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Pentax K200D vs Sony A550

Portability
61
Imaging
50
Features
41
Overall
46
Pentax K200D front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Pentax K200D
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 690g - 134 x 95 x 74mm
  • Released September 2008
  • Succeeded the Pentax K100D S
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
  • Released December 2009
  • Succeeded the Sony A100
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Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a detailed review of the Pentax K200D and Sony A550, both Entry-Level DSLR cameras by manufacturers Pentax and Sony. There exists a sizeable gap among the sensor resolutions of the K200D (10MP) and A550 (14MP) but they enjoy the exact same sensor size (APS-C).

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The K200D was released 15 months prior to the A550 which makes the cameras a generation away from one another. Both cameras come with the identical body type (Compact SLR).

Before we go straight into a in depth comparison, below is a simple overview of how the K200D matches up versus the A550 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Pentax K200D over the Sony A550

 K200D A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Pentax K200D

 A550 K200D 
ReleasedDecember 2009September 2008More modern by 15 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen dimension3"2.7"Bigger screen (+0.3")
Screen resolution922k230kSharper screen (+692k dot)

Common features in the Pentax K200D and Sony A550

 K200D A550 
Manual focus Dial precise focusing
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen
Touch screen Absent Touch screen

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're intending to carry around your camera, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Pentax K200D provides outer dimensions of 134mm x 95mm x 74mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 2.9") accompanied by a weight of 690 grams (1.52 lbs) and the Sony A550 has proportions of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Pentax K200D and Sony A550 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you select at that time. Following is the front view dimension comparison of the K200D and the A550.

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into consideration dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the K200D and A550 is 61 and 63 respectively.

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it is very hard to picture the contrast in sensor sizes simply by going through specifications. The picture underneath should give you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the K200D and A550.

Plainly, both of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different resolution. You should expect the Sony A550 to produce greater detail as a result of its extra 4MP. Higher resolution will also allow you to crop pictures somewhat more aggressively. The more aged K200D will be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax K200D Portrait photography information
Sony A550 Portrait photography information
54
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
features face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Pentax K200D Street photography factors
Sony A550 Street photography factors
60
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
no articulating screen
heavier than competitors in class (690g)
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Pentax K200D
Sports photography with Sony A550
53
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
environment proofing
comes with phase detect auto focus
no liveview feature
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 fps)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
has phase detect autofocus
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Pentax K200D Travel photography highlights
Sony A550 Travel photography highlights
47
environment proofing
built-in flash
doesn't have Time Lapse function
heavier than competitors in class (690g)
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
does not have a selfie friendly screen
52
decent megapixels (14MP)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse recording
terrible battery pack (480 CIPA)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Pentax K200D
Landscape photography with Sony A550
56
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF2 mount)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
environment proofing
small screen (2.7")
no liveview feature
megapixel count low (10 megapixels)
doesn't have Time Lapse function
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
terrible battery pack (480 shots)
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Pentax K200D Vlogging details
Sony A550 Vlogging details
9
lack of video recording
9
can't shoot video
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Pentax K200D vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax K200D and Sony A550
 Pentax K200DSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model type Pentax K200D Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Entry-Level DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2008-09-01 2009-12-09
Physical type Compact SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio - 3:2 and 16:9
Max resolution 3872 x 2592 4592 x 3056
Max native ISO 1600 12800
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW files
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF2 Sony/Minolta Alpha
Total lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentamirror) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 96% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter rate 3.0 frames per second 7.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 13.00 m (at ISO 100) 12.00 m
Flash settings Auto, Red-Eye, Slow, Red-Eye Slow, Rear curtain Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash synchronize 1/180 secs 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Max video resolution None None
Mic 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 690 grams (1.52 lbs) 632 grams (1.39 lbs)
Dimensions 134 x 95 x 74mm (5.3" x 3.7" x 2.9") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 64 66
DXO Color Depth rating 22.4 21.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 11.4 11.8
DXO Low light rating 561 807
Other
Battery life - 480 photos
Battery style - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/MMC/SDHC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One One
Launch cost $600 $749