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Sigma fp L vs Sony A550

Portability
83
Imaging
83
Features
80
Overall
81
Sigma fp L front
 
Sony Alpha DSLR-A550 front
Portability
63
Imaging
54
Features
65
Overall
58

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Key Specs

Sigma fp L
(Full Review)
  • 61MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.2" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Bump to 102400)
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 427g - 113 x 70 x 45mm
  • Released March 2021
  • Succeeded the Sigma fp
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
  • Announced December 2009
  • Superseded the Sony A100
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Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Overview

Its time to look a bit more closely at the Sigma fp L vs Sony A550, former is a Advanced Mirrorless while the latter is a Entry-Level DSLR by companies Sigma and Sony. There is a sizable difference between the sensor resolutions of the fp L (61MP) and A550 (14MP) and the fp L (Full frame) and A550 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor sizing.

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The fp L was announced 11 years after the A550 which is quite a significant difference as far as tech is concerned. Both of these cameras feature different body design with the Sigma fp L being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A550 being a Compact SLR camera.

Before getting into a more detailed comparison, here is a simple view of how the fp L matches up against the A550 with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sigma fp L over the Sony A550

 fp L A550 
AnnouncedMarch 2021December 2009More modern by 138 months
Screen size3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Screen resolution2100k922kCrisper screen (+1178k dot)
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A550 over the Sigma fp L

 A550 fp L 
Screen typeTiltingFixed Tilting screen

Common features in the Sigma fp L and Sony A550

 fp L A550 
Manually focus Dial accurate focus
Selfie screen Neither provides selfie screen

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Physical Comparison

For anybody who is planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will have to factor its weight and size. The Sigma fp L provides exterior dimensions of 113mm x 70mm x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") accompanied by a weight of 427 grams (0.94 lbs) and the Sony A550 has specifications of 137mm x 104mm x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3") and a weight of 632 grams (1.39 lbs).

Contrast the Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 in our completely new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Bear in mind, the weight of an ILC will differ depending on the lens you are employing at the time. Following is a front view measurements comparison of the fp L compared to the A550.

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability score of the fp L and A550 is 83 and 63 respectively.

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 top view buttons comparison

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Sensor Comparison

Usually, it is hard to see the gap between sensor sizes simply by looking at specs. The picture below will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizes in the fp L and A550.

All in all, both cameras feature different megapixels and different sensor sizes. The fp L with its bigger sensor will make getting bokeh less difficult and the Sigma fp L will give more detail with its extra 47MP. Higher resolution can also enable you to crop shots way more aggressively. The more recent fp L is going to have an advantage in sensor innovation.

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 sensor size comparison

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Screen and ViewFinder

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sigma fp L as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A550 as a Portrait photography camera
89
you can focus manually
fantastic megapixels (61MP)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers face detection autofocus
exports RAW files
72
manual focus
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Sigma fp L as a Street photography camera
Sony A550 as a Street photography camera
78
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
supports focus via touch
weather sealing
good high ISO (25,600)
screen does not articulate
lack of image stabilization
74
screen tilts up and down
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
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Sports Comparison

Sigma fp L Sports photography advice
Sony A550 Sports photography advice
79
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
fantastic megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
offers tracking autofocus
weather sealing
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (240 shots)
67
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
comes with phase detect autofocus
not so great battery pack (480 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Sigma fp L Travel photography factors
Sony A550 Travel photography factors
73
weather sealing
supports focus via touch
fantastic megapixels (61 megapixels)
low battery power (240 shots)
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
52
decent MP (14 megapixels)
has built in flash
lack of Time Lapse function
not so great battery pack (480 CIPA)
does not feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sigma fp L Landscape photography advice
Sony A550 Landscape photography advice
81
you can focus manually
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
fantastic megapixels (61 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
good high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
weather sealing
lack of image stabilization
low battery power (240 shots)
66
manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based)
decent MP (14 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
not so great battery pack (480 per charge)
lack of Time Lapse function
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Vlogging Comparison

Sigma fp L Vlogging info
Sony A550 Vlogging info
38
touchscreen capability
offers face detection autofocus
high quality video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
comes with external mic jack
doesn't contain selfie friendly display
lack of image stabilization
9
lack of video recording
Photography Glossary

Sigma fp L vs Sony A550 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sigma fp L and Sony A550
 Sigma fp LSony Alpha DSLR-A550
General Information
Brand Name Sigma Sony
Model Sigma fp L Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
Category Advanced Mirrorless Entry-Level DSLR
Released 2021-03-25 2009-12-09
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless Compact SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by - Bionz
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Full frame APS-C
Sensor dimensions 36 x 24mm 23.4 x 15.6mm
Sensor surface area 864.0mm² 365.0mm²
Sensor resolution 61 megapixels 14 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 9520 x 6328 4592 x 3056
Highest native ISO 25600 12800
Highest enhanced ISO 102400 -
Minimum native ISO 100 200
RAW photos
Minimum enhanced ISO 6 -
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Number of focus points 49 9
Lens
Lens mount Leica L Sony/Minolta Alpha
Number of lenses 40 143
Focal length multiplier 1 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Tilting
Screen size 3.2 inch 3 inch
Screen resolution 2,100k dot 922k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical (pentamirror)
Viewfinder resolution 3,680k dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.83x 0.53x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/8000 secs 1/4000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 10.0fps 7.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range no built-in flash 12.00 m
Flash options no built-in flash Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Slow Sync, High Speed Sync, Rear Curtain, Fill-in, Wireless
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/160 secs
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 23.98p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB Yes (USB Power Delivery supported) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 427 gr (0.94 lbs) 632 gr (1.39 lbs)
Physical dimensions 113 x 70 x 45mm (4.4" x 2.8" x 1.8") 137 x 104 x 84mm (5.4" x 4.1" x 3.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall 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 240 photos 480 photos
Battery form Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery model BP-51 NP-FM500H
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II supported) SD/ SDHC, Memory Stick Pro Duo/ Pro-HG Duo
Storage slots One One
Launch pricing $2,499 $749