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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550

Portability
66
Imaging
40
Features
37
Overall
38
Pentax XG-1 front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Pentax XG-1
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 3200
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-1248mm (F2.8-5.6) lens
  • 567g - 119 x 89 x 98mm
  • Announced July 2014
Sony W550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 3200
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 26-104mm (F2.7-5.7) lens
  • 110g - 94 x 56 x 19mm
  • Announced July 2011
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Overview

Below, we will be contrasting the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W550, one being a Small Sensor Superzoom and the latter is a Ultracompact by competitors Pentax and Sony. The sensor resolution of the XG-1 (16MP) and the W550 (14MP) is pretty similar and they use the exact same sensor sizing (1/2.3").

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The XG-1 was introduced 3 years later than the W550 and that is quite a sizable gap as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras come with different body type with the Pentax XG-1 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting in to a more detailed comparison, below is a simple highlight of how the XG-1 matches up versus the W550 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall grade.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Pentax XG-1 over the Sony W550

 XG-1 W550 
AnnouncedJuly 2014July 2011More recent by 37 months
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Screen resolution460k230kSharper screen (+230k dot)

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Pentax XG-1

 W550 XG-1 

Common features in the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W550

 XG-1 W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurement
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Neither provides Touch friendly screen

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

If you are aiming to lug around your camera regularly, you have to factor its weight and proportions. The Pentax XG-1 provides external dimensions of 119mm x 89mm x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") along with a weight of 567 grams (1.25 lbs) while the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") having a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check the Pentax XG-1 and Sony W550 in the all new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change dependant on the lens you are employing during that time. Following is the front view dimensions comparison of the XG-1 against the W550.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 size comparison

Looking at dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the XG-1 and W550 is 66 and 96 respectively.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very tough to picture the contrast between sensor measurements simply by reviewing a spec sheet. The visual below might provide you a much better sense of the sensor sizes in the XG-1 and W550.

As you can see, each of these cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit different MP. You should expect the Pentax XG-1 to offer you greater detail using its extra 2MP. Higher resolution will also help you crop shots somewhat more aggressively. The younger XG-1 should have a benefit in sensor tech.

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Portrait photography info
Sony W550 Portrait photography info
40
focusing manually
good resolution (16 megapixels)
no external flash support
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
28
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Street Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Street photography info
Sony W550 Street photography info
43
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
screen does not articulate
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
more heavy than competitors (567g)
57
image stabilization (Optical)
no moving screen
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Sports photography factors
Sony W550 Sports photography factors
45
amazing zoom range (24-1248mm 52.0 x zoom)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
bad battery life (240 per charge)
has no phase detect auto focus
35
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Pentax XG-1 Travel photography info
Sony W550 Travel photography info
52
good resolution (16MP)
built-in flash
relatively wide (24mm)
very long reach (1248mm)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
more heavy than competitors (567g)
display is not selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.8)
65
resolution is good (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
fairly wide (26mm)
lack of Time Lapse recording
display isn't selfie friendly
slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Pentax XG-1 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony W550 as a Landscape photography camera
45
focusing manually
relatively wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
good resolution (16 megapixels)
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
tiny sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
bad battery life (240 CIPA)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
42
fairly wide (26mm)
screen size is good (3 inch)
image stabilization (Optical)
resolution is good (14MP)
focusing manually not possible
cannot swap lens (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
manual mode not possible
very small sensor size (1/2.3")
lack of RAW support
lack of Time Lapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Pentax XG-1
Vlogging with Sony W550
25
relatively wide (24mm)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
high res video (1920 x 1080 resolution)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
display is not selfie friendly
doesn't have external microphone jack
more heavy than competitors (567g)
29
fairly wide (26mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
slow max aperture (f2.7)
display isn't selfie friendly
video quality not great (1280 x 720 pxls)
lack of external mic port
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Pentax XG-1 vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Pentax XG-1 and Sony W550
 Pentax XG-1Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Manufacturer Pentax Sony
Model Pentax XG-1 Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Ultracompact
Announced 2014-07-15 2011-07-24
Body design SLR-like (bridge) Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size 1/2.3" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 28.1mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 16 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 4:3 and 16:9
Highest resolution 4608 x 3456 4320 x 3240
Highest native ISO 3200 3200
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 24-1248mm (52.0x) 26-104mm (4.0x)
Maximal aperture f/2.8-5.6 f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range 1cm 5cm
Focal length multiplier 5.8 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display size 3" 3"
Display resolution 460k dot 230k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Display technology - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic None
Viewfinder resolution 200k dot -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 4s 2s
Highest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/1600s
Continuous shooting speed 9.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes -
Set WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 6.00 m 3.80 m
Flash settings Force Off, Flash Auto, Force Flash, Slow Sync., Slow Sync. + Red-Eye, Red-Eye Reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (120 fps) 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 1280x720
Video format Motion JPEG MPEG-4
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Eye-Fi Connected None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 567 grams (1.25 lb) 110 grams (0.24 lb)
Dimensions 119 x 89 x 98mm (4.7" x 3.5" x 3.9") 94 x 56 x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 240 images -
Type of battery Battery Pack -
Battery model LB-060 NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots Single -
Retail cost $599 $119