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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550

Portability
69
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Samsung GX-1L front
 
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550 front
Portability
96
Imaging
37
Features
28
Overall
33

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Key Specs

Samsung GX-1L
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 570g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced February 2006
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
  • Revealed July 2011
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Overview

Here is a in-depth overview of the Samsung GX-1L and Sony W550, former being a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Ultracompact by companies Samsung and Sony. There is a large difference among the image resolutions of the GX-1L (6MP) and W550 (14MP) and the GX-1L (APS-C) and W550 (1/2.3") possess totally different sensor size.

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The GX-1L was launched 6 years earlier than the W550 and that is a fairly serious difference as far as camera tech is concerned. The two cameras offer different body type with the Samsung GX-1L being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony W550 being a Ultracompact camera.

Before getting through a complete comparison, below is a short overview of how the GX-1L scores vs the W550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1L over the Sony W550

 GX-1L W550 
Manually focus More accurate focusing

Reasons to pick Sony W550 over the Samsung GX-1L

 W550 GX-1L 
RevealedJuly 2011February 2006Fresher by 65 months
Screen sizing3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution230k210kClearer screen (+20k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-1L and Sony W550

 GX-1L W550 
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen Neither comes with selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Physical Comparison

For anyone who is intending to carry your camera regularly, you have to think about its weight and proportions. The Samsung GX-1L comes with external dimensions of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") accompanied by a weight of 570 grams (1.26 lbs) and the Sony W550 has measurements of 94mm x 56mm x 19mm (3.7" x 2.2" x 0.7") with a weight of 110 grams (0.24 lbs).

Check the Samsung GX-1L and Sony W550 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Do not forget, the weight of an ILC will vary based on the lens you choose at that moment. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the GX-1L and the W550.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-1L and W550 is 69 and 96 respectively.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing purely by seeing a spec sheet. The photograph below will provide you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the GX-1L and W550.

Clearly, both the cameras offer different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The GX-1L because of its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh easier and the Sony W550 will produce extra detail utilizing its extra 8MP. Higher resolution will also let you crop shots a little more aggressively. The older GX-1L will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor tech.

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Portrait photography advice
Sony W550 Portrait photography advice
50
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
doesn't have liveview
sensor resolution low (6MP)
28
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Street photography details
Sony W550 Street photography details
60
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
lighter than average in class (570g)
fixed screen
does not have image stabilization
57
has image stabilization (Optical)
fixed screen
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Sports photography features
Sony W550 Sports photography features
38
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
doesn't have liveview
continuous shooting slow (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
35
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14MP)
slow frames per second (1.0 frames/s)
lack of shutter priority mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1L Travel photography highlights
Sony W550 Travel photography highlights
52
lighter than average in class (570g)
built-in flash
missing Timelapse function
sensor resolution low (6 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
65
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
rather wide (26mm)
does not have Timelapse recording
screen isn't selfie friendly
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Samsung GX-1L
Landscape photography with Sony W550
46
focusing manually
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW files
screen is small (2.5 inch)
doesn't have liveview
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (6MP)
missing Timelapse function
42
rather wide (26mm)
nice screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Optical)
megapixel count decent (14 megapixels)
focusing manually not possible
cannot switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
lack of manual mode
very small sensor (1/2.3")
lacks RAW support
does not have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung GX-1L
Vlogging with Sony W550
9
no video
29
rather wide (26mm)
has image stabilization (Optical)
somewhat slow max aperture (f2.7)
screen isn't selfie friendly
video resolution low (1280 x 720 pxls)
does not have external microphone socket
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Samsung GX-1L vs Sony W550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1L and Sony W550
 Samsung GX-1LSony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
General Information
Brand Name Samsung Sony
Model Samsung GX-1L Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W550
Category Advanced DSLR Ultracompact
Introduced 2006-02-24 2011-07-24
Physical type Mid-size SLR Ultracompact
Sensor Information
Chip - BIONZ
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 6 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 4:3 and 16:9
Full resolution 3008 x 2008 4320 x 3240
Max native ISO 3200 3200
Min native ISO 200 80
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points 5 9
Lens
Lens mounting type Pentax KAF fixed lens
Lens focal range - 26-104mm (4.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.7-5.7
Macro focus range - 5cm
Amount of lenses 151 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Type of screen Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 2.5" 3"
Screen resolution 210k dots 230k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Screen tech - Clear Photo LCD
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Optical (pentamirror) None
Viewfinder coverage 96 percent -
Viewfinder magnification 0.57x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 2 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/1600 seconds
Continuous shooting rate 3.0 frames per sec 1.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes -
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash range 7.50 m 3.80 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction Auto, On, Off, Slow Sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/180 seconds -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions - 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Max video resolution None 1280x720
Video data format - MPEG-4
Microphone port
Headphone port
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 570 gr (1.26 lbs) 110 gr (0.24 lbs)
Dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 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 model 4 x AA NP-BN1
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec, Portrait 1/2)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/SDHC/SDXC/Memory Stick Duo/Memory Stick Pro Duo, Memory Stick Pro-HG Duo
Card slots One -
Pricing at launch $0 $119