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Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550

Portability
86
Imaging
44
Features
28
Overall
37
Sigma DP2 front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
53
Features
65
Overall
57

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sigma DP2
(Full Review)
  • 5MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • 320 x 240 video
  • 41mm (F) lens
  • 280g - 113 x 60 x 56mm
  • Announced September 2009
  • Newer Model is Sigma DP2s
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
  • Released December 2009
  • Replaced the Sony A100
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Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Overview

On this page, we are analyzing the Sigma DP2 versus Sony A550, former being a Large Sensor Compact while the other is a Entry-Level DSLR by competitors Sigma and Sony. There is a considerable difference between the resolutions of the DP2 (5MP) and A550 (14MP) but both cameras have the same sensor sizes (APS-C).

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The DP2 was introduced 2 months before the A550 and they are both of a similar age. Each of the cameras have different body design with the Sigma DP2 being a Large Sensor Compact camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before going into a step-by-step comparison, here is a concise summation of how the DP2 grades vs the A550 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Sigma DP2 over the Sony A550

 DP2 A550 

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma DP2

 A550 DP2 
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimensions3"2.5"Larger display (+0.5")
Display resolution922k230kClearer display (+692k dot)

Common features in the Sigma DP2 and Sony A550

 DP2 A550 
ReleasedSeptember 2009December 2009Similar age
Manually focus More exact focus
Selfie screen Neither offers selfie screen
Touch display Neither offers Touch display

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

If you're going to carry your camera often, you should factor in its weight and volume. The Sigma DP2 offers outside measurements of 113mm x 60mm x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") accompanied by a weight of 280 grams (0.62 lbs) whilst the Sony A550 has sizing of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") having a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Look at the Sigma DP2 versus Sony A550 in our brand new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are employing at the time. Here is a front view over all size comparison of the DP2 versus the A550.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability rating of the DP2 and A550 is 86 and 63 respectively.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is very tough to visualise the gap between sensor sizing only by reading through technical specs. The photograph underneath might give you a greater sense of the sensor sizing in the DP2 and A550.

As you can tell, the 2 cameras have the same sensor dimensions but not the same megapixels. You can expect to see the Sony A550 to resolve extra detail using its extra 9MP. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop images a bit more aggressively.

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma DP2 Portrait photography features
Sony A550 Portrait photography features
56
focusing manually
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
71
focusing manually
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
provides face detection autofocus
saves RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma DP2 Street photography highlights
Sony A550 Street photography highlights
67
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (280g)
screen is fixed
does not have image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma DP2 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A550 as a Sports photography camera
30
good sensor size (APS-C)
fixed focal length (41mm)
slow frames per second (3.0 frames/s)
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
no phase detect autofocus
66
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports phase detect autofocus
bad battery (480 per charge)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma DP2 Travel photography information
Sony A550 Travel photography information
67
lighter than competition in class (280 grams)
built-in flash
very good max aperture (f)
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
display is not selfie friendly
51
decent MP (14 megapixels)
flash built-in
missing Timelapse mode
bad battery (480 shots)
screen isn't selfie friendly
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Sigma DP2
Landscape photography with Sony A550
48
focusing manually
very good max aperture (f)
good sensor size (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
fixed focal length (41mm)
screen is small (2.5")
does not have image stabilization
sensor resolution low (5 megapixels)
66
focusing manually
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3")
has image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
saves RAW files
bad battery (480 per charge)
missing Timelapse mode
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Sigma DP2 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A550 as a Vlogging camera
28
very good max aperture (f)
lighter than competition in class (280g)
display is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
low video resolution (320 x 240 resolution)
does not have microphone port
9
no video
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Sigma DP2 vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma DP2 and Sony A550
 Sigma DP2Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Make Sigma Sony
Model Sigma DP2 Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Class Large Sensor Compact Entry-Level DSLR
Announced 2009-09-21 2009-12-09
Body design Large Sensor Compact Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Chip - Bionz
Sensor type CMOS (Foveon X3) CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 20.7 x 13.8mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor area 285.7mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 5 megapixel 14 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 2640 x 1760 4592 x 3056
Maximum native ISO 3200 12800
Lowest native ISO 200 200
RAW format
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Autofocus continuous
Single autofocus
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Multi area autofocus
Live view autofocus
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Number of focus points - 9
Lens
Lens mounting type fixed lens Sony/Minolta Alpha
Lens focal range 41mm (1x) -
Amount of lenses - 143
Focal length multiplier 1.7 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 2.5 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 230 thousand dot 922 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch functionality
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder None Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder coverage - 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.53x
Features
Slowest shutter speed 15 secs 30 secs
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shooting speed 3.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 4.30 m 12.00 m
Flash settings Forced Flash, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Synchro Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AEB
WB bracketing
Maximum flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Supported video resolutions 320 x 240 (30 fps) -
Maximum video resolution 320x240 None
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone 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
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 280 grams (0.62 lb) 632 grams (1.39 lb)
Physical dimensions 113 x 60 x 56mm (4.4" x 2.4" x 2.2") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 66
DXO Color Depth score not tested 21.9
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 11.8
DXO Low light score not tested 807
Other
Battery life - 480 shots
Form of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/MMC card SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch price $649 $749