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Pentax Efina vs Sony A550

Portability
97
Imaging
38
Features
26
Overall
33
Pentax Efina front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax Efina
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 1600
  • Digital Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-130mm (F3.5-6.3) lens
  • 91g - 87 x 54 x 21mm
  • Announced June 2013
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Revealed December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Overview

The following is a complete review of the Pentax Efina and Sony A550, former is a Ultracompact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Pentax and Sony. The resolution of the Efina (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very well matched but the Efina (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) feature different sensor dimensions.

Photography Glossary

The Efina was brought out 3 years after the A550 which is quite a sizable difference as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras offer different body type with the Pentax Efina being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before we go in to a in-depth comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the Efina scores vs the A550 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Pentax Efina over the Sony A550

 Efina A550 
RevealedJune 2013December 2009Newer by 43 months

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax Efina

 A550 Efina 
Manually focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display sizing3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kSharper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax Efina and Sony A550

 Efina A550 
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch friendly display Lack of Touch friendly display

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to travel with your camera frequently, you'll have to consider its weight and measurements. The Pentax Efina enjoys external dimensions of 87mm x 54mm x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") and a weight of 91 grams (0.20 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") along with a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax Efina and Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilising at that time. Underneath is the front view measurement comparison of the Efina and the A550.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Efina and A550 is 97 and 63 respectively.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, its difficult to picture the contrast between sensor dimensions purely by checking a spec sheet. The image below will offer you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Efina and A550.

As you can see, both cameras enjoy the same exact MP but different sensor dimensions. The Efina has got the tinier sensor which should make getting shallow depth of field harder. The newer Efina should have an advantage in sensor technology.

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Pentax Efina
Portrait photography with Sony A550
34
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
offers face detect focusing
focusing manually not possible
no manual mode
cannot use external flash
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
72
focusing manually
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
provides face detection focus
delivers RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax Efina as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
64
built in image stabilization (Digital)
lighter than competition (91 grams)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Pentax Efina Sports photography info
Sony A550 Sports photography info
35
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good megapixels (14MP)
max shutter speed is low (1/1,400s)
lack of shutter priority mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect AF
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect auto focus
low battery life (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax Efina Travel photography info
Sony A550 Travel photography info
69
lighter than competition (91 grams)
good megapixels (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
decently wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse function
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
52
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
built-in flash
missing Time Lapse mode
low battery life (480 per charge)
does not have selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax Efina
Landscape photography with Sony A550
38
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
good megapixels (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
tiny screen (2.5")
no manual mode
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
does not have RAW files
lack of Time Lapse function
66
focusing manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
decent sized screen (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
low battery life (480 per charge)
missing Time Lapse mode
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax Efina Vlogging details
Sony A550 Vlogging details
33
decently wide (26mm)
built in image stabilization (Digital)
offers face detect focusing
lighter than competition (91g)
somewhat slow max aperture (f3.5)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pixels)
lack of mic port
9
no video shooting
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Pentax Efina vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax Efina and Sony A550
 Pentax EfinaSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax Efina Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2013-06-03 2009-12-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - 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 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 4288 x 3216 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Min native ISO 80 200
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Cross type focus points - -
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 26-130mm (5.0x) -
Largest aperture f/3.5-6.3 -
Macro focusing range 20cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen diagonal 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Screen technology QVGA TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 1/8 seconds 30 seconds
Fastest shutter speed 1/1400 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed - 7.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance 4.10 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, Auto Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced Off Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720, 640 x 480 -
Max video resolution 1280x720 None
Mic 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
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 91 grams (0.20 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 87 x 54 x 21mm (3.4" x 2.1" x 0.8") 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 200 shots 480 shots
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID D-LI109 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SC/SDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch pricing $10 $749