge with regard to sensor innovation.

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Olympus TG-6
Portrait photography with Sony A550
40
focusing manually
provides face detection autofocus
delivers RAW files
lack of manual mode
can't use external flash
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
72
manual focus
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
offers face detection focus
delivers RAW files
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Street Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
65
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
heavier than competitors (253g)
74
tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Sports photography information
Sony A550 Sports photography information
47
max fps high (20.0 frames per second)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides tracking autofocus
environment proof
good battery life (340 per charge)
lack of shutter priority mode
sensor resolution low (12MP)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect autofocus
67
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
terrible battery life (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus TG-6 as a Travel photography camera
Sony A550 as a Travel photography camera
68
good battery life (340 shots)
environment proof
has built in flash
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
heavier than competitors (253 grams)
sensor resolution low (12MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
52
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
does not have Time Lapse recording
terrible battery life (480 per charge)
does not offer selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Landscape photography details
Sony A550 Landscape photography details
57
focusing manually
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
delivers RAW files
environment proof
good battery life (340 shots)
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
lack of manual mode
sensor resolution low (12 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
66
manual focus
switch lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
resolution is good (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW files
terrible battery life (480 shots)
does not have Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus TG-6 Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
34
quite wide (25mm)
very good maximum aperture (f2.0)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
provides face detection autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
display isn't selfie friendly
missing external mic port
heavier than competitors (253 grams)
9
lack of video recording
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Olympus TG-6 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus TG-6 and Sony A550
 Olympus Tough TG-6Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Olympus Sony
Model Olympus Tough TG-6 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Type Waterproof Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2019-05-22 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip TruePic VIII Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4000 x 3000 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 12800 12800
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW support
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 25 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 25-100mm (4.0x) -
Highest aperture f/2.0-4.9 -
Macro focus range 1cm -
Amount of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Type of display Fixed Type Tilting
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 1,040 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 4 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 20.0 frames/s 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Red Eye Reduction, Slow sync. (1st curtain), Red-eye Slow sync. (1st curtain), Fill- in, Manual, Flash Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash synchronize - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p / 102 Mbps, MOV, H.264, Linear PC -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Built-in None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 253 gr (0.56 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 66 x 32mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 340 images 480 images
Battery style Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model LI-92B NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I support) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Price at release $449 $749