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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550

Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
36
Overall
40
Samsung GX-1S front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung GX-1S
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced January 2006
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
  • Replaced the Sony A100
Photography Glossary

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Overview

Following is a detailed overview of the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A550, former is a Advanced DSLR while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Samsung and Sony. There is a substantial difference between the image resolutions of the GX-1S (6MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras provide the identical sensor measurements (APS-C).

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The GX-1S was revealed 4 years earlier than the A550 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Samsung GX-1S being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before delving straight to a thorough comparison, here is a quick summary of how the GX-1S grades vs the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Samsung GX-1S over the Sony A550

 GX-1S A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung GX-1S

 A550 GX-1S 
ReleasedDecember 2009January 2006More modern by 47 months
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen
Screen size3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution922k210kClearer screen (+712k dot)

Common features in the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A550

 GX-1S A550 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither features selfie screen
Touch screen No Touch screen

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to carry around your camera regularly, you should factor its weight and measurements. The Samsung GX-1S enjoys exterior measurements of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") along with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs) while 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).

Compare the Samsung GX-1S and Sony A550 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you use at the time. The following is a front view dimension comparison of the GX-1S versus the A550.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability grade of the GX-1S and A550 is 68 and 63 respectively.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Often, it can be difficult to picture the contrast between sensor sizes only by reading technical specs. The image below may give you a much better sense of the sensor sizing in the GX-1S and A550.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with the identical sensor size albeit different resolution. You can count on the Sony A550 to deliver more detail because of its extra 8 Megapixels. Higher resolution will also make it easier to crop shots a good deal more aggressively. The more aged GX-1S is going to be disadvantaged when it comes to sensor tech.

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Samsung GX-1S
Portrait photography with Sony A550
50
manual focus
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
no liveview feature
low MP (6 megapixels)
72
you can focus manually
decent megapixels (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Street photography details
Sony A550 Street photography details
60
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (605 grams)
screen does not articulate
no image stabilization
74
tilting screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
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Sports Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Sports photography highlights
Sony A550 Sports photography highlights
38
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports phase detect AF
no liveview feature
slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no image stabilization
low MP (6MP)
67
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
comes with phase detect AF
low battery pack (480 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
52
lighter than competition in class (605g)
flash built-in
lack of Time Lapse recording
low MP (6MP)
display is not selfie friendly
52
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
built-in flash
doesn't have Timelapse recording
low battery pack (480 shots)
screen is not selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Samsung GX-1S as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
46
manual focus
switch lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
small screen (2.5")
no liveview feature
no image stabilization
low MP (6 megapixels)
lack of Time Lapse recording
66
you can focus manually
change lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent megapixels (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
low battery pack (480 per charge)
doesn't have Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Samsung GX-1S Vlogging features
Sony A550 Vlogging features
9
lack of video recording
9
no video shooting
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Samsung GX-1S vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung GX-1S and Sony A550
 Samsung GX-1SSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Company Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung GX-1S Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Advanced DSLR Entry-Level DSLR
Introduced 2006-01-16 2009-12-09
Physical type Mid-size SLR Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Processor - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 6MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3008 x 2008 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 3200 12800
Min native ISO 200 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
Selective AF
AF center weighted
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detection focusing
Contract detection focusing
Phase detection focusing
Total focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens support Pentax KAF Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 151 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen sizing 2.5 inches 3 inches
Resolution of screen 210 thousand dots 922 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch capability
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage 95% 95%
Viewfinder magnification 0.64x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter rate 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance - 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction 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 seconds 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Highest video resolution None None
Microphone support
Headphone support
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
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 605 gr (1.33 pounds) 632 gr (1.39 pounds)
Physical dimensions 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") 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 - 480 photos
Type of battery - Battery Pack
Battery ID 4 x AA NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/MMC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Card slots Single Single
Launch pricing $850 $749