Clicky

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550

Portability
95
Imaging
36
Features
32
Overall
34
Samsung TL240 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Samsung TL240
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 80 - 4800 (Increase to 6400)
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 31-217mm (F3.3-5.5) lens
  • 160g - 104 x 58 x 20mm
  • Launched January 2010
  • Alternative Name is ST5000
Sony A550
(Full Review)
  • 14MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Display
  • ISO 200 - 12800
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 632g - 137 x 104 x 84mm
  • Introduced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Overview

In this write-up, we are contrasting the Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550, one is a Ultracompact and the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Samsung and Sony. The resolution of the TL240 (14MP) and the A550 (14MP) is very similar but the TL240 (1/2.3") and A550 (APS-C) enjoy totally different sensor sizing.

Sora from OpenAI releases its first ever music video

The TL240 was revealed about the same time to the A550 and they are of a similar generation. The two cameras offer different body type with the Samsung TL240 being a Ultracompact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going through a comprehensive comparison, below is a quick introduction of how the TL240 matches up vs the A550 in relation to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Samsung Releases Faster Versions of EVO MicroSD Cards

        

Reasons to pick Samsung TL240 over the Sony A550

 TL240 A550 
Display sizing3.5"3"Larger display (+0.5")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Samsung TL240

 A550 TL240 
Focus manually Dial exact focus
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display resolution922k230kCrisper display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Samsung TL240 and Sony A550

 TL240 A550 
IntroducedJanuary 2010December 2009Similar generation
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

In case you're aiming to carry around your camera regularly, you'll have to consider its weight and size. The Samsung TL240 has got outside dimensions of 104mm x 58mm x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") accompanied by a weight of 160 grams (0.35 lbs) and the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Compare the Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change depending on the lens you are employing during that time. Here is the front view scale comparison of the TL240 versus the A550.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the TL240 and A550 is 95 and 63 respectively.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to see the gap between sensor sizes only by reviewing a spec sheet. The picture here will provide you a much better sense of the sensor dimensions in the TL240 and A550.

Clearly, the 2 cameras offer the same exact MP but not the same sensor sizes. The TL240 provides the tinier sensor which is going to make obtaining shallower depth of field more challenging.

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
Photography Glossary

Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Samsung TL240 Portrait photography details
Sony A550 Portrait photography details
28
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
no manual focus
no manual control
can't use external flash
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
71
you can focus manually
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
has face detection focus
saves RAW formats
Photobucket discusses licensing 13 billion images with AI firms

Street Comparison

Samsung TL240 Street photography info
Sony A550 Street photography info
60
image stabilization (Optical)
comes with focus by touch
no articulating screen
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
more heavy than competitors (160 grams)
74
screen tilts
image stabilization (Sensor based)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
Apple Innovates by Creating Next-Level Optical Stabilization for iPhone

Sports Comparison

Samsung TL240 Sports photography features
Sony A550 Sports photography features
43
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14 megapixels)
has tracking focus
no shutter priority mode
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no phase detect autofocus
66
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports phase detect auto focus
low battery (480 shots)
Pentax 17 Pre-Orders Outperform Expectations by a Landslide

Travel Comparison

Samsung TL240 Travel photography details
Sony A550 Travel photography details
60
comes with focus by touch
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than competitors (160 grams)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
51
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
no Time Lapse recording
low battery (480 CIPA)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
President Biden pushes bill mandating TikTok sale or ban

Landscape Comparison

Samsung TL240 as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A550 as a Landscape photography camera
37
big screen (3.5")
image stabilization (Optical)
decent sensor resolution (14MP)
no manual focus
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
no manual control
sensor is very small (1/2.3")
no RAW format
missing Timelapse function
66
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
nice screen size (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor resolution is decent (14 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
saves RAW formats
low battery (480 per charge)
no Time Lapse recording
Meta to Introduce 'AI-Generated' Labels for Media starting next month

Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Samsung TL240
Vlogging with Sony A550
27
built-in touchscreen
image stabilization (Optical)
wide angle not good (31mm)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
low quality video (1280 x 720 resolution)
missing microphone support
more heavy than competitors (160g)
9
can't shoot video
Snapchat Adds Watermarks to AI-Created Images

Samsung TL240 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Samsung TL240 and Sony A550
 Samsung TL240Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Manufacturer Samsung Sony
Model type Samsung TL240 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Also Known as ST5000 -
Class Ultracompact Entry-Level DSLR
Launched 2010-01-06 2009-12-09
Body design Ultracompact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type CCD CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.3" APS-C
Sensor dimensions 6.17 x 4.55mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 28.1mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 14MP 14MP
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 4334 x 3256 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 4800 12800
Maximum boosted ISO 6400 -
Lowest native ISO 80 200
RAW photos
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens zoom range 31-217mm (7.0x) -
Maximum aperture f/3.3-5.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 143
Crop factor 5.8 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.5 inches 3 inches
Screen resolution 230k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 8 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/1500 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed - 7.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation - Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 5.00 m 12.00 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30, 15 fps), 640 x 480 (30, 15 fps), 320 x 240 (60, 30, 15 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 1280x720 None
Video format Motion JPEG -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 160g (0.35 pounds) 632g (1.39 pounds)
Dimensions 104 x 58 x 20mm (4.1" x 2.3" x 0.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around 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 photographs
Battery form - Battery Pack
Battery ID SLB-11A NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec, Double, Motion) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage MicroSD/ MicroSDHC, Internal SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots 1 1
Launch price $171 $749