Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550
60 Imaging
54 Features
69 Overall
60
63 Imaging
53 Features
65 Overall
57
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550 Key Specs
(Full Review)
- 15MP - APS-C Sensor
- 3" Fixed Display
- ISO 100 - 2000 (Expand to 6400)
- Sensor based Image Stabilization
- 1/8000s Max Shutter
- 1280 x 720 video
- Pentax KAF2 Mount
- 750g - 131 x 97 x 73mm
- Announced October 2009
- Newer Model is Pentax K-5
(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
- Revealed December 2009
- Replaced the Sony A100
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Lets look more closely at the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the K-7 (15MP) and the A550 (14MP) is relatively well matched and both cameras offer the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next monthThe K-7 was revealed 2 months earlier than the A550 so they are both of a similar age. Both cameras have different body design with the Pentax K-7 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.
Before diving into a detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the K-7 scores against the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.
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Following is a preview of the gallery photos for Pentax K-7 & Sony Alpha DSLR-A550. The full galleries are available at Pentax K-7 Gallery & Sony A550 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Pentax K-7 over the Sony A550
| K-7 | A550 |
|---|
Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K-7
| A550 | K-7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen type | Tilting |  | Fixed | Tilting screen |
| Screen resolution | 922k |  | 921k | Crisper screen (+1k dot) |
Common features in the Pentax K-7 and Sony A550
| K-7 | A550 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revealed | October 2009 |  | December 2009 | Similar age |
| Manual focus |  | More exact focus | ||
| Screen dimensions | 3" |  | 3" | Equal screen sizing |
| Selfie screen |  | Lacking selfie screen | ||
| Touch friendly screen |  | Neither comes with Touch friendly screen |
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison
If you're aiming to carry your camera often, you will want to think about its weight and volume. The Pentax K-7 comes with physical measurements of 131mm x 97mm x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") and a weight of 750 grams (1.65 lbs) while the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).
Take a look at the Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool.
Take into account, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Below is a front view proportions comparison of the K-7 compared to the A550.
Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K-7 and A550 is 60 and 63 respectively.
Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison
More often than not, it can be tough to see the contrast between sensor sizing just by reading through specs. The graphic below will provide you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the K-7 and A550.
All in all, the 2 cameras provide the same sensor dimensions albeit not the same MP. You can count on the Pentax K-7 to give you more detail because of its extra 1 Megapixels. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots more aggressively.
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Pentax K-7 vs Sony A550 Specifications
| Pentax K-7 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 | |
|---|---|---|
| General Information | ||
| Company | Pentax | Sony |
| Model type | Pentax K-7 | Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 |
| Type | Advanced DSLR | Entry-Level DSLR |
| Announced | 2009-10-02 | 2009-12-09 |
| Physical type | Mid-size SLR | Compact SLR |
| Sensor Information | ||
| Chip | Prime II | Bionz |
| Sensor type | CMOS | CMOS |
| Sensor size | APS-C | APS-C |
| Sensor measurements | 23.4 x 15.6mm | 23.4 x 15.6mm |
| Sensor area | 365.0mm² | 365.0mm² |
| Sensor resolution | 15MP | 14MP |
| Anti alias filter | ||
| Aspect ratio | 3:2 | 3:2 and 16:9 |
| Max resolution | 4672 x 3104 | 4592 x 3056 |
| Max native ISO | 2000 | 12800 |
| Max enhanced ISO | 6400 | - |
| Minimum native ISO | 100 | 200 |
| RAW support | ||
| Autofocusing | ||
| Manual focusing | ||
| Autofocus touch | ||
| Autofocus continuous | ||
| Autofocus single | ||
| Autofocus tracking | ||
| Autofocus selectice | ||
| Center weighted autofocus | ||
| Multi area autofocus | ||
| Live view autofocus | ||
| Face detect autofocus | ||
| Contract detect autofocus | ||
| Phase detect autofocus | ||
| Total focus points | 11 | 9 |
| Lens | ||
| Lens mount type | Pentax KAF2 | Sony/Minolta Alpha |
| Amount of lenses | 151 | 143 |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Screen | ||
| Type of display | Fixed Type | Tilting |
| Display size | 3 inch | 3 inch |
| Resolution of display | 921 thousand dots | 922 thousand dots |
| Selfie friendly | ||
| Liveview | ||
| Touch screen | ||
| Display tech | TFT color LCD with AR coating | - |
| Viewfinder Information | ||
| Viewfinder type | Optical (pentaprism) | Optical (pentamirror) |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | 95% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.61x | 0.53x |
| Features | ||
| Min shutter speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Max shutter speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/4000 seconds |
| Continuous shutter rate | 5.0 frames/s | 7.0 frames/s |
| Shutter priority | ||
| Aperture priority | ||
| Manual mode | ||
| Exposure compensation | Yes | Yes |
| Change white balance | ||
| Image stabilization | ||
| Integrated flash | ||
| Flash distance | 13.00 m | 12.00 m |
| Flash options | Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow Sync, Rear Curtain, Wireless | Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless |
| Hot shoe | ||
| Auto exposure bracketing | ||
| WB bracketing | ||
| Max flash synchronize | 1/180 seconds | 1/160 seconds |
| Exposure | ||
| Multisegment exposure | ||
| Average exposure | ||
| Spot exposure | ||
| Partial exposure | ||
| AF area exposure | ||
| Center weighted exposure | ||
| Video features | ||
| Supported video resolutions | 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 1536 x 1024 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) | - |
| Max video resolution | 1280x720 | None |
| Video format | Motion JPEG | - |
| 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 | ||
| Environmental sealing | ||
| Water proofing | ||
| Dust proofing | ||
| Shock proofing | ||
| Crush proofing | ||
| Freeze proofing | ||
| Weight | 750 gr (1.65 pounds) | 632 gr (1.39 pounds) |
| Physical dimensions | 131 x 97 x 73mm (5.2" x 3.8" x 2.9") | 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") |
| DXO scores | ||
| DXO Overall rating | 61 | 66 |
| DXO Color Depth rating | 22.6 | 21.9 |
| DXO Dynamic range rating | 10.6 | 11.8 |
| DXO Low light rating | 536 | 807 |
| Other | ||
| Battery life | 980 photographs | 480 photographs |
| Style of battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
| Battery ID | D-LI90 | NP-FM500H |
| Self timer | Yes (2 or 10 sec) | Yes (2 or 10 sec) |
| Time lapse feature | ||
| Storage type | SD/SDHC/MMC | SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo |
| Card slots | 1 | 1 |
| Cost at release | $599 | $749 |